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

[83G/84D]

36080 worked the 08:23 Broadmead to Frenchay yesterday, but showed on the tracker as 37338.
I've seen one on the 44 and one on the 70, but generally the ones I've seen have been hanging around Penn St/Bond St/Rupert St NIS. Most I've seen in one day is 4. Perhaps I've just been unlucky not to have got one on a route.

There are usually one or two parked on the stop (no longer in use) outside Dorothy Perkins by the entrance to Cabot Circus. These are then brought into service if needed. The only time I've seen one on service was on a 1 on a Saturday. Cribbs Causeway might be a possibility especially as the traffic builds up towards Christmas however I'm guessing at that.

I've seen them on the 2 and 76 so far

Thanks everyone.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, I too saw it on the back wall patiently awaiting its 177 turn. Meanwhile 69447 was out on 376. Good to see those two side by side. (Well, almost!) I should point out that singles have been quite common on the 376 the last week or so.... maybe another streetdeck has left. Not complaining of course, they are fabulous buses, and I'm pleased they look to be staying, at least for the immediate future.
On the subject of B7RLEs, I had 69505 on the 19 from Cribbs to UWE last night. First time i have been on one since its conversion from Airport bus. I love what they've done with them, and think i might need a trip out on the 265 at some point in the near future.

A trip on the 265....have you a time machine?

Seriously, they are cracking buses for the Discover routes. However, the reductions were perhaps not surprising (how much did the PVR drop?). I know it's all anecdotal but I didn't see the D3 getting anywhere near the X72 ridership (though appreciate that these were observations were in Bath and might be skewed by passengers heading east of Melksham). The D2 did seem a little better but three buses an hour on either of those routes was probably unrealistic.

It would be interesting to understand the projected fleet moves and what the plans are for the Eclipses. It did seem like the Wells ones would be sent to Bristol (to join 69448) with B9TLs going to Wells to release them. I then felt it would then allow many of the older Eclipses to be cascaded out of the area. Whether or not that might have been the plan, we then had 5 of them head to Leicester and no more B9s to Wells. That said, there's a load of fleet changes with the 77 new vehicles coming so we'll see what gives!

 

[Private Baxter]

A trip on the 265....have you a time machine?

Seriously, they are cracking buses for the Discover routes. However, the reductions were perhaps not surprising (how much did the PVR drop?). I know it's all anecdotal but I didn't see the D3 getting anywhere near the X72 ridership (though appreciate that these were observations were in Bath and might be skewed by passengers heading east of Melksham). The D2 did seem a little better but three buses an hour on either of those routes was probably unrealistic.

It would be interesting to understand the projected fleet moves and what the plans are for the Eclipses. It did seem like the Wells ones would be sent to Bristol (to join 69448) with B9TLs going to Wells to release them. I then felt it would then allow many of the older Eclipses to be cascaded out of the area. Whether or not that might have been the plan, we then had 5 of them head to Leicester and no more B9s to Wells. That said, there's a load of fleet changes with the 77 new vehicles coming so we'll see what gives!

Haha I still automatically refer to it as 265. But you're right need fo get with the times.
It's been over four years since I have travelled the route, but remember being very impressed with the whole route, including that beyond Warminster. Never got round to trying it on a streetlite max, but the B7RLEs should I hope give a good experience. Other than the yellow colour scheme, I'm trying to remember what they were like internally whilst on the A1, and whether they have changed at all.

Cant comment on the other two Wiltshire routes as I rarely used them, but suspect you might be right with regards frequencies being, unfortunately, a little too high.

As for the remaining Wells eclipses, who really can say. Other weird and wonderful buses have been showing up at Wells recently, but the B7RLEs look to be quite comfortable still on their traditional routes.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Other than the yellow colour scheme, I'm trying to remember what they were like internally whilst on the A1, and whether they have changed at all.

Similar interior to now, with laminate-esque flooring, but with blue leather seats.

