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

[freetoview33]

Chances are First don't plan to introduce any more services running via Wells Road as a result of Wessex Connect taking over the 51.

Thing is if they brought back the old 55 service, with First's recent renumbering of services over the past few years, it would make more sense to number this service as a 3. Because it would be broadly similar to the 2 in that it runs from Stockwood down the Wells Road, through the Centre, up Whiteladies Road, The Down, and through Southmead. But of course they can't number it a 3 now, because they renumbered the 41 to a 3 only a year ago! Numbering this such service a 55 would be going against their recent strategy of renumbering services and grouping them together according to the similar routes and areas they serve! For instance the 1,2,3, & 4 all services running via Whiteladies Road towards Cribbs Causeway.

I also previously thought that within the next few years a new service 3 would be introduced anyway that would be similarly routed to the 1 and 2, but running from Southmead through Charlton Mead and the new estate on the former Filton Airfield. But they can't now due again to the 41 being renumbered 3 last year. For this reason I was very surprised when the 41 & 40 were renumbered 3 & 4 last year.

I suppose they could still number it the 55 though, even though it would be very broadly similar to the 2. After all years ago, for services running up Whiteladies Road during the same time period there was for instance the 1,2,20,21,22,23,24,25,85,87, & 88! (yes that amount of services!)

But if First introduced a new service via Wells Road, I don't think they'd make it a cross-city service running all the way to Southmead or Cribbs Causeway. They'd probably terminate it at Centre or Broadmead.

It would certainly be good and very beneficial if First introduced a new service running via the upper part of Wells Road though. And also made the 376 limited stop between Temple Meads and the upper part of Wells Road.

But getting ahead of ourselves here, and I don't think First will introduce any such services soon.

Hence why I think the whole network needs scrapping and totally redrawn from scratch.

 

[DaveHarries]

An own goal by First to allow Wessex onto the Wells Road at an every 15 min frequency, or will Wessex regret taking on 'a loss making service'? Which begs the question of whether their is any financial support from BCC?

Potentially an own goal but First still have the majority of services up the Wells Road in terms of frequency of service. However considering that First are still covering quite a bit of the withdrawn 51 I wonder how long a 15-minute frequency will last.

In terms of the service revisions from 04-September I don't think First had much choice in some regards due to the remodeling of the City Centre where the new layout will leave Broad Quay as the only terminus which has enough services (Services 6, 7, 44 & 45 terminating, plus various others calling) using it as it is. Once the remodeling is done the road past the White Lion will be closed to vehicles leaving the 70, 71, 72 & 73 with no terminus in the Centre itself and this might explain the extensions to Temple Meads for the 72 & 73. I think the remodeling in question is also an own goal (at best, badly thought out at least) but by Bristol City Council, not First: going by the plans online it would appear that buses entering the City Centre from Broadmead won't be able to use Baldwin Street as they will not be allowed to do so and this will mean revisions to the central area terminus of the 36 and also a rerouting away from the actual City Centre for the 38/39/X39.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/travelwest/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/a4-city-centre-map.pdf

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

I have been saying that for ages Dave! That's why I think metro bus has a fatal error not allowing buses to turn right from Baldwin street onto the centre. Hence why I think something drastic has to be done. Otherwise yes broad quay will just become a bus park with almost every bus using it! But that's because all BCC were thinking about was metrobus not any other services.

 

[DaveHarries]

I have been saying that for ages Dave! That's why I think metro bus has a fatal error not allowing buses to turn right from Baldwin street onto the centre. Hence why I think something drastic has to be done. Otherwise yes broad quay will just become a bus park with almost every bus using it! But that's because all BCC were thinking about was metrobus not any other services.

