First Hampshire & Dorset (Wessex, Dorset & South Somerset)

[ValleyLines142]

35209 completely destroyed by fire last night on the A31.

Double decker bus 'completely destroyed' after fire on A31 at Stoney Cross | Daily Echo

The DOUBLE decker bus burst into flames - shutting part a major road.

www.dailyecho.co.uk

/

A DOUBLE decker City red bus was left completely destroyed after it caught fire on A31 on Saturday night.

The flame-engulfed bus was snapped by Echo reader Laura Aubin after the incident shut the major road causing seven miles of tailbacks.

The fire caused heavy traffic on the eastbound carriageway with people leaving their vehicles to watch the blaze.

Hampshire police tweeted: "A closure is in place on the A31 eastbound opposite Stoney Cross services due to a bus fire, one lane likely to be open in around 40 minutes. Updates to follow."


Laura said: (There's) a City Red double decker bus on fire on the A31 at Stoney Cross.

"There is a lot of traffic backed up and people out of their vehicles."

 

[route101]

35209 completely destroyed by fire last night on the A31.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/20899430.amp/

A shame , city red only had a couple of these.

 

[Paperyostrich]

New services 9/9A in Weymouth from Monday 9 January 2023

* * * UPDATE ON 04/01/2023 * * * These new services will arrive / depart from K5 bus stop at the King's Statue - please see the attached map below to verify the actual bus routes. New services 9/9A in Weymouth from Monday 9 January 2023 We're delighted to confirm new services 9/9A running...

www.firstbus.co.uk

Looks like First are trialling a new 9/9A service that broadly covers the old SWC 206 route. Fingers crossed it is a success.

 

[dgl]

Slightly interesting that one of the E400's acquired from Manchester that was briefly used by Rotala when they were waiting for the Streetdecks seems to still have it's WiFi turned on but not working, wondered why my sister could see "Rotala_wifi" on her phone then saw one of the E400's at a nearby stop.

And more importantly it would seem the 502 Littlesea Haven service is to get two open top B7TL Presidents from Cornwall, start earlier (1st of March (when the owners are allowed back full time)) and renumbered 12, and the 503 Waterside (to be renamed Bowleaze Park and Spa iirc) service is to get the two Sunseeker E200's (44076/44078) and renumbered 13.
Interesting as they have been the 502/3 for years, wonder if the 501 will get renamed as well.

 

[Volvodart]

First Bus purchase new site to create new ‘super bus depot’ in Portsmouth

https://news.firstbus.co.uk/news/fi...e-to-create-new-super-bus-depot-in-portsmouth

First Bus have purchased the old Daily Mail processing centre in Portsmouth.
The new site will become a purpose built all-electric site fit to host their new electric bus fleet of the future.
The new depot will take up to 2-3 years to build and represents a significant investment and future commitment to bus services in Portsmouth.
First Bus will be launching 62 brand-new all-electric buses from April 2024 from its existing Hoeford depot site.

First Bus plan to create a new ‘super depot’ in Portsmouth after it secured the purchase of the Daily Mail Group news centre.

The purchase of the new site, which is opposite their current Hilsea Depot, is part of an expansion to reinforce its commitment to the future of bus services in the local area.

The new depot will become a purpose-built electric bus depot of the future within two years with the capability to run a fully electrified bus fleet of up to 90 vehicles.

The new site is the next step in the company’s mission 2035 pledge to operate a fully zero emission fleet and will be a huge leap forward for staff, customers and the local environment.

The construction of the new site will get underway in the next few months and will likely take around two to three years to fully complete, but the electric charging infrastructure for an all-electric bus fleet in the future.

First Bus South Managing Director Simon Goff said: “We are thrilled to have secured this new site and to share the good news with our customers and our colleagues. This will have a massive impact for the better on the daily working lives of our hard-working staff and we cannot wait to share the improvements with our customers as well.

“This represents a significant investment and future commitment to providing zero-emission bus services in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.”

Councillor Lynne Stagg, Cabinet Member for Transportation said:

"We are delighted to hear the news that First will be creating their 'super bus depot' here in Portsmouth. This demonstrates a huge commitment to public transport in our city and will provide a home for the electric bus fleet, helping us to provide clean, zero emission public transport across Portsmouth".

 

[buscoaster]

If it is correct that Weymouth are looking at working into Swanage this summer, it will be interesting to see what route they choose to take a I understand some of the coastline is a danger zone in that direction. It will also add some serious competition into the equation with MoreBus. I would have have thought there could also be opportunity to extend the X52 into Lyme Regis as well - I could see it attracting a lucrative tourist market.

 

[43055]

If it is correct that Weymouth are looking at working into Swanage this summer, it will be interesting to see what route they choose to take a I understand some of the coastline is a danger zone in that direction. It will also add some serious competition into the equation with MoreBus. I would have have thought there could also be opportunity to extend the X52 into Lyme Regis as well - I could see it attracting a lucrative tourist market.

First Wessex's summer timetable is online now and has no mention of Swanage. Instead the X52 is split in 2 with the east side being renumbered X50 and runs hourly between Wool and Weymouth via Lulworth Cove.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/wessex%20guide%20mar23%20WEB_0.pdf

 

[Peter Philips]

First Wessex's summer timetable is online now and has no mention of Swanage. Instead the X52 is split in 2 with the east side being renumbered X50 and runs hourly between Wool and Weymouth via Lulworth Cove.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/maps/wessex%20guide%20mar23%20WEB_0.pdf

The drivers were told the Swanage X50 extension would run in the school summer holidays but I've no idea if it is going ahead with the local driver shortages.

The last year of Jurassic Mule we turned a profit despite paying out for accommodation for majority of drivers who were local. That wouldn’t be necessary for First.

It could integrate with the Lyme Regis Park and Ride (assume it’s still operating) to maximise efficiency and takings. Pvr of 2 to operate hourly. Newlands holiday park at Charmouth was a huge source of income for the Mule open tops

First pulled out of the Lyme Regis P&R shortly before it was due to start because of operational reasons, leaving the council to try and find another operator at short notice.

Park and ride not operating at Easter due to operational issues | Lyme Regis Town Council

LYME’S park and ride service will not operate during the Easter holidays due to operational issues with the bus company. The service was due...

www.lymeregistowncouncil.gov.uk

 

[buscoaster]

The X50 Swanage extension comes to an end this Saturday. Does anybody know how popular it has been this year?