 

[Private Baxter]

Similar interior to now, with laminate-esque flooring, but with blue leather seats.

Thanks! So the leather seats were blue. Couldn't quite put my finger on it last night, but knew there was a difference

 

[Whiteway215]

TGW I was told the Discover PVR drop was three from Westbury and that the Scanias were transferring out. The transfer doesn’t appear to have happened yet presumably because of Uni bus requirements. Also nothing seems to have left Bath in respect of losing the 179.

Earlier 69500 on 3 69505 on U3 53859 on 1. 37610 parked in bus station with front panel removed.

 

[Tommy Walters]

TGW I was told the Discover PVR drop was three from Westbury and that the Scanias were transferring out. The transfer doesn’t appear to have happened yet presumably because of Uni bus requirements. Also nothing seems to have left Bath in respect of losing the 179.

Earlier 69500 on 3 69505 on U3 53859 on 1. 37610 parked in bus station with front panel removed.

If the Scanias did transfer to Weston, then a useful swap as far as the uni services are concerned would be with 32222-3. They would be ideal for the U2 as they are of similar age to the W-PAEs on there already. Quick note on Bustimes - someone has changed the colour blob of 33685 to Mendip Explorer, even though it's still running at Weston. Was this one intended for repaint, and if so has it been done?

 

[D2007wsm]

If the Scanias did transfer to Weston, then a useful swap as far as the uni services are concerned would be with 32222-3. They would be ideal for the U2 as they are of similar age to the W-PAEs on there already. Quick note on Bustimes - someone has changed the colour blob of 33685 to Mendip Explorer, even though it's still running at Weston. Was this one intended for repaint, and if so has it been done?

As far as I am aware, no more E400s will be departing Weston. They need what they have to run the Excel services.

I would imagine B7RLE or equivalent vehicles will be heading back to Weston with the January services changes.

 

[-Colly405-]

I would imagine B7RLE or equivalent vehicles will be heading back to Weston with the January services changes.

Do we know what the January changes are yet? I know that Traveline has 4th Jan end dates for the current WSM timetables and a fair number of Bristol ones...

 

[diffywood]

Traveline showing changes to services 1 2 19 19a 24 24a 42 42a 43 44 44a 45 70 71 75 75 and 90 from 4th january
No details yet anyone heard what

Edit
Add A1 A2 m1 M2 m3 and m3x

 

[D2007wsm]

Traveline showing changes to services 1 2 19 19a 24 24a 42 42a 43 44 44a 45 70 71 75 75 and 90 from 4th january
No details yet anyone heard what

Edit
Add A1 A2 m1 M2 m3 and m3x

There will be more changes than that, including most services operating in North Somerset and some in Somerset. Including some changes of depot.

 

[freetoview33]

There will be more changes than that, including most services operating in North Somerset and some in Somerset. Including some changes of depot.

Care to share any more?

 

[freetoview33]

Traveline showing changes to services 1 2 19 19a 24 24a 42 42a 43 44 44a 45 70 71 75 75 and 90 from 4th january
No details yet anyone heard what

Edit
Add A1 A2 m1 M2 m3 and m3x

1/2 I'd like to think will be minor changes, but it could be an increase in frequency for the 2 as part of the Bristol Bus Deal.
19/19A are probably going to be a split as mentioned before.
24/24A hopefully is a frequency increase and maybe a further change to the route in Ashton.
42/42A/43/44/44A/45 could well be a big change.
70/71 maybe a change to evening/weekend 71 trips??
90 who knows?!

 

[D2007wsm]

Care to share any more?

I can’t say any more than that, but all will become clear when the service change information is published.

 

[Bradley]

D2007wsm what do you mean by including some changes of depot.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

1/2 I'd like to think will be minor changes, but it could be an increase in frequency for the 2 as part of the Bristol Bus Deal.
19/19A are probably going to be a split as mentioned before.
24/24A hopefully is a frequency increase and maybe a further change to the route in Ashton.
42/42A/43/44/44A/45 could well be a big change.
70/71 maybe a change to evening/weekend 71 trips??
90 who knows?!

