Wiltshire Bus Services

[matt_splat]

Interesting to see that under the new 265 timetable, they're retaining the 0720 journey from Bath to Salisbury.

I did that journey a few months ago and was the only passenger who stayed on all the way to Salisbury. Everyone else got off in either Trowbridge or Westbury.

The number of passengers definitely seemed to increase once we reached Warminster and the nearer we got to Salisbury and most were concessionary passholders. As such I am rather surprised that the section between Warminster and Salisbury is being cut back to two hourly.

There was also noticeable increase in passenger numbers once it got past 0930(or is it 0900) and concessionary passes could be used.

On my previous trip on the 265 back in December 2014 most passengers who boarded in Bath got off in Trowbridge, only one other passenger continued to Salisbury and from about Warminster onwards the bus filled up with passengers traveling to Salisbury. Most of these passengers were OAPS.

As such I'm rather surprised the section between Warminster and Salisbury which appears to be the most busiest is being cut back. Is the reduction down to costs or down to withdrawal of council subsidy?

the issue is the 265 is not used by many from Bath - Salisbury as there is a faster service by train.

I'm sure lots of us here have done it but any normal person would do it.

the 07:20 trip your talking about would be a one of little flow out of Bath because the flow of passengers at that time would be going into Bath. try the 09:00 ish off Bath that's a differnt story usually full of Pass holders.

The 265 Consists of severall passenger Flows.

Bath - Bradford - Trowbridge
Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster
Warminster - Salisbury

at a push you could include Westbury into the Salisbury bit but again most would use the train for speed.

the only issue i can see from these changes is the flow of passengers from Warminster - Salisbury i can see some very full busses at certain times as pass holders will now have reduced choice of what bus to catch.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

the issue is the 265 is not used by many from Bath - Salisbury as there is a faster service by train.

I'm sure lots of us here have done it but any normal person would do it.

the 07:20 trip your talking about would be a one of little flow out of Bath because the flow of passengers at that time would be going into Bath. try the 09:00 ish off Bath that's a differnt story usually full of Pass holders.

The 265 Consists of severall passenger Flows.

Bath - Bradford - Trowbridge
Trowbridge - Westbury - Warminster
Warminster - Salisbury

at a push you could include Westbury into the Salisbury bit but again most would use the train for speed.

the only issue i can see from these changes is the flow of passengers from Warminster - Salisbury i can see some very full busses at certain times as pass holders will now have reduced choice of what bus to catch.

A very fair assessment

People just don't use the service for end to travel - who'd want to spend 2.5 hours on a service bus? Instead, it is a set of overlapping corridors and some intensely used short journeys, so you'll get quite a few people from places like Winsley and Limpley Stoke into Bath, or from Bradford on Avon to Trowbridge.

You get a few pass holders who rather than pay for the train will travel from Trowbridge or Westbury to Salisbury but otherwise the main flow to Salisbury will be pass holders from Warminster and then you get a few in the villages. As you say, the odd journey can be heavily loaded like the 10.12 arrival into Salisbury (with pass holders) but when it leaves at 1020, it has virtually no-one until it reaches Heytesbury.

 

[Citistar]

indeed true, it was more of a point to the codford point.

i was surprised to see anything south of trowbridge on a Sunday.

I think the problem is that most of Wiltshire is closed for business on a Sunday. Trowbridge and Warminster town centres are a decent pull for most of the week, but fairly ghost town like on Sunday. The only places which tend to get busy are the out of town centres such as the retail park on North Bradley Road, which is relatively unlikely to get much in the way of bus passenger usage. I suspect this is what has killed off the Sunday X72 east of Melksham.

I generally find that Wiltshire do their homework with issues like this - rather than just sit in an office and make assumptions about what the public want (both operators and councils locally can be guilty of this), they do tend to actually survey the routes and amend them accordingly. This approach can deliver some surprising results, but does effectively identify where current passenger demand exists.

Various "no to bus cuts" pressure groups would be well advised to employ tactics like this too. It is far better to demonstrate passengers with genuine travel habits being inconvenienced rather than imaginary "social need" and isolation claims being dreamed up when nobody is actually being isolated.

I'll also add here that i travelled on a mid-morning 265 from Salisbury to Trowbridge a few weeks back, having delivered a vehicle down in to the wilds of the south. It was interminably slow up to Warminster with loads of layover time and practically zero intermediate trade up to Warminster town centre. To take an hour and three quarters to do the journey was pretty darned painful.

