TrawsCambria / TrawsCymru

Rhydgaled · 20 Jul 2014

Teflon Lettuce said:
"Managing Director of First Cymru, Justin Davies added: We are delighted to be working with the Welsh Government to provide this service. The T1 route is an important service, linking key communities and important universities, and we expect people to really welcome the new timetable, which, for the first time, offers people the chance to travel on Sundays and later into the evening. This is a really positive step forward. "(bold mine)

shows how much interest First have in the route... they've obviously not looked at old timetables if they want to claim it's the first time there has been a sunday or evening service on the route!

I'm sorry, "The T1 route"? This T1 we are getting is really two different routes, just as the current X50 is three different routes.

As for the claim that it is the first time there's been a Sunday service, is it the first time the Sunday service has been subsidised and it was always commertial journeys on Sundays previously?

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TheGrandWazoo · 20 Jul 2014

Sorry but this is a bit harsh on First.

This sounds like a bit of PR spin aimed at pushing the service, which is no bad thing. I don't think it reflects on First's commitment. Similar, whilst the route is technically registered as two services, it operates as one entity so THE T1 seems ok to me.

My biggest concern would be the challenge of operating a service so remote from their nearest base NOT picking apart the press release.

Rhydgaled · 20 Jul 2014

TheGrandWazoo said:
whilst the route is technically registered as two services, it operates as one entity so THE T1 seems ok to me.

I was not refering to the split registration but to the alternating between trips via Llanwnnen and trips via Pencarreg. That's what I meant by two routes. That's not First's fault though, apart from using the word 'the'. It's the council's/WAG's fault for specifying a single service number for two routes.

I suspect the council is also to blame for the three routes between Aberystwyth and Cardigan all being given the same number.

WestyAds · 21 Jul 2014

A fourth unit, 44594, has now been repainted in the plain TrawsCymru livery and was in use on the route today. It lacks the high-backed seats of the three other units and, in common with 67431, has less legroom than 67438 and 67439 (probably not that important to most people of average height, but at 6ft5 it's pretty much the first thing I tend to notice). All four units are still lacking luggage racks, but on the plus side it's lovely to have wi-fi on the route at last.

WelshBuses93 · 21 Jul 2014

Isn't 44594 an Alexander Dennis Enviro200? Registered YX14RWN.

WestyAds · 22 Jul 2014

WelshBuses93 said:
Isn't 44594 an Alexander Dennis Enviro200? Registered YX14RWN.

Yes, I knew there was something I forgot to mention, sorry. Unlike the other units already decked out in TrawsCymru colours for this route, this was indeed an Enviro200.

WelshBuses93 · 22 Jul 2014

It's kind of strange that First Cymru would use 3 Enviro300's and 2 Enviro200's. Makes no sense as E200's are not really suited for TrawsCymru routes. 44595 is the 5th vehicle for the T1 (2nd Enviro200).

Rhydgaled · 23 Jul 2014

WestyAds said:
A fourth unit, 44594, has now been repainted in the plain TrawsCymru livery and was in use on the route today. It lacks the high-backed seats of the three other units and, in common with 67431, has less legroom than 67438 and 67439 (probably not that important to most people of average height, but at 6ft5 it's pretty much the first thing I tend to notice). All four units are still lacking luggage racks, but on the plus side it's lovely to have wi-fi on the route at last.

One hopes all the fleet will be refurbished to provide good legroom. I don't think I'm quite as tall as you but I'm over 6ft 1 for sure and the standard provision of legroom on buses isn't enough (which is one reason why I'm such a fan of TrawsCambria Tempos YJ55BKE/BKF, since they actually have decent legroom at a decent number of seats).

WelshBuses93 said:
It's kind of strange that First Cymru would use 3 Enviro300's and 2 Enviro200's. Makes no sense as E200's are not really suited for TrawsCymru routes. 44595 is the 5th vehicle for the T1 (2nd Enviro200).

I don't know about Enviro300s, or the specific Enviro200s First have painted for TrawsCymru, but the Richards Bros Enviro200s are certainly unsuitable for long journeys.

TheGrandWazoo · 23 Jul 2014

Rhydgaled said:
One hopes all the fleet will be refurbished to provide good legroom. I don't think I'm quite as tall as you but I'm over 6ft 1 for sure and the standard provision of legroom on buses isn't enough (which is one reason why I'm such a fan of TrawsCambria Tempos YJ55BKE/BKF, since they actually have decent legroom at a decent number of seats).

I don't know about Enviro300s, or the specific Enviro200s First have painted for TrawsCymru, but the Richards Bros Enviro200s are certainly unsuitable for long journeys.

I have to say I'm a bit bemused by two e200s being used. I don't know they'll be big enough. Think they're 39 seaters though the e300s are only 42 seats. Also, being shorter, the ride quality isn't as good. Strange!

