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

[Private Baxter]

Me neither (other than how the two football grounds effected the likely intrests of the staff at the nearby bus depots - Muller Road and Winterstoke Road). And the ground became an IKEA many years ago so it was always going to be a bit of a niche comment!

I didn't know that about Ikea (though now you mention it, it clearly could have once been a football stadium!) However I do know that the Star pub on Fishponds road used to be their club house, though possibly not in living memory.

Back to buses (!) I wonder if the 5 will be the first of several services that revert to singke deck working, especially as peak demand has gone down on many routes.

 

[stait.john]

33967 has departed to Hampshire & Dorset

 

[Callum15632]

33967 has departed to Hampshire & Dorset

33967 seems to have come back as it tracked from Southampton back to Lawrence Hill.

 

[stait.john]

33967 seems to have come back as it tracked from Southampton back to Lawrence Hill.

Strange. Unless it’s swapped ticket machines maybe and 47429 or 47430 has actually come back?

 

[baza585]

I passed 47430 northbound on the A34 just before. Newbury this morning, presumably headed for Lawrence Hill.

 

[Class 33]

I've seen some 1s and 2s about recently with Town Centre on the destination display. Which is a bit odd as Bristol is a city not a town!!

 

[Citistar]

I've seen some 1s and 2s about recently with Town Centre on the destination display. Which is a bit odd as Bristol is a city not a town!!

Possibly using the destination displays for Weston 1 and 2?

 

[Buses are cool]

I didn't know that about Ikea (though now you mention it, it clearly could have once been a football stadium!) However I do know that the Star pub on Fishponds road used to be their club house, though possibly not in living memory.

Back to buses (!) I wonder if the 5 will be the first of several services that revert to single deck working, especially as peak demand has gone down on many routes.

Hello, don't know if this is used in 2022 but I'm commenting from the year 2022 and soon the citylines|5 will be reverting to single deck with the Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Geminis being transferred to Portsmouth (I think( Portsmouth) and being replaced by the CityRed Wright StreetLites from Southampton.

 

[Private Baxter]

Hello, don't know if this is used in 2022 but I'm commenting from the year 2022 and soon the citylines|5 will be reverting to single deck with the Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Geminis being transferred to Portsmouth (I think( Portsmouth) and being replaced by the CityRed Wright StreetLites from Southampton.

Well I'm glad the year 2022 still.has interesring bus movements.
I did catch a glimpse of one of the red fronted streetlites the other day, up at Bristol Parkway, but didn't see which route it was on. Have yet to see one on the 5.

 

[D2007wsm]

There was a CityRed Streetlite on an X1 this morning, seen at around 10:30 at St George’s Turn heading towards Bristol

 

[NJ51]

There was a CityRed Streetlite on an X1 this morning, seen at around 10:30 at St George’s Turn heading towards Bristol

SK63KMZ - I passed it in Cleeve

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Well I'm glad the year 2022 still.has interesring bus movements.
I did catch a glimpse of one of the red fronted streetlites the other day, up at Bristol Parkway, but didn't see which route it was on. Have yet to see one on the 5.

There was a CityRed Streetlite on an X1 this morning, seen at around 10:30 at St George’s Turn heading towards Bristol

SK63KMZ - I passed it in Cleeve

Saw one on the X8 on Thurs near Long Ashton and one was on the 178 as well so they're getting about

 

[Callum15632]

37319,37320 have arrived at Lawrence Hill this morning from their lengthy holiday at Weston.

37319 is out today on the 2/2a, its first day out since transfer to Lawrence Hill. 37320 is also out on first day in service since transfer to Lawrence Hill but it's on the 1 today.

 

[THarris123]

Changes from 24th April.

Wells: 17 PVR from 18 - one third of 126 over to Weston

Bath: 84 PVR from 88 - one less on 3, one less U5, one less X39, one less D2

Marlborough St: 34 PVR the same - 3 less on Y3/4/5/6, 1 more on X6, 2 more from X2. Doing 1 card on X7 with a single, so presumably 47552/3 staying

Lawrence Hill: 120 PVR from 126 - 4 less on 48/49, 2 less on Amazon (Amazon working in with other work including 1)

Weston: 40 PVR from 45. 2/4/5/6 gone (3 less), X2 to MH (4 less), X5 1 less, X6/7 1 less, 20 2 more, 1 1 more, 126 1 more.

