Westlink - Demand Responsive Transport (West of England Combined Authority)

[Callum15632]

My ride home from the shops today was in a Toyota Prius with WESTlink names on the sides.

I've saw KN24 VUD today so there must be some minibuses running now.

 

[Citistar]

My ride home from the shops today was in a Toyota Prius with WESTlink names on the sides.

Did it have a taxi or PH plate on it?

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Did it have a taxi or PH plate on it?

It was private hire I think.

 

[richw]

Did it have a taxi or PH plate on it?

I’d be interested to know the legal status on this?

Also if they’ve bid as minibuses but then using private hire cars would the other private hire operators have a leg to stand on if they argued unfair awarding of the contract as they could have bid for it too if they were aware it would be a car?

 

[Callum15632]

It was private hire I think.

Some westlinks are still taxis and some are minibuses as I saw a green westlink and a white westlink this morning in the Southmead Area.

 

[Simon75]

I’d be interested to know the legal status on this?

Also if they’ve bid as minibuses but then using private hire cars would the other private hire operators have a leg to stand on if they argued unfair awarding of the contract as they could have bid for it too if they were aware it would be a car?

National Express has in the past also used private hire taxis (I used one , once about 3 of us)

 

[richw]

National Express has in the past also used private hire taxis (I used one , once about 3 of us)

Licencing wise can be a maximum of 10% of your overall PVR with 8 or less seats. Westlink are currently exceeding 10%

 

[Callum15632]

Does anyone know when the minibuses will be operating. I was hoping to use it to UWE on Friday morning but I don't think I will be able to fit 2 suitcases in the 'taxi'.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Does anyone know when the minibuses will be operating. I was hoping to use it to UWE on Friday morning but I don't think I will be able to fit 2 suitcases in the 'taxi'.

I have no information regarding the minibuses, but you should be able to fit two suitcases in the boot of a taxi.
The WESTlink app allows you to specify that you’re bringing luggage.

 

[Callum15632]

I have no information regarding the minibuses, but you should be able to fit two suitcases in the boot of a taxi.
The WESTlink app allows you to specify that you’re bringing luggage.

Where would I have to go on the app to specify that I will be bringing luggage?

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Where would I have to go on the app to specify that I will be bringing luggage?

Scroll down the ‘1 passenger’ drop down list. It’s there with zimmer frames and push chairs:

 

[Callum15632]

Scroll down the ‘1 passenger’ drop down list. It’s there with zimmer frames and push chairs:

I appreciate it. Thanks for the help. I prefer westlink when it's the minibuses as not a lot of people in wheelchairs can actually book westlinks with them being taxis. Update: I saw a Green Westlink Minibus on Tuesday at Southmead Hospital and I saw a White Westlink Minibus yesterday and today I saw another Westlink Minibus.

 

[t rex]

Seen in Filton today on westlink

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Seen in Filton today on westlink

That’s the same one as I had on the 9 September.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

I’ve received the following from WESTlink via email:
“The Birthday Bus pass is accepted on the WESTlink service. You can receive one month of free WESTlink rides for your birthday month, and under 21’s receive 2 months of free WESTlink rides, their birthday month, and the month after.

You will need to look on the back of your actual Birthday Bus pass, where you will find a specific WESTlink code. Please enter this code in the ‘Promo Codes’ section of the WESTlink app to enable the free rides or call the booking phone number to apply this code.”

 

[-Colly405-]

Yes, I've just received this too, despite having used my 2nd entitlement of Birthday Bus back in December

 

[htwestern]

Hi Alexander,

You will start noticing a difference to WESTlink after 7 April, as we’re changing the size of most of our vehicles over the next couple of months. This follows a successful trial in the North Bristol zone.

From April smaller 8 -seater minivans will replace the current 12 seat minibuses in:

1. Thornbury rural
2. Thornbury shared
3. Yate rural
4. Yate shared
5. Wotton shared
6. Boyd Valley
7. Keynsham

What’s changing? Just the size of some of our vehicles – nothing else! But there may be a short period where they won’t be the familiar bright green, so keep an eye out for the right vehicle. However, our usual look will return soon and there will be the same number of vehicles with space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

Had this come through this morning confirming where they're reducing capacity. There was a picture attached of a 24 plate Renault Trafic van in WestLink green with a South Glos taxi plate.

 

[t rex]

westlink 8 seater minibuses on taxi plates LG74KYA seen in Keynsham plain white transit with westlink green logos on side of minibus