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

[Marcus Fryer]

Take care if you walk up the drive to Bath Spa Uni, it’s quite narrow!

There’s a separate pedestrian/cycle lane marked out on the road surface.

 

[Citistar]

There’s a separate pedestrian/cycle lane marked out on the road surface.

That may well not be closely adhered to when long E200s are passing each other every ten minutes on the driveway...

Anyway, further to all the other reasons given above for being there, Bath Spa Uni's Newton Park campus is crossed by a couple of public footpaths as well.

 

[LeylandLynx]

I floated around the idea of merging the 73 and 74 before, but how about merging the 72 and 73? It would be also less circuitry than merging the 74 and 73.

This means redirecting the 73 down Lockleaze Road, Romney Avenue, UWE Frenchay, Coldharbour Lane (or whichever way is fastest) and then onto Filton Road and then continuing the current 73 route, or close to it (if there's a faster way to Bristol Parkway Station).

Obviously this would mean the majority of Filton Avenue will be cut, I don't know how much of that portion of the route is used and if can be replaced by alternative routes.

I was also thinking of scrapping the 74 to have a 15-minute frequency for the 70 and this new 73, which would link South Bristol to UWE. If we lived in an ideal world I would keep the 72 and 74, but unfortunately we don't.

 

[MasterSpenny]

An unidentified Enviro400 City has been put in a Bus Boycott livery - video credit to Coach & Bus Week

 

[Marcus Fryer]

An unidentified Enviro400 City has been put in a Bus Boycott livery - video credit to Coach & Bus Week

Is this 39401, as reported in post #31,121?

 

[-Colly405-]

I floated around the idea of merging the 73 and 74 before, but how about merging the 72 and 73? It would be also less circuitry than merging the 74 and 73.

This means redirecting the 73 down Lockleaze Road, Romney Avenue, UWE Frenchay, Coldharbour Lane (or whichever way is fastest) and then onto Filton Road and then continuing the current 73 route, or close to it (if there's a faster way to Bristol Parkway Station).

Obviously this would mean the majority of Filton Avenue will be cut, I don't know how much of that portion of the route is used and if can be replaced by alternative routes.

I was also thinking of scrapping the 74 to have a 15-minute frequency for the 70 and this new 73, which would link South Bristol to UWE. If we lived in an ideal world I would keep the 72 and 74, but unfortunately we don't.

I do think that there is enough demand on Filton Ave to warrant the current (70/73/74) frequency. If you're going to have to create something new to cover that section, it may as well stay as the 73
What would you propose with the southern end of the 72 - the Redland bit?

I would say that the main issue with the whole Filton Ave/UWE service group is that there is nothing from UWE or the upper end of Filton Ave to Southmead Hospital. Yes, the 17 and 24 cross Filton Ave but quite close together and quite a long way down...

 

[Citistar]

I would say that the main issue with the whole Filton Ave/UWE service group is that there is nothing from UWE or the upper end of Filton Ave to Southmead Hospital. Yes, the 17 and 24 cross Filton Ave but quite close together and quite a long way down...

Southmead - UWE was covered by Stagecoach 10 until that was curtailed from hourly to a few isolated journeys, albeit via Lockleaze instead of Filton Ave. Perhaps they could add that on the Y6 seeing as it goes everywhere else...

 

[LeylandLynx]

I do think that there is enough demand on Filton Ave to warrant the current (70/73/74) frequency. If you're going to have to create something new to cover that section, it may as well stay as the 73
What would you propose with the southern end of the 72 - the Redland bit?

I think the 70 frequency should be increased to at least 15 minutes. Also, First really aren't doing the 73 justice with the 30 min frequency. Even with the current 30 min headways, there has been bunching!

One advantage of going to UWE via the 72 Lockleaze route is that it's quicker than going through Filton Avenue like the 70 and 74 does. Another advantage is that it'll be like merging both the 74 and 72 into the 73, killing 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak.

I was going to propose just scrapping the Redland bit altogether in favour of a new link to UWE for South Bristol. That might sound harsh, but First themselves have made harsher cuts than that! The 72 is an hourly service, and First usually end up eventually abandoning hourly services anyway, such as the 91 and 96.

Southmead - UWE was covered by Stagecoach 10 until that was curtailed from hourly to a few isolated journeys, albeit via Lockleaze instead of Filton Ave. Perhaps they could add that on the Y6 seeing as it goes everywhere else...

Speaking of the Stagecoach 10, I was going to propose that a 73 merged with the 72 follows the Stagecoach 10 route from UWE/Coldharbour Lane to Sainsbury's/Bristol Parkway. Looking at the timetables, it seems there'd be virtually no difference in journey time from the existing 73!

Just realised that whole segment of the Stagecoach 10 through Lockleaze you were talking about is identical to the change I'm proposing for the 73.

 

[-Colly405-]

Southmead - UWE was covered by Stagecoach 10 until that was curtailed from hourly to a few isolated journeys, albeit via Lockleaze instead of Filton Ave. Perhaps they could add that on the Y6 seeing as it goes everywhere else...

