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

[Citistar]

Is all of the Excel fleet Euro 6 (or modifiable)? If not the Bristol low emission zone is likely to force an upgrade.

Well, some of the 56 plate E400s now have stickers on declaring them Euro VI compliant. I can see substantial changes happening to the Excel network anyway, seeing as it is all based on peak hour traffic flows which are likely to be somewhat depleted compared to what they were. Empty buses around Nailsea every half hour are fine when they're full at peak times, but i can't see routes like X9 justifying their existence commercially.

 

[Jj79]

It was mentioned on the West Country Independents thread that First had agreed to take on a couple of services in Weston that were part of the local council's latest tender requests. The X1X would be dependant on what support the government is giving to bus services, longer term I suspect commuter services are going to be the hardest hit by the after effects. The Streetlites replacing the Darts has given newer buses on the town services recently, the pandemic is likely to have impacted most replacement cycles. Theres the possibility of transfers from low emission zones however that can only be for the town services and they wont be much newer than what's there already so perhaps unlikely.

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Is 39005 still hybrid? I would assume not if they're taking the trouble to repaint it.

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LK58ECZ which came from York but does suggest it originated in London.

Thanks for your replies

 

[Tommy Walters]

It would seem that the Darts in Weston are due, in the main, for replacement but one or two that might have been expected to go may be reprieved. @D2007wsm gave an excellent summary of the tendered routes and that they are too tight for Darts/Streetlites so whether a short e200 or two might appear (e.g. ex Bath?), we don't know.

Potentially if First took control of them, then the old Wessex Water E200s would suit that job perfectly. Perhaps 44907 could also be pinched from Hengrove to help out?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is there a requirement for Park and Ride buses to be hybrid, or was that another fad that has since died

Not now - when the batteries began failing in 2018 and they were parked up (save two), they were replaced by Streetdecks of which a number still remain. Eventually, in 2020, the hybrids got repowered with Euro VI diesels. They have begun to reappear on Park and Ride (now operated commercially?) as well as other routes.

Is all of the Excel fleet Euro 6 (or modifiable)? If not the Bristol low emission zone is likely to force an upgrade.

The 56 plate E400s have been so upgraded. It's only the B7TLs and the older B7RLEs that haven't been so treated. As @Citistar says, the shape of the Excel network may be a bit different as the 15 min frequency to Nailsea might not be sustainable in future as just one example

 

[freetoview33]

Has it been confirmed they are coming back as the 4 and 83?

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Couldn't this happen, would save a few buses and be more similar to the old pre excel/express yourself days.
X7 Bristol - Nailsea (Loop) - Clevedon (Hourly)
X9 Bristol - Nailsea (Loop) (Hourly)

 

[Snow1964]

Not now - when the batteries began failing in 2018 and they were parked up (save two), they were replaced by Streetdecks of which a number still remain. Eventually, in 2020, the hybrids got repowered with Euro VI diesels. They have begun to reappear on Park and Ride (now operated commercially?) as well as other routes.



The 56 plate E400s have been so upgraded. It's only the B7TLs and the older B7RLEs that haven't been so treated. As @Citistar says, the shape of the Excel network may be a bit different as the 15 min frequency to Nailsea might not be sustainable in future as just one example

Unless someone has recently certified one, there isn’t a euroVI upgrade for the Volvo B7TL. In London all the remaining ones got withdrawn ahead of their expanded LEZ

The Economics of upgrading a bus that’s 12 (or more) years old aren’t the best (vs it’s residual value), and if can swap with something a bit newer from elsewhere, then not much incentive to do an upgrade

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Unless someone has recently certified one, there isn’t a euroVI upgrade for the Volvo B7TL. In London all the remaining ones got withdrawn ahead of their expanded LEZ

The Economics of upgrading a bus that’s 12 (or more) years old aren’t the best (vs it’s residual value), and if can swap with something a bit newer from elsewhere, then not much incentive to do an upgrade

Correct - I wasn't implying that B7TLs would be treated. Just saying that those are the ones that are extant.

