Indeed, but to be fair the new standard Morebus one's look fairly smart and comfortable too, even if there's more of them.I guess with the luxury seats and tables we're talking about something similar to the dedicated vehicles for the Bluestar 1?
Indeed, but to be fair the new standard Morebus one's look fairly smart and comfortable too, even if there's more of them.I guess with the luxury seats and tables we're talking about something similar to the dedicated vehicles for the Bluestar 1?
See post #568Morebus are consulting on bringing back Night buses in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area. Seemingly on a commercial basis
Source: Morebus website
Mod note: please edit to include the link to your source, and quote the relevant section
I happened to be in Brockenhurst this afternoon and noticed a single-decker enter Brockenhurst College apparently having worked the X1 (it was still showing "X1 Lymington"), which seems to indicate that other vehicles not used for college services also spend time there.Brockenhurst College is an outstation of Lymington although there may be some Ringwood vehicles based there too. The allocation is primarily for the Brockenhurst College contracts.
DaveSalisbury Reds is offering people living in and visiting the city, a chance to glimpse into the future over the next two months.
We'll be welcoming an electric demonstrator bus to Salisbury - in preparation for ordering our brand new fleet of zero emissions vehicles, which are due to arrive in early 2026.
The move follows Salisbury Reds’ and Wiltshire Council’s successful bid for funding from the Department of Transport’s latest ZEBRA (Zero Emission Bus Regional Area) scheme.
The funding, combined with additional investment from Salisbury Reds and Wiltshire Council, means a total of £11.4m will be used to revolutionise our city network.
We will be researching the best electric buses to invest in, so we currently have this demonstrator to monitor and assess. The Volvo BZL has now entered service on our city network - and it will be with us until Friday 7 June.
We are asking our customers for feedback - including how they compare to our existing diesel buses, whether they like the interior layouts, how they feel about the noise of the buses, and whether they are likely to travel more or less on the new electric buses.
This is an excellent opportunity for our drivers and customers to see what’s in store, when our new fleet arrives.
If you'd like to provide your feedback, we'd love to hear from you via our short online survey.
Are the Optare Versas still in evidence in Swindon? Hopefully the Volvos aren’t going just yet, but they can’t have long left?Swindon Bus Company have received a batch of ex Salisbury Reds 64 plate E200 that were loaned to More. Any information on what these may be replacing?
They left to assist Bluestar with the additional work last year.Are the Optare Versas still in evidence in Swindon? Hopefully the Volvos aren’t going just yet, but they can’t have long left?
Swindon Bus Company have received a batch of ex Salisbury Reds 64 plate E200 that were loaned to More. Any information on what these may be replacing?
They’re no longer there though, are they?They left to assist Bluestar with the additional work last year.
Wouldn't be surprised not the most reliable buses and standardises the fleet.Seem to recall reading it’s the Streetlites leaving, if that’s wrong though apologies in advance for the false hope![]()
Sent over to Iow for storage. Doubt they will see frontline service againThey’re no longer there though, are they?
I thought they had to stay with Swindon due to a Route with a low bridge that's too low for the Versa's/E200s/Solar's?Seem to recall reading it’s the Streetlites leaving, if that’s wrong though apologies in advance for the false hope![]()
Why do they store surplus buses on the IOW? Imagine all the fees for the ferryWouldn't be surprised not the most reliable buses and standardises the fleet.
Sent over to Iow for storage. Doubt they will see frontline service again
Correct. They've gone to Carousel.Seem to recall reading it’s the Streetlites leaving, if that’s wrong though apologies in advance for the false hope![]()
Hopefully these will be more reliable than the 65 plates E200MMC's from bluestarCorrect. They've gone to Carousel.
I fear you may be disappointed. 2701-6 are almost universally disliked by drivers, primarily because of the gearbox.Hopefully these will be more reliable than the 65 plates E200MMC's from bluestar
VOSA Bus Service Registrations said:PH1121126/376 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Barnfield, Barnfield Road to Okus, St Helen's View via Swindon town centre
Service number: 22
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
PH1121126/372 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Penhill to Park South via Swindon town centre
Service number: 17 (17A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
PH1121126/370 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Swindon Bus Station to Eldene, Eldene Drive
Service number: 13 (14, 13A, 14A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
PH1121126/369 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Oakhurst to Wichelstowe via Pinehurst
Service number: 11 (12)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
PH1121126/368 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Haydon Wick to Park North via Swindon town centre
Service number: 5
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
PH1121126/366 Registered
GO SOUTH COAST LIMITED
Route: Middleleaze, Alba Close to Swindon, Great Western Hospital via Swindon town centre
Service number: 1 (1A, 1B)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 28 Jul 2024
Swindon Bus Company, which runs on the GSC O-licence (PH1121126) hence my posting this here, have lodged the following registrations for changes in Swindon wef 28th July:
1, 1A, 1B (Middleleaze / Sparcells - Great Western Hospital) (Route and timetable change)
5 Haydon Wick - Park North (Route (and timetable?) change)
11, 12 (Oakhurst / Taw Hill - Wichelstowe) (Route and timetable change)
13, 14 (Swindon Bus Station - Eldene & Liden) (Route and timetable change)
17, 17A (Penhill - Park South) (Route and timetable change)
22 (Barnfield - Okus) (Route and timetable change)
The bustimes.org and SBC sites have no specific details on exactly what is changing but I guess something around the Town Centre.
