Bus Bath Marlborough

[whole diary]

[Mark A]

I took the opportunity to make a discretionary journey on the X76 from Bath to Marlborough today. Or rather, that was the intention - but the possibly completely empty once-a-day bus passed the stop 4 minutes down at considerable speed - and no amount of hand signalling was going to interrupt it, the driver appeared to be in HGV mode.

Other plans were made, including plans for some admin exchange of views between self and the operator of that service, which is presumably one that's underwritten by Wiltshire County Council.

Mark

[Robin Summerhill]

That's an interesting case, because that service runs to and from the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and was presumably set up with hospital visiting in mind.

Whilst I am not aware of any "small print" that makes the bus exclusively for RUH passengers, itt may well be with some drivers the mindset that it is. And of course there is always the possibility that the bus takes so few passengers the driver could get into the mindset that he/she is working an "ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock)"

It's certainly worth clarifying with the operator

[bobm]

From their website this lists all the stops it is due to call at.

https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/services/TDTR/X76?date=2022-09-07&direction=inbound&all=on

[grahame]

That's an interesting case, because that service runs to and from the Royal United Hospital in Bath, and was presumably set up with hospital visiting in mind.

Whilst I am not aware of any "small print" that makes the bus exclusively for RUH passengers, itt may well be with some drivers the mindset that it is. And of course there is always the possibility that the bus takes so few passengers the driver could get into the mindset that he/she is working an "ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock)"

It's certainly worth clarifying with the operator

It *was* set up and operates with Bath and the hospital in mind - to the extent that the driver of the once-daily service takes "n" people into Bath, he's going be amazed to get any more on the way out - after all, if he takes people out to Calne or Marlborough after the last / only bus back has gone, are they going to be stranded?

As one time when it was an A P Raines service, it didn't pick up after Lowbourne (Melksham) on the way in as the commercial operators on the route from Melksham to Bath had been very unhappy indeed about the unfair competition from a supported service.    Presumably it would not drop off on the way out, but I never checked that.

Yes, clarify with operator. Or shall I ask WC^▸ (Wiltshire Council (Unitary Authority)) next time I speak to them?

[Robin Summerhill]

Perhaps some of us who live in the area could pick a day to use the X76 and confuse the hell out of the driver!

I'd be up for it! 

[infoman]

Let me know the date and time of this event,and I'll be there.

[ellendune]

Did anyone else initially think this thread related to a new public service vehicle washing plant in an east Wiltshire town?

[froome]

I have thought of catching this service from Bath myself on a few occasions, and did get round to talking to the driver one day when I saw it stopped at Orange Grove in Bath city centre. It was only then I realised that if you caught it out from Bath, there was no bus returning until the next day!

It seems ridiculous to me that a service between two popular tourist and market towns cannot sustain at least one, and preferably more, return services both ways in a day.

[froome]

I should add that on the same day as Mark, I went to catch my local bus to the RUH (the number 20), as I had a hospital appointment, and the bus arrived 4 minutes early at the stop and flew past, just as I was about to arrive at it. So I ended up having to walk the two or so miles there, somewhat quickly on my arthritic foot.

[GBM]

I should add that on the same day as Mark, I went to catch my local bus to the RUH (the number 20), as I had a hospital appointment, and the bus arrived 4 minutes early at the stop and flew past, just as I was about to arrive at it. So I ended up having to walk the two or so miles there, somewhat quickly on my arthritic foot.

Early running is subject to disciplinary process in First group!

[Mark A]

I should add that on the same day as Mark, I went to catch my local bus to the RUH (the number 20), as I had a hospital appointment, and the bus arrived 4 minutes early at the stop and flew past, just as I was about to arrive at it. So I ended up having to walk the two or so miles there, somewhat quickly on my arthritic foot.

Sorry to hear that. Wondering whether it was early or it was the previous service running 56 minutes late, being able to run to time has been a bit of a mare for Bath's 20 bus which is a shame as it's about the only city service that isn't on a hub and spoke route but its usefulness is hampered by its unreliability. But I see that it's to cease running at all next month, which will leave some people in a bit of a lurch.

Mark

[grahame]

I should add that on the same day as Mark, I went to catch my local bus to the RUH (the number 20), as I had a hospital appointment, and the bus arrived 4 minutes early at the stop and flew past, just as I was about to arrive at it. So I ended up having to walk the two or so miles there, somewhat quickly on my arthritic foot.

Sorry to hear that. Wondering whether it was early or it was the previous service running 56 minutes late, being able to run to time has been a bit of a mare for Bath's 20 bus which is a shame as it's about the only city service that isn't on a hub and spoke route but its usefulness is hampered by its unreliability. But I see that it's to cease running at all next month, which will leave some people in a bit of a lurch.

Mark

I'm not sure that it IS to cease running, Mark.   The 22 (University of Bath to Twerton) and the 42 (Royal United Hospital to Odd Down Park and Ride)  are to cease, but not the 20 as fa as I can see.  Bus Back Better and BSIP, where WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) got significant running for new things, may after an (in)decent interval be available for more modern, tuned alternatives that offer some opportunities that used to be covered by the 22 and 42.

Whilst I am not aware of any "small print" that makes the bus exclusively for RUH passengers, itt may well be with some drivers the mindset that it is. And of course there is always the possibility that the bus takes so few passengers the driver could get into the mindset that he/she is working an "ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock)"

It's certainly worth clarifying with the operator

Not with the operator, but I have asked a couple of contacts who have been around quite a while, and our understanding is that there is now no limitation on carriage in the small print.   Just a shock that anyone who's not travelled with [him/her] on the inward journey would want to join on the outward journey.

[Mark A]

Thanks for this, Graham. First has it that they're ceasing to run it as of October, and indicate that indeed, it may be the case that WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) puts something together.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/news-and-service-updates/updates/service-changes-bath-and-north-east-somerset

I'd be interested to know if WECA has agency in Bath's 6 & 7 service's covid afflicted timetable, I'll ask them.

Mark

[Robin Summerhill]

I have thought of catching this service from Bath myself on a few occasions, and did get round to talking to the driver one day when I saw it stopped at Orange Grove in Bath city centre. It was only then I realised that if you caught it out from Bath, there was no bus returning until the next day!

It seems ridiculous to me that a service between two popular tourist and market towns cannot sustain at least one, and preferably more, return services both ways in a day.

It is of course possible to get back from Marlborough by other bus services with t least two changes.

If you wanted to go back to Bath, the quickest way would be bus to Swindon and train home

As regards a "group trip" I was thinking this morning of suggesting next Friday, but in view of today's momentous events it might be better left foir a further week or two as people may have other things to do

[Mark A]

Thanks for this, Graham. First has it that they're ceasing to run it as of October, and indicate that indeed, it may be the case that WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) puts something together.

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/bristol-bath-and-west/news-and-service-updates/updates/service-changes-bath-and-north-east-somerset

I'd be interested to know if WECA has agency in Bath's 6 & 7 service's covid afflicted timetable, I'll ask them.

Mark

I asked them: they responded, 'Nothing to do with us, mate, that's Firstgroup, that is...'.