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

[freetoview33]

The branding is consistent (Citylines with a block colour), the sub brand is whatever is operationally possible so a colour is the most basic (for cross city routes), a direction is the next level (for inter-worked routes) and a route number if the allocation can be kept consistent. It's a very good balance between marketing each route (which would obviously be the ideal) and the reality of actually resourcing the vehicle run out (if you cant get the operational side of the company to support things like this then you end up like Stagecoach Cheltenham and Gloucester where it's unusual to get the route number on the front to agree with the route number on the side!).

The people I know call Citylines East, the red buses anyway.

 

[Whiteway215]

Interesting to see that 33945 ran all day on the new Bath 22 between Twerton and University of Bath today. I had expected an E200.

 

[Callum15632]

Interesting to see that 33945 ran all day on the new Bath 22 between Twerton and University of Bath today. I had expected an E200.

33946 was also on the 22 yesterday and it's not single deckers as Bath are short of single deckers. It is a university route so it is a double decker and it interworks with the Bath Unibus U1 so it would be a Bath Unibus E400 MMC

 

[Whiteway215]

33946 was also on the 22 yesterday and it's not single deckers as Bath are short of single deckers. It is a university route so it is a double decker and it interworks with the Bath Unibus U1 so it would be a Bath Unibus E400 MMC

Thank you

 

[-Colly405-]

I've just received a marketing leaflet from First through the front door, including a free Adult FirstDay code.
The leaflet is for citylines | blue and includes a route map of the 75/76. Considering the nearest 75/76 bus stop to here is a 2.2 mile walk away, and we have the m1, T1, 19 and Y6 all within 0.2 mile, it does seem that this particular mail drop could have been better targeted!
Also wondering why, if the brand is to be just the 75/76, then why not just use citylines |75 76 for it? Or is there more to the brand and this is just the Patchway/Filton version of the leaflet? Hmmm...

Edit: And the marketing code comes up as 'Citylines 75 76' when using it to get the free ticket in the app...

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I've just received a marketing leaflet from First through the front door, including a free Adult FirstDay code.
The leaflet is for citylines | blue and includes a route map of the 75/76. Considering the nearest 75/76 bus stop to here is a 2.2 mile walk away, and we have the m1, T1, 19 and Y6 all within 0.2 mile, it does seem that this particular mail drop could have been better targeted!
Also wondering why, if the brand is to be just the 75/76, then why not just use citylines |75 76 for it? Or is there more to the brand and this is just the Patchway/Filton version of the leaflet? Hmmm...

Edit: And the marketing code comes up as 'Citylines 75 76' when using it to get the free ticket in the app...

We got one as well - it’s probably gone to everywhere served by the Patchway sorting office. You can use your free ticket on any First bus in the Bristol zone, not just the 75/76, so don’t complain about having to walk 2 miles to get to a 75 bus stop!

 

[-Colly405-]

We got one as well - it’s probably gone to everywhere served by the Patchway sorting office. You can use your free ticket on any First bus in the Bristol zone, not just the 75/76, so don’t complain about having to walk 2 miles to get to a 75 bus stop!

Yeah, I get that. just seems not a particularly well-targeted campaign sending it to Stoke Gifford / Great Stoke, when the 75 is miles away and most of its key traffic destinations are also served more frequently by the much closer m1. Sure they could've spent any Bradley Stoke / Stoke Gifford budget on other areas closer to the routes that don't have as good a service already.

 

[matt_splat]

I've just received a marketing leaflet from First through the front door, including a free Adult FirstDay code.
The leaflet is for citylines | blue and includes a route map of the 75/76. Considering the nearest 75/76 bus stop to here is a 2.2 mile walk away, and we have the m1, T1, 19 and Y6 all within 0.2 mile, it does seem that this particular mail drop could have been better targeted!
Also wondering why, if the brand is to be just the 75/76, then why not just use citylines |75 76 for it? Or is there more to the brand and this is just the Patchway/Filton version of the leaflet? Hmmm...

Edit: And the marketing code comes up as 'Citylines 75 76' when using it to get the free ticket in the app...

You.must live close to me while the 75 runs close mine was for the 1/2 and 2a......

 

[freetoview33]

I live in Henbury and got the Citylines Blue one

 

[Marcus Fryer]

It would seem that 36834 suffered a flat tyre whilst out on the A1 today, being replaced by 32347 for the 12:40 trip to the airport and back, then 35107 for the 14:20 round trip. Much of this is deduced from Bustimes, but the Streetdeck round trip definitely happened; I saw it on its return journey.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Bimbling around Bristol yesterday morning. Probably not the most pressing issue at the moment but the Geminis still in Urban are beginning to look very scruffy; I'd guess it's about 8/9 years since they were painted.

