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

[Martin1988]

If anyone is able to answer I'd be interested to find out, which vehicle had the honour of working the final journey on service 20?
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Just arrived back from Bristol on the X46. First ran a double decker on one of the journeys this morning(the one departing around 0700). As expected the service was much busier this morning as a result of the X27 no longer operating but the bus wasn't packed out and the journey was not too uncomfortable.

However, the 1717 journey back from Bristol was being worked by a single decker and it was standing room only by the time we left Bristol Bus Station. I personally reckon that on this instance it was a badly timed one off occurance due to a shortage of double deckers but this was the sort of thing I was concerned would happen when the X27 stopped and I don't think it went down well with the passengers.

Would it have been impractical for First to swap vehicles over for that one working if a single decker had been on that duty for the rest of the day or could it have been done somehow?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If anyone is able to answer I'd be interested to find out, which vehicle had the honour of working the final journey on service 20?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just arrived back from Bristol on the X46. First ran a double decker on one of the journeys this morning(the one departing around 0700). As expected the service was much busier this morning as a result of the X27 no longer operating but the bus wasn't packed out and the journey was not too uncomfortable.

However, the 1717 journey back from Bristol was being worked by a single decker and it was standing room only by the time we left Bristol Bus Station. I personally reckon that on this instance it was a badly timed one off occurance due to a shortage of double deckers but this was the sort of thing I was concerned would happen when the X27 stopped and I don't think it went down well with the passengers.

Would it have been impractical for First to swap vehicles over for that one working if a single decker had been on that duty for the rest of the day or could it have been done somehow?

The same peak is common to services! However, with the schools being off, they could've perhaps had a decker free.

Saw the X74 this morning. Pretty quiet but hey, it was only the third one!

 

[freetoview33]

I'm sure the X74 will be busier when U.W.E starts back and people realise the 13 doesn't go to Bradley Stoke anymore.

 

[Stompehh]

Common sense prevails! From today, normal student cards can be used for discounted tickets rather than having to get one of the silly First student cards.

Now all I need is a PAYG student-enabled Touch card and I'll be happy...

 

[CD]

50270 spent some while in the scrap line in Weymouth yard, even the destination display was removed.
It was a great surprise to see it in service on Yeovil route 1 on Saturday. It only lasted half a day before retiring to the depot.
It is not in service today ( Yeovil has no Sunday or Bank holiday services).
Would be interesting to know if it was reinstated or was never withdrawn in the first place.

After 23rd August 50270 never worked again.
It now has fleetnumbers and First markings painted out and is parked in the scrapline with withdrawn 42827/28 and 52558.

 

[Private Baxter]

Some obs from today that might be of interest, the 224 this morning was an X2/3 Streetlite, 66734 was out on service freshly repainted minus logos. There were also a few Darts out and about on peak services this evening, namely the 2 & 44, ironically the latter was fully loaded whilst an empty Gemini was following also on the 44! The newly branded WessexStar Centros were also out and about today as well.

Indeed. 66734 was actually done a fair few months ago. It used to be in a right state, but now I'd say it's the best of the lot. Interestingly only, of the repainted B7s, only 66943 has the logos and Bath depot tags. The others don't yet. Wonder why... Hopefully once 66352 has been done, they shall resume with the 54/55 reg B7s.

Back on the subject of heritage liveries, I really do hope this region gets something. I'd personally like to see something like 66731 in Bath take Badgerline livery, whilst a Gemini in Bristol could carry City Line. Also I like Steve White's suggetion of one bus taking BOC livery. Now that really WOULD be something! Presumably something from MH depot for that??

 

[Martin1988]

Thanks for your response.

I didn't think First ran any school services anymore and that all their deckers are just operated on normal service routes.

The same peak is common to services! However, with the schools being off, they could've perhaps had a decker free.

Saw the X74 this morning. Pretty quiet but hey, it was only the third one!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for your response.

I didn't think First ran any school services anymore and that all their deckers are just operated on normal service routes.

They don't have dedicated closed routes AFAIK but obviously have regular services with schools traffic

 

[ValleyLines142]

Currently on board 37761 on the 1215 X74 Bradley Stoke to The Centre, just calling into UWE. Only three people on board but I'm bloody impressed!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Currently on board 37761 on the 1215 X74 Bradley Stoke to The Centre, just calling into UWE. Only three people on board but I'm bloody impressed!

This may be a daft question but what are you "bloody impressed" with? Have they done something with the interiors?

