First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)

[-Colly405-]

Just seen 36818 on a T1 with branding for the South Glos Lynx (below downstairs windows) linking Thornbury & Bristol (above drivers window).

Was from a distance so there may be more branding that I didn't see..

 

[Tommy Walters]

Evidently 32344 has stayed in Bath as it passed me on a 21 earlier. 32347 has also now moved as it was on an X39. Looks also like the last e200 has now left Weston - 44905 on the Wessex Water contract.

 

[D2007wsm]

Every one I saw today was a 368xx of some kind however I cant guarantee which ones. Along with the ones on the T1 it should keep them employed for a while until they're needed for the M2!

Interestingly, last week in 'The Word' it was stated by the MD, these are 'not quite Metrobus spec'. It didn't say why, I haven't been on one of the Metrobus vehicles, but isn't the only difference the grey leather seats rather than the Metrobus moquette?

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Interestingly, last week in 'The Word' it was stated by the MD, these are 'not quite Metrobus spec'. It didn't say why, I haven't been on one of the Metrobus vehicles, but isn't the only difference the grey leather seats rather than the Metrobus moquette?

They don't have USB sockets whereas the Metrobuses on the m3 do.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Just seen 36818 on a T1 with branding for the South Glos Lynx (below downstairs windows) linking Thornbury & Bristol (above drivers window).

Was from a distance so there may be more branding that I didn't see..

36817 and 36821 carry the same branding; it is as you describe, on both nearside and offside. 36822 was the fourth bus on the T1 today and isn't branded.

 

[Whiteway215]

The B7 deckers in Weston will be for the enhanced 20 and 1 summer timetable which started Sunday, with 5 buses on the 20 and 2 on the 1. All though 32011 should be back soon after having the chop.

Weston has a requirement for 8 Darts plus operational spares, 6 for the 3 and 2 for the 5 since the E200s have moved on. Streetlites are used to infill on these as required, yesterday and Sunday the 3 was operated by Streetlites.

Are the purple ex Bath U2 Darts being used seeing some WM Darts have gone to Cymru and the last E200s have come to Bath?

 

[D2007wsm]

They don't have USB sockets whereas the Metrobuses on the m3 do.

Oh I thought they did, thought I seen a lady plug her phone in when I got on one on a Portway P&R.

Are the purple ex Bath U2 Darts being used seeing some WM Darts have gone to Cymru and the last E200s have come to Bath?

One was on a 3 this morning, they had said only been used for months.

Just these in Weston and those off the 5 in Bristol until WoE is Dart free.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh I thought they did, thought I seen a lady plug her phone in when I got on one on a Portway P&R.


One was on a 3 this morning, they had said only been used for months.

Just these in Weston and those off the 5 in Bristol until WoE is Dart free.

Is the 35 no longer Dart operated? It was 42896/8 following 43849’s departure to Glasgow or am I behind the times?

 

[spw24]

Is the 35 no longer Dart operated? It was 42896/8 following 43849’s departure to Glasgow or am I behind the times?

well it still was this morning though recently there have been a couple of No5 darts used as well.

 

[D2007wsm]

Is the 35 no longer Dart operated? It was 42896/8 following 43849’s departure to Glasgow or am I behind the times?

Didn't think of that one, it isnt one of the services which springs to mind as I don't often see it. I did notice it though the Thursday before last and it was a 5 branded Dart.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

well it still was this morning though recently there have been a couple of No5 darts used as well.

Didn't think of that one, it isnt one of the services which springs to mind as I don't often see it. I did notice it though the Thursday before last and it was a 5 branded Dart.

Thanks both. It’s one bus every two hours so easy to overlook. Tbh, given the pressure on drivers, I’m a little surprised that they still have it.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

The Route 5 Darts strapline above the windows and on the rear window which lists the places served has been updated to include Bromley Heath in line with last Sunday's route change.

 

[DaveHarries]

Oh I thought they did, thought I seen a lady plug her phone in when I got on one on a Portway P&R.


One was on a 3 this morning, they had said only been used for months.

Just these in Weston and those off the 5 in Bristol until WoE is Dart free.

More's the pity: I think the Darts are a good bus. Wonder what they will put on the 5 though? Hopefully not Street[....]es but I can't see it being Decker operated. If I was an over-optimistic type (which I am not) I would hope for some Enviro200 MMCs but not for donkeys' years I suspect. Find the MMC ones better than the older Enviros though.

Dave

 

[D2007wsm]

More's the pity: I think the Darts are a good bus. Wonder what they will put on the 5 though? Hopefully not Street[....]es but I can't see it being Decker operated. If I was an over-optimistic type (which I am not) I would hope for some Enviro200 MMCs but not for donkeys' years I suspect. Find the MMC ones better than the older Enviros though.

Dave

The 3s and the 4s are supposed to be going to Streetlites, for comanlity. Streetlites do appear on the 5 on occasion. Neither can I see deckers going into either. Though I have seen one on both. Years ago there used to be a 3 on a Saturday morning from Mead Vale to Town which was a decker and weeknights when I was at school there was a 5B from the old Sainsbury's stop around 15:30 to Town which was always a Lympalong which then formed the 16:30 X1.