Of course, Covid has created a level of uncertainty in bus operation not seen since 1986 so any investment plans are on hold. However, there's still quite a few 18 year old B7TLs knocking around and you wonder when they might be replaced; sadly, it may be a consequence of further service cuts and we've seen plenty of those in recent years.

 

[Citistar]

It would seem that 36834 suffered a flat tyre whilst out on the A1 today, being replaced by 32347 for the 12:40 trip to the airport and back, then 35107 for the 14:20 round trip. Much of this is deduced from Bustimes, but the Streetdeck round trip definitely happened; I saw it on its return journey.

32347 definitely did a round trip too. I was sent a photo of it departing the bus station.

 

[Whiteway215]

Bimbling around Bristol yesterday morning. Probably not the most pressing issue at the moment but the Geminis still in Urban are beginning to look very scruffy; I'd guess it's about 8/9 years since they were painted.

Of course, Covid has created a level of uncertainty in bus operation not seen since 1986 so any investment plans are on hold. However, there's still quite a few 18 year old B7TLs knocking around and you wonder when they might be replaced; sadly, it may be a consequence of further service cuts and we've seen plenty of those in recent years.

I imagine these B7TLs will have to be replaced if the Bristol Clean Air Zone is operative from next summer.
The remaining 322xx ALX400s seem to be in regular use in Bristol.
Will any of the KP51 ALXs on loan to South West and Hampshire & Dorset be returning to Bristol?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I imagine these B7TLs will have to be replaced if the Bristol Clean Air Zone is operative from next summer.
The remaining 322xx ALX400s seem to be in regular use in Bristol.
Will any of the KP51 ALXs on loan to South West and Hampshire & Dorset be returning to Bristol?

I think @On the Buses confirmed that the ones at FSW will be disposed of in due course and won't be returning to Bristol

Haven't seen too many ALXs but the mainly the ex London 323** ones out and about. However, the Bristol CAZ may well sound the death knell for them with just a few coughing around Weston.

 

[-Colly405-]

So, the current timetables on the First website are only valid until tomorrow. The "Forthcoming" timetables section now has everything from Sunday. Everything, that is, except the 19, 37 and X39/39. And most 'country' routes 'forthcoming' timetables are valid just for 1 week, so expect more possible passenger confusion next weekend?
And this week's Traveline update still hasn't removed the 18 or updated the 19's timetable.
And to think, not that long ago, passengers were told of changes a good few weeks ahead, and things tended to be accurate.
As I said about this time last week, poor show First, poor show!

 

[aquae39]

I can confirm an E200 44521 running on Bath 11 and 12 today, that's the first time I see these routes operating non solos.

 

[CD]

So, the current timetables on the First website are only valid until tomorrow. The "Forthcoming" timetables section now has everything from Sunday. Everything, that is, except the 19, 37 and X39/39. And most 'country' routes 'forthcoming' timetables are valid just for 1 week, so expect more possible passenger confusion next weekend?
And this week's Traveline update still hasn't removed the 18 or updated the 19's timetable.
And to think, not that long ago, passengers were told of changes a good few weeks ahead, and things tended to be accurate.
As I said about this time last week, poor show First, poor show!

Better than Buses of Somerset, where the timetables expire tomorrow and still no replacements. What a great way to run a business.

 

[Adam Bryant 1]

So, the current timetables on the First website are only valid until tomorrow. The "Forthcoming" timetables section now has everything from Sunday. Everything, that is, except the 19, 37 and X39/39. And most 'country' routes 'forthcoming' timetables are valid just for 1 week, so expect more possible passenger confusion next weekend?
And this week's Traveline update still hasn't removed the 18 or updated the 19's timetable.
And to think, not that long ago, passengers were told of changes a good few weeks ahead, and things tended to be accurate.
As I said about this time last week, poor show First, poor show!

There should be some extra journeys on the 19 & 37 starting next werk to cater for the masses of children travelling to/from Oldfield School who last year had their own dedicated school routes.
Pre-covid the 19 was rammed beyond standing room only on school mornings by the time the bus reached Oldland Common to the point where it was quite often leaving people behind and skipping stops because it was so full. The 37 was rammed by the time it got to Bitton. Both buses emptied at Oldfield School.

 

[Class 33]

It's absolutely ridiculous that some of the services are having their timetables changed again after only a week! Also I need to get the X39 in a minute, but the timetables aren't even listed on the First Bristol website! How am I supposed to know what the times are? Usually they're at xx15 and xx45 leaving Bristol on Sundays, but that might not be the case from today. It's pretty useless that there are currently no X39 timetables on there!

