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

[TheGrandWazoo]

Quoted from the closest depots in same company thread.
When did Marlborough Street close?

Think it was about 2004/5

 

[Private Baxter]

I think work began on the new bus station in 2005, ready for a 2006 opening, so it would have been some time in 2005. What I do remember is it was not long after B7RLEs 66716-66737 first arrived.
However the allocation continued to be referred to as Marlborough Street until only a year or so ago.

 

[freetoview33]

I think work began on the new bus station in 2005, ready for a 2006 opening, so it would have been some time in 2005. What I do remember is it was not long after B7RLEs 66716-66737 first arrived.
However the allocation continued to be referred to as Marlborough Street until only a year or so ago.

The depots of the Operator Licence are as follows:
Lawrence Hill - 170 Vehicles
Bristol Bus Station/Marlborough Street - 300 Vehicles
Wells - 20 Vehicles
Wells Cold Store - 7 Vehicles
Weston super Mare - 60 Vehicles
Bath - 150 Vehicles
Hengrove - 155 Vehicles

So a theoretical total of 862 Vehicles

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think work began on the new bus station in 2005, ready for a 2006 opening, so it would have been some time in 2005. What I do remember is it was not long after B7RLEs 66716-66737 first arrived.
However the allocation continued to be referred to as Marlborough Street until only a year or so ago.

Checking on flickr (as usual), Marlborough Street's demolition began in 2004. The interim bus station was in use in Spring 2005 which was when I remember it in use. https://www.flickr.com/photos/15223...vdu-oZRVTF-bVA3Gy-2iz4vAn-oZRW8i-65EYt-fmExve (not my photo)

 

[cnjb8]

Think it was about 2004/5

I think work began on the new bus station in 2005, ready for a 2006 opening, so it would have been some time in 2005. What I do remember is it was not long after B7RLEs 66716-66737 first arrived.
However the allocation continued to be referred to as Marlborough Street until only a year or so ago.

The depots of the Operator Licence are as follows:
Lawrence Hill - 170 Vehicles
Bristol Bus Station/Marlborough Street - 300 Vehicles
Wells - 20 Vehicles
Wells Cold Store - 7 Vehicles
Weston super Mare - 60 Vehicles
Bath - 150 Vehicles
Hengrove - 155 Vehicles

So a theoretical total of 862 Vehicles

Checking on flickr (as usual), Marlborough Street's demolition began in 2004. The interim bus station was in use in Spring 2005 which was when I remember it in use. https://www.flickr.com/photos/15223...vdu-oZRVTF-bVA3Gy-2iz4vAn-oZRW8i-65EYt-fmExve (not my photo)

Thanks. I'd seen Marlborough Street listed as a depot on various FWoE fleetlists until recently and had assumed it was the bus station

 

[Private Baxter]

Thanks. I'd seen Marlborough Street listed as a depot on various FWoE fleetlists until recently and had assumed it was the bus station

Historically it was. The depot was at the back of the old bus station, complete with servicing facilities. When the site was redeveloped in the mid 00s, the depot was relocated to Lawrence Hill, but kept the name Marlborough Street, presumably so as to distinguish it between them and Lawrence Hill depot who provided the city services, but with whom they shared facilities.

 

[freetoview33]

Historically it was. The depot was at the back of the old bus station, complete with servicing facilities. When the site was redeveloped in the mid 00s, the depot was relocated to Lawrence Hill, but kept the name Marlborough Street, presumably so as to distinguish it between them and Lawrence Hill depot who provided the city services, but with whom they shared facilities.

I think the main driving force was the lower wages for Marlborough Street staff

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think the main driving force was the lower wages for Marlborough Street staff

At the time, they were on a separate O license but yes, terms and conditions (incl. pay) would have been an issue.

 

[Whiteway215]

I see 32003 (withdrawn) and 32004 32007 (in service until 23 Dec) and 32008 have all been removed from the bus tracker. Gone elsewhere perhaps?

