One of the biggest changes is a shunning of Poole Bus Station in favour of this new route in the town on the 1:
The first of the summer's seasonal routes start again in March:
First 502/503 Weymouth-Littlesea/Waterside from 13th March
Timetables and maps are not yet available for these routes starting on 5th April:
Yellow F1 Christchurch-Ringwood
Yellow 11 Bournemouth-Christchurch
See all upcoming changes across the region at-a-glance here.
March 13 is way too early to start a summer service as the weather in March is normally wintry.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but those are holiday park services and that is when the parks are opening. As people will then be staying in them there will presumably be demand for travel to and from.
DeleteLooks like the camera may be needing a bit of action when the route of the 1 changes in Poole
ReplyDeleteA fresh new look for the CityRed 3 coming soon
ReplyDeleteWow, exciting!
DeleteNothing exciting about it whatsoever.only exciting for the loonie fringe bus spotter
DeleteI will be wanting to get photographs of the CityRed 3 tbh
DeleteAnonymous 1449 I'm sure that the person that wrote Anonymous 1252, was being sarcastic.
DeleteReece wasnt it suppose to happen last October
DeleteYes it was but a few delays I understand Aaron
DeleteFor the person on the previous thread that asked about Yellow Buses 11, it appears to be Bournemouth Square/Pier, East Cliff, Manor Road, St John's Road to Boscombe Pier and back, Centenary Way and then main road to Pokesdown Station, then Fishermans Walk, Southbourne coming on to the coast road at Southbourne Roundabout, then Broadway, Stour Road Barrack Road Christchurch through to Two Riversmeet.
ReplyDeleteThanks
DeleteBit of a missed opportunity if it's not going down The Marina in Boscombe, always a highlight of the original routes 11/12. Do we know if it's going all the way to Hengistbury Head?
DeleteWonder how the people at Bear Cross Bus Company are feeling about this. I presume they'll be intending to run the Seafront 12 along a similar route during the summer - I presume the 11 will have an effect on that (I'm just unsure if it'll be positive or negative).
DeleteIs the Bear Cross Bus Company still operating - website has been suspended
DeleteI contacted the Bear bus Facebook page last night as the website appeared compromised.
DeleteThe reply was that someone is targeting their website for some reason.....
Bear cross not running this year
DeleteReally interested in the route of the F1. Hopefully via Sopley?
ReplyDeleteHighcliffe.
DeleteFrom: Christchurch High Street
DeleteTo: Ringwood, Meeting Housa Lane
Via: Highcliffe, Walkford, Burley
Name or No.: F1 Buster's Forest Explorer
I can't understand why they would route it via Highcliffe. It's much longer than going via Sopley which also has no regular bus service since the 175/125 was reduced to a few days a week.
Deletemaybe the low railway bridges at Burton are a safety issue for open top vehicles........
DeleteThe bridge on Salisbury Road is 15'9 - the low bridge outside of Lymington (served by the Bluestar 6 and the New Forest Tour's Green & Blue routes) is 14'3 so I don't think it's the height that's the issue.
DeleteProbably routing via Highcliffe to offer more journey options and to serve more of the coast (linking with the 1A to New Milton, no doubt too).
Passengers on open top services aren't necessarily looking for the quickest journeys - as evidenced by the NFT only operating one-way loops.
The route via Highcliffe takes the service past the newly opened rear entrance to the Hoburne Holiday Park on Highcliffe Road, where a new bus stop has been erected. It also places it within a reasonable walking distance of the Hoburne Naish Holiday Park complex on Christchurch Road. Ken Traveline
DeleteSaw 47427 today on the CR3 it had no markings but still red
ReplyDeleteStreetlites have been appearing on the three for quite a while now.
DeleteI know but it had no markings so obviously being used on something and 47427 is not a max streetlite
DeleteThings seem to be very settled lately on First Southampton and Bluestar with no major changes on the horizon and makes a welcome change.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the sign down at Central Station?
DeleteWhat sign?
DeleteThere's no signs down at Central Station
DeleteThe signs are missing at most stops on route to Totton.
DeleteI think you mean the bus stop flags. They take them away for a refresh periodically. A waste of money, when the service is so bad. We have fantastic bus stops but poor bus network and general services.
DeleteThey have not been taken down for a refresh this time. They have been removed after a health and safety concern, which identified that many were in danger of falling down!
DeleteNew look of the City Red 3 has now been revealed on the First Southampton Facebook page
ReplyDeleteNothing to get over excited about. It's just the normal City Red livery with route 3 superimposed in its relevant colours.