 

[DaveHarries]

I have done the 265 from Westbury to South Newton several times when out on my day's work: connection at Westbury is 5 minutes from the station to the stop and my employer pays the fare. Won't be quite so easy now.

Dave

 

[wiltshirebloke]

The changes have finally been posted on the First website, which also confirms the route changes in Trowbridge and Westbury ;

Service 265 (Bath – Warminster – Salisbury)
There are a number of changes to the route and timetable of Service 265, as First looks to ensure the service remains commercially viable. Most significantly, the frequency of buses Monday to Saturday daytime between Warminster and Salisbury will be reduced from hourly to approximately two hourly. This is designed to better match customer demand and reduce operating costs. Key journeys for students and commuters have been identified and where possible retained.

The route of Service 265 in Westbury will be revised and will no longer serve West Wilts Trading Estate and The Ham with buses operating a more direct route via Hawkeridge Road. This change reflects low customer demand and to reduce journey times for customers travelling through this area.

In Trowbridge journeys towards Bath will operate a more direct route and will not serve the Town Hall bus stop, which means customers will need to use nearby Fore Street bus stop when travelling towards Bath. There are no changes to the route or stopping arrangements in Trowbridge for journeys towards Warminster and Salisbury.

A new Sunday and Public Holiday timetable will be introduced, where all journeys are operated on a commercial basis by First. An hourly frequency will apply between Bath and Trowbridge only and there will be no journeys between Trowbridge and Warminster. This change is to reflect low customer demand and high operating costs for the section of route between Trowbridge and Warminster. There are currently four journeys a day between Trowbridge and Warminster on Sundays and Public Holidays.

There are a number of other minor changes to the timetable and customers are advised to check the new timetable carefully before travelling.

Interestingly the notice states no service between Trowbridge & Warminster on a Sunday in the new timetable, although the new first timetable showed a 'shuttle'

 

[THarris123]

The changes have finally been posted on the First website, which also confirms the route changes in Trowbridge and Westbury ;



Interestingly the notice states no service between Trowbridge & Warminster, although the new first timetable showed a 'shuttle'

Read it again. It contradicts itself. There are 4 journeys on a Sunday between Trowbridge and Warminster.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Read it again. It contradicts itself. There are 4 journeys on a Sunday between Trowbridge and Warminster.

It says

"and there will be no journeys between Trowbridge and Warminster. This change is to reflect low customer demand and high operating costs for the section of route between Trowbridge and Warminster.

There are currently four journeys a day between Trowbridge and Warminster on Sundays and Public Holidays."

Looks like they drafted the text then the council reprieved that section but no one changed the copy to reflect it.

 

[THarris123]

It says

"and there will be no journeys between Trowbridge and Warminster. This change is to reflect low customer demand and high operating costs for the section of route between Trowbridge and Warminster.

There are currently four journeys a day between Trowbridge and Warminster on Sundays and Public Holidays."

Looks like they drafted the text then the council reprieved that section but no one changed the copy to reflect it.

Still doesn't make much sense though.

 

[wiltshirebloke]

Faresaver also have changes from 30th April :

X34 Chippenham - Frome

From 30th April the X34 is changing. We have made some minor timing alterations, primarily between Trowbridge and Frome and also during the afternoon peak period in Trowbridge in an effort to improve punctuality. The weekday 1830 Chippenham to Trowbridge trip will be terminated from this date. Trains between Chippenham and Melksham/Trowbridge currently operate at
1753 & 1905* – please visit nationalrail.co.uk for full information
regarding these services

X67 Bath - Frome

We have introduced additional trips departing Frome at 0719 arriving into Bath for 0822 and departing Bath at 1545 arriving in Frome at 1646. These additional trips will ease capacity.
We have also routed a trip through Rode at 0941 arriving in Bath for 1006 with return journeys to Rode from Bath at 1345 & 1545.

X72 Easterton - Devizes - Melksham - Bath

From 30th April the X72 is changing. The service will operate via Batheaston bypass and will not be serving Batheaston village. This will lead to improved journey times between Melksham and Bath.

We have also introduced an additional journey from Devizes to Bath at 1400. Some trips will connect in Devizes Market Place and this is shown on the timetable. Through tickets will still be available in the event that a connection is required.

