Bluestar Discussion

[Lewlew]

Bus drivers are known to post on the blog and can't comment with their names on display.

Enthusiasts that like to think they know what’s going on also post on the blog and are too scared to show their name.

 

[ReeceD1993]

Enthusiasts that like to think they know what’s going on also post on the blog and are too scared to show their name.

That's right indeed

 

[nw1]

Perhaps a little too much detail, apologies if so, but here is some detailed info about the workings of the new routes, in addition to the above. These are based on direct, first-hand observation on a number of occasions since February.

10,13,14 - interwork as already noted by another poster above (IIRC). On Mon-Fri there are 7 diagrams: four do the sequence 13-10-14-(repeat) over a period of four hours, involving the xx03 13, the 10, and the xx25 14. The other three alternate between the 13 and 14, including the xx33 13 and the xx55 14.

Mostly the green and blue single deck "imports". However one diagram uses an ex-Go North East red and blue double decker for at least part of the day (diagram E911: 1025 and 1425 14, 1203 13 and 1313 10). This looks likely to come off the 19 in the morning (see below). A further diagram uses existing Bluestar single deckers, including the 0933 13 and 1355 14. This appears to swap vehicles with the 20 at some point - diagram E54 starts on the 20 and then switches to the 13/14.

On Saturdays all diagrams seem to be run with existing single-deckers. The 10/13/14 interworking appears to occur again. However it's possible there is interworking with the 15 (see below) but haven't verified this.

On Sundays the 13 interworks with the 20 and the 14 interworks with the 15 (see below).

15 - On Mon-Fri there are three self-contained diagrams using the blue and green buses. On Sat, existing Bluestar single deckers are used, however as it's an hourly service I presume these interwork with the 13 or 14, to avoid a 40-min layover. Not sure though.

Sunday, interworks with the 14.

19 - run with the ex-Go North East red and blue double deckers Mon-Sat, but existing Bluestar double deckers (often the type used on the 18) on Sundays.

I note there is one unbalanced arrival at Lordshill in the morning (there are arrivals at 0832 and 0842, but only one possible departure at 0845). I am guessing that one of these then works empty to the city centre to form the 10/13/14 diagram mentioned above.

20 - run with existing single-deckers Mon-Fri, one diagram seems to swap with the 13/14 (see above). Sat run with existing Bluestar double-deckers. Sunday interworks with the 13: pattern is 20-20-13-20-20-13 (etc). Mostly double-deckers however this past Sunday there was one single-deck diagram.

 

[Beemax]

Rumour has it,that the former first Depot at empress Road is to be taken over by bluestar.

Now confirmed, for 154 vehicles

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/view-details/licence/426391/?acceptedAllCookiesConfirmation=true

 

[nw1]

Now confirmed, for 154 vehicles

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/view-details/licence/426391/?acceptedAllCookiesConfirmation=true

So this is Eastleigh plus Totton by the looks of things? (as Eastleigh has 100 and Totton 47, according to that document - plus 7 extra from somewhere?)

If so this will presumably involve significant changes in diagramming the Totton side, unless they plan to keep Totton as an outstation.

 

[Surreyman]

So this is Eastleigh plus Totton by the looks of things? (as Eastleigh has 100 and Totton 47, according to that document - plus 7 extra from somewhere?)

If so this will presumably involve significant changes in diagramming the Totton side, unless they plan to keep Totton as an outstation.

My totals for Eastleigh (pre City Reds) were @109, (outstation at Brockenhurst College (8) may have had a few but think shared with Lymington)
You can add on @30 for the ex City Reds operation, 4 E400, 14 B7TL, 8 Vosa + 3/4 Scania s/deck, - not sure how this worked in reality as there would have been more vehicles at Eastleigh than the O licence appears to allow, have to to assume that Go ahead had an ongoing dialogue with VOSA (negotiations must have been going on for Empress Road for a while behind the scenes).
Now Speculation on my part, I am guessing that routes 1, 2, 3, 5, + what ever's left of 35/36/39 (max 1 bus) + most of the School routes will stay at Eastleigh in the parking area by the workshops & they will maybe give up using the other parking compound? This would leave a Pvr of aprox 25/26 + Schools.
A future PVR from Empress Rd combining @28 for Unibus, @43 for Totton, Ex original Eastleigh routes @26, ex City-Reds @ 25, Total pvr = @ 122.
My figures may be slightly out, My speculation is bound to wrong! Happy to be corrected by anyone 'more in the know'

 

[WibbleWobble]

Nothing is moving from Totton, that is staying put.

