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

[ValleyLines142]

Off the road at the moment following an engine fire

Didn't know that - thank you.

 

[D2007wsm]

As seen here

https://flic.kr/p/2itcJ84

That is a different picture to what I saw, that pictured showed one yet to leave the actual factory.

 

[Class 33]

I'd argue that the 75/76 doesn't work! Most of the time there are 2 at once then a half hour gap. The 1 and 2 are both timed to run together again too!

Yes the 75 & 76 nowadays isn't that good really. Indeed, all the services serving Gloucester Road isn't that good nowadays really. It's definitely gone downhill. As I mentioned before, quite often when I'm waiting for ANY service between Zetland Road Junction(or the 70 stop Cromwell Road Arches) and Haymarket in either direction I'm having to wait 10 to 15 minutes or so for a bus to turn up! 17 minutes I had to wait for a bus the other day! Ridiculous! And then quite often 2 or 3 or even 4 buses turn up all at once! OR when a bus does turn up, another bus is someway behind and so the bus I'm on stops at every bus stop with waiting passengers and the bus gets absolutely rammed pack, because there's no other buses overtaking that one!

Some years ago I remember when you never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus going up or down Gloucester Road! And when you were on a bus you'd always see a number of other buses overtaking the one you're on. Because the combined service frequency was so frequent and so much better than it is nowadays!

First Bristol definitely need to take a look at the services serving Gloucester Road and make some improvements!

 

[ValleyLines142]

Yes the 75 & 76 nowadays isn't that good really. Indeed, all the services serving Gloucester Road isn't that good nowadays really. It's definitely gone downhill. As I mentioned before, quite often when I'm waiting for ANY service between Zetland Road Junction(or the 70 stop Cromwell Road Arches) and Haymarket in either direction I'm having to wait 10 to 15 minutes or so for a bus to turn up! 17 minutes I had to wait for a bus the other day! Ridiculous! And then quite often 2 or 3 or even 4 buses turn up all at once! OR when a bus does turn up, another bus is someway behind and so the bus I'm on stops at every bus stop with waiting passengers and the bus gets absolutely rammed pack, because there's no other buses overtaking that one!

Some years ago I remember when you never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus going up or down Gloucester Road! And when you were on a bus you'd always see a number of other buses overtaking the one you're on. Because the combined service frequency was so frequent and so much better than it is nowadays!

First Bristol definitely need to take a look at the services serving Gloucester Road and make some improvements!

Believe me it's still frequent enough (70, 71, 73, 75, 76). Compare that to UWE to Parkway where there is literally the 18/19 (and the 77/625 but obviously Stagecoach) when there used to be the old 18, 19, 81, 83, X5 and the X18!

 

[carlberry]

Believe me it's still frequent enough (70, 71, 73, 75, 76). Compare that to UWE to Parkway where there is literally the 18/19 (and the 77/625 but obviously Stagecoach) when there used to be the old 18, 19, 81, 83, X5 and the X18!

One is a main road with commercial services however, the other is a minor suburban flow that used to have a lot of council contracted services.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Believe me it's still frequent enough (70, 71, 73, 75, 76). Compare that to UWE to Parkway where there is literally the 18/19 (and the 77/625 but obviously Stagecoach) when there used to be the old 18, 19, 81, 83, X5 and the X18!

At least there's the prospect of an improvement when Metrobus to Cribbs via Parkway eventually starts up.

 

[Martin2012]

Does anyone know whether the 35 will benefit from the new gas buses too?

 

[Private Baxter]

Does anyone know whether the 35 will benefit from the new gas buses too?

No. It is the 6, 7, 17, 42-45, 73, T1, and Y1. The 35 would probably be the last service to a) get upgraded to deckers, and b) benefit from a brand new fleet

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Does anyone know whether the 35 will benefit from the new gas buses too?

I doubt a lightly loaded tendered service is going to get gas buses. However, probably needs to get some 64 plate Streetlite for it

 

[devonexpress]

I’d like to see Cardiff City winning the FA Cup but it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. There’s a reason why cross city services are either tendered or withdrawn - not enough people use them.

Fair point, but are they timed right, are the stopping where people actually want them or need them to go. Technically there are already cross city services in Bristol but most of them go via Centre

 

[BBC]

Does anyone know whether the 35 will benefit from the new gas buses too?

The 35 was supposed to go fully decker about a year ago and that lasted about 3 days ! I’d say a 57/8 plate B9 is the best you can hope for if it ever goes decker again.

