Busaholic
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Jun 2014
- Messages
- 14,112
Incorrect statement that you have to buy a ticket before boarding a bus in London. Central London got rid of their ticket machines ages ago: with contactless, you pay when boarding.
The new MetroBus routes won't really be of any use to me really to be honest, and a fair number of other people in Bristol too. I for instance don't need to travel to places like Emersons Green, Knowle West, or Hengrove. The only part of the new upcoming route that I could use, is between Centre and Bedminster as I go over to Bedminster shopping sometimes. But if I have a First Bus ticket, this won't be valid on the Metrobus anyway, and I'd have to pay extra, and what's the point of that. So for normal travelling about Bristol, there'd be no need for me to use the MetroBus services really.
That said, I do like the introduction of these MetroBus services. Giving a faster more limited stop services to certain areas of Bristol, compared to the normal buses which keep stopping at bus stops every minute or so, and can take ages. Will these three MetroBus services be all there is, or will more services possibly be planned and introduced in a few years or so?
I will be giving the new M3 Centre-Emersons Green a go though when it comes into service. To see what it's like. Was hoping to get a ride on it on it's inaugural day of service. But 29th May is a Tuesday and I'll be at work. So it will have to wait till the following Saturday till I can get a ride on it.
Also I notice the planned South Bristol Link (Hengrove Park-Ashton Vale) service has been quietly dropped. As well as the stop at Bristol Parkway.
I hope nobody suggests that the only reason the route was ever suggested was to justify lumping the costs of building the A38-A370 link road into Metrobus!Also I notice the planned South Bristol Link (Hengrove Park-Ashton Vale) service has been quietly dropped. As well as the stop at Bristol Parkway.
I hope nobody suggests that the only reason the route was ever suggested was to justify lumping the costs of building the A38-A370 link road into Metrobus!
Even these M3 timings have more time added in than U.W.E and X48The MetroBus starts next week. I did say that I wouldn't be able to use it on it's innaugural day of service on Tuesday 29th May, however it looks like I may be able to now, in the afternoon. I'm looking forward to giving it a try on it's first day, even though otherwise this route(M3 The Centre-Emersons Green) is going to be no use to me atall as I've no reason to travel between any destinations along it's route.
Looking at the timetable though, the timings appear to be very optimistic. Between The Centre and Cabot Circus, journey times of just 2 or 3 minutes! I really can't see that happening, especially at peak times when traffic is heavy! More like about 5 minutes off-peak and 10 minutes or more peak would be more realistic! And then also journey times of 13 or 14 minutes between The Centre and UWE. Probably possible during off-peak times, though not at peak times when traffic on the M32 can be heavy - could be more like 20-25 minutes or more!
Like this one https://flic.kr/p/26dHynwSome of the ticket machines are now in place (spotted in the centre and on Lewins mead)
They won't need them until the 9th June, of course. Have all M3 stops got shelters and bike stands now (except the final stop at Emersons Green won't need a shelter and the city centre stops won't need bike stands)?M3 has 23 stops that need ticket machines.
Emersons Green should need a shelter as it is also the first stop for people going into town.They won't need them until the 9th June, of course. Have all M3 stops got shelters and bike stands now (except the final stop at Emersons Green won't need a shelter and the city centre stops won't need bike stands)?
Interesting you say that the return journey left early. I was on the Centre and saw one leave at 1237. This must have been the 1240 as the next one (the one you got) sat at the stop for ages.I stayed on the bus and came straight back again. Slightly surprisingly the bus departed Emersons Green a few minute earlier than timetabled at 1337 rather than 1340.
Like many others, I also sampled the m3 this afternoon. My experience was that some journeys ran more or less to time, but others ran considerably late; the 13:50 Begbrook to Emersons Green was 20 minutes late, and ran in tandem with the 14:10. It was extremely busy and it seemed that the free rides were being taken advantage of as a way to amuse the kids during half-term.Interesting you say that the return journey left early. I was on the Centre and saw one leave at 1237. This must have been the 1240 as the next one (the one you got) sat at the stop for ages.
It's a perfect time to do it. The only disadvantage is that it will have loads of families going for a free day out which might overload it a bit, however these are still a target audience for when it's running. Launching on a standard Bristol Monday would be murder (of course the real test for m3 will be in September when UWE are back).When I was listening to BBC Radio Bristol on Tuesday morning, people were saying that it was mad starting it on half term week. If anything I think that was the best idea! Gives them a week to iron out any issues before the normal madness next week.
People talking tripe on a phone in...Who’d have thought it. Same with the BP comments page and those who still don’t understand that the total cost includes lots of new roadsWhen I was listening to BBC Radio Bristol on Tuesday morning, people were saying that it was mad starting it on half term week. If anything I think that was the best idea! Gives them a week to iron out any issues before the normal madness next week.
The BP will repeat what they're told, the facts wont stop them! The A1 might use it however it wont actually provide a local service and nobody else will as it's unlikely to justify a supported service every other Tuesday (given that nothing ran across the fields involved before) however it's got to run at the full Metrobus spec before it can start. Of course the Councillors/MPs that are complaining about it not being there are not going to agree to subsidise a service just to move fresh air around every 10 minutes.What I don't get is the BP keep saying nothing will run over the Metrobus lanes on the South Bristol Link road for years, and I keeping thinking well the A1 will start running over it later this year.
I was on 36805 arriving in town at about 1240, and saw one leaving the Centre 'Returning to Depot' but it had passengers at the front upstairs.Arriving at the centre with a few minutes to spare I saw an M3 leaving. However another then arrived (36801) so I assumed it was a previous one running late. However 36801 then ran off with 'Returning to depot' as a destination. 36805 then turned up and, 8 minutes late we're off.
One week after the launch of the m3, and four more days of free travel, and the majority of the stops are still waiting for the installation of the ticket machines. Is there an issue with getting them to work? The one at UWE has been 'downloading the timetable' all week AFAIK.