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

[freetoview33]

Just got a picture of the back of the X74 branded bus 37761

 

[CD]

Arguably, if the 20 is busy at peaks and has reasonable trade off peak, then you'd ask a)why are First axing it and b) why isn't someone coming in to register it? Perhaps it's a service that doesn't pay it's way but if there's a social need, BCC should step in.

In news not in Bristol, see Yeovil has now got the 2 2003 Solos that were in Bridgwater. That's almost space age for that depot!

50467 arrived in Yeovil in Olympia livery and is yet to enter service,
50466 arrived 11th August and had 5 days in service, followed by a week parked up in the depot. Its now in Weymouth for repair.

 

[Class 33]

Just got a picture of the back of the X74 branded bus 37761

Are you going to upload it to FlickR?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Vague observations. 66352 working the 179 whilst last night 46264 was still working the 17 into the darkness.

Btw, the pubcrawl became a 43 from the Kings Arms to Essex Arms in Kingswood!

 

[freetoview33]

Yeah when I get home!

 

[swifty]

46264 was still working the 17 into the darkness.

It was running quite behind at one point, but the old girl had made it back on time by the last trip of the night. It's quite nice to hear the scream of an old Dart amongst the droan of the ISBe on the ADLs.

 

[ValleyLines142]

That was my thought. A brand new service so we just don't know. I hope the optimism is rewarded and that it is that popular.

I think Geminis are a wise move for this service. Bradley Stoke is a sizeable town, with a population of about 28,000 people. Obviously I'm not saying that all 28,000 people use the bus, but it's a sign that it will be well used and as Class 33 says it'll take pressure off the 73, especially as the journey time between Bradley Stoke and The Centre will be just 38 minutes, as opposed to the current 52 on the 73. And with it serving UWE also, I will be a regular on this route and I will make my fellow coursemates get it too, so from UWE I think journeys will be heaving!

On a slightly more disappointing note, I went to Weston for the day on the X1 yesterday, returning on the 1715 X1 back to Bristol. However it failed to turn up, presumably due to the closure of Long Ashton By-Pass. The 1725 W1 was on time, however I know the W1 takes a little bit longer than the X1 as it goes through Claverham and Long Ashton (and 69459 was working it!). At 1740, 33825 arrived with Not In Service on the blind, but the driver nodded her head as she approached us, informing us that it was going back to the depot. By this point, the driver of the 1715 X1 was on the bus stop enquiring as to where his bus was, both on the phone and from the driver of 33825. Eventually ten minutes later 33827 arrived with X1 Bristol on it, but the driver nodded her head and said this was going back to the depot too. This, I believe, was in fact supposed to be the 1715 X1, as the driver waiting to take it back then boarded and went to the depot on it, so he said, telling us that another one would be along in a few minutes. In the end we had to wait for the 1755 W1 instead, which was 33829 and left at 1810. However, by the time we got to Anchor Road in Bristol, who was returning on the W1? 33827! So he had lied to us saying that it had gone back to the depot, when in all fact he had sneaked back up to Bristol, presumably as he was running so late!

 

[freetoview33]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/126386423@N03/15013268575/
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I will actually start to take photos and upload I see some interesting stuff about

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

50467 arrived in Yeovil in Olympia livery and is yet to enter service,
50466 arrived 11th August and had 5 days in service, followed by a week parked up in the depot. Its now in Weymouth for repair.

Perhaps not a total surprise as they (and the other Solos) looked decidedly careworn when running round Bridgwater. Does that mean that the final Vario has now gone?

As an aside, one of the same batch S530RWP was still working in Stroud with Cotswold Green alongside a Volvo B10M and Merc 709 on Friday afternoon. Do the know DDA is imminent??

 

[Private Baxter]

Vague observations. 66352 working the 179 whilst last night 46264 was still working the 17 into the darkness.

Btw, the pubcrawl became a 43 from the Kings Arms to Essex Arms in Kingswood!

Good to know there's still one P PAE going; though haven't seen that for a few months. Last I saw it was on X2.

On the subject of 02 reg B7s, 66355 is back in Bath, and I reckon is next to be painted, whilst 66356 has replaced it in Wells. This must be the first bus in the new livery to be based at WS depot, albeit temporarily. And has any one seen 66351 recently?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Good to know there's still one P PAE going; though haven't seen that for a few months. Last I saw it was on X2.

On the subject of 02 reg B7s, 66355 is back in Bath, and I reckon is next to be painted, whilst 66356 has replaced it in Wells. This must be the first bus in the new livery to be based at WS depot, albeit temporarily. And has any one seen 66351 recently?

Indeed, Wells has remained resolutely Barbie. In fact, bus wise with its ancient fleet and 2009 Eclipses, it is little changed in recent years!

