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

[ValleyLines142]

Lots of elderly Tridents out and about on Gloucester Road routes today. At Filton McDonald's 33182 on a 70 and 33162 on a 71 were right behind each other!

 

[Tommy Walters]

When the ex m3 Scanias enter service on the X39, the current X39 B9s are going to be retrimmed and then head to Hengrove to replace the current assortment of cascaded deckers on the 24. The current 24 buses are apparently heading for a ‘quieter life’ on less frontline work.

Are we expecting any of the Urban liveried Scanias to be relocated for the X39? There are only 6 coming from the m3, so a further 6 would be needed to fully replace all the B9s.

 

[RELL6L]

Very interesting travelogue and some very accurate observations. Always nice to hear of other peoples' experiences and see how they compare to your own, either to validate or challenge your own views. Commend your bravery in planning a change in Wedmore - not the sort of place to get stuck!!

As regards your travelling experiences and observations, they're pretty well on the nose. The 21 livery being reminiscent of the Atlantic Coasters... that's because it is the base livery. I think there is one Solar still in full AC vinyls but otherwise, it's a cost effective way of rebranding the service with new vinyls without a full repaint. Also, the 28 is definitely a welcome move in marketing that service and with a good refurbishment of the fleet on there. Those are the plus points but, as you say, there are a lot of Urban liveried vehicles (and plain white ones) also knocking round the BoS fleet. I suspect your Trident was a 2003 (53 plate) ex London one; they've been good servants and were some of the first recipients of the green livery but are showing their age a little now. We recognise that Somerset is a tricky place to make money and BoS have done some really good things in terms of an excellent timetable book, network maps in Bridgwater/Taunton bus stations etc. However, the marketing has seemed to take a back seat though, in fairness, they are now making steps to address that.

Taunton bus station is also a little mature but I think it still looks decent for its age. Unfortunately, it seems that First are looking to offload it, confirming discussions with the local council so you can expect buses to be relegated to a selection of roadside stops. In terms of Bridgwater, the town has been growing exponentially for the last 15 years, predating HP3 though that is now adding to the picture markedly. The road network has therefore been creaking for some time. You can easily get stuck on the Bristol road for an eternity.

Thanks for sharing

Thank you. I've changed at worse places than Wedmore - the village appears to boast two shopping malls, although more likely to be Farrow and Ball than Greggs (but I din't go in so don't quote me!). I thought one of the 21s was in full Atlantic Coast livery but it shot past at speed and I couldn't be sure. I agree it must be hard to make money there when the coucnil is not supportive. You'd have thought Bridgwater could have insisted on more public transport provision for the house building but it's only going one way sadly.

 

[Whiteway215]

One of the pink MTickets ALXs at Keynsham on 17 around 1615 this afternoon. Passing by Weston Island depot on the train later it looked like an all over gold painted decker of unknown type outside the doors of the depot.

 

[BBC]

The new gas buses will be out on the 17th on the 42/3/4/5 and the 6/7.

 

[Wessexbuses]

Had a trip down to Bath and Bristol today

I got the train from Weymouth at 0644 to Bath Spa(0845) which was 158798

Then jumped on an U1 to the University which was 10168(Amazing bus)

Changed at the University for another U1 back down to the city centre which was 10179(not very healthy)

Then got on a 5 to Whiteway but got off at Bath bus depot which was 66882

Had a look from the footpath outside bath depot

Buses that I could see from the public footpath were 10036,33831,33658,35110 and 36803

Then I got on another 5 back to the Bus Station which was the lovely 66884

Then got the train to Bristol TM(800303)

Got the 8 into Bristol city centre which was 47435

Then jumped on a M1 to Cribbs causeway which was 2932

Then got on 32328 on Y6 to Southmead hospital

Then got 32625 on 24 to City centre

Then just 47435 again back to Temple Meads on the 8

Then I got a train to Bath which was a 166 on a service to Frome

Now just waiting in bath until 9pm for the train to Weymouth


Also I saw 32014 broken down with an engineer van at Bath University in the morning and 32009 broken down with an oil or coolant leak at Cribbs causeway which got towed by a truck