 

[matt_splat]

Faresaver also have changes from 30th April :

X34 Chippenham - Frome

From 30th April the X34 is changing. We have made some minor timing alterations, primarily between Trowbridge and Frome and also during the afternoon peak period in Trowbridge in an effort to improve punctuality. The weekday 1830 Chippenham to Trowbridge trip will be terminated from this date. Trains between Chippenham and Melksham/Trowbridge currently operate at
1753 & 1905* – please visit nationalrail.co.uk for full information
regarding these services

X67 Bath - Frome

We have introduced additional trips departing Frome at 0719 arriving into Bath for 0822 and departing Bath at 1545 arriving in Frome at 1646. These additional trips will ease capacity.
We have also routed a trip through Rode at 0941 arriving in Bath for 1006 with return journeys to Rode from Bath at 1345 & 1545.

X72 Easterton - Devizes - Melksham - Bath

From 30th April the X72 is changing. The service will operate via Batheaston bypass and will not be serving Batheaston village. This will lead to improved journey times between Melksham and Bath.

We have also introduced an additional journey from Devizes to Bath at 1400. Some trips will connect in Devizes Market Place and this is shown on the timetable. Through tickets will still be available in the event that a connection is required.

the devizes change on the x72 at a guess to bring the x72 out of bath and into devizes i would guess the bus on the x33/33 will arrive and then turn into a x72 meanwhile the driver arriving from bath will go off have a break and then work into chippenham or calne

 

[LiftFan]

Faresaver also have changes from 30th April :

X34 Chippenham - Frome

From 30th April the X34 is changing. We have made some minor timing alterations, primarily between Trowbridge and Frome and also during the afternoon peak period in Trowbridge in an effort to improve punctuality. The weekday 1830 Chippenham to Trowbridge trip will be terminated from this date. Trains between Chippenham and Melksham/Trowbridge currently operate at
1753 & 1905* – please visit nationalrail.co.uk for full information
regarding these services

Crap, I was hoping to have an increased service instead of a decreased one - the X34 always looks full and those bus tickets are actually affordable compared to the train...

 

[Martin1988]

Thanks to those who responded to my post regarding the 265 route.

It looks as though the Melksham to Urchfont section of the 271 is being replaced with a new Salisbury Reds service running between Melksham and Urchfont(with connections to and from the Bath service)

Am on the 271 right now and a Wiltshire Council employee boarded in Melksham to hand out timetables to everyone.

 

[DaveHarries]

It looks as though the Melksham to Urchfont section of the 271 is being replaced with a new Salisbury Reds service running between Melksham and Urchfont(with connections to and from the Bath service)

Interesting. Do SR currently have a yard at Devizes? Or is the 2 operated from Salisbury?

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Interesting. Do SR currently have a yard at Devizes? Or is the 2 operated from Salisbury?

Dave

They outbase a vehicle in a yard on the Andover road; used to be two vehicles with a decker and a Solo but not certain now. Until a problem with vandalism, they were out based in the Station Road car park with 3/4 Badgerline vehicles.

Quite surprised that they have paid for the Melksham to Devizes bit let alone out to Urchfont!

 

[matt_splat]

They outbase a vehicle in a yard on the Andover road; used to be two vehicles with a decker and a Solo but not certain now. Until a problem with vandalism, they were out based in the Station Road car park with 3/4 Badgerline vehicles.

Quite surprised that they have paid for the Melksham to Devizes bit let alone out to Urchfont!

It might be more likely done by Pewsey outstation as they already do Sunday work

 

[THarris123]

They outbase a vehicle in a yard on the Andover road; used to be two vehicles with a decker and a Solo but not certain now. Until a problem with vandalism, they were out based in the Station Road car park with 3/4 Badgerline vehicles.

Quite surprised that they have paid for the Melksham to Devizes bit let alone out to Urchfont!

I'm quite surprised too, as whenever I've been on 271 on Sundays its been near enough completely empty to Devizes from Melksham.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It might be more likely done by Pewsey outstation as they already do Sunday work

Suspect you may be right as it would be difficult to roster at Devizes with only one or two drivers.

For info, O license shows authorisation for 2v at WILTSHIRE CONCRETE, HOPTON ROAD PARK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, HOPTON ROAD, DEVIZES, SN10 2EY - it has obviously moved from Nursteed Road where it was.

 

[Martin1988]

I'm quite surprised too, as whenever I've been on 271 on Sundays its been near enough completely empty to Devizes from Melksham.

