About Me
WEDNESDAY, 19 AUGUST 2015
Jurassic Coaster Jeapordised Concerns [3]
It's been 250 million years in the making but Seaton Jurassic is nearly here!
Opening in 2016, Seaton Jurassic will be the Jurassic Coast’s newest and most exciting visitor experience.
At Seaton Jurassic you’ll go on a journey through time, over land and underwater, to worlds familiar and alien. You decide where and how far to go!
Opening in 2016, Seaton Jurassic will be the Jurassic Coast’s newest and most exciting visitor experience.
At Seaton Jurassic you’ll go on a journey through time, over land and underwater, to worlds familiar and alien. You decide where and how far to go!
Located in the centre of the town and just minutes from the coast and countryside, you’re close enough to feel the sea breeze on your face and enjoy the Jurassic Coast as part of your visit.
And to celebrate this major development, it could be harder to get to Seaton by bus: unless there is a dramatic re-think of the negative plans announced by First for the winter season. Effectively, from September, Seaton will be cut off from any useful return bus service from the east. Trips from Charmouth with its excellent beach-based fossil facilities and from Lyme Regis with a wide selection of fossil shops and pictures of Mary Anning** (with dog) ...
... will be almost imposssible and anyway 20 minutes slower by the few through buses; or, with an expensive change at Axminster, will be 40 minutes slower and utterly off-putting.
by buses that
don't serve a fair chunk
of the Jurassic Coast.
But perhaps there is a clue to First's policy in their current on-line X53 publicity?
First has launched a Jurassic Coaster app which is available through the Google and Apple app stores. It provides text and audio commentary to accompany your journey on the X53 service along the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site
Nice App; pity there soon won't be any buses worth catching west of Lyme Regis on which to enjoy it!
Here are just a few ideas to make things better for everyone; including First's piggy bank.
1 Restore a two hourly frequency west of Axminster immediately and PROMOTE the service; yes even in "winter". There are still visitors around right up to the October half term and they are looking for things to do. There was a confusing (£14? £15?) ticket offer on the summer leaflet with the fact that it was for a family in small print.
2 If First must run the X53 via Axminster have a chat with Auntie Frances (Axe Valley) and see if various agencies can slip her a wad of tenners to run the quick (and sensible!) way between Lyme Regis and Seaton via Rousdon. Or perhaps uncle Uncle Brian would extend his 52As every two hours to Lyme in return for a de minimis bit of pump priming
3 Stick some Jurassic Coast vinyls on buses for the 157 (Exmouth to Sidmouth) like there used to be ...
... 899 (Axmouth, Seaton, Beer) ...
... and 885 (Axminster to Seaton)
3 Stick some Jurassic Coast vinyls on buses for the 157 (Exmouth to Sidmouth) like there used to be ...
4 Improve the signs/publicity at Exeter, Axminster, Honiton, Dorchester and Weymouth Stations.
5 Create a Jurassic Coaster rover ticket for Summer 2016. fbb was very impressed with the marketing and plain good value of his £32 three-days-in-seven deal on Dartmouth Train, Boats and River Bus so why not something similar?
Train Exeter to Axminster
Train Exeter to Exmouh
Train Weymouth to Dorchester
Bus Portland, Weymouth, Dorchester
Bus 20 (Honiton Seaton)
Buses X51 and X53
Bus 157
Buses 885 and 899
Buses 52A and 52B
Seaton to Colyton Tram
Mendip Mule Open Topper
£30 for three days in seven; sold by all operators who simply keep all he revenue; no tricky book keeping and an incentive to SELL and PROMOTE. And it can all be linked into the opening of Seaton Jurassic (admission included in the deal, of course.)
6 Ensure that the various deals are promoted on South West Trains timetable leaflets and booklet; all bus operators' leaflets in the area, not just the "included" services and in the East Devon timetable book. First Bus might even consider working with First Great Western to promote the deal.
Sorry; that last proposal is just fbb being very, very silly! It's simply an impossible dream.
7 Have BIG posters in as many suitable sites as possible. (See 6, above)
6 Ensure that the various deals are promoted on South West Trains timetable leaflets and booklet; all bus operators' leaflets in the area, not just the "included" services and in the East Devon timetable book. First Bus might even consider working with First Great Western to promote the deal.
Sorry; that last proposal is just fbb being very, very silly! It's simply an impossible dream.
7 Have BIG posters in as many suitable sites as possible. (See 6, above)
8 And remember, most of this revenue will be bonus.
9 And don't come up with loads of arguments as to why it can't be done, why it won't work.
JUST GET ON AND DO IT!!
And of it's a disaster try something else for 2017. Keep trying! Remember that Jolly Jack Cohen (Tesco founder) created a market for tinned prunes ...
... (now popular for regular customers) when nobody had ever heard of them. Just because somebody offered him a truckload thereof. Pile it high and sell it cheap works for bus services as well as prunes!
** Mary Anning : (21 May 1799 to 9 March 1847) was a British fossil collector, dealer, and palaeontologist who became known around the world for important finds she made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs at Lyme Regis. Her findings contributed to important changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the history of the Earth. Effectively, sheinvented fossil hunting
Next Birmingham bus blog : Thursday 20th August
TUESDAY, 18 AUGUST 2015
Jurassic Coaster Jeapordised Concerns [2]
Daft Timetable West of Lyme
But first, Rousdon?
But first, Rousdon?
The village nameboard shows ROUSDON ... the garage shows ROUSDON ...