WelshBuses93 · 23 Jul 2014

I agree about the Enviro200's not been suited for long distance services and about the legroom as the length of these buses are mainly 10.8m long. Legroom is quite poor on E200's. Would've been better for First to use 5 of the Swansea Park & Ride vehicles or invested in new vehicles like the Volvo B7RLE/ Wright Eclipse.

WestyAds · 30 Jul 2014

67438 and 67439 (and possibly others, although I haven't seen them about lately) have now been given the full TrawsCymru livery, such as it is.

Interestingly (or not, depending on your point of view), the 0840 from Aberystwyth this morning had three additional drivers (not counting the one behind the wheel) by way of three Mid Wales Travel drivers, who were apparently going to Carmarthen and back "to learn the route" (or one of them, at any rate). I had heard that First had arranged to use MWT's depot to store vehicles overnight - could it be they're borrowing more than just depot space?

Rhydgaled · 30 Jul 2014

WestyAds said:
67438 and 67439 (and possibly others, although I haven't seen them about lately) have now been given the full TrawsCymru livery, such as it is.

Interestingly (or not, depending on your point of view), the 0840 from Aberystwyth this morning had three additional drivers (not counting the one behind the wheel) by way of three Mid Wales Travel drivers, who were apparently going to Carmarthen and back "to learn the route" (or one of them, at any rate). I had heard that First had arranged to use MWT's depot to store vehicles overnight - could it be they're borrowing more than just depot space?

Subcontracting part of the service to Mid Wales Travel? Interesting, a two-operator joint service of sorts after all perhaps?

WelshBuses93 · 4 Aug 2014

Noticed an error on the TrawsCymru website.
It's displaying T1 Aberystwyth - Aberaeron - New Quay - Cardigan - Lampeter - Carmarthen on the home page.

Rhydgaled · 4 Aug 2014

WelshBuses93 said:
Noticed an error on the TrawsCymru website.
It's displaying T1 Aberystwyth - Aberaeron - New Quay - Cardigan - Lampeter - Carmarthen on the home page.

It wasn't showing the T1 at all on the home page (except the link to the T1 page) until I did a 'hard refresh'. It seems to be giving the correct four stops now though, perhaps they've already spotted the mistake you mentioned and corrected it.

The T1 page itself though is a pack of lies. The photo at the top shows Optare Tempo YJ62FBF, presumably on the T4 route but with blank destination displays. It claims 'The TrawsCymru T1 service is your direct link between Aberystwyth Lampeter Carmarthen' and 'Better connections with rail services at Carmarthen and Aberystwyth Rail Stations'. It isn't direct (since it goes via Pencader), and doesn't the service operate at the same point of the hour to/from Aberystwyth? So no change to rail 'connections' there. A decent rail connection at Aberystwyth isn't really possible without extending the wait time between runs (probably to the extent you would need a sixth vehicle to operate it) and completely screwing up either the Cardigan/New Quay service or the standard interval timetable between Aberystwyth and Aberaeron.

WelshBuses93 · 4 Aug 2014

It has corrected on mine now. Simple mistake to make

TheGrandWazoo · 4 Aug 2014

Pack of lies? Calm down. Just a mix of cock ups and a bit of marketing waffle. Most people either won't know or care.

Can you imagine how life might be if we were literal? Stagecoach services aren't horse drawn, and First aren't in first place in any manner! And what are Mid Wales Travel doing being virtually on the coast?

However, there are limits. I remember a firm in Northumberland with a shocking collection of tatty sheds called Serene Travel. I assumed it was a piece of post modern irony!!!

Rhydgaled · 4 Aug 2014

TheGrandWazoo said:
Pack of lies? Calm down. Just a mix of cock ups and a bit of marketing waffle. Most people either won't know or care.

Can you imagine how life might be if we were literal? Stagecoach services aren't horse drawn, and First aren't in first place in any manner! And what are Mid Wales Travel doing being virtually on the coast!

Ok, ok, my language was a little bit strong. Maybe I should have described them as slight inaccuracies instead.

If you take the furthest points north, south, east and west in Wales, Aberystwyth isn't actually all that far from the middle. It is also in between north and south, so is in the middle on the north-south axis at least. Point taken about Stagecoach though.

adey2011 · 5 Aug 2014

Does anyone know if MWT are to be involved with First's service T1 or was it just a red herring?

Teflon Lettuce · 6 Aug 2014

adey2011 said:
Does anyone know if MWT are to be involved with First's service T1 or was it just a red herring?

It appears that First have subcontracted the Aberystwyth workings to Mid Wales Travel. Certainly I have seen MWT drivers on the route since the T1 started.

Incidently this would also explain why 3 Enviro 300's and 2 200's were repainted as apart from one double decker the whole of MWT's service fleet is comprised of darts and enviro 200's.

Rhydgaled · 6 Aug 2014

Teflon Lettuce said:
Incidently this would also explain why 3 Enviro 300's and 2 200's were repainted as apart from one double decker the whole of MWT's service fleet is comprised of darts and enviro 200's.

Are you suggesting that Mid Wales Travel wanted Enviro 200s for their 'share' of the service to maintain a mostly-standard fleet for ease of maintainance?

