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

[ValleyLines142]

Haven't had any luck getting any more rides on any of the Enviro 400's on the 75 & 76 yet. I was lucky to have got a ride on one last Monday as I mentioned. But with currently only 3 Enviro 400's out of 48 buses in use on the 75 & 76 on weekdays and with usually just two journeys I do on these services on most weekdays, obviously the chances are very slim of getting a ride on those beauties instead of Gemini's!

Anyone know if the Enviro 400's are on the 75 & 76 on Saturdays? If so if I get a few hours(or more really if necessary) spare on an upcoming Saturday I will have to try and hunt one down to get a good long ride on. Probably the best strategy would be to goto Cribbs Causeway and wait there for a while till one pulls in on the 75 or 76. That's if they're even on these services on Saturdays. As I did see one on the 51 on Saturday. Maybe try and hunt one down on the 51 on a Saturday instead? Allthough I could try that and there's not any on there on the particular Saturday I try!

Cribbs Causeway is your best bet as you'll probably see one on the 75/76 as well as the X5, which don't forget only yesterday was extended to UWE.

 

[Class 33]

Ye I suppose I could get a Enviro 400 journey on an X5 to Weston and back if I wait for too long and one doesn't turn up on a 75 or 76. I'd be prepared to wait for up to an hour for one on a 75 or 76, but not any longer. Only does one journey on the X5 before and that was when it took the longer route via Congressbury rather than the M5. Would still be a nice ride there and back. But really hoping to get more journeys on Enviro 400's on Bristol city services.
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Also on my journey on that Enviro 400 last week on an evening when it was getting dark, I noticed the interior lighting was dimmer and more pleasant than the ultra bright white lighting that is found on the Gemini's. That's another plus point in my book!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Ye I suppose I could get a Enviro 400 journey on an X5 to Weston and back if I wait for too long and one doesn't turn up on a 75 or 76. I'd be prepared to wait for up to an hour for one on a 75 or 76, but not any longer. Only does one journey on the X5 before and that was when it took the longer route via Congressbury rather than the M5. Would still be a nice ride there and back. But really hoping to get more journeys on Enviro 400's on Bristol city services.
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Also on my journey on that Enviro 400 last week on an evening when it was getting dark, I noticed the interior lighting was dimmer and more pleasant than the ultra bright white lighting that is found on the Gemini's. That's another plus point in my book!

Saying that though the X5 isn't guaranteed to have an Enviro 400 on it. Last week there was a B7RLE on there.

The best bet is to head to Cribbs and wait for one. If not, jump on the X5, if THAT isn't one take the X7 or the 78 to the bus station then find one in town. If that fails take one on the X1.

 

[Class 33]

Been on Enviro 400's on the X1 a number of times now lol. So not really planning any journeys on that service just for an Enviro 400 journey, unless I'm purposely going to Weston. Allthough I haven't been on an Enviro 400 on the X2 yet, so could do that one day.

Speaking of the X5, I still haven't got a journey on this service on an Enviro 300 yet(or indeed on any service on an Enviro 300). Been wanting to get a ride on one of these since I first seen one last Summer. But not sure if the one Enviro 300 there is on this service, is actually in use on this service every day?

 

[ValleyLines142]

Been on Enviro 400's on the X1 a number of times now lol. So not really planning any journeys on that service just for an Enviro 400 journey, unless I'm purposely going to Weston. Allthough I haven't been on an Enviro 400 on the X2 yet, so could do that one day.

Speaking of the X5, I still haven't got a journey on this service on an Enviro 300 yet(or indeed on any service on an Enviro 300). Been wanting to get a ride on one of these since I first seen one last Summer. But not sure if the one Enviro 300 there is on this service, is actually in use on this service every day?

Oh fair games.

The X2 is Streetlite operated, so doubt you'd see an Enviro 400 on there.

As for 67600, it's not just the X5. I haven't seen it in Bristol for a while actually, so can only assume it's been on local services in Weston. I've only seen it on the X5 and the W1 but I think that's a rare outing, especially as both routes are supposed to be fully decker operated.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh fair games.