Why would the 24 get a frequency increase when it’s just been reduced?

 

[carlberry]

Why would the 24 get a frequency increase when it’s just been reduced?

Perhaps putting the number 24 on the side of a load of second hand buses has caused a significant increase in ridership which requires an increase in frequency?
However my money would be on a quick revision to the timetable based on the experience of the first couple of months.

 

[D2007wsm]

D2007wsm what do you mean by including some changes of depot.

Services being operated by a different depot to which operates it now

 

[Private Baxter]

There will be more changes than that, including most services operating in North Somerset and some in Somerset. Including some changes of depot.

I always like your updates D2007, despite leaving us in suspense like that!
Thanks for sharing what you can anyway.
I honestly thought that network was fairly settled and cant think of any changes that need making, but as always I await with interest what is in store.

 

[-Colly405-]

I always like your updates D2007, despite leaving us in suspense like that!
Thanks for sharing what you can anyway.

I'll +1 that!

 

[Whiteway215]

If the tracker is to be believed 44525 and 44907 are on Bath U1. I wonder how many standees allowed on those??!! Also 66884 shown on the 5 after being off for some weeks.

 

[THarris123]

Services being operated by a different depot to which operates it now

1/3 of 126 moving back to Weston from Jan

Also 172 changes - one hourly doing a loop turning left at Thicket Mead into Tesco, Farrington, Hallatrow, Paulton and the other hourly trip doing the opposite.

Not sure on how either timetable will look

 

[Bradley]

Does anyone know why there is 2 U1 in Bath showing on bustimes for as I click on the first one that one tracks and then the second one tracks but only 3 tracks on the second one.

 

[THarris123]

33685 is an error on Bustimes - Wells is due 33661 and 33662 from Hengrove as far as I'm still aware. Both Hengrove and Wells are still using their last two buses which are due to be swapped.

Now 8 E400s in Wells, all in Mendip Xplorer livery, possibly 33658 still without vinyls however all others have vinyls.

35161 still in Wells surprisingly - despite it having a few issues last week. 35163 also still here and neither are the best.

66942, 33666, 32669 and 32688 are all dead in Bath, having all broken down at some point and yet to be fixed. 66942 decided to collapse its rear suspension whilst heading to Cheddar a few weeks back, 32669 seems to be in a similar state and 32688 is in due to ABS problems. Not sure why devil bus is stuck in Bath.

 

[THarris123]

Does anyone know why there is 2 U1 in Bath showing on bustimes for as I click on the first one that one tracks and then the second one tracks but only 3 tracks on the second one.

One for uni holiday times and the other for term times

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Haha I still automatically refer to it as 265. But you're right need fo get with the times.
It's been over four years since I have travelled the route, but remember being very impressed with the whole route, including that beyond Warminster. Never got round to trying it on a streetlite max, but the B7RLEs should I hope give a good experience. Other than the yellow colour scheme, I'm trying to remember what they were like internally whilst on the A1, and whether they have changed at all.

Cant comment on the other two Wiltshire routes as I rarely used them, but suspect you might be right with regards frequencies being, unfortunately, a little too high.

As for the remaining Wells eclipses, who really can say. Other weird and wonderful buses have been showing up at Wells recently, but the B7RLEs look to be quite comfortable still on their traditional routes.

No worries - it's something we've all done I never did the route east of Warminster on a Streetlite but did have one of the former Airport ones earlier this year. Very nice though it was mainly twirly passes into Salisbury. The old 267 was under threat of withdrawal (publicly stated by First) so I was surprised when it went half hourly as the D2/D2A and, of course, it has only ever been hourly (and in fact, it was two hourly before deregulation as the 253).

I had a bit more hope for the D3 only because Melksham is growing at such a rate but again, it's not a huge surprise.

I can’t say any more than that, but all will become clear when the service change information is published.

