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

TheGrandWazoo · 3 May 2019

freetoview33 said:
I'm wondering how long abus will carry on for now. As they only have 3 routes now. 1 being a school route. Question really is do first have enough resources to take over the 349 and x9 if needed?

In my predictions for 2019, I did wonder if Abus will see the year out. The handing in of various routes was one thing but also, I had good call to use the 349 a bit earlier in 2018. I was quite shocked to see how shabby the fleet was internally. Granted these were 2002 Spectras that had done a few miles but they were pretty bad internally.

Think the issues are many. There’s been a fire and the TC involvement on the extent of Mundens relationship. Also, there’s now an old fleet and the 349 is not the route it was - think the X39 dominates Briz and the Bath Road and the trade in Keynsham is weaker despite the 38 no longer running. It’s a real shame how things appear to have slipped.

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freetoview33 · 3 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
In my predictions for 2019, I did wonder if Abus will see the year out. The handing in of various routes was one thing but also, I had good call to use the 349 a bit earlier in 2018. I was quite shocked to see how shabby the fleet was internally. Granted these were 2002 Spectras that had done a few miles but they were pretty bad internally.

Think the issues are many. There’s been a fire and the TC involvement on the extent of Mundens relationship. Also, there’s now an old fleet and the 349 is not the route it was - think the X39 dominates Briz and the Bath Road and the trade in Keynsham is weaker despite the 38 no longer running. It’s a real shame how things appear to have slipped.

It is a shame, but I can't see it lasting!

Marcus Fryer · 3 May 2019

47570 on the 73 this afternoon.

TheGrandWazoo · 3 May 2019

Marcus Fryer said:
47570 on the 73 this afternoon.

Aside from 39191/2 appearing on the 36 at peak (seems a waste?), is there any information on allocation changes?

Wessexbuses · 3 May 2019

Seen today in Yeovil
51 42949 53057 53151 53209
53 53055 53056
54 44077
58 42942 42953
77 43906
X10 42946

42924 parked up at the bus station for most of the afternoon

D2007wsm · 3 May 2019

freetoview33 said:
I'm wondering how long abus will carry on for now. As they only have 3 routes now. 1 being a school route. Question really is do first have enough resources to take over the 349 and x9 if needed?

I wouldn’t say it was impossible for First WoE to operate all services on the X9, in the daytime it is only 3 buses, 2 being Abus and 1 being Weston. The 349 can be run with 3 buses. First would only need to find 5 buses to operate both services.

When I have caught the X8 and 349 in the past, I’ve noticed how shabby the vehicles are. First Darts or B7RLEs of the same age are more pleasant and presentable internally.

KendalKing · 3 May 2019

freetoview33 said:
Question really is do first have enough resources to take over the 349 and x9 if needed?

If needs must, just look at what happened when Western Greyhound and Webberbus went under.

richw · 3 May 2019

KendalKing said:
If needs must, just look at what happened when Western Greyhound and Webberbus went under.

Mass recruitment event for the drivers of the closed operator, induction and off they go pretty much.

Whiteway215 · 3 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
Aside from 39191/2 appearing on the 36 at peak (seems a waste?), is there any information on allocation changes?

30871 and 30877 keep on truckin! 71 on the 19 on Wednesday and 77 on the 19 today. I thought perhaps they might have been out of service with the latest timetable adjustments.

D2007wsm · 3 May 2019

A Lawrence Hill B9 appeared on an X6 this afternoon

Whiteway215 · 3 May 2019

D2007wsm said:
A Lawrence Hill B9 appeared on an X6 this afternoon

Steve White reporting today 37607 LH to WM.

father_jack · 4 May 2019

D2007wsm said:
I wouldn’t say it was impossible for First WoE to operate all services on the X9, in the daytime it is only 3 buses, 2 being Abus and 1 being Weston. The 349 can be run with 3 buses. First would only need to find 5 buses to operate both services.

When I have caught the X8 and 349 in the past, I’ve noticed how shabby the vehicles are. First Darts or B7RLEs of the same age are more pleasant and presentable internally.

I think AP of Abus may think differently about your observations. If he was to surrender anything let me assure you that the legalities would be observed...............

TheGrandWazoo · 4 May 2019

Whiteway215 said:
30871 and 30877 keep on truckin! 71 on the 19 on Wednesday and 77 on the 19 today. I thought perhaps they might have been out of service with the latest timetable adjustments.

I did wonder if they might be casualties. My thoughts are whether the dropping of the fleet PVR will allow certain B9s (and 37607 may well have been one) to be taken for refurbishment and painting in ME colours to allow the 2009 Eclipses to head to Leicester?

AllanMacF · 4 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
I did wonder if they might be casualties. My thoughts are whether the dropping of the fleet PVR will allow certain B9s (and 37607 may well have been one) to be taken for refurbishment and painting in ME colours to allow the 2009 Eclipses to head to Leicester?

Similarly, I did wonder if HE's Presidents would be casualties, so I was pleased to see 33061/4 on Gloucester Road about 8pm last evening.

TheGrandWazoo · 4 May 2019

AllanMacF said:
Similarly, I did wonder if HE's Presidents would be casualties, so I was pleased to see 33061/4 on Gloucester Road about 8pm last evening.

My guess (and it’s just that) is that they are stop gaps to allow the Dawson’s stuff to head off. IF (big if) I’m right about the B9s allowing the Eclipses to go, then it begs the question as to what happens when the term time frequency returns and the PVR increases? More ex Glasgow tat?

freetoview33 · 4 May 2019

A few things, firstly the new timetables on the 1, 2, 3 and 4 have seemed to have improved things so far, buses are still late but by a few mins less than normal!

