For the first time since February, I ventured out onto a bus yesterday. In fact, with chores to do and being encouraged to eat out to help the economy etc, I decided to make a day of it so with facemask, sanitising gel etc, I stepped out and into the new normal. Here's my observations and the like.... I hope it's of interest.
I began my day, realised I left my phone at home with the First mticket on it so returned and began again! Phone retrieved, we could start and I have to say that the First app is now very reliable and so the mticket scanned and the bus capacity feature was accurate... it was a very lightly loaded trip to Wells on e400 33838. One guy on the top deck not wearing his mask but when granny and granddaughter appeared, he soon had it in place! It's been a while since I've been on any bus but haven't been on the 173 for a long time. I'd forgotten how lovely it is as we wandered through Binegar and via the Horringtons.
Some chores and a coffee in Wells and a short trip to Street on the 376. B7TL 32338 duly arrived and was sanitised by some youngish chap in the bus station. Sadly, the interior condition was deplorable. Yes, the sanitising does provide confidence but then you see just how filthy the interior is anyway. We hoovered along and good lord, the ear piercing squeaking in the lower saloon was terrible. The now common social distancing diversions are in place in Glastonbury so much of the town centre is not served by it, with the closest stop being B&Q which is not a good thing. At Street, I again showed my commitment to commerce by indulging in some shopping in Clarks Village, buying some rather cheap branded stuff as retailers desperately try to drum up trade.
Shopping was easy so having over bought but not overspent in quick time, it meant I could catch the tendered 668 to Cheddar, operated by a small Solo of Libra Travel. With a capacity now of 6, I had some reservations but paid my £3.70 and we maxed out at 5 on the journey. It's small dimensions meant it could actually serve the centre of Glastonbury as we very nearly traversed every road in the town (or so it felt) as we headed around Windmill Hill, passing a BoS Streetlite still in dealer white. We then bounced across the Levels on unforgiving seats via Wedmore and into Cheddar. Here it was a short stop before catching the still reduced 126, operated by Eclipse 69457 having a return to Wells depot and having been shorn of its Mendip Explorer ID if not the livery. Noticed that the seat cushions and headrests were beginning to fray.... it's only been 3 years since refurb!
Into Wells and straight onto the 376 north in the hands of 33667. Now unlike 69457 (and newly repainted 33838), this has been a Wells vehicle for some time. It's in ME livery but internally, there's none of the promo vinyls that used to adorn the Eclipses and Streetdecks. Even before Covid, I found the treatment of the Mendip Explorer routes slightly perplexing.... It used to be better than it is now but even then, there weren't branded stops. The brand's been removed from the 178 after 6 months and is now to be removed from the 126. It doesn't feel as coherent or strategic as it seemed - it seems more just a livery at the moment. 33667 coped with the Bristol Hill perfectly well and like 33838, the e400s seem fine on these routes. Again a whinge but think that these would benefit from a refurb, perhaps more beneficial than the recent 24 refurbs?
I got off at White Cross and then caught the 171 to Paulton, a short hop on Bath unibus 33946, so I could catch the newly deckered 178 to Keynsham. Now here's the thing... I've yet to be on a 178 in normal times that required anything larger than an Eclipse. A decker isn't required but.... what a lovely journey on B9 37346. I live locally and must've driven that route many times but on a pleasant day, it was a different perspective and was a just delightful. No issues with trees either except a few branches leaving Farmborough.
After a much needed food stop in Keynsham (thanks Rishi), I wandered out to catch the 18 to Bath. Was able to hear complaints about missing 349s and also complaints on the A4 with confusion on the short workings. At that point, an Abus Spectra appeared (53 plate) looking very smart externally but peering through the windows showed that these are now very careworn. Again, I wonder how long Abus will continue before a well earned retirement beckons? My next steed was one of the few ex Glasgow machines still about in 32544. Now, compared to 32338 earlier which is a whole year older....this was superb for its age. Hardly a rattle, not bad condition, quite tidy, and it seemed to go well without the full Dyson effect.
Then into Bath and something for the bus enthusiast etiquette thread. I wandered over to Broad Quay to catch the 3. There were two spotters photographing away. It was comical, as they were in perfect synchronisation. A bus would come around the corner, they'd raise their cameras and snap, then immediately check the image and return back to standing looking bored until the next bus rounded the corner....unless it was a Solo as they just didn't bother with those. I assume they think they're not "proper buses".
I had a plan to go to Combe Down and then enjoy a trip back on the 2 to enjoy the scenery of the city, with 33832 doing the honours. I have to say that the e400 is probably more suited to the city. First stopped buying B9s in 2012 and even then, it was one batch of 100 that has now been cast across the UK with just 7 in Bath so whilst I'd prefer Volvos on country routes, the scope to do so just isn't there. We made our way and I got off just as 33832 entered Foxhill so I could walk to Mulberry Park just in time to see my Solo driving off! Rather than waiting 25 mins in the rather smart new development, I checked to see that the U2 was due. I was getting nervous as the phone was down to 4% but 66720 turned up! I got on and discovered the USBs weren't working and so it was actually draining the battery. I was down to 3% but thought I'd be ok as I did the short hop to the Red Lion. Incidentally, someone has gone to the trouble of making a printed notice that reads "Granny Mendip" above the driver.
Last bus for the day was 33950 from Odd Down to MSN. This one goes well and the USBs were working; is this now a human right to have USBs??? As always, these e400MMCs squeak like hell; is it the dual door design? It seemed to cope with Dunkerton fine, the only issue on the journey being how long these are when turning in Westfield to head to Norton Hill. Sadly, you can also see the peak hour congestion beginning to return.
However, I've hopefully survived the day. The face mask adherence was pretty good especially with the yoof who get blamed for all Covid non-compliance. Aside from the first trip where the bloke hastily put his mask in place, the only other exemptions were one pensioner towards Street who wasn't wearing it over his nose, and in Radstock where someone stated they had lung and breathing issues so were exempted. Other than that, an interesting excursion into the new normal.... I hope it's interesting enough for you.