... twice (or did; the shop has closed). Devon County Council is happy with the second "O" in its publications ...
... but the First Bus timetable for the new services strikes an independent note with ROUSDEN.
They do have a slight precedent as the ever reliable (snigger, snigger) Google Maps shows both ...
... "E" for th garage and "O" for the village. fbb wonders, idly, whether the good folk at First Hampshire and Dorset ...
... have even been to Rousdon; or, indeed, have ever ridden the full length of the X53? fbb has, all the way from Exeter to Bournemouth (the route now goes no further than Poole) in one go, and remembers the pains in the posterior to prove it! See "Good Value by Bus" from a 2010 blog (read again). Well, lads, grab the chance before the upcoming timetable change because it will be a lot harder from the end of September.
The good news is that the X53 between Poole and Weymouth still runs every two hours Mondy to Saturday.
The X31 is renumbered X51 to provide the paint shop with extra work changing the graphics on the side of all the buses. No other reason can be gleaned as the Monday to Saturday hourly service is conceptually he same as now.
The big change is that he X53 is diverted via Axminster ...
... rather than direct via the A3502 and Rousdon between Lyme and Colyford. [apologies for the grotty map.]
But between Bridport and Axminster there are additional X53s (why X53? they are the same as short workings on the X31/X51) providing a bus everyhalf hour on the "busy" (?) section.
The X31 (and the X53 for that matter) are prone to traffic cloggage delays in peak summer so a half hourly frequency will, maybe, help with spreading the waiting pain. But every half hour IN WINTER?
It is west of Axminster, west of the Axe, that the axe is wielded in an incomprehensible way. The reduction comes straight from the Moir Blockhead** "Guide to Ruining a Bus Service for Ever" staff manual that was the Bible of the pre-Fearnley regime.
Instead of a bus every two hours between Lyme Regis and Exeter, we have two journeys in each direction via Axminster and Colyton plus positioning trips via the old (Rousdon) route.
Colyton residents have yearned for a direct bus to Exeter and now they've got one.
Wowsers! Seatonians, of course, have the Stagecoach 52A but will be deprived of a direct bus to and from the big regional hospital (Royal Devon and Exeter). No doubt not enough of the old codgers have been using the bus for their routine appointments.
Or, perhaps a day in Lyme Regis from Exeter?
That's not so bad; First Bus must think Lyme Regis is a dump anyway.
Maybe from the B&B in Beer to enjoy some fossil hunting at Charmouth?
[sorry about the extra "o" in too - stubby fingers strike again!] What a wonderful day out.
But hold fast to the opprobrium. Maybe First will bring back the two hourly service for Summer 2016. Sadly, by then, all local advice will have expunged such pointless trips from their potential itineraries. Offended passengers don't come back - ever! Surely there is a better way; better than running empty buses every 30 minutes between Aminster and Bridport?
Of course, running buses is about profit, not providing a service if no real demand exists; but is this really the best solution?
Tomorrow, fbb speculates.
In the meantime the Gloucester Old Spots are at the end of the runway and preparing for take-off.
P.S. Whilst on this anti First Bus rant, fbb notes that the Sunday service X31, once hourly between Dorchester and Axminster ...
... becomes a two hourly X53 ...
... not even running at fixed times past each hour.
So no Sunday buses between Dorchester and Bridport in the winter; and in summer 2016? If the revised route and timetable brings an acceptable "return on assets required", there will be little incentive to take the risk of a seasonal expansion.
** Moir Lockhead? One time boss of First ...
... whose draconian financial policies led to a cycle of fare rises and route withdrawals from which First is only just beginning to recover. Did fbb make a "freudian slip" above?
The good news is that the X53 between Poole and Weymouth still runs every two hours Mondy to Saturday.
But between Bridport and Axminster there are additional X53s (why X53? they are the same as short workings on the X31/X51) providing a bus everyhalf hour on the "busy" (?) section.
It is west of Axminster, west of the Axe, that the axe is wielded in an incomprehensible way. The reduction comes straight from the Moir Blockhead** "Guide to Ruining a Bus Service for Ever" staff manual that was the Bible of the pre-Fearnley regime.
Instead of a bus every two hours between Lyme Regis and Exeter, we have two journeys in each direction via Axminster and Colyton plus positioning trips via the old (Rousdon) route.
Or, perhaps a day in Lyme Regis from Exeter?
Maybe from the B&B in Beer to enjoy some fossil hunting at Charmouth?
But hold fast to the opprobrium. Maybe First will bring back the two hourly service for Summer 2016. Sadly, by then, all local advice will have expunged such pointless trips from their potential itineraries. Offended passengers don't come back - ever! Surely there is a better way; better than running empty buses every 30 minutes between Aminster and Bridport?
Of course, running buses is about profit, not providing a service if no real demand exists; but is this really the best solution?
Tomorrow, fbb speculates.
In the meantime the Gloucester Old Spots are at the end of the runway and preparing for take-off.
P.S. Whilst on this anti First Bus rant, fbb notes that the Sunday service X31, once hourly between Dorchester and Axminster ...
So no Sunday buses between Dorchester and Bridport in the winter; and in summer 2016? If the revised route and timetable brings an acceptable "return on assets required", there will be little incentive to take the risk of a seasonal expansion.
** Moir Lockhead? One time boss of First ...
Next speculative blog : Wednesday 19th August
MONDAY, 17 AUGUST 2015
Jurassic Coaster Jeapordised Concerns [1]
Ominous Timetable Changes?
Firstly, a correspondent