The X2 is Streetlite operated, so doubt you'd see an Enviro 400 on there.

As for 67600, it's not just the X5. I haven't seen it in Bristol for a while actually, so can only assume it's been on local services in Weston. I've only seen it on the X5 and the W1 but I think that's a rare outing, especially as both routes are supposed to be fully decker operated.

Is the W1 supposed to be decker operated? Seen plenty of B7RLEs on there

67600 is often found on the W7

 

[ValleyLines142]

Is the W1 supposed to be decker operated? Seen plenty of B7RLEs on there

67600 is often found on the W7

It's supposed to be decker operated, but what actually turns up is a different matter!

44907 made an appearance on the W1 a few weeks back!

 

[freetoview33]

That Enviro300 does often turn up on the X5 or at least used to!

 

[swifty]

It's supposed to be decker operated, but what actually turns up is a different matter!

44907 made an appearance on the W1 a few qweeks back!

Are you sure it's not the other way around, that was the reason why 69459/60 were repainted and transferred to Weston after all wasn't it?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Are you sure it's not the other way around, that was the reason why 69459/60 were repainted and transferred to Weston after all wasn't it?

Quite so, Mr Swifty. The W1 is supposed to be single deck and yes, 69459/60 were painted and sent to WM for that very purpose

I'd wonder having axed the 121 and now getting the A2 working all day (albeit requiring an extra e200), the two B7RLEs that were planned to appear on the 121 will now be spare so the W1 may well be more SD than before

 

[ValleyLines142]

Quite so, Mr Swifty. The W1 is supposed to be single deck and yes, 69459/60 were painted and sent to WM for that very purpose.

Partly but the PVR of the W1 is more than two so there obviously had to be more than just 69459 and 69460 operating it. Of which the rest are E400s.

You may find that there are less E400s working it as three have gone to MH for the X6, but it is still mainly E400 operated.

The B7RLEs are appearing on it slightly more is because 69459/60 went to Hengrove.

When I went to Weston in the summer, 33412, 33419, 33827 and 33830 were all on the W1.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Partly but the PVR of the W1 is more than two so there obviously had to be more than just 69459 and 69460 operating it. Of which the rest are E400s.

You may find that there are less E400s working it as three have gone to MH for the X6, but it is still mainly E400 operated.

The B7RLEs are appearing on it slightly more is because 69459/60 went to Hengrove.

When I went to Weston in the summer, 33412, 33419, 33827 and 33830 were all on the W1.

There's more B7RLEs on there because there are two fewer allocated - I don't follow?

Alternatively, the way to look at is that there were 15 e400s 9 (56) and 6 (63) plates?

PVR for X1 (6) X6 (4) and X4 (4) so that's 14 and one spare. Think 32001 was an occasional summer appearance but may have been there for a school or college working mainly?

The W1 requires 3 vehicles - the two B7RLEs mentioned plus one of the others. However, in the summer months, traffic on the A370 can be awful so what you may have seen is an X1 car being thrown onto a W1 that is marooned in traffic.

Swifty is right - the W1 is supposed to be B7RLE

 

[ValleyLines142]

There's more B7RLEs on there because there are two fewer allocated - I don't follow?

Alternatively, the way to look at is that there were 15 e400s 9 (56) and 6 (63) plates?

PVR for X1 (6) X6 (4) and X4 (4) so that's 14 and one spare. Think 32001 was an occasional summer appearance but may have been there for a school or college working mainly?

The W1 requires 3 vehicles - the two B7RLEs mentioned plus one of the others. However, in the summer months, traffic on the A370 can be awful so what you may have seen is an X1 car being thrown onto a W1 that is marooned in traffic.

Swifty is right - the W1 is supposed to be B7RLE

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear.

You may find that there are SLIGHTLY more of the older B7RLE's on the W1, now that 69459/69460 have gone, but that's not the allocation.

Those two vehicles were transferred to Weston for the W1, but you have just confirmed that the PVR is 3, so there had to be another from somewhere. Of which it is an Enviro 400.

And for the record, your 'oh it was an X1 chucked on it as a one off' isn't right. I pass through Bristol every day and it is ALWAYS a decker.

