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

[overthewater]

Bath Uni service U2 ran Mon to Fri during term time only from end Sept 2016 until early this June. Its frequency was gradually reduced as the academic year wore on and presumably demand was less. Bath Uni term starts on 23 Sept 2017. My question is would something have appeared on VOSA if the service was being cancelled and not operating this next university year? Thanks for any opinions on this.

First Aberdeen is going the same way. I dont understand is why the demand will reduced over the year?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Look at Travel West link above. It states about u2. Also interesting to note frequency on u5 reduced.

U5 First Bath – Bath Spa University Monday to Friday term time frequency reduced from every 10 minutes to every 12 - 15 minutes.

Following requests from students, the Monday to Saturday night time frequency of buses is doubled from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes, with last departures at 0240 from Bath Spa University and 0310 from Bath Bus Station. This also includes a later last journey from Bath Spa University and Bath Bus Station.

U6 First Bath Spa University circular Frequency increased from start of University term from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during peak hours. At off-peak times the frequency will be every 20 minutes and there will be no gap in the service around lunchtime (there is currently a gap in the service to facilitate a driver meal break).

The presumption would be that they are taking a vehicle off one for use on the other?

More importantly, will the fleet on the U5/U6 remain the same ex Leicester B7TLs or be replaced by new fleet?

 

[THarris123]

U5 First Bath – Bath Spa University Monday to Friday term time frequency reduced from every 10 minutes to every 12 - 15 minutes.

Following requests from students, the Monday to Saturday night time frequency of buses is doubled from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes, with last departures at 0240 from Bath Spa University and 0310 from Bath Bus Station. This also includes a later last journey from Bath Spa University and Bath Bus Station.

U6 First Bath Spa University circular Frequency increased from start of University term from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes during peak hours. At off-peak times the frequency will be every 20 minutes and there will be no gap in the service around lunchtime (there is currently a gap in the service to facilitate a driver meal break).

The presumption would be that they are taking a vehicle off one for use on the other?

More importantly, will the fleet on the U5/U6 remain the same ex Leicester B7TLs or be replaced by new fleet?

Yes I know full well. I'm getting my cheque book out.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First Aberdeen is going the same way. I dont understand is why the demand will reduced over the year?

During the academic year, there is a natural attrition of people with people leaving. That can be anywhere around 10% though it is mainly first year students so less impact on services.

Also, you have a natural surge at the start of the financial year as people have more money to spend so demand is reduced - not spending on their tickets but affecting their reason to travel.

Then you have people who have essentially finished formal classes by March and are busy writing dissertations for submission by April and then are finished.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes I know full well. I'm getting my cheque book out.

Good man!

 

[overthewater]

During the academic year, there is a natural attrition of people with people leaving. That can be anywhere around 10% though it is mainly first year students so less impact on services.

Also, you have a natural surge at the start of the financial year as people have more money to spend so demand is reduced - not spending on their tickets but affecting their reason to travel.

Then you have people who have essentially finished formal classes by March and are busy writing dissertations for submission by April and then are finished.

Cheers for that, Although Aberdeen doing it from january. Any other places doing this?

 

[Private Baxter]

Liking the branding on the 8 streetlites. It had looked a bit clumsy before, with the dark green front just painted over the original livery, but they have fixed it up a bit and looks good.

 

[Whiteway215]

Look at Travel West link above. It states about u2. Also interesting to note frequency on u5 reduced.

Thanks THarris-I hadn't seen that. So U2 is continuing so must have been commercially successful. I also wonder what will run it. Of the five B7TLs repainted purple and wi-fi'd for the service, 32001/2 went topless at Weston, 32007 remains in Bath and 32014/5 went to Weston. But then as W reg perhaps 007/14/15 are due to depart for pastures new soon?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks THarris-I hadn't seen that. So U2 is continuing so must have been commercially successful. I also wonder what will run it. Of the five B7TLs repainted purple and wi-fi'd for the service, 32001/2 went topless at Weston, 32007 remains in Bath and 32014/5 went to Weston. But then as W reg perhaps 007/14/15 are due to depart for pastures new soon?

Remember that the B7TLs weren't repainted/refurbished for that service but the U1 along with 32003/6.

However, fair point as to wonder what may operate the U2 in future. Will the W regs soldier on or will something else be tarted up?

 

[D2007wsm]

Remember that the B7TLs weren't repainted/refurbished for that service but the U1 along with 32003/6.