 

[ValleyLines142]

This may be a daft question but what are you "bloody impressed" with? Have they done something with the interiors?

Yes thank you, Mr Sarcy!

No I was just really impressed to be honest. It takes in a bit of the 73, 319, 75 and Wessex Red's 14 and it's just a good service! First have branded three of their 09-reg batch of Geminis for the route (the newest batch in the fleet!), it's the first Express service between UWE and The Centre and journey times between Bradley Stoke and The Centre are knocked by fifteen minutes or so!

I'll definitely be a regular on this. So as for the 70, let it carry on with B7RLEs!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes thank you, Mr Sarcy!

I'll definitely be a regular on this. So as for the 70, let it carry on with B7RLEs!

No, that was FTV33 being both observant and sarcastic. I'm just old and embittered

 

[ValleyLines142]

Haha!

So basically here is a version of my events for today

From Bristol Parkway I had 37758 on a 73 to Cribbs Causeway, on the 1124 service (1046 Centre to Cribbs). I was surprised to see that it only took eight minutes to get to the Willow Brook Centre. The reason why I was going to the Willow Brook Centre is because I wanted to try out the new X74. I saw that 37762 was working the 1145 to the Centre. I went to have a look in the shops and stop for a coffee in Costa just to kill some time. 37761 arrived and worked the 1215 to the Centre, which I posted earlier. I was surprised, however, that it did not go via Great Meadow Roundabout and Baileys Court, but instead via Brook Way and Braydon Avenue. I honestly though that it was basically the current 73 as far as Great Stoke Way Sainsburys, and then into UWE like the 81 and the 319 (it also doesn't operate via Filton Lane, instead staying direct on the A4174). However we went via Little Stoke Lane instead, following the route of the 319 as far as Patchway Roundabout, before following the 75 route via Gypsy Patch Lane and through Filton village. We then turned left into Station Road, following the A4174 as far as King George VI before cutting across McDonald's roundabout and calling into UWE and then exactly as the 14 into town. Overall I was very impressed. All three branded buses (37761, 37762 and 37763) were all out on the route.

I then decided that as it was a lovely day I was going to hit Clifton Suspension Bridge as opposed to Cabot Circus, so at Bond Street I boarded 47454 on the 8, on the short journey up to Clifton. I then walked along the Suspension Bridge and up on the cliffs on top before walking back down to the village and stopping in Caffé Nero, before boarding 47455 on the 9 back to Temple Meads (who was asking all students to show their ID cards - the first First driver I've ever seen ask). I then had 25 minutes to wait for my train so I decided to catch the 1500 to Manchester and bail at Bristol Parkway, where I caught the 1543 from there back home (having missed the 1508 by seconds).

Overall, a great day! Looking forward to trying the 71 and 72 next week!

 

[swifty]

With the commonwealth games now over and the new vehicles entering service with their intended companies, there are a significant number of vehicles becoming available within First. Some are not DDA but are replacing older vehicles where they are better, like two Cymru Olympians going to Cornwall, and the Darts from First HDB going to BoS. Some are able to be converted to DDA and available to transfer. There are some DDA buses too, like Tridents. Expect quite a few changes in the area therefore in coming weeks and months.

R411/22WPX were in the compound at the back of Taunton bus station today, still with FHD legals. L174CTA was also there minus First logos, it'd be good to see it in BoS green
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I also managed a ride on 32019 today, I was surprised how good it was for an early B7. Plenty of grunt and not many bangs and rattles!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

R411/22WPX were in the compound at the back of Taunton bus station today, still with FHD legals. L174CTA was also there minus First logos, it'd be good to see it in BoS green
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I also managed a ride on 32019 today, I was surprised how good it was for an early B7. Plenty of grunt and not many bangs and rattles!

42511/22 - only a mere 17 years service in Southampton. Guess they've been displaced by new Streetlites. A temporary measure for a year or so?

Been on 32016/22/23 recently and whilst not brilliant (and wouldn't be at 14 years old), they weren't too bad. Certainly not as bad as 09 plate e200s and some of Bath's 05 Darts in terms of noises and rattles!

 

[Class 33]

Haha!