 

[TechDan2002]

I see 32003 (withdrawn) and 32004 32007 (in service until 23 Dec) and 32008 have all been removed from the bus tracker. Gone elsewhere perhaps?

@On the Buses more interim Volvos for Cornwall to displace Trident Presidents or not?

 

[cnjb8]

@On the Buses more interim Volvos for Cornwall to displace Trident Presidents or not?

I think the ALX400s that came from WoE will replace them, but I think I misread it

 

[EnviroExplorer]

The Bristol Unibus MMCs have been on tour again in the last few days....
33493, 497, 498 plus 67108 noted at Dorridge today for Rail Replacement to Warwick Parkway, for Chiltern. Wasn’t there long enough to see whether they were just standbys or not, but were certainly causing a stir with the local residents posh houses they were parked outside of ! Have attached a photo below

For anyone interested the other buses noted were more local examples of the Stagecoach Leamington and Ridleys Coaches fleets, plus some Merc minibuses from Vectare.

 

[carlberry]

Lots of gas buses all over the place today! A red one and a 73 Green on the 2, a Red one on a T1 to Thornbury and what looked like a barbie one on the X9 this evening (hopefully returning via the same route!).
I hope this is because of the reduced services or rail replacement and not some indication that the vehicle allocation will go to pot now that JF is retiring!

 

[freetoview33]

Lots of gas buses all over the place today! A red one and a 73 Green on the 2, a Red one on a T1 to Thornbury and what looked like a barbie one on the X9 this evening (hopefully returning via the same route!).
I hope this is because of the reduced services or rail replacement and not some indication that the vehicle allocation will go to pot now that JF is retiring!

Based on pass years it is because of the former. Last week there was a 73 branded scania parked along Pen Park Road (Southmead) must have broken down whilst on route 2. Was a very odd sight.

 

[Private Baxter]

It's odd isn't it, ever since colour coded route branding, seeing one out of place really does look odd. For example seeing a yellow fronted e400 working the 48 or 49 in Fishponds looks so out of place even though vehicle types are virtually identical.

 

[Robertj21a]

I'm told that 35119, the final Streetdeck from South Yorkshire, via repair at Leicester, should have now arrived in the Bristol area.

 

[Whiteway215]

It looks as if 32350 has returned to Weston from Kernow.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It looks as if 32350 has returned to Weston from Kernow.

It's on the tracker but we know that is less than 100% accurate. After all, the two were transferred permanently and for a specific duty/requirement. Has there been a sighting?

 

[83G/84D]

It looks as if 32350 has returned to Weston from Kernow.

It was in Camborne on 31st December.

 

[Private Baxter]

Here we are at the end of the year, and whilst it hardly seems worth reviewing the year in buses as I normally might, I thought I might at least look at where things stand at the end of this unexpected year.

Much of the network is now double decker operated, even on routes we never thought we would see them, and Wells of all depots is now 100% decker. Whether some of these changes remain after social distancing ends remains to be seen.

Early in the year, when life was still normal, 77 gas buses arrived for routes operated by both Lawrence Hill and Marlborough Street, and with the introduction of the city:lines brand for services in Bristol, taking over from the never completed coloured front style, of which plenty still exists in the city. This will no doubt continue into the new year, with rumours of the 5, and 75/76 next to receive treatment.

Bath seems to have become the depot of the single deck now, and the 59 reg B7RLEs from Wells all transferring for their route 5, as well as a few for Discover, whilst some of those of retirement age are gradually withdrawn. Many soldier on, in both Bath and Hengrave, though regretfully I expect these to be gone before too long.

Many planned changes in the year never took place, and the impact of Covid has had a huge affect on the network. As things slowly start to return to normal (we hope) in the next few months, so too might the bus industry start to recover, though whether it ever returns to pre Covid levels remains to be seen.

On that note, however 2020 has treated you, I wish you all a happier 2021, and thanks for the discussion over the last year.