Few odd allocations too, but that is usual for the first week of a tt change.

Biggest issue I have had is the real time info doesn't seem to be working at all! Even the bus times tracker hasn't been working properly. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

freetoview33 · 4 May 2019

Also since when did First have a fleet of Nissan leafs?

Whiteway215 · 4 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
My guess (and it’s just that) is that they are stop gaps to allow the Dawson’s stuff to head off. IF (big if) I’m right about the B9s allowing the Eclipses to go, then it begs the question as to what happens when the term time frequency returns and the PVR increases? More ex Glasgow tat?

Good point about the Glasgow stuff GW. I reckon there are still over 70 of the SF54 batch of Glasgow B7TLs still around. With all the new vehicles apparently heading into Glasgow and with the old Tridents gone we could well be in line for some more of the 325xx batch.

spw24 · 4 May 2019

freetoview33 said:
Also since when did First have a fleet of Nissan leafs?

They have been in Hengrove since at least early 2017 there were 3 don't know if that is the same ones now. I don't get to Hengrove very often.

freetoview33 · 4 May 2019

spw24 said:
They have been in Hengrove since at least early 2017 there were 3 don't know if that is the same ones now. I don't get to Hengrove very often.

Just there was one parked outside my house today!

henairs · 4 May 2019

Hi Guys,
No Streetdecks on the naughty line at Wells depot today so anyone out there know if 35147/148 have gone off some place for rectification please.
Mint livered 42969 out on 178 today whilst 44553 was earning it's keep on the Bath - Wells corridor.
Cheers, Mike R

TheGrandWazoo · 4 May 2019

henairs said:
Hi Guys,
No Streetdecks on the naughty line at Wells depot today so anyone out there know if 35147/148 have gone off some place for rectification please.
Mint livered 42969 out on 178 today whilst 44553 was earning it's keep on the Bath - Wells corridor.
Cheers, Mike R

I was quite surprised when I was driving through Timsbury and 42969 went past heading to Norton!!

henairs · 4 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
I was quite surprised when I was driving through Timsbury and 42969 went past heading to Norton!!

Hi Wazoo,
Think it's the first time one of those have worked the route on a Saturday although I think one has worked in the week a short time ago.
Mike R

TheGrandWazoo · 4 May 2019

henairs said:
Hi Wazoo,
Think it's the first time one of those have worked the route on a Saturday although I think one has worked in the week a short time ago.
Mike R

I live locally Mike and I can't remember one before. In fact, been a while since we had a standard Pointer Dart in the area! Odd given how they were common on the 178/379 just a few years ago and in fact, the step floors were still capable of appearing on the 173/179 until the last few months

Andyh82 · 4 May 2019

D2007wsm said:
I wouldn’t say it was impossible for First WoE to operate all services on the X9, in the daytime it is only 3 buses, 2 being Abus and 1 being Weston. The 349 can be run with 3 buses. First would only need to find 5 buses to operate both services.

When I have caught the X8 and 349 in the past, I’ve noticed how shabby the vehicles are. First Darts or B7RLEs of the same age are more pleasant and presentable internally.

I’m surprised First allow the papers to drag their name through the mud when it wasn’t even their vehicle. I’d expect a correction in a tiny font on page 30

TheGrandWazoo · 4 May 2019

Andyh82 said:
I’m surprised First allow the papers to drag their name through the mud when it wasn’t even their vehicle. I’d expect a correction in a tiny font on page 30

It's standard practice in the Bristol Post to slag off First Bus/metrobus/cyclists/fast food outlets - delete as appropriate

carlberry · 4 May 2019

Andyh82 said:
I’m surprised First allow the papers to drag their name through the mud when it wasn’t even their vehicle. I’d expect a correction in a tiny font on page 30

The response from First suggests they haven't even noticed that it wasn't their vehicle and are more concerned that somebody has suggested the recent changes are a bit crap!

TheGrandWazoo · 5 May 2019

carlberry said:
The response from First suggests they haven't even noticed that it wasn't their vehicle and are more concerned that somebody has suggested the recent changes are a bit crap!

They will know obviously but doesn’t look good to shift the blame. After all, it then illustrates that they’re not managing a contractor.

henairs · 5 May 2019

TheGrandWazoo said:
I live locally Mike and I can't remember one before. In fact, been a while since we had a standard Pointer Dart in the area! Odd given how they were common on the 178/379 just a few years ago and in fact, the step floors were still capable of appearing on the 173/179 until the last few months

Hi Wazoo,
Yes remember the days when 178s were operated by Bath Darts several of which are now at Weston-Super-Mare and then later on 379 when a 47/5 Streetlite wasn't available.
Back then the boys from down our way used to do the 376 to Whitecross then walk across to Hallowtrow for either 178 or 179 routes.
Cheers, Mike R

TheGrandWazoo · 5 May 2019

henairs said:
Hi Wazoo,
Yes remember the days when 178s were operated by Bath Darts several of which are now at Weston-Super-Mare and then later on 379 when a 47/5 Streetlite wasn't available.
Back then the boys from down our way used to do the 376 to Whitecross then walk across to Hallowtrow for either 178 or 179 routes.
Cheers, Mike R

Hi Mike

Problem was there were 7 StreetLites but the 178/379 needed 8 vehicles! They’ve been worked hard but are now enjoying the sea air (though some are in Wales or Suffolk).

The 179 was often the last resting place of any old Dart - the step floors or the various remnants like that P-YUM one or R672DUS.

I used to get the 379 to Temple Cloud and head to Wells as it was better than the 173!!

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