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

[TheGrandWazoo]

The drivers on the A3 route already did work other than the A3. They were on a separate rota but were on the same contract and pay rate as the rest of the Weston drivers. As well as A3s they regularly did the Weston 3 and when on a spare week, could do anything. They were not given the choice, they were just given normal duties.

The A1 drivers however, were on different contracts and pay rate to the rest of Hengrove and A1s were all they did. So these drivers have been given the choice to go onto city work.

I do not know whether the A1 Scania E400s and the A3 E200MMCs are able to be redeployed elsewhere. The A1 deckers in particular would be very useful elsewhere and a perfect addition to the X1 and X1x lol

I'm not surprised the A3 drivers weren't entirely separate (T&Cs) but that the A1 are. If services are suspended til April, it's either redeployment or redundancy for both the First drivers but also those working for the Airport on shuttles. It's a very sensible, enlightened approach from all parties. Will be a bit different for the Airport's own drivers, grinding around Bemmie in a B9 and handling fares rather than ferrying holidaymakers in a Citaro artic?

Hope the AF buses do get a run out.... Not had a trip on one.

 

[Tommy Walters]

The tracker seems to be behaving itself in Bath, Weston & Wells now! An unusual spot I noticed was 44525 on the Bath 2. Never seen a 62-plate E200 on that before!

 

[Whiteway215]

The tracker seems to be behaving itself in Bath, Weston & Wells now! An unusual spot I noticed was 44525 on the Bath 2. Never seen a 62-plate E200 on that before!

Just wandered up to look out for 44525. Definitely running on the 2 and it seemed to womble it’s way through old Combe Down village with no problem. I don’t know what the length is compared to its companion 53851, the other one running on the 2 this evening.

 

[Tommy Walters]

Has something kicked off in the Norton/Radstock area? Loads of the buses on the 172/3/4 are running very late!

 

[CD]

Has something kicked off in the Norton/Radstock area? Loads of the buses on the 172/3/4 are running very late!

Roadworks North of Radstock.

 

[DaveHarries]

The tracker seems to be behaving itself in Bath, Weston & Wells now! An unusual spot I noticed was 44525 on the Bath 2. Never seen a 62-plate E200 on that before!

Although not related to FirstGroup (sorry!) the tracker on the same site was behaving very oddly in respect of Stagecoach SW 10452 not very long ago: this surfaced on 16th July:



Dave

 

[henairs]

Although not related to FirstGroup (sorry!) the tracker on the same site was behaving very oddly in respect of Stagecoach SW 10452 not very long ago: this surfaced on 16th July:

View attachment 80920

Dave

Hi Dave,
Think it's a trial run for the winter season park and row service. We could do with that down on the moors here in Somerset if we get a wet one this winter,
Mike R

 

[Tommy Walters]

Anyone know why hardly any of the gas buses are out today? Only a handful of SGL, 73 & the usual pair on the m3 are being used!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

47555 on the 174 today. Interesting substitution

 

[Nailseabus]

The end for 32253 as it leaves Bristol for the last time today?

 

[freetoview33]

The end for 32253 as it leaves Bristol for the last time today?View attachment 81000

It's going onward for sure!

 

[spw24]

Im glad you caught this I saw it on Bond St from a distance but couldn't see which vehicle it was.
32074 and 32252 have gone from LH recently.

 

[Whiteway215]

It looks as though Ensign are the dealers who are now taking quite a few redundant buses from FWE. Some have already been removed from Bath depot. Steve reports 32090 has gone for scrap from Bath and although no disposal is known it may have also gone to Ensign.Edit. Steve has also added 32074 and 32252 so probably to Ensign as well??

 

[Volvodart]

Most are just going to Ensign for parts removal and then scrap, apart from the odd exception for resale.

 

[Tommy Walters]

69444 seems to have had an absolutely abysmal day on the 126, running as much as an hour late at times! The other vehicle 66720 was also running up to 20 late at times! Roadworks on the A371 as well? Wells drivers must be stressed at the moment!

