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

[83G/84D]

The A1 is up to every 12 in peak now.
The airport should have updated the timetables, as we sent them off yonks ago.

Edit: BODS still hasn't got our changes, so stuff isn't showing up on bustimes properly.

Thanks, although there is a waiting area at the airport bus station the route from it down to the stops could do with some sort of covering. It wouldn't have been much fun standing in the rain for a long period.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Just a short one from me as I'm out and on my phone. The Y6 is supposed to stop at the Haymarket. I just witnessed a bloke there putting his hand out for a Y6 but the driver didn't stop!! This driver needs educating about this service! I wouldn't be surprised if other drivers of the Y6 and 17 don't stop there too!!

Tbh I'm somewhat surprised a stop at Haymarket is even on the timetable. I don't think any of other service that starts off at the bus station has a stop that close. Whilst of course, the drivers should be stopping for people as it is on the timetable, I'm not too surprised that it may be causing some confusion!

Thanks, although there is a waiting area at the airport bus station the route from it down to the stops could do with some sort of covering. It wouldn't have been much fun standing in the rain for a long period.

Absolutely agree with that. I had a bit of a surprise when I flew out of there last month as last time I had been down at the airport the buses stopped right outside the terminal building so very much didn't expect to have to walk through the rain after getting off the bus!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks, although there is a waiting area at the airport bus station the route from it down to the stops could do with some sort of covering. It wouldn't have been much fun standing in the rain for a long period.

Indeed. About a year ago, I was enjoying a trip out on the CT Plus routes in North Somerset and broke my trip to have a coffee in the terminal building. It was a sprint as it was very wet, but then again I didn't have cases.

Here's a shot of my bus that took me to/at Hengrove - the rain had not abated!

Again, you can see why people pay on the A1 all the way to the airport terminal rather than bailing early and walking! Good to see the frequency is increasing again on there.

Wonder how the replacements for withdrawn First services are doing this week?

 

[-Colly405-]

Tbh I'm somewhat surprised a stop at Haymarket is even on the timetable. I don't think any of other service that starts off at the bus station has a stop that close. Whilst of course, the drivers should be stopping for people as it is on the timetable, I'm not too surprised that it may be causing some confusion!

This is a repeat of the situation a few years ago. A service from the bus station towards Gloucester Rd had an advertised stop added at Haymarket, but I cannot recall it ever stopping. I'm thinking it was the 78/79, or perhaps the 309/310, or maybe even the X11, I can't remember.

In the end, the stop was removed from the timetable...

 

[sk688]

I had a free journey on a 173 out to Wells from Bath today. The driver could not get the ticket machine to work (and not through want of trying either, we set off from Bath 10 minutes late as he kept trying to fix it to no avail). It was a fully loaded bus as well, so it's a shame that much revenue would have been lost as a result.

 

[Callum15632]

I had a free journey on a 173 out to Wells from Bath today. The driver could not get the ticket machine to work (and not through want of trying either, we set off from Bath 10 minutes late as he kept trying to fix it to no avail). It was a fully loaded bus as well, so it's a shame that much revenue would have been lost as a result.

What journey was this?

 

[Class 33]

I'm just about to test if a 17 stops at Haymarket in a minute when I put my hand out for it! My gut feeling is it won't!!

More later

Well what do you know, it stopped for me! Hopefully ALL drivers of the 17 and Y6 will stop at this stop from now on if people put their hands out. Mind you it was 13 minutes late tonight, despite it saying on the First Bus app it was on time just shortly before the scheduled time. So had to wait about 20 minutes for it, and several other buses in the 70 series of services stopping in the meantime. When it arrived, only a few other people boarded. No other people boarded between there and Zetland Road Junction. I had the luxury of a window seat and two seats to myself, and being the only person on the top deck! The chances of that happening on any of the other buses heading up Gloucester Road during the evening rush hour(s) is practically ZERO! If the buses are not rammed upon departing The Haymarket, they probably will be upon departing Stokes Croft! So not many people seem to be aware they can get a 17 or Y6 up Gloucester Road yet. So in the meantime until passenger volumes pick up on the new Bristol Bus Station-Southmead Hospital route of these services, you'll have the luxury of the buses being pretty sparse for your journeys! For me, it depends what the times are though and how convenient they are for me at the time. If I'm at The Haymarket and I just want to get home quickly and it involves waiting 20 to 30 minutes or more for a 17 or Y6, then I'll just get one of the other buses, albeit having to put up with some pretty crammed buses. Though if it only involves no more than up to 10 minutes wait then I'll probably wait for a 17 or Y6 for a more comfortable journey.

