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

[CD]

All the 376s I saw in the Street/Wells area between 1100-1400 were late by up to 20 minutes.
66171 on 161 today no problem getting through Dinder.
377s 66108/60/61. Saw 66173 on 375. Didnt see any 126s. 69444/47 spare at depot.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As far as i know - 1 person Whitchurch to Street each day. By the time the peak buses get into Whitchurch from Street the bus is 3/4 full. There are a lot of people that go Street, Glastonbury, Wells to Bristol and just as many going Whitchurch to Bristol at peak times.

This morning if the 2 was in front there probably won't have been anyone standing.

That was my thought too; if the 2 is late or missing in action, then the 376 will suddenly fill up through Knowle etc. As you know, the 376 can often have 30+ passengers on it by on that southern section.

I got one the other Saturday (hardly a peak working - 1015 ex Bristol) and got on at Broadwalk. had 30-35 passengers south of Whitchurch as I was interested to see what loadings it would have with the deckers coming.
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All the 376s I saw in the Street/Wells area between 1100-1400 were late by up to 20 minutes.
66171 on 161 today no problem getting through Dinder.
377s 66108/60/61. Saw 66173 on 375. Didnt see any 126s. 69444/47 spare at depot.

If people park considerately, it shouldn't be an issue through Dinder. However, as I saw the other week, some people are selfish!
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60911 looks smart after repaint on Steve White's page. Photo in the LH Annex and can't see the depot speech bubble but assume it's an LH vehicle?

 

[baza585]

I don't think it was some groupwide plan and just a bit more pragmatic (?)

FWoE needed to increase capacity and had 11 Streetlites destined for WS (20 min frequency???)
FEE had 8 Streetdecks due for Norwich

Instead, a bit of a swap allows 376 capacity to be increased (saves driver costs) whilst Norwich get 11 not 8 new vehicles.

The X78 Sheffield to Doncaster was destined for Streetdecks so if anywhere was a test bed, it was probably

You are right that the 376 Streetdecks were an opportunistic swap with Norwich, but I am surprised they have put them on the 376 rather than divert E40Dsand was wondering if that decision might be inspired by Group wanting to try them out.

The X78 is an urban route and doesn't have sustained high speed running like the 376 (in my experience the X in X78 is a complete misnomer.........)

I think JF has made the right decision to decker the 376; time will tell if it is the right decker!! The E40Ds cope fine on high speed routes like First X1 in East Anglia and More/W&D X3 between Salisbury and Bournemouth.

 

[stait.john]

Yes 60911 is at LH.

37328 now has its yellow front with 37329 taking is place today for the frontal treatment.

BioBus times for Friday:
42 1025 Lawrence Hill Bridge to Broad Quay
Dead to Broadmead
3 1050 Broadmead to Avonmouth
For fuelling
Dead to Broad Quay
44 1240 Broad Quay to Cadbury Heath
44 1336 Cadbury Heath to Broad Quay
Dead to Bus Station for break
45 1530 Broad Quay to Cadbury Heath
45 1634 Cadbury Heath to Broad Quay
43 1730 Broad Quay to Bitton
42 1845 Bitton to Broad Quay
Dead 1933 Broad Quay to LH Depot

Hope this helps

John

 

[THarris123]

That was my thought too; if the 2 is late or missing in action, then the 376 will suddenly fill up through Knowle etc. As you know, the 376 can often have 30+ passengers on it by on that southern section.

I got one the other Saturday (hardly a peak working - 1015 ex Bristol) and got on at Broadwalk. had 30-35 passengers south of Whitchurch as I was interested to see what loadings it would have with the deckers coming.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


If people park considerately, it shouldn't be an issue through Dinder. However, as I saw the other week, some people are selfish!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
60911 looks smart after repaint on Steve White's page. Photo in the LH Annex and can't see the depot speech bubble but assume it's an LH vehicle?

Surely 60911 will head to Bath to join the others?
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35164 - about 20 mins late and managed to make it up Chelwood ok.
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35164 - about 20 mins late and managed to make it up Chelwood ok.

 

[Class 33]

What's happening with the new Enviro 400 MMC's going onto the 1 & 2? Seen a few driving around with Not In Service on the display. Would be good to see some of these actually in service.

Seen a 76 last night with 76 Bedminster(not Bedminster 76!) on the destination display. Think that's the first time I've saw a 75 or 76 terminating in Bedminster!

Just behind that was an Eclipse single decker on a 75. Not atall surprised by that!

Shame there doesn't look like there's going to any buses repainted into City Line livery after all now. The ONE Eclipse that was repainted into Badgerline livery looked great and 100 times better looking than it looks in the First livery, but I've only saw it in service just once!