DeleteExactly.why all the hype.Why do some people get so excited over nothing.Half the time the vehicles marked 3 will be on some other local route.I see no reason for branding.Most passengers look at the destination and number and few look at the branding to rely on unless they are rather stupid.It's only the idiots who run the service that think it's a good idea.More than likely none or few use it as they all use a car to get from A to B.
DeleteI have been on the 7 few times when passengers have thought they were on a 2 to millbrook because they only looked at the side of the bus
DeleteWho cares about the city red 3 I wont be using it I only use bluestar in southampton and I hope bluestar expand in Southampton
DeleteFairly blinkered comment above
DeleteA fresh new look for City Red 3.I doubt wether most users of the service will even notice.Do the drivers also get a fresh look in a facelift where some manage to smile?
DeleteI love how the general public think they are going to be operated by the standard size streetlites.
DeleteReece you say that but I've done some home work and you said else were that the max streetlite have 41 seats which is true but the Volvo's can carry a maximum 50 seats depending on the layout
DeleteTo be honest nowadays 41 seats will be more then enough since the route competes with Bluestar 17 and 19
DeleteReece25 February 2020 at 10:42 - Seriously mate, the CR3 don't compete with Bluestar 19, they compete with the CR3. The 19 carries more fresh air than a balloon.
DeleteHow Bluestar keep this 19 running beats Me.It's a total dead loss.A friend of mine sometimes uses it from Fairfax Court to City and informs Me sometimes He's the only one on it.Brand new buses on it too,which could have been used to update other routes that have good passenger loadings.I have used it just once from Woolston to Kathleen/Bursledon Road and was the only one on it.I don't think anyone at First has anything to worry about as the 19 has little or no effect on their 3 on City to Thornhill section
DeleteExactly the same situation as on the CR1,except First are running double the frequency but with older buses. A real shame that we cannot bang the heads of these two, to make them see sense. The 19 extension has been postponed until later in 2020 whilst they let the numbers build apparently. At least they have a decent market to aim at, whereas the CR1 has taken all that it can take, but will never make money.
DeleteBluestar 19 is trying to compete with CR3 but with CR3 having the frequency It doesn’t really stand a chance as frequency will usually succeed over new buses.
DeleteThe 19 extension postponed for the moment?.Where on earth were they going to extend it too?.Surely not the General Hospital area which is so overbused as it is.When will some comonsense once again prevail in Southampton's transport network
DeleteYes, the plan is that it will run almost exactly the same route as the three, except will not serve Ocean Village and will go all the way to Adanac Park. The frequency is expected to be every 15 minutes, but they may look at ten later. Frequency is important, but the 17 is doing very well, despite not competing on frequency against the 11. The same cannot be said for Firsts one service to Calmore, which just does not have the patronage to aim at.
Delete...but when I see a service 17 in Weston and Woolston it’s almost empty compared to firsts 11 ? How odd. Firsts service one to Calmore will need time to build - just like blue stars 16 did
ReplyDeleteFirsts tiny buses will look full with a dozen people onboard, whereas massive double deckers look empty with similar numbers! It is virtually impossible to see how many are on the upper deck from most vantage points. Blue stars 17 has rapidly grown into their second most profitable route, so they seem pretty happy with the loadings. CR1 has already built to its maximum possible level, so future growth is impossible and continues to run with poor patronage and big losses. Wrong route to try, but we all knew that before it began.
DeleteAs you seem to know the profitability of bluestars routes can you tell me what their profit margin is as clearly you have all the data to hand ? Perhaps tell us all what order the routes rank in profitability ?
DeleteYou know two of them, but please do not ask for more!
DeleteAs we of any common sense know every thing on certain corridors is overbused.Most services during the day where two operators are on it are poorly patronised.Even where there is little or no competetion passenger figures are dismal on some routes
ReplyDeleteIt’s quite obvious the 19 wasn’t introduced to compete with the CR3, but to be its replacement, to make it harder for First to find a buyer for Southampton, and instead cease operations altogether instead. Whether that’s actually what happens to First remains to be seen, but that was GSCs thought process behind it. If Bluestar/Unilink are everywhere First are - and more - no one will want to takeover because it would be a battle they can’t win.
ReplyDeleteThey need to make headway into Merry Oak and Harefield as well then if that`s the case.
DeleteThat’s where go south coast have made a massive error of judgment by the sounds of it. First Southampton was not up for sale in isolation and never has been. The whole of First Bus was for sale, but that looks like it has now changed and won’t be sold. What I find amazing is the arrogance to think that First bus or any other operator can’t win the battle against go ahead.
