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

[Whiteway215]

Bit of enviro quality - perhaps improved after some TLC at WSM

I had suggested that the B10BLEs might go though I did think they may have lasted a couple more weeks. Are the Dorset Solars still around?

No Dorset Solars seen today.

 

[freetoview33]

Just a little thought on the new order:

We have 30 W reg deckers
We have 23 (?) 51 reg deckers

The order we have for WoE is:
12 non replacement deckers for P&R
45 replacement deckers
8 replacement deckers in Bath
3 extra deckers

If my thoughts and calculations are right, are we going to see all the 51 reg ALXs and W reg vehicles go?

Thing is they are a tricky mix. Some are DDA some ain't. Maybe a few to get rid of more singles appearing on city routes. Any odd service upgrades. Maybe even some ready for metrobus though I can't see it.

More spares to fight Wessex.

When the MMCs went onto 1/2 did anything leave the fleet?

 

[Robertj21a]

Thing is they are a tricky mix. Some are DDA some ain't. Maybe a few to get rid of more singles appearing on city routes. Any odd service upgrades. Maybe even some ready for metrobus though I can't see it.

More spares to fight Wessex.

When the MMCs went onto 1/2 did anything leave the fleet?

Shouldn't be that much of a problem. The 51-reg are automatically DDA-compliant, the W-reg won't be (unless they've been modified since new).

 

[THarris123]

Some observations in Bath lunchtime today.

The 5 had the usual offering of 663xx plus 66884.

The 10 (what was that about bigger buses?) 42904 53808/14/17 53204.
Of the 19 Solos I reckon are on the Bath allocation I saw 16. I did not observe 53809/11/19. 57000 didn't put in an appearance either.

On the 13 the normal 4452x plus 42968 (driver recruitment posters removed)
However the downside (?) was that 44914 and our old friend 44915 also appeared on the 13.

Faresaver are now running their X31 and X72 from Bay 6 in the bus station.

A senior member of staff stated 62238/42 are delicenced at the depot and confirmed modified 63068 is back, having been away since August 2015.

Oh damn. Thought that might happen with those E200s.

Where are 62238/42 going then?

I thought there was supposed to be bigger buses on 10, not solos. Maybe they're waiting for the Wells changes for that to happen?

 

[baza585]

There are 33 W reg deckers - 22 native B7TLs, 3 ex Bradford B7TLs and 8 Tridents.

The W regs will probably go as PSVAR non compliant. As for the ex Leicester fleet, that may be trickier to foretell. Could easily see some mid life vehicles cascaded out of Bristol?

Personally I would keep the B7 deckers in Bristol (the traffic doesn't move fast enough for the extra power in the B9s to be all that useful) and cascade newer B9 deckers to places like Weymouth (and Kernow) which have high speed routes with lots of hills..................

Runs for cover........................

 

[THarris123]

Personally I would keep the B7 deckers in Bristol (the traffic doesn't move fast enough for the extra power in the B9s to be all that useful) and cascade newer B9 deckers to places like Weymouth (and Kernow) which have high speed routes with lots of hills..................

Runs for cover........................

B9s aren't much good in places with hills - they're nearly as bad as STreetdecks and Streetlites at going up hills and keeping speed. The older ones seem to be slightly better at it.
I'd like to think Weymouth would get some new kit for the Jurassic Coaster routes?

 

[vicbury]

However the downside (?) was that 44914 and our old friend 44915 also appeared on the 13.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

[pompeyfan]

After what Solent's engineering staff have done with the 449xx fleet I would actually be pleased if they took them on. Fantasy talk, I'd put 44921 on the 20 to Wickham and Knowle village, then Hilsea could have 44914-44920. In return you guys can have 53140 and 53151..... Now they really are dogs!

 

[CD]

. In return you guys can have 53140 and 53151..... Now they really are dogs!

Sounds like 53140 and 53151 would fit in well at Yeovil?

 

[Whiteway215]

No Dorset Solars seen today.

Both 65725 and 65726 seen in service this afternoon.

 

[THarris123]

So got a few days off and planned an adventure.

Yesterday started off with 29 to Taunton, then 30 to Axminster, then X53 to Beer. I then spent the night at Beer and came back on exactly the same routes (very rare for me).

