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

[freetoview33]

I drove past the entrance to the depot the otherday just as 66727 nosed out onto the Lower Bristol Road with '5 City Centre' on the front.

It did get me thinking though, could they go under the rail arch, up the High Street and then turn down Mill Lane and back under the rail arch to turn?

I did think that could be an option now.

 

[carlberry]

Haven’t seen the 41x but the others are

The 'Metrobus' 41x I saw yesterday was City Centre/Lawrence Hill

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

32073 now also seemingly back out on the road. The ticket machine for it anyway!

32288 & 32292 are also working LH routes now!

32289 is masquerading as 32073!

32289 is most definitely working the 2; saw it at Happy Landings. 32292 is providing the 177 - surprised me when I saw this morning on the A37

But... but... it's on BUSTIMES!! It must be true

Indeed. Live tracking of journeys is a benefit to the general public and for that, it is massively welcomed. However, you almost begin to wish that the vehicle ID wasn't quoted if only to avoid these incredible instances. My favourite is still when a B7LA visited Nailsea for a couple of morning journeys.... Also when one of the Airport Flyer e400s was working the A1 and the 70 at the same time - now that's tight scheduling

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I drove past the entrance to the depot the otherday just as 66727 nosed out onto the Lower Bristol Road with '5 City Centre' on the front.

It did get me thinking though, could they go under the rail arch, up the High Street and then turn down Mill Lane and back under the rail arch to turn?

Yeah, and it would give a bit more capacity to the centre of Twerton but then you have 6 mins of layover time?

 

[Tommy Walters]

32289 is masquerading as 32073!

Ah thanks! Makes total sense!

I drove past the entrance to the depot the otherday just as 66727 nosed out onto the Lower Bristol Road with '5 City Centre' on the front.

It did get me thinking though, could they go under the rail arch, up the High Street and then turn down Mill Lane and back under the rail arch to turn?

I reckon the right turn from the High Street into Mill Lane is just too tight for a 12m bus to manage safely, same story with the turn later on down Connection Road!

 

[CD]

However, you almost begin to wish that the vehicle ID wasn't quoted if only to avoid these incredible instances.

As with most things, if it looks too good to be true it probably isn't. Anyway half the network has not been reporting for over a week now.
It could be worse however, take BoS for example.

 

[freetoview33]

What do people think the future of the 9, 24A and 35 in Bristol will be?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What do people think the future of the 9, 24A and 35 in Bristol will be?

Honestly?

The 35 will probably come back at some point but not at the moment. From Marshfield and Wick, the loadings are really quite light. The only reason they were talking about deckers was that it a) removes those pesky single decks and b) when you have a morning 35 running in and a missing 43 (for instance), then it can pick up the slack. Remember that First only used an MPD, and Faresaver were happy with a Vario.

The 24A is a strange one as I've expected it to go by now anyway. The 9 is probably going to be part of the 72 changes whenever they take place. Again, the 9 is often mentioned for its critical nature and yet during the day, you'll often see it in Clifton with about 3/4 twirlies on there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As with most things, if it looks too good to be true it probably isn't. Anyway half the network has not been reporting for over a week now.
It could be worse however, take BoS for example.

Indeed, and yes, I know I'm very curmudgeonly I'm never that bothered about what bus turns up as long as something arrives. It's just me but I don't tick off buses, with my Observer Book of Dennis Darts. When I do go for a day out, I will invariably record what I travel on but in truth, I don't then worry about it. In fact, the random factor is more "exciting" - catching the 54 and instead of some mature Dart or a ropey e200, sometimes you get the high octane adrenaline rush of an e300

Given the low frequency of services, tracking is more important in many ways on BoS.

 

[henairs]

Honestly?

The 35 will probably come back at some point but not at the moment. From Marshfield and Wick, the loadings are really quite light. The only reason they were talking about deckers was that it a) removes those pesky single decks and b) when you have a morning 35 running in and a missing 43 (for instance), then it can pick up the slack. Remember that First only used an MPD, and Faresaver were happy with a Vario.

The 24A is a strange one as I've expected it to go by now anyway. The 9 is probably going to be part of the 72 changes whenever they take place. Again, the 9 is often mentioned for its critical nature and yet during the day, you'll often see it in Clifton with about 3/4 twirlies on there.

I didn't know majorettes rode on the 9 but it would make it an interesting ride I guess. Lol,

 

[henairs]

☺️ Please ignore, just a test

 

[Tommy Walters]

32289 is masquerading as 32073!