DeleteI being elderly rarely go out late evenings.Tonight however I went out with a friend for a drink useing an 18 into City from Bitterne.In Vincent's Walk we crossed the road and boarded a Bluestar 17 at about 2040 heading for Woolston.I was quite surprised on arrival at Vincent's Walk how many were already on the bus.As We had just missed a First 11 heading for Weston by a few minutes even more surprising that 4 were picked up apart from us in Vincent's Walk,then another 3 in Castle Way and another 2 at Holy Rood.All had some form of Bluestar ticket.no doubt the attraction of the 17 is it's cross City even though at times this causes delays in the operation of it..A major cause of Firsts problems was in sometime ago getting rid of cross City operation.People don't like changeing buses and never have despite the fact that cross City operation at periods can cause severe delays.Most travellers tollerate this although accepted they don't like it.Over the years First have made major errors in planning routes and run services to suit them and not the public.However I'm sure they will be with us in Southampton for years ahead.At least recently their network has been stable and that attracts custom whereas continual change doesn't.I find no errors in Judgement by Go South Coast except for one which is the ridiculous 19 running empty most of the day with brand new buses that could have been put to good use elsewhere.Go South Coast said they introduced it due to customer request.Well if that is so why do few use it?
DeleteSame can be said for Cityred 1 which is empty one minute and half a dozen pensioners the next journey.
DeleteThank goodness for pensioners.Where would we be without them.Even they get less and less on buses as so many now drive.Mind you in many areas now there is no point in having a Council pass as the Council has removed all bus services with funding cuts
DeleteI don't understand why the CR 1 is still with that unreasonable frequency.
ReplyDelete1.For me, it would be a change of route, like combining the 11 and 12 into one route.
2.Variation of route: 1 via Salisbury Road and 1a via Water Lane
3.Combined frequency of up to 15 minutes on weekdays (buses every 30 minutes on 1 and 1a) Saturdays every 20 minutes (40 minutes on 1 and 1a) Sundays and Bank Holidays every 30 minutes (hourly on 1 and 1a)
4. Having slightly later buses (last buses to coincide with the closure of West Quay (where all the shops are).
CityRed 11 is to be entended to Central Station in May
ReplyDeleteTypical First.Cut Weston off from Central Station then moons later reconnect them again.
DeleteThat`s if you believe Reece anyway-who normally believes every word bus drivers tell him.
DeleteAnyone know what happened to the 19:01 no.18 from Bitterne on Sunday eve as the board said it was due then it disappeared and was a no show?
ReplyDeleteIt`s shocking that BS18 is the only bus to serve Bitterne after around 7pm on a Sunday.
DeleteHad the same problem with the one due to Thornhill from My stop at 2012.Had to wait 40 minutes in the end for the next one.Asked the driver if He might know what happened to it but as usual was of foreign origin with lack of communication skills so no joy.I also notice on getting back home the 2335 did not run from City to Thornhill so no last bus back from Thornhill to City at 2357.It's quite common for 18's to be missing in the late evenings.The 18 is shodly run at times.They want people to leave their car at home and try the bus,but when you do theres no bus there when it should be.
DeleteYou must stop taking any notice of the bus time boards. They are programmed to show the next timetabled departure, even if it did not run! As to why buses do not turn up late at night, it may sometimes be a breakdown, vandalism or sickness on a bus, sudden driver illness or even congestion. Before anyone says that there cannot be congestion late at night, take a stroll through the Guildhall Square area around eleven pm on a Friday or Saturday night. This weekend many buses got stuck there, due to taxis and private cars stopping and blocking the road. I know several drivers called 101 to try to get help moving them on, but an hour later there was still not a police car in sight. It's all very well blaming the bus operators, but sometimes there is nothing that they can do. I suggest that anyone who thinks that they could do a better job of running buses, requests to go and sit in the control room of one of our bus operators, so you can see just how many things can and do go wrong, over which they have no control.
DeleteThat's the problem with bus operation today.Too many people sat in control rooms looking at monitors but no one on the ground to deal with it.I was also affected by the missing 18's last night and it was quite evident a running line was missing all evening.It would seem no effort was made to rectify it.Another case of customer care of like it or lump it.Also quite obvious most intending passengers waiting at a bus stop watching timetable boards and their bus ticking down in minutes to when it should arrive will expect it to do so.What an absurb remark to state don't take any notice of it as it doesn't work that way.My suggestion is turn the lot off then as the system is useless and misleading
DeleteAs noted elsewhere Bitterne has a lousy bus service after 1900 on Sundays and if one on what there is is missing it's a real problem for people.If buses are there they will be used.Proof of this is the 16 which now has an evening service Weekdays until late.The service is particularly well used I have noticed on the 2020 and 2120 ex City to Townhill Park.
