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

[CD]

Bath must be short of vehicles after loaning lots to Wells as 32544/5 have both been on X39 today.

Steve,
32636/37 have gone from Bath to Hengrove in exchange for 32544/45. (see post 22265).

 

[Whiteway215]

Bath recaptured 37763 this morning and replaced it with 32287. Other loans 63076 on 126, 37757 on 376.

32545 has been working in Bath since Sunday, 32636/37 working from Hengrove. More likely transfers than loans?

With all the problems Wells seem to have with the Streetdecks I’m surprised they don’t have about six Bath buses on loan permanently.

 

[jw]

It's not just the timetables changing on July 21st, fares are too.

Tickets bought on board will remain the same but for the first time since 2015 there will be an increase for pre-paid tickets, including First’s popular mTicket app, PayPoint and Payzone stores, metrobus iPoints, online and First’s travel shops at Bath, Bristol and Wells bus stations.

Despite this change, pre-paid tickets still offer best value. Fares will change across the operator’s Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare zones, with Single journeys ranging from £1.65 in Weston to £2.20 in Bath and £2.25 in Bristol, and Day ticket prices being £2.20, £4.40 and £4.50 respectively.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

With all the problems Wells seem to have with the Streetdecks I’m surprised they don’t have about six Bath buses on loan permanently.

Still no news on the e400Hs from Bath that have been laid up for over a year though.

 

[diffywood]

You beat me to it

It's not just the timetables changing on July 21st, fares are too.

 

[90sWereBetter]

There doesn't appear to be any network maps for Bristol and Bath on the First website, which is slightly frustrating as I'm visiting the area next month and was hoping to get some bearings.

Also, what is the likelihood of Tridents showing up on the 21 between Taunton and Burnham?

 

[freetoview33]

There doesn't appear to be any network maps for Bristol and Bath on the First website, which is slightly frustrating as I'm visiting the area next month and was hoping to get some bearings.

Also, what is the likelihood of Tridents showing up on the 21 between Taunton and Burnham?

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/...s/2019/06/Bus-Map-May-update-2019-26-6-19.pdf

Bristol Map

 

[Whiteway215]

Still no news on the e400Hs from Bath that have been laid up for over a year though.

Steve - are these still just parked in LH? Thanks.

 

[spw24]

Steve - are these still just parked in LH? Thanks.

yes most are still there 1 has now gone into the paint shop so ill keep a look out on this.

 

[CD]

With all the problems Wells seem to have with the Streetdecks I’m surprised they don’t have about six Bath buses on loan permanently.

Could do with them .
When coming back from Bath to Wells on 32688 1745 174 this evening, 69445 was in the lay-by at Dunkerton with First van in attendance. Then at Peasedown 32669 was there broken down, surprise surprise !!

 

[Whiteway215]

I know you can't always trust Bustimes, but 32007 hasn't been used in Bath for a few weeks but appears to be on a 20 this morning so may have gone to Weston.

 

[freetoview33]

I know you can't always trust Bustimes, but 32007 hasn't been used in Bath for a few weeks but appears to be on a 20 this morning so may have gone to Weston.

It's First moving around ticket machines without reprogramming them!

 

[Private Baxter]

It would appear that 66726 has indeed gone in for repainting, which in many ways is a shame, but I guess running around in a heritage livery was never going to be permanent, and four years it's done well, though I do wish they would focus on some of the really shabby barbie ones first.
I might have thought that it might go in to Mendip Explorer, though as T Harris has advised, it is leaving the Wells fleet, so curious to see what it becomes.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It would appear that 66726 has indeed gone in for repainting, which in many ways is a shame, but I guess running around in a heritage livery was never going to be permanent, and four years it's done well, though I do wish they would focus on some of the really shabby barbie ones first.
I might have thought that it might go in to Mendip Explorer, though as T Harris has advised, it is leaving the Wells fleet, so curious to see what it becomes.

66726 did at least get refurbished when repainted.

66728 is in a shocking state of the Barbie fleet

35148 back out working for Wells tonight on the 174

 

[Wessexbuses]

Today in Yeovil including buses changing over
51 42942/9 42951/4 53055/6
53 50466 53403
54 44507
77 42952 43906
X10 53056 53209
In the depot was 53057 & 53205
also 42953 seen at the bus station not in service

 

[richw]

Don't buses have the option of a manual gearbox?