So basically here is a version of my events for today

From Bristol Parkway I had 37758 on a 73 to Cribbs Causeway, on the 1124 service (1046 Centre to Cribbs). I was surprised to see that it only took eight minutes to get to the Willow Brook Centre. The reason why I was going to the Willow Brook Centre is because I wanted to try out the new X74. I saw that 37762 was working the 1145 to the Centre. I went to have a look in the shops and stop for a coffee in Costa just to kill some time. 37761 arrived and worked the 1215 to the Centre, which I posted earlier. I was surprised, however, that it did not go via Great Meadow Roundabout and Baileys Court, but instead via Brook Way and Braydon Avenue. I honestly though that it was basically the current 73 as far as Great Stoke Way Sainsburys, and then into UWE like the 81 and the 319 (it also doesn't operate via Filton Lane, instead staying direct on the A4174). However we went via Little Stoke Lane instead, following the route of the 319 as far as Patchway Roundabout, before following the 75 route via Gypsy Patch Lane and through Filton village. We then turned left into Station Road, following the A4174 as far as King George VI before cutting across McDonald's roundabout and calling into UWE and then exactly as the 14 into town. Overall I was very impressed. All three branded buses (37761, 37762 and 37763) were all out on the route.

Overall, a great day! Looking forward to trying the 71 and 72 next week!

I am very surprised you thought the X74 would duplicate the 73 route from Bradley Stoke all the way to Sainsbury's East Filton. As I did mention on here several weeks ago the route the X74 would be taking! However, I know it can be easy enough to miss postings on here at times. The route the X74 takes through to East Filton is a better route than the 73, I'm glad it doesn't duplicate the twisty turny route all through Bradley stoke that the 73 takes! (The old X74 was near enough exactly the same as the X73, apart from just a slightly different route through Bradley Stoke). The new X74 gives Bradley Stoke(part of anyway), Stoke Lodge, Patchway(Gloucester Road), North Filton, East Filton, and UWE a faster more direct service to and from Broadmead and Centre. Such a service like this was needed. And I'm glad it has become a reality! It is a brilliant service!

The Southbound bus I was on did operate via Filton Lane though. Not sure if it's supposed to run via that road or not. Probably not.

I was not quite right though with my previous rundown of the route it would be taking, which was shown on the TravelineSW website. As from UWE, it didn't take the old X65(from the 80's/early 90's) route to Centre via Coldharbour Road, Stoke Lane, Frenchay Park Road, Park Road, Bell Hill, and the M32. But instead went via Filton Road and straight onto the M32. The former route is a nice route(and would have been a nice flashback to the rides I did on the X65 back in the late 80's), though probably takes about 5 minutes longer(more so if traffic is heavier). But as the service is non-stop between UWE and Broadmead it makes more sense to go via the latter route anyway which is faster.

I had the pleasure riding the service on Monday. Boarded at Bradley Stoke on the 1445 Bradley Stoke-Centre service. Probably only about 8 people were on there in total for the whole journey! I noted that two students boarded the service at Filton College and went upstairs. When the bus turned left at Filton Roundabout I heard them saying that "Oh no. What have we done? This bus goes the long way round! We should have got on the 75!!". After a fast journey via the M32 to Broadmead where they departed, they should have then realised that this service takes less time than the 75! On the return journey I boarded the 1605 Centre-Bradley Stoke service as far as Filton Church. Only about FIVE passengers on this service! When I departed at Filton Church, it was 1628. And I noticed it was stationery at this time for at least a few minutes. As upon re-checking the X74 timetable when I got home I realised it was quite a bit early at that point, as it's not due to depart Filton Gypsy Patch Lane(just a few minuted down the road) untill 1639! So it appears there's a bit of padded time in the timetable so far. However once the service gets busier with more people boarding and departing and also a little more traffic on the roads, the timetables should be just right.

I had another go on the X74 today, on the 1530 Centre-Bradley Stoke service as far as Filton McDonalds. Again only about 5 passengers onboard! A bit disappointed that there weren't more people onboard these particular services I boarded, to have shared the experience of our first rides on the brand new X74!

But give it a few weeks and it will become busier, as more people become aware of the service and the route it takes and they realise it's a faster service than the 75 to North Filton and Patchway(Gloucester Road) and the 73 to East Filton and Bradley Stoke. The X74 does deserve to become a very successful service.

And I'm afraid you won't be able to try the 71 and 72 out next week. As they're not coming into service untill Sunday the 14th(Monday the 15th for the 72). I should be able to able to get a return ride on the 71 on it's inaugural day of service. Though I'm not likely to have opportunity to try a full ride on the 72 out untill some time in October now.