DeleteThe bus service to Bitterne on Sunday evenings is about right for current patronage. The electronic displays are completely misleading and should be scrapped without doubt, unless the operator can put messages on them. Sadly the system is not run by the bus company so little chance of that happening.
DeleteSo the powers to be are content in leaving them on even though they can be misleading.Not the way to run a successful business.The present evening frequency may be just right for the present usage but only if it all rus which it clearly sometimes doesn't
DeleteThe bus service through Bitterne on a Sunday eve may be ok if you want to get to town,Thornhill or Shirley,but if you want to get anywhere else then it`s tough luck.
DeleteAnon at 1116- It is not run by the bus companies, they have no say in it! So they cannot do anything to change the impact on their businesses. I believe it was all paid for by a EU grant, so hopefully the money to run it will soon run out too? I have known many people who have missed their bus, due to staring at the screen instead of looking for the bus coming down the road!
DeleteDid anyone Girlfriends propose to them on the 29th February 2020?
ReplyDeleteOf what relevance is this to Southampton Bus Update?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteJust making conversation
DeleteJust stick to buses in future then Reece.
DeleteEvening services are operated to the bone - there is a bloke at the depot to come out and rescue you if you are the only person to breakdown that evening otherwise you are on your own - once had to wait well over an hour for an ambulance because a passenger had taken a drugs and drink overdose and was barely conscious
ReplyDeleteIn looking at the bus tracker map on line it would seem tonight Monday 2nd March 2020 there is a line on 18's yet again missing
DeleteWhat has the efficiency of the ambulance service got to do with running an evening bus service?
DeleteAnd the First Buses are still not showing after disappearing months ago (except the X4/X5 run by First Solent)
DeleteI'm not sure if this is an issue with the buses or the website but I thought it would have been fixed ages ago.
I note elsewhere on this blog someone stating that evening services operated by Bluestar are operated with a skeleton back up staff.With so many buses on Weekdays out in the late evening it's obvious if things go wrong there is no back up.A shocking state of afairs for such a large bus operator.As someone else stated I also noticed last night yet again certain 18's were mising.Bluestar needs to sort out how it runs its early to late evening services.
DeletePeople do not have any trouble changing buses at Newport on the Isle of Wight - maybe that is because all the buses gather at one point and there is usually some kind of bus-related human presence there
ReplyDeleteThe point being made about the ambulance is that my bus was stationary at a bus stop waiting for the ambulance resulting in the cancellation of two bus journeys and late running of two other journeys because there is no spare vehicle or driver to cover for this eventuality - during daytime hours there is disruption to the service involved and perhaps the return journey but then a substitute vehicle and driver can be introduced to continue the service
ReplyDeleteInteresting news today about Lucketts being purchased by NatEx. Have to wonder how this will change future operations in this area? There must be a bigger plan which will impact on other operators.
ReplyDeleteMakes it easier to fund expansion perhaps to re-assign the National Express contracts of Go-Ahead South Coast thus moving them in-house and also removing a profitable income stream if there is future competition with them by acquiring the bus operations of First Group in Southampton
ReplyDeleteRemove contracts from GoAhead? I would be doubtful, at least in the medium term.
DeleteLook at the Clarke's and Kings Ferry operations; apply to Lucketts
By some remarks fantacy once again excels on this site
DeleteWho are you referring to?
DeleteThere is no fantasy here just common sense assessment of how it could possibly affect other operators. National Express and Lucketts looks like normal business consolidation to me. However, given First Group's current stance on its bus operations some change affecting services in Southampton seems inevitable. First in Southampton is a viable operation with a depot and several dozen vehicles so they are unlikely to go for the nuclear option of pulling out so it will be something like a management buy-out or takeover. National Express and First having been talking about acquiring each other for more than a decade so if it is to be a takeover they must be in the mix. If it is National Express then they will have an active competitor making a profit from running their own services, a situation that I think they would seek to address and by integrating Lucketts into the business they give themselves an easy means to do this.
DeleteBut First Bus isn’t up for sale anymore !
DeleteIs that what your bosses at First are telling you this week to stop you jumping ship? Don't bet on it!
DeleteI think that the sale of Lucketts and any connection to FirstGroup is fairly tenuous.
DeleteThe two business models, even if considering First Southampton as an independent unit, are not exactly identical. Contract and coaching is not stage carriage work, even if you include the Whiteley Connect.
Anyone know of any changes to Southern Vectis` summer timetable which begins soon?
ReplyDeleteWait and see.Southern Vectis are pretty good at giving prior notice of any changes on their website.