 

[AB93]

69444 seems to have had an absolutely abysmal day on the 126, running as much as an hour late at times! The other vehicle 66720 was also running up to 20 late at times! Roadworks on the A371 as well? Wells drivers must be stressed at the moment!

That’s basically on time compared to the nightmare Weston has faced today!

 

[Marcus Fryer]

69444 seems to have had an absolutely abysmal day on the 126, running as much as an hour late at times! The other vehicle 66720 was also running up to 20 late at times! Roadworks on the A371 as well? Wells drivers must be stressed at the moment!

Southbound M5 closed between J18 and J21 for most of the day due to killing of a pedestrian.

 

[Tommy Walters]

That’s basically on time compared to the nightmare Weston has faced today!

I take that all back! Yikes!

Think the 0855 X1 from Bristol was the worst. Didn't reach Weston until quarter to 4! That's nearly 6 hours late!

Southbound M5 closed between J18 and J21 for most of the day due to killing of a pedestrian.

Makes sense now. Thoughts as ever, with those involved.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It looks as though Ensign are the dealers who are now taking quite a few redundant buses from FWE. Some have already been removed from Bath depot. Steve reports 32090 has gone for scrap from Bath and although no disposal is known it may have also gone to Ensign.Edit. Steve has also added 32074 and 32252 so probably to Ensign as well??

Was in Westbury this morning as the house taxi service and still some deckers in the old outstation

 

[father_jack]

It's going onward for sure!

I see your irony !!
Nice new "wrecker" mind you.

 

[father_jack]

Think the 0855 X1 from Bristol was the worst. Didn't reach Weston until quarter to 4! That's nearly 6 hours late!

.

Is that the truth or from a tracker ?

 

[AB93]

Is that the truth or from a tracker ?

Both.

The 07.25 X5 from Portishead reached Weston only at 15.10, six and a half hours late.

 

[swifty]

Both.

The 07.25 X5 from Portishead reached Weston only at 15.10, six and a half hours late.

Out of interest how did you manage operationally yesterday? Was it a case of slotting in extra buses or does it reach a point where you’re fighting a loosing battle?

 

[Whiteway215]

B&NES Council have reported that in their dealings/negotiations with the Government they have been instructed the Clean Air Zone must be implemented by the end of next year.

 

[diffywood]

August 2nd changes now starting to appear including the 2a route

Coronavirus - COVID19: Service information | Bristol, Bath and the West | First Bus

At First Bus your safety and comfort on board are our priority. As the government restrictions ease you will notice that more people are travelling and coming together safely. This means that places and buses are busier than they have been; so once you board, you might find you have to sit next...

www.firstgroup.com

 

[Streamr_MXP]

Due to an accident in Dulcote, 33836 has had to go on a weird route for some unknown reason. (I think the driver got lost).
Pictured here on Redfield road just a few minutes ago, after coming from the Paulton direction:

 

[D2007wsm]

Interesting and rare working at present, excel Streetlite 47552 is currently waiting on St Augustine’s Parade to depart for Yate & Chipping Sodbury on a Y1 and for a second day a Urban gas bus has been on the X9. 69448 has been on hometurf doing the T2, Y5 and Y6. Today there also seems to have been lots of ALX400s on SGL services and the X9. Was strange seeing Barbie again.

 

[freetoview33]

Interesting Bristol still sees a few service increases, 376 all trips to street, 2A introduced more Saturday services like 349 back.
Bath seeing some service cuts, like the 5 shorts removed.

 

[carlberry]

Interesting and rare working at present, excel Streetlite 47552 is currently waiting on St Augustine’s Parade to depart for Yate & Chipping Sodbury on a Y1 and for a second day a Urban gas bus has been on the X9. 69448 has been on hometurf doing the T2, Y5 and Y6. Today there also seems to have been lots of ALX400s on SGL services and the X9. Was strange seeing Barbie again.

The gas bus might not appear on the x9 again. Not until it's recovered from visiting Nailsea railway station at least!

 

[father_jack]

The gas bus might not appear on the x9 again. Not until it's recovered from visiting Nailsea railway station at least!

Is that 39443 that's pictured on facebook trapped under the railway bridge ? Search "Nailsea People" on Facebook for pictures.