Hengrove: 89 PVR from 95. 1 less 24, 1 more 71, 8 less 75/76/90/96, 93 2 less, 91/92 4 more. 91/92 now worked separately to 75/76/90/96

Single PVR is now 10 in Weston (16); 9 in MH (13); 13 B7 PVR (21), 10 midi PVR (13), 6 solo PVR (9) in Bath; 8 in Hengrove (10)

Decker PVR is now 17 in Wells (22, well depending on how many are broken and dumped in Bath); 30 in Weston (27 Streetdecks, 2 open tops, 2 Streetdecks, 39005, 36807, not sure what else?); uni 9 (11), 24 11 (12), 71/72 11 (13), A1 5, 75/76/90/96 33 (31), P&R 8 (9), 91/92 4 in Hengrove (14); South Glos lynx 14 (13), 11 others in MH; U5 3 (4), U1/U2/22 14 (8), 19 5, 4/4a 7, 3 3, p&r 7 (8), X39 9 (12), 171/2 5 in Bath; 1/2/2a 24 (27 including B9s), m2 3 (4), m3 7 (7), 3/4 10 (10), Amazon 2, 36 3, 41 2, H2 1, 70 5 (5), 73 9 (8), 48/48a/49 18 (21), citylines east 36 (44) in LH

 

[D2007wsm]

At least one of the A3 E200MMCs is back in Weston with a fresh coat of paint. Not sure if it is 67107 or 67108 as it is yet to receive vinyls so isn't showing a fleet number.

 

[THarris123]

At least one of the A3 E200MMCs is back in Weston with a fresh coat of paint. Not sure if it is 67107 or 67108 as it is yet to receive vinyls so isn't showing a fleet number.

67107

 

[freetoview33]

Changes from 24th April.

Wells: 17 PVR from 18 - one third of 126 over to Weston

Bath: 84 PVR from 88 - one less on 3, one less U5, one less X39, one less D2

Marlborough St: 34 PVR the same - 3 less on Y3/4/5/6, 1 more on X6, 2 more from X2. Doing 1 card on X7 with a single, so presumably 47552/3 staying

Lawrence Hill: 120 PVR from 126 - 4 less on 48/49, 2 less on Amazon (Amazon working in with other work including 1)

Weston: 40 PVR from 45. 2/4/5/6 gone (3 less), X2 to MH (4 less), X5 1 less, X6/7 1 less, 20 2 more, 1 1 more, 126 1 more.

Hengrove: 89 PVR from 95. 1 less 24, 1 more 71, 8 less 75/76/90/96, 93 2 less, 91/92 4 more. 91/92 now worked separately to 75/76/90/96

Single PVR is now 10 in Weston (16); 9 in MH (13); 13 B7 PVR (21), 10 midi PVR (13), 6 solo PVR (9) in Bath; 8 in Hengrove (10)

Decker PVR is now 17 in Wells (22, well depending on how many are broken and dumped in Bath); 30 in Weston (27 Streetdecks, 2 open tops, 2 Streetdecks, 39005, 36807, not sure what else?); uni 9 (11), 24 11 (12), 71/72 11 (13), A1 5, 75/76/90/96 33 (31), P&R 8 (9), 91/92 4 in Hengrove (14); South Glos lynx 14 (13), 11 others in MH; U5 3 (4), U1/U2/22 14 (8), 19 5, 4/4a 7, 3 3, p&r 7 (8), X39 9 (12), 171/2 5 in Bath; 1/2/2a 24 (27 including B9s), m2 3 (4), m3 7 (7), 3/4 10 (10), Amazon 2, 36 3, 41 2, H2 1, 70 5 (5), 73 9 (8), 48/48a/49 18 (21), citylines east 36 (44) in LH

Very interesting, thank you . Does anyone know how many spares each depot should have?

 

[stait.john]

Very interesting, thank you . Does anyone know how many spares each depot should have?

