West Country Independents

[Citistar]

A few changes coming up in the Wiltshire area during April (perhaps BSIP funded):

Starting with Faresaver:

• A Sunday & Bank Holiday service is introduced on X34 (Chippenham - Trowbridge section) from 15th April.
• 270 (Devizes) is renumbered 3A and 3C.
• There are several timing changes to the Trowbridge area services 63-69, notably with two 69 journeys via Bradford becoming 68 via Staverton (this is perhaps a response to the increased provision from First on D1/D1X between the two towns meaning that this section of the 69 becomes less crucial to the overall frequency on the corridor).
• There are new timetables for the 76/77 service, with FromeBus taking over a couple of additional journeys on the 77.
• Trowbridge services 60 and 65 are understood to be passing to another operator from 15th April.

I believe the extension of Beeline's 24 to become Salisbury - Warminster - Frome has been covered elsewhere. This effectively replaces the all day diagram on FromeBus 53, but FromeBus will retain several peak hour journeys. The current timetable on BODS/BusTimes is incomplete at the time of writing as the FromeBus journeys are not yet shown.

Beeline's 55 service from Warminster to Devizes on Thursdays becomes official once again and is extended to start from Kingston Deverill. Beeline will also be operating a resurrected service 80 from Mere to Frome via Maiden Bradley on Wednesdays. I also understand that the similarly resurrected 82 Friday service from Mere to Warminster via Maiden Bradley will be operated by FromeBus.

Finally, i believe that FromeBus will be taking over the Warminster 54 (Chitterne) and 57 (Mere) services from Beeline with effect from 2nd April.

 

[Lynford1976]

A few changes coming up in the Wiltshire area during April (perhaps BSIP funded):

Starting with Faresaver:

• A Sunday & Bank Holiday service is introduced on X34 (Chippenham - Trowbridge section) from 15th April.
• 270 (Devizes) is renumbered 3A and 3C.
• There are several timing changes to the Trowbridge area services 63-69, notably with two 69 journeys via Bradford becoming 68 via Staverton (this is perhaps a response to the increased provision from First on D1/D1X between the two towns meaning that this section of the 69 becomes less crucial to the overall frequency on the corridor).
• There are new timetables for the 76/77 service, with FromeBus taking over a couple of additional journeys on the 77.
• Trowbridge services 60 and 65 are understood to be passing to another operator from 15th April.

I believe the extension of Beeline's 24 to become Salisbury - Warminster - Frome has been covered elsewhere. This effectively replaces the all day diagram on FromeBus 53, but FromeBus will retain several peak hour journeys. The current timetable on BODS/BusTimes is incomplete at the time of writing as the FromeBus journeys are not yet shown.

Beeline's 55 service from Warminster to Devizes on Thursdays becomes official once again and is extended to start from Kingston Deverill. Beeline will also be operating a resurrected service 80 from Mere to Frome via Maiden Bradley on Wednesdays. I also understand that the similarly resurrected 82 Friday service from Mere to Warminster via Maiden Bradley will be operated by FromeBus.

Finally, i believe that FromeBus will be taking over the Warminster 54 (Chitterne) and 57 (Mere) services from Beeline with effect from 2nd April.

Are there any changes to the 56 (the Tuesday / Friday / Saturday bus between Warminster and Salisbury), @Citistar?

 

[Citistar]

Are there any changes to the 56 (the Tuesday / Friday / Saturday bus between Warminster and Salisbury), @Citistar?

I don't have the exact details to hand, but i believe that the 56 continues as it is at present, and has been bundled with the 80 (Wed) and 55 (Thu) to give a five day contract running Tue-Sat (perhaps also having a school service on Mondays).

 

[Lynford1976]

I don't have the exact details to hand, but i believe that the 56 continues as it is at present, and has been bundled with the 80 (Wed) and 55 (Thu) to give a five day contract running Tue-Sat (perhaps also having a school service on Mondays).

Brilliant, thank you @Citistar

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A few changes coming up in the Wiltshire area during April (perhaps BSIP funded):

Starting with Faresaver:

• A Sunday & Bank Holiday service is introduced on X34 (Chippenham - Trowbridge section) from 15th April.
• 270 (Devizes) is renumbered 3A and 3C.
• There are several timing changes to the Trowbridge area services 63-69, notably with two 69 journeys via Bradford becoming 68 via Staverton (this is perhaps a response to the increased provision from First on D1/D1X between the two towns meaning that this section of the 69 becomes less crucial to the overall frequency on the corridor).
• There are new timetables for the 76/77 service, with FromeBus taking over a couple of additional journeys on the 77.
• Trowbridge services 60 and 65 are understood to be passing to another operator from 15th April.