 

[Class 33]

On a completely different note, these new Touch Cards are not quite as good as they should be. As with mine, a few times when getting on a bus and touching it on the card reader it comes up with "Card Error" on the display. Whilst some drivers say "OK. Not a problem" others will be a bit more strict and confrontational about it. I got on a 309 last week and it came up with "Card Error" and the driver said "It looks like there's nothing on that mate". I said "Yes there is. And it runs untill Wednesday 20th". To which he replied "Well how do I know that if it's coming up with Card Error? That might have last been used a few months ago.". Initially he didn't believe me. Anyway he then went on to say "Go on. I'll let you on on this occasion. But I shouldn't really be letting you on with an invalid ticket. You need to get that card sorted out.".

And the next bus I got on,and all other buses since(so far anyway!) it has worked. It is not a problem with the card itself, but some of the card reader machines having some fault and not being able to read these cards. They need to get that sorted.

Advise is to pay for your top-ups with your debit card. And keep the two receipts as proof of purchase and whatever you do don't lose them! In case you also get a "Card Error" problem and can show these two receipts to the driver. Hopefully they will accept that and you don't get any that say "Sorry. Can't accept that. That still doesn't prove there's anything on that card." and refuses you to travel on that bus unless you pay for a ticket.

 

[Private Baxter]

Indeed, Wells has remained resolutely Barbie. In fact, bus wise with its ancient fleet and 2009 Eclipses, it is little changed in recent years!

It's true, WS isn't too different from a year, or even two years ago. The AXL darts and HEJ are the only buses that weren't there a year ago. It is also the oldest, both with the oldest buses, and the 'oldest new' buses.
Give it two years though and I bet it will be vastly different.

 

[CD]

Perhaps not a total surprise as they (and the other Solos) looked decidedly careworn when running round Bridgwater. Does that mean that the final Vario has now gone?

As an aside, one of the same batch S530RWP was still working in Stroud with Cotswold Green alongside a Volvo B10M and Merc 709 on Friday afternoon. Do the know DDA is imminent??

No 52540 still going strong. This one performs well but the suspension leaves much to be desired.

 

[ValleyLines142]

On a completely different note, these new Touch Cards are not quite as good as they should be. As with mine, a few times when getting on a bus and touching it on the card reader it comes up with "Card Error" on the display. Whilst some drivers say "OK. Not a problem" others will be a bit more strict and confrontational about it. I got on a 309 last week and it came up with "Card Error" and the driver said "It looks like there's nothing on that mate". I said "Yes there is. And it runs untill Wednesday 20th". To which he replied "Well how do I know that if it's coming up with Card Error? That might have last been used a few months ago.". Initially he didn't believe me. Anyway he then went on to say "Go on. I'll let you on on this occasion. But I shouldn't really be letting you on with an invalid ticket. You need to get that card sorted out.".

And the next bus I got on,and all other buses since(so far anyway!) it has worked. It is not a problem with the card itself, but some of the card reader machines having some fault and not being able to read these cards. They need to get that sorted.

Advise is to pay for your top-ups with your debit card. And keep the two receipts as proof of purchase and whatever you do don't lose them! In case you also get a "Card Error" problem and can show these two receipts to the driver. Hopefully they will accept that and you don't get any that say "Sorry. Can't accept that. That still doesn't prove there's anything on that card." and refuses you to travel on that bus unless you pay for a ticket.

That's unusual. With Cardiff Bus, if you have a weekly or longer pass on the Iff Card, you get a ticket printed off showing confirmation of your purchase, along with the date it starts/expires and how much is left on the card. If for whatever reason a ticket machine fails then you can just show that as proof of purchase instead. I haven't had to do this myself but I know a few people that have. I would have thought First would have to do something similar.

Also, why did the driver of the 309 say it may have been used a few months ago? Wasn't the card only introduced last week or the week before?!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

No 52540 still going strong. This one performs well but the suspension leaves much to be desired.

So very much like a standard Vario!!!! Amazing that they're still going; don't know when Arriva withdrew their last ones though Stagecoach's 709s were quite longlived

To think it's 30 years since the mass introduction of van derived minibuses starting in the south west

 

[THarris123]

So very much like a standard Vario!!!! Amazing that they're still going; don't know when Arriva withdrew their last ones though Stagecoach's 709s were quite longlived

To think it's 30 years since the mass introduction of van derived minibuses starting in the south west

Just checked this - there are 5 Varios left now in the First fleet. 1 in Yeovil, 2 in Hilsea depot and 2 in Cambourne (not quite sure about the Cambourne ones though).

1 S reg solo is left (supposedly) in Edinburgh.
According to Steve White's list there are 37 of the 5**** range that are old. 9 of which are V reg and before, the rest are W and Y reg. I would have thought the W and Y reg solos are DDA compliant?

I would have thought that they would meet the deadline with the minis.

Is 53001 still in Bridgwater?