Further to this, it seems 32004 is now working out of HE. It's getting about this week, that's for sure!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I didn't know majorettes rode on the 9 but it would make it an interesting ride I guess. Lol,

No Mike - it's the 8 that goes past the (Ca)Zoo.

I'll get me coat

 

[georgeloxton02]

Further to this, it seems 32004 is now working out of HE. It's getting about this week, that's for sure!

It was seen today in Weston, I saw a post somewhere on Instagram. It was photographed this afternoon.

 

[Tommy Walters]

It was seen today in Weston, I saw a post somewhere on Instagram. It was photographed this afternoon.

I assume it's a duplicate ticket machine that's been showing on the 92 in Bristol then!

 

[swifty]

Further to this, it seems 32004 is now working out of HE. It's getting about this week, that's for sure!

Honestly, Don’t believe everything you see on Bustimes. It’s been working the 1/20 in Weston today. All the buses on the Weston 1 have apparently been working the Bristol 1 as well....

Yeah, and it would give a bit more capacity to the centre of Twerton but then you have 6 mins of layover time?

Yeah, and the building next to the bus stop behind Maccy D’s is being knocked down so not the best place for a bus to lay over at the moment.

 

[freetoview33]

Honestly?

The 35 will probably come back at some point but not at the moment. From Marshfield and Wick, the loadings are really quite light. The only reason they were talking about deckers was that it a) removes those pesky single decks and b) when you have a morning 35 running in and a missing 43 (for instance), then it can pick up the slack. Remember that First only used an MPD, and Faresaver were happy with a Vario.

The 24A is a strange one as I've expected it to go by now anyway. The 9 is probably going to be part of the 72 changes whenever they take place. Again, the 9 is often mentioned for its critical nature and yet during the day, you'll often see it in Clifton with about 3/4 twirlies on there.

9: I hope does get absorbed into a 72A, even then I don't think it is perfect solution but the best one for now.
24A: I can't see coming back.
35: I hope will come back, although I can see it being slightly different when it does.

 

[swifty]

9: I hope does get absorbed into a 72A, even then I don't think it is perfect solution but the best one for now.
24A: I can't see coming back.
35: I hope will come back, although I can see it being slightly different when it does.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 18 stays as it is working Bath - Kingswood and the 35 returns as a Marshfield - Kingswood route.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Honestly, Don’t believe everything you see on Bustimes. It’s been working the 1/20 in Weston today. All the buses on the Weston 1 have apparently been working the Bristol 1 as well....



Yeah, and the building next to the bus stop behind Maccy D’s is being knocked down so not the best place for a bus to lay over at the moment.

It was the bizarre fact that it tracked on the 92 that threw me, don't worry. I'm fully aware of all the routes showing as Bristol ones, but a closer glance shows where geographically the vehicle has tracked!

 

[Tommy Walters]

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 18 stays as it is working Bath - Kingswood and the 35 returns as a Marshfield - Kingswood route.

Only thing with the 35 is, resource-wise it would make no difference whether it was curtailed to Kingswood or not. It's only a single bus PVR whatever happens. You also have the faff of getting a driver up to Kingswood to change it over!

 

[swifty]

Only thing with the 35 is, resource-wise it would make no difference whether it was curtailed to Kingswood or not. It's only a single bus PVR whatever happens. You also have the faff of getting a driver up to Kingswood to change it over!

Its not too bad to change over as they can shotgun up to Kingswood from LH.

However, having checked the timetable, although you could double the frequency between Marshfield and Kingswood, you wouldn’t be able to do it on a clock face timetable in under an hour for a round trip.

 

[CD]

Indeed, and yes, I know I'm very curmudgeonly I'm never that bothered about what bus turns up as long as something arrives. It's just me but I don't tick off buses, with my Observer Book of Dennis Darts. When I do go for a day out, I will invariably record what I travel on but in truth, I don't then worry about it. In fact, the random factor is more "exciting" - catching the 54 and instead of some mature Dart or a ropey e200, sometimes you get the high octane adrenaline rush of an e300

Given the low frequency of services, tracking is more important in many ways on BoS.

Everyone to their own.
In the past I have made 3 trips to Weston-Super-Mare just to get a ride on one particular vehicle, before finally getting it.
Over the last 17 years I have travelled on every FSA/FWOE vehicle in the fleet on several occasions. But it never lasts long as other vehicles arrive to chase after. But what with Covid and the arrival of the gas buses and ex Bolton vehicles I am now lagging well behind. So that is why the tracker is useful, rather than going blind as we used to do.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Everyone to their own.
In the past I have made 3 trips to Weston-Super-Mare just to get a ride on one particular vehicle, before finally getting it.
Over the last 17 years I have travelled on every FSA/FWOE vehicle in the fleet on several occasions. But it never lasts long as other vehicles arrive to chase after. But what with Covid and the arrival of the gas buses and ex Bolton vehicles I am now lagging well behind. So that is why the tracker is useful, rather than going blind as we used to do.