 

[-Colly405-]

I was on a Y6 yesterday; 2 people boarded at Great Stoke and bought singles to the City Centre from the driver.

I'm surprised that the driver sold the tickets without any attempt at any of "you do know this bus takes for ever to get there" or "I only gos to the bus station," or "there's an m1 in 5 minutes".

The fact that the destination just says Bristol with no via other than Parkway (I think) doesn't help...

 

[Class 33]

I was on a Y6 yesterday; 2 people boarded at Great Stoke and bought singles to the City Centre from the driver.

I'm surprised that the driver sold the tickets without any attempt at any of "you do know this bus takes for ever to get there" or "I only gos to the bus station," or "there's an m1 in 5 minutes".

The fact that the destination just says Bristol with no via other than Parkway (I think) doesn't help...

Some drivers are helpful enough to say to boarding passengers(who ask for tickets to wherever) that this bus goes the long way round and you're better off getting another bus, i.e. M1 or whatever. Some aren't very helpful though and won't bother advising them otherwise. I remember a time someone got on a 73 at Stokes Croft and asked the driver for a single to Cribbs Causeway! The 73 as you know takes a very long route to get there. But the driver didn't bother telling them "You don't want this bus. It goes the long way round! You want a 75 or 76.".

I've noticed that the 17's departing Bristol Bus Station actually have Southmead Hospital on the destination displays on the buses and the departures screens. Presumably to help identify to passengers that it runs via Gloucester Road to Southmead Hospital. Then I presume when it gets near the hospital they change the destination to Kingswood or Keynsham.

Annoyingly I just missed a 17 today from The Haymarket. The late running 1640 departure from Bristol Bus Station. If those pedestrian traffic lights to cross the road from the other side hadn't have taken so long(took about 4 minutes!!) to change to green I could have just about got it! I noticed there were a fair number of people waiting for buses there. A number of whom were bound to be heading to somewhere up the Gloucester Road. But I noticed the bus didn't stop, and appeared to have no passengers onboard. I presume no one put their hand out for it. I think a lot of people still haven't cottoned on yet they can get a 17 and Y6 up Gloucester Road. Might take a while for more people to cotton on to this. Although if they look at the timetables on the First website they will easily be able to discover this. Most people are just used to getting any bus in the 70 series of services to travel to and from Cheltenham Road and Gloucester Road, and presume service numbers completely different such as the 17 and Y6 don't go there.

 

[sk688]

What journey was this?

The 1250 Departure from Bath bus station last wednesday.

 

[Callum15632]

Some drivers are helpful enough to say to boarding passengers(who ask for tickets to wherever) that this bus goes the long way round and you're better off getting another bus, i.e. M1 or whatever. Some aren't very helpful though and won't bother advising them otherwise. I remember a time someone got on a 73 at Stokes Croft and asked the driver for a single to Cribbs Causeway! The 73 as you know takes a very long route to get there. But the driver didn't bother telling them "You don't want this bus. It goes the long way round! You want a 75 or 76.".

I've noticed that the 17's departing Bristol Bus Station actually have Southmead Hospital on the destination displays on the buses and the departures screens. Presumably to help identify to passengers that it runs via Gloucester Road to Southmead Hospital. Then I presume when it gets near the hospital they change the destination to Kingswood or Keynsham.