Are the Enviro 200s sourced from First Cymru's fleet or provided by Mid Wales Travel? Also, are there no spare vehicles in TrawsCymru livery for the T1 (I think both the T9 and T4 have a spare)?

TheGrandWazoo · 6 Aug 2014

Rhydgaled said:
Are you suggesting that Mid Wales Travel wanted Enviro 200s for their 'share' of the service to maintain a mostly-standard fleet for ease of maintainance?

Are the Enviro 200s sourced from First Cymru's fleet or provided by Mid Wales Travel? Also, are there no spare vehicles in TrawsCymru livery for the T1 (I think both the T9 and T4 have a spare)?

I think that's what TL is saying. The e200s are First's to their spec.

Teflon Lettuce · 7 Aug 2014

Rhydgaled said:
Also, are there no spare vehicles in TrawsCymru livery for the T1 (I think both the T9 and T4 have a spare)?

if there is a spare vehicle for the T9 then perhaps we should be worried about how reliable the T1 will be under First's stewardship... I regularly see vehicles in normal fleet livery and even sometimes 2 in fleet livery on the T9. with a PVR of 4 vehicles what does it say about First's maintenance procedures that they are regularly unable to field a full compliment of vehicles on the route? and more to the point, with the T1 being so far from engineering support what's going to happen when the same maintenance issues start manifesting themselves on T1?

Rhydgaled · 7 Aug 2014

Teflon Lettuce said:
if there is a spare vehicle for the T9 then perhaps we should be worried about how reliable the T1 will be under First's stewardship... I regularly see vehicles in normal fleet livery and even sometimes 2 in fleet livery on the T9. with a PVR of 4 vehicles what does it say about First's maintenance procedures that they are regularly unable to field a full compliment of vehicles on the route?

I think I read somewhere that the T9 was initially PVR 4 (with one spare bus) but they found it couldn't be run punctually so it was increased to PVR 5 and a 6th Tempo (YD63UZM) was retrieved from storage as the spare vehicle.

adey2011 · 8 Aug 2014

It appears that First have subcontracted the Aberystwyth workings to Mid Wales Travel. Certainly I have seen MWT drivers on the route since the T1 started.

Looking then at the T1 timetable then would it be correct to assume then that MWT crews operate the 6.40, 11.40, 16.40 and 21.40 ex Aberystwyth, returning from Caerfyrddin at 9.10, 14.10, 19.10 and Llanbedr at 22.50. This would logically work for a one vehicle night out at Penrhyncoch.

WelshBuses93 · 9 Aug 2014

I photographed 44595 in Aberystwyth operating the 12:40 and was operated by a Mid Wales Travel bus driver.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/welshbuses93/14683769527/in/photostream/

Rhydgaled · 10 Aug 2014

adey2011 said:
Looking then at the T1 timetable then would it be correct to assume then that MWT crews operate the 6.40, 11.40, 16.40 and 21.40 ex Aberystwyth, returning from Caerfyrddin at 9.10, 14.10, 19.10 and Llanbedr at 22.50. This would logically work for a one vehicle night out at Penrhyncoch.

The first two services out of Aberystwyth (06:40 and 07:40) both depart before the first service from Carmarthen arrives (at 08:24). That suggests to me that there are two vehicles stabled at Aberystwyth/Penrhyncoch each night.

What length are the Enviros in use on the T1? From only a breif look at them, they seem quite short.

adey2011 · 10 Aug 2014

Rhydgaled said:
The first two services out of Aberystwyth (06:40 and 07:40) both depart before the first service from Carmarthen arrives (at 08:24). That suggests to me that there are two vehicles stabled at Aberystwyth/Penrhyncoch each night.

What length are the Enviros in use on the T1? From only a breif look at them, they seem quite short.

If that is correct then there must be a driver/bus swap at some point as the 08.40 ex Aberystwyth will eventually terminate at Carmarthen @ 21.46 stranding the MWT driver and there.

Rhydgaled · 10 Aug 2014

adey2011 said:
If that is correct then there must be a driver/bus swap at some point as the 08.40 ex Aberystwyth will eventually terminate at Carmarthen @ 21.46 stranding the MWT driver and there.

I said the 06:40 and 07:40 off Aberystwyth were MWT, the 08:40 off Aberystwyth is almost certainly a First working, using the vehicle which takes the 06:20 off Carmarthen.

adey2011 · 10 Aug 2014

Sorry, miss read what you put, yes the 07.40 sounds better but wiyhout a driver/bus stop it would still terminate (19.54) at Carmarthen leaving the driver/bus at the wrong end of the route?

TheGrandWazoo · 10 Aug 2014

adey2011 said:
Sorry, miss read what you put, yes the 07.40 sounds better but wiyhout a driver/bus stop it would still terminate (19.54) at Carmarthen leaving the driver/bus at the wrong end of the route?

Suspect that they'll be some First drivers taking breaks at Aber and the switching of buses means they can be swapped for inspections and maintenance

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