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

[Class 33]

Changes on DVSA
Variation: 17, 39, 39X, 126, U1/U3, 5 (Weston), A3, X3/X3X/X3A, 48/48A/49/X49, 1 (Weston), 7 (Weston), M3/M3X, Portway P&R, 8/9, D1, 20 (Weston), X1/X1X/X2, 70/71, U2/R2, 3 (Weston), D2/D2X
Cancelled: D3

Suggests the X39 might become the 39X (For the relaunch)
SB1 has been Cancelled and Reregistered for some reason
D2X sounds like a faster Frome service.

Thought there was supposed to be a new 2A service from April?

The 8/9 changes. Well as usual that will probably just mean an increase in frequency to the 8 as usual for the summer months. But as usual there will probably be no actual changes atall to the 9.

The X39 becoming the 39X. Well that just doesn't roll off the tongue as well as the X39!

70 & 71 with a decrease in frequency during the summer months as usual. This will mean even longer gaps on the 70 series services between Centre and Zetland Road Junction/Cromwell Road Arches to what it is now.

As someone else mentioned, all these country bus service renumberings lately have become a bit of a mess. Personally I think they should go back to similar to how they were. With services number in the 100 and 300 series for normal country bus services, and services with an X prefix for faster limited stop services.

 

[-Colly405-]

But as usual there will probably be no actual changes atall to the 9.

As there are (significant?) changes to the 9/72 planned for September, I can't see them wanting to mess with the 9 now.

 

[-Colly405-]

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/bus/search/?text[search]=First west of England&filter[trafficArea]=&filter[busRegStatus]=Variation&search=First west of England&searchBy=&security=acbfa176ad8159d0fbfa6c9db09726e4-08775119d162533bf2ea3fd18e8b0881

Now, call me thick, but that page just lists all the registrations in a seemingly random order. How do you (quickly) see recent changes without opening each potentially relevant item? Without, of course, waiting for it to be on the VOSA changes page...

 

[D2007wsm]

In Weston news, Coaster Trident 33156 has been off for 3 weeks with a knackered gearbox, is now in 'naughty corner' and could well be terminal. Open top Coaster 32001 came back to Weston last week, presumably being prepared for service. The Sand Bay service has been Streetxxxtes since the demise of 33156 but is now getting busy (Pontins crowd?) and 32222 was on yesterday with one journey I travelled on carrying at least 50 passengers so does need a decker. Meanwhile Coaster 32006 is out almost every day on Service 20 - long may it continue!

I would imagine FWE aren't going to spend much on an injured Trident. I can't see many of the FWE Tridents lasting much longer.
However with all the Geminis heading to Cornwall many of which are said to be Trident replacements, it would be ironical if the Hengrove Tridents outlived those with FSW!

I have heard reports from Weston drivers today it has been withdrawn. Something will have to be found to replace it.

There’s going to be even more chaos on the roads around Bristol city centre tomorrow. There is a climate change protest event taking place with bus services on diversion. First WoE putting out information on Twitter and its website.

There is likely to be significant disruption tomorrow from 09:00 when the roads close. The 5, T1 and Y1 will be terminating at and departing from the Bus Station.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Suggests the X39 might become the 39X (For the relaunch)
SB1 has been Cancelled and Reregistered for some reason
D2X sounds like a faster Frome service.

39X? To me that sounds like its an extention of the 39 which it clearly isn't.

I think the trend is becoming clear. X1X, X3X and now 39X. An X prefix hasn't necessarily meant fast in FWoE land since the North Somerset branding.

Personally I think the Excel services should be lumped with an E number instead of an X, at least it'd clear up some confusion over express services. I can't see Faresaver renumbering their X31, X34, X67 and X72 as 31X, 34X, 67X and 72X to blend in with FWoE's numbering.

Wondering about D2X, thinking this could either be a placement journey, or a peak only service.

Isn't the D2 worked from the Westbury outstation? If its a placement journey it'd run from Westbury to Frome and vice versa, if its a peak time express could it be two journey's one each way Monday to Friday?

