Mendip mule motorbus

For some open top Bristol VR and RE action around West Dorset this summer, check this out;

https://www.facebook.com/Mendip-Mule-Motorbus-566563233447610/

ENTHUSIASTS - A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - FRIDAY 12th AUGUST.
RIDE ALL 3 MULES IN ONE DAY.
I cannot give further details until a little later in the week - but, subject to mechanical availability, this is the ONE DAY that i know (in advance) will give the opportunity of sampling two class 6 REs and 1 class 6 VR in the same day (although only two in service at any given time to comply with our operators licence and insurance restrictions).
You will need to purchase a £9.90 duel route ticket on the first bus you board to avail of this.

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They are experiencing dire ridership it seems, so a rear seat downstairs on the VR is almost guaranteed

Dennis said:

For some open top Bristol VR and RE action around West Dorset this summer, check this out;

https://www.facebook.com/Mendip-Mule-Motorbus-566563233447610/

They are experiencing dire ridership it seems, so a rear seat downstairs on the VR is almost guaranteed

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I wouldn't have thought that "dire ridership" was something to be happy about. If it's that bad it probably won't operate for much longer. :cry:

Dennis said:

For some open top Bristol VR and RE action around West Dorset this summer, check this out;

https://www.facebook.com/Mendip-Mule-Motorbus-566563233447610/

They are experiencing dire ridership it seems, so a rear seat downstairs on the VR is almost guaranteed

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How much publicity has it had locally? Frankly. the Facebook generation are probably not its intended market.

On Facebook-

IMMEDIATE TOUR SERVICE REVISIONS

We regret that, due to ongoing losses owing to the very unsettled weather and an apparent down turn in tourism in the area, the following revisions have to be implemented. We apologise if these impact on your plans but, sadly, we have no option. None of these changes will reduce the amount of days work offered to our small driving team.

TOUR ROUTE 121 (Mon, Wed, Fri: Lyme Regis - Seaton - Sidmouth) will operate on Friday 5th August and then be withdrawn, with the exception of Friday 12th August (when it will operate as part of our enthusiasts' "Trio of Mules" day).

TOUR ROUTE 122 (Sun, Tues, Thur: Seaton - Lyme Regis - Bridport - Abbotsbury) will operate for the last time on Thursday 4th August and then be withdrawn.

TOUR ROUTE 123 (Sat only: Bridport - West Bay - Burton Bradstock) is withdrawn with immediate effect.

TOUR ROUTE 124 (Beer - Seaton - Lyme Regis) is INCREASED to seven days per week (at present it is "except Fridays") from Monday 8th August. Also it is INCREASED to a two bus service (hourly departures instead of two hourly) on Mondays to Thursdays inclusive (the busiest days) from Monday 8th August for the high season period. A new timetable and posters will be produced for this popular route over the next few days (basically the second bus will just slot into the present two hourly gaps - at the same minutes past each hour).

TOUR ROUTE 125 (Fri only: Sidmouth - Bicton Park, Otter Nurseries, Donkey Sanctuary) is withdrawn with immediate effect.

As we operate on tour registrations we are able to implement these changes without giving the statutory 56 days notice. The increase of service level on route 124 falls within our stated registration details of the combined common 121/124 route section.

Once again we apologise for these late revisions and any impact caused. We will do our best to minimise confusion.

We look forward to your support on tour route 124 between now and 11th September. This route will now offer the chance each high season week, on the four busier weekdays, to travel on two heritage open top buses for just £6.90 adult (all day travel)!!

ENTHUSIASTS - remember on Friday 12th August we are having our "Trio of Mules" day - travel on both route 121 & 124 for just £9.90 - with interchange between the two routes at Seaton at 1240 - plus closed top "Dreadnought" will take over route 124 from 1540 at Colyton, for the last nearly two hours of the day (meaning it will work the 1705 up out of Lyme Regis to Seaton & Colyton).

ARN556B said:

I wouldn't have thought that "dire ridership" was something to be happy about. If it's that bad it probably won't operate for much longer. :cry:

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Think you misunderstand - a rare opportunity to enjoy rear seat on a VR in service in 2016. Personally, I hope it continues as I've already enjoyed three fantastic days out on the VR.

Dennis said:

Think you misunderstand - a rare opportunity to enjoy rear seat on a VR in service in 2016. Personally, I hope it continues as I've already enjoyed three fantastic days out on the VR.

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Its interesting on Facebook that they blame part of the downturn on the continual First Dorset strikes. Can't help thinking the union are just striking their way out of jobs and in the process screwing the entire Jurassic Coast summer tourist season causing it potentially irreparable damage, having just built the services up. This on top of the awful splitting of services to improve reliability (sorry I mean make more pensioner reimbursements!)