Deleteis it true Simon Gard has acquired link-rider?
ReplyDeleteEarlier I'd have said no but he's posted on Facebook recruiting 7 drivers so possibly it is true
DeleteDue to our ongoing expansion programme we will shortly be recruiting for the following positions -
Delete2 X part time coach drivers 25 hours per week.
5 X part time/casual coach drivers on an as required basis.
Must have
Valid driver CPC
Digital tachograph card
PCV licence with no more than 3 penalty points.
The ability to work at either of our depots and drive a wide selection of vehicles from 16seater minibuses to 71seater coaches.
Positions starting around 13/04/20
For an informal chat call Mr Gard operations manager on 01590382306 or email a cv to southbournebuses@outlook.com
Odd. There was me thinking that Simon Gard had given up on the transport scene, based in a post from Simon Gard on this blog not too long ago.
DeleteI'm sure I saw somewhere a new company registration with him named quite recently, but there's nothing at Companies House. May have been N&P?
DeleteHe's not AFAICS listed as a director at Linkrider based in Swanage. The tel. is on the Lymington area code and, even more oddly, unobtaiable
Thought to view his Facebook page and found he is director of Southern National Weymouth Ltd.
Deletehttps://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/12036967
Mr Gard has been seen at there depot this week and it's known there up for sale
DeleteAnother couple of 18 trips missing this eve 04 Mar if postings by Bluestar on Twitter are anything to go by.
ReplyDeleteThis can not go on if due to situations within BS control as I am sure Vosa/Traffic commissioners will get wind of it eventually though not by me as I do not use the 18 that late in the eve. I think drivers who do must be fairly brave or desperate for wages!
Well at least they bothered to post about the cancellations unlike on Sunday-come to think of it they hardly ever seem to post about problems over the weekend which makes a mockery of trying to get people to follow them on Twitter to find out they info that they aren't providing.
DeleteThis continual loss of service on 18's evenings needs to be sorted out.It's been going on for a very long time now.As stated over weekends very little information is posted on twitter as to what may be cancelled.
DeleteWell they do say on twitter that they're only on there M-F 8:00-18:30...so at least they had the decency to post some late amendments. It is rare to see them tweet on weekends apart from football delays.
ReplyDeleteFirst appear to be twitter for longer but u don't see about that 2 or 3 getting amended, do u? Also First tweet from Leeds so zero local knowledge of course.
The First twitter site is about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.But that's what you get when somethings not run locally but from a site where most employed have no idea of whats what miles and miles away from it
DeleteFlybe has gone pop. What are the effects on the airport itself, and also on the bus services?
ReplyDeleteWill Unilink change the frequency on how often they serve the airport?
Unilink doesn’t just run to the airport for flights. In fact, that’s probably the least reason. It’s for the train station and the sports ground on Wide Lane first and formost
DeleteAnd it is a handy place to turn round
DeleteOther airlines will i'm sure replace many services that Flybe operated.I don't imagine any change in Unilink service to the Airport
ReplyDeleteExcept so as Southampton airport have already said flybe going under wont close the airport
DeleteThe key for Southampton Airport is to try to maintain continuity of service but that is going to be difficult as coronavirus takes hold
DeleteIs Coronavirus affecting the airports operation?
DeletePassenger numbers are down because of coronavirus - it is what finally killed off Flybe - so any new operator will have to fly with reduced loadings until this virus episode is over - often a good time to speculate and invest in the downturn but only if you have the financial resources to do it which does not seem to be the case with most of the airline industry at the moment
DeleteOoronavirus has hardly anything to do with its collapse.Flybe has been in a mess for well over a year and under the circumstance it's a surprise it didn't collapse sooner
DeleteWe look forward to seeing the South Coast's economy collpase into a black hole bigger than Jupiter thanks to this airline folding and Southampton's airport effectively being mothballed
DeleteWhy did the post about Coronavirus get taken down? C'mon it's a serious issue guys!
ReplyDeleteIt got taken down more than like as it has no relevance to local bus operation.So much of late gets posted on this site which has no relevance to it
DeleteBut it does have relevance to local bus operation. If one person on a bus has the virus, the whole busload including the driver will get it, then the driver will have to go off sick which means less buses to operate and in turn fewer services.
DeleteThe real question why Reece's posts aren't taken down? The Coronavirus could end up having some impact on public transport if it becomes pandemic as is starting to seem quite likely.
ReplyDeletePerhaps my post was not causing unessacary panic where as some people are buying to many hand canisters but guess what I will still be going to the Football on a Saturday.