I believe the extension of Beeline's 24 to become Salisbury - Warminster - Frome has been covered elsewhere. This effectively replaces the all day diagram on FromeBus 53, but FromeBus will retain several peak hour journeys. The current timetable on BODS/BusTimes is incomplete at the time of writing as the FromeBus journeys are not yet shown.

Beeline's 55 service from Warminster to Devizes on Thursdays becomes official once again and is extended to start from Kingston Deverill. Beeline will also be operating a resurrected service 80 from Mere to Frome via Maiden Bradley on Wednesdays. I also understand that the similarly resurrected 82 Friday service from Mere to Warminster via Maiden Bradley will be operated by FromeBus.

Finally, i believe that FromeBus will be taking over the Warminster 54 (Chitterne) and 57 (Mere) services from Beeline with effect from 2nd April.

A few interesting nuggets in there

So FromeBus lose the 53 (aside from a few peak hour runs) but gain the 54/57 in compensation (of a fashion). Interesting as the 24 is generally larger vehicles (e200mmc and Evora) so that's replacing Solos out to Frome.

The Sunday X34 is one that I suspect Wiltshire have harboured ambitions on for many years. Of course, it had an evening service interworked with Trowbridge town services until First pulled off the 234 in 2015 (?)

 

[wiltshirebloke]

So FromeBus lose the 53 (aside from a few peak hour runs) but gain the 54/57 in compensation (of a fashion). Interesting as the 24 is generally larger vehicles (e200mmc and Evora) so that's replacing Solos out to Frome.

.. and FromeBus appear to have picked up the 60/65 Trowbridge Town Service instead. Will be interesting to see what vehicles they intend using as the Enviro's used at the moment generally are well used, especially by people with pushchairs,walkers and shopping trollies. If its a midibus type, they may have sticks at dawn!!

 

[-Colly405-]

Seems like Transpora have given up on the YCL shuttle early...

It's advertised as finishing today, yet I've tried to use it yesterday (the 0826 from Yate) and today (the 1308 and 1337 from Cuckoo Lane), and all three journeys were no shows.

Not happy!!!

 

[wiltshirebloke]

Is there an expectation of an operator to offer a certain level of comms/service updates/web presence to travellers before tenders are awarded by local authorities?

Most mid to large sized operators now offer frequently updated websites, social media accounts that advise of service disruption, service changes, and of course timetables, also over recent years most now also offer bus tracking.

I notice Faresaver have upped their game over the last year with frequent updates on X/Facebook, and the addition of MyTrip allowing buses to be tracked, however with migration of some services now to smaller operators, some are lagging behind. For example, you have to burrow through Beeline's website to find their bus services with them prioritising their coach services on their website, and FromeBus seems to have been neglected, if not abandoned? Their website displaying last updated 24/10/22, although some of their timetables do show effective Sept'23, although most are 2020.

I know from experience some of the updates offered by Faresaver have been useful for people I know on the Service 60 Trowbridge Town Route when the bus has failed, with services only running once an hour, it saves a very long wait at the bus stop. Would this type of customer communication be classed as a basic essential for a customer facing company, or a luxury ?

I guess it could be a modern day scenerio of expecting bus companies to provide their own paper timetables and posting them on bus stop stands!

{Apologies Admins if this is going off topic, please move if so}

 

[father_jack]

Seems like Transpora have given up on the YCL shuttle early...

It's advertised as finishing today, yet I've tried to use it yesterday (the 0826 from Yate) and today (the 1308 and 1337 from Cuckoo Lane), and all three journeys were no shows.

Not happy!!!

Put it on twitter, you'll come under attack imminently !!!

 

[Citistar]

Is there an expectation of an operator to offer a certain level of comms/service updates/web presence to travellers before tenders are awarded by local authorities?

This variation in information provision has always been the case. Over in our area to the west, for every Abus, Somerbus or Citistar who were proud to produce their own leaflets and get them in front of passengers, there have always been other operators happy to just do the bare minimum on local authority contracts. Modern technology has just changed where the disparity lies.

I note that Beeline don't actually provide any information regarding their bus services - they just link to BusTimes, which is a hazardous practice when BODS data on certain services seems to differ from what is contracted to operate.