Good shout

I think the 70 frequency should be increased to at least 15 minutes. Also, First really aren't doing the 73 justice with the 30 min frequency. Even with the current 30 min headways, there has been bunching!

One advantage of going to UWE via the 72 Lockleaze route is that it's quicker than going through Filton Avenue like the 70 and 74 does. Another advantage is that it'll be like merging both the 74 and 72 into the 73, killing 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak.

I was going to propose just scrapping the Redland bit altogether in favour of a new link to UWE for South Bristol. That might sound harsh, but First themselves have made harsher cuts than that! The 72 is an hourly service, and First usually end up eventually abandoning hourly services anyway, such as the 91 and 96.

On the UWE-Centre section you need to think of the 70 with the 74 - between them they are every 10 minutes. If the 70 was moved to every 15 (is there the demand?) what does that do to the 74 and even headways?
I'm sure there must be demand for the current variety and frequency of service, so I'm not convinced there is a need to reduce the number of routes?
As for scrapping Redland, you'll get the locals out - they were incensed enough when the 9 was replaced by the less frequenct 72, but if you got rid of everything...!!!?

Don't forget that the 73 is now the only route serving the Sainsbury's/Abbeywood School stretch so really *has* to go that way to BPW. It is an unchanged route between the centre and Orpheus Ave for over 30 years (except where they've put in priority measures which have meant slight road changes and the addition and subsequent removal of the MOD double-run) so it must work - it's even survived the introduction of the m4 (just)...!

 

[LeylandLynx]

Good shout

On the UWE-Centre section you need to think of the 70 with the 74 - between them they are every 10 minutes. If the 70 was moved to every 15 (is there the demand?) what does that do to the 74 and even headways?
I'm sure there must be demand for the current variety and frequency of service, so I'm not convinced there is a need to reduce the number of routes?
As for scrapping Redland, you'll get the locals out - they were incensed enough when the 9 was replaced by the less frequenct 72, but if you got rid of everything...!!!?

Don't forget that the 73 is now the only route serving the Sainsbury's/Abbeywood School stretch so really *has* to go that way to BPW. It is an unchanged route between the centre and Orpheus Ave for over 30 years (except where they've put in priority measures which have meant slight road changes and the addition and subsequent removal of the MOD double-run) so it must work - it's even survived the introduction of the m4 (just)...!

I mean First should axe both the 74 and 72 to focus on just the 70 and 73 and increase the frequency of both to 15 minutes, given how similar the 74 is to the 70 and 73. Also, studies have shown that generally ridership tends to have high elasticity to frequency, meaning the higher the frequency the higher the ridership, and the highest frequency routes tend to be the most productive, but productivity of each trip starts to go down if the frequency gets too high. Of course, other factors are involved, such as population density, the number of stops, the walkability of the stops, journey time, the range of the route, access to jobs ect...

First scrapped Windways and South Whitchurch, Redcatch Hill, Devantry Road in south Bristol. The locals were out, but First just ignored them.

The 73 can be easily rerouted back to Sainsbury's and Abbeywood School from Coldharbour Lane, in fact, that's the exact same route that the Stagecoach 10 goes (but only like 3 times a day).

 

[Whiteway215]

BusTimes showing that ex Glasgow/Aberdeen 67085-88 are already in service on U5.

 

[Callum15632]

BusTimes showing that ex Glasgow/Aberdeen 67085-88 are already in service on U5.

That's good then on the first day of it being every 15 minutes. 67088 has already strayed off route onto the 1 to Southdown for 2 round trips.

 

[Whiteway215]

That's good then on the first day of it being every 15 minutes. 67088 has already strayed off route onto the 1 to Southdown for 2 round trips.

It didn’t take long for one to stray!
I wonder if they have had their Scottish branding removed?

 

[Callum15632]

It didn’t take long for one to stray!
I wonder if they have had their Scottish branding removed?

Soon enough one will end up on the 5 and 19. Give it time.

 

[wiltshirebloke]

Apparently Weston have been suffering from 'operational issues' ... following investigations into several incidents outside of North Somerset - but using similar engines to our fleet ... according to a news piece covered by Greatest Hits Radio.

We're told work is underway to make sure bus services and reliability is improved in North Somerset.

The council and operator First say some routes are the busiest they've ever been after new commercial routes were introduced earlier this month.

The new routes formed the largest change in bus services for years in the area - with some of these changes being supported by North Somerset Council, and are part of the council’s bus service improvement plan (BSIP), funded by the Department for Transport.

Following the changes, a supply and maintenance issue with some of their fleet at their depot in Weston-super-Mare saw cancellations and some buses running at capacity, which First have apologised for.

Bus services have also been also experiencing exceptional demand because of local rail engineering works.

Full article

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Soon enough one will end up on the 5 and 19. Give it time.

And according to bustimes.org 67085 had a few trips on the 5 on Sunday (24 September) and 67090 has been on it today (confirmed by observation). It would appear all Scottish branding has been removed, at least from 67085/86/87/90.