It cost me £9.00 single to get down to Beer - that's £5 from Wells to Axminster and £4.00 to Beer. But coming back it cost me a bit more. Single from Beer to Axminster £4.00, then I wanted a West of England Plus day ticket (which would get me into Bristol this evening) for £10. Got a £10 day ticket and queried it in Taunton - it isn't the West of England Plus day ticket, as I can't buy them in BoS region. Excellent. So now I have to pay out another £7.50. Really not pleased on that.

Strange how you can get a day ticket in Wells, which will take you to Axminster, Tiverton, Yeovil, Weston Super Mare, Newport, Wooton Under Edge and Yate, Chippenham (oh no wait can't do that anymore), Salisbury and many more places for £10, but if I buy a £10 day ticket in BoS, I can only use it to Wells, Weston, Yeovil, Axminster and Tiverton. Not great really is it. Nobody has still answered my query in BoS about if I want to work in Yeovil and then go home to see parents once a week, if I can buy a £27 week ticket which covers it all or a £15 week ticket which covers it all. The fares in our region are ridiculous. On one hand you have competitive single fares and return fares on BoS, but then have stupid season tickets and in WoE, you have more expensive fares than BoS. The connections from First to BoS with fares are very painful and I would love them to sort it out. I wonder if anyone at First has ever ridden a bus sometimes and/or experience what their fare system is like.

I had 40584 (I think) on 29 down to Taunton, then 33378 on 30 and 36005 to Beer. Coming back, it was 37580 to Axminster, 32936 to Taunton and 40584 again to Street, with 69448 taking back into Wells on 375. All very nice buses and I really enjoyed the ride on 33378, 36005 and 37580. 32936 is incredibly painful - why should passengers deserve a knackered old trident with bricks for seats on a 1.5 hour journey. Horrible. It generally performs well though - pretty speedy along flats, awful going up hills. All journeys I went on had good numbers of passengers though - apart from 30 up to Ilminster (but that was the 9.05 one, so no pensioners around). 29 doing well too. On the way back, we picked up or dropped off at least one passenger in each of the villages from Creech to Greylake. Can't see any point in that service going through Ashcott - I've never seen it pick up anyone there and I don't think its worth it. I still think it could do with being 2 hourly - when we left Taunton the B6 was nearly full. Creech seems to be the most popular place on the route.

Generally most of it was nice, but I'm still very p*ssed off about the fares and not pleased about 32936.

Obs:-
27/04:
43867 4
55104/1 P&R
40584 29
33378 30
33380 Bus station
33379 22 (Tiv)
32935 54 -> 22
52554/42843/42522/42252 bus station
69018 28
69207 28
44922 22
23014 school
23012 28
32872 21
48273 6
43811 1
53505 5
60918/66339/40594 21/A
32866 depot (in one piece, doesn't look damaged at all)
62183 28
48270 NIS
47538/5 P&R
69206/43823/40583 depot
32936 30
37585 X51
36005/37583 X53

28/04
32935 30
36005/37584/37580 X53
36001 X51
33381 30
55102/4/47538 P&R
32866/43821/2/3 depot
33382/69207 54
43811 5/6
66339/69012/32874/60895/32872 21/A
62183/32936/48272 22
47535/7/68555 (went out on a school contract - 69?)/45112/23014 bus station, along with 42473 joined the pile of rubbish at back
48273 4
69018 25
62245/40585 28
33379 22A
40584 29
53505 6
53120 depot
69448 375, 35160 376, 69438 376, 66354 375

Not too sure why 28 had to put up with B10s and B6s and the B7s were on other stuff.

 

[CD]

If you want to work in Yeovil, I suggest you get a car.
I only use buses as Im an enthusiast, otherwise living in Yeovil you have to drive everywhere as the buses do not run Sundays, Bank Holidays or evenings. Good train service to London though, that is if you can afford SWT prices.

 

[BBC]

There's a 19 going around bath/Bristol with 319 still up...

 

[THarris123]

If you want to work in Yeovil, I suggest you get a car.
I only use buses as Im an enthusiast, otherwise living in Yeovil you have to drive everywhere as the buses do not run Sundays, Bank Holidays or evenings. Good train service to London though, that is if you can afford SWT prices.