 

[lukem]

Seems like Transpora have given up on the YCL shuttle early...

I have had very little luck with the YCL and several other transpora services, once had a driver on the YCL turn up 35 minutes late claiming to have misread the timetable, another time I gave up waiting and just walked it's route, never saw the bus.
When the 25 ran to Horfield I boarded a very late bus with a very apologetic driver as apparently the driver who was supposed to be driving had fallen asleep in a layby.
Emailed Transpora about the delays and it only took a month or so for a response..

 

[-Colly405-]

Put it on twitter, you'll come under attack imminently !!!

I sent them a 'public' tweet yesterday but got no reply.

Today I phoned them (could only find a London number), went to voicemail that was full so couldn't take messages, which just said to email them. Didn't bother...

 

[Callum15632]

I have had very little luck with the YCL and several other transpora services, once had a driver on the YCL turn up 35 minutes late claiming to have misread the timetable, another time I gave up waiting and just walked it's route, never saw the bus.
When the 25 ran to Horfield I boarded a very late bus with a very apologetic driver as apparently the driver who was supposed to be driving had fallen asleep in a layby.
Emailed Transpora about the delays and it only took a month or so for a response..

Talking about Transpora, today I was waiting outside Filton College bus stop this afternoon for the 16:13 X10 to Southmead Hospital and I put my hand out and the driver was wearing sunglasses. He was in the right hand lane and didn't even pull in to let me on and drove past me. Appalling service I definitely won't be trying to get on again. He also drove past 5 people waiting on the Northville Road bus stop as well. Someone I know got on the X10 today and tried getting on with a Bristol Rider from Cribbs Causeway to Southmead Hospital (they are accepted on there as it's still in Bristol) but the driver said that the Bristol Riders weren't accepted on the Transpora buses apparently but I don't believe him so they had to pay for a single to get on the bus. Another appalling service moment for transpora X10. Stagecoach ran the service better.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Whilst strictly not a ‘West Country’ independent, Gwent Vales now operate a route in Gloucestershire/South Gloucestershire, viz the 62 between Thornbury and Dursley, which they took over from Applegates on 8 April. Indeed, it is their only public bus service. On their website is a picture of NK54 NVX, a Scania/Wright new to Go Northern, but yesterday they were running WX06 JXT, a former Thamesdown Scania/Wright.
Sources:

Gwent Vales

bustimes.org

Route 62 - Dursley to Thornbury

www.gwentvales.co.uk

Bus Lists on the Web

www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk

Talking about Transpora, today I was waiting outside Filton College bus stop this afternoon for the 16:13 X10 to Southmead Hospital and I put my hand out and the driver was wearing sunglasses. He was in the right hand lane and didn't even pull in to let me on and drove past me. Appalling service I definitely won't be trying to get on again. He also drove past 5 people waiting on the Northville Road bus stop as well. Someone I know got on the X10 today and tried getting on with a Bristol Rider from Cribbs Causeway to Southmead Hospital (they are accepted on there as it's still in Bristol) but the driver said that the Bristol Riders weren't accepted on the Transpora buses apparently but I don't believe him so they had to pay for a single to get on the bus. Another appalling service moment for transpora X10. Stagecoach ran the service better.

According to the Travelwest website, Transpora do issue and accept Bristol Rider tickets.

Multi-operator Rider Tickets - WEST

All day multi-operator bus travel on a single ticket. Rider Tickets are day tickets that are accepted by all bus operators in a given area. Please be aware that costs and terms of use of tickets are set by operators and we cannot accept responsibility for incorrect or outdated information as...

travelwest.info

 

[Martin1988]

The number of times I had this issue back when I used to buy Avon Rider tickets. Mainly Wessex Connect but had some problems with First too.

Hopefully it was only one driver who didn't know and if the management become aware, they will remind their staff that Bristol Rider tickets should indeed be accepted.

 

[Callum15632]

The number of times I had this issue back when I used to buy Avon Rider tickets. Mainly Wessex Connect but had some problems with First too.

Hopefully it was only one driver who didn't know and if the management become aware, they will remind their staff that Bristol Rider tickets should indeed be accepted.

Okay. I don't know why though last Wednesday and X10 went straight past me when I put my hand out.