 

[South Westerly]

Thanks for that. Lots of interesting info there. I suspected that the move of B6s for B7Ls might have been to do with both paintshop capacity and just the number of changes.

Take it that the redundant Darts from FHD are R/S reg but are a stop gap and in better nick underneath than the Sprytes? On FHD enthusiasts site, says that they too may need more deckers for tender work, so more superannuated Tridents?

I had heard it rumoured that the three Olyms that Cymru had would head to Cornwall after the Games. Wonder if the Somerset Olyms might head there though not all machines of that age are great underneath.

Yes, there are so many non DDA Darts coming out now that it's possible to pick the very best examples and use them to replace anything that's tired, or indeed that expires with a major unit etc.

Two Olympians have been stored in Bristol for a while since they left Cymru. Don't know about a third. The BoS Olympians all have significant tree damage [most of them are ex WSM that transferred with the Burnham to WSM routes] and are more likely to be scrapped or cannibalised. Like the HDB Darts, expect to see the best Olympians being displaced from across the UK being sought for Cornwall to potentially replace the Royales and the twin door Olympians for a while, if sufficient numbers are available.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Just checked this - there are 5 Varios left now in the First fleet. 1 in Yeovil, 2 in Hilsea depot and 2 in Cambourne (not quite sure about the Cambourne ones though).

1 S reg solo is left (supposedly) in Edinburgh.
According to Steve White's list there are 37 of the 5**** range that are old. 9 of which are V reg and before, the rest are W and Y reg. I would have thought the W and Y reg solos are DDA compliant?

I would have thought that they would meet the deadline with the minis.

Is 53001 still in Bridgwater?

Saw it a few weeks ago
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, there are so many non DDA Darts coming out now that it's possible to pick the very best examples and use them to replace anything that's tired, or indeed that expires with a major unit etc.

Two Olympians have been stored in Bristol for a while since they left Cymru. Don't know about a third. The BoS Olympians all have significant tree damage [most of them are ex WSM that transferred with the Burnham to WSM routes] and are more likely to be scrapped or cannibalised. Like the HDB Darts, expect to see the best Olympians being displaced from across the UK being sought for Cornwall to potentially replace the Royales and the twin door Olympians for a while, if sufficient numbers are available.

That makes sense. The ex Airbus Royales and ex Metrobus Olyms are quite peachy. Be nice to see the W reg ex Bath (and Coastliner) Olyms head to Cornwall for the last few years. Guess the 34188-90 ones are suffering some body frame corrosion from the damage?

Wales did have 3 Olyms (34161-3) but maybe one has headed to Carlton rather than Cornwall.

 

[swifty]

Saw it a few weeks ago
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


That makes sense. The ex Airbus Royales and ex Metrobus Olyms are quite peachy. Be nice to see the W reg ex Bath (and Coastliner) Olyms head to Cornwall for the last few years. Guess the 34188-90 ones are suffering some body frame corrosion from the damage?

Wales did have 3 Olyms (34161-3) but maybe one has headed to Carlton rather than Cornwall.

AFAIK unfortunately the ex Coastliner Olys seem to be having a tough time with FEC, 2 are being converted to trainers (34110/1), whilst the other 5 are in and out of service with various problems. At one point earlier this year they were down to the last one out in traffic! It's a shame really as they're a cracking batch, and the last Olys built.

34163 is with a Church in W-s-M, https://flic.kr/p/o7yNtc, whilst 34164 was involved in an accident and sent for scrap with Bayliss in April.

 

[South Westerly]

Saw it a few weeks ago
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Guess the 34188-90 ones are suffering some body frame corrosion from the damage? l.

No, it's just that the work required to sort the roof damage isn't worth doing when they are of so little value, and when there is no pressing need for them in Cornwall.

 

[Class 33]

That's unusual. With Cardiff Bus, if you have a weekly or longer pass on the Iff Card, you get a ticket printed off showing confirmation of your purchase, along with the date it starts/expires and how much is left on the card. If for whatever reason a ticket machine fails then you can just show that as proof of purchase instead. I haven't had to do this myself but I know a few people that have. I would have thought First would have to do something similar.

Also, why did the driver of the 309 say it may have been used a few months ago? Wasn't the card only introduced last week or the week before?!

Unfortunately with these First Touch Cards it seems if you do get a "Card Error" come up a bus even if you keep the two receipts it doesn't really necessarily prove that you've got a valid travel pass loaded onto the card. As the receipts only show the date you purchased the top-up. For instance whilst I brought a top up today and my current pass expires on Wednesday, I might not decide to activate the next pass till next week or even the week after rather than Thursday. So if I do activate it on Thursday on a bus, and then use it on another bus later in the day and I get "Card Error" come up again even if I show my receipts as proof of purchase you might get some strict drivers who still won't accept it as there being a valid travel pass currently loaded on the card and think that you are lieing and trying to fare dodge! (Some drivers on First Bristol buses are helpful and polite, whilst some of them can be right miserable buggers to be honest.) Bit of a nuisance really. And could be a massive inconcenience if it causes you to be late for work or causes you to miss a train or coach.