Brockenhurst is merely an outstation for Lymington, nothing from Eastleigh or Totton is based there.

 

[Towers]

Apologies if this has already been covered, but it appears some of the 'temporary' fleet have started to make their way further west on a permanent basis; I spotted 6916, LX06 EBZ in More branding operating local service 5 in Bournemouth last week; image below.

 

[WibbleWobble]

Apologies if this has already been covered, but it appears some of the 'temporary' fleet have started to make their way further west on a permanent basis; I spotted 6916, LX06 EBZ in More branding operating local service 5 in Bournemouth last week; image below.

6914 to 6918 were allocated to Bournemouth as soon as they arrived from Go North East, allowing five Bluestar liveried Enviro400s to move to Eastleigh. They are usually found on school services, especially the St Peter's routes.

 

[Towers]

6914 to 6918 were allocated to Bournemouth as soon as they arrived from Go North East, allowing five Bluestar liveried Enviro400s to move to Eastleigh. They are usually found on school services, especially the St Peter's routes.

Ah, that would explain it then! What livery were the E400s in prior to moving - presumably not Bluestar?!

 

[AwkwardHail]

Ah, that would explain it then! What livery were the E400s in prior to moving - presumably not Bluestar?!

They were Bluestar liveried. They were temporarily moved across after the Yellow Buses collapse as more was slightly short of vehicles.

 

[Towers]

They were Bluestar liveried. They were temporarily moved across after the Yellow Buses collapse as more was slightly short of vehicles.

Understood!

 

[Beemax]

So this is Eastleigh plus Totton by the looks of things? (as Eastleigh has 100 and Totton 47, according to that document - plus 7 extra from somewhere?)

If so this will presumably involve significant changes in diagramming the Totton side, unless they plan to keep Totton as an outstation.

More detail in the attached

Bluestar takes on former First Bus Southampton depot - routeone

Go South Coast has bought the former First Bus depot in Southampton, which will be used for its Bluestar business including Unilink.

www.route-one.net

Go South Coast has bought the former First Bus depot at Empress Road in Southampton, which will serve as headquarters for its Bluestar business including Unilink.

The bulk of Bluestar and Unilink operations previously at premises in Eastleigh are in the process of moving to Empress Road. At the time of writing 78 buses had transferred, with 32 Unilink vehicles to follow over the weekend of 22 and 23 April.

“We’ve moved in two batches to reflect the return to school and university dates after Easter in order to minimise the number of rota changes for drivers and our commercial team,” a spokesperson says, adding that 25 Social Care in Action community transport minibuses are also at Empress Road.

First’s former City Reds operation at Empress Road closed after service on 18 February. The depot housed approximately 55 buses at that time. Bluestar took on several former First routes after that date. Acquisition of Empress Road gives an operating centre that is more convenient to Southampton city centre.

According to the Provincial Society, Empress Road opened in August 2010 as a new build. Go South Coast is in the process of introducing a significant amount of new equipment to the premises. That includes LED lighting, a paying in machine, lift columns and vehicle ramps, along with air compressors and other workshop items.

In addition, the spokesperson says that bus washes will be overhauled and updated, and spill-free fuelling equipment installed. Rebranding, repainting and a thorough clean of the site have already been carried out.

Speaking about the depot purchase, Go South Coast Managing Director Andrew Wickham says: “Bluestar stepped in to run additional services across the city in February following news that First Bus had decided to withdraw from the area, so we were keen to acquire extra space for our growing team and fleet of vehicles.

“Although part of our operation will remain in Eastleigh, we are delighted to confirm that the depot at Empress Road in Southampton is our new HQ. It gives us the perfect base from which to provide comprehensive bus services across the city and surrounding area.”

 

[nw1]

Running boards seem to have started returning to Bluestar vehicles this week.

I've noticed that on the 1 and 2 (at least those I've seen - which is only a small number) have all been Exx rather than Sxx.

Does this mean that the 1 and 2 in particular are being worked out of Eastleigh, still?

 

[ReeceD1993]

Running boards seem to have started returning to Bluestar vehicles this week.

