I tend to use the U18 service most of the time, only relying on first if I am in a rush or the U18 doesn't turn up.
I'm tempted to say "
Traitor" here
I do find the removal of the number 8 a bit odd. I know the route is provided by the U10 and if someone wants to use first they can just change buses in town, but the times I travelled on the 8 it was pretty busy. Maybe it was only ever the one or two services I used that were busy and at all other times it was empty? Or is it just a case of first wanting to put all resources into their other routes?
First's view was that most passengers on the 8 didn't travel beyond Oldfield Park (if not the centre), making the route somewhat pointless. The drivers on the other hand are mostly of the opinion that they have made a mistake - it puts unnecessary pressure on the 10. One journey (I forget which) in the evening often left people behind; last year, deckers were a common sight in the morning. Overall, I believe the U10 should be doubled in frequency, giving two buses an hour between Coronation Avenue etc and the University, and four between Southdown as a whole and the University.
By contrast, whenever I travelled on the 8 it averaged about two passengers (not including me) per journey
The customer charter you posted earlier in the thread looks interesting though. I lost count of the number of times an 18 hasn't turned up at all in my first year in Bath! Interested that mechanical issue are included, as Bathwick Hill must take its toll on the buses that run up it (although in my experience the Wessex Connect services are worse in the breaking down regard).
The 18's reliability has been improving in my opinion, although the bendies (the older onees in particular) do seem to struggle quite badly on Bathwick Hill. For me though, a Customer Charter wouldn't be valid if mechanical issues aren't counted; after all, they are problems with the vehicles themselves and therefore effectively within the control of the company. If GW pay out for breakdowns, why shouldn't S&A?
in my experience the Wessex Connect services are worse in the breaking down regard
In my experience they're worse in every regard (except for (a) having the most modern buses and (b) bias in favour of your University - not a good thing
)
Talking about buses in Bath, does Ivo (or anyone else) have any idea what is happening on Tuesday 22nd May (when the Olympic torch comes through). The first website doesn't seem very clear (mainly I'm not sure if the 18 will just run between the bus station and the top of bathwick hill all day or just during the hours around the torch coming through?)
I don't
The website suggests that the service will cease between 1400 and 1600, and otherwise run round at Cleveland Walk. I can't imagine for one moment that the service will fall short at 0800 or 2300!
Suspending the 18 is a massive gamble in my opinion - there must be some alternative available. During periods of snow it's run via Wells Road before now, so why can't they do that?
Wessex Connect have said nothing at all about it from what I can see.
You expect any different?
None of their websites appear to have been changed at all this year!
Also, is the sale or Firsts north devon operations still going ahead? I'd assume so considering even my girlfriend knows about it (shes from ND). Hopefully stagecoach won't use it as a chance to hike the fares.
I've heard nothing to suggest otherwise.