Dave
My thoughts also but they weren't the only ones diverted. When I was last in Swindon for work a couple of weeks ago it was looking as if there was still a fair bit to do on Fleming Way: I have just tried to find the online newsletter but of course you have to sign up for it which is not worth my while to only get the answer to one question. A headline from the Swindon Advertiser on 16th February 2024 - https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk...n-town-centre-roadworks-may-finish-late-2025/ - said that the works "may finish in late 2025" so either they have caught the time up or there is something else in these changes.Given they’re the routes that were variously diverted for the “Bus Boulevard” project in Swindon Town Centre a couple of years ago; I wonder if it’s in connection with its final completion? Putting them back to as they were before it started.
Changes linked to Barton Peveril College having their taster days this week.I've noticed some working changes on the Totton side of Bluestar this week, affecting the 9, 11 and 12 in particular. Timetables are unchanged but some of the actual workings have changed. For example the 1000 on the 9 has switched from single-deck to double-deck, and the 1020 on the 12 vice-versa. But it's not just the vehicles, the full workings have changed in some cases.
Anyone know what's caused this?
Nothing massive, just removing the bus station deviations from the evening journeys (as can be seen on Bus Times if you manually change the date in the address bar).Swindon Bus Company, which runs on the GSC O-licence (PH1121126) hence my posting this here, have lodged the following registrations for changes in Swindon wef 28th July:
Ah ok - thanks. So presumably more double deckers needed midday.Changes linked to Barton Peveril College having their taster days this week.
Thanks for that - duly purchasedAll the GSC brands are offering discounted dayriders on their apps today for Car Free Day - you can buy now and then activate the ticket any time in the next year.
Look in the news section of each GSC brand website to get the discount code.
I’ve bought a 2.50 morebus zone A dayrider to use later this year.
Still have a zones ABC ticket from Earth Day in April to use at some point too.
Source: https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/24622419.bluestar-taking-bus-routes-lordshill-shirley/Two bus routes in Southampton will be taken on by a new operator – and a seamless transition is promised.
The update comes as the Southampton City Council’s political lead for transport said passenger numbers in the city had returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Cllr Eamonn Keogh confirmed Bluestar had been awarded the contract to run routes between the city centre and Lordshill and Shirley, respectively.
READ MORE: Bluestar announces changes to Southampton bus services
This announcement was made ahead of Xelabus discontinuing its X11 and X12 services, which are both council-tendered, at the end of the current contract period.
The Bluestar 21 and Bluestar 22 will have a “very similar” timetable to the existing routes when they launch on Monday, October 28.
Speaking at a council meeting on September 18, Cllr Keogh said there would be a “seamless transition”.
His comments came in response to a question from Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Richard Blackman.
“We have got a fantastic operator in Bluestar,” Cllr Keogh said.
“In 2022, when First left the market, they took a huge risk in stepping in and taking all of the routes of First.
“They have invested millions in new buses. They have taken on the Empress Road (bus depot) site. They have transformed that.
“They have got a new staff premises on the high street. They are paying above the living wage.
“They are doing a fantastic job in the city.”
The senior Labour councillor said bus usage was back to pre-Covid passenger levels, with this achieved before places such as Brighton and Reading.
He added that the city had one of the strongest bus operations in the country outside the metropolitan areas.
Cllr Blackman said a seamless transition to the new operator would be welcomed by residents.
Richard Tyldsley, Bluestar general manager, said: “Our new timetables will be very similar to the current X11 and X12 – with full details available shortly on our website and at bus stops.
“We know many local people rely on these services because they provide vital links to local shops and other amenities – including Southampton General Hospital.
“Our team will be working with Southampton City Council to ensure a smooth transition, and we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers on board the new Bluestar 21 and Bluestar 22 from October 28.”
A Xelabus spokesperson said the firm decided it no longer wished to operate local bus services as the business was now more focused on contract services.
It did not enter the council’s tender exercise for either route, the spokesperson added.