UPDATE 2115
Also while I was waiting for my train I got on 10178 on U1 changed then got 33840 back to the bus station on a 3

 

[Whiteway215]

Had a trip down to Bath and Bristol today

I got the train from Weymouth at 0644 to Bath Spa(0845) which was 158798

Then jumped on an U1 to the University which was 10168(Amazing bus)

Changed at the University for another U1 back down to the city centre which was 10179(not very healthy)

Then got on a 5 to Whiteway but got off at Bath bus depot which was 66882

Had a look from the footpath outside bath depot

Buses that I could see from the public footpath were 10036,33831,33661?,35110 and 36803

Then I got on another 5 back to the Bus Station which was the lovely 66884

Then got the train to Bristol TM(800xxx)

Got the 8 into Bristol city centre which was 47435

Then jumped on a M3 to Cribbs Causeway which was 2932

Then got on 32328 on Y6 to Southmead hospital

Then got 32625 on 24 to City centre

Then just 47435 again back to Temple Meads on the 8

Then I got a train to Bath which was a 166 on a service to Frome

Now just waiting in bath until 9pm for the train to Weymouth


Also I saw 32014 broken down with an engineer van at Bath University in the morning and 32009 broken down with an oil or coolant leak at Cribbs causeway which got towed by a truck

Thank you for your report on your Bristol/Bath trip.
Sorry to hear both 32009 and 32014 were misbehaving but I imagine both will be on a one way ticket to Barnsley (or is it Alpha Recovery?) in the fairly near future.

 

[D2007wsm]

Are we expecting any of the Urban liveried Scanias to be relocated for the X39? There are only 6 coming from the m3, so a further 6 would be needed to fully replace all the B9s.

I don’t know, that’s what it said in the staff newsletter yesterday

 

[Private Baxter]

Indeed. It's not even down to safety; it's purely down to sheer laziness.

I also dislike the fact that many young passengers sit downstairs on buses even for long distances. Meaning that other people need to go upstairs to go a couple of stops or just stand in the middle of the aisle. I hate sitting downstairs on a bus; it makes me feel very claustrophobic.



I think that's a really good idea. It doesn't even need to be every single 48A. Have a similar timetable to the 38 in London, with every other bus continuing on from Hackney Central to Clapton Pond.

Glad you approve! As you say, it need not be every service, even just one an hour would help. But I think such a move would benefit a lot more people.

 

[Private Baxter]

A rare trip to First West of England land on Monday and this is a ramble about it – with some bus content. A sunny day forecast and I had a number of possible destinations for a day out taking into account the short hours of daylight but I settled on a trip from Burnham on Sea. I arrived there around 8.30 and stoked up with some breakfast. While in the town I noted a standard First-liveried Trident on the 20 to Weston Super Mare and another one on Buses of Somerset 21. Not much activity on the beach or the pier although the sun had risen.

My plan was to head inland for Wedmore on the Somerset Passenger Solutions 67, part of the old Bristol/ Badgerline 67 to Wells. I had done this before but never got off at Wedmore so this seemed a good opportunity. Quick panic when I got to the bus stop with notices about the 67 not running due to road works, however it turned out to be the other half of the route between Wedmore and Wookey Hole, run by Mendip Community Transport. Although this applies for much of January and February there was nothing on Traveline about it. All my research said the bus was at 9.17 but the timetable at the stop said 9.20. No matter. Soon after 9.20 it turned up, an old fashioned front engined minibus with a wheelchair lift. To my surprise there was another passenger from the terminus – but only to Highbridge. When I asked for Wedmore the driver warned me about the other half of the 67 not running, luckily that had never been my plan. Scenic run past hard frost-covered field and villages to Wedmore with a few other people joining.

