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

[diffywood]

am I right in saying that when the new bus station opened the 75 and 76 stopped in lewis mead and Rupert street for driver change overs - but this was quietly stopped after a few months - don't know why

 

[freetoview33]

Traveline shows the 76 moving to depart from stop B at Cribbs, with the 75.
Also, southbound, it has no sign of the Prince Street stop, has no stop on the Centre still, but shows the 75 and 76 stopping at HF on {I think} Sundays...?! But that may all be a mistake that will be updated on Traveline in due course, perhaps even today.

Stops E and F at the Mall are closing to become a new metrobus stop, which could explain these changes.

 

[THarris123]

First have registered a new service 12 in Weymouth. Running from Weymouth to Blandford. I would assume this replaces X12 run by Damory. Change effective 24/7/17.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Stops E and F at the Mall are closing to become a new metrobus stop, which could explain these changes.

E and F currently serve the 2 and 1 respectively.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First have registered a new service 12 in Weymouth. Running from Weymouth to Blandford. I would assume this replaces X12 run by Damory. Change effective 24/7/17.

See #16560

12 replaces X12 and 187 - mainly Dorchester to Blandford with placement journeys from/to Weymouth

 

[freetoview33]

E and F currently serve the 2 and 1 respectively.

But they would have to move most likely to G or H most likely H with SE, 78 etc moving to A

 

[ValleyLines142]

But they would have to move most likely to G or H most likely H with SE, 78 etc moving to A

I've always thought it is a bit daft the the 1/2 go from separate stops. They could easily go from the same stand!

Personally, I'd have it as this:

A - 82
B - 78, X5, SE
C - 75/76
D - 19/19A, 73, 625
E - Metrobus
F - Metrobus
G - 1/2
H - 3/4

So that all the Whiteladies Road routes are together and the Filton/Gloucester Road routes are together, with the odds and sods in between.

 

[freetoview33]

https://www.firstgroup.com/uploads/maps/75 76 TT Bklt DL.pdf

new 75/76 timetable is only temporary for the summer

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Expect the legal lettering to be changed again on the buses from First Somerset and Avon Limited to First West of England Limited. Email signatures had to be changed today to First WoE, so roll out across the vehicles should happen soon enough.

Saw the new legal lettering today for the first time, on 66355 (a Bath vehicle working on the 19). In contrast to the change from FB to FS&A, where only the 'Bristol' was changed to 'Somerset & Avon' the new lettering is applied in white lettering on a black rectangular background, which includes the home office address in Easton. It makes the new lettering stand out on those vehicles to which it has been applied.

 

[1905 Group]

So far I've not seen the new lettering on any Bristol vehicles, all the ones I've photographed in the last week have had First Somerset and Avon legals, including today. Maybe only the country fleet has been done so far?

 

[swifty]

First are offering special fares on the 90 from today with singles set at a maximum of £2 and returns capped at £2.50. The associated branding on the buses has also been changed to reflect this.

https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/more/offers-and-promotions/service-90-bristol

On another note both 37764 and 37771 both noted broken down this morning!

 

[winston270twm]

First are offering special fares on the 90 from today with singles set at a maximum of £2 and returns capped at £2.50. The associated branding on the buses has also been changed to reflect this.

https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/more/offers-and-promotions/service-90-bristol

On another note both 37764 and 37771 both noted broken down this morning!

Amazing how First can justify both doubling the frequency & introducing special fares on the 90, all just to combat the appearance of Wessex, especially when most consider cheaper fares aren't successful in attracting passengers from the competition. On the plus side, at least the competition has resulted in First's passengers gaining a more frequent / cheaper journey.

I wonder how long that will last after the Wessex 90 is withdrawn??

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Amazing how First can justify both doubling the frequency & introducing special fares on the 90, all just to combat the appearance of Wessex, especially when most consider cheaper fares aren't successful in attracting passengers from the competition. On the plus side, at least the competition has resulted in First's passengers gaining a more frequent / cheaper journey.

I wonder how long that will last after the Wessex 90 is withdrawn??

You are right in your cynicism. This was a service that had the headway widened; now it is being upped and now has fare deals.

To be honest, this wouldn't be news if it were Stagecoach responding to an incursion. First were massively complacent nationally in not reacting to competitors.

I can't see it lasting to the end of the year as per the competitive 14 in Bath or the ONE/ONETWO in Bristol.

 

[winston270twm]

You are right in your cynicism. This was a service that had the headway widened; now it is being upped and now has fare deals.

To be honest, this wouldn't be news if it were Stagecoach responding to an incursion. First were massively complacent nationally in not reacting to competitors.

I can't see it lasting to the end of the year as per the competitive 14 in Bath or the ONE/ONETWO in Bristol.

Yes, totally agree on First not responding to competitors enough nationally.

But in this instance, it seems a massive over reaction, no one had any confindence that the Wessex 90 would work / survive in the first instance, so why such a reaction from First?? Surely these extra resources would be better used elsewhere on their network.

 

[diffywood]

while waiting for my bus saw four 75s going up Bishport Avenue together at around 9.30am today.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=585c2e6364b9f12bc5c97e4aa97413a3&oe=59E456C1

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, totally agree on First not responding to competitors enough nationally.

But in this instance, it seems a massive over reaction, no one had any confindence that the Wessex 90 would work / survive in the first instance, so why such a reaction from First?? Surely these extra resources would be better used elsewhere on their network.

I'm as surprised as you. The 90 is likely to be impacted by Metrobus later in the year. Surprised they didn't just sit tight?

