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

[Private Baxter]

The 161 is very thin between Wells and Frome. The real surprise is how the 184 is hanging on.

You're right, I used it once or twice a couple of years ago (when it was still hourly) and I was one of only about three people on, picking up maybe one or two at one of the villages on the way. But I believe it does get some good loadings between Wells and Shepton. It's hard to believe that was once an additional, faster route to Frome, the 162, which basically missed out all the villages.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

You're right, I used it once or twice a couple of years ago (when it was still hourly) and I was one of only about three people on, picking up maybe one or two at one of the villages on the way. But I believe it does get some good loadings between Wells and Shepton. It's hard to believe that was once an additional, faster route to Frome, the 162, which basically missed out all the villages.

The service has been a dog for years. Bristol Omnibus withdrew Shepton to Frome (262) in 1978 when a local independent took it on. Think they got it back at dereg in 1986.

 

[South Westerly]

Oh dear that 161 really dying a death. Still, the Shepton to Wells section is, and always has been popular. Will be quite a low operation in Wells on Saturdays considering the 375 doesn't run either. Can't say I'm surprised about the other Shepton centred services though.

Don't know much about the 102 but presumably the extended 21 covers most of it anyway. Still, a loss for BoS, and that's a shame.

Except if there are college or school flows on the 102, as someone is still going to have to provide those! Same on the 29. Unless the operator is willing to carry on with the schoolday peaks to carry the Somerset College Ticket holders, then Somerset is going to have to contract dedicated school vehicles. Suspect the removal of these routes isn't necessarily as straightforward as it appears.

 

[freetoview33]

Except if there are college or school flows on the 102, as someone is still going to have to provide those! Same on the 29. Unless the operator is willing to carry on with the schoolday peaks to carry the Somerset College Ticket holders, then Somerset is going to have to contract dedicated school vehicles. Suspect the removal of these routes isn't necessarily as straightforward as it appears.

I think they just look at the bottom line, that cutting it will save money but as you said some trips still need to be provided, so surely it wouldn't cost a great deal more just to keep it going.
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Maybe something like Bristol and cut some funding and try to get them to take it on commercially. Or like Gloucestershire and have a complete review and redraw the map!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Except if there are college or school flows on the 102, as someone is still going to have to provide those! Same on the 29. Unless the operator is willing to carry on with the schoolday peaks to carry the Somerset College Ticket holders, then Somerset is going to have to contract dedicated school vehicles. Suspect the removal of these routes isn't necessarily as straightforward as it appears.

I don't know which 29s are supported. I thought when it went from hourly to 90 mins it lost SCC funding so assume it's only certain runs, perhaps hoping BoS take them on.

However, looks like they are going for closed dedicated journeys on the 102. They are proposing the end of the 102 - guess they then only pay for those movements for 39/40 weeks rather than a full service for 52.
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I think they just look at the bottom line, that cutting it will save money but as you said some trips still need to be provided, so surely it wouldn't cost a great deal more just to keep it going.
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Maybe something like Bristol and cut some funding and try to get them to take it on commercially. Or like Gloucestershire and have a complete review and redraw the map!

They aren't redrawing at the moment. More similar to the original Dorset plans with some dead ducks killed off or turned into DRT whilst others lose Saturday services. No real imagination sadly

 

[vicbury]

Meanwhile the apparent shortage of deckers led to one of the 09 reg E200s appearing on the 15. It was rammed!

Maybe someone at the depot got their 14s and 15s mixed-up?
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I don't think e300s are terrible (not as bad as e200) but the ADL build quality isn't a patch on Wrightbus.

The ones that Stagecoach have in Swindon are terrible, but maybe that's just how they have been looked after.

 

[stait.john]

A few sightings today:
37333 on the X6 meanwhile 33413 was on the 1 to Broomhill!
42895 seen on the 44 earlier today with 66161, 69437 and 42900 on the 1 & 2.
42723 on the 24 and 42954 on X10.
John

 

[g4mby]

And a couple of sightings from me:

46264 on X10, I think it was.
53401 on 88
69456 on A1

 

[Class 33]

A few sightings today:
37333 on the X6 meanwhile 33413 was on the 1 to Broomhill!
42895 seen on the 44 earlier today with 66161, 69437 and 42900 on the 1 & 2.
42723 on the 24 and 42954 on X10.
John

I had to look 33413 up on Flickr to see what bus this was. And was amazed to discover it was an Enviro 400!! An Enviro 400 on a Bristol city service!?

EDIT: Oh now wait a minute. Thought that was too good to be true. A search of 33413 on Flickr also reveals this number is a Marshall Dart too, which is probably the bus you meant!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I had to look 33413 up on Flickr to see what bus this was. And was amazed to discover it was an Enviro 400!! An Enviro 400 on a Bristol city service!?

Was reported a few days ago. 3 headed to Bristol and headed onto the 2 immediately
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Maybe someone at the depot got their 14s and 15s mixed-up?
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The ones that Stagecoach have in Swindon are terrible, but maybe that's just how they have been looked after.

Tbf, those Swindon ones are early versions. A number of issues have been addressed since but ADL aint a patch on Wright for quality

 

[ValleyLines142]

Tbf, those Swindon ones are early versions. A number of issues have been addressed since but ADL aint a patch on Wright for quality

I quite like the Enviro 300s. First Manchester have a nice fleet that operate the 81.

Wright have ruined buses like the Gemini 3 as they are so ugly. But my friend went on one of Stagecoach London's and she said the ride quality was awful!

 

[iantherev]

I had to look 33413 up on Flickr to see what bus this was. And was amazed to discover it was an Enviro 400!! An Enviro 400 on a Bristol city service!?

