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

[D2007wsm]

You would really hope that the purple B7TLs would be pensioned off (good servants as they have been) - had 32014 on the U2 a few months ago and it was not a particularly nice experience! Perhaps get 32283/4/5/91 drafted in and so eradicate DD Barbie colours though with the need to get the P&R deckers done (36807 and 35116 deputising on Friday pm) and the X39 deckers away, that sort of thing may have to wait.

BTW, apologies if I'm a little confused (it happens) but is the plan for deckers....

37757-67 to get re-engineered to Euro 6 for the X39
39133-41 to get re-powered from hybrid to Euro 6
37768-72 plus the B9TLs dislodged from the 903 P&R to go to Wells

Just a little confused as to what is going on at the moment - a mix of fleet on the X39 this morning with 37763 alongside 32280.

The X39 B7s are used in part alongside Streetdecks, Scanias and E400MMCs to cover the Hybrid E400s on the P&R services. As far as I am aware, there is only 1 of the Hybrid E400s fit for service. I believe the Hybrids will be converted to pure diesel in the not too distant future.

As for the W reg ALX 400s, they would be perfect to operate alongside there coupe classmates perminantley in Weston. 3 could be refurbished inside and painted in the Coaster livery and used to complete the PVR of the 20 during the summer And maintain the service of the 20 and the 1 during the winter. The PVR of the 20 being 2 with 2 branded for this and 1 branded the same as 32012 to be used on the 20 in the summer and on the 1 during the winter.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The X39 B7s are used in part alongside Streetdecks, Scanias and E400MMCs to cover the Hybrid E400s on the P&R services. As far as I am aware, there is only 1 of the Hybrid E400s fit for service. I believe the Hybrids will be converted to pure diesel in the not too distant future.

As for the W reg ALX 400s, they would be perfect to operate alongside there coupe classmates perminantley in Weston. 3 could be refurbished inside and painted in the Coaster livery and used to complete the PVR of the 20 during the summer And maintain the service of the 20 and the 1 during the winter. The PVR of the 20 being 2 with 2 branded for this and 1 branded the same as 32012 to be used on the 20 in the summer and on the 1 during the winter.

Think the W regs are sadly a bit past it - they’re 18 years old and just don’t see money being spent on them; hence suggesting some a little newer that have a bit more life in them.

The e400H are confirmed as being converted to diesel. Don’t know about 39005 though!

 

[D2007wsm]

Think the W regs are sadly a bit past it - they’re 18 years old and just don’t see money being spent on them; hence suggesting some a little newer that have a bit more life in them.

The e400H are confirmed as being converted to diesel. Don’t know about 39005 though!

If the money was spent to convert them to Open Top, why not for closed top? It's not a taxing service especially in the winter and when I was on one the other week in Bath, the driver said they are nice to drive .

The 20 and indeed the 1 are lucrative services providing good revenue in the summer, but not so good in the winter. By using these for a couple of years maybe in the interim, B7s or B9 Geminis newer ALX400s may be freed up when new buses gas or whatever are introduced.

 

[Tommy Walters]

You would really hope that the purple B7TLs would be pensioned off (good servants as they have been) - had 32014 on the U2 a few months ago and it was not a particularly nice experience! Perhaps get 32283/4/5/91 drafted in and so eradicate DD Barbie colours though with the need to get the P&R deckers done (36807 and 35116 deputising on Friday pm) and the X39 deckers away, that sort of thing may have to wait.

BTW, apologies if I'm a little confused (it happens) but is the plan for deckers....

37757-67 to get re-engineered to Euro 6 for the X39
39133-41 to get re-powered from hybrid to Euro 6
37768-72 plus the B9TLs dislodged from the 903 P&R to go to Wells

Just a little confused as to what is going on at the moment - a mix of fleet on the X39 this morning with 37763 alongside 32280.

Could the new routing of the U2 be an excuse for First to start using single-decks again?? The purple darts maybe?

Also I cannot see the morning and afternoon school journeys working, given the number of both university & school students wanting to use that particular service.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If the money was spent to convert them to Open Top, why not for closed top? It's not a taxing service especially in the winter and when I was on one the other week in Bath, the driver said they are nice to drive .

The 20 and indeed the 1 are lucrative services providing good revenue in the summer, but not so good in the winter. By using these for a couple of years maybe in the interim, B7s or B9 Geminis newer ALX400s may be freed up when new buses gas or whatever are introduced.

Because the open toppers will have a very easy life; they're parked up for half the year and working short days when they are used. It's why the oldest vehicles are generally chosen and they tend to have an extended life - 30 years in the case of the Badgerline D10Ms that ended up in Cornwall. Bit different when you're using 18 year old plus buses on all year round.

That, and at the Lawrence Hill open day, the fleet engineer did say that they had got rid of some (32016-24 plus the three ex Yorkshire ones) and they were looking to get rid of more in the next year or so.