The 3s and 5s won't get new buses they are not lucrative enough, the last time they had me buses was in 1991/1992 with the original Merc minibuses. If any of the Weston Town services were to get new buses, it would be the 7s. I know the desire is there for E400s to replace the B7TLs and I know the Streetdecks haven't found favour in this area, but they would be perfect pootling around on the 7. Everything they are used on in this area is hilly, the 70/71 round Ashley Down, 90 going from St John's Lane up into Knowle and the 376 between Bristol and Wells. It is said they cope well in Norfolk which is relatively flat, the 7 is also flat bar one slight incline as you come out of the Coronation onto the foot of the railway bridge on the Broadway.

 

[swifty]

The 3s and the 4s are supposed to be going to Streetlites, for comanlity. Streetlites do appear on the 5 on occasion. Neither can I see deckers going into either. Though I have seen one on both. Years ago there used to be a 3 on a Saturday morning from Mead Vale to Town which was a decker and weeknights when I was at school there was a 5B from the old Sainsbury's stop around 15:30 to Town which was always a Lympalong which then formed the 16:30 X1.

The 3s and 5s won't get new buses they are not lucrative enough, the last time they had me buses was in 1991/1992 with the original Merc minibuses. If any of the Weston Town services were to get new buses, it would be the 7s. I know the desire is there for E400s to replace the B7TLs and I know the Streetdecks haven't found favour in this area, but they would be perfect pootling around on the 7. Everything they are used on in this area is hilly, the 70/71 round Ashley Down, 90 going from St John's Lane up into Knowle and the 376 between Bristol and Wells. It is said they cope well in Norfolk which is relatively flat, the 7 is also flat bar one slight incline as you come out of the Coronation onto the foot of the railway bridge on the Broadway.

I think Dave was querying the 5 in Bristol

I suppose it could go Decker operated, just depends on what can be found saloon wise?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think Dave was querying the 5 in Bristol

I suppose it could go Decker operated, just depends on what can be found saloon wise?

Thought there were crossed purposes!

FWIW, with respect to Bristol 5, it is also one of the weaker services. It won’t get new vehicles but I could see it getting StreetLites released to replace Darts. I can’t see new singles unless something like e200mmc onto the 24?

For Weston, I don’t see anything new for town routes. However, it is fair to say that they would put StreetLites on the 3 (keep forgetting that the newest Darts are now 12 years old) and in that case, then it makes sense for commonality to put them on the 5, even if the route itself probably doesn’t demand it.

Was wondering if the e400 from the 50 might be a reasonable shout for the Weston 7?

 

[Marcus Fryer]

FWIW, with respect to Bristol 5, it is also one of the weaker services. It won’t get new vehicles but I could see it getting StreetLites released to replace Darts. I can’t see new singles unless something like e200mmc onto the 24?

As they've refreshed the strapline to include Bromley Heath (see previous post) I would imagine they're proposing to keep the Darts on there for some time yet.

 

[carlberry]

They don't have USB sockets whereas the Metrobuses on the m3 do.

I find it strange that the batch has two different specs like that. They were clearly bought as they fitted the rest of the Metrobus spec so little things like that, whilst possible to retrofit, are very odd and suggest serious penny pinching (as retrofitting is always going to cost many times more).
Does this mean that First are expecting enough gas buses to be available for the M2 in September?

 

[Tommy Walters]

They don't have USB sockets whereas the Metrobuses on the m3 do.

There's a interior photo of 36808 on Flickr & that definitely had USB sockets in it!!

 

[Marcus Fryer]

There's a interior photo of 36808 on Flickr & that definitely had USB sockets in it!!

My error; I'm on 36821 atm and it is fitted with USB ports.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As they've refreshed the strapline to include Bromley Heath (see previous post) I would imagine they're proposing to keep the Darts on there for some time yet.

Not a big expense though.

I find it strange that the batch has two different specs like that. They were clearly bought as they fitted the rest of the Metrobus spec so little things like that, whilst possible to retrofit, are very odd and suggest serious penny pinching (as retrofitting is always going to cost many times more).
Does this mean that First are expecting enough gas buses to be available for the M2 in September?

Intriguing to know how the fleet will pan out and those Scanias have had life already:

36801-5/7 - Bath U1 now m3
36806 - testing and familiarisation now m3
36808-12 - Bristol U1, then A1 then various 75s etc then 903
36813/4 - Bristol U1, then A1 then 376 then Bath
36815/6 - Bristol U1, then A1 then Bath
36817-23 - UWE then T1
36824 - UWE then Bath

 

[D2007wsm]

Thought there were crossed purposes!

FWIW, with respect to Bristol 5, it is also one of the weaker services. It won’t get new vehicles but I could see it getting StreetLites released to replace Darts. I can’t see new singles unless something like e200mmc onto the 24?