 

[ValleyLines142]

35160 has developed a pretty serious engine fault, and is apparently being sent back to Wrightbus. Could be out of service until at least after Christmas!

 

[LeylandLynx]

35160 has developed a pretty serious engine fault, and is apparently being sent back to Wrightbus. Could be out of service until at least after Christmas!

Oh dear, that didn't last very long, did it?

In other news, it looks like they're finally going to put up a much needed bus shelter on the Whitchurch Lane bus stop for the 51. This was desperately needed, as the 50/51 buses going into town no longer serve Belland Drive and the aforementioned bus stop which replaced it was rushed: it has no shelter, no bus stop kerb or was even marked on the road.

I saw three double deckers on the 50/51 today on Whitchurch Lane, all within about ten minutes! I saw one of the B9's that used to be on the X1 on the 51 heading back to Hengrove Depot (with the seats with the headrests), and then shortly after an Enviro400 on the 51 heading into town. I then saw another Gemini on the 50 (didn't get a good enough look at it to tell whether it was a B7 or B9). Also saw a Streetlite on the 50.

 

[henairs]

Still alive and kicking folks and in use on the 126 today working 11 00 Weston to Wells and 12 30 return from Wells when rode on/seen.
Shame about 35160 explains why 69438 was on 376 today.
Cheers Mike Russell

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Yes 60911 is at LH.

37328 now has its yellow front with 37329 taking is place today for the frontal treatment.

BioBus times for Friday:
42 1025 Lawrence Hill Bridge to Broad Quay
Dead to Broadmead
3 1050 Broadmead to Avonmouth
For fuelling
Dead to Broad Quay
44 1240 Broad Quay to Cadbury Heath
44 1336 Cadbury Heath to Broad Quay
Dead to Bus Station for break
45 1530 Broad Quay to Cadbury Heath
45 1634 Cadbury Heath to Broad Quay
43 1730 Broad Quay to Bitton
42 1845 Bitton to Broad Quay
Dead 1933 Broad Quay to LH Depot

Hope this helps

John

Thanks for the information.
Marcus

 

[carlberry]

First West of England Announces Bid for 110 Double Decker Bio Buses for Bristol

Bristol’s largest bus operator, First West of England, has today announced a joint bid to OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles) for 110 double decker bio-buses for Bristol.

Presumably these would be ADL vehicles. Where would the tanks go on a double decker?

There was a piece about this on Points West (local BBC news program) this evening. Or at least I assumed it was about this as it refered to bio buses and showed the one that First have been using, and then the explanation was that Wessex Bus have put in a bid for 20!!! So are there two bids and are they joint or competing? And is the one for 20 buses more news worthy than one for 110?

 

[swifty]

There was a piece about this on Points West (local BBC news program) this evening. Or at least I assumed it was about this as it refered to bio buses and showed the one that First have been using, and then the explanation was that Wessex Bus have put in a bid for 20!!! So are there two bids and are they joint or competing? And is the one for 20 buses more news worthy than one for 110?

Dozens of “number two” buses – powered entirely by gas generated from sewage – could be picking up passengers in Bristol next year.

Wessex Bus is hoping to run a 20-strong fleet in Bristol, while a rival operator, First West of England, is looking to bring 110 poo-powered doubledeckers to the city.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/plans-more-poo-powered-buses-bristol-bath

But will the Rotala buses actually see service in Bristol, or end up in Preston, like the buses they put in for in the green bus fund.

 

[winston270twm]

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/plans-more-poo-powered-buses-bristol-bath

But will the Rotala buses actually see service in Bristol, or end up in Preston, like the buses they put in for in the green bus fund.

Rotala were originally awarded Green Bus Funding in 2011 for 23 x Hybrids comprising 15 x Optare Versa's & 8 Volvo B5LH/Wright Gemini HEV destined for Birmingham / Bristol & Preston

I'm not sure what Bristol were originally intended to have? or why they were diverted to Preston?

Maybe Wessex were originally having 4 x Volvo B5LH/Wright deckers, but these were switched with 40602-5 conventional diesel B9TL/Wright?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...ent_data/file/344669/green-bus-fund-table.pdf

 

[Robertj21a]

35160 has developed a pretty serious engine fault, and is apparently being sent back to Wrightbus. Could be out of service until at least after Christmas!

Sounds much like Streetdeck 35151 at Leicester which never got there on delivery. It also had to go back to Wrightbus and got a new engine.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Surely 60911 will head to Bath to join the others?
.