Annoyingly I just missed a 17 today from The Haymarket. The late running 1640 departure from Bristol Bus Station. If those pedestrian traffic lights to cross the road from the other side hadn't have taken so long(took about 4 minutes!!) to change to green I could have just about got it! I noticed there were a fair number of people waiting for buses there. A number of whom were bound to be heading to somewhere up the Gloucester Road. But I noticed the bus didn't stop, and appeared to have no passengers onboard. I presume no one put their hand out for it. I think a lot of people still haven't cottoned on yet they can get a 17 and Y6 up Gloucester Road. Might take a while for more people to cotton on to this. Although if they look at the timetables on the First website they will easily be able to discover this. Most people are just used to getting any bus in the 70 series of services to travel to and from Cheltenham Road and Gloucester Road, and presume service numbers completely different such as the 17 and Y6 don't go there.

I caught the 15:05 17 from Bristol Bus Station this afternoon and quite a few got on from the Bus Station. Then once we got to by the Beefeater we stopped at that stop and nobody got on, then once we got to Stokes Croft 2 people got on. Once we got to Zetland Road Junction outside the Sainsbury's a few more people got on. Then we didn't stop at any stops along Gloucester Road so we caught up with the 76 that was 6 or 7 minutes Infront of us. Other than that there was hardly anybody getting on. The bus I caught was 39438 YN69 EHR and from Bristol Bus Station it said Kingswood on it.

 

[Class 33]

Out of interest where did you get that Y6 to Callum?

I'm quite liking these Y6 and 17's serving Gloucester Road now. It's a great way to get a comfortable journey, guaranteed window seat and two seats to yourself at peak times! I aim to get any of these two services at 1641(or just after) on weekdays when travelling home from work at Bradley Stoke. It's probably a 50/50 chance though I'll be able to get to The Haymarket in time to get these two services at that time though. Depends if I can get a T1 or M1 to Bond Street getting there by about 1637, am able to dash quickly across to The Haymarket and don't get held up by either or both of those sets of pedestrian traffic lights that can take ages to change to green(or awaiting traffic to be light enough) to be able to cross the road, and it also helps if either the Y6 or 17 is a couple of minutes-ish late! Have been lucky to just about catch these services yesterday and today. Was a Y6 yesterday and a 17 today(which had Keynsham on the bus destination display, though Southmead Hospital on the overhead departures display on the bus stop). Both days there was already several people onboard from the Bus Station. Not sure where they were going. Maybe they're going somewhere up Gloucester Road and have found out this trick of getting either of these services at this time to avoid otherwise catching one of the usual buses up Gloucester Road which are very crowded at this time of day!

Still very few people using these services between Bristol Bus Station and the Gloucester Road from my observations so far. Though a noticeable increase today in passengers boarding at stops from The Haymarket compared to yesterday. So maybe it's slowly starting to pick up a bit now. Am surprised that still so few people are using these services along this stretch though, as it's easy enough to find out they run via Gloucester Road.

Also got a Y6 back to Zetland Road Junction on Saturday morning. I was the only passenger on the bus!

 

[Callum15632]

Out of interest where did you get that Y6 to Callum?

I'm quite liking these Y6 and 17's serving Gloucester Road now. It's a great way to get a comfortable journey, guaranteed window seat and two seats to yourself at peak times! I aim to get any of these two services at 1641(or just after) on weekdays when travelling home from work at Bradley Stoke. It's probably a 50/50 chance though I'll be able to get to The Haymarket in time to get these two services at that time though. Depends if I can get a T1 or M1 to Bond Street getting there by about 1637, am able to dash quickly across to The Haymarket and don't get held up by either or both of those sets of pedestrian traffic lights that can take ages to change to green(or awaiting traffic to be light enough) to be able to cross the road, and it also helps if either the Y6 or 17 is a couple of minutes-ish late! Have been lucky to just about catch these services yesterday and today. Was a Y6 yesterday and a 17 today(which had Keynsham on the bus destination display, though Southmead Hospital on the overhead departures display on the bus stop). Both days there was already several people onboard from the Bus Station. Not sure where they were going. Maybe they're going somewhere up Gloucester Road and have found out this trick of getting either of these services at this time to avoid otherwise catching one of the usual buses up Gloucester Road which are very crowded at this time of day!