 

[swifty]

I was not quite right though with my previous rundown of the route it would be taking, which was shown on the TravelineSW website. As from UWE, it didn't take the old X65(from the 80's/early 90's) route to Centre via Coldharbour Road, Stoke Lane, Frenchay Park Road, Park Road, Bell Hill, and the M32. But instead went via Filton Road and straight onto the M32. The former route is a nice route(and would have been a nice flashback the rides I did on the X65 back in the late 80's), though probably takes about 5 minutes longer(more so if traffic is heavier). But as the service is non-stop between UWE and Broadmead it makes more sense to go via the latter route anyway which is faster.

You never know, depending on traffic it's not been unknown for the 14 to come off at Eastville and take that route up to UWE to avoid the queues up the hill on the M32. It'd be interesting to know whether First drivers have that option or if they have to stick to the M32?
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I suppose I can argue now that the Gemini could be put to better use elsewhere seeing as they're running lightly loaded. It seems silly to be running them on the X74 whilst they've got Darts full and standing and journeys being missed over on the showcase 2 corridor!

 

[Class 33]

I suppose I can argue now that the Gemini could be put to better use elsewhere seeing as they're running lightly loaded. It seems silly to be running them on the X74 whilst they've got Darts full and standing and journeys being missed over on the showcase 2 corridor!

Like I said, give it a bit more time. The X74 has only been running for just 2 days. The X74 will get busier I'm sure. And busy enough to justify double deckers.

My next trip on an X74 not likely to till Saturday 13th now. Will see what it's like then.

 

[freetoview33]

Apparently we will be getting mobile ticketing in Bristol soon!

 

[Class 33]

message deleted

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I suppose I can argue now that the Gemini could be put to better use elsewhere seeing as they're running lightly loaded. It seems silly to be running them on the X74 whilst they've got Darts full and standing and journeys being missed over on the showcase 2 corridor!

The X74 was always going to be quiet at first and not justify deckers.

However, I guess that the use of deckers with prominent advertising is part of the marketing push. That said, I'll be intrigued to see if, by January, it has built up a market to justify them. Given that the X74 is only every 30 mins and has fewer stops, it may be slightly constrained. We shall await with interest.

The former X2/X3 Darts have gone to LH. Wonder if they'll retain the livery or just get painted and added to the pool of regular Darts

 

[Private Baxter]

The former X2/X3 Darts have gone to LH. Wonder if they'll retain the livery or just get painted and added to the pool of regular Darts

Good question. They were only painted into that livery a year and a half ago, although they don't really fit in at LH looking like that so shoould eventually be painted. Of course I bet they just end up back on MH services anyway. I'm curious as to what, if anything, they have displaced...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Good question. They were only painted into that livery a year and a half ago, although they don't really fit in at LH looking like that so shoould eventually be painted. Of course I bet they just end up back on MH services anyway. I'm curious as to what, if anything, they have displaced...

Another good question. 5 of 7 Marshall Darts have gone from LH but in truth, it's a bit confusing. I was hoping that perhaps two Darts would replace 69457/8 on X49 (Eclipses are a bit overkill) or be used to enhance Fornbree services. More likely was turning up on X8.

Whilst Express Yourself has been enabled by NSC, it is part of TravelWest and would there be any reason why that livery couldn't be used for services like X39 or X46 etc?

 

[ClevedonYellow]

Just a quick question, I got 47554 on the X8 to Clevedon last night. Was wondering if that is the first time a Streetlite has been to Clevedon?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Here's an open question. The hoopla around the 20 service brought CityFox into the picture, with tweets that they were being approached to take on the 20. I confess I know nothing about them. Swifty says they don't have an O license.

So...what does anyone actually KNOW about them? What operations do they have? What fleet do they have? Who are the people behind them - I've looked on LinkedIn and other sources so know their names but nothing else about them. Any answers?

 

[Private Baxter]

Another good question. 5 of 7 Marshall Darts have gone from LH but in truth, it's a bit confusing. I was hoping that perhaps two Darts would replace 69457/8 on X49 (Eclipses are a bit overkill) or be used to enhance Fornbree services. More likely was turning up on X8.

Whilst Express Yourself has been enabled by NSC, it is part of TravelWest and would there be any reason why that livery couldn't be used for services like X39 or X46 etc?

I suppose they could be used on certain LH services in that livery, not sure about X49 though. Thought the eclpises were quite good on that, though I've never actually used it so don't know what passenger figures I like. Could these two be on the move soon perhaps?

With the X39, I had originally wondered whether the streetlites would come in Express Yourself livery, and whilst there's no reason why this couldn't happen, there's a danger of them really over doing this livery. On a few selected services is good.