There are obviously a number of ex Glasgow and ex London Geminis still in Bristol and a number of those will doubtless end up in places such as Cornwall or Essex or wherever else has some even older Tridents to replace; some (and the remaining ALXs) will probably go for disposal. Depends on when the Bristol CAZ is proposed to commence and that will drive future replacement plans

 

[D2007wsm]

Has it been confirmed they are coming back as the 4 and 83?

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Couldn't this happen, would save a few buses and be more similar to the old pre excel/express yourself days.
X7 Bristol - Nailsea (Loop) - Clevedon (Hourly)
X9 Bristol - Nailsea (Loop) (Hourly)

I don’t know, I was just going by what the service number used to be to describe the route. I’m not sure what they are known as nowadays.

I would say they will come back within the 1 to 10 numbers, to match the other town services. There isn’t a 4 and 2, 6, 8 and 9 are vacant.

 

[Whiteway215]

Correct - I wasn't implying that B7TLs would be treated. Just saying that those are the ones that are extant.

There are obviously a number of ex Glasgow and ex London Geminis still in Bristol and a number of those will doubtless end up in places such as Cornwall or Essex or wherever else has some even older Tridents to replace; some (and the remaining ALXs) will probably go for disposal. Depends on when the Bristol CAZ is proposed to commence and that will drive future replacement plans

I had read that October 2021 was a proposed date for introduction of the Bristol CAZ.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I had read that October 2021 was a proposed date for introduction of the Bristol CAZ.

Latest date is 29 Oct 2021 so by then, they would need to find 30+ vehicles but don’t know how social distancing and service revisions impact on that

 

[cnjb8]

Not now - when the batteries began failing in 2018 and they were parked up (save two), they were replaced by Streetdecks of which a number still remain. Eventually, in 2020, the hybrids got repowered with Euro VI diesels. They have begun to reappear on Park and Ride (now operated commercially?) as well as other routes.



The 56 plate E400s have been so upgraded. It's only the B7TLs and the older B7RLEs that haven't been so treated. As @Citistar says, the shape of the Excel network may be a bit different as the 15 min frequency to Nailsea might not be sustainable in future as just one example

So will the Park and Ride StreetDecks be moved out of Bath to Bristol then?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So will the Park and Ride StreetDecks be moved out of Bath to Bristol then?

Don't know - hard to keep up with the changes and repaints etc.

 

[cnjb8]

Don't know - hard to keep up with the changes and repaints etc.

Definitely!

 

[Whiteway215]

Does anyone out there know where 32291 has gone now?
I’ve been told it has left Bath depot but no one seems to know where it is.

Thanks for any information.

 

[Callum15632]

I think it has gone to Cornwall I do not have a clue. It said somewhere on a group. I saw where it was heading to but forgot.

 

[iantherev]

I think it has gone to Cornwall I do not have a clue. It said somewhere on a group. I saw where it was heading to but forgot.

It's not gone to Cornwall.

 

[Whiteway215]

I think it has gone to Cornwall I do not have a clue. It said somewhere on a group. I saw where it was heading to but forgot.

Do you know on which group you read this?
There have been reports it is being donated somewhere. The last bus from Bath depot to be donated, 32007, was recently seen at Press Engineering, Avonmouth so perhaps 32291 is also there.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Do you know on which group you read this?
There have been reports it is being donated somewhere. The last bus from Bath depot to be donated, 32007, was recently seen at Press Engineering, Avonmouth so perhaps 32291 is also there.

It was specifically said on the FSW thread that no more ALXs were heading to Cornwall and that it would be Geminis going forward

 

[Private Baxter]

Whats going on at Weston-super-Mare? I understand an area is to be redeveloped as a 'bus hub', presumably meaning the bus stops are to be relocated, though gather this doesn't actually mean bus station. Can anyone shed some light?

 

[freetoview33]

Whats going on at WSM? I understand an area is to be redeveloped as a 'bus hub', presumably meaning the bus stops are to be relocated, though gather this doesn't actually mean bus station. Can anyone shed some light?