However, fair point as to wonder what may operate the U2 in future. Will the W regs soldier on or will something else be tarted up?

The U2 is supposed to be being operated by singles.

 

[Whiteway215]

The U2 is supposed to be being operated by singles.

Thank you for that update. Bit disappointed with news that it will no longer be deckers however. But then First will know what past passenger numbers have been and that singles will cope. I assume Bath will need to be allocated some singles from somewhere to work it.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The U2 is supposed to be being operated by singles.

Echo Whiteway's thanks and thoughts

Wonder what will suffice?

 

[D2007wsm]

Echo Whiteway's thanks and thoughts

Wonder what will suffice?

Wouldn't be surprised if it turns out go br the 2 dual door B7RLEs. Updated with the luggage racks removed the could be useful. Failing that presumably regular B7RLEs, I don't think Streetlites would like the hills!

 

[THarris123]

Thank you for that update. Bit disappointed with news that it will no longer be deckers however. But then First will know what past passenger numbers have been and that singles will cope. I assume Bath will need to be allocated some singles from somewhere to work it.

I thought it was something to do with residents complaining about the use of deckers - passengers can see into their gardens.

I expect it'll be darts.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wouldn't be surprised if it turns out go br the 2 dual door B7RLEs. Updated with the luggage racks removed the could be useful. Failing that presumably regular B7RLEs, I don't think Streetlites would like the hills!

66992/3 were my prediction last year! I was thinking B7RLEs but Darts depending on loadings? We will see.

 

[vicbury]

Wouldn't be surprised if it turns out go br the 2 dual door B7RLEs. Updated with the luggage racks removed the could be useful. Failing that presumably regular B7RLEs, I don't think Streetlites would like the hills!

I travelled on a packed Streetlite up Park Street in Bristol yesterday and it certainly didn't struggle on the hill. It felt much more comfortable than a Dart or 54/55 reg B7. The 59 reg B7s might be better though.

Separately, I was pleased to have a 55-reg bendy bus on the balloon fiesta shuttle yesterday. The plastic seat covers really are horrible however! Had one of the 6/7 B7s returning. Good condition inside, and generally mechanically, except for the engine blasting black smoke behind it!

I didn't take the shuttle on the Saturday, opting to use Yobikes instead. I'm glad I did as I would have been peeved to pay £5 for the shuttle to not see balloons fly!

 

[matt_splat]

With no wessex about the u2 could end up needing deckers

 

[D2007wsm]

I travelled on a packed Streetlite up Park Street in Bristol yesterday and it certainly didn't struggle on the hill. It felt much more comfortable than a Dart or 54/55 reg B7. The 59 reg B7s might be better though.

Separately, I was pleased to have a 55-reg bendy bus on the balloon fiesta shuttle yesterday. The plastic seat covers really are horrible however! Had one of the 6/7 B7s returning. Good condition inside, and generally mechanically, except for the engine blasting black smoke behind it!

I didn't take the shuttle on the Saturday, opting to use Yobikes instead. I'm glad I did as I would have been peeved to pay £5 for the shuttle to not see balloons fly!

Some of the hills in Bath are far steeper than Park Street, especially Bathwick Hill up to the Uni. The Streetlites now in Weston which used to operate between Bristol and Portishead on the X2 and the X3 struggled at times of Rownham Hill and the reliability of these back then was not very good. Since being put onto flatter routes with less hills they have become a lot more reliable. Wells drivers say the Streetdecks also struggle on the 376.

Out of all of the buses currently in the fleet, the E400 is the one which copes best on the hills. On an X6 a E400 can maintain speed up over Cambridge Batch and Failand, whereas a B7 Gemini can't

 

[Whiteway215]

I thought it was something to do with residents complaining about the use of deckers - passengers can see into their gardens.

I expect it'll be darts.

When I've ventured onto the top deck of a U2 (trying to look young amongst the students!) I've never seen them looking out at any gardens. They're too busy looking at their phones!

 

[Private Baxter]

Wouldn't be surprised if it turns out go br the 2 dual door B7RLEs. Updated with the luggage racks removed the could be useful. Failing that presumably regular B7RLEs, I don't think Streetlites would like the hills!

An unpopular suggestion I'm sure, but I reckon it will be 02 reg B7Ls, possibly those coming off the 77. But yours is a good suggestion too.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

An unpopular suggestion I'm sure, but I reckon it will be 02 reg B7Ls, possibly those coming off the 77. But yours is a good suggestion too.