Not so much of an issue now LH has B7Ls
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What's happening with the new Enviro 400 MMC's going onto the 1 & 2? Seen a few driving around with Not In Service on the display. Would be good to see some of these actually in service.

Just sorting the type training out I suggest, and there's a lot of drivers at LH

 

[THarris123]

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/nov/25/plans-more-poo-powered-buses-bristol-bath

But will the Rotala buses actually see service in Bristol, or end up in Preston, like the buses they put in for in the green bus fund.

Seems to me like a very Wessex persuaded article. Notice how First is Wessex's rival as if First are just butting into Bristol and Wessex are saviors of public transport in Bristol with their inconsistent timetables and horrible drivers.

So i'm assuming that if the funding comes, we'll end up with 130 new vehicles in Bristol next year?

 

[Colly405]

33956 is out on the 1 {currently on a short to Centre}

Orange front, yellow between decks on the rear.

Branded "the best route along Whiteladies Road". With a little route diagram for the Cribbs - Temple Meads section saying every 5 min. No mention of Southmead or Westbury! Couldn't see a route number on the branding...

 

[carlberry]

33956 is out on the 1 {currently on a short to Centre}

Orange front, yellow between decks on the rear.

Branded "the best route along Whiteladies Road". With a little route diagram for the Cribbs - Temple Meads section saying every 5 min. No mention of Southmead or Westbury! Couldn't see a route number on the branding...

At least two seen running out of service via the M32 this morning. Theres no logos or text on the orange front yet.

Also 42712 on the 90 and one of the 663xxs on the 1/2.

 

[winston270twm]

Seems to me like a very Wessex persuaded article. Notice how First is Wessex's rival as if First are just butting into Bristol and Wessex are saviors of public transport in Bristol with their inconsistent timetables and horrible drivers.

So i'm assuming that if the funding comes, we'll end up with 130 new vehicles in Bristol next year?

Doubt it, the Wessex bid is based on 10 gas buses next year with remaining 10 by 2019.

Can you really see First putting 110 new DD's in to Bristol all in the same year?? As I can't, that is nearly 30% of the entire UK bus fleet replacement programme for 2015/16 (385 new buses). Especially when Bristol are still drafting in 51 plate B7TL's from Leicester & repainting/re-branding W-reg BTL's for Bath

 

[carlberry]

Doubt it, the Wessex bid is based on 10 gas buses next year with remaining 10 by 2019.

Can you really see First putting 110 new DD's in to Bristol all in the same year?? As I can't, that is nearly 30% of the entire UK bus fleet replacement programme for 2015/16 (385 new buses). Especially when Bristol are still drafting in 51 plate B7TL's from Leicester & repainting/re-branding W-reg BTL's for Bath

It purely depends on the specification of the bid (which could be reduced or could be extended over more years like the Wessex one). If it goes through then the buses will have to go to Bristol as that's where the infrastructure will be. There’s nothing to stop them replacing the most recent vehicles to move on elsewhere in the group and it’s always possible that it could be retrofitted to existing vehicles (however I would have thought that was highly unlikely).

 

[THarris123]

It purely depends on the specification of the bid (which could be reduced or could be extended over more years like the Wessex one). If it goes through then the buses will have to go to Bristol as that's where the infrastructure will be. There’s nothing to stop them replacing the most recent vehicles to move on elsewhere in the group and it’s always possible that it could be retrofitted to existing vehicles (however I would have thought that was highly unlikely).

Do we know what manufacturer will create these buses? ADL, Scania or both. If it's either, it is a bit of a kick in the teeth for Wright.

 

[winston270twm]

It purely depends on the specification of the bid (which could be reduced or could be extended over more years like the Wessex one). If it goes through then the buses will have to go to Bristol as that's where the infrastructure will be. There’s nothing to stop them replacing the most recent vehicles to move on elsewhere in the group and it’s always possible that it could be retrofitted to existing vehicles (however I would have thought that was highly unlikely).

Personally, I would have thought the 110 x Gas DD bid would be spread over say 3 years (i.e. up to 2019 as per Wessex), so First Bristol are taking similar quantities per year as per this year deliveries. I really can't see Bristol having all those new deckers in the same financial year, I'm assuming all First will be bidding for is the difference between conventional & gas DD's.

The other issue being that some of First Bristol's new vehicle intake this year are branded for routes & allocated to garages other than LH (i.e. only the E400MMC's could be moved out)

Then there's the question of what about Glasgow / Manchester / FSY & FWY if Bristol had all 110 in same financial year, as couldn't see First buying 385 + 110

 

[1905 Group]

33956 is out on the 1 {currently on a short to Centre}

Orange front, yellow between decks on the rear.