I wouldn't consider moving to Yeovil anyway - that, Camborne and Bildgwater are the 3 places on the bottom of my list. Only the job might.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Saw 39192 for the first time in the flesh today, my gosh it took AGES for those things to come! They sound fab mind.

42896 on the 4, 66938 on the 73, 47444 on the 75.

Also saw bluey greeny 42966 on the 5.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

B9s aren't much good in places with hills - they're nearly as bad as STreetdecks and Streetlites at going up hills and keeping speed. The older ones seem to be slightly better at it.
I'd like to think Weymouth would get some new kit for the Jurassic Coaster routes?

They've managed to cope with the X53 for the last 7 years. I might agree with you if you said Trident 1's
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Both 65725 and 65726 seen in service this afternoon.

Thanks for that - I'd expected them to head back soon. Perhaps when the Wells changes come?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So got a few days off and planned an adventure.


Strange how you can get a day ticket in Wells, which will take you to Axminster, Tiverton, Yeovil, Weston Super Mare, Newport, Wooton Under Edge and Yate, Chippenham (oh no wait can't do that anymore), Salisbury and many more places for £10, but if I buy a £10 day ticket in BoS, I can only use it to Wells, Weston, Yeovil, Axminster and Tiverton.

I wonder if anyone at First has ever ridden a bus sometimes and/or experience what their fare system is like.

32936 is incredibly painful - why should passengers deserve a knackered old trident with bricks for seats on a 1.5 hour journey. Horrible. It generally performs well though - pretty speedy along flats, awful going up hills. All journeys I went on had good numbers of passengers though - apart from 30 up to Ilminster (but that was the 9.05 one, so no pensioners around). 29 doing well too. On the way back, we picked up or dropped off at least one passenger in each of the villages from Creech to Greylake. Can't see any point in that service going through Ashcott - I've never seen it pick up anyone there and I don't think its worth it. I still think it could do with being 2 hourly - when we left Taunton the B6 was nearly full. Creech seems to be the most popular place on the route.

I'm sure that Alex Carter and his team have ridden on their vehicles. However, I do agree that the First Day/BoS Day seems a bit inconsistent.

As regards 32936, again I agree about those vehicles. They date from the dark ages of First when vehicles had minimal comfort as standard. It's the same on the late B10BLEs, the B6s (though yours would've had a Tavy refurb) and B7Ls. Unfortunately, they probably too old to have money spent on them and too young to dispose of.

However, I know you keep going on about the 29 but if it were really viable, they'd have done it. Your observations are interesting - the B6 was "nearly full" on probably the days' busiest journey and Creech was the most popular destination. That probably indicates the issue - there's really not enough trade for the rest of the route. Put it another way. How many extra passengers will you have to obtain to justify the cost of an additional bus on that route?

Anyhow, glad you had a nice trip out. Been ages since I did the Jurassic Coaster - I always like the Omnidekkas on there but they're getting a bit long in the tooth now!

 

[Private Baxter]

Both 65725 and 65726 seen in service this afternoon.

Which was the one that was involved in an accident? Is that back in service now?

Saw 39192 for the first time in the flesh today, my gosh it took AGES for those things to come! They sound fab mind.

42896 on the 4, 66938 on the 73, 47444 on the 75.

Also saw bluey greeny 42966 on the 5.

I saw that one too on Wednesday evening - looks splendid. One observation though, it's a lot less blue and a lot more green then pictures would have you believe!

 

[CD]

I wouldn't consider moving to Yeovil anyway - that, Camborne and Bildgwater are the 3 places on the bottom of my list. Only the job might.

At the moment the last 377 from Yeovil to Wells is 1920, but from 8th May the last 77 is 1735. So dont miss it. :roll:

 

[ValleyLines142]

Which was the one that was involved in an accident? Is that back in service now?

I saw that one too on Wednesday evening - looks splendid. One observation though, it's a lot less blue and a lot more green then pictures would have you believe!

To be fair I only saw it going past in Stokes Croft whilst on 37614 on the 73, and it was peeing down with rain last night!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Which was the one that was involved in an accident? Is that back in service now?

I saw that one too on Wednesday evening - looks splendid. One observation though, it's a lot less blue and a lot more green then pictures would have you believe!