I thought it was cold at Burnham on Sea but I was wrong – it was cold at Wedmore! Freezing – inland and higher up. A nice trendy village, half an hour wandering round the streets was just right. The next bus was a Libra Travel 668 to Glastonbury. A standard white-liveried Solo on this with a few passengers coming and going, some even young enough to pay fares! Arrival at Glastonbury was punctual after a tour of the Windmill Hill Estate, which I recall some 376s doing in the old days. When I went on this the driver of the RE forgot to go round the estate until reminded and then did it in reverse, with some very sharp turns. I don’t know if the route is the same now – a full size bus would definitely struggle with the narrow roads and parked cars!

I had never previously walked up Glastonbury Tor and as I had an hour I thought I would give it a try. This turned out to be plenty of time. Yes it’s a slog up but not difficult terrain and easy to come down again, only about 10 minutes walk from the town centre. A perfect clear day – great views. Then back to the town centre – I love this town, it’s straight out of Harry Potter with half the folk dressed as witches and wizards – or perhaps they really are!

I am getting to mention First Buses now! After a short wander I arrived at the main bus stop to head south. Plenty of people standing there. I checked the times on First Bus’s live website. I didn’t expect to get any live times for the 29 to Taunton as I thought Buses of Somerset didn’t have the necessary equipment – but I did. It said the 29 would arrive in 6 minutes – that’s 2 minutes late – exactly what it did. It also said the next 376 to Street would be in 75 minutes, followed by another one in 105 minutes. But nothing earlier! In fact one was then due in minus 15 minutes, and others in 15 and 45 as well. I don’t know if they all came.

The 29 arrived when it was promised and everyone at the stop got on, making it standing room only on the anonymous little white Streetlite. At this point a 376 appeared behind, about 20 minutes late and not on First live times. It stayed behind us all the way to Street with almost no-one aboard, they were all on our little 29. Most people got off at Street and then the 376 went past and headed for the estate. It was 37xxx making it a Volvo B9TL I believe. A few boarded at Street and the rest of the 29 to Taunton was uneventful, pleasant through the Somerset Levels and the village of Othery and also through the Creech villages. I think the 29 has these to itself now and quite a few people boarded here. The route into Taunton is good thanks to the bus gate, keeping cars pretty much off the ‘old road’ route into the town centre. One of the few positive contributions from Somerset council towards public transport.

I’ve been to Taunton several times and quite like the town and the old bus station, although the latter is now very dated. Some buses parked up and Buses of Somerset staff around but no buses actually on any of the stands, it seemed very quiet compared to the old days. I had decided to visit Wellington, simply because I had time and I’d never been there before. I joined a group of people queuing for the 22 due at 13.25 but no sign of a bus. About half past a 22 arrived, dropped off and came straight to the stand to pick up, we left about 10 minutes late. Not very good on a 15 minute frequency. I don’t know why – all the other buses on the route seemed to be on time. This was a Dart /E200 and made up a few minutes arriving in Wellington only 5 minutes late.

I clocked that the following bus was a Trident so wandered round Wellington for half an hour. Pleasant, but nothing exciting. The Trident had an age-disguising registration so I don’t know how old it was – as did all the other ones I saw – but it seemed in a reasonable state. Two of the four buses on the Wellington runs were deckers as was the Tiverton bus, which came along three minutes behind another decker. I know the Tiverton journeys are supported but this scheduling doesn’t make sense.

The other buses I saw in Taunton were a mixture. Darts on the town services, Streetlites and Solos on the park in ride in a mixture of liveries. I saw both 30s – both were deckers. I saw two 54s, I think they were both Scania singles but not sure. All E300s on the 28, some in a nice new yellow and brown colour scheme. Most Tridents and some single deckers were in Buses of Somerset colours and they looked good but there are too many buses in First colours and plain white though, it all seems a bit haphazard.