Still very few people using these services between Bristol Bus Station and the Gloucester Road from my observations so far. Though a noticeable increase today in passengers boarding at stops from The Haymarket compared to yesterday. So maybe it's slowly starting to pick up a bit now. Am surprised that still so few people are using these services along this stretch though, as it's easy enough to find out they run via Gloucester Road.

Also got a Y6 back to Zetland Road Junction on Saturday morning. I was the only passenger on the bus!

I didn't get a Y6 I got a 17 from Bristol Bus Station at 15:05.

 

[Class 33]

I didn't get a Y6 I got a 17 from Bristol Bus Station at 15:05.

Sorry it was the 17 I meant to say. Not to worry. Thanks for the report.

I just managed to miss the 17 this evening, but got the late running(about 14 minutes) Y6. I was the only one who got on at The Haymarket. No other people getting on until Zetland Road Junction(just one passenger). Several people already on there who got on at the Bus Station though.

 

[freetoview33]

Since these service cuts I've still come across a fair number of cancelled services, doesn't feel like things have improved

 

[90sWereBetter]

Streetdeck 35114 has unexpectedly turned up 250 miles away in Lowestoft today, apparently due to join the Norwich fleet. I would imagine this may be a cascade to clear out Eastern Counties' remaining Presidents, but I can't imagine there's that many surplus vehicles in Bristol to be utilised, they've already shed many B9TLs and MMCs.

 

[Callum15632]

Streetdeck 35114 has unexpectedly turned up 250 miles away in Lowestoft today, apparently due to join the Norwich fleet. I would imagine this may be a cascade to clear out Eastern Counties' remaining Presidents, but I can't imagine there's that many surplus vehicles in Bristol to be utilised, they've already shed many B9TLs and MMCs.

35163 is also transferring up there to be in the first eastern counties fleet.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

35163 is also transferring up there to be in the first eastern counties fleet.

At long last - it's something I've mentioned/advocated before. I had suggested that in the past as Norwich is not as demanding.

Of course, with 35163 going up, that is one of the former Wells examples that were diverted there from Norwich in the first place!

 

[Callum15632]

Yesterday I got the 17 from Bristol Bus Station. The service was delayed 10 minutes as the driver was late coming off another service. The driver got in the bus and couldn't start it so the horn kept going off then a person in the bus station helped the driver start it. The reason why he couldn't start it is because he was a new driver and has only got tested on the citylines east gas buses and not this bus. Which was by the way 33798 YX66 WLC (48,48A,49 Branded e400 MMC). There was a couple of people who got on from Bristol Bus Station. Once we got to the next stop by the Beefeater quite a number of people got on so I assume people have now cottoned onto the 17 going up Gloucester Road. We then got to Stokes Croft then a more people then got on. By the way the driver didn't know how to drive the bus properly. We picked up more people and dropped people off along Gloucester Road (The driver has his last test today by the way).

 

[-Colly405-]

I've just noticed that there is a new T1 timetable from Nov 6th, which looks to have one main difference - two additional short workings from Willow Brook to the Bus Station on weekdays, leaving at 0745 and 0800. It looks as though someone has listened to the complaints of people being left behind at the stops en route due to full buses .

Traveline link to new timetable: http://nationaljourneyplanner.trave...layHeader=false&itdLPxx_sessionID=0&lineVer=2

 

[Callum15632]

Does anyone know what was tracking as 33491 on the 76 as that was double tracking between the 76 and the U1 and I believe it was actually on the U1?

 

[Dren Ahmeti]

Does anyone know what was tracking as 33491 on the 76 as that was double tracking between the 76 and the U1 and I believe it was actually on the U1?

It was a 37 Hengrove bus, I saw it come in as I was on shift.

 

[Class 33]

Yesterday I got the 17 from Bristol Bus Station. The service was delayed 10 minutes as the driver was late coming off another service. The driver got in the bus and couldn't start it so the horn kept going off then a person in the bus station helped the driver start it. The reason why he couldn't start it is because he was a new driver and has only got tested on the citylines east gas buses and not this bus. Which was by the way 33798 YX66 WLC (48,48A,49 Branded e400 MMC). There was a couple of people who got on from Bristol Bus Station. Once we got to the next stop by the Beefeater quite a number of people got on so I assume people have now cottoned onto the 17 going up Gloucester Road. We then got to Stokes Croft then a more people then got on. By the way the driver didn't know how to drive the bus properly. We picked up more people and dropped people off along Gloucester Road (The driver has his last test today by the way).