First Touch Cards have been going for about three or fours months now. They were quietly introduced with not much promotion atall. Only in the last few weeks have they been promoted better.

 

[pompeyfan]

On a completely different note, these new Touch Cards are not quite as good as they should be. As with mine, a few times when getting on a bus and touching it on the card reader it comes up with "Card Error" on the display. Whilst some drivers say "OK. Not a problem" others will be a bit more strict and confrontational about it. I got on a 309 last week and it came up with "Card Error" and the driver said "It looks like there's nothing on that mate". I said "Yes there is. And it runs untill Wednesday 20th". To which he replied "Well how do I know that if it's coming up with Card Error? That might have last been used a few months ago.". Initially he didn't believe me. Anyway he then went on to say "Go on. I'll let you on on this occasion. But I shouldn't really be letting you on with an invalid ticket. You need to get that card sorted out.".

And the next bus I got on,and all other buses since(so far anyway!) it has worked. It is not a problem with the card itself, but some of the card reader machines having some fault and not being able to read these cards. They need to get that sorted.

Advise is to pay for your top-ups with your debit card. And keep the two receipts as proof of purchase and whatever you do don't lose them! In case you also get a "Card Error" problem and can show these two receipts to the driver. Hopefully they will accept that and you don't get any that say "Sorry. Can't accept that. That still doesn't prove there's anything on that card." and refuses you to travel on that bus unless you pay for a ticket.

Last week, or the week before (I can't remember which) there was a software update that completely knocked out the card readers on the ticket machine, including at one point the drivers ticket machine card. Free fares were given out for the first couple of hours until that particular bug was solved, but it took about a week to re-instate encts, touch and solent go cards..... Technically the driver was correct, and I'm sure had he been aware of the issue (perhaps he'd only just started after a couple of days off?) he would have used his discretion.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

AFAIK unfortunately the ex Coastliner Olys seem to be having a tough time with FEC, 2 are being converted to trainers (34110/1), whilst the other 5 are in and out of service with various problems. At one point earlier this year they were down to the last one out in traffic! It's a shame really as they're a cracking batch, and the last Olys built.

34163 is with a Church in W-s-M, https://flic.kr/p/o7yNtc, whilst 34164 was involved in an accident and sent for scrap with Bayliss in April.

I knew 34164 had been involved in an RTA. These four could often be found parked round the back of Pontardawe depot. Surprised one got sold on, albeit for non-PCV purposes.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No, it's just that the work required to sort the roof damage isn't worth doing when they are of so little value, and when there is no pressing need for them in Cornwall.

So it's arguably more for aesthetics than physical condition? I know that R types had a weakness for water ingress to affect the frames (and create a lovely musty smell like a cow barn inside)! Olympians are getting quite rare now in service and expect a bit of a purge now the CG are done.

As an aside, was in Swansea yesterday for the first time in two years. I know it's a Sunday and so the crap would've been in Ravenhill but the transformation was quite noticeable. Instead of P/R reg Pointers and a raft of ex London Marshalls as it was in 2012, it was all 13/14 plate e200s save one 09 Eclipses on the X13. Very impressive

 

[Martin1988]

For anyone interested there is currently a decker out on routeroute 70. It is LK53LZG. And it went into Temple Meads.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

For anyone interested there is currently a decker out on routeroute 70. It is LK53LZG. And it went into Temple Meads.

Dan is even now putting in his packed lunch and travelling over in a state of rigid anticipation

 

[ValleyLines142]

Dan is even now putting in his packed lunch and travelling over in a state of rigid anticipation

I'm in work! Otherwise I'd have gone on over!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm in work! Otherwise I'd have gone on over!

Just to travel on a decker? Still, takes all sorts, as Bertie Bassett once said. It's why I never worry about "ticking off" specific buses as you can be sure that something will go wrong.

 

[South Westerly]

[QUOTESo it's arguably more for aesthetics than physical condition? I know that R types had a weakness for water ingress to affect the frames (and create a lovely musty smell like a cow barn inside)![/QUOTE]

I'm not sure that there's a clear distinction!

 

[83G/84D]

8 Former London Trident have been acquired from First Glasgow and will be used on additional work gained by Hengrove from the end of September. All 8 are in Barbie livery and presently stored in Muller Road.

32931 W931ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32937 W937ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32939 W939ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32940 W840VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32941 W941ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32942 W942ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/24F
32946 W946ULL u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F
32950 W132VLO u Ds Trident Ar H45/27F


The last 2 Streetlites have now arrived so 47555/8 should be out soon

Source:- Steve White's website.