Heading back on the 21 provided the most consistent and uniform colour scheme with all the buses (except the one Trident) being Scanias in a specific route livery similar to the Atlantic Coasters in Cornwall. They looked in good condition and clean. My journey to Bridgwater left on time with a good load and picked up more passengers as we headed out. At Bathpool there are many new houses, a bypass and a bus gate keeping traffic down through the village. At North Petherton we incurred an unusual delay. At Taunton a carer had boarded with two disabled adults, one in a wheelchair one not. When they came to get off, the carer wheeled the man in the wheelchair off the bus and returned for the other lady. But the other lady did not want to alight and could not be persuaded. After several attempts, a couple of quick visits to reassure the man in the wheelchair on the pavement that everything was OK and apologies to the driver and passengers the carer made a phone call. The voice on the other end must have been reassuring as eventually it persuaded the lady to leave the bus and we continued on our way some 7 minutes late.

Bridgwater strikes me as a town which has grown much in excess of the ability of its road system to cope, probably not helped by Hinkley Point construction. Houses are still being built all over and there is recent industry there too. I know it has been disparaged in this column but I quite like the town centre with a good Georgian quarter round Kings Square and some nice buildings on the waterfront. Still enough light to get off at the first stop after the inner relief road and wander round the town centre, ending up at the bus station in time for the next bus to Burnham on Sea.

The bus I wanted to get back to Burnham was the one shown as diverting via Bridgwater College. The timetable at the bus station claimed this journey only ran on college days. Not according to First it doesn’t, it runs every day, it just diverts via the college on college days. It arrived – another Scania - about 5 minutes after it should have left, the driver took the fares by which time another driver had appeared and they changed over. Then he faffed around with some paperwork for a few minutes by which time we were nearly 10 minutes late leaving. Plenty aboard but not full. The traffic lights in Bridgwater are not good either, several junctions with many phases so if you just miss a green you are there for ever. So I thought we’d be very late getting back to Burnham. It was getting dark by now but then I realised that we hadn’t gone via the college at all, we were on the A38 out of town and on time! Indeed we arrived at Burnham on Sea a couple of minutes early – it was now fully dark and the town was very quiet. I have no idea why the journey did not operate the advertised route. A couple of minutes later the college day only journey starting at the college headed through, a journey which heads further up the A38 to Brent Knoll and Rooks Bridge. This was another Scania and I followed it out of the town as I set off to drive home.

So mixed feelings about Buses of Somerset. They’re no doubt doing their best on a limited budget, some buses looked smart but too many in First corporate colours or plain white. I think they are doing the right thing with the 21 being a largely uniform brand and the 28 on the way to following. I wish them luck.

Thank you for this interesting and enjoyable report. You covered a lot of my old territory, and I'm very familiar with most of the routes you mention, though oddly enough I never used the 67, until a one off occasion just a few years ago. Speaking of which, this service was the 170 back in the 90s during Badgerline days, and later became the 670 to indicate that it was a route supported by the council. Webberbus took over the route in 2009, and renumbered it 67 shortly before their demise in 2016.

I used to use the 29 fairly frequently and always liked that route and is perhaps one of the forgotten routes of our region. Haven't used it for years, though it has changed in route slightly to what I remember. The 28 too was an occasional route, one which they could never quite make up their mind on how to market it, and never seemed to have a permanent fleet for long. Glad to hear they are continuing making an effort with this service. And the 21 is a route I must try again, I might do the full 21, then change onto a 20 at Burnham, though might wait till the summer in the hope of getting an open top.

Your experiences round Windmill Hill in Glastonbury sound very familiar! Though it was the 163 which did that, the 376 never did. They always used darts, or older large buses going round, but never a B10BLE. This was because of parked cars, and supposedly the angle at which the bus turned going up the hill, the exhaust pipe would get knocked off, though don't know how true that was. This changed when the 376 became half hourly and started interworking with the 163, which led to the arrival of the 54 reg B7RLEs a few months after, which were allowed to work up Windmill Hill, despite being the same length as the B10BLEs. However the parking issue got worse, and the 163 (by now the 375) stopped serving the estate, and the 29 was rerouted there instead, and I believe it still does, along with, as you mention, the 668.