I've noticed that on the 1 and 2 (at least those I've seen - which is only a small number) have all been Exx rather than Sxx.

Does this mean that the 1 and 2 in particular are being worked out of Eastleigh, still?

Yes but Southampton drivers also drive routes 1 and 2 to cover breaks.

 

[nw1]

Yes but Southampton drivers also drive routes 1 and 2 to cover breaks.

OK - thanks.

 

[Surreyman]

Yes but Southampton drivers also drive routes 1 and 2 to cover breaks.

If I understand current matters correctly: -
Eastleigh is now effectively an outstation of Empress road and the maintenance facilities at Eastleigh have been downgraded/physically moved to Empress road.
'Bustimes' lists the total bluestar fleet as 156, of which aprox 45 are Totton based, some mysteriously listed as 'MM' - (can anyone explain?)' 'MR' for the single 'Salisbury Reds' liveried bus (1607)
Andrew Wickham is quoted as saying that '78 buses moved into Empress road' followed by the Unilink fleet - 32 buses, total 110.
1910 & 1928 are driver trainers.
I assume that routes 5, 36 & the Zoo are operated from Eastleigh with unknown numbers on the 1, 2 & 3.
I also assume that most if not all of the school/College routes operate out of Eastleigh.
All we need now is for someone with more detailed/inside info to confirm or correct!!!

 

[nw1]

If I understand current matters correctly: -
Eastleigh is now effectively an outstation of Empress road and the maintenance facilities at Eastleigh have been downgraded/physically moved to Empress road.
'Bustimes' lists the total bluestar fleet as 156, of which aprox 45 are Totton based, some mysteriously listed as 'MM' - (can anyone explain?)' 'MR' for the single 'Salisbury Reds' liveried bus (1607)
Andrew Wickham is quoted as saying that '78 buses moved into Empress road' followed by the Unilink fleet - 32 buses, total 110.
1910 & 1928 are driver trainers.
I assume that routes 5, 36 & the Zoo are operated from Eastleigh with unknown numbers on the 1, 2 & 3.
I also assume that most if not all of the school/College routes operate out of Eastleigh.
All we need now is for someone with more detailed/inside info to confirm or correct!!!

I don't know for sure but in addition to the "E" running numbers on the 1 and 2, I've also seen an "E" on the 3 (1155 ex-Southampton) and some school services.

Looking at bustimes.org there seems to be some limited interworking, typically early and late, between the 1/2 and the 3, and also some limited interworking between the 3 and 4, and 4 and 5. (The 4 of course is a real mixture - single and double deckers, and Totton plus non-Totton, with a lot of interworking onto other routes, including, now, even the 10 in one case!)

 

[Beemax]

MM would be Marchwood Motorways, who were the original occupants of the Totton site (being absorbed by Solent Blue Line after what was originally a franchise agreement)

 

[Thisisajm]

Talk about leaving it to the last minute.

Great news! The £2 fare continues all summer long

Find out about the £2 fare cap extension here

www.bluestarbus.co.uk

 

[Flange Squeal]

Looks like Bluestar will also be taking on Xelabus’ remaining Barton Peveril routes from September, based on a comment signed by Xelabus’ Philip Blair on the Southampton Bus Update blog (he’s a regular commenter so no reason to believe it’s not a genuine comment).

For your information, as we have stated, Xelabus is concentrating more on private hire, special events and rail replacement and a further new coach arrives today with more in the pipeline.

The Services X41, X12, Hoppa and X21 do fit within scheduled contracts.

We have also arranged with Bluestar for them to take over the Barton Peveril College services from September.

PHILIP BLAIR
Commercial Manager
Xelabus Limited

Late June Round Up

Xelabus will run the X4 (Eastleigh-Hedge End) and X4A (Eastleigh-Velmore) for the final time on Saturday 29th July . After that, they tra...

sotonbus.blogspot.com

 

[nw1]

Just a few random Bluestar observations.

Some unusual vehicle allocations on Saturday, there was one Enviro200 on each of the 1 and 18. Also one of the "New Forest Tour" buses found its way onto the 18 which must be very unusual - I presume that's allocated to Totton?

Also noticed that the 1710 short from Chandlers Ford Asda to the city centre always seems very busy, and is just about the only (?) journey on the 1 allocated a single-decker. Wonder why that short journey is always busy, half-tempted to suggest it starts from Barton Peveril not-in-service but the passengers typically don't look that young.