 

[BBC]

Yes the 75 & 76 nowadays isn't that good really. Indeed, all the services serving Gloucester Road isn't that good nowadays really. It's definitely gone downhill. As I mentioned before, quite often when I'm waiting for ANY service between Zetland Road Junction(or the 70 stop Cromwell Road Arches) and Haymarket in either direction I'm having to wait 10 to 15 minutes or so for a bus to turn up! 17 minutes I had to wait for a bus the other day! Ridiculous! And then quite often 2 or 3 or even 4 buses turn up all at once! OR when a bus does turn up, another bus is someway behind and so the bus I'm on stops at every bus stop with waiting passengers and the bus gets absolutely rammed pack, because there's no other buses overtaking that one!

Some years ago I remember when you never had to wait more than a few minutes for a bus going up or down Gloucester Road! And when you were on a bus you'd always see a number of other buses overtaking the one you're on. Because the combined service frequency was so frequent and so much better than it is nowadays!

First Bristol definitely need to take a look at the services serving Gloucester Road and make some improvements!

The issue is you’ll have a 75,73 and a 71 basically going up together then a 10 minute gap till the 76 ! The timetable definitely needs looking at across the 70 routes.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Believe me it's still frequent enough (70, 71, 73, 75, 76). Compare that to UWE to Parkway where there is literally the 18/19 (and the 77/625 but obviously Stagecoach) when there used to be the old 18, 19, 81, 83, X5 and the X18!

Perhaps it's because the demand isn't there?

Fair point, but are they timed right, are the stopping where people actually want them or need them to go. Technically there are already cross city services in Bristol but most of them go via Centre

Don't know what you mean? If they don't go via the Centre, where would you expect them to go?

 

[Private Baxter]

If it was me i'd look at creating a few new routes to become cross city services, avoiding the city centre, by judging the demand on the busiest routes where journey times could be cut significantly by avoid the city centre.

I'd also like to see a Bristol & Bath smart card which could be used on all bus operators and the railways for shorter journeys. I'd also like to see the 5 upgraded to every 20 minutes rather than the current 30 which often leads to it getting extremely busy very quickly. I'd also like to see the introduction of more X49s throughout the day, especially on Saturdays where the 48/49s get almost full with most people going to the city centre.

I had always defined cross city services as those which do north to south, or east to west via the city centre, of which the 1, 2, 75, and 76 are examples, and I suppose the 24 as well, though that is a bit of an odd one. Kind of operates in a horse shoe but not sure which geographical category it would fit into!
Those which do not serve the centre can be a bit hot and miss. The 17 and Y6 are Bristol's examples, and whilst both do a good trade, neither tend to get over loaded very often. Remember not too long ago we had the 16, 18, and X18, which despite First's best efforts, couldn't make them work, and now none of them opeate

 

[Private Baxter]

Citylines West - there aren't really any services this could apply to!

The 3 and the 24, but the two routes have nothing in common, and both could fit well elsewhere.

 

[carlberry]

Perhaps it's because the demand isn't there?



Don't know what you mean? If they don't go via the Centre, where would you expect them to go?

I believe the original comment came from the suggestion of more radial (cross city) routes, i.e. not touching the city centre which have historically been low frequency or subsidised.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I believe the original comment came from the suggestion of more radial (cross city) routes, i.e. not touching the city centre which have historically been low frequency or subsidised.

It’s been a pattern evident for several years. First did register a number of North Bristol routes that were tendered like the 517/518, 581 etc. Granted it was doubtful if they were sustainable and it was to undermine Wessex. Even routes like the 19 and 36 have declined.

Having orbital routes is a nice to have but suspect that they’re going to be supported whatever.

 

[Whiteway215]

On a day of reallocations, 32004 and 32008 are on Bath depot and 32009 and 32098 entered the depot in convoy from the Bristol direction. 66885 is another engine fire victim.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

On a day of reallocations, 32004 and 32008 are on Bath depot and 32009 and 32098 entered the depot in convoy from the Bristol direction. 66885 is another engine fire victim.

I did wonder if my sighting of 30877 on Court Road on a 42 yesterday might be it's last day but it's still about according to bus times

Another thought.... 32008/9 have had spells at Bath depot (and 32009 was also at Hengrove for a few months). However, I think 32004 may have been at LH since delivery in May 2000.

 

[Tommy Walters]

I did wonder if my sighting of 30877 on Court Road on a 42 yesterday might be it's last day but it's still about according to bus times

Another thought.... 32008/9 have had spells at Bath depot (and 32009 was also at Hengrove for a few months). However, I think 32004 may have been at LH since delivery in May 2000.