Anyway thanks again for your report, it has certainly inspired me to get back down that way at some point this year!

 

[carlberry]

A quick visit to Bath today via the Lansdown Park and Ride. Two ex Metrobus deckers in use. As usual on 'rugby' days it was full from the P&R so left people behind at most stops on the way down, not a great way of selling the service to the new estate! The TVs on the (diesel!) bus was explaining how it was one of 77 new gas buses helping to clean up Bristol and also wishing the Bath P&R customers a Merry Christmas from Metrobus!
An ambulance was stopping the Old Down P&R getting onto it's stop properly which the car drivers queuing for the car park next door were not happy about! Only one of the ex Manchester Enviro 400s appeared and I didnt see any of the Hybrids.

 

[404250]

I thought P&R wouldn't stop at normal stops, just park to centre.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I thought P&R wouldn't stop at normal stops, just park to centre.

The 31 has since the 2 to Endsleigh was withdrawn after cuts to tendered bus support

 

[carlberry]

I thought P&R wouldn't stop at normal stops, just park to centre.

The Lansdown one covers a road where the conventional service was withdrawn (and a new estate has been built).

 

[404250]

Confusing if waiting for a bus then. When do you try to flag a P&R and when don't you? I've been ignored on several P&R routes.

 

[lx12ddo]

Had a trip down to Bath and Bristol today

I got the train from Weymouth at 0644 to Bath Spa(0845) which was 158798

Then jumped on an U1 to the University which was 10168(Amazing bus)

Changed at the University for another U1 back down to the city centre which was 10179(not very healthy)

Then got on a 5 to Whiteway but got off at Bath bus depot which was 66882

Had a look from the footpath outside bath depot

Buses that I could see from the public footpath were 10036,33831,33658,35110 and 36803

Then I got on another 5 back to the Bus Station which was the lovely 66884

Then got the train to Bristol TM(800303)

Got the 8 into Bristol city centre which was 47435

Then jumped on a M1 to Cribbs causeway which was 2932

Then got on 32328 on Y6 to Southmead hospital

Then got 32625 on 24 to City centre

Then just 47435 again back to Temple Meads on the 8

Then I got a train to Bath which was a 166 on a service to Frome

Now just waiting in bath until 9pm for the train to Weymouth


Also I saw 32014 broken down with an engineer van at Bath University in the morning and 32009 broken down with an oil or coolant leak at Cribbs causeway which got towed by a truck

UPDATE 2115
Also while I was waiting for my train I got on 10178 on U1 changed then got 33840 back to the bus station on a 3

Highly surprised by the 10179 comment! Seems to be one of the plainest artics in the fleet and sounds very normal, especially compared with the roar of 10168.

Observation today - 69443 has taken some damage to the back at the bottom left. The bottom light of the three left lights was torn and sticking out with much of the panel it is attached to. By the time it left the bus station back to the depot around 230pm, it was completely gone. Fair bit of mud smeared on the left side where the bottom panels took damage.

 

[carlberry]

Confusing if waiting for a bus then. When do you try to flag a P&R and when don't you? I've been ignored on several P&R routes.

It's usually shown on the relevant bus stops (if the relevant council/operator have bothered!). It's becoming more common now as councils (understandably) stop subsidising P&Rs. The Portway P&R in Bristol is a conventional bus on quite a bit of it's route and the majority of the Salisbury ones are just part of the conventional network.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A quick visit to Bath today via the Lansdown Park and Ride. Two ex Metrobus deckers in use. As usual on 'rugby' days it was full from the P&R so left people behind at most stops on the way down, not a great way of selling the service to the new estate! The TVs on the (diesel!) bus was explaining how it was one of 77 new gas buses helping to clean up Bristol and also wishing the Bath P&R customers a Merry Christmas from Metrobus!
An ambulance was stopping the Old Down P&R getting onto it's stop properly which the car drivers queuing for the car park next door were not happy about! Only one of the ex Manchester Enviro 400s appeared and I didnt see any of the Hybrids.

just seen 39133 out on Newbridge so there’s one about

 

[Whiteway215]

The new gas buses will be out on the 17th on the 42/3/4/5 and the 6/7.