That one did cross my mind.

*** WARNING - overly thought out speculation alert *** Guess it depends on the timings of various fleet moves though I had wondered if the B7Ls might move from FWoE. Don't know when the new e200s arrive at Weston but that will allow the Streetlites to be made spare and I had supposed they'd move back onto local routes and allow some of the B7RLEs allocated to move elsewhere.

The one thing in favour of the B7Ls is the relatively short journey duration for those seats. Never a good thing when "enjoying" those on their previous haunts like Taunton to Burnham or Bath to Chippers.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

With no wessex about the u2 could end up needing deckers

I'll apologise in advance as not been keeping up with this.... Is this Wessex now coming off the UoB services entirely?

 

[winston270twm]

I'll apologise in advance as not been keeping up with this.... Is this Wessex now coming off the UoB services entirely?

Yes, it's cancelled from 22nd Sept. The 17/17 were cancelled from 16th July.

I've not seen any new registrations go in for Wessex Bath Uni services, at present that leaves them with no Bath or Bristol Uni services.

 

[Whiteway215]

Warning-dopey question ahead! Could you fit wi-fi etc into a B7L (or even to 66992/3) for the students' benefit?

 

[carlberry]

Warning-dopey question ahead! Could you fit wi-fi etc into a B7L (or even to 66992/3) for the students' benefit?

I thought that WiFi had been fitted fleet wide a while ago. Charging sockets are a newer 'must have' feature just to give the electrical systems extra encouragement to fail.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Warning-dopey question ahead! Could you fit wi-fi etc into a B7L (or even to 66992/3) for the students' benefit?

Fair enough question - wifi is a relatively simple fix. They put it into all the Bristol fleet in 2014 so that meant B10BLEs and knackered Darts. I seem to recall the Bath fleet was also done - certainly one of the B6s (40594?) had it but lost about 6 weeks later when reallocated to Taunton (though the signage was still up).

USB ports require a bit more work but have been retrofitted in the BSU B7TLs and the ME B7RLEs so assume not a big deal?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, it's cancelled from 22nd Sept. The 17/17 were cancelled from 16th July.

I've not seen any new registrations go in for Wessex Bath Uni services, at present that leaves them with no Bath or Bristol Uni services.

I didn't know if I'd missed anything

That would leave Burnett with only the 12/20/20A and 42 - think that is 8 vehicles work.

 

[THarris123]

When I've ventured onto the top deck of a U2 (trying to look young amongst the students!) I've never seen them looking out at any gardens. They're too busy looking at their phones!

Well all I heard was that residents didn't like the deckers going past.

 

[THarris123]

An unpopular suggestion I'm sure, but I reckon it will be 02 reg B7Ls, possibly those coming off the 77. But yours is a good suggestion too.

Right time for my little guess on allocation changes in September. I'm hoping that D2007 will be able to help.

I think that the 02 reg B7Ls will all go into reserve fleet. The W reg B7TLs will all, apart from 32001 and 32002 be withdrawn, with the ones in Bristol withdrawn due to the introduction of new vehicles on the UWE service.

The Streetlites from 18/18A will move to Weston and operate 3 - they state on both First and Travelwest that 3 is changing routes to allow bigger vehicles to be used - to which I think they're referring to Streetlites. Streetlites will then operate 7 and 3, with darts operating 5. The E200s will move out of Weston and head to Bath. Not sure what the E200s will be used on - can they be used on 6/7/8 maybe and displace some solos? Then maybe we'll see some E400s head from Manchester or Yorkshire to Weston to bulk up the number on the X routes. I think all the B7RLEs will leave Weston with 66726 moving to Wells temporarily whilst 66723 and 66724 are repainted into Mendip Xplorer livery. 66726 will then head to Bath. 66725, 66734 and the 55 reg B7s will head back to Bristol replacing B7Ls.

There are no Streetlites in Bath which can be used on U2 at the moment - the allocation is to 1 and the Maxs to Westbury stuff. In September I suspect though that 66992 and 66993 will be used on U2 together with Darts displaced from 38. I think early next year when the airport B7s go away to be refurbished, 66992 and 66993 might join them.

 

[freetoview33]

I didn't know if I'd missed anything

That would leave Burnett with only the 12/20/20A and 42 - think that is 8 vehicles work.

It doesn't look good for Wessex! Down to the last few routes.