As far as I'm aware, 004 is the only one to not have been relocated in its career (until today). Not sure what Bath want to do with 32098 (unless it's a direct replacement for withdrawn sister 099?).

 

[Whiteway215]

I

As far as I'm aware, 004 is the only one to not have been relocated in its career (until today). Not sure what Bath want to do with 32098 (unless it's a direct replacement for withdrawn sister 099?).

I don't know why Bath are getting all these oldies, presumably to replace something. No doubt Steve's listing will tell us soon.

 

[Tommy Walters]

I

I don't know why Bath are getting all these oldies, presumably to replace something. No doubt Steve's listing will tell us soon.

Seems complex, but it could be to do with releasing the Streetdecks off the P&R back to LH. To replace them, they'll need all the X39 Scanias to be out on those services instead of bolstering the uni ones. Given the similarity to the existing fleet, 32004/8/9 may well then be used mainly on the U2. But this is Bath's allocators we're talking about!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I

I don't know why Bath are getting all these oldies, presumably to replace something. No doubt Steve's listing will tell us soon.

Seems complex, but it could be to do with releasing the Streetdecks off the P&R back to LH. To replace them, they'll need all the X39 Scanias to be out on those services instead of bolstering the uni ones. Given the similarity to the existing fleet, 32004/8/9 may well then be used mainly on the U2. But this is Bath's allocators we're talking about!

Indeed, it will be interesting to see what Steve can share.

I'd not be shocked to see these old ones out on the 18/19 - 32008/9 were a common sight on there. Might the old ones be there to release some B7TL/Geminis for a life elsewhere? The dual door Scanias are doubtless going to appear on the X39 soon (given that repainting is being done quickly) so would the Streetdecks head back just yet?

One of those days of many moves!!!

 

[spw24]

I'm interested as well the Streetdecks will probably go to Hengrove but I think this will be when the Enviro,s are back in service, hopefully Ill see what's gone from LH tomorrow morning other than the B7s going to Cornwall except 37003-7 I think these may go to Essex instead.
We will probably lose the rest of the Scania,s for repaint and transfer to Bath so more B9s may be on the T1,Y1 until our new buses arrive.
Looks like an interesting couple of weeks ahead Bus times will be worth watching as well.

 

[CD]

Indeed, it will be interesting to see what Steve can share.

I'd not be shocked to see these old ones out on the 18/19 - 32008/9 were a common sight on there. Might the old ones be there to release some B7TL/Geminis for a life elsewhere? The dual door Scanias are doubtless going to appear on the X39 soon (given that repainting is being done quickly) so would the Streetdecks head back just yet?

One of those days of many moves!!!

Also relating to Bath, 33857 arrived in Wells last night. I believe the first of the ex Bolton E400s to be seen there. Whether its a loan or the first of the expected transfers we will see.

 

[Whiteway215]

Only a suggestion but perhaps Bath are getting a few oldies to bolster the allocation because of VORs/fire victims/bridge bashes/blown engines have resulted in a vehicle shortage. Perhaps the 32xxx would have been withdrawn but have been given a short reprieve. Just a thought.
44521 now has a its rear covered by an advert but it was too fast for me to see what the advert was.

Pleased to see 30875 (blown engine) has a windscreen notice 'Library Bus-do not remove parts.'

 

[Private Baxter]

I saw one of the WX05 dockers on the 73 just now, so presumably three have gone from BH to LH

 

[Tommy Walters]

Only a suggestion but perhaps Bath are getting a few oldies to bolster the allocation because of VORs/fire victims/bridge bashes/blown engines have resulted in a vehicle shortage. Perhaps the 32xxx would have been withdrawn but have been given a short reprieve. Just a thought.
44521 now has a its rear covered by an advert but it was too fast for me to see what the advert was.

Pleased to see 30875 (blown engine) has a windscreen notice 'Library Bus-do not remove parts.'

I think this could be the case as well. There are around 10 vehicles at BH which have either been withdrawn recently or are long term VOR! The other theory I had in mind could be the ex-Glasgow Geminis heading off elsewhere.

44521 carries a rear advert for "Romans". An estate agent.

 

[Tommy Walters]

I saw one of the WX05 dockers on the 73 just now, so presumably three have gone from BH to LH

All 3 of 32636-8 went from BH-LH at the start of the new year. 636 has since come back however!

 

[Private Baxter]

With Bath singles dropping like flies, I'm glad 66732 has been revived and pressed into service!