 

[lx12ddo]

Well today saw all six of the working purple UniBus B7LAs in operation at some point on the U1 or U3 - 10036, 10175-179! 176 returned from the dead (probably at the back of the depot, tucked away), 175 had its second day out in a row after a long VOR period too (although it barely survived into late morning), 178 appeared later in the day and 179 did the usual 1011 board in the morning. 036 and 177 pulling all-day stints.


175 and 176 are very much worth chasing, should they appear tomorrow and again next week. Highly recommend, before we jinx their demise... And on top of this, all six of the ex-Aberdeen artics were out too!

 

[wiltshirebloke]

As others have said, i think with the introduction of Y1, X1, D1 etc, it's making more sense to put the X at the end keeping the commonality , otherwise you'd end up with XY1, XD1 and XX1

One of the side effects to moving to a letter based system it seems!

 

[Tommy Walters]

Quick question regarding the bridge at Willsbridge - can ADL MMCs get under it? The school 37A is usually worked by a Bath Uni liveried example, and I was under the impression these were high-height! Has the road there been lowered slightly recently?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Quick question regarding the bridge at Willsbridge - can ADL MMCs get under it? The school 37A is usually worked by a Bath Uni liveried example, and I was under the impression these were high-height! Has the road there been lowered slightly recently?

The limit is 14'3 and the signage has been there for about 10 years when it was changed from a warning to a mandatory height restriction https://www.flickr.com/photos/77751183@N07/14145601334/in/photolist-DFHtY3-M2yDcm-nxZUsb-TLEqw7

That might mean the e400mmcs just under the limit whilst a Gemini would be too high

 

[Private Baxter]

As predicted by several people on here, barbie livery B7RLEs at LH are to be converted to training buses, which is a good use for them, even if they do have a few years of service left in them. I gather their withdrawal is largely to do with emissions targets, but I remember when they were launched in late 2004, they were heralded as the greenest, and most environmentally friendly buses yet. New technology has built upon this with each new delivery since. How times change!
Wonder what will be happening with 66722/7 as they are due to be replaced on Bath's 5 soon.

 

[carlberry]

As predicted by several people on here, barbie livery B7RLEs at LH are to be converted to training buses, which is a good use for them, even if they do have a few years of service left in them. I gather their withdrawal is largely to do with emissions targets, but I remember when they were launched in late 2004, they were heralded as the greenest, and most environmentally friendly buses yet. New technology has built upon this with each new delivery since. How times change!
Wonder what will be happening with 66722/7 as they are due to be replaced on Bath's 5 soon.

I suspect a none LEZ compliant trainer is going to be an annoyance even if it's possible to get around the issue by nicking a main fleet vehicle if the test routes enter the LEZ.

 

[BBC]

The old 17 buses are off to Cornwall soon, sad as they where nice buses to drive.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As predicted by several people on here, barbie livery B7RLEs at LH are to be converted to training buses, which is a good use for them, even if they do have a few years of service left in them. I gather their withdrawal is largely to do with emissions targets, but I remember when they were launched in late 2004, they were heralded as the greenest, and most environmentally friendly buses yet. New technology has built upon this with each new delivery since. How times change!
Wonder what will be happening with 66722/7 as they are due to be replaced on Bath's 5 soon.

Indeed they were at the time.

Had journeys on 66939 and 66942 and was impressed just how well they had stood up to the rigours of operation over the years.

 

[Tommy Walters]

The limit is 14'3 and the signage has been there for about 10 years when it was changed from a warning to a mandatory height restriction https://www.flickr.com/photos/77751183@N07/14145601334/in/photolist-DFHtY3-M2yDcm-nxZUsb-TLEqw7

That might mean the e400mmcs just under the limit whilst a Gemini would be too high

Thanks for clarifying that! The MMCs are 14'3, so makes much more sense! Highly unlikely to happen, but means a 1/2 or 48/49 vehicle could be used on the 37 if necessary!