Most operators stick to autos, easier for drivers too. Most tridents have kick down and option to hold a gear, newer stuff doesn’t here at least

I think manuals are now generally only seen in coaches other than minibuses.

It also adds the complication of an Automatic vs Manual PCV licences.

A lot of new coaches are being specified as autos too.
There is no complication on auto Vs manual anymore, entitlement rules changed a few years back. I took my bus test in an auto, but as long as you have a manual car licence you get manual bus entitlement. Same with HGVs now too.

 

[Whiteway215]

IF the bustimes.org tracking service is to be believed, 53817 was in service in Worcester today --

can anyone tell me if this is a permanent transfer, or just a loan, please ?

THANKS.

53817 was definitely working in Bath today. I'm pretty sure 32543 was on X39.

 

[83G/84D]

It looks like travelling by bus in Bristol next week could be more challenging than usual:-

Bus operator encourages passengers to plan ahead during Extinction Rebellion disruption.

Disruption to bus services in Bristol is expected next week, as Extinction Rebellion plan a five-day long protest in city.

The occupation is due to start on Bristol Bridge on Monday 15 July, with potential to affect other areas in the city.

Bus operator First West of England is encouraging customers travelling by bus to plan extra time into their journeys throughout the week, as road diversions are expected to cause delays to normal service timetables.

Ian Coyle, Operations Director for Bristol at First West of England, said:

“We are working closely with local authorities to minimise disruption to our services during the Extinction Rebellion protests. We are bringing in extra drivers, buses and supervisors to help support our network in what will be a very challenging week. Delays are likely to affect normal timetables and diversions will be in operation for some services travelling through Bristol, particularly routes on Bristol Bridge.

“We encourage all customers to factor in more time to their journeys and check the First West of England website for updates, as diversions may change throughout the week. The safety and wellbeing of our customers, drivers and the public is our number one priority and we urge all those using our services to remain patient, whilst we work to continue to operate our inner-city routes as best as possible.”

https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-...bus-operator-encourages-passengers-plan-ahead

 

[CD]

It looks like travelling by bus in Bristol next week could be more challenging than usual:-




https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-...bus-operator-encourages-passengers-plan-ahead

More disruption tomorrow as well !!
https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-...s/updates-your-bus-service-bristol-pride-2019

 

[AB93]

IF the bustimes.org tracking service is to be believed, 53817 was in service in Worcester today --

can anyone tell me if this is a permanent transfer, or just a loan, please ?

53817 was definitely working in Bath today. I'm pretty sure 32543 was on X39.

53817 has been in Worcester, up on 29th June and back on 9th July.

I know you can't always trust Bustimes, but 32007 hasn't been used in Bath for a few weeks but appears to be on a 20 this morning so may have gone to Weston.

It's First moving around ticket machines without reprogramming them!

32007 is indeed at Weston, got there on 8th.

 

[Whiteway215]

Thank you for that AB93. Would you have any knowledge on the state of 32015?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thank you for that AB93. Would you have any knowledge on the state of 32015?

Was over the pits at Weston Island two weeks ago looking rather poorly

 

[Wessexbuses]

Yeovil Based 42951 42952 43906 & Taunton Based 47535 & 47538 on Yeovilton Air day Shuttles today

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

yes most are still there 1 has now gone into the paint shop so ill keep a look out on this.

Thanks for the update - assuming this signifies a return to service

 

[Whiteway215]

32543 definitely now Bath-on the 4 this afternoon.

 

[Wessexbuses]

View attachment 65688 View attachment 65689 Yeovil Based 42951 42952 43906 & Taunton Based 47535 & 47538 on Yeovilton Air day Shuttles today

42949 on Air day shuttles aswell, So 42949 42951 42952 43906 47535 & 47538 were all out on Air day shuttles today

 

[CD]

32543 definitely now Bath-on the 4 this afternoon.

Are you sure it was not 32343 which I saw on the 4?

 

[Whiteway215]

Are you sure it was not 32343 which I saw on the 4?

No I'm sure it was 32543. 32343 was parked at the back of the bus station when I was there.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

35143 was on the 75 this afternoon - 15:46 ex Hengrove and 17:43 ex Cribbs Causeway

 

[ValleyLines142]

35143 was on the 75 this afternoon - 15:26 ex Hengrove and 17:43 ex Cribbs Causeway

Nice!