 

[contrex]

Tranpora (Bristol) route 25: I arrived at the Eastgate Road (Bristol) inbound stop with a full pull-along shopping trolley. At the stop the timetable showed it was midway between the allegedly three-per-hour buses (10 mins after the last one, 10 mins before the next one). While I was digesting this, a 25 rolled up behind me, and the lady driver opened the doors! As I had not expected it, it took me maybe 30 seconds to get my old folk's bus pass out. She gave me a right bollocking, and said I should have had my pass ready as to do otherwise 'caused delays'. This is hardly designed to make me want to use the bloody things. To be fair the others are usually friendly. Another time I waited 45 minutes for a bus that was supposed to come every 20 minutes. Summary: the timetable is a work of fiction.

 

[Lynford1976]

Is it confirmed that Transpora have now left Dorset completely?

 

[WibbleWobble]

Is it confirmed that Transpora have now left Dorset completely?

Yes, they've gone completely. Most of the work has passed to Morebus, whilst the Verwood - Poole & Parkstone Grammar Schools service has gone to Burrows Coaches.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Transpora 1332 (YX68 ULW) now carries dedicated route branding for the X10 (Clevedon to Southmead).

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Transpora have a brand new Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora - 1306 (BV24 LNA).

Bus Lists on the Web

www.buslistsontheweb.co.uk

1306 - BV24 LNA

Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora

bustimes.org

 

[thameslink2000]

Coachstyle also have a new Volvo B8RLE MCV Evora BV24LNT. Seen on the 99 Swindon to Chippenham yesterday.

 

[-Colly405-]

Does anyone know what's happening with Bristol's open top tour?

The WECA Record of Registration Applications shows Transpora operating it from 25/5 to 3/11, but I've not seen any sign of it.

Record of Registration Applications - WEST

This record contains all bus registration applications received by the West of England Combined Authority since becoming the Bus Registrations Authority for the region on 1 May 2023. The record updates daily and includes all local bus registrations that operate wholly within the West of England...

travelwest.info

Extract from spreadsheet at the above link...
Operator Name
Altonian Coaches Limited
Serial Number
PH1089686/01010013/0
Route number
OT
Start Point
Bristol, Centre, Broad Quay
Finish Point
Bristol, Centre, Broad Quay
via
via Clifton
Type
Excursion or Tour
Subsidised Service
No
Operational Areas
Bristol City Council,
Registration Type
New
Received Date
26 Feb 2024 18:08:26
Effective Date
25 May 2024
End Date
03 Nov 2024

 

[Peter Philips]

Does anyone know what's happening with Bristol's open top tour?

The WECA Record of Registration Applications shows Transpora operating it from 25/5 to 3/11, but I've not seen any sign of it.

Record of Registration Applications - WEST

This record contains all bus registration applications received by the West of England Combined Authority since becoming the Bus Registrations Authority for the region on 1 May 2023. The record updates daily and includes all local bus registrations that operate wholly within the West of England...

travelwest.info

Extract from spreadsheet at the above link...
Operator Name
Altonian Coaches Limited
Serial Number
PH1089686/01010013/0
Route number
OT
Start Point
Bristol, Centre, Broad Quay
Finish Point
Bristol, Centre, Broad Quay
via
via Clifton
Type
Excursion or Tour
Subsidised Service
No
Operational Areas
Bristol City Council,
Registration Type
New
Received Date
26 Feb 2024 18:08:26
Effective Date
25 May 2024
End Date
03 Nov 2024

Online advertising suggests a 13 July start with 1.5 hour recorded commentary tours at 1030, 1200, 1400 & 1500 (pink year round timetable with "extra tours during the summer months") from Broad Quay stop C6 for £12.

 

[-Colly405-]

Could you link to the advertising? I've tried to find it and failed!

 

[Flange Squeal]

Could you link to the advertising? I've tried to find it and failed!

I’ve found this Facebook page - Sightseeing Bristol in the same style as Transpora’s Manchester open top service.

Sightseeing Bristol | Bristol

Sightseeing Bristol, Bristol. 592 likes · 617 talking about this. See the very best of Bristol from our open top sightseeing tour… easily one of the best ways to explore the city! we’re part of...

www.facebook.com

To quote a post from one day ago:

see Bristol from our open top bus!

Capture the best best of Bristol from our open-top sightseeing bus… hop on and off at any of the stops to visit Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Avon Gorge, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Brunel's SS Great Britain and more…

Let us show you around the city famous for Isambard Kingdom Brunel, see the Floating Harbour, bombed and leaning churches and lots more on this 75-minute tour of the city.