It was 65724 that was involved in the accident http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/pict...s-28570549-detail/pictures.html#ixzz3xnORAMQL

I had read that it was being repaired and repainted before heading back down south.

Not seen the green 5 yet but it does look brighter and smarter in the photos than the dull Norwich green

 

[freetoview33]

They've managed to cope with the X53 for the last 7 years. I might agree with you if you said Trident 1's
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Thanks for that - I'd expected them to head back soon. Perhaps when the Wells changes come?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I'm sure that Alex Carter and his team have ridden on their vehicles. However, I do agree that the First Day/BoS Day seems a bit inconsistent.

As regards 32936, again I agree about those vehicles. They date from the dark ages of First when vehicles had minimal comfort as standard. It's the same on the late B10BLEs, the B6s (though yours would've had a Tavy refurb) and B7Ls. Unfortunately, they probably too old to have money spent on them and too young to dispose of.

However, I know you keep going on about the 29 but if it were really viable, they'd have done it. Your observations are interesting - the B6 was "nearly full" on probably the days' busiest journey and Creech was the most popular destination. That probably indicates the issue - there's really not enough trade for the rest of the route. Put it another way. How many extra passengers will you have to obtain to justify the cost of an additional bus on that route?

Anyhow, glad you had a nice trip out. Been ages since I did the Jurassic Coaster - I always like the Omnidekkas on there but they're getting a bit long in the tooth now!

What about a 29A providing more trips to Creech like the 26 did

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What about a 29A providing more trips to Creech like the 26 did

Not quite certain what you mean - do you mean some short workings from Taunton to Creech?

 

[CD]

It was 65724 that was involved in the accident http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/pict...s-28570549-detail/pictures.html#ixzz3xnORAMQL

I had read that it was being repaired and repainted before heading back down south.

Reported today on FHD forum. The 3 Solars are now staying in Bath. 66732/33 going to Weymouth in exchange.

 

[THarris123]

Reported today on FHD forum. The 3 Solars are now staying in Bath. 66732/33 going to Weymouth in exchange.

Nooooo! That's not fair. 66732 is my favourite B7.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Today went on another day trip. First got 29 to Taunton with 40570 - I initially got on 376 to Street in order to get a First West of England Plus day ticket. Then transferred onto train to Exeter, then a Stagecoach E300 to Buckfastleigh. The same one coming back, then train back to Taunton. Then 40592 to Bildgwater (which took a whole hour due to traffic - very painful on my backside) and then had to wait 30 mins for 69446 on 375, of which part of that time was spent arguing with a senior about whether to leave the EU, which was fun.

Not the best of days out due to the traffic going to Bildgwater and only just catching the bus back from Buckfastleigh, but the rest of it was ok. 29 pretty full again today and 375 half full up to Street, when it was about 3.

Didn't take down many obs - didn't see the 53505, 43867/8, but the only interesting one really was 53118 which was working a town service. Everything pretty much the same as yesterday.

Did also make me wonder how I could go from somewhere like Tiverton to Plymouth and back on Stagecoach and spend £7.50, compared to £10 in BoS.

 

[henairs]

Nooooo! That's not fair. 66732 is my favourite B7.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Today went on another day trip. First got 29 to Taunton with 40570 - I initially got on 376 to Street in order to get a First West of England Plus day ticket. Then transferred onto train to Exeter, then a Stagecoach E300 to Buckfastleigh. The same one coming back, then train back to Taunton. Then 40592 to Bildgwater (which took a whole hour due to traffic - very painful on my backside) and then had to wait 30 mins for 69446 on 375, of which part of that time was spent arguing with a senior about whether to leave the EU, which was fun.

Not the best of days out due to the traffic going to Bildgwater and only just catching the bus back from Buckfastleigh, but the rest of it was ok. 29 pretty full again today and 375 half full up to Street, when it was about 3.

Didn't take down many obs - didn't see the 53505, 43867/8, but the only interesting one really was 53118 which was working a town service. Everything pretty much the same as yesterday.

Did also make me wonder how I could go from somewhere like Tiverton to Plymouth and back on Stagecoach and spend £7.50, compared to £10 in BoS.