Totally agree with you and Devizes to Urchfont even more so

 

[vicbury]

A sneak preview of Thamesdown's new branding has appeared courtesy of Andrew Wickham (MD of Go South Coast) and others on Twitter:

Not sure it's to my taste!

 

[DaveHarries]

A sneak preview of Thamesdown's new branding has appeared courtesy of Andrew Wickham (MD of Go South Coast) and others on Twitter:

Not sure it's to my taste!

I don't think it looks too bad. Mention of a new livery can be found at http://www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk/feature-article.shtml?articleid=6888

The pictures you link to also suggest that the new vehicles recently announced as being on order (the article has gone from Thamesdown's website) could well be Enviro200 MMCs as that is a side profile of one.

Dave

 

[vicbury]

I don't think it looks too bad. Mention of a new livery can be found at http://www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk/feature-article.shtml?articleid=6888

The pictures you link to also suggest that the new vehicles recently announced as being on order (the article has gone from Thamesdown's website) could well be Enviro200 MMCs as that is a side profile of one.

Dave

It does look like an Enviro200 MMC, which would make sense as Go Ahead already operate them in Southampton etc.

I believe more double deckers have been promised for Thamesdown. Whether these will be new or second-hand, we shall see.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Totally agree with you and Devizes to Urchfont even more so

The 271 is the only late night bus for Urchfont, I wonder what serves it in the day as I know Salisbury Red's (Wilts & Dorset) doesn't.

 

[wiltshirebloke]

The 271 is the only late night bus for Urchfont, I wonder what serves it in the day as I know Salisbury Red's (Wilts & Dorset) doesn't.

Faresaver 271/X72 cover it Mon - Sat

 

[wiltshirebloke]

First photos of the buses ....

https://twitter.com/AndrewWickhamGo/status/862359679153954816

 

[vicbury]

I didn't even know old Enviro 200s are still available! Lucky Swindonians

 

[DaveHarries]

I didn't even know old Enviro 200s are still available! Lucky Swindonians

Andrew Wickham (MD, Go South Coast) put pictures of one of the new vehicles on his Twitter feed which prompted a reply (not from me) saying "looks awesome i thaught you would buy the mmc versions" who which the reply (again not from me) was "We couldn't get MMCs in time for the service upgrade."

A query from me as to how come earned a reply from ADL which said: "We had these classic style Enviro200 in stock and they were suitable (with repaint and some adaptations). MMC would've had to be new build."

Good of ADL to reply, and fair enough to Thamesdown.

Dave

 

[Martin1988]

I've noticed that Coachstyle have amended their 75 service so that the afternoon journey no longer starts at Chippenham Bus Station but at Sheldon school.

Does anyone have any idea of whenabouts this change occured?

Also noticed that Service 35 (Chippenham to Castle Combe) has been altered so that it no longer serves The Gibb or Grittleton at weekends and 635 between Chippenham and Marshfield no longer operates on a saturday.

If anyone is able to answer I'd also be interested to find out has the 75 ever served Grittleton or am I thinking of another route?

 

[wiltshirebloke]

Stagecoach are responding to the introduction of Thamesdown's new Wooton Bassett service .....


Service 55

Service Changes

From Sunday 28th May 2017





We are pleased to introduce improvements to Service 55 between Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett.

We will now be running every 10 minutes Mondays to Saturdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays and, during the daytime, alternate journeys will serve Station Road and New Road in Royal Wootton Bassett.

On weekday mornings we will also be serving Lydiard Fields Business Park in response to customer requests.

 

[LordCreed]

I travelled on the Thamesdown R1 (The Swindon - Royal Wootton Bassett route) last week. The new vehicles are obviously very nice inside and the timings were held even with Swindons typical rush hour traffic.

Loadings were pretty light throughout the journey, but a surprising number of people used the route to travel from the edge of Wootton Bassett into the town centre.

I think the new vehicles look very nice, but a number of my colleagues think otherwise.

 

[vicbury]

In case anybody does not follow Faresaver on Facebook, they are running an Enviro 400 City demonstrator on the X31 tomorrow (link should work without being signed into Facebook).

Times are:

Leaving Bath 10:00, 13:00, 16:30
Leaving Chippenham 08:35, 11:35, 15:05, 17:50

Looks very nicely specced inside! It's a replacement for a loan Enviro 200 MMC which apparently was towed back to the factory with an oil leak. What was that about ADL build quality?