Just a quick question, I got 47554 on the X8 to Clevedon last night. Was wondering if that is the first time a Streetlite has been to Clevedon?

I think they've been on X8 a few times...

 

[stait.john]

Today's sightings in Bristol:

8/9 42735
36 41234 & 47456
X39 42824 & 66238
Both 69459/60 on X6 this morning.

John

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Today's sightings in Bristol:

8/9 42735
36 41234 & 47456
X39 42824 & 66238
Both 69459/60 on X6 this morning.

John

42824 on the X39! Jeez.... I expect that on the 179 or similar low profile work - I hope it covered a breakdown! Still, better than missing a journey

 

[ValleyLines142]

I am very surprised you thought the X74 would duplicate the 73 route from Bradley Stoke all the way to Sainsbury's East Filton. As I did mention on here several weeks ago the route the X74 would be taking! However, I know it can be easy enough to miss postings on here at times. The route the X74 takes through to East Filton is a better route than the 73, I'm glad it doesn't duplicate the twisty turny route all through Bradley stoke that the 73 takes! (The old X74 was near enough exactly the same as the X73, apart from just a slightly different route through Bradley Stoke). The new X74 gives Bradley Stoke(part of anyway), Stoke Lodge, Patchway(Gloucester Road), North Filton, East Filton, and UWE a faster more direct service to and from Broadmead and Centre. Such a service like this was needed. And I'm glad it has become a reality! It is a brilliant service!

The Southbound bus I was on did operate via Filton Lane though. Not sure if it's supposed to run via that road or not. Probably not.

I was not quite right though with my previous rundown of the route it would be taking, which was shown on the TravelineSW website. As from UWE, it didn't take the old X65(from the 80's/early 90's) route to Centre via Coldharbour Road, Stoke Lane, Frenchay Park Road, Park Road, Bell Hill, and the M32. But instead went via Filton Road and straight onto the M32. The former route is a nice route(and would have been a nice flashback to the rides I did on the X65 back in the late 80's), though probably takes about 5 minutes longer(more so if traffic is heavier). But as the service is non-stop between UWE and Broadmead it makes more sense to go via the latter route anyway which is faster.

I had the pleasure riding the service on Monday. Boarded at Bradley Stoke on the 1445 Bradley Stoke-Centre service. Probably only about 8 people were on there in total for the whole journey! I noted that two students boarded the service at Filton College and went upstairs. When the bus turned left at Filton Roundabout I heard them saying that "Oh no. What have we done? This bus goes the long way round! We should have got on the 75!!". After a fast journey via the M32 to Broadmead where they departed, they should have then realised that this service takes less time than the 75! On the return journey I boarded the 1605 Centre-Bradley Stoke service as far as Filton Church. Only about FIVE passengers on this service! When I departed at Filton Church, it was 1628. And I noticed it was stationery at this time for at least a few minutes. As upon re-checking the X74 timetable when I got home I realised it was quite a bit early at that point, as it's not due to depart Filton Gypsy Patch Lane(just a few minuted down the road) untill 1639! So it appears there's a bit of padded time in the timetable so far. However once the service gets busier with more people boarding and departing and also a little more traffic on the roads, the timetables should be just right.

I had another go on the X74 today, on the 1530 Centre-Bradley Stoke service as far as Filton McDonalds. Again only about 5 passengers onboard! A bit disappointed that there weren't more people onboard these particular services I boarded, to have shared the experience of our first rides on the brand new X74!

But give it a few weeks and it will become busier, as more people become aware of the service and the route it takes and they realise it's a faster service than the 75 to North Filton and Patchway(Gloucester Road) and the 73 to East Filton and Bradley Stoke. The X74 does deserve to become a very successful service.

And I'm afraid you won't be able to try the 71 and 72 out next week. As they're not coming into service untill Sunday the 14th(Monday the 15th for the 72). I should be able to able to get a return ride on the 71 on it's inaugural day of service. Though I'm not likely to have opportunity to try a full ride on the 72 out untill some time in October now.

To be fair I probably just skimmed your post!

As for the 71/72, I did mean for the week it started but I'm ahead of myself and thought it started next week not the week after!

I will personally ensure the X74 is busy once all us UWE babies are back. I will even stand at the bus stops with a huge X74 sign to promote it!!!!

 

[freetoview33]

I saw one of the X74 buses going up the M32 looked fairly busy. (If it was actually an X74 service I don't know)