Quite. In fact, as faar as I can tell from that map, you can't turn into Baldwin Street unless coming from College Green! I don't know what BCC had in mind. Perhaps FSA will surprise us all and have the 38/39/X39 serve the Bus Station and then operate to terminate in the City Centre at Colston Street (opp. Colston Hall)?? Can't see how else they are going to serve the City Centre at all once the remodeling is complete - unless commuters will be expected to walk down Baldwin Street to one of the stops on the Temple Meads side of Bristol Bridge.... :roll:

Dave

 

[Marc]

Quite. In fact, as faar as I can tell from that map, you can't turn into Baldwin Street unless coming from College Green! I don't know what BCC had in mind. Perhaps FSA will surprise us all and have the 38/39/X39 serve the Bus Station and then operate to terminate in the City Centre at Colston Street (opp. Colston Hall)?? Can't see how else they are going to serve the City Centre at all once the remodeling is complete - unless commuters will be expected to walk down Baldwin Street to one of the stops on the Temple Meads side of Bristol Bridge.... :roll:

pplan is for x39 and 38 to run through princes street and broade quay. just like everyu other bus in bristol

 

[THarris123]

pplan is for x39 and 38 to run through princes street and broade quay. just like everyu other bus in bristol

Are buses allowed to turn from Broad Quay into Lewins Mead - it states taxis can on the map, but as far as I can tell it shows buses have to turn towards College Green after serving Broad Quay.

 

[baza585]

First cant ask BCC for support (other than under specific circumstances and only for very small amounts of money). And whatever Bristol CC have done to get the 51 back should be open to public record and should only cover a short time period if it hasnt been put out to tender properly.

Indeed, although it remains to be seen which pot of money BCC has raided to finance the Wessex 51.

Frustrating because First continuing to run the 51 would have suited most farepayers because of being able to use other services. Shame BCC couldn't find a way to make that happen, although I suspect the route will have to be up for proper tender soon enough, and First may win it back then.

 

[DaveHarries]

Are buses allowed to turn from Broad Quay into Lewins Mead - it states taxis can on the map, but as far as I can tell it shows buses have to turn towards College Green after serving Broad Quay.

Yes you are right. Well spotted. Seems buses will not be allowed to turn toward the Bus Station without going toward St. Augustine's Green (as it used to be called) first.

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

Yes you are right. Well spotted. Seems buses will not be allowed to turn toward the Bus Station without going toward St. Augustine's Green (as it used to be called) first.

Dave

Which bit do you mean?

 

[THarris123]

Which bit do you mean?

According to the map, a bus won't be able to go from Broad Quay, past the cenotaph and instead have to turn towards College Green.

 

[Stompehh]

According to the map, a bus won't be able to go from Broad Quay, past the cenotaph and instead have to turn towards College Green.

I believe this is an error, looking at the engineering drawing here:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/travelwest/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/dh0249-03-c273-a.pdf

There doesn't appear to be anything stopping a bus from making the right turn as well as taxis.

 

[freetoview33]

Yeah it is just an error! Of course buses will be able to, otherwise no buses could use the centre at all!

The biggest issue is not allowing buses to make the turn from Baldwin Street to Colston Ave

 

[THarris123]

Yeah it is just an error! Of course buses will be able to, otherwise no buses could use the centre at all!

The biggest issue is not allowing buses to make the turn from Baldwin Street to Colston Ave

What buses use Baldwin Street? X39/38/39, 70/71, 36, 379. 70/71 are rerouted in Sept, 379 is withdrawn in Sept. X39/38/9 will most likely serve Broad Quay and 36 will probably just terminate and start at Union Street.

It's no real big issue as far as I can tell.

 

[freetoview33]

It's because all the buses are being sent via Broad Quay, Broad Quay gets congested at the best of times!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Maybe drop the 1 and 2 to every 12 mins. Then bring back the 55 every 30 mins, Southmead - Stockwood. That would work! Then Maybe 30 min 55A Broadmead - Stockwood.

You've been going on about that for the last 4 years. Ain't gonna happen.

If, and it is only if, First believe that their traffic is being eroded on the Wells Road then what will they do? Take the 1/2 through Clifton and Westbury - have they introduced a raft of new services that hark back to a sepia tinted past or produce a wealth of new service numbers?

Or just increase the frequency of the 2 with some short workings....