Finally there seems to still be a very much "on-off" approach to showing working numbers on Empress Road allocated vehicles since the move. Seems to almost be a one-week-on, one-week-off pattern. Totton by contrast seems to always show working numbers.

 

[Towers]

Talk about leaving it to the last minute.

Great news! The £2 fare continues all summer long

Find out about the £2 fare cap extension here

www.bluestarbus.co.uk

Is the £1 after 6pm promotion still going?

 

[WibbleWobble]

Talk about leaving it to the last minute.

Great news! The £2 fare continues all summer long

Find out about the £2 fare cap extension here

www.bluestarbus.co.uk

Probably the Department for Transport only just advising on the reimbursement package, a bit like the Recovery Grant extensions!

Also noticed that the 1710 short from Chandlers Ford Asda to the city centre always seems very busy, and is just about the only (?) journey on the 1 allocated a single-decker. Wonder why that short journey is always busy, half-tempted to suggest it starts from Barton Peveril not-in-service but the passengers typically don't look that young.

I think that is to do with the business park, as there are some substantial office complexes around there (Aviva, B&Q's headquarters etc).

 

[nw1]

I think that is to do with the business park, as there are some substantial office complexes around there (Aviva, B&Q's headquarters etc).

Ah right, ok, that's good to know, thanks. Without that short there would be almost half an hour gap at around 1700 from there, so that would figure. I do remember that pre-Covid there was an equivalent short journey in the morning (left Southampton around 0750?), though no-one could shed any light on that one at the time. Don't think the morning one still operates.

Today it was full and standing, though perhaps that was due to a cancellation of a previous service.

 

[RELL6L]

It’s quite clear from BusTimes that the 17.10 service 1 from Chandlers Ford runs off the afternoon 623, running empty from Twyford and is normally an E200. It does appear to usefully fill in a gap.

 

[embers25]

Just a few random Bluestar observations.

Some unusual vehicle allocations on Saturday, there was one Enviro200 on each of the 1 and 18. Also one of the "New Forest Tour" buses found its way onto the 18 which must be very unusual - I presume that's allocated to Totton?

Also noticed that the 1710 short from Chandlers Ford Asda to the city centre always seems very busy, and is just about the only (?) journey on the 1 allocated a single-decker. Wonder why that short journey is always busy, half-tempted to suggest it starts from Barton Peveril not-in-service but the passengers typically don't look that young.

Finally there seems to still be a very much "on-off" approach to showing working numbers on Empress Road allocated vehicles since the move. Seems to almost be a one-week-on, one-week-off pattern. Totton by contrast seems to always show working numbers.

Possibly due to the large number of buses providing shuttles for the uni open day

 

[Surreyman]

Now that Eastleigh has become an outstation of Empress road, does anyone know the PVR at Eastleigh? - I am guessing that they run a number of turns on routes 1, 2, 3, 5, the 'Zoo' and most of the school/college routes.

 

[nw1]

Now that Eastleigh has become an outstation of Empress road, does anyone know the PVR at Eastleigh? - I am guessing that they run a number of turns on routes 1, 2, 3, 5, the 'Zoo' and most of the school/college routes.

I do know that most/all of the working numbers on the 1 and 2 (when they are displayed!) appear to begin with "E" suggesting they are run out of Eastleigh.

Also a few on the 3 are also "E", though the 3 seems to have a fair amount of interworking with other routes, including a swap with the 16 (definitely consistent, not a one-off) on the 1255 departure from Southampton.

Perhaps the 4 also but not 100% sure on that. The 4 has a real mix, both of vehicles and originating depots; seems to be 100% Totton on Saturday but mixed Totton and non-Totton on Mon-Fri.

The odd one has an "S" on the end (saw one yesterday, "E11S", on the 1). Presumably this is a working which starts at Eastleigh and ends at Empress Road?

 

[markymark2000]

If you go onto bustimes, go to Bluestar and find a route that you want then add "?detailed=1" to the end of the URL (minus the quotation marks) and that shows you the block numbers which seem to match the numbers that are on the buses. Blocks starting with an S seem to be Southampton. Blocks starting with an E are Eastleigh. Blocks starting with a T are Totton.

This may shed some light onto the situations for you.