Echo others' comments. We all appreciate the information that you can share and realise that you obviously can't break confidences. Look forward to hearing what the changes will be (when it can be shared).

 

[THarris123]

Come back on here briefly to have a little guess/discussion about the 77 gas buses. I'm trying to work out exactly what all these buses will be used on and how they will change the fleet, so my little guess is as follows.

M3 - 10 gas buses. Replace 36801-6 to Hengrove to be used on M2 (they have Metrobus seat covers), 36808-13 Hengrove-Marlborough St in South Glos Lynx livery, 36821 LH-MH in South Glos Lynx. Scanias then replace 7 B7RLEs at LH/MH
42-45 - 26 gas buses. Possibly renumbering the east Bristol services to E1-E5?? 37607, 37611-32 to Bath, replacing the majority of the older fleet in Bath.
48-49 - 21 gas buses. Possibly renumbering these to F1-F3 (Fishponds)?? E400s move to Hengrove for 24. 54 reg B7TLs move Hengrove-Camborne
17 - 5 gas buses. Replace 37007, 37011-14 to Camborne, or possibly Essex
6/7 - 10 gas buses. Possibly renumbered E6/E7 to fit in with east Bristol?? Replace 32251-59 (withdrawn)
36 - 3 gas buses. Yes ok, might be incredibly unlikely, but I think it might be branded into the east Bristol network. 3 53 reg B7TLs withdrawn as a result.
The remainder of gas buses then spare (3)

Bearing in mind that the majority of Bristol services need to have an upgrade in fleet to meet with the diesel ban/clean air zone, I wonder what will happen with the other services. Might Hengrove get a batch of hybrid/electric buses for some of their services?? What will LH do with their remaining services - 1/2/3/4 and 73? What will MH do with the South Glos network - terminate them outside of the zone and continue using the scanias??

All food for thought and all guesswork - although its been already confirmed that gas buses due for Metrobus and east Bristol network

In terms of January changes in Bristol, here's my best guess:
1/2 - timetable changes, possible frequency reduction on part of 2 and short trips introduced?
19/A - major overhaul of services, possibly even handing them over to Stagecoach?
24/A - 24A withdrawn and the original route idea of 24 introduced
42-45 - major network overhaul. Possibly renumbering to create a brand, all for the introduction of the gas buses.
70/71 - frequency reduction - both every 20 mins (every 10 along common sections) or 71 decreases frequency and 70 increases??
75/76 - frequency reduction - every 20 mins both running again to Cribbs
90 - route change and possible frequency increase - there must be a reason why so many extra Streetdecks are being painted in 90 livery - requirement is 7, but there's now 11 in 90 livery
A1/A2 - timetable changes
M1/2 - timetable changes
M3 - increase - 10 gas buses compared to current allocation of 7

Other services changing:
Bath:
1 - timetable changes
2 - frequency reduction
6/7/8 - all frequency reduction
11/12 - timetable changes
9 - timetable changes
Wells:
172 - changes as previous post
126 - timetable changes
Weston:
X3/X4 - reduction
X9 - reduction
X1/X2/X6/X7/X8 - timetable changes
W3 and W7 - timetable changes

Just to point out all of this is pure guesswork, well apart from 172

 

[matt_splat]

i noticed one the red fronted street decks had what looked like connecting east bristol on it last night and it was out on the 75

 

[THarris123]

i noticed one the red fronted street decks had what looked like connecting east bristol on it last night and it was out on the 75

Connecting South Bristol. 35160 and 35164 aren't quite branded for 90, but for South Bristol - not entirely sure whether 91/92 will receive a red coloured brand or if its more for 90.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Does anyone know why there is 2 U1 in Bath showing on bustimes for as I click on the first one that one tracks and then the second one tracks but only 3 tracks on the second one.

It's a fault - for some reason when a U1 is heading back to the depot after doing a trip to the city centre, it tracks on one page (the one with the timetable showing), in all other cases, buses track on the other page for some reason!!