West Country Independents

[iantherev]

Of what I understand, the owner of Webberbus is starting or has started a new company - something like Royal Diamond or Royal Blue? Think it has a coach at the moment.

I seem to recall that Royal Blue was set up as a separate company (joint with Ridlers, Dulverton if my memory is correct) to bid for the Hinckley Point contract, unsuccessfully as it turns out.

 

[diffywood]

rumors going around that Wessex to end route 13 in the summer - can anyone confirm this or is it just rumors

 

[matt_splat]

rumors going around that Wessex to end route 13 in the summer - can anyone confirm this or is it just rumors

i had heard that wessex were finishing all UWE services from the end of the term

 

[freetoview33]

It wouldn't surprise me. Maybe we might get a Wessex 75!

 

[robertclark125]

But surely the services would finish for the summer break, and restart at the start of the new term?

 

[plcd1]

But surely the services would finish for the summer break, and restart at the start of the new term?

That is what happened last year. I was intending to spend a couple of days in Bristol last summer intending to flit about on the buses to visit various places. However looking at where I needed to go and what buses would run scuppered the plans. Part of the problem was that so many Wessex run routes disappear over the summer break plus First Bristol scale back the frequencies on a fair number of their routes. When you add those issues to the generally poor network design if you want to make anything other than a radial journey then I cancelled my trip plans.

Obviously I can't be certain as to what Wessex routes will rematerialise but I'd certainly not be suprised to see nearly all of them come off in July (as they did last year).

 

[THarris123]

Makes you wonder if we'll see Rotala pull the plug on Wessex. If they lose the UWE services and the Uni of Bath services, there won't be much left.

We could see them take on other routes. Pretty unlikely to be 75, but maybe we'll see a competing service on 3/4? Would make sense. Or maybe something that mirrors the train line from Severn beach through Avonmouth into Temple Meads?

 

[winston270twm]

Makes you wonder if we'll see Rotala pull the plug on Wessex. If they lose the UWE services and the Uni of Bath services, there won't be much left.

We could see them take on other routes. Pretty unlikely to be 75, but maybe we'll see a competing service on 3/4? Would make sense. Or maybe something that mirrors the train line from Severn beach through Avonmouth into Temple Meads?

Rotala can't lose the UWE services, they are commercial. I think we are likely to see a further reduction in UWE services (i.e. frequencies & or routes) from Sept due to lower passenger numbers, this being as a result of more students living on site & competition from First meaning that those that still use the buses are shared between the two companies.

I'd be surprised if Rotala left Bristol, I think we will see a shift towards more commercial services either against First or filling gaps in First's network, with Rotala competing more on price with their Star fares / passes similar to their Value Fares here in the West Midlands against NXWM.

It does sound from comments posted on here that their are still issues with reliability of Wessex services which need to be addressed.

 

[diffywood]

timetable change for 13 from 22/05/2016 according to traveline southwest and according to a action group on Facebook Wessex have confirmed the withdrawing of the route after 02/07/2016

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

We could see them take on other routes. Pretty unlikely to be 75, but maybe we'll see a competing service on 3/4? Would make sense. Or maybe something that mirrors the train line from Severn beach through Avonmouth into Temple Meads?

The 3/4 would be a possible if Wessex wanted to expand their commercial ops but not a service to compete with the train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

timetable change for 13 from 22/05/2016 according to traveline southwest and according to a action group on Facebook Wessex have confirmed the withdrawing of the route after 02/07/2016

If it is a permanent withdrawal, that's quite a reverse for Wessex in Bristol. The only routes that are left that I'd rate are the X14 and the 16. The rest is a bit marginal or a load of tendered stuff.

 

[freetoview33]

And the 19! The 13 was a new route, can't remember there being one before that went that route

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

And the 19! The 13 was a new route, can't remember there being one before that went that route

Don't really rate the 19 nor the 11 - sure it washes it's face but I don't seem to see so many on there though appreciate it's hardly scientific

Also, it does have that odd 25 min frequency. You'd think a 30 min clock face might be more logical?

 

[THarris123]

Cancellation for Wessex 13 and 19 have gone through VOSA from 22/7. Variation of U18 too.

 

[Marc]

anyone heard about the new 669 operator yet?

 

[DaveHarries]

anyone heard about the new 669 operator yet?

Yes. From the VOSA registrations for 25-May-2016:

- - - - - - - - - -
PH1034398/30 - NIPPY BUS LTD, GREAT WESTERN ROAD, MARTOCK, TA12 6HB
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Shepton Mallet, Cenotaph
Finish Point: Street, Sainsburys
Via: Pilton, West Pennard, Glastonbury
Service Number: 669
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 13-JUN-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday
- - - - - - - - - -

Not too big a dead run for Nippybus and I guess that, in termtimes, a couple of trips may get tied in with Service 652 (Martock - Street, Strode College) which they currently operate.

Dave

 

[THarris123]

Timetable is up on Traveline for 668. 67 timetable of Webberbus now removed.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes. From the VOSA registrations for 25-May-2016:

- - - - - - - - - -
PH1034398/30 - NIPPY BUS LTD, GREAT WESTERN ROAD, MARTOCK, TA12 6HB
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Shepton Mallet, Cenotaph
Finish Point: Street, Sainsburys
Via: Pilton, West Pennard, Glastonbury
Service Number: 669
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 13-JUN-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday
- - - - - - - - - -

Not too big a dead run for Nippybus and I guess that, in termtimes, a couple of trips may get tied in with Service 652 (Martock - Street, Strode College) which they currently operate.