 

[THarris123]

44526 on 39

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

44526 on 39

Not surprising - roadworks in Saltford knackering reliability

 

[THarris123]

Not surprising - roadworks in Saltford knackering reliability

Not on the one I caught. No roadworks and only got into Bristol 5 mins late (on time then for X/39)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not on the one I caught. No roadworks and only got into Bristol 5 mins late (on time then for X/39)

I caught the 12:00 ex Bath. Took over an hour to TM with queuing traffic from the TTL at the Saltford car wash back through to the village to the Rugby Club. Bristol Water were the culprits

 

[ooo]

I caught the 12:00 ex Bath. Took over an hour to TM with queuing traffic from the TTL at the Saltford car wash back through to the village to the Rugby Club. Bristol Water were the culprits

On Twitter first were saying there could be delays of up to an hour

 

[THarris123]

I caught the 12:00 ex Bath. Took over an hour to TM with queuing traffic from the TTL at the Saltford car wash back through to the village to the Rugby Club. Bristol Water were the culprits

Well i was on 15.43 from Globe and nothing was there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well i was on 15.43 from Globe and nothing was there.

In which case, congratulations but the delays were pretty lousy. Lots of people doing u-turns and travelling back

 

[Bristol_Buses]

With the 17a Replacement, The best case scenario would be that the 42 goes back to Keynsham. The Idea of the 19a would not work as they would need a extra bus to keep frequency. I do like the idea of re routing the 16 to Keynsham but it would need major rerouting around the Hannam, Longwell Green, Oldland Area.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hence why I think the whole network needs scrapping and totally redrawn from scratch.

I Agree
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Broad Quay as the only terminus which has enough services (Services 6, 7, 44 & 45 terminating, plus various others calling) using it as it is.

Im not 100% Sure but i think Broad Quay is being Closed in November for the remodelling. My guess is that the 6,7,42-45 will either go outside St Marys like they do when the harbour festival is on or terminate next to M&S In Broadmead.

 

[freetoview33]

I Agree

Thank you, I'm glad someone does

 

[swifty]

With the 17a Replacement, The best case scenario would be that the 42 goes back to Keynsham. The Idea of the 19a would not work as they would need a extra bus to keep frequency. I do like the idea of re routing the 16 to Keynsham but it would need major rerouting around the Hannam, Longwell Green, Oldland Area.

Extend every other 17 down to the Blue Bowl, u turn like the 4 used to before the lights or follow a one way loop, as that covers for the 16 around Hanham Common. Then send the 16 via Courtney Road, Weston's Way, Wraxall Road, Craven Way, Woodward Drive, Parkwall Road down to Park Estate and then as the 17A to Keynsham.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

With the 17a Replacement, The best case scenario would be that the 42 goes back to Keynsham. The Idea of the 19a would not work as they would need a extra bus to keep frequency. I do like the idea of re routing the 16 to Keynsham but it would need major rerouting around the Hannam, Longwell Green, Oldland Area.

Sadly, the 42 never carried anyone from Keynsham.

Think Swifty's idea is probably the most likely though no route is straightforward
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Well i was on 15.43 from Globe and nothing was there.

https://twitter.com/firstbsa/status/767330601087172609

 

[THarris123]

Sadly, the 42 never carried anyone from Keynsham.

Think Swifty's idea is probably the most likely though no route is straightforward
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


https://twitter.com/firstbsa/status/767330601087172609

Not going to let that go then Wazoo?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not going to let that go then Wazoo?

?????:roll:

 

[Marc]

1 odd sighting from last night. after a late finish at work i was waiting in the bus station for the 1900 x49 to yate. the 1840 x9 to nailsea was a severn express decker altho i only noticed it as it was leaving and didnt get a fleetnumber. it didnt look like the destination had been updated as it said -x9 nailsea direct- as the peak hour journeys used to do.

seams a bit overkill for nailsea at that time on a sunday night.

 

[Bristol_Buses]

Extend every other 17 down to the Blue Bowl, u turn like the 4 used to before the lights or follow a one way loop, as that covers for the 16 around Hanham Common. Then send the 16 via Courtney Road, Weston's Way, Wraxall Road, Craven Way, Woodward Drive, Parkwall Road down to Park Estate and then as the 17A to Keynsham.

It would also provide a good link from Longwell Green, Cadbury Heath to Keynsham. Probably most likely to happen but will probably be late this year / early next year.