Had an old friend visiting over the weekend so thought I’d post where we went. As well as a day on Stagecoach East, two days in the South West of which this is day one. Hope it’s of interest.
We set off from Midsomer Norton on the 379 on Saturday morning, probably my last trip on the route. From the Town Hall stop, we got 47547 so pretty much standard. There were about 5/6 passengers as we nurdled our way through Paulton etc before decamping at Temple Cloud. Next was a fairly lightly loaded 376 and a Streetdeck. Around Bristol, we’re spoilt for them so we don’t appreciate the fact that they’re still pretty rare so my mate was pleased to have 35161. It was a nice ride across the Mendips – BTW, what’s the ID of the ex Stagecoach decker at the Riding School near Ston Easton?
After breakfast at Wells, we wandered down to the bus station and waited for the 0945 77. Sadly, it wasn’t a B10BLE or something else more “niche” but instead a B7RLE in the shape of 69206. This is in better shape than the similar aged Kernow examples internally that are due and was a reasonable machine. Loadings were reasonable to Somerton but then really picked up with probably 30+ arriving in Yeovil though to be fair, if there’s a journey likely to be busy, it’s that one!
It was time for a coffee in the timewarp that is Yeovil bus station. The radio was Absolute 80s and it seemed to be very much in keeping with the décor!! We observed the local First fleet which looks fairly ropey; I know it’s been upgraded but the Solos look iffy (esp the red ex Slough ones) whilst the ex Bristol Darts looked very unkempt IMO. We were leaving First for a while, picking up the 68 to Yeovil Junction on a SWC Solo SR. Sadly, the driver was already late and that wasn’t helped by her chatting to some youngish enthusiast; the lack of urgency meant we arrived late at Yeovil Junction, missing our train. Now, Yeovil Junction has limited charms especially on a Saturday morning with the café closed! Anyway, 58 minutes later, we managed to catch our train to Axminster. It’s been a while since I’ve been there and we wandered out and into the town. It was time for lunch and we went into an American Diner (!) who was hardly quick with the order. In fact, we ended up getting it packaged up with a view to sneaking onto the bus and eating it there. We needn’t have worried; the 30 was 15 minutes late so we actually eaten it at the bus stop having established that the 30 hadn’t arrived on the way in.
Our steed was a former Glasgow Trident 32843. Now, I’m often a defender of First against unwarranted criticism. The only plus point was that the ride/seats were reasonably comfortable. However, it was a shocking state internally. The seats were a mix of fabrics and often faded. The interior was filthy and battered and it still had Scottish era adverts. All that and 30 mins late into Taunton; I sympathise that the money may not have been available to refurbish such vehicles and they’ve a shortish life ahead of them but it doesn’t take away from the fact that it was late and it was rough.
Our plan was then to head north but time was slightly against us. However, I’d identified a “Brucie Bonus” as we got the 4 from the Parade with a mid-life e200 45115 (the last new bus to Taunton depot – excluding the temporary P&R Streetlites?) It was looked a little jaded but it went well with a reasonable load as we headed out to Lane Estate. We did the loop and then got off on the inbound route as we crossed over the Bridgwater Road. Still, it was a bit of a change to see some urban housing! We walked back onto Bridgwater Road (having just missed a B7L) and got another Trident 32844. Again, a very tired machine but not as bad as our earlier one and I’d anticipate that the 21 will benefit from the cascades that are imminent. We encountered a friendly fellow passenger at the stop who then offered us sweets…. We were suspicious but he seemed just a friendly if eccentric type. Our steed rolling and screamed across to Bridgwater but we were getting off early. However, the Huntworth stop had gone so we ended up further towards the town and had to walk back down the A38.
Yep, we were getting the Falcon. However, we then noticed an anomaly. When I’d got it before, it picked up from the layby. However, Traveline and various bus apps my mate uses had it down for the Compass Inn. We checked out both locations; nothing. No timetable and not even a bus stop flag. We decided to wait at the Compass Inn and, of course, we were wrong, seeing the Falcon disappearing round the roundabout and back to the M5. It started raining so we wandered into Huntworth Services to shelter and grab a Costa before wandering out an hour later. This time we did succeed and got 54325. These are really great machines and we enjoyed the comfort as we headed to Bristol Airport. This was late on a Saturday afternoon but it had about 12 passengers on, all but one for the Airport. From this, and other observations, I could see the Falcon staying but maybe not running past the Airport in future. It does seem to be doing well on that route. However, got to say to Stagecoach - spend £xm on new coaches yet fail to put a bus stop flag up?? Come on!!!
We were late into Bristol so the planned 38 to Keynsham was already heading through Broad Quay (an almost empty B9). Instead, we had a short walk to the bus station and our next and final bus was waiting for us, providing some slight symmetry to the day, with 47544. This was lightly loaded and went well. Entering Keynsham, our missed 38 exited in front of us. It was empty – if it’s like that at 8pm on a Saturday night, you can see why First are cutting it. My other thought was I was glad we had missed it in Bristol as it would’ve been too fine a connection in Keynsham. Instead, we enjoyed the last of the daylight as we sped through High Littleton and Timsbury, concluding my mate’s introduction to First in Somerset.
Hope the observations and the trip out were interesting; day two (Sunday) will be more urban!!
Everything running to time
Looks like Bath will be the preferred destination 