Maybe when 69459/69460 were still at Weston it may have been B7RLE operated, along with the additional Enviro, but it is now a decker route.

33414 was on it last night and 33829 was on it on Friday. And do not say this was a one off as it wasn't.

The B7RLEs were used for the 121 anyway. *

(* - when I refer to B7RLEs, I'm referring to the 667xx range).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sorry, I didn't make myself very clear.

You may find that there are SLIGHTLY more of the older B7RLE's on the W1, now that 69459/69460 have gone, but that's not the allocation.

Those two vehicles were transferred to Weston for the W1, but you have just confirmed that the PVR is 3, so there had to be another from somewhere. Of which it is an Enviro 400.

And for the record, your 'oh it was an X1 chucked on it as a one off' isn't right. I pass through Bristol every day and it is ALWAYS a decker.

Maybe when 69459/69460 were still at Weston it may have been B7RLE operated, along with the additional Enviro, but it is now a decker route.

33414 was on it last night and 33829 was on it on Friday. And do not say this was a one off as it wasn't.

The B7RLEs were used for the 121 anyway. *

(* - when I refer to B7RLEs, I'm referring to the 667xx range).

Ok.... X1 is 6, W1 is 3, X5 is 4 - they have 13 deckers for 14 boards. That's not factoring VORs or when one is poorly and plonked on the W7

Swifty was/is right. W1 is supposed to be B7RLEs (as is X5) but that's not to say e400s aren't appearing regularly. When 69459/60 went to HE, 66934-6 were regularly on the W1. If all 3 routes are supposed to be DD but WM have too few deckers then clearly some boards MUST be SD

B7RLEs were the 121 but my point is that there are now 2 extra ones available, freed up from the 121.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Ok.... X1 is 6, W1 is 3, X5 is 4 - they have 13 deckers for 14 boards.

Swifty was/is right. Shush

Calm down! You're getting ridiculously irate over such a trivial situation.

I'm merely stating what my observations are.

I'll enquire about the W1 on Thursday!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Calm down! You're getting ridiculously irate over such a trivial situation.

I'm merely stating what my observations are.

I'll enquire about the W1 on Thursday!

Not irate - just getting you to calm down but I've amended it to be nicer and to clarify things. You do make me chuckle.....

 

[Class 33]

Wow! Got a pleasant surprise when I got a ride on an Enviro 400 on the 71 just now! Good stuff!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Not irate - just getting you to calm down but I've amended it to be nicer and to clarify things. You do make me chuckle.....

You are so patronising it is unbelievable.

I honestly do not care anymore about the W1. All I am saying is that since the two 59 B7s went to Hengrove, I have only seen Enviro 400s on the route.

One day there'll be something we agree on on this forum....

Wow! Got a pleasant surprise when I got a ride on an Enviro 400 on the 71 just now! Good stuff!

Yay pleased you got one! And on the 71 too, first time (I think) on the route I think!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You are so patronising it is unbelievable.

I honestly do not care anymore about the W1. All I am saying is that since the two 59 B7s went to Hengrove, I have only seen Enviro 400s on the route.

One day there'll be something we agree on on this forum....

Hang on. That's not fair. Don't start a line "and for the record" (19:34) and then attribute something to in quotations that I neither said nor even intimated. So I said shush and that = "ridiculously irate".

Anyhow, you're right. This does nothing other than bore the rest of the readership
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Looking on the Steve White page, it appears that 60911-5 are due (don't know if the others left Taunton but 60915 is/was at Plymouth) so assume that BH will get those in exchange for 62193/62245 already at BoS and 62194/62238/62242 to go?

I did read somewhere that B7Ls only return 3 mpg (assuming the driver has a heavy right boot) - thirsty machines!! Anyone seen any of these about other than 60913 on eng test?

I see First Cymru have got 41200 back again (the third Marshall to go and with that one, it's had two stints at both). Think I spied 41490 on the ring road the other night - is 41162 still going?

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

I did read somewhere that B7Ls only return 3 mpg (assuming the driver has a heavy right boot) - thirsty machines!! Anyone seen any of these about other than 60913 on eng test?