Whilst I believe you think more people have cottoned to being able to get the 17 & Y6 between Gloucester Road and The Haymarket from your experience of that 17 you got on the other day, my observations are that still very very few people are using these services between these two areas. I haven't got on these services on a weekday early evening now since about last Tuesday, as I've been getting the Stagecoach 3X to get home to Redland on an evening now(which takes roughly about the same time it takes to get an M1 or T1 from Bradley Stoke to Broadmead and then a bus from there to Zetland Road Junction and then walking up Zetland Road). On my journeys home on the 3X going down Gloucester Road at about 1650 I've noticed the 17 & Y6 buses heading up Gloucester Road. I can't see how many people are on the lower decks of these buses, but I can see there's not a single person atall on the upper decks! Yet I'm seeing the likes of the 73, 75 & 76 just after or just before and they're absolutely rammed! A lot of people are missing a trick by not getting on a 17 or Y6 if it turns up and they're just heading to Gloucester Road! I'm surprised it's taking so long for people to realise they can get these services.

Whilst I believe you think more people have cottoned to being able to get the 17 & Y6 between Gloucester Road and The Haymarket from your experience of that 17 you got on the other day, my observations are that still very very few people are using these services between these two areas. I haven't got on these services on a weekday early evening now since about last Tuesday, as I've been getting the Stagecoach 3X to get home to Redland on an evening now(which takes roughly about the same time it takes to get an M1 or T1 from Bradley Stoke to Broadmead and then a bus from there to Zetland Road Junction and then walking up Zetland Road). On my journeys home on the 3X going down Gloucester Road at about 1650 I've noticed the 17 & Y6 buses heading up Gloucester Road. I can't see how many people are on the lower decks of these buses, but I can see there's not a single person atall on the upper decks! Yet I'm seeing the likes of the 73, 75 & 76 just after or just before and they're absolutely rammed! A lot of people are missing a trick by not getting on a 17 or Y6 if it turns up and they're just heading to Gloucester Road! I'm surprised it's taking so long for people to realise they can get these services.

The following below was posted today(Saturday). Even though it appears on here as showing as posted on Wednesday!

In follow-up to that. What a difference the 17 was when I got on it yesterday(the 1720 service from Bristol Bus Station)! Firstly it was showing on the First Bus app as being due in 8 minutes(late running). So was surprised to see it pulled in at The Haymarket as I was trying to cross the road. Luckily the traffic lights turned to red(and green for pedestrians), I had to make a mad dash for it, and only just about got on it in time! There were a number of people who had already boarded it at The Haymarket and the Bus Station. Probably about 30 people on it by the time I got on. Though there were at least 30 odd people waiting at The Haymarket for a bus, and I expect a number of them were only going as far as Gloucester Road and could have got on this bus but not aware they could have done! Then several more people boarded at Stokes Croft. Two more people at Montpelier High School, and a few more at Zetland Road Junction. So by the time I got off there were about 41 people on the bus! Really surprised compared to my all my previous observations. So it seems suddenly a lot more people are becoming aware they can use this service now.

Incidentally, I see there was a hell of a lot of cancellations yesterday. I noticed on the First Bus app that between 1700 and 1800 at The Haymarket(northbound) stop there were NINE services cancelled! The 70, 73, 74, 75, and 76. The state of bus services in Bristol nowadays is the worst I've ever seen it. So many buses being cancelled. I've seen instances such as three 75's in a row being cancelled, causing long delays for people to get to their destinations. It's very very poor. Back in April a new timetable was introduced and there were service frequency cuts due to a shortage of drivers and we were led to believe that services would be much more reliable! So much for that! There were still a lot of service cancellations! Then in October another new timetable and further service frequency cuts and some services cut altogether, and again we were led to believe services would be much more reliable! So much for that! Still loads of cancellations!