 

[Citistar]

Absolutely ridiculous that some of the services are having their timetables changed again after only a week! Also I need to get the X39 in a minute, but the timetables aren't even listed on the First Bristol website! How am I supposed to know what the times are? Usually they're at xx15 and xx45 leaving Bristol on Sundays. But that might not be the case from today. Pretty useless there's currently no X39 timetables on there!

BusTimes suggests X39 at 00,20,40 from Bristol until 1120 then 45,05,25 until 1405 when it goes back to 20,40,00. I've o idea how right it is. Currently there are three buses tracking on it.

39, X39 - Aquae - Bristol Bus Station - Bath Bus Station

First Bristol, Bath & the West

bustimes.org

 

[Class 33]

BusTimes suggests X39 at 00,20,40 from Bristol until 1120 then 45,05,25 until 1405 when it goes back to 20,40,00. No idea how right it is. Currently three buses tracking on it.

39, X39 - Aquae - Bristol Bus Station - Bath Bus Station

First Bristol, Bath & the West

bustimes.org

OK thanks for that info.

 

[Volvodart]

There is a timetable in the service changes notice which I show below:-

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/uploads/node_images/39&X39 (Bath) 29 Aug 21.pdf

 

[Adam Bryant 1]

The extra journeys on the 37 to cater for the schools consist of two morning journeys both leaving Hanham at 7.50 and terminating at Oldfield School and two return journeys leaving Oldfield School at 15.00.
Surely it would make more sense to run one of those journeys in each direction to/from Bath Bus Station?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The extra journeys on the 37 to cater for the schools consist of two morning journeys both leaving Hanham at 7.50 and terminating at Oldfield School and two return journeys leaving Oldfield School at 15.00.
Surely it would make more sense to run one of those journeys in each direction to/from Bath Bus Station?

I guess they are trying to ensure that the school kids are concentrated onto those journeys and that any passengers for Bath get the 19, and that there aren't that many non-schools passengers if any travelling from Hanham and Longwell Green.

 

[Buses in Bath]

It's absolutely ridiculous that some of the services are having their timetables changed again after only a week! Also I need to get the X39 in a minute, but the timetables aren't even listed on the First Bristol website! How am I supposed to know what the times are? Usually they're at xx15 and xx45 leaving Bristol on Sundays, but that might not be the case from today. It's pretty useless that there are currently no X39 timetables on there!

Use bustimes.org or traveline. All the timetables on those sites are correct on them now. I totally agree, some timetables on First's website are missing and there are no timetables or tracking on the app. There is no way to find when your bus is without using 3rd party apps. It's insane.

 

[Citistar]

Use bustimes.org or traveline. All the timetables on those sites are correct on them now. I totally agree, some timetables on First's website are missing and there are no timetables or tracking on the app. There is no way to find when your bus is without using 3rd party apps. It's insane.

BusTimes seems fairly up to date, but TravelineSW is still incomplete or wrong in some cases, particularly around Bath. 18 is still shown as operating. 19 and 37 are not updated with the additional school journeys.

 

[freetoview33]

How easy would it be to get services calling at Filton Abbey Wood (Station)?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

How easy would it be to get services calling at Filton Abbey Wood (Station)

Its a bit of a ballache TBH - remember the old 581 did it. To Filton is ok as you come along, left and up the road to the car park, round and back out. From Filton, you can’t turn right so you have to go down to the roundabout by Asda and then back up.

Besides, I'm not certain why you’d do it? It would be be better to improve links and facilities at Parkway.

 

[-Colly405-]

Bit of a ballache TBH - remember the old 581 did it. To Filton is ok as you come along, left and up the road to the car park, round and back out. From Filton, you can’t turn right so you have to go down to the roundabout by Asda and then back up.

Besides, not certain why you’d do it? Be better to improve links and facilities at Parkway

Unless they've gotten rid of it, there is a bus-only right turn into Emma-Chris Way (the station approach road).

There was a plan to build a bus-only link along what is now the footpath from the station turning circle to Nutfield Grove and thence Filton Avenue, which would have allowed all services to run via the station. Not sure whether it is still on the cards, though?

 

[freetoview33]

Unless they've gotten rid of it, there is a bus-only right turn into Emma-Chris Way (the station approach road).

There was a plan to build a bus-only link along what is now the footpath from the station turning circle to Nutfield Grove and thence Filton Avenue, which would have allowed all services to run via the station. Not sure whether it is still on the cards, though?

That is the proposal I'm looking to revive as I've got the full details of the original proposal. The main issue was a South Gloucestershire councillor (now retired), who was against the idea at all costs. The problem with Parkway is that it misses out some trains, especially.
Anyone coming from a smaller Welsh station into North Bristol.