67085 - SN65 ZGA

ADL Enviro200 MMC

bustimes.org

67090 - SN65 ZGH

ADL Enviro200 MMC

bustimes.org

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Is this 39401, as reported in post #31,121?

39401 - YN17OHP (Bristol Bus Boycott)

Seen at the Hambrook Junction for the M32 is First West of England Gas powered Alexander Dennis Enviro 400CBG City bodied Scania 39401 - YN17OHP wearing an overall livery celebrating 60 years since the Bristol Bus Boycott of 1963 when Jamaican Man Guy Bailey was refused a job at Bristol Omnibus...

flic.kr

Confirmed.

 

[father_jack]

Seems one got away. Mind you it hasn't tracked since August so assume withdrawn. https://bustimes.org/vehicles/fbri-37358

Stolen Bristol bus found in Wiltshire

"You wait and wait for a bus and then a stolen one arrives!"

www.bristol247.com

STOLEN BRISTOL BUS FOUND IN WILTSHIRE
By CHARLIE WATTS, Wednesday Sep 27, 2023

A suspect has been arrested after a stolen bus from Bristol was caught by police in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire Police said the “freshly stolen” First Bus was found “hiding” in Membury motorway services along the M4 on Wednesday morning.

Police say the driver was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, drug-driving plus other driving offences.
"You wait and wait for a bus and then….a stolen one arrives!” Wiltshire Police Specialist Ops joked on X.

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: “A man in his 20s has been arrested following the theft of a double decker bus from Bristol.

“The bus was tracked to Membury services, on the M4 around 10am on Wednesday morning.

“The man was arrested on suspicion of taking without consent and driving a bus without the proper licence.

“He remains in police custody for questioning.”

A spokesperson for First West of England added: “We are aware police have arrested a person on suspicion of taking without consent, and we are assisting them with their enquiries.”

 

[LeylandLynx]

Lots of 74s cancelled this week. Is this normal?

 

[father_jack]

Probably lack of drivers but really it's a route with plenty duplication

 

[LeylandLynx]

There also apparently were several 73s heading towards Whitchurch with no seats available all the way up to Belland Drive this morning. I never recalled AM journeys in that direction being that busy on the 92/51.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

There also apparently were several 73s heading towards Whitchurch with no seats available all the way up to Belland Drive this morning. I never recalled AM journeys in that direction being that busy on the 92/51.

Apparently there were roadworks/closures in the Filwood Park area (Salcombe Road) which were causing disruption to the timetable.

 

[LeylandLynx]

Apparently there were roadworks/closures in the Filwood Park area (Salcombe Road) which were causing disruption to the timetable.

Think they just diverted down Throgmorton Road to get to Airport Road.

 

[father_jack]

There is pressure being put upon First to operate more cross city services in Bristol, because that is a part of the Combined Authority's bus policy document. Gluing two pairs of the less frequent b-grade services together shows a token willingness to work towards the goal whilst not damaging the more frequent services. It also probably has some operational benefits as a 92/73 trip out and back is probably a full half shift for a driver with all staff changes taking place at Hengrove.

Quoting an old post, the folly of "cross city" buses clearly seen here today on the 1638 Cribbs Broomhill number 1, right time Park St, 30 late Bristol Bridge....

 

[Citistar]

At this juncture, perhaps i should add how many promises the same document had about bus priority measures. None have been implemented nor to my knowledge even planned yet. But it's always to rotten private bus companies that fail to deliver, isn't it?

 

[LeylandLynx]

Quoting an old post, the folly of "cross city" buses clearly seen here today on the 1638 Cribbs Broomhill number 1, right time Park St, 30 late Bristol Bridge....

Which is why cross-city routes need a high frequency.

 

[father_jack]

At this juncture, perhaps i should add how many promises the same document had about bus priority measures. None have been implemented nor to my knowledge even planned yet. But it's always to rotten private bus companies that fail to deliver, isn't it?

I totally concur my fiend. Millions creamed off while nothing has been done while those who say "it will be more sticky out bus stops" are indulged while the point is missed......

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Which is why cross-city routes need a high frequency.

No it isn't. You just have more vehicles stuck in gluepot traffic

At this juncture, perhaps i should add how many promises the same document had about bus priority measures. None have been implemented nor to my knowledge even planned yet. But it's always to rotten private bus companies that fail to deliver, isn't it?

I totally concur my fiend. Millions creamed off while nothing has been done while those who say "it will be more sticky out bus stops" are indulged while the point is missed......

It absolutely boils my <insert word here>

metrobus involved a massive investment but it was a trojan horse for a load of additional roads, a rather overengineered M32 junction and some superfluous guided busway. The M32 bus lane is a positive but other than that, the extent of bus priority is rubbish. Bus priority yet bus lanes have parking spaces in them so you can park 1830 to 0700, and 1030 to 1630 - brilliant.

And that's before we get onto all the other spots outside of metrobus that haven't been touched.

 

[Stan Drews]

It absolutely boils my <insert word here>

<kettle> ??

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

<kettle> ??

That's the one