Dave

I would've been very surprised to see First win it given the number of lower cost independents (of which Nippy is one with the 667).

Assuming the timetable remains similar to now, I'd suspect it will be standalone (though driver breaks will be a challenge)

 

[matt_splat]

Whats the situation regarding APL?

PH0001301/85 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Devizes Market Place
Finish Point: Chippenham Rail Station
Via: Bromham, Calne
Service Number: 33
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Saturdays
PH0001301/86 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Calne, The Pippin, Sainsburys
Finish Point: Calne, The Pippin, Sainsburys
Via: Heddington, Rookery Park
Service Number: 43
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays
PH0001301/87 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Calne, The Pippin Sainsburys
Finish Point: Marlborough High Street
Via: Devizes
Service Number: 42
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Whats the situation regarding APL?

PH0001301/85 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Devizes Market Place
Finish Point: Chippenham Rail Station
Via: Bromham, Calne
Service Number: 33
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Saturdays
PH0001301/86 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Calne, The Pippin, Sainsburys
Finish Point: Calne, The Pippin, Sainsburys
Via: Heddington, Rookery Park
Service Number: 43
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays
PH0001301/87 - THAMESDOWN TRANSPORT LTD, BARNFIELD ROAD, SWINDON, SN2 2DJ
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Calne, The Pippin Sainsburys
Finish Point: Marlborough High Street
Via: Devizes
Service Number: 42
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays

That's not all of their routes? That said, they've done the 33 for a long time now (remember it as Badgerline 233 - there's still a Badgerline bus stop if you know where to look )

Wonder if it is to do with much reduced service provision being tendered and TT have picked it up? Keep us posted!

 

[matt_splat]

That's not all of their routes? That said, they've done the 33 for a long time now (remember it as Badgerline 233 - there's still a Badgerline bus stop if you know where to look )

Wonder if it is to do with much reduced service provision being tendered and TT have picked it up? Keep us posted!

isnt the stop on a road as you leave calne or is it in bowerhill or what ever you call it

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

isnt the stop on a road as you leave calne or is it in bowerhill or what ever you call it

I won't say as someone will remove it for their own collection

 

[DaveHarries]

A reading of the registration by Thamesdown for Service 33 suggests that it is the Saturday service they have registered.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hambrook bridge on Metrobus being moved into place as I left Parkway tonight

 

[matt_splat]

I won't say as someone will remove it for their own collection

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I Can think of a few others in Wiltshire
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
looks like a few changes going on in the chew valley / norton radstock area very soon from citistar

http://www.citistar.co.uk/buscoach.html

this part is of most interest http://www.citistar.co.uk/768notice.pdf i wonder who the other operator could be.

Very interesting - pardon my ignorance but what's the unregulated service that is mentioned?

 

[matt_splat]

i'm unsure there are a few operators who take busses into Bath from the area we have JVA, CT Coaches and a few others i guess one has history with running the route and runs a evening service but who knows

 

[freetoview33]

I Can think of a few others in Wiltshire
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
looks like a few changes going on in the chew valley / norton radstock area very soon from citistar

http://www.citistar.co.uk/buscoach.html

this part is of most interest http://www.citistar.co.uk/768notice.pdf i wonder who the other operator could be.

only the 768, the other changes were from 2015

 

[THarris123]

Well Andy's been fed up with 768 ever since he started it, so no real surprise there.

Wonder what else he'll do?

Oh and what are the Chew Valley changes?

 

[Colly405]

See that VOSA has the 768 cancellation today.

Also, re Wessex from 1st August:

• timetable changes for the 3A/3B/3C/3X (I see that the registration still includes the 3!!!),
• the One and One2 moving to new registrations
• the One and One2 losing their Sunday service
• the One only running as far north as Brentry

PH1066711/114 - WESSEX BUS LTD, ROTALA GROUP HEADQUATERS, CROSS QUAYS BUSINESS PARK, HALLBRIDGE WAY, TIVIDALE, OLDBURY, B69 3HW
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bristol, Colston Centre and Cribbs Causeway/Aztec West given service number 3/3A/3B/3C/3X effective from 01-Aug-2016. To amend Timetable.

PH1066711/123 - WESSEX BUS LTD, ROTALA GROUP HEADQUATERS, CROSS QUAYS BUSINESS PARK, HALLBRIDGE WAY, TIVIDALE, OLDBURY, B69 3HW
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Bristol Union Street and Cribbs Causeway given service number 1/2 effective from 31-Jul-2016.

PH1066711/125 - WESSEX BUS LTD, ROTALA GROUP HEADQUATERS, CROSS QUAYS BUSINESS PARK, HALLBRIDGE WAY, TIVIDALE, OLDBURY, B69 3HW
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Broadmead, Union Street
Finish Point: Brentry Roundabout
Via: Westbury Village, Whiteladies Road
Service Number: ONE
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-AUG-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday

PH1066711/126 - WESSEX BUS LTD, ROTALA GROUP HEADQUATERS, CROSS QUAYS BUSINESS PARK, HALLBRIDGE WAY, TIVIDALE, OLDBURY, B69 3HW
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Broadmead, Union Street
Finish Point: Southmead, Greystoke Avenue
Via: Henlease, Whiteladies Road
Service Number: ONE2
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 01-AUG-2016
Other Details: Monday to Saturday

 

[DaveHarries]

This has appeared on the website of the Evenign Post. Not the most accurate of publications though I realise.
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Wessex...vices-t-make/story-29371216-detail/story.html

Dave