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First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)
- Thread starter Ivo
- Start date
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Still converting the DTVs then?
THarris123
Established Member
Still a bit surprised that they're withdrawing 51 plate vehicles and replacing them with R and S reg vehicles.
stait.john
Member
- Joined
- 17 May 2013
- Messages
- 375
The 3 E400MMCs for LH should be for the X7. The other 12 will be for Hengrove and the Park & Ride.
B10s make much better training vehicles due to their length and tailswing, easier to learn in the longest vehicle type and then drive shorter ones rather than the other way around. Of course Volvos are more durable too.
John
B10s make much better training vehicles due to their length and tailswing, easier to learn in the longest vehicle type and then drive shorter ones rather than the other way around. Of course Volvos are more durable too.
John
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Cheers John - had wondered if those 3 might be for the X7 or just additional to the pool. Been a while since new fleet appeared on that service.
I thought it might be the length issue that prompted the B10BLEs use as DTVs.
THarris123
Established Member
Thanks for that John.
I assume the 3 Streetdecks we were told about coming to Bristol were meant for X7, but have been replaced by the MMCs. I wonder what they'll look like in the X7 livery. Think that service has been long due new vehicles, so good to hear.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
They'll be dark blue with a gold strip through them!
THarris123
Established Member
Yes I know that, but we haven't yet seen any E400MMCS in the livery.
ValleyLines142
Established Member
Have a look at EYMS's 795 (YY 64 GWX), an E400MMC. It is in their house red and gold colours now but it was formerly in an all blue livery as a demonstrator for ADL. Have a look at it on Flickr. The E400MMCs will probably be the same shade of blue as that.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Well, it was just a bid for funding not an award. Also, and I confess that I can't remember the exact criteria, but the funding only bridges a proportion of the gap in purchase price between a standard vehicle and a gas vehicle?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Guess it assumes that they appear in the Express livery (as present) but it's just another type. After all, the livery has already adorned e400s, Streetdecks, Geminis, Eclipses, Versas, Streetlites
It just seems like a very low number. That's not even enough buses for one route like the 48/49/48a (25 buses on these routes ?). And yeah I think you're right about the funding.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Can't recall what the PVR is on the 3/4 but enough for that (as an example)? And it does go past the Council House!!
Reason I used that route is the 48/49/6/7/42-45 and the 17 are getting these buses (if the application was right). Suppose the 6/7 and the 17 could get them with 20.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I always thought the 17 was an odd choice of route only because it doesn't head into the centre of town and the main area of poor air quality.
Keynsham is in an air management area as well, that's the reason these buses are supposedly going to that route.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Suppose that makes sense and the bid is less Bristol centric with South Glos and BaNES getting a share of the benefits
freetoview33
Established Member
Remember First are reviewing the 17/17A so changes are coming later in the year!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
freetoview33
Established Member
There may be changes but surely it isn't going to enter the centre of Bristol
Nothing would surprise me anymore!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
We've had some odd routes, like the meandering 77 to Fornbree, but nothing as circuitous as Keynsham to Centre via Southmead!
Whiteway215
Established Member
Not allowed to call it the Counts Louse any more are we? I thought it had to be City Hall. If Bristol gets a different Mayor after tomorrow perhaps they will rename it again to------The Council House?!
THarris123
Established Member
Couple of variations on VOSA today
Change to X31 (First)
Change to 77/55
Cancellation of Stagecoach 99/99A/96
Change to X31 (First)
Change to 77/55
Cancellation of Stagecoach 99/99A/96
jw
Member
- Joined
- 25 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 167
Perhaps I misunderstood the bid paperwork, but wasn't the OLEV bid alongside some initial investment by First? In this case, perhaps 20 is just the start?
No press releases I can find relating to OLEV/Bristol, and this is the kind of thing government and politicians (especially close to elections!) love to make a song and dance about, so perhaps we've not heard the last...
THarris123
Established Member
I suspect it will be announced after tomorrow following the elections.
Exactly there's been no song and dance therefore I think we can expect a big announcement soon. I can't see First investing in the infrastructure and only 20 vehicles without a lot more due on the horizon. It wouldn't make financial sense.
The bidding papers show 50 in the first year for first and 25 for metrobus.
http://travelwest.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/lebs-west-of-england-bid.pdf
Page 8 shows the numbers, but like you say this could be one of many orders.
All the timetables that have eventually found their way onto BoS website are for the period 8th May until 16th June. Interesting to see what happens then.
There has been speculation that South West Coaches are taking over the Chard to Yeovil section of Stagecoach 99.