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

[D2007wsm]

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?

It is a low key start on the Lynx, should be developed further later in the year.

 

[Private Baxter]

Of course, according to one of the local rags (I forget which one), the new Thornbury services are "controversial" and in typical fashion they are highly critical of the changes. Although I have yet to try out the services, I like many on here, am impressed with what's been done.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Of course, according to one of the local rags (I forget which one), the new Thornbury services are "controversial" and in typical fashion they are highly critical of the changes. Although I have yet to try out the services, I like many on here, am impressed with what's been done.

Good old reactionary writing.

The only real downside is that Thornbury et al have a reduced service to Gloucester Road to hourly. The other controversies - a doubling of evening and Sunday services, doubling of buses via Hortham, virtually new buses on the main route, moving from 2 to 3 buses per hour AND a much reduced running time for 2/3 of daytime journeys. I’d like some of that controversy on my local route!

That the branding is low key is disappointing compared to Discover or Excel but I can understand why and, as has been stated, I’d always anticipated that they’d get round to it in due course, possibly when the released Wells Eclipses head from there?

 

[-Colly405-]

It looks like the main 'controversy' is about the timings of the morning peak southbound T2s...

 

[Whiteway215]

Health Warning! For anyone needing to travel on the 1 in Bath you are warned the route appears to be being operated 100 per cent by E200 roller skates. Whether this is permanent I do not know but of course there are so many of these stupid things in Bath they had to go somewhere. The Streetlites of the 475xx series are appearing on various other services including the 3.

 

[freetoview33]

A few things. Part 1

Haven't tried Metrobus yet, doubt I will for a while tbh! But have seen the buses and they look good, grey is a bit different but they stand out without looking too over the top. It will be interesting to see how it copes on Monday, baring in mind it is due a new timetable in September which should iron out any timing problems and likely to increase U.W.E to Centre frequencies as well as longer hours of operation. Odd as X48 and U.W.E services were both faster overall!

On the press release it did say the T1/T2 would have USB chargers, so wait and see, although the few looks I have got of the T2 it has been Geminis on there! So I can't see singles going down too well.

Got the 376 down to Street the other day, and had one of those Streetdecks! They are okay! But I do think the newer E400's are better! Can't see them lasting for as many years though, and It did struggle on a few hills when it was fairly empty so god knows what it is like when full. Also I thought the 376 had USB changers but didn't see any! I did see one of those Scanias on there though heading into Bristol.

Wells bus/coach station could do with a resurface and rebrand but otherwise is a fair size (Never been there before) the depot seemed a bit smaller than it looks on streetview.

Part 2 will follow tomorrow

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Health Warning! For anyone needing to travel on the 1 in Bath you are warned the route appears to be being operated 100 per cent by E200 roller skates. Whether this is permanent I do not know but of course there are so many of these stupid things in Bath they had to go somewhere. The Streetlites of the 475xx series are appearing on various other services including the 3.

Those E200's will be in better nick (plus the engine sound is phenominal from my point of view) than the Gemini crap I have to put up with whilst travelling around up north (which sounds knackered and ready for its one way ticket to PVS Barnsley).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Check out the photo on Steve White’s June page with the new South Glos Lynx - see far right - it’s good for the crack!

 

[carlberry]

Check out the photo on Steve White’s June page with the new South Glos Lynx - see far right - it’s good for the crack!

Builders get everywhere!

 

[spw24]

Yes shame I didn't have time to wait until he moved

 

[D2007wsm]

Check out the photo on Steve White’s June page with the new South Glos Lynx - see far right - it’s good for the crack!

No First branding on it though

 

[Class 33]

Twice this past week when the temperature has been about 25C, I've got on Gemini's on the 75 or 76 and the heating has been on! What the....???? This is absolutely INSANE!! Why do buses have heating on in these sort of temperatures! Is this some design fault with these buses where the heating can not be turned off?! At least with the newer buses(i.e. Streetdecks, Enviro 400 MMC's) that are running about Bristol, they don't appear to have this problem.

 

[KendalKing]

Twice this past week when the temperature has been about 25C, I've got on Gemini's on the 75 or 76 and the heating has been on! What the....???? This is absolutely INSANE!! Why do buses have heating on in these sort of temperatures! Is this some design fault with these buses where the heating can not be turned off?! At least with the newer buses(i.e. Streetdecks, Enviro 400 MMC's) that are running about Bristol, they don't appear to have this problem.

This appears to be a BIG problem with all companies!, my local Stagecoach route, had buses on it all winter, with-out any heating, now we are having a heatwave, the heating is on!

FTR the buses are all enviro's.

