Whilst I sampled a few operators yesterday on a Network Rider day out, the majority were Stagecoach South Wales so thought I'd post my observations/adventures here. Thanks to all posters for their assistance, especially Bristol LH and Bristol RELL6L.
I began the day driving to Newport and dumping the car near Ringland and started the day on Newport Bus. It being Newport, they still have Exact Fare only and don't take contactless payment. Fortunately, I could scrabble together £8.50 and away we went into town on Solar no. 106 on the 8A (A for anticlockwise). As Newport bus station is being partly resurfaced, the Stagecoach services have been reallocated onto Queensway and so it was there I went to get the Gold X24 north. This was e300 27276 and I have to say, these machines are quite nice with USBs and wifi and decent seats and was a welcome investment by Stagecoach on one of the success stories of routes in Wales, booming over the last few years. It's a short hop to Cwmbran so I got off there for an urgent comfort break but, and I'm being honest, I cocked up the timetable so when I rejoined the X24 with 27278, I quickly realised my connection at Blaenavon for the 31 wasn't possible. So a quick check of the times was required.
From Pontypool, I went for the hourly 21 service to Blackwood, a place I've not been to for years. The vehicle was Solo 47382. A number of things caught my eye - the internal condition was really good for a 13 year old vehicle and in marked contrast to the slightly older examples that First have trundling around Bath. Also, the route was a bit of a joy as we dived in and out of villages, double runs and loops, before we arrived at the modern bus station in Blackwood. A short break before a short trip to Bargoed on the 14, a service run jointly with Harris but I had an ageing Stagecoach Dart 34760. This was a bit more tired internally but ok for a short trip, but this was one that terminated in Hanbury Sq rather than the Interchange. However, this meant I could catch the 1 to Merthyr, with a similar 2005 Dart in 34762.
Now 34762 wasn't too bad but my god, thanks for the tip on the route. The 1 heads out through the valley but then climbs above Fochriw - I half expected to see a Volvo PS across the valley! The route climbs into some wild and windswept route territory befor it descends into Pontllotyn with all sorts of diversions into various places. Was a really great trip so thanks for letting me know as it is a gem! The route then heads up from Rhymney to the Heads and then follows the old road before entering the outskirts of Merthyr, before we enter the timewarp that is Merthyr bus station. I thought that this was being redeveloped but it still represents one of the mankiest places to wait for a bus. I decided not to hang around as I needed to get my connection in Aberdare so it was Solo SR 47852 to head up to Hirwaun and then to Aberdare.
After a short feed, I went for the classic 172. I did this the opposite direction last year (perhaps the better way) but this is still one of the best bus routes to enjoy on a clear day as we climbed effortlessly on Scania e300 28642. Now the old B10Ms are much missed but I do think that these are excellent replacements and the 172 gives tremendous views as we dived into Maerdy and then through Ferndale before hopping over another hill and then to Penrhys and dropping towards Rhondda hospital where I got off. I had hoped the imminent 175 would be a Merc Sprinter but instead, this is a journey operated by Thomas of Porth. Not certain whether this is a shared tender or what, and the modern e200 (66 plate) banged and rattled along. For a newish machine, it was terrible and I was relieved to get off. I had a wander around Porth whilst I pondered my next move...
Then divine intervention as one of the Sprinters duly appeared. 44001 arrived ready to operate a local service - a little 10 min loop. I didn't care - I just wanted to run the rule over these. There were two drivers (one about to take over the other) but I had chance to chat with both and get their views on the Sprinters. They were in some ways, quite positive about them. They found them good to drive and much easier to get through narrow streets with parked cars than the usual Solos. However, they mentioned the limited capacity and the temperamental door mechanism. Also, the step is a bit high which is an issue for the elderly demographic. I settled back for my 10 min trip though I can understand the issues with limited legroom as we looped around Porth. I'm a compact 5'7 so for a taller person, it's a bit cosy.
Pleased with that, I hopped on the one remaining Gold service in the Rhondda as the 132 took me south out to Pontypridd. This was e200mmc 26105 that gave the opportunity to feed my phone. I saw plenty of older e300 on the now de-golded 120/130 - strange services to have converted in the first place. The 122 would have been a much more logical one, I'd have thought but there you go. I arrived in Pontypridd and then hopped onto the 7 back to Blackwood. This is Harris Coaches Solo MX56ACU and was in reasonable condition and with a good load for late afternoon. We then bombed up the A470 before we then served two of the most pathetic bus stations in Wales at Treharris and Nelson. Harris occupy an interesting place in the valleys working with Stagecoach though I'm sure that they'd sooner Harris wasn't around. It's a typical South Wales indie of old. The plan was to head back to Newport and had the choice of two routes but I chose the 151, newly Golded with the old 120/130 stock - this was 26183. Now, this is another area where Stagecoach are on the ball. They realised they made a mistake and moved the fleet - however, the route branding has been changed very efficiently but more importantly, they've changed various panels to incorporate the change of service.
Stagecoach South Wales aren't perfect and there are areas in which they can improve but overall, they are a very good firm. The fleet has been renewed fairly regularly though the use of 2005 Darts on some relatively long routes from Merthyr is hopefully soon to be tackled. The sheer number of Solos indicates the tough operating conditions and narrow compact streets in many former pit villages but at least Stagecoach are still committed to operating local services. The fleet was reasonably turned out - not earth shattering but perfectly acceptable. Internal marketing was a bit weak except on the Gold vehicles which are excellent - the e200mmc are some of the most comfortable vehicles going. However, area timetables were on every Stagecoach bus I travelled on. Stagecoach often get criticised (sometimes justly) and one gripe is their lack of innovation. I think that's a bit unfair BUT they do excel at doing the simple things well in most of their operations.
That brought me into Newport and the chance to enjoy the local council owned firm, Newport Bus. As it was still relatively early, I decided to head to Bettws to see if there was any evidence of the former Foxstar enterprise. There wasn't; I don't know if they ever had any bus stop publicity (they claimed to) but it certainly wasn't in evidence. My chosen 15 didn't appear (!) but no problem, I went on the clockwise 16 instead with Omnicity 60. Another healthy early evening load though the 53 plate Scania seemed a bit ropey internally; electric wiring being partly gaffer taped to the ceiling panel and the worn seating hardly portray a healthy operation and in fact seemed rather cowboy-ish. I got off in Bettws and ignored the 15 approaching so I could make a call. No worries, they'd be another 16 in 20 mins so I waited...and waited. Again, it never arrived so I continued to wait with eventually a 16 appearing in Omnicity 49, a newer yet again hardly pristine machine.
Foxstar may have been like some financially incontinent Brigadoon, but the fact is that Newport Bus are a really poor operation. It seems hamstrung by a lack of investment but that doesn't explain poor service delivery on a Saturday evening. That is just poor management and they seem to be stuck in a timewarp in terms of their routes, marketing and everything. I finished off with an elderly Dart (336) that was new in London that trundled along with a warning buzzer sounding all the way back to my car. It was a stark contrast with the two Stagecoach Darts of similar age I been on earlier.
So that was it. A long day with buses always seeming to be about 5 mins late and meaning even simple connections were a bit rushed. Also, I wanted to do certain things which meant my usual demand of a rest for lunch was sacrificed. Overall, a really good day and I can recommend a day out on Stagecoach South Wales (and other operators) courtesy of the excellent Network Rider. Sorry for the length of the post - a lot to cram in and hope it was of interest.