 

[vicbury]

First are offering special fares on the 90 from today with singles set at a maximum of £2 and returns capped at £2.50. The associated branding on the buses has also been changed to reflect this.

https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/more/offers-and-promotions/service-90-bristol

On another note both 37764 and 37771 both noted broken down this morning!

£2 single fare. Hmm, given that nobody has any idea how far you can travel on a short single anyway, I'd imagine the overwhelming majority of mticket users between Hengrove Depot and the Centre are paying £1.50 already...

 

[vicbury]

Yes, totally agree on First not responding to competitors enough nationally.

But in this instance, it seems a massive over reaction, no one had any confindence that the Wessex 90 would work / survive in the first instance, so why such a reaction from First?? Surely these extra resources would be better used elsewhere on their network.

Maybe First have been spooked by Wessex's 51 doing relatively well?

 

[Private Baxter]

Yes, totally agree on First not responding to competitors enough nationally.

But in this instance, it seems a massive over reaction, no one had any confindence that the Wessex 90 would work / survive in the first instance, so why such a reaction from First?? Surely these extra resources would be better used elsewhere on their network.

The way I see it is that First invested quite heavily with new streetdecks for the 90 less than two years ago, arguably took a risk in doing so. This latest move is First simply trying to protect that investment. Promoting the £4 day rider is a good move as it obviously can be used on other services (which people will likely change in to), whereas Wessex customers are much more limited with where they can use theirs.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The way I see it is that First invested quite heavily with new streetdecks for the 90 less than two years ago, arguably took a risk in doing so. This latest move is First simply trying to protect that investment. Promoting the £4 day rider is a good move as it obviously can be used on other services (which people will likely change in to), whereas Wessex customers are much more limited with where they can use theirs.

That is one view. Wessex did invest in their UWE centred services arguably but didn't really respond to First's incursions; the 13 was seemingly easily swept aside by the 48A.

It was April 2014 (?) when First made their moves on Wessex with the 17, 81, 82 and X49 and they have gradually choked them. With the loss of the 16, axing the ONE, and various tendered services being lost, you wonder if the business can be sustained in Bristol.

When Dan first said about Wessex being booted by First in two years, I was dismissive. Well it may not have been two years but it does look tough for Wessex; feels like the 90 is an act of desperation now.

 

[overthewater]

Just in case some people don't read the main first group thread.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40232286

Restrictions on bus operator First Bristol, put in place more than 25 years ago, could be removed.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) applied them in 1989, after fears two merged firms, taken over by FirstGroup in 1996, could have too strong a bargaining position with the council.
First Bristol said it welcomed the intention to remove the restrictions.
The CMA said stakeholders had until 30 June to comment.
The restrictions were implemented following the 1989 merger of two local bus companies, Badgerline and Midland Red West.
Excess profit
The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) at the time ruled the merger would remove competition for bus services contracted by the former Avon County Council.
Restrictions imposed by the CMA had included a cap on the amount they could receive from the local authority for running a tendered service, and a requirement to return any excess profit from such services.
The CMA review, which started in January, found FirstGroup's "share of tendered bus services in the region has reduced significantly since the MMC report".
A CMA spokesperson said: "The CMA engaged with local stakeholders and no party that we spoke to argued that the undertakings were having a beneficial effect and should be retained."
A First Bristol spokesman said: "First Bristol welcomes the publication of a provisional decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to release the company from undertakings relating to a merger dating back more than 25 years ago.
"Neither the original undertakings themselves nor the consequences of this decision impact the way we continue to invest in bus services in Bristol and the wider West of England region."

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Being reported that GSC have re-registered the X12 Weymouth to Blandford service; a repeat of the 347/387 episode?

 

[Citistar]

First day impressions of the competition on the 90 were that Wessex are using a mixture of fairly tidy "Transport for Bristol" liveried Geminis and tattier ex-London stock. Behaviour was mostly good with the two operators not running in convoy, aside from one incident at Bedminster where a 672 got blocked in as a Wessex and First 90 squabbled over the stop, then the Wessex driver recevied a telling off from a member of the public who couldn't load the disabled passenger he was with on account of neither being close to the kerb in their haste.

Driving a bus in Bristol is stressful enough without silly antics from competitive drivers making it exponentially more hazardous.

 

[swifty]

There is a 90 branded Streetdeck on the 76 this morning!

 

[CD]

Being reported that GSC have re-registered the X12 Weymouth to Blandford service; a repeat of the 347/387 episode?

Both the FHD 12 (PH0006159/450) and GSC X12 (PH1121126/22) starting on 24/7/17 are shown as being subsidised by the county council.
There must be an error there somewhere.

 

[diffywood]

seems the 18 18a is on the agenda again - see pages 5 to 14

https://democracy.bristol.gov.uk/do...rts pack 19th-Jun-2017 17.00 Cabinet.pdf?T=10

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Both the FHD 12 (PH0006159/450) and GSC X12 (PH1121126/22) starting on 24/7/17 are shown as being subsidised by the county council.
There must be an error there somewhere.

I would hate to suggest there's been some cut and paste but it does say...

Local authorities covered by route

Dorset County Council
Hampshire Council
Wiltshire County Council

The X3 perhaps but not the X12

 

[ValleyLines142]

Excel 62952 has been towed away from Muller Road.

 

[swifty]

47439 is out on the 9 freshly painted in green. On the subject of the 9 and green, a lot of the green Streetlites have shown up on the 9 over the past week or so.

 

[ValleyLines142]

47439 is out on the 9 freshly painted in green. On the subject of the 9 and green, a lot of the green Streetlites have shown up on the 9 over the past week or so.

That's because they're branded for that route!