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

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm assuming the streetdecks will enter service either tomorrow or on Monday?

Why?

 

[Murray J]

I'm assuming the streetdecks will enter service either tomorrow or on Monday?

they've only just arrived, they probably won't be entering service for at least a week or two.

 

[Callum15632]

they've only just arrived, they probably won't be entering service for at least a week or two.

Oh someone said Monday.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh someone said Monday.

Who suggested it was Monday? Or Sunday?

Notwithstanding that you said were "assuming"

 

[carlberry]

they've only just arrived, they probably won't be entering service for at least a week or two.

There are at least 10 around now so close to running out of space, however none have reg plates fitted yet.

 

[Callum15632]

There are at least 10 around now so close to running out of space, however none have reg plates fitted yet.

Only a couple have reg plates fitted.

 

[Snow1964]

Although the D1X Bath-Salisbury was discontinued over a month ago by First West of England, and no services now run south of Warminster. First have kept Salisbury amongst the destinations on the bus advertising on the side of D1 fleet.

Seems to me :
Either management don’t care about false advertising
or staff are too lazy or incompetent to paint it out or cover it
or been left because going to be reintroduced

Any thoughts why Salisbury is still being advertised
.

 

[carlberry]

Although the D1X Bath-Salisbury was discontinued over a month ago by First West of England, and no services now run south of Warminster. First have kept Salisbury amongst the destinations on the bus advertising on the side of D1 fleet.

Seems to me :
Either management don’t care about false advertising
or staff are too lazy or incompetent to paint it out or cover it
or been left because going to be reintroduced

Any thoughts why Salisbury is still being advertised
.

I suspect it's not seen as that important (if somebody asks about it they can still get to Salisbury with a change) and doing anything about it might look tacky (stuck on patches etc).

 

[Whiteway215]

The last 323xx is reported on Facebook as having left First West of England as 32351 is no longer parked up at Lawrence Hill.
Presumably another candidate collected by Wigleys?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Although the D1X Bath-Salisbury was discontinued over a month ago by First West of England, and no services now run south of Warminster. First have kept Salisbury amongst the destinations on the bus advertising on the side of D1 fleet.

Seems to me :
Either management don’t care about false advertising
or staff are too lazy or incompetent to paint it out or cover it
or been left because going to be reintroduced

Any thoughts why Salisbury is still being advertised
.

Have you not noticed that Melksham, Box and Devizes are still on there from the D3 and that was withdrawn in April 2020. More likely that they have not been too concerned with removing it as they have bigger fish to fry.

 

[Private Baxter]

Have you not noticed that Melksham, Box and Devizes are still on there from the D3 and that was withdrawn in April 2020. More likely that they have not been too concerned with removing it as they have bigger fish to fry.

I wouldn't be too surprised if they drop the Discover brand alltogether and instead adopt the Bath Blue across the entire fleet.

 

[fgwrich]

I wouldn't be too surprised if they drop the Discover brand alltogether and instead adopt the Bath Blue across the entire fleet.

It will be a shame if they do, it was quite a smart brand within the First Group Empire. Though I can understand the reasoning behind it. When did First drop Salisbury from it?

 

[DaveLondon]

I'm assuming the streetdecks will enter service either tomorrow or on Monday?

Callum - Why would you assume that?

 

[D2007wsm]

I was told by a driver that the Streetdecks are not coming out until April. I think they are coming out together. Besides, most if them still need to be branded.

 

[Private Baxter]

It will be a shame if they do, it was quite a smart brand within the First Group Empire. Though I can understand the reasoning behind it. When did First drop Salisbury from it?

I like it too, and I'm certainly not suggesting they will drop it, I just wouldn't be overly surprised if they did. The Salisbury section was withdrawn in early January.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wouldn't be too surprised if they drop the Discover brand alltogether and instead adopt the Bath Blue across the entire fleet.

It will be a shame if they do, it was quite a smart brand within the First Group Empire. Though I can understand the reasoning behind it. When did First drop Salisbury from it?

I tend to agree with @Private Baxter - on its introduction, it was applied to (I think) 17 vehicles with the 12 current ones, 2 older Eclipses and 3 Solars. Now it's PVR is probably half what it was with the cutting of the D1 and the axing of the D3. We're seeing the rationalisation of brands with the repainting of Unibus MMCs into Bath blue and the Excel brand in North Somerset so yeah, I could see Discover being dropped.

I was told by a driver that the Streetdecks are not coming out until April. I think they are coming out together. Besides, most if them still need to be branded.

April is somewhat later than I had expected. Certainly, I'd have thought the "someone" who suggested Monday was being rather optimistic. Still, we'll find out in 12 hours!!