Sorry if this is a silly question but how many new gas buses will be needed to cover the 42/3/4/5 and 6/7?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sorry if this is a silly question but how many new gas buses will be needed to cover the 42/3/4/5 and 6/7?

Had a quick search on this thread and it was said that 39 would cover those and the 17. Don’t know if that’s accurate but probably not far off

 

[Whiteway215]

Had a quick search on this thread and it was said that 39 would cover those and the 17. Don’t know if that’s accurate but probably not far off

Thanks GW. That is one heck of a lot of withdrawals/cascades all at once then!

 

[freetoview33]

Thanks GW. That is one heck of a lot of withdrawals/cascades all at once then!

The rest of the Gas buses are for the 73, T1 and Y1, so yes a hell of a lot of moving around needed!

 

[DaveHarries]

The rest of the Gas buses are for the 73, T1 and Y1, so yes a hell of a lot of moving around needed!

Thanks for that info. So of the vehicles used on the 6, 7, 42-45, 73, T1 & Y1 I wonder what will become of those. I guess the ones on the 6 & 7 may get passed on elsewhere but they are rather old so may get disposed of. On the @firstbsa Twitter feed one person, in response to a news article about the introduction of these CNG buses - https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-...news/first-bristol’s-new-gas-buses-take-roads - a question has been asked when new vehicles might appear on routes 3 & 4 (Cribbs Causeway - Shirehampton - City Centre) which are my local routes and I wonder if some of the vehicles deposed from the 42-45, 73, T1 and Y1 might end up on the 3 & 4 and thereby see off the deckers currently used. The Enviro400 MMCs from the T1 & Y1 might perhaps get sent off to Bath for the X39. Who knows.

Dave

 

[freetoview33]

Thanks for that info. So of the vehicles used on the 6, 7, 42-45, 73, T1 & Y1 I wonder what will become of those. I guess the ones on the 6 & 7 may get passed on elsewhere but they are rather old so may get disposed of. On the @firstbsa Twitter feed one person, in response to a news article about the introduction of these CNG buses - https://www.firstgroup.com/bristol-bath-and-west/news-and-service-updates/news/first-bristol’s-new-gas-buses-take-roads - a question has been asked when new vehicles might appear on routes 3 & 4 (Cribbs Causeway - Shirehampton - City Centre) which are my local routes and I wonder if some of the vehicles deposed from the 42-45, 73, T1 and Y1 might end up on the 3 & 4 and thereby see off the deckers currently used. The Enviro400 MMCs from the T1 & Y1 might perhaps get sent off to Bath for the X39. Who knows.

Dave

I'm fairly sure the ALX400s from the 6 and 7 will be disposed of. Then some Geminis from the 42-45 and 73 will move onto the 3 and 4 to remove the old doubles on there, with the rest going onto other yate routes, Hengrove to see off the old rubbish there and Bath to get rid of the remaining ALX400s. With any spare over and above heading else where and hopefully to upgrade the 5 and 35.
Then what's currently on the T1 and Y1 go to Bath for the X39. Then I think we will have a fairly good fleet for a few years, when some of the older Geminis are reaching 20. So I think maybe next year we might see another gas bus order for the 1,2,48,48A and 49. So the E400mmc can head over to the 75/76, as those Geminis will need replacement.