Branded "the best route along Whiteladies Road". With a little route diagram for the Cribbs - Temple Meads section saying every 5 min. No mention of Southmead or Westbury! Couldn't see a route number on the branding...

Having just travelled on SN65 ZCA, I can say it was quite a nice experience, rattle free (!) and the stop start worked too. Comfy seats with head rests. The driver informed me that another was also in service, any ideas which one? I will upload photos to Flickr later.
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Gemini 37352 has just gone past on 1, but displaying Not in Service on the rear at the same time as saying 1 on side?
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SN65 ZCK is the other out.

 

[the101]

Interesting to see it is a joint bid with all four West of England local authorities so we may see them across the whole region. I do wonder if Bio is the way forwards though. To my mind the future is hybrid, plug in hybrid and ultimately full electric. But who knows what will happen in 20 years!

Hybrid definitely is not the way forward. It is merely a bridge between full diesel and full electric. The latter is now well on the way.

Regarding the gas 'deckers, they will (if First gets the money) be Scania-based E400 MMCs. It is only Scania which is pursuing the gas-powered double-decker at the moment and hence there are no other possibilities as to who will build them. The position of the gas tanks is being kept quiet for now - but the diesel Scania DD chassis has a large amount of unused space above the engine, so...
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Lawrence Hill would include operation on any of the Marlborough Street decker routes.
Reading have quite a large (single deck) gas bus fleet now and they appear to operate full days, not the couple of journeys that the Bristol example has usually managed.

The Reading fuelling station (and no doubt those with Arriva, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead) are purpose-built and so can achieve the pressure required to fill the bus tanks to a sufficient level to do a full day's work. I suspect that the fuelling place at Avonmouth is not able to generate such a pressure, which is where the modest range comes from.

Certainly in the past, where gas buses have been introduced before the fuelling station was provided and gas was stored in portable HGV trailer-mounted equipmentt, the problem was generating sufficient pressure to fill them 'to the brim', as it were.

 

[vicbury]

Hybrid definitely is not the way forward. It is merely a bridge between full diesel and full electric. The latter is now well on the way.

Regarding the gas 'deckers, they will (if First gets the money) be Scania-based E400 MMCs. It is only Scania which is pursuing the gas-powered double-decker at the moment and hence there are no other possibilities as to who will build them. The position of the gas tanks is being kept quiet for now - but the diesel Scania DD chassis has a large amount of unused space above the engine, so...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


The Reading fuelling station (and no doubt those with Arriva, Stagecoach and Go-Ahead) are purpose-built and so can achieve the pressure required to fill the bus tanks to a sufficient level to do a full day's work. I suspect that the fuelling place at Avonmouth is not able to generate such a pressure, which is where the modest range comes from.

Certainly in the past, where gas buses have been introduced before the fuelling station was provided and gas was stored in portable HGV trailer-mounted equipmentt, the problem was generating sufficient pressure to fill them 'to the brim', as it were.

Thanks for the info. I didn't explain myself too well: by hybrid being the way forwards I meant in the short term with full-electric in the medium-long term.

It'll be interesting to have Scania buses in the West (assuming the bid is successful), they are generally pretty comfortable.

I've been thinking more about how this is a joint bid with BANES and North Somerset involved. Maybe the Bristol-Bath corridor could go biobus, although this would be a pain logistically if the only filling station is at Lawrence Hill. Likewise for North Somerset maybe the Bristol-Weston corridor.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Aren't the Streetdecks noisy when stood still?! 35103 has just deafened me at UWE!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks for the info. I didn't explain myself too well: by hybrid being the way forwards I meant in the short term with full-electric in the medium-long term.

It'll be interesting to have Scania buses in the West (assuming the bid is successful), they are generally pretty comfortable.

I've been thinking more about how this is a joint bid with BANES and North Somerset involved. Maybe the Bristol-Bath corridor could go biobus, although this would be a pain logistically if the only filling station is at Lawrence Hill. Likewise for North Somerset maybe the Bristol-Weston corridor.

Although as mentioned earlier in this thread, MH do the Nailsea routes so they do run in North Somerset.

 

[DaveHarries]

At least two seen running out of service via the M32 this morning. Theres no logos or text on the orange front yet.

Also 42712 on the 90 and one of the 663xxs on the 1/2.

I also saw a single-decker on the 4 today: think it was 66337.

Dave

 

[ValleyLines142]

66347 was on the 73 today.

 

[THarris123]

Yesterday 42732 was on 24