DeleteYes, the thing with the Coronavirus is that it could actually have a detrimental impact on public transport if it keeps heading the way it's going. After the Flybe collapse, I genuinely fear that a lot of other transport firms, including bus and train companies, will also go bust.
DeleteNot as bad as libraries which must be a hotbed of germs with books read by many and computer keyboards used by masses of people each day.
Deletehttps://www.firstgroup.com/southampton/news-and-service-updates/news/catch-bus-zoo-popular-marwell-m1-service-returns-4-april To the zoo!
ReplyDeleteDidn't see a single Volvo on the three yesterday, but didn't notice any of the newly branded buses on it either. Maybe I didn't notice because they look just the same as everything else now? Interesting to read that the repaints have all been done by their Cornwall spray shop. What a terrible waste of money taking them all that way.
ReplyDeleteI did, couldn't miss it - why a (well-loaded) bus that leaves the City Centre has to layover at the Central Station for 3 whole minutes is beyond me. For a disabled person at this very busy bus stop it is nothing short of antisocial behaviour.
DeleteFirst time I have ever seen someone disabled complain about a bus laying over waiting time at any stop
DeleteYou are right, it is totally frustrating. Blue Star services get 4 minutes from West Quay or 5 minutes from Vincent's Walk, which is normally about right. Also, Bluestar trust their drivers to make a common sense decision to move on, if they are causing congestion, whereas First seem to have a fear culture, meaning that they will block the stops until the last second has ticked away. Bluestar have removed this timing point for most inbound services, and I know of lots of dissatisfied CR1 customers who watch as the Bluestar service which left Totton at the same time, breezes past despite serving two extra stops en route! Yet another thing that First get wrong.
DeleteA simple answer to that is use Bluestar in from Totton then they won't have to wait time at the Station.It's nice to know First drivers observe timing points and don't just do their own thing
DeleteOnly because red clocks get put on the clocks where as this only happens on Bluestar 18 where as the other route don't have the tracking
DeleteSorry Reece, but you could not be more wrong about that, but I understand why you may think that. All routes and buses are fully tracked, but the 18 is experimenting with a different system. The fact is that all Bluestar drivers are fully aware of the law regarding timing points, but have permission to use their initiative rather than block the stops to the detriment of passengers and other road users. Firsts guys are simply frightened out of their skin to move, because their management impose a strict regime, but Bluestar use a slightly more relaxed approach, which benefits everyone. We are not talking about early running here, just using intelligence to fully comply with all laws. If you are blocking the road, you are breaking a law, but equally if you are over a minute early, you are breaking another! The sensible answer is to move off 59 seconds early which is fully compliant with the law, but only if you have to.
DeleteAnonymous6 March 2020 at 22:55
DeleteI think you will find that most first drivers will depart a stop at the 59 second early mark. Management don't mind that. And where possible, you're told not to block bus stop - if there is an opportunity to move up the stop before your departure time, then you do it - especially at Central station outbound. I've seen Bluestar drivers sit in the middle of the stop waiting their time, rather than move up the stop.
When you say First guys are simply frightened out of their skin i assume you are a first driver to qualify that remark ? Or is it just assumption based. As it sounds like you drive for bluestar?
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that it is assumption based, because I don't know of any driver who is "frighted out of their skin".
DeleteAnon 7th March 09:27
DeleteYou should know by now bus drivers are not allowed to comment on this Blog.
They may not be allowed to do so but it's obvious many do
DeleteThe frightened out of their skin comment has come direct from First drivers, particularly the newer ones, as their management pull them up over trivial matters so often. They sacked a guy last week for nothing more than a slightly cheeky comment and another was suspended for his follow up comment, which could have the same fate.
DeleteOn the subject of First I was wondering if Miles Webber was still driving for them as he is an excellent driver with a great sense of humour and haven`t seen him lately?
DeleteIf someone is sacked for a “Cheeky comment” as you suggest - what was that cheeky comment ? Assume you have the facts which you can share - I guess you must have been involved otherwise “hearsay” is just assumption based yet again.
ReplyDeleteThe female operations support supervisor at First Southampton is not a lady to be messed with. If she's got out the wrong side of the bed you will know about it. She can turn happy staff into sad staff just by looking at them.
DeleteUnder PSV notices and proceedings dated 5th March 2020 many minor or maybe major timetable alterations noted for Southern Vectis(summer timetable)Stagecoach in Andover and other areas that come under Southampton Bus update.Most start about 5th April 2020
ReplyDeleteStagecoach recasting the Andover timetable I presume?
DeleteI can see lots of cancellations, but no replacements.