 

[Private Baxter]

I'm fairly sure the ALX400s from the 6 and 7 will be disposed of. Then some Geminis from the 42-45 and 73 will move onto the 3 and 4 to remove the old doubles on there, with the rest going onto other yate routes, Hengrove to see off the old rubbish there and Bath to get rid of the remaining ALX400s. With any spare over and above heading else where and hopefully to upgrade the 5 and 35.
Then what's currently on the T1 and Y1 go to Bath for the X39. Then I think we will have a fairly good fleet for a few years, when some of the older Geminis are reaching 20. So I think maybe next year we might see another gas bus order for the 1,2,48,48A and 49. So the E400mmc can head over to the 75/76, as those Geminis will need replacement.

A lot of this does seem likely, although I think there will still be a place for some of the older buses with a few years left in them, I.e the darts, but we shall see. I would like to see the current T1/Y1 scanias head over to Bath for X39, as I think they are lovely buses, and very well suited, though it seems as though they are getting the metro bus ones instead but hopefully they will stay.in our region.
I think the buses currently used on 3/4 and 6/7 could go on for a couple more years, though not necessarily in our region.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A lot of this does seem likely, although I think there will still be a place for some of the older buses with a few years left in them, I.e the darts, but we shall see. I would like to see the current T1/Y1 scanias head over to Bath for X39, as I think they are lovely buses, and very well suited, though it seems as though they are getting the metro bus ones instead but hopefully they will stay.in our region.
I think the buses currently used on 3/4 and 6/7 could go on for a couple more years, though not necessarily in our region.

The ALXs in the KP51/LT52 batches were refurbished so they may have a little life left in them. Also, whilst 77 new vehicles (plus some modern cascaded e400s from Wells) is a big chunk of modernity, there’s a lot of old fleet to get rid off.

Kernow is reportedly getting a substantial number of B7TL/Geminis and if, repeat IF, they come from FWoE as has been suggested, then perhaps the 3/4 will retain its old fleet. After all, 31143/46/32225 were all repainted just a few months ago though, as has been pointed out, buses being painted in FWoE is sometimes seemingly arbitrary!

FWIW, I’m not a great fan of the dual door e400mmc. I’ve no idea if it’s something to do with length or the two doors or simply build quality but they rattle and squeak a surprising amount.

 

[BBC]

Sorry if this is a silly question but how many new gas buses will be needed to cover the 42/3/4/5 and 6/7?

38 if my memory is correct !

 

[cnjb8]

The ALXs in the KP51/LT52 batches were refurbished so they may have a little life left in them. Also, whilst 77 new vehicles (plus some modern cascaded e400s from Wells) is a big chunk of modernity, there’s a lot of old fleet to get rid off.

Kernow is reportedly getting a substantial number of B7TL/Geminis and if, repeat IF, they come from FWoE as has been suggested, then perhaps the 3/4 will retain its old fleet. After all, 31143/46/32225 were all repainted just a few months ago though, as has been pointed out, buses being painted in FWoE is sometimes seemingly arbitrary!

FWIW, I’m not a great fan of the dual door e400mmc. I’ve no idea if it’s something to do with length or the two doors or simply build quality but they rattle and squeak a surprising amount.

Apparently the Kernow Geminis will be SF54s and LK53s so wont affect plans for 3 and 4

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Apparently the Kernow Geminis will be SF54s and LK53s so wont affect plans for 3 and 4

There had been some speculation that the ex Glasgow 54 plates might in the frame.

They did repaint 32006 and Trident 33156 in Coaster livery, rather surprisingly, so you can make the argument either way...repaints prove nothing OR that there will be a mix of vehicles getting withdrawn and not necessarily restricted to vehicle/body types or age.

I'm a bit sceptical that it would be all the oldest vehicles as it seldom works out that way, and as well as Kernow, there are probably a few other OpCos that could do with a few Geminis (like Cymru).

 

[BBC]

The oldest buses at LH should be 57/58 plates soon, the plan is for all the old 32s to go with some heading to Cornwall for an easier life.