Could the new routing of the U2 be an excuse for First to start using single-decks again?? The purple darts maybe?

Also I cannot see the morning and afternoon school journeys working, given the number of both university & school students wanting to use that particular service.

Somehow, think they may be chastened by the experience of putting single decks on their before.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Somehow, think they may be chastened by the experience of putting single decks on their before.

Let us hope that that is the case!! One more consideration- Is Whiteway Circle definitely suitable for deckers?? Not sure if any have ever been used there before.

 

[-Colly405-]

September 2nd & 16th changes now showing on South Glos Council website.
The most significant changes are:
- the replacement of 46/X46/47/X47/X49/82 by Y1-Y6 (not like-for-like)...
- Longer hours for the M3
- New U3, which appears to be M3 shorts.

... and other changes...

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/transpo...hool-transport/buses/changes-to-bus-services/

 

[freetoview33]

So (Few minor changes to routes in Yate) and Y1 stops in Colston Street not Bus Station

X47 - Y1 Running every 30 mins
47 - Y2 Running every 60 mins
X46 - Y3 Running every 60 mins
46 - Y4 Running every 60 mins
X49 - Y5 Running every 60 mins
82 - Y6 Running every 60 mins

 

[Dai Corner]

September 2nd & 16th changes now showing on South Glos Council website.
The most significant changes are:
- the replacement of 46/X46/47/X47/X49/82 by Y1-Y6 (not like-for-like)...
- Longer hours for the M3
- New U3, which appears to be M3 shorts.

... and other changes...

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/transpo...hool-transport/buses/changes-to-bus-services/

In the words of that now famous Bristolian, Beryl "Not another one!"

Renumbering exercise in this case, not an election. How long ago was it they renumbered 'Country' routes to look like 'City' ones? More potential confusion for passengers.

 

[freetoview33]

In the words of that now famous Bristolian, Beryl "Not another one!"

Renumbering exercise in this case, not an election. How long ago was it they renumbered 'Country' routes to look like 'City' ones? More potential confusion for passengers.

I understand why they are doing it but I agree more confusion.

 

[carlberry]

September 2nd & 16th changes now showing on South Glos Council website.
The most significant changes are:
- the replacement of 46/X46/47/X47/X49/82 by Y1-Y6 (not like-for-like)...
- Longer hours for the M3
- New U3, which appears to be M3 shorts.

... and other changes...

http://www.southglos.gov.uk/transpo...hool-transport/buses/changes-to-bus-services/

However if the U3 isnt Metrobus then it shouldnt be using the M32 bus junction!
It's nice to see the return of the traditional Bristol-Gloucester service via Gloucester Road (for one journey). It's weird as to why they've done it without it's replacing a school move or perhaps Stagecoach is competing on Bristol-Thornbury one journey at a time!
Colston Street (Or Slave trader Avenue as it'll become next week) gets busier which is weird as it's not great for buses at the top and is hidden from most of 'The Centre' if people are looking for the stop.

 

[WelshBluebird]

No you haven't read it all, on a route branded vehicle the same information is provided in several places on the vehicle, the Hanover is only duplicating what is allready there! In the case of an unbranded vehicle a little more information may be desirable, but in the old from at by the time it had scrolled through all of the 'Via' points it may be too late anyway.

How did people manage when it was destination blinds which just showed the service number and destination with an occasional 'Via' point? The advent of all this new technology, causes people to rely on it.

If new technology provides better information to the travelling public, allowing them to make better decisions about their journey, then I have no idea why that can be seen as a bad thing at all.

I read a while ago the Twerton Estate residents were complaining too many buses were passing through. The 20 minute U2 service isn't going to please them.

I thought the issues in Twerton were more related to the amount of space available on the road due to parked cars etc (as buses scrapes etc were becoming more common) and is why the 5 changed route last year so it only serves Shaws Way in one direction now.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

However if the U3 isnt Metrobus then it shouldnt be using the M32 bus junction!
It's nice to see the return of the traditional Bristol-Gloucester service via Gloucester Road (for one journey). It's weird as to why they've done it without it's replacing a school move or perhaps Stagecoach is competing on Bristol-Thornbury one journey at a time!
Colston Street (Or Slave trader Avenue as it'll become next week) gets busier which is weird as it's not great for buses at the top and is hidden from most of 'The Centre' if people are looking for the stop.

It says 'via Coldharbour Lane', which I read as it joining the M32 via the A4174?
Could the routing of the 62 via Gloucester Road be for changing drivers at Gypsy Patch Lane?

 

[freetoview33]

However if the U3 isnt Metrobus then it shouldnt be using the M32 bus junction!
It's nice to see the return of the traditional Bristol-Gloucester service via Gloucester Road (for one journey). It's weird as to why they've done it without it's replacing a school move or perhaps Stagecoach is competing on Bristol-Thornbury one journey at a time!
Colston Street (Or Slave trader Avenue as it'll become next week) gets busier which is weird as it's not great for buses at the top and is hidden from most of 'The Centre' if people are looking for the stop.