I know that the B7LA/ Wright Streetcars have a declared 3mpg... I should imagine that a normal rigid B7L would return slightly more... but knowing the fuel consumption of vehicles over the last 10 years or so I wouldn't want to bet on it being more than 5mpg

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I know that the B7LA/ Wright Streetcars have a declared 3mpg... I should imagine that a normal rigid B7L would return slightly more... but knowing the fuel consumption of vehicles over the last 10 years or so I wouldn't want to bet on it being more than 5mpg

Probably explains why Bath's artics have plenty of rest. The B7L figure I heard was a "worst case" (I think) so expect you ain't far wrong. Pity the poor managers who have a load of them - suspect that's probably Yorkshire and Norwich?

 

[THarris123]

Hang on. That's not fair. Don't start a line "and for the record" (19:34) and then attribute something to in quotations that I neither said nor even intimated. So I said shush and that = "ridiculously irate".

Anyhow, you're right. This does nothing other than bore the rest of the readership
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Looking on the Steve White page, it appears that 60911-5 are due (don't know if the others left Taunton but 60915 is/was at Plymouth) so assume that BH will get those in exchange for 62193/62245 already at BoS and 62194/62238/62242 to go?

I did read somewhere that B7Ls only return 3 mpg (assuming the driver has a heavy right boot) - thirsty machines!! Anyone seen any of these about other than 60913 on eng test?

I see First Cymru have got 41200 back again (the third Marshall to go and with that one, it's had two stints at both). Think I spied 41490 on the ring road the other night - is 41162 still going?

41162 was on 36 on Saturday.
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Just seen on Firsts website that they're looking for yet more drivers.

The wages appear to be pretty good - I might even apply!)

It states they are looking for more drivers, as they are increasing the number of buses to improve reliability from March.

 

[Robertj21a]

41162 was on 36 on Saturday.
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Just seen on Firsts website that they're looking for yet more drivers.

The wages appear to be pretty good - I might even apply!)

It states they are looking for more drivers, as they are increasing the number of buses to improve reliability from March.

Presume this ties in with James's comments about needing 20 additional buses at Bristol.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Hang on. That's not fair. Don't start a line "and for the record" (19:34) and then attribute something to in quotations that I neither said nor even intimated. So I said shush and that = "ridiculously irate".

Anyhow, you're right. This does nothing other than bore the rest of the readership

I think it's perfectly fair myself. I do feel patronised.

I see First Cymru have got 41200 back again (the third Marshall to go and with that one, it's had two stints at both). Think I spied 41490 on the ring road the other night - is 41162 still going?

Yes, it was on the 36 last week.

 

[swifty]

I don't know what's going on today but there's delays of upto an hour on the 43/45 and long delays on the 17, 44 and 83 at least. And to top it off I've just seen 41686 on the 44.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I don't know what's going on today but there's delays of upto an hour on the 43/45 and long delays on the 17, 44 and 83 at least. And to top it off I've just seen 41686 on the 44.

Ouch to all of those.

Sad to report a female died in a collision on the M32 yesterday thoughts to her family and those affected.

 

[Robertj21a]

69435 is now reported at Leicester. 33554 should now be at Bristol.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

69435 is now reported at Leicester. 33554 should now be at Bristol.

In Leicester next Tues.... wonder if I'll bump into one
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Presume this ties in with James's comments about needing 20 additional buses at Bristol.

Missed that comment. Perhaps the biggest challenge might be having enough drivers; they did have some (from Yorkshire, I think??) at LH.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Well my day has got off to a bad start! Go to Parkway for 9.05 and purposely waited for the 0925 X5 to UWE. There's me expecting an Enviro 400 to turn up, but what comes along instead? 66720!!

If I'd have known it was going to be a B7RLE I'd have caught one of the earlier buses. In that time, 42561, 41490 and 47560 had arrived on the 319, 83 and 18 respectively!

Ah well, not as if I'm never going to get a chance of going on one again I suppose!

 

[Robertj21a]

Three more of Leicester's Enviro 400s reported on M5 yesterday.