Interesting Tom thanks.
Wonder what will leave the fleet then? There would seem to be a surplus of B7RLEs at BH, so possibly single deck 126 again or use them on X6/X7? Or cascade? You would imagine also that unpainted E400s at BH would possibly be offered for cascade?
Be interesting to see.

 

[D2007wsm]

Interesting Tom thanks.
Wonder what will leave the fleet then? There would seem to be a surplus of B7RLEs at BH, so possibly single deck 126 again or use them on X6/X7? Or cascade? You would imagine also that unpainted E400s at BH would possibly be offered for cascade?
Be interesting to see

Weston will also have a surplus of Streetlites with the 2/4/5/6 going, they will only need them for the 3 and 51, plus a couple of spares for these and the A3. Perhaps a couple of Badgerline Streetlites may move to Marlborough Street for the X2 and X7. I would have thought a Streetlite is more than big enough for the X2.

There is also the lone Barbie B7RLE in Weston, what will happen to that? The 20 seems to be running fine with deckers again and it is not big enough for the 20 in peak summer?

What would make sense is to keep any surplus E400s in Bath to use on the U5 and then transfer the other Streetdecks to Weston. This would save Weston having to keep a couple of E400s or B9s to make up the decker PVR.

This would then mean Weston would only have Streetdecks other than the open toppers and 39005. Then Bath would only have the different variants of E400s and B9s.

I would have thought Weston will still use a decker on the 126.

 

[Private Baxter]

Changes from 24th April.

Wells: 17 PVR from 18 - one third of 126 over to Weston

Bath: 84 PVR from 88 - one less on 3, one less U5, one less X39, one less D2

Marlborough St: 34 PVR the same - 3 less on Y3/4/5/6, 1 more on X6, 2 more from X2. Doing 1 card on X7 with a single, so presumably 47552/3 staying

Lawrence Hill: 120 PVR from 126 - 4 less on 48/49, 2 less on Amazon (Amazon working in with other work including 1)

Weston: 40 PVR from 45. 2/4/5/6 gone (3 less), X2 to MH (4 less), X5 1 less, X6/7 1 less, 20 2 more, 1 1 more, 126 1 more.

Hengrove: 89 PVR from 95. 1 less 24, 1 more 71, 8 less 75/76/90/96, 93 2 less, 91/92 4 more. 91/92 now worked separately to 75/76/90/96

Single PVR is now 10 in Weston (16); 9 in MH (13); 13 B7 PVR (21), 10 midi PVR (13), 6 solo PVR (9) in Bath; 8 in Hengrove (10)

Decker PVR is now 17 in Wells (22, well depending on how many are broken and dumped in Bath); 30 in Weston (27 Streetdecks, 2 open tops, 2 Streetdecks, 39005, 36807, not sure what else?); uni 9 (11), 24 11 (12), 71/72 11 (13), A1 5, 75/76/90/96 33 (31), P&R 8 (9), 91/92 4 in Hengrove (14); South Glos lynx 14 (13), 11 others in MH; U5 3 (4), U1/U2/22 14 (8), 19 5, 4/4a 7, 3 3, p&r 7 (8), X39 9 (12), 171/2 5 in Bath; 1/2/2a 24 (27 including B9s), m2 3 (4), m3 7 (7), 3/4 10 (10), Amazon 2, 36 3, 41 2, H2 1, 70 5 (5), 73 9 (8), 48/48a/49 18 (21), citylines east 36 (44) in LH

Thanks for sharing Tom. Drops all round then, though not as drastic as it could be though. Weston taking part of the 126 yet again, as part of an ongoing back and forth between the two depots. Wonder how long it will last this time, and maybe Wells will see some Badgerline streetdecks from time to timw. Speaking of which, I'm really liking seeing these in Bristol. I can't speak for performance, but I will try and get out on one at some point on the X something or other.

 

[THarris123]

Weston will also have a surplus of Streetlites with the 2/4/5/6 going, they will only need them for the 3 and 51, plus a couple of spares for these and the A3. Perhaps a couple of Badgerline Streetlites may move to Marlborough Street for the X2 and X7. I would have thought a Streetlite is more than big enough for the X2.

