The problem is Park and Ride isn't really public transport, it's just a different kind of car park and serves people who have a choice. I assume most of the rest of Somerset's cuts will be going ahead and, for a lot of people effected, they don't have a choice and (most) wont have Taunton Deane money to help them. Getting some priority for it (and other services) would however be a great way of enhancing it as well as potentially reducing it's costs.
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First West of England (Bristol, Bath & The West)
- Thread starter Ivo
- Start date
The problem is Park and Ride isn't really public transport, it's just a different kind of car park and serves people who have a choice. I assume most of the rest of Somerset's cuts will be going ahead and, for a lot of people effected, they don't have a choice and (most) wont have Taunton Deane money to help them. Getting some priority for it (and other services) would however be a great way of enhancing it as well as potentially reducing it's costs.
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ValleyLines142
Established Member
The fleet numbers are as follows:
53851: YJ 68 FWO
53852: YJ 68 FWP
53853: YJ 68 FWR
53854: YJ 68 FWS
53855: YJ 68 FWT
53856: YJ 68 FWU
53857: YJ 68 FWV
53858: YJ 68 FWW
53859: YJ 68 FWX
freetoview33
Established Member
Could something like this work in Taunton? It's relatively simple for me!
3: Reroute via Musgrove Park Hospital (Somerset College would still be well served by the 22/22A, also would remove the need for the Saturday only service 9)
5: A new route from Silk Mills Park & Ride - Musgrove Park Hospital - Town Centre (Every 30 mins)
8: A new route from Gateway Park & Ride - Town Centre (Every 30 mins)
30/54: Rerouted to serve Gateway Park & Ride (To provide additional capacity)
3: Reroute via Musgrove Park Hospital (Somerset College would still be well served by the 22/22A, also would remove the need for the Saturday only service 9)
5: A new route from Silk Mills Park & Ride - Musgrove Park Hospital - Town Centre (Every 30 mins)
8: A new route from Gateway Park & Ride - Town Centre (Every 30 mins)
30/54: Rerouted to serve Gateway Park & Ride (To provide additional capacity)
iantherev
Member
Depends if you actually want people to use the Park and Ride. Sounds like an incredibly expensive way of killing them off at those frequencies. If you just miss a bus at the P&R you can drive into Taunton and be parked by the time the next one’s due.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Sadly, I don't see SCC spending any money on bus priority. They're skint anyway!!
A 30 minute frequency from a park and ride won't work - it's just too wide a headway for car drivers.
I've thought of the issue of routeing regular services via a P&R (like the 505 in Bristol) so the idea of routeing the 30/54 via the Gateway might have some merit. However, my gut feeling is that their frequencies are so wide, I don't know if there is any real benefit. In fact, for Yeovil and Chard buses, it might be a bit of a struggle to get in and out of the site.
freetoview33
Established Member
Surely it is better than no park & ride buses at all?
The Gloucester Park and Ride was replaced by rerouting ordinary buses and just about survives. I thought the 505 only used the Park and Ride in Bristol so it could turn round and the driver could have a fag!
freetoview33
Established Member
It does provide a useful service for people going to Southmead Hospital.
Only if they don't know where Horfield Common is!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Not really - you’re not going to attract passengers at that frequency for the reasons that iantherev mentioned.
I’d forgotten they’d done that in Gloucester.
Problem in Taunton is that neither P&R bus service can be easily replaced by other frequent local services.
-Colly405-
Member
Too cryptic...
I agree! For those who are mystified about the comment (or dont care!) the 505 runs between the Park and Ride site and Southmead Hospital so might appear to offer a park and Ride for the hospital (which had limited parking when the new building opened but now has lots of expensive parking). However it takes half an hour whereas Horfield Common (which has free parking) is within walking distance of Southmead, or the 505 passes it if you want a quick bus ride instead.Too cryptic...
-Colly405-
Member
AH, yes. Or you could get the 77 from Horfield Common to the Hospital if you fancied taking about 3 hours...
freetoview33
Established Member
So what is the answer if the current 15 min service is not viable? Other than closing the service down?
If they’re loosing subsidiary for the service, putting the price up to a more realistic price to cover running the service?
At £2.40 for a day return at the moment it’s no wonder it doesn’t cover costs.
freetoview33
Established Member
Maybe if they introduced a Taunton Zone Day rider at £4 a day then it would work.
Another one done is 32074, in unbranded Lilac now.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Hi there - do you mean it’s now in purple? It was put into lilac a few months ago IIRC
Of course it was, I was thinking that was 32073 for some reason!!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
No probs - I always wondered why it was painted lilac when it could have gone purple like the others displaced from the 90.
LeylandLynx
Member
- Joined
- 24 Oct 2015
- Messages
- 182
I heard that 32073 was spotted at Press Commercial Bodyworks in Avonmouth, so maybe that one now has a purple front too?
Perhaps 1 could be painted comprising all the different paint front livery's of WOE division then become an advertiser for Crown paints or equavilent company.
Bet that one would be strikingingly noticible!
KendalKing
Established Member
Try telling that to my local council, because that the frequency of our local Park & Ride.
Whiteway215
Established Member
Tommy Walters post on 24 July-looks like your prophesy about the Bath U2 at school times might be coming true.
Ralph Allen School website on 7 September says that pupils travelling from the Southdown/Weston side of Bath are experiencing 'timing and under capacity issues.' The school have asked B&NES Council and First to improve the situation. First responded by stating they would provide an extra bus that afternoon and they were conducting a review of the service.The school is asking parents to raise their concerns with B&NES and First for them to put in a timetable 'fit for purpose.'
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Really? Is it popular?
My better half used Odd Down for her commute and the idea of missing one and waiting 25 mins on a cold morning wouldn’t have gone down well!
Much like Brislington P&R at the moment then! Since St Brendan’s have started back and it’s used as an outbound school bus in the morning waits of 20 minutes plus aren’t unusual.
freetoview33
Established Member
That show's why we need a 1A back.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
That’s pretty poor. Used Briz P&R at the start of the year and found it easy to use then
Martin2012
Member
- Joined
- 17 Jul 2012
- Messages
- 658
I remember a situation a few years ago where I was waiting at stop on Bath Road nearest to St Brendans. A crowded X39 turned up which all the other passengers at the stop boarded closely followed by a lightly loaded ABUS decker on the 349 which I flagged down. The driver didn't seem best pleased with me for flagging him down when there was already a First bus on the stop and then wanting to purchase a single from him and actually told me I should have used the X39.
He did soften up and let me off the fare in the end
He did soften up and let me off the fare in the end