For Weston, I don’t see anything new for town routes. However, it is fair to say that they would put StreetLites on the 3 (keep forgetting that the newest Darts are now 12 years old) and in that case, then it makes sense for commonality to put them on the 5, even if the route itself probably doesn’t demand it.

Was wondering if the e400 from the 50 might be a reasonable shout for the Weston 7?

This would be good, it's a shame all of the E400s have allready been Excelled, they would have been perfect for the X1-X4 alongside the other 12/63 plates. This could of allowed the 334** to retire onto the 7s. But if that happens, what will go on the 50s?

The 5 does get busy now and the E200s couldn't cope. It will be interesting to see how the Darts cope as they are a closer comparison to the Streetlites. After talking to someone in the know, a lot of money could be saved by operating Streetlites on less lucrative services as they offer better fuel efficiency and the newer Euro VI engines offer certain advantages to an operator.

As they've refreshed the strapline to include Bromley Heath (see previous post) I would imagine they're proposing to keep the Darts on there for some time yet.

That wouldn't have broken the bank and going by past experience, it doesn't matter if route branding has recently been applied to have it ripped back off sometimes weeks later.

 

[D2007wsm]

47556 is on Weston 5s today and 47560 is on the 3, I also seen a purple U2 Dart on the 2 in front. 42903 is also on 3s.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

This would be good, it's a shame all of the E400s have allready been Excelled, they would have been perfect for the X1-X4 alongside the other 12/63 plates. This could of allowed the 334** to retire onto the 7s. But if that happens, what will go on the 50s?

The 5 does get busy now and the E200s couldn't cope. It will be interesting to see how the Darts cope as they are a closer comparison to the Streetlites. After talking to someone in the know, a lot of money could be saved by operating Streetlites on less lucrative services as they offer better fuel efficiency and the newer Euro VI engines offer certain advantages to an operator.


That wouldn't have broken the bank and going by past experience, it doesn't matter if route branding has recently been applied to have it ripped back off sometimes weeks later.

There’s a fuel saving on StreetLites but how much is that vs. a Euro2 Dart and then you have the depreciation.

Certainly, given the issues with air pollution in Bristol, would make sense for micro hybrids to be on the 5.

As for the 50, just pop some Geminis on there.

Btw 36815 is on 903 - thought that was in Bath!

 

[D2007wsm]

There’s a fuel saving on StreetLites but how much is that vs. a Euro2 Dart and then you have the depreciation.

Certainly, given the issues with air pollution in Bristol, would make sense for micro hybrids to be on the 5.

As for the 50, just pop some Geminis on there.

Btw 36815 is on 903 - thought that was in Bath!

I was told that over a year the fuel savings are quite substantial and by having cleaner engines, subsidies are available.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Btw 36815 is on 903 - thought that was in Bath!

Wonder if 32343/4/7 have replaced 36813-6?

 

[DaveHarries]

I think Dave was querying the 5 in Bristol

Yes indeed I was.

I can’t see new singles unless something like e200mmc onto the 24?

I think they would probably be a good vehicle for the 24. Also the ride of an Enviro200 MMC is, I find, better than a Street****e and the MMC gives the impression of being a more solid bus. I have only tried the ones which Thamesdown (Swindon) and Stagecoach South Wales (Porth) have but a demo MMC on the 24 in Bristol would prove me right or wrong..

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

Not a big expense though.



Intriguing to know how the fleet will pan out and those Scanias have had life already:

36801-5/7 - Bath U1 now m3
36806 - testing and familiarisation now m3
36808-12 - Bristol U1, then A1 then various 75s etc then 903
36813/4 - Bristol U1, then A1 then 376 then Bath
36815/6 - Bristol U1, then A1 then Bath
36817-23 - UWE then T1
36824 - UWE then Bath

One of them was still on the 376 yesterday, (I will comment more on my little outing tomorrow!)

 

[carlberry]

Just seen 36818 on a T1 with branding for the South Glos Lynx (below downstairs windows) linking Thornbury & Bristol (above drivers window).

Was from a distance so there may be more branding that I didn't see..

I've now seen one of these and after all the good things that have happened since JF arrived this is completely underwhelming!!!

It dosent sell the service in any way, dosent help identify the service to anybody who's looking for it yet has all the operational disadvantages (dedicated vehicles) that come with doing it properly. If that's all the budget is going to stretch to then why bother? The message of more frequent services to Thornbury with faster journey times and newer vehicles is worth selling but putting the outline of a cats head on the side of a bus dosent achieve it!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I've now seen one of these and after all the good things that have happened since JF arrived this is completely underwhelming!!!

It dosent sell the service in any way, dosent help identify the service to anybody who's looking for it yet has all the operational disadvantages (dedicated vehicles) that come with doing it properly. If that's all the budget is going to stretch to then why bother? The message of more frequent services to Thornbury with faster journey times and newer vehicles is worth selling but putting the outline of a cats head on the side of a bus dosent achieve it!

I agree with everything you say. However, with the Discover relaunch, the ME deckerisation and
Metrobus, I think it’s probably just stretched things and so they’ve gone for a soft launch.

Perhaps it’s something that they will rectify come Sep/Oct?