 

[83G/84D]

Reports that an Extinction Rebellion protest has taken place at Bristol Temple Meads and involved an "Airport Bus". Information from railway sources, hopefully any staff and the bus is okay.

 

[Dai Corner]

Reports that an Extinction Rebellion protest has taken place at Bristol Temple Meads and involved an "Airport Bus". Information from railway sources, hopefully any staff and the bus is okay.

Bristol Airport Flyer bus blockaded by teenage Extinction Rebellion activists

They were also protesting about cuts to the local bus services in Bristol

www.bristolpost.co.uk

Teenage activists from Extinction Rebellion's Youth wing in Bristol boarded and blockaded an Airport Flyer bus as it arrived at Temple Meads Station this afternoon. The action, which began at 2pm, was conducted by protesters as young as 16 and 17 in protest at the ongoing plans to expand Bristol Airport, and against swingeing cuts to regular bus services in Bristol.

The activists hung banners out of the window of the bus, which had just deposited its passengers from the airport to the station, and prevented it from embarking on a return trip to the airport.

 

[Citistar]

Shame they picked one heading for the Bus Station rather than the Airport. I can't deny that i think some of their concerns are valid - it seems that Airport and University services always take precedence over bus services aimed at the general public.

I'm not sure what the answer is when resources are in such short supply. As well as the well documented shortage of drivers, i have also seen reports that First are short of vehicles across WoE-land, perhaps prompted by older machines being moved away in preparation for the Bristol CAZ. Although there seems to be plenty of activity with the training buses around, i struggle to see enough new pilots being trained and retained to make a significant difference. There certainly won't be enough to be able to resource the Combined Authority's ambitions for BSIP-funded new services next Easter, providing the funding for them doesn't get withdrawn before they're awarded of course.

 

[150249]

39341 has emerged in a blue version of the m1/2/3 routes. It is for use on the m4

 

[-Colly405-]

A significant number of specific journeys are now cancelled until at least April 2nd. From a quick glance, it only appears to impact HG and LH services.

Temporary Journey Cancellations due to ongoing driver shortages

Due to ongoing driver shortages, which are making it difficult to operate all journeys in our current timetables, we have removed some journeys across several services. The cancelled journeys, which are listed below, will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, and on the real time information...

www.firstbus.co.uk

Due to ongoing driver shortages, which are making it difficult to operate all journeys in our current timetables, we have removed some journeys across several services. The cancelled journeys, which are listed below, will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, and on the real time information screens at bus stops

We are doing our utmost to address the driver shortage but doing so will inevitably take some time. As a result, we expect these cancellations to remain in place until at least the next major change to timetables on Sunday 2nd April, which is a date agreed between all operators and the West of England Combined Authority.

We regret having to do this as we appreciate it will cause some disruption, but by giving customers advance notice of cancellations rather than having to learn of them on the day, we want to make it easier for travel plans to be adjusted. Cancelling these journeys in advance also enables our operations teams to focus on delivering a more reliable service for our customers, rather than dealing with cancelling journeys on the day.

We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding as we manage this difficult situation.

Please continue to check the First Bus app for up-to-date service information.

 

[Whiteway215]

A significant number of specific journeys are now cancelled until at least April 2nd. From a quick glance, it only appears to impact HG and LH services.

Temporary Journey Cancellations due to ongoing driver shortages

Due to ongoing driver shortages, which are making it difficult to operate all journeys in our current timetables, we have removed some journeys across several services. The cancelled journeys, which are listed below, will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, and on the real time information...

www.firstbus.co.uk

So will Bath Weston and Wells areas be next on the hit list of cancellations?

 

[freetoview33]

A significant number of specific journeys are now cancelled until at least April 2nd. From a quick glance, it only appears to impact HG and LH services.

Temporary Journey Cancellations due to ongoing driver shortages

Due to ongoing driver shortages, which are making it difficult to operate all journeys in our current timetables, we have removed some journeys across several services. The cancelled journeys, which are listed below, will show as cancelled on the First Bus app, and on the real time information...

www.firstbus.co.uk

I will be happy with this IF the remaining services are reliable.