Great Western Coffee Shop

thetrout has not been in the best of moods lately.

With the upcoming Frome Carnival thetrout decided it would a good idea to escape to the East Coast of Essex to meet a certain ladyfriend trout ;)

In deciding to travel to Bath Spa by Bus, he elected for the 18:20 Departure from Market Place. First Bus had no indication of service diversions for the carnival when I checked the website yesterday afternoon and no diversions were listed. So one would reasonably expect the services to be running normally... ::)

Well actually, the updates were uploaded to the FG website 23 hours ago (Google Search comfirms). The exact service amendment is as follows:


Source: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/travel_news/service_updates/?item=48871&conf=1 (http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/bristol_bath/travel_news/service_updates/?item=48871&conf=1)

That couldn't be any more unhelpful actually. This doesn't mention the serving of Berkeley Road (Which to serve Stonebridge without Critchill is very unlikely) So according to the website, this is the only place in which you can board the 267. No mention of Brunel Way either, which you also would struggle not to serve without serving Stonebridge Drive.

Here is a map I have created: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=206606418210241993896.0004e6e7dfe315c6565bf&msa=0&ll=51.232929,-2.317901&spn=0.016096,0.038581 (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=206606418210241993896.0004e6e7dfe315c6565bf&msa=0&ll=51.232929,-2.317901&spn=0.016096,0.038581)

I want to start my journey from the Green Dot which has been removed from the service. The Blue ones I have identified as being calling points on the service from the amended running info on the website. The red ones are not explicitly listed, but are more than likely possible. It would have to go a very random route to miss some or even all of those red ones.

So, looking at the green dot in relation to the blue ones. Very, very poor publicity here. I also think to expect someone to walk to either of those stops from the Town Centre is very unrealistic. I know it's one event in a year, but this has happened over several events recently in Frome.

I also have my toolbag and holdal with me. Even if I wanted too, I can't walk to those blue stops.

There were also no adverts on the buses or the Bus Stops... :o :-X >:( At the bus stops I know for a fact there were not any before 13:00 (near as dammit estimate) as I caught an X34 to Trowbridge.

So, I will miss the bus and will now cough up ^5.90 for an SDS (Standard Anytime Day Single) from Frome - Bath Spa (Railcard) whereas the bus would cost me nothing.

My question is, do you think FirstGroup have given sufficient notice, sufficient information and shown any regard for the different types of passengers they carry? I would normally walk to either of those blue stops. But I have a heavy bag and you cannot get to either without walking up a long steep hill. Which means in this case I will not...

Discuss :-)

*edit* Pink dot shows Critchill which is the route the 267 would normally take. Without wanting to stereotype. A lot of ENCTS pass holders board from this section of the route!

Another part of First, FGW, did better advertising the alternative stopping arrangements for the replacement bus service at Pewsey tonight, caused by that town's carnival.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/media/PDF/TicketsAndTrainTimes/TrainTimes/PlannedChanges/Pewsey-RRS-bus-stops.ashx (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/media/PDF/TicketsAndTrainTimes/TrainTimes/PlannedChanges/Pewsey-RRS-bus-stops.ashx)