EDIT: Oh now wait a minute. Thought that was too good to be true. A search of 33413 on Flickr also reveals this number is a Marshall Dart too, which is probably the bus you meant!

No - it's definitely an E400 - transferred from Weston with the X6 service. A 33xxx Dart would be a Stagecoach vehicle.

 

[Private Baxter]

No - it's definitely an E400 - transferred from Weston with the X6 service. A 33xxx Dart would be a Stagecoach vehicle.

Indeed. Five digit fleet numbers beginning with 3 on First buses are always double deckers. If it begins with 4 it is a dart of some description, or at least a medium sized bus such as a B6.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I quite like the Enviro 300s. First Manchester have a nice fleet that operate the 81.

Wright have ruined buses like the Gemini 3 as they are so ugly. But my friend went on one of Stagecoach London's and she said the ride quality was awful!

Go to Bath and compare a Streetlite (475**) with an e200 (445**). The difference is pronounced. ADL just doesn't have the build quality. Same when travelling in Newcastle. The Wright B5LH of Go Ahead or Arriva is much better than Stagecoach e400h. The ADL isn't bad but too many fixture rattles which is what passengers notice rather than looks.

The Stagecoach Swindon e300s were early examples and had serious reliability and build issues. Their early e400s were also rattly on the Devizes run; later ones have improved.
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No - it's definitely an E400 - transferred from Weston with the X6 service. A 33xxx Dart would be a Stagecoach vehicle.

Indeed, Stagecoach 33413 is on Flickr in First livery but with STAGECOACH fleet names. It was a First Marshall Dart that transferred over with the sale of the Chester operations.

 

[Private Baxter]

41144 has been withdrawn!!! (Apparently).

 

[ValleyLines142]

I TOTALLY DID NOT SEE THE POST REGARDING 33413 ON THE 1!!!! HOW FABULOUS!!

Meanwhile, my favourite Gemini 37760 was on the X46 this afternoon!

 

[g4mby]

I TOTALLY DID NOT SEE THE POST REGARDING 33413 ON THE 1!!!! HOW FABULOUS!!

Meanwhile, my favourite Gemini 37760 was on the X46 this afternoon!

And either 33412, 33413 or 33419 has been on the X46 all day today.

This afternoon I saw 32278 at Winterbourne, broken down. Might've been the reason 37760 was being used.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed. Five digit fleet numbers beginning with 3 on First buses are always double deckers. If it begins with 4 it is a dart of some description, or at least a medium sized bus such as a B6.

Not quite....some Solos were numbered under 4**** series by Potteries thought to be in error. Some of those then ended up in Yeovil - think one might still be hanging on there

 

[ValleyLines142]

And either 33412, 33413 or 33419 has been on the X46 all day today.

This afternoon I saw 32278 at Winterbourne, broken down. Might've been the reason 37760 was being used.

Oh stop....I'm crying with joy!!

Tomorrow I'm stalking the buggers!

 

[CD]

Not quite....some Solos were numbered under 4**** series by Potteries thought to be in error. Some of those then ended up in Yeovil - think one might still be hanging on there

Afraid not, the last one 40006 was withdrawn 3 weeks ago.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Afraid not, the last one 40006 was withdrawn 3 weeks ago.

I knew they were endangered species and newer Solos had arrived. Were long term servants - must've come South about 2001 when Yeovil had a big allocation

 

[Private Baxter]

Seems like 69437's brief spell at LH is over, and is now back in BH, seen on the 179 this morning, and now out on the 38. Had wondered about this one.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Seems like 69437's brief spell at LH is over, and is now back in BH, seen on the 179 this morning, and now out on the 38. Had wondered about this one.

Becoming a bit of a wanderer. Wonder if it might be on loan to BH given how they appear to have been struggling for vehicles?

 

[windnoise69]

Around 1020 at Temple Meads the passengers on the 70 were treated to ermmmm Luxery? In te hands of 41200!!

Anybody now what any if the Ex Glasgow Tridents are working today?? In the centre for a few hours later and hope to catch a few

 

[Private Baxter]

Becoming a bit of a wanderer. Wonder if it might be on loan to BH given how they appear to have been struggling for vehicles?

Ha it is a bit isn't it! Bath have been a bit short, but to be fair when they lost the three ex-Wells B7s, they didn't really seem to be replaced by anything, so now they have at least one of them back. I suspect it was intednded for this one to stay in the first place.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Yay I'm on my lucky Gemini on the X74! (37760). Just left UWE full and standing

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ha it is a bit isn't it! Bath have been a bit short, but to be fair when they lost the three ex-Wells B7s, they didn't really seem to be replaced by anything, so now they have at least one of them back. I suspect it was intednded for this one to stay in the first place.

We shall see though did they lose anything when the 2 went to CT?

 

[Class 33]

Brilliant news that THREE Enviro 400's are in use on Bristol city services. I look forward to seeing them and even more so to actually get a ride on them. But seeing any and getting a ride on them will not be very easy!

 

[CD]

I knew they were endangered species and newer Solos had arrived. Were long term servants - must've come South about 2001 when Yeovil had a big allocation

53002 now withdrawn as well,leaving just one DDA non compliant Solo 53028.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Brilliant news that THREE Enviro 400's are in use on Bristol city services. I look forward to seeing them and even more so to actually get a ride on them. But seeing any and getting a ride on them will not be very easy!

I went up to Cribbs and back on the 1/2 and didn't see them there. 33412 was on the X6 but didn't see any others.

Although 37770 was on the X10, which is pretty exciting I think!