️There's a recorded commentary in English to keep you informed of the sights you will see on this tour with many interesting facts that tell the story of Bristol's rich history.

️ Buy early bird tickets here: https://www.getyourguide.com/salfor...ing_uuid=69f80e9f-1caa-4b1c-b60b-69ccf8e852ad

This links to a Get Your Guide website listing at https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/salford-l98598/bristol-city-sightseeing-tour-t728813/

Experience​

Highlights​

• Journey back in time to discover the rich history of Bristol through to today
• Hop off to explore the Clifton Suspension Bridge and visit the SS Great Britain
• Stay on the bus for a full loop or hop-off and on over 2 days to visit the sites
• Learn about Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the legacy he left the city of Bristol
• Discover the tragic story behind the bombed and leaning churches around the city

Full description​

Hop on the bus and begin your exploration of Bristol. As you ride through the city, learn about the sites you see from the onboard narration. Hop off at any of the stops to visit Avon Gorge, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the SS Great Britain. Hop back on to learn about the great legacy of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, see the Floating Harbour, and learn about the bombed churches around the city. Finish your tour back at the starting point and continue your visit to Bristol with a deeper understanding of the city's history and culture.
See less

 

[Peter Philips]

Could you link to the advertising? I've tried to find it and failed!

Indeed yes it was

https://www.getyourguide.co.uk/salford-l98598/bristol-city-sightseeing-tour-t728813/

but I see Flange Squeal has beaten me to it and already answered!

 

[lukem]

Some new "westlocals" have been announced, most seem too infrequent to have much impact.
Probably operated by a mix of the Big Lemon & Stagecoach with transpora's demise.

Full list of new WESTlocal’s covering the West of England

1. Oldland Parish Council - New early morning and late evening service between Yate and Keynsham and midday and afternoon return journeys from Emersons
Green to Keynsham (Mon-Fri)
2. Keynsham Town Council - Hourly community bus service between south Keynsham & Somerdale also serving Wellsway & Chandag schools
3. West of England Rural Network Cotswold Edge - Flexible (two-hourly) bus service covering Hawkesbury Upton, Wickwar, Charfield,
Chipping Sodbury and Yate (Mon- Sat)
4. SevernNet - New hourly service between Avonmouth village, Avonmouth industrial area, Lawrence Weston & Henbury (Mon - Fri)
5. Chew Valley Community Interest Company – Daily shuttle service (including Friday and Saturday evenings) to link villages within the
Chew Valley and to connecting services on the A37
6. Chew Valley Community Interest Company Extension of existing WESTlocal Service X91 to serve the villages of Compton Martin,
East Harptree & West Harptree
7. South Gloucestershire & Stroud College - Service linking Kingswood, Warmley and Bromley Heath with north Bristol and SGC campuses -
(three return trips Mon-Fri)
8. Dings Community Association – Daily hourly service running from Avonmeads to Gasferry Road via The Dings and central Bristol.
9. West of England Rural Network Pioneer - Service connecting the villages of Felton, Winford and Dundry to a range of stops in Bristol,
including Imperial Park, Bedminster, Temple Meads, Broadmead and the city centre - (Three return journeys Mon-Fri)
There are three other WESTlocal bus services planned to start in September operating in North Somerset.

People Power brings new WESTlocals - West of England Combined Authority

West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris has today (Tuesday 16 July) announced that another eight new WESTlocal bus services will start running in September. WESTlocal allows communities to access cash to design and run their very own, brand new, not for profit bus services. The first successful...

www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk

 

[Citistar]

WestLocal is a scheme engineered to produce bus services that can never become sustainable which are therefore doomed to failure. WECA's staff quite happily guide these local councils and organisations to use the brains and expertise from independent operators, yet the chances of those operators gaining any work from it are pretty much nil. I've done about twenty hours of free consultancy work designing WestLocal services but have yet to be offered an opportunity to even quote for operating one of them. Often, lengthy replies to initial proposals go completely unanswered. The whole scheme is rotten to the core and just another publicity scheme for Dan Norris.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Looking at bustimes.org, buses taken on by The Big Lemon from Transpora would appear to be YX71 OGY and YX23 OTA/OTC. OGY is tracking on the 20 in Bath today (18 July), OTA was on the 23 and OTC is on the X10.

Fleet list – Transpora Bus – bustimes.org

This is assuming that the buses shown on bustimes.org are the actual ones being used and it’s not just the ticket machines.