MetroBus

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

I think the double-decker bit might be a mistake, I don't believe that they will fit under the Ashton Ave bridge, unless they are a modern twist on the Lodekka

I have read in Another Place that Ashton Avenue bridge is too low for double deckers by a factor or 80mm.

After my fleeting excursion into the Far East () as far as I can see the Cambridge guided busway and the Metrobus scheme are not comparable. Taking over a dead-straight railway bed through the countryside is one thing but the meanderings around and through an urban area of the Greater Bristol scheme, even allowing for some reserved roads, is it's own Creature (as per Ms Shelley's usage in her novel).

A point I have been making for several years. Cambridge's BRT^▸ (Bus Rapid Transit) is 16 miles long in two guided sections, although that hasn't prevented at least 5 serious accidents, including one fatality. It connects the city centre and science park with a couple of centres of population. Bristol's MetroBust is largely unguided (and definitely misguided), with the guided bit being 2.4 miles in 9 separate bits, with no possibility of any extension. That must make it the shortest guided busway in the world. It connects a park and ride that previously needed a subsidy of £700,000 pa, going to near Temple Meads (5 minutes walk for a fit person) via a circuitous route taking in a housing estate that has enough elderly and disabled residents to bump up the BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) a bit.

I'm not sure what to expect from our Brave New World of buses, but I do know one thing - cheaper it may be, but it is not a satisfactory substitute for light rail.

Hear hear! Opportunity missed.

[TonyK]

... the Lodekka

Pint?

[Noggin]

I'm not sure what to expect from our Brave New World of buses, but I do know one thing - cheaper it may be, but it is not a satisfactory substitute for light rail.

Indeed, and to a large extent I believe that's down to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) only offering money for BRT^▸ (Bus Rapid Transit)

[johnneyw]

I'm not sure what to expect from our Brave New World of buses, but I do know one thing - cheaper it may be, but it is not a satisfactory substitute for light rail.

Indeed, and to a large extent I believe that's down to the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) only offering money for BRT^▸ (Bus Rapid Transit)

It could be argued that Metrobust is a punishment for earlier squabbling and the subsequent failure to secure the tram funding ten or so years ago.

[chuffed]

Put the blame fairly and squarely on Lady Dawn Primarolo who scuppered Richard Cotterill's ATA plans 20 years earlier.

[johnneyw]

Cost increase and resignation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40512758

[TonyK]

It could be argued that Metrobust is a punishment for earlier squabbling and the subsequent failure to secure the tram funding ten or so years ago.

It has indeed been argued! One of my favourite theories.

Cost increase and resignation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40512758

Chris Sane left South Gloucestershire Council days before it emerged the cost of building the North Fringe to Hengrove route had risen £4.6m since November.

The only Sane man amongst them. I hope his is not the only head to roll.

[Red Squirrel]

Cost increase and resignation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-40512758

Hey ho. They're still nowhere near matching the Edinburgh Trams Debacle

[grahame]

Hey ho. They're still nowhere near matching the Edinburgh Trams Debacle

Yes, but note from Wikipedia

In its first year of operation 4.92 million passengers travelled on the system.This increased to 5.38 million in its second year of operation. This is 6.7% greater than the target set before the system's launch.

During 2014 Edinburgh Trams lost almost £450,000, though this was less than expected due to higher than predicted passenger numbers. In 2015 losses were down to £24,922. In June 2017 it was announced that Edinburgh Trams made a pre-tax profit of £252,000 for 2016. A loss of £170,000 had been predicted. This meant that Edinburgh Trams had achieved profitability two years ahead of schedule.

So although we have seen multiple delays and overruns on the Metrobus, is there still not a chance when it's up and running people will love the smooth ride of the railed vehicles and flock to it in significant numbers ...

[TonyK]

This meant that Edinburgh Trams had achieved profitability two years ahead of schedule.

So although we have seen multiple delays and overruns on the Metrobus, is there still not a chance when it's up and running people will love the smooth ride of the railed vehicles and flock to it in significant numbers ...

Ha ha! I read in Railnews only today that tram passengers are more satisfied with their experience than bus or train pax, and that Edinburgh passengers reported 99% satisfaction with the service, the best figure in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). I can but imagine what a reception MetroBust will get by comparison when it eventually arrives.

[Red Squirrel]

Hey ho. They're still nowhere near matching the Edinburgh Trams Debacle

Yes, but note from Wikipedia

In its first year of operation 4.92 million passengers travelled on the system.This increased to 5.38 million in its second year of operation. This is 6.7% greater than the target set before the system's launch.

During 2014 Edinburgh Trams lost almost £450,000, though this was less than expected due to higher than predicted passenger numbers. In 2015 losses were down to £24,922. In June 2017 it was announced that Edinburgh Trams made a pre-tax profit of £252,000 for 2016. A loss of £170,000 had been predicted. This meant that Edinburgh Trams had achieved profitability two years ahead of schedule.

So although we have seen multiple delays and overruns on the Metrobus, is there still not a chance when it's up and running people will love the smooth ride of the railed vehicles and flock to it in significant numbers ...

Well yes. I suppose the key difference is that the Edinburgh Trams Debacle resulted in - well, trams.

[TonyK]

Well yes. I suppose the key difference is that the Edinburgh Trams Debacle resulted in - well, trams.

Aye, and there's the rub.

I still reckon Comical Ali and the rest of the propaganda crew at MetroBust will come up with even better figures. South Gloucestershire were describing it as "the already successful MetroBust" system 6 months ago. I wrote in response asking how they measured that success - was it in buses running per hour (none), passengers carried (none), or operators appointed (you guessed it - none). Or whether it was in timeliness of the project (3 years late by one measure) or the keeping to budget (50% overspend).

I haven't heard back yet.

[simonw]

The Metrobus overspend is almost totally within SGC, due in part to the two years of chaos in Bradley Stoke due to Gas and Water mains being at the wrong depth.

The road system in Bradley Stoke is still not back to normal with continued restrictions to Aztec West and Winterbourne!

[Bmblbzzz]

I thought the roadworks around Aztec West were part of the measures to reduce the "pinch point" at the A38/M5 junction?

[simonw]

Yes, this is about the 4th set of major upgrades over the past 10 years to improve the roundabout. Its odd that the all the previous ones have reduced capacity by adding confusing lane markings and signs.

One of the roads on Aztec West roundabout, Bradley Stoke Way has endured roadworks, lane restrictions, surface mounted water and gas pipes for over two years due to MetroBus, and still has restrictions. These may apply until the Aztech West roundabout is complete.