Well the 16:18 from Berkeley to Bristol already operates via the same route (Via Thronbury and Filton)

 

[carlberry]

Well the 16:18 from Berkeley to Bristol already operates via the same route (Via Thronbury and Filton)

How odd, I'm sure they didn't used to (there's also a morning one that does the same). I assume it's schools as the morning one shouldn't need a driver relief that early and it adds 30 minutes to the running time!).

 

[Class 33]

In the words of that now famous Bristolian, Beryl "Not another one!"

Renumbering exercise in this case, not an election. How long ago was it they renumbered 'Country' routes to look like 'City' ones? More potential confusion for passengers.

You mean Brenda from Bristol.

 

[Dai Corner]

You mean Brenda from Bristol.

That's the lady! On-topic video , by way, as the last interviewee had a bus stop in the background

 

[LeylandLynx]

May I suggest First using 37315-7 for the new 2A? It might be a good idea to give them some distinctive branding so people don't confuse it with the 2.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

May I suggest First using 37315-7 for the new 2A? It might be a good idea to give them some distinctive branding so people don't confuse it with the 2.

Surely they could restore the egg yolk to 37329-31 in place of the neutral front?

Not certain how confusing it is for 2/2A - the 48/48A have a similar divergence

 

[LeylandLynx]

Surely they could restore the egg yolk to 37329-31 in place of the neutral front?

Not certain how confusing it is for 2/2A - the 48/48A have a similar divergence

Well, seeing that 37315-7 are presumably still at Hengrove (I'm assuming that the 2A will be ran from Hengrove - if not, they have a bit of a long drive to get to Whitchurch!) and that 37329-31 have only been recently debranded, it would seem like a bit of a wasteful exercise to rebrand them again as Lawrence Hill will likely need those vehicles. Plus, I prefer the seating of 37315-7.

People have raised concerns about the renumbering, saying that it's likely to confuse people. Another issue is that the route vinyls on the sides of the regular 2 are completely wrong for the 2A.

 

[spw24]

The 2a will be run by Lawrence hill not hengrove

 

[LeylandLynx]

The 2a will be run by Lawrence hill not hengrove

Oh right, that's a little odd. So it most likely will be 37329-31.

 

[freetoview33]

New timetables and maps for U1/U2/10/20 in bath are on traveline

 

[freetoview33]

Also the Wessex 3A has gone to First! With 3B/3C and 3X going to stagecoach

 

[-Colly405-]

Also the Wessex 3A has gone to First! With 3B/3C and 3X going to stagecoach

I wonder if that is a Traveline error (like the 672 going to Citistar).

I have noticed though that the two busiest peak journeys each way on the T1 will have duplicates running 2 minutes ahead of the main journey Willowbrook to/from City.

 

[freetoview33]

I wonder if that is a Traveline error (like the 672 going to Citistar).

I have noticed though that the two busiest peak journeys each way on the T1 will have duplicates running 2 minutes ahead of the main journey Willowbrook to/from City.

Might be! And it looks like it yeah, I guess it's to take the pressure off until the M1 starts.

 

[ValleyLines142]

The X39 B7s are used in part alongside Streetdecks, Scanias and E400MMCs to cover the Hybrid E400s on the P&R services. As far as I am aware, there is only 1 of the Hybrid E400s fit for service. I believe the Hybrids will be converted to pure diesel in the not too distant future.

As for the W reg ALX 400s, they would be perfect to operate alongside there coupe classmates perminantley in Weston. 3 could be refurbished inside and painted in the Coaster livery and used to complete the PVR of the 20 during the summer And maintain the service of the 20 and the 1 during the winter. The PVR of the 20 being 2 with 2 branded for this and 1 branded the same as 32012 to be used on the 20 in the summer and on the 1 during the winter.

There are two hybrids fit for service: 39133 and 39140.

32347 and 32351 in use on the 41 today.

Meanwhile, a very rare working in the form of 33947 on the 19!

 

[D2007wsm]

The other week when I was in Bath there was 1 and I was told that by management.

Tonight there is 4 open tops in Weston.

There are two hybrids fit for service: 39133 and 39140.

32347 and 32351 in use on the 41 today.

Meanwhile, a very rare working in the form of 33947 on the 19!

 

[Anthony ross]

I’m back in Bristol from November 4 to November 9 and I’m thinking of purchasing the Avon rider week ticket has anybody used this ticket before and know where I can and can’t use it

 

[ValleyLines142]

The other week when I was in Bath there was 1 and I was told that by management.

Tonight there is 4 open tops in Weston.

This information is from my best mate who is a driver at Bath, who was actually allocating vehicles this morning.