There is also the lone Barbie B7RLE in Weston, what will happen to that? The 20 seems to be running fine with deckers again and it is not big enough for the 20 in peak summer?

What would make sense is to keep any surplus E400s in Bath to use on the U5 and then transfer the other Streetdecks to Weston. This would save Weston having to keep a couple of E400s or B9s to make up the decker PVR.

This would then mean Weston would only have Streetdecks other than the open toppers and 39005. Then Bath would only have the different variants of E400s and B9s.

I would have thought Weston will still use a decker on the 126.

Weston have two cards on X7, so will need Streetlites for that.

A decker is moving from Wells to Weston for 126

 

[Westonian]

Weston have two cards on X7, so will need Streetlites for that.

A decker is moving from Wells to Weston for 126

Mendip Explorer 33665 in Weston depot today ready for Weston's duty on 126 tomorrow.

 

[D2007wsm]

Mendip Explorer 33665 in Weston depot today ready for Weston's duty on 126 tomorrow.

It was there last night, parked just inside the gate

 

[Whiteway215]

47571 shown as working 23 from Hengrove. This was previously a Bath based bus so presumably one of many changes following yesterday's service amendments?

 

[Westonian]

First day of open top in Weston this year - 37630 on service 1.

 

[AllanMacF]

Despite the frequency cuts with effects from Sunday designed to alleviate the bus-off/no driver problems, in central Bristol yesterday afternoon there were eight to ten buses abandoned at stops in The Horsefair, Haymarket and Rupert Street. I was surprised to find the 5 was still run with "citylines 5" Geminis, while the ex-Southampton CITY RED StreetLites were working MH duties. But with the cuts freeing up several StreetLites, was there really a need to bring any from Southampton? Orange-front Geminis are slowly creeping back from Weston-super-Mare to Lawrence Hill and the 1 and 2.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Despite the frequency cuts with effects from Sunday designed to alleviate the bus-off/no driver problems, in central Bristol yesterday afternoon there were eight to ten buses abandoned at stops in The Horsefair, Haymarket and Rupert Street. I was surprised to find the 5 was still run with "citylines 5" Geminis, while the ex-Southampton CITY RED StreetLites were working MH duties. But with the cuts freeing up several StreetLites, was there really a need to bring any from Southampton? Orange-front Geminis are slowly creeping back from Weston-super-Mare to Lawrence Hill and the 1 and 2.

I doubt we've seen the end of the reallocations. Looks like the 178 is now a Streetlite route.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

The new bus stops on Rosedean Avenue/Hambrook Lane seem to be ignored by T1 drivers despite being shown on the First Bus website. Twice I’ve been on a Thornbury bound T1 when the bell has been rung just after the Harry Stoke stop, but the bus has sailed past Hambrook Lane and not stopped until Great Stoke.

 

[-Colly405-]

The new bus stops on Rosedean Avenue/Hambrook Lane seem to be ignored by T1 drivers despite being shown on the First Bus website. Twice I’ve been on a Thornbury bound T1 when the bell has been rung just after the Harry Stoke stop, but the bus has sailed past Hambrook Lane and not stopped until Great Stoke.

I see that the 19 is shown as stopping there too.

Have the cones gone from around the back of the (northbound) stop on the pavement? Last time i looked the only way to/from the actual stop was to walk through the cones...

 

[Martin2013]

Went on the 2110ish departure on the Y4 to Yate on Thursday night, one of only two journeys that now extends all the way to Yate Shopping Centre. I was the only passenger who went all the way to Yate with everyone else getting off in Winterbourne.

In contrast getting back from Bristol to Brislington yesterday evening was a lot of hassle. Me and a friend initially went to catch a 1 from The Horsefair but that didn't turn up. Went to the bus station to be greeted by an enormous queue for the 39 suggesting that the previous departure had been cancelled and a notice that the next departure on the 349 was cancelled. The 39 we all got on ended up overloading at Broad Quay resulting in several passengers being left behind at Temple Meads.

We also saw a number of abandoned buses parked up at bus stops.

There must have been a particular problem with drivers yesterday evening.