Hi Tom,
Hope you had a good day out down in the top West Country county (Devon) Expect you had a comfier journey on the E300 although the seats are okay on the 69/4s. Often one of the Man 300s on one of the X38 diagrams.
The other two are usually Deckers with 18079 the regular on the Plymouth duty.
Guess you visited the Dart Valley (South Devon) Rlwy at Buckfastleigh.
Thanks for the day's notes, Mike R

 

[1905 Group]

37323 I think out on the 4 - quite unusual but welcome. I've now been on both 39191 and 39192, and I can say 39192 is the better of the pair! 39191 has an annoying squeak, and 39192 feels smoother although it could just be the driver. It does feel quite strange pulling away with no engine sound though.

 

[THarris123]

37323 I think out on the 4 - quite unusual but welcome. I've now been on both 39191 and 39192, and I can say 39192 is the better of the pair! 39191 has an annoying squeak, and 39192 feels smoother although it could just be the driver. It does feel quite strange pulling away with no engine sound though.

Not particularly unusual - they're appearing on there more regularly lately. I'd like to think that the 57 plates would move to 3/4 when the 45 deckers come later in the year.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi Tom,
Hope you had a good day out down in the top West Country county (Devon) Expect you had a comfier journey on the E300 although the seats are okay on the 69/4s. Often one of the Man 300s on one of the X38 diagrams.
The other two are usually Deckers with 18079 the regular on the Plymouth duty.
Guess you visited the Dart Valley (South Devon) Rlwy at Buckfastleigh.
Thanks for the day's notes, Mike R

It certainly was comfy - had the same style leather seating as First 33411-9. I even fell asleep on the way back for most of the journey - think I've fallen asleep once for about 5 mins on the 376 Streetdecks and a bit longer on another journey when the B7s were operating and maybe once on a 265, but I don't think you'll be catching me sleeping on any BoS buses anytime soon.

Surprised to see a 65 plate MMC on 39, together with an 08 plate E400 and an 04 plate Trident.

The only non DDA compliant vehicle I spotted at Exeter was a V reg Dart parked up on the lower level. Didn't see anything else older than 2004.

Yes I did visit the South Devon railway and if they didn't decide to swap trains at Staverton, I might have actually had time to look around properly. Not a very exciting heritage railway really - locos are interesting, but length of journey is so short and a bit pricy too.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Not particularly unusual - they're appearing on there more regularly lately. I'd like to think that the 57 plates would move to 3/4 when the 45 deckers come later in the year.

That particular one is an orange one for the 1/2, hence why a little unusual.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Nooooo! That's not fair. 66732 is my favourite B7.

Ha! I've lost my beloved 37760 to Bath so now you know what it's like!

 

[henairs]

Not particularly unusual - they're appearing on there more regularly lately. I'd like to think that the 57 plates would move to 3/4 when the 45 deckers come later in the year.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It certainly was comfy - had the same style leather seating as First 33411-9. I even fell asleep on the way back for most of the journey - think I've fallen asleep once for about 5 mins on the 376 Streetdecks and a bit longer on another journey when the B7s were operating and maybe once on a 265, but I don't think you'll be catching me sleeping on any BoS buses anytime soon.

Surprised to see a 65 plate MMC on 39, together with an 08 plate E400 and an 04 plate Trident.

The only non DDA compliant vehicle I spotted at Exeter was a V reg Dart parked up on the lower level. Didn't see anything else older than 2004.

Yes I did visit the South Devon railway and if they didn't decide to swap trains at Staverton, I might have actually had time to look around properly. Not a very exciting heritage railway really - locos are interesting, but length of journey is so short and a bit pricy too.

Yes the MMC you saw would have been the P&R spare vehicle 10456 which is in corporate livery, all the rest at Exeter are in Dark Red livery for Honiton Road P&R services. Unusually not to see a saloon on 39 as well.
I think the V reg Dart could be in the training fleet if it was 34115.
Cheers, Mike R

 

[THarris123]

That particular one is an orange one for the 1/2, hence why a little unusual.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Ha! I've lost my beloved 37760 to Bath so now you know what it's like!

Yes but you've lost your favourite vehicle to Bath from Bristol and it's going from Bath to Bristol virtually every day, whereas i've lost my favourite vehicles to Leicester (69435) and Weymouth (66732). So it's not quite the same