 

[Callum15632]

I tend to agree with @Private Baxter - on its introduction, it was applied to (I think) 17 vehicles with the 12 current ones, 2 older Eclipses and 3 Solars. Now it's PVR is probably half what it was with the cutting of the D1 and the axing of the D3. We're seeing the rationalisation of brands with the repainting of Unibus MMCs into Bath blue and the Excel brand in North Somerset so yeah, I could see Discover being dropped.


April is somewhat later than I had expected. Certainly, I'd have thought the "someone" who suggested Monday was being rather optimistic. Still, we'll find out in 12 hours!!

The streetdecks aren't out today as the E400s are still out.

 

[Private Baxter]

I tend to agree with @Private Baxter - on its introduction, it was applied to (I think) 17 vehicles with the 12 current ones, 2 older Eclipses and 3 Solars. Now it's PVR is probably half what it was with the cutting of the D1 and the axing of the D3. We're seeing the rationalisation of brands with the repainting of Unibus MMCs into Bath blue and the Excel brand in North Somerset so yeah, I could see Discover being dropped.


April is somewhat later than I had expected. Certainly, I'd have thought the "someone" who suggested Monday was being rather optimistic. Still, we'll find out in 12 hours!!

Indeed, I think Discover has served its purpose. Also not forgetting since Westbury outstation closed, D1 and D2 are covered by the main depot at Bath, and it is not uncommon to to see one of the blue ones on there anyway, and natuarlly allocations are less consistent.

 

[Callum15632]

The Streetdecks are due to be entering service by a couple at a time( the first one entering service tomorrow) so by the end of the week all of them will be in service.

 

[Murray J]

The Streetdecks are due to be entering service by a couple at a time( the first one entering service tomorrow) so by the end of the week all of them will be in service.

Any evidence for this?

 

[Ancelljb]

Any evidence for this?

It’s been posted on a Facebook group by a driver

New Streetdecks parked up at Weston.

Very smart and highly specced buses with highback leather seating fitted with USB charging.
Also features the newer style assault screen to allow figment of a short arm mirror - the screens are absolutely huge!!! They all have that new bus smell too.
Due to begin entering staggered service this week, with the first scheduled to be rolling out tomorrow.

Photos don’t do these buses justice - so much nicer in person.

 

[Murray J]

It’s been posted on a Facebook group by a driver

Ah right, thanks.

 

[carlberry]

So at the moment one driver is saying April for the Streetdecks and another is saying tomorrow with all by the end of the week. My guess is that they wont all be out this week but most will be out sometime this month*.
They do look very nice, however still waiting on how they'll cope with Rownham Hill.

* p.s. I am a driver, however with no connection to any credible sources of information!

 

[D2007wsm]

So at the moment one driver is saying April for the Streetdecks and another is saying tomorrow with all by the end of the week. My guess is that they wont all be out this week but most will be out sometime this month*.
They do look very nice, however still waiting on how they'll cope with Rownham Hill.

* p.s. I am a driver, however with no connection to any credible sources of information!

I was told initially that it was supposed to be April, but as usual things change. I have been told tonight that 2 should be out tomorrow now, but not on the X1.

 

[-Colly405-]

For what it is worth, BusTimes is showing 35674 is out on the W7.

 

[Callum15632]

For what it is worth, BusTimes is showing 35674 is out on the W7.

Bustimes is also showing 35668 on the W7 but I know it's true as Tim Lawrence is driving it.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Bustimes is also showing 35668 on the W7 but I know it's true as Tim Lawrence is driving it.

What? Princess Anne's husband.....

 

[Ancelljb]

Interesting to see that the A3 Weston Flyer has been re-registered to being operating again on the 3rd April (https://bustimes.org/registrations/PH0000132/353)

Pre-Covid service reinstated following temporary suspension

Operating between Weston-Super-Mare Railway Station and Bristol Airport given service number A3 effective from 03 April 2022. To amend Timetable.

 

[D2007wsm]

Not a good picture, but 37564 just now heading towards Oldmixon on a 7 in Worle High Street.

A couple of weeks ago Bristol Airport posted on Facebook that the A3 would be back then. 67107 and 67108 should be heading back to Weston to get them fit for Airport service.

I did see an A1 Scania heading south on the M5 yesterday morning around 11:00 between Clevedon and Weston with 'Route Test' on the destination.

 

[Private Baxter]

Not a good picture, but 37564 just now heading towards Oldmixon on a 7 in Worle High Street.

A couple of weeks ago Bristol Airport posted on Facebook that the A3 would be back then. 67107 and 67108 should be heading back to Weston to get them fit for Airport service.

I did see an A1 Scania heading south on the M5 yesterday morning around 11:00 between Clevedon and Weston with 'Route Test' on the destination.

Thanks for the upload. I know it's subjective, and doesn't make up for the poor performance on some routes, but I actually think streetdecks look pretty smart all round, and in Badgerline too. I look forward to seeing these out and about.