 

[D2007wsm]

Weston cannot be using all of the Darts which they have, today only 4 were out 2 on 3s and 2 on 5s. The remaining 3 boards were Streetlites.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Weston cannot be using all of the Darts which they have, today only 4 were out 2 on 3s and 2 on 5s. The remaining 3 boards were Streetlites.

Some reports from usually dependable sources suggest there are 12 due to First Cymru. Only 9 received so far so Weston may merely be a stopping off point en route as has been suggested by others

 

[D2007wsm]

Surely Northern must be now able to take on all the 158s, 175s from ATW and the spare 185s from TPE, as there aren’t many other places left.

Of course the only other regional TOC in a poor position stock wise is the regional part of EMT. I await the news that they will get a completely new fleet as well soon!

Some reports from usually dependable sources suggest there are 12 due to First Cymru. Only 9 received so far so Weston may merely be a stopping off point en route as has been suggested by others

There is a fair few of them parked in Weston, it just seems weird seeing Barbie again.

 

[DaveHarries]

Health Warning! For anyone needing to travel on the 1 in Bath you are warned the route appears to be being operated 100 per cent by E200 roller skates. Whether this is permanent I do not know but of course there are so many of these stupid things in Bath they had to go somewhere. The Streetlites of the 475xx series are appearing on various other services including the 3.

Glad I don't live on the route of the 1 in Bath then: I am not a fan of the older style Enviro200s as I find the legroom on them to be rather minimal.

Dave

 

[Tommy Walters]

Think I may have just spotted the most bizzare Bath working yet!! It was 53818, pulled away before I could get a better photo.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Glad I don't live on the route of the 1 in Bath then: I am not a fan of the older style Enviro200s as I find the legroom on them to be rather minimal.

Dave

44520 and 44522 were on the 1 earlier.

 

[Whiteway215]

Just a wild thought! The Bath 1 is being operated by E200s, so the short Streetlites used before have been displaced. Wasn't there a mention on here that WM would eventually receive more Streetlites for commonality?

 

[freetoview33]

Just a wild thought! The Bath 1 is being operated by E200s, so the short Streetlites used before have been displaced. Wasn't there a mention on here that WM would eventually receive more Streetlites for commonality?

Yes, but I doubt the short Streetlites would be much use in Weston

 

[D2007wsm]

Yes, but I doubt the short Streetlites would be much use in Weston

The E200s were too small in Weston for the 3s on a 15 minute frequency and the 5s on a hourly frequency. There is nothing suitable for their use in Weston anymore. The shorter Streetlites, offer a similar capacity to the Darts and the Darts cope with the loading. If the Darts are on their way out, what else is there suitable for these services? They don't warrant deckers or B7RLEs.

Weston have 5 Streetlites which are not Excel branded, so it's only 3 they need for the PVR plus 1/2 as spare vehicles.

I know the short E200s can be a bit ropey, but being used on a higher frequency service, this may off set the reduction on capacity per vehicle.

As with anything, in this industry nothing can be believed until it happens. Other cascades may happen within the group or service changes, rendering the use of the short E200s temporary.

 

[Bristol LH]

Some reports from usually dependable sources suggest there are 12 due to First Cymru. Only 9 received so far so Weston may merely be a stopping off point en route as has been suggested by others

First Cymru has received a tenth Dart in the shape of 42967. This joins 42915, 42959, 42962 and 42963 at Swansea Ravenhill depot, and 42906, 42916, 42947, 42955 and 42956 at Port Talbot depot.

42947 was previously operated by First Cymru between May 2011 and March 2013.

 

[Whiteway215]

I believe 42905 and 42907 are the last of Bath's Dart not accounted for i.e. not gone to Weston or Cymru. I have to say I hadn't seen 905 in service during April.

 

[spw24]

33925 has reappeared from accident damage repairs and its been repainted in 1 & 2 yellow front.

 

[freetoview33]

33925 has reappeared from accident damage repairs and its been repainted in 1 & 2 yellow front.

Odd one

 

[Westonian]

I believe 42905 and 42907 are the last of Bath's Dart not accounted for i.e. not gone to Weston or Cymru. I have to say I hadn't seen 905 in service during April.

42905 was in Weston on Saturday on service 3. Rear number box was showing 'W3'.No sign of 42907.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

33925 has reappeared from accident damage repairs and its been repainted in 1 & 2 yellow front.

Was it done up north? Thought I saw one in egg yolk at Gloucester Services South as I headed north?

 

[Whiteway215]

42905 was in Weston on Saturday on service 3. Rear number box was showing 'W3'.No sign of 42907.

Thanks for that. I think that's the first report of it in Weston.

 

[ryson357]

New addition to the BoS fleet, 44640 SK15GXY seen in Taunton on the 21, rumours that there’s a couple more enviro 200’s to replace the Volvo B7RLE’s.