Indeed - it is a personal thing. For the very reason you mention (i.e. three trips to Weston for one elusive vehicle), that's why I've never been too concerned with the vehicle IDs. Don't get me wrong; there are certain types that I prefer but for me, it's the scenery and I am more inclined to want to travel a particular service rather than a particular vehicle. Disappointed that I never did the Wivey to Wellington service when First had it or the Martock to Taunton type routes.

 

[Streamr_MXP]

Does anyone know what is going to happen with route 177? Is it going to carry on with it's 3 or 4 runs a day timetable, or will it return to once a day in each direction? Also will it stay as a double decker route? As I travelled on a B7TL ALX400 on the route yesterday, and we didn't top 10 passengers, and I've found myself being the only passenger a few times. Maybe the conversion back to singles would be more appropriate, with something like 69448, to allow an extra double to go elsewhere?

 

[Buses in Bath]

Only thing with the 35 is, resource-wise it would make no difference whether it was curtailed to Kingswood or not. It's only a single bus PVR whatever happens. You also have the faff of getting a driver up to Kingswood to change it over!

Its not too bad to change over as they can shotgun up to Kingswood from LH.

However, having checked the timetable, although you could double the frequency between Marshfield and Kingswood, you wouldn’t be able to do it on a clock face timetable in under an hour for a round trip.

If they keep the 18 between Bath and Kingswood though then the 18 and 35 could interwork or something along those lines.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Does anyone know what is going to happen with route 177? Is it going to carry on with it's 3 or 4 runs a day timetable, or will it return to once a day in each direction? Also will it stay as a double decker route? As I travelled on a B7TL ALX400 on the route yesterday, and we didn't top 10 passengers, and I've found myself being the only passenger a few times. Maybe the conversion back to singles would be more appropriate, with something like 69448, to allow an extra double to go elsewhere?

The 177 returning as it has is a bit of a strange one given that it is supposed to give additional capacity to the 178. It really is impossible to say what will happen in the longer term. It is there to provide additional capacity to the 178 mainly but with likely moves to reduce the guidance on social distancing, it might be well go soon anyway.

Remember that in normal times, it only runs with support from BaNES as a tepid replacement for the old 379, and that route only ran thanks to s106 funding courtesy of the developer (Bovis?) at Paulton. Also, in normal times, the 177 really only needs a single decker; by the time it reaches Hallatrow from Bristol, you're only talking about 10 passengers if that.

Might also link into your experience yesterday as to how many of the passengers could have been taken by the 376?

Its not too bad to change over as they can shotgun up to Kingswood from LH.

However, having checked the timetable, although you could double the frequency between Marshfield and Kingswood, you wouldn’t be able to do it on a clock face timetable in under an hour for a round trip.

I don't think there's much requirement/demand to increase the frequency to Marshfield. Tbh, if they were to truncate it, you could see it being tagged onto something like the 86. Wouldn't please the few commuters each day who travel into the centre of Bristol though. If you want a good idea of the peak traffic between Kingswood and Marshfield, this is a clue (though in fairness, it was the Friday before Christmas apparently) https://www.flickr.com/photos/77751...photolist-FBUKaD-QLjEjX-juSiJa-Cz7NdL-2h3T1BG

 

[freetoview33]

If they keep the 18 between Bath and Kingswood though then the 18 and 35 could interwork or something along those lines.

It still wouldn't save any buses interworking the 18 and 35.

 

[father_jack]

24A: I can't see coming back.

Isn't it necessary though because of the low bridge ? How is it being covered at present with deckers on the 24 ?

 

[freetoview33]

Isn't it necessary though because of the low bridge ? How is it being covered at present with deckers on the 24 ?

The 24 is currently on it's full route using Brookgate which avoids the bridge but is a longer route and a few stops in Ashton aren't served.

 

[father_jack]

The 24 is currently on it's full route using Brookgate which avoids the bridge but is a longer route and a few stops in Ashton aren't served.

Thank you for that info. Local councillor on Evening P*sspoor soon then, "ELDERLY LOCKED IN THEIR HOUSES BY FIRSTBUS"........