Fun fact about bridge heights, the bridge on Oldfield Park at the end of the U1/3 loop is 13'3 according to the signs. The council lowered the road there a few years back but forgot to change any signage! This is why only bendis and singles were used on the 18/U1 until relatively recently!

 

[Whiteway215]

10175 and 10176 still surviving on U1 this afternoon

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

10175 and 10176 still surviving on U1 this afternoon

With the news that the Citaro artics spare in York are heading to Aberdeen, looks like some B7LAs may have to struggle on for a little while yet?

 

[Whiteway215]

With the news that the Citaro artics spare in York are heading to Aberdeen, looks like some B7LAs may have to struggle on for a little while yet?

Yes at least that's one thing settled (York bendis not coming to Bath)
Am I correct in assuming the existing Bath artics are too old to be made compliant for the Bath LEZ? If so they will have to be replaced by something before November 2020.

 

[swifty]

I suspect a none LEZ compliant trainer is going to be an annoyance even if it's possible to get around the issue by nicking a main fleet vehicle if the test routes enter the LEZ.

I’m lead to believe the reason a lot of the Euro 3 05/55 reg Eclipses across first are being converted to DTVs is because they can be modified to meet Euro 6 standards.

 

[Whiteway215]

In Weston news, Coaster Trident 33156 has been off for 3 weeks with a knackered gearbox, is now in 'naughty corner' and could well be terminal. Open top Coaster 32001 came back to Weston last week, presumably being prepared for service. The Sand Bay service has been Streetxxxtes since the demise of 33156 but is now getting busy (Pontins crowd?) and 32222 was on yesterday with one journey I travelled on carrying at least 50 passengers so does need a decker. Meanwhile Coaster 32006 is out almost every day on Service 20 - long may it continue!

I had noticed how 32006 had consistently run on the 20.
Only my personal view but I was very impressed that yesterday 28th all of Bath's contingent 32003/4/7/8/9/14/15 were shown on Bustimes as out on service.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Two Darts on the 37/178 today - 42896 & 5-liveried 42965! The latter replacing a faulty Streetlite it seems!

 

[Tommy Walters]

Some form of incident in Bath City Centre involving 33840. Fear from the emergency services in attendance that somebody may have been knocked over. All cleared now, but briefly caused some disruption. Thoughts as ever, with those involved.

 

[B7rleThrasher]

Buses of Somerset route cuts:

29 Taunton-Wells
99 Taunton-Chard
F Bridgwater Town
19 Bridgwater - Greinton

 

[Whiteway215]

Was it only 32084 and 69253 that were reinstated after the First Bristol mid-February withdrawals?

 

[CD]

The old 17 buses are off to Cornwall soon, sad as they where nice buses to drive.

On First Kernow Facebook they say 32636/37/38/87 37012/13 are now awaiting collection from LH.

 

[Streamr_MXP]

Hello all, haven't spoke on here in a while. Does anybody know of what has happened to First Wells' (MendipXplorer) WX59 BYO 69437. I haven't seen it since the 14th of December. It would be nice to know

 

[CD]

Hello all, haven't spoke on here in a while. Does anybody know of what has happened to First Wells' (MendipXplorer) WX59 BYO 69437. I haven't seen it since the 14th of December. It would be nice to know

Exactly what I've been wondering, having not seen it since early December.

 

[Whiteway215]

I’ve just read a letter in ‘The Week in East Bristol & North East Somerset’ paper from a First Bath Operations Manager. It states that regarding the 18 and 19 a more modern fleet will be introduced in the coming months, which will be to the latest emission standards which will improve reliability.

 

[Buses in Bath]

I’ve just read a letter in ‘The Week in East Bristol & North East Somerset’ paper from a First Bath Operations Manager. It states that regarding the 18 and 19 a more modern fleet will be introduced in the coming months, which will be to the latest emission standards which will improve reliability.

I think that just means that they are replacing the B7TLs with B9TLs

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think that just means that they are replacing the B7TLs with B9TLs

That was my thought except had it been said that the newly upgraded X39 fleet was heading to the 24?

 

[BBC]

Still no sign of the 6/7 getting there gas buses, already two weeks over due !