[I know - sometimes the corresponding registrations are not in the same N&P]
Well when Wheeler's decided to ditch most of Andover's Town and other services,Stagecoach have been operating them until retendered by the Council.It would seem Stagecoach have won the contracts and it was obvious there would be changes to times.routes 14-15-16 and 17 will change as will 95-96 in Winchester which Stagecoach has been running since Mervyn's decided to not run these routes anymore.Mervyn's was a lovely little operator and it's sad to see they no longer run any bus services but quiet understandable
DeleteOn VOSA today Bluestar amendments incl the 4(504/654) & 5(5a) amended timetable & the 8 amended route.
ReplyDeleteTaken from Southbourne Buses Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteWe will be making an exciting announcement at 10am on Monday 16/03/20 which will see significant growth for our business.
We are currently looking for PCV licence holders who have a valid driver CPC to work on a part time basis at our sites in Ringwood & The Isle Of Purbeck. Please email a cv to southbournebuses@outlook.com or call Mr Gard on 07493142958 for more information.
Is Mr Gard a reincarnation of Walter Mitty? By results a lot of his efforts seem to be in his dreams!
DeleteI can't imagine any announcement on the Southbourne Buses Facebook page being exciting
DeleteWhy. What would you imagine could possibally be an exciting announcement for us all?
DeleteIf you scroll up these comments a bit you'll see what it is
DeleteYes I did notice an announcement as of 16/03/20.However I can't imagine much to be excited over
DeleteWhy?
ReplyDeleteis Mr Gard no longer involved with Deckabus..?
ReplyDeleteWho knows what He is involved with?.However one thing is for certain it's not the general public and a decent bus operation.How the Traffic Commissioner puts up with nonsense from peolple like Him beats Me.Perhaps it's about time the Traffic Commissioner was sorted out and made to operate responsible and be accountable for all these cowboy outfits
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to him when he was last in front of the Commssioner?
DeleteSuccessfully granted a new licence for his Tm role in Dekkabus turning around a non compliant operator to regain its good repute.
DeleteAll rather laughable
DeleteWhy?
DeleteCan't handle the truth?
And what is it you have against Mr Gard?
ReplyDeleteCan you list any of His successes in running buses for the public for any reasonable time?
DeleteAnd do you hold an operators license?
DeleteLet’s not get personal about individuals etc in the bus industry. It’s just not appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI am not being personal, it would be said regardless of who it is or isn't.
DeleteWith regards to the above comments on the Andover cancellations and two Winchester changes.
ReplyDeleteOn VOSA on 25 February there was 13 cancellations listed for Stagecoach south, mainly in the Andover area. One (route 5) run by stagecoach since 2014. The 95/96 route was re-registered on 03 March. One of the Andover Cango's (C5) was not included.
Is this a Hampshire tender decision?
On VOSA today it says Wheelers are doing a short notice cancellation of the W1 service
ReplyDeleteNo surprise there.The only surprise is thats it lasted so long.A bit of it was Council supported along Highfield Lane,but don't know whether that is still the case.When they first started bus operation the moto was the futures bright the futures orange.All looking very black now.I wonder when it ceases if anyone will come along and remove the W1 stickers from the flags.If past history prevails I very much doubt it.
DeleteI'm not really surprised either. A shame as I noted (before the service ceased to serve Romsey) the W1 had stated to pick up some custom between the Science Park and the University, leaving the bus on Highfield Lane. The University, despite its investment in Unilink, seems disinterested with a link. Presumably it's happy to pay mileage rates and/or taxis when staff move between the two. Mightn't the peak time extension of a couple of U2Bs to Chilworth be a worthwhile investment?
DeleteFirst have changed their minds completely about what business they want to be and are now selling First Student and First Transit, while keeping First Bus! https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/first_group/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=858&newsid=1377972
ReplyDeleteThey're also trying renegotiate SWR but that's a little off-topic.
I noticed yesterday in Southampton City Centre that on the section of route between City Centre and Thornhill common to First 3 and Bluestar 19,that the Bluestar 19 seems to have little or no effect on the First 3 loadings.Surely this Bluestar 19 must be running at a huge loss in revenue
ReplyDeleteWhat I have noticed is that between the City Centre and Shirley, loadings on First 3 have increased. More difficult to ascertain what effect this is having on Bluestar 17. For the first time, earlier this week, I saw a passenger travelling from the Central Station towards the City on a Bluestar 19 - yet to see anyone go the other way.