 

[freetoview33]

Here we are at the end of the year, and whilst it hardly seems worth reviewing the year in buses as I normally might, I thought I might at least look at where things stand at the end of this unexpected year.

Much of the network is now double decker operated, even on routes we never thought we would see them, and Wells of all depots is now 100% decker. Whether some of these changes remain after social distancing ends remains to be seen.

Early in the year, when life was still normal, 77 gas buses arrived for routes operated by both Lawrence Hill and Marlborough Street, and with the introduction of the city:lines brand for services in Bristol, taking over from the never completed coloured front style, of which plenty still exists in the city. This will no doubt continue into the new year, with rumours of the 5, and 75/76 next to receive treatment.

Bath seems to have become the depot of the single deck now, and the 59 reg B7RLEs from Wells all transferring for their route 5, as well as a few for Discover, whilst some of those of retirement age are gradually withdrawn. Many soldier on, in both Bath and Hengrave, though regretfully I expect these to be gone before too long.

Many planned changes in the year never took place, and the impact of Covid has had a huge affect on the network. As things slowly start to return to normal (we hope) in the next few months, so too might the bus industry start to recover, though whether it ever returns to pre Covid levels remains to be seen.

On that note, however 2020 has treated you, I wish you all a happier 2021, and thanks for the discussion over the last year.

The 2A and 72A came into being and the 9 and 9 were withdrawn as planned.

 

[Private Baxter]

The 2A and 72A came into being and the 9 and 9 were withdrawn as planned.

True, the 2A was launched, albeit six months later than planned, whilst the 72A was the result of a consultation on the 9, and was introduced more or less when they intended.

 

[freetoview33]

True, the 2A was launched, albeit six months later than planned, whilst the 72A was the result of a consultation on the 9, and was introduced more or less when they intended.

True but the 9 was withdrawn earlier than planned due to covid, also the 72A had a route minor route change after less than week!

 

[northken]

True but the 9 was withdrawn earlier than planned due to covid, also the 72A had a route minor route change after less than week!

What was the minor route change?

 

[freetoview33]

What was the minor route change?

Prior to the 72A the 72 ran via Constable Road in Lockleaze, when the 72A was introduced it and the 72 then ran via Wordsworth Road (as the 24 does) but by the end of the week the 72/72A reverted back to using Constable Road.

 

[-Colly405-]

Not sure how unusual this is but 39401 is currently heading to Yate on a Y6. Not seen it for ages.
The seating is now the same blue&green as the main batch of Gas buses

 

[Private Baxter]

Not sure how unusual this is but 39401 is currently heading to Yate on a Y6. Not seen it for ages.
The seating is now the same blue&green as the main batch of Gas buses

Which one is 39401? I've really lost track of what's what! I didn't realise any of them had different seating, except presumably the metrobus ones.

 

[carlberry]

Which one is 39401? I've really lost track of what's what! I didn't realise any of them had different seating, except presumably the metrobus ones.

It's the original one from 2017 that's still green (but not number 24 green or number 73 green!). YN17OHP

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not sure how unusual this is but 39401 is currently heading to Yate on a Y6. Not seen it for ages.
The seating is now the same blue&green as the main batch of Gas buses

Which one is 39401? I've really lost track of what's what! I didn't realise any of them had different seating, except presumably the metrobus ones.

It's the original one from 2017 that's still green (but not number 24 green or number 73 green!). YN17OHP

Think @-Colly405- is getting mixed up. I was out in 2017 and stumbled on the Lawrence Hill open day (I didn't even know it was on) where it was one of the main exhibits so I took this picture because the skylights were an interesting feature but as you can see, it had the green/blue seating from new. It caught my eye at the time as, up to then, I think it had been confined to the P&R buses with the other 66 plates having standard eLeather.

 

[Private Baxter]

It's the original one from 2017 that's still green (but not number 24 green or number 73 green!). YN17OHP

Ah thank you, yes I remember now. Haven't seen it in ages either but good to hear it is out and about again.