July FirstBus service changes for Somerset, Wiltshire and B&NES

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Forthcoming timetables for FirstBus services in Somerset, Wiltshire and B&NES that are due to change from the end of July have now been posted here.

Hard copies will be available in FirstBus travel shops from week commencing 22 July 2013.

Links to forum conversations regarding some affected FirstBus services or FirstBus service groups can be found below:

TransWilts Corridor

Somerset

231/X31 Bath-Corsham-Chippenham

264/265 Bath-Trowbridge-Warminster-Salisbury

And from just outside the area concerned - Changes made to bus services between Bristol, Chepstow and Magor from 21/07/2013

[Scott]

I've never known an operator to reveal its new timetables before explaining changes. How na^ve. It is just as well that the most important thing (Taunton) has been explained.

People in Bath should note that Services 4 and 5 are also receiving new timetable leaflets, but are not actually changing. This is to remove the last two routes without leaflets from the Bath timetable book, allowing its final withdrawal.

[Lee]

Explanations by First Bus of the upcoming service changes have been posted on the relevant threads. Just a couple of others to mop up:

Bath Service 21 (Newbridge Park & Ride): From 28 July buses on Saturdays will operate every 15 minutes throughout the day, rather than every 10 minutes as at present. This change is being made to better match resources against the level of demand for services at this Park and Ride site on a Saturday. Customers should note that the frequency will be increased in the run up to Christmas when the level of expected demand is expected to rise once again.

Bath Service 31 (Lansdown Park & Ride): To offer additional capacity during the Monday to Friday morning and afternoon peak period, the frequency of buses is being increased from one every 15 minutes to one every 12 minutes. In addition the frequency of buses on Saturdays is also increasing, from one every 15 minutes to one every 12 minutes.

Service 177/178 (Bath - Bristol): To ensure that buses are more evenly spaced between Bath and Midsomer Norton, the timetables of Service 178 is being amended - along with that of Services 173 and 184. As a result of this from 28 July most journeys on Service 178 will leave both Bath and Bristol 15 minutes earlier than at present. Some journeys between Bath and Midsomer Norton will also be withdrawn, but these will be replaced by additional journeys on Services 173 and 184. Customers are advised to check the new timetable so they understand what is happening.

Some minor changes are also being made to those journeys on Service 178 that are operated by Wessex under contract to Bath & North East Somerset Council. People who use these journeys are advised to contact the Council for information about what is happening.

[Lee]

Faresaver have announced significant forthcoming changes to bus services in the areas covered by this topic from 1 September 2013. Details have been posted on the relevant threads.