DeleteWhat you have noticed has no science behind it. You are taking a snapshot in time, at a certain time of day. At other times of day, and on other days, when you are not around, the outcome may be completely different. The 19 is growing nicely over the whole route. It was not introduced to set the world alight, more to get people used to seeing it around as an alternative ready for the next expansion. Talking of huge financial losses, the CR1 will be making a far bigger loss than the 19, due to very low passenger numbers with a higher frequency and a much more limited market. I would be happy to bet on which of the two services will still exist in two years time.
DeleteWhatever time of day I have seen the 19 it's a disaster and rubbish that's it's growing in patronage.The same can be stated for CR1.Both services are dead ducks.All this expansion that keeps getting forcasted but no sign of it.There is certainly on the City to Thornhill section of First 3 no threat from Bluestar 19.Also City to Lordshill section of the First 3 holds up very well against Bluestar 17.What sometimes lets First 3 down is on staff changeovers in Vincent's Walk where the bus sits there for a long period before someone decides to turn up and takeover at times.Due to this you find you then get two running together.The same happens though on Bluestar 18 which in particular I notice
DeleteYou have basically backed up what I said. There was never meant to be a threat to the 3 at this stage, but the 19 is growing in patronage and joins up another dot in the network. The three is still doing well as is the 17. There has been a massive jump in numbers on the city to Lordshill section and a single operator would no longer cope with those numbers, which is great news for both. It just proves that if you provide a service, people will use it. Obviously, there has to be the potential for growth before doing that!
DeleteI wonder if any local operator has "emergency plans" for when the C-virus is at its peak? I am thinking skeleton service timetables etc
ReplyDeleteToo much panic over what might or might not happen.If it gets worse stay at home.What emergency plans could any organisation come up with in such a circumstance
DeleteFirst can't even provide handsoap in the staff toilets. Drivers have had to buy it themselves.
DeleteMore than likely safer using their own
DeleteFirst have announced their Ester services and aren`t going to match Bluestar`s Saturday service on Good Friday once again.
ReplyDeleteShould read as Easter of course.
DeleteDo they have too match Bluestar?
DeleteWell they are trying to compete with them.
DeleteSo they might be.However what they operate Good Friday seems to suit them.No point in operating everthing in their view.At least most services will run whereas Xelabus won't be running anything
DeleteI`m sure Xelabus will be operating a Sunday service on the X4.
DeleteAfter My posting at 0042 I thought someone would come back with that remark.However that's not in Southampton
DeleteI don't think xelabus will be hear by then apparently some vehicles have been repossessed and they are hiring in from Stephensons of Essex to cover
DeleteI'm not one to speculate normally but... I did see a Stephensons of Essex Enviro200 on rail replacement passing along Chestnut Avenue (showing Rail Replacement destination) past The Cricketers pub on Friday evening - very confusing!
DeleteAssumed it's on the Romsey rail replacement?
Seen it myself at Salisbury,think used of Dean /Dunbridge stopper service...non uniformed casual driver in charge
DeleteSeen it myself at Salisbury,think used of Dean /Dunbridge stopper service...non uniformed casual driver in charge
DeleteThere's two on hire some new vehicles have been repossessed will they get to the 10year celebration? A driver said fuel cards have been stopped and using cash from takings to fuel
DeleteIn what I see Xelabus is functioning as normal.Has anyone noticed different?
DeleteTo put matters right, we have hired in two Stephensons vehicles to assist with the rail closure between Romsey and Salisbury. They will be returned once the contract has completed. We will be running a Sunday service on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday. No vehicles have been repossessed! In fact we have more than enough work and the company is performing well. Drivers do not have fuel cards! We purchase fuel in bulk and from time to time whilst awaiting delivery some buses do fill at the local station. The open day has been postponed because of the coronavirus and we are in regular contact with our customers about how services may be affected should anything restrict our operations.
DeletePHILIP BLAIR
Chairman
Xelabus Limited
Thanks Phil. Hope that stops the rumourmongers amongst you all! I hear there is a NEW Service X21 starting Monday 20th April.
DeleteNothing will stop rumourmongers on this site.Those who persist in it can't stop doing it.So many sad individuals who claim to be be supporters but are in fact nothing but a disaster to the bus industry in their comments.Sad times.Smalll operators like Xelabus must get peeded off with their comments that have no foundation in what they post just because they have heard something on hearesay
Delete.... and this is how a director replies to rumours.
DeleteWell done Mr Blair. I will admit to being one of those that had doubts when you were building up, and then when you acquired Velvet.
But you proved my (non-vocalized I might add) doubts wrong.
Shock horror !
ReplyDeleteThe April changes to Southern Vectis must be very minor as I couldn`t see any difference.
ReplyDeleteTonight BBC1 at 2030 Panorama "crisis in the bus industry"
ReplyDelete