I haven't heard about this, but it would be good to have somewhere!

 

[swifty]

Whats going on at WSM? I understand an area is to be redeveloped as a 'bus hub', presumably meaning the bus stops are to be relocated, though gather this doesn't actually mean bus station. Can anyone shed some light?

Regent Street, outside Tesco, will become the bus hub. £6.8m is being spent on remodelling Station Road, Walloscote Road, Regent Street & Alexandra Parade.
As a result it doesn’t look like buses will be able to serve the top end of Regent Street by the carrot.

https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/Alexandra%20Parade%20works%20map.pdf

 

[Citistar]

Regent Street, outside Tesco, will become the bus hub. £6.8m is being spent on remodelling Station Road, Walloscote Road, Regent Street & Alexandra Parade.
As a result it doesn’t look like buses will be able to serve the top end of Regent Street by the carrot.

https://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-02/Alexandra%20Parade%20works%20map.pdf

Buses will make it no closer to the High Street than the corner of Regent Street / Walliscote Grove Road by the Odeon. This will be the third time in a decade that bus stops in Weston have been moved further away from the High Street and yet operators are branded ungrateful if they don't support this scheme. Meanwhile, i arrive in Weston every Tuesday without a clue as to where the shoppers' bus will be stopping because facilities are closed without notification to operators other than First.

But hey, Weston will get plenty of extra on street parking which will be even closer to the shops.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hmmm - that was the obvious thing though thought it would be just pedestrianised

 

[D2007wsm]

I haven't heard about this, but it would be good to have somewhere!

Basically, excel services are now terminating at Locking Road Coach Park, with the 20 & 126 I believe terminating at the Railway Station. No country services are serving Marine Parade. This instead is served by the 3, 5 & 7.

 

[DaveHarries]

For anyone needing to use the bus be aware that First are making emergency alterations from 1600hrs today until 0500hrs Saturday.

URGENT - Bristol - (All services serving Centre and Broadmead) | Bristol, Bath and the West | First Bus

Due to possible service disruption from ongoing protests and the safety concerns to passengers and drivers, First will implement the following diversions today Friday 26th March.

www.firstbus.co.uk

Dave

 

[Snow1964]

It has now been confirmed that Cleveland Bridge in Bath will be closed for few months (with few weeks of single alternate with temporary traffic lights).

Link to Bath NE Somerset details, only route directly affected is X86 but traffic congestion may affect other routes in East Bath

Information for bus users (and parents of students at Ralph Allen School) | Bath and North East Somerset Council

There may be delays on bus route X86 throughout the renovation works, and buses will need to divert away from the bridge during the temporary restrictions.

beta.bathnes.gov.uk

 

[Whiteway215]

I’ve been told 32291 has passed to Avon Fire & Rescue Service to be used for air bags lifting and roll over training purposes.

 

[Markk1990]

A 2-branded Gemini managed to get stuck on a tight residential street last night after a driver made a wrong turn. Seemingly it turned left onto St Lukes Road from St Johns Lane and then proceeded to turn left onto Hill Avenue to backtrack and to avoid the very low railway bridge. Anybody who knows this area can attest it is extremely tight and unsuitable for double deckers! The bus was assisted in reversing down one-way Park Avenue to the mini roundabout to return to its route, destroying a bollard and bumper in the process - it could have been worse!

I've heard this is actually a fairly regular occurrence if anybody can confirm (or deny)?

 

[Whiteway215]

Ex Aberdeen 37633 arrived at Bath depot yesterday from Press Engineering. The dark photo I saw gave me the impression a lot of the bus was still in ‘Platinum’ colour?

 

[swifty]

Ex Aberdeen 37633 arrived at Bath depot yesterday from Press Engineering. The dark photo I saw gave me the impression a lot of the bus was still in ‘Platinum’ colour?

It went via Press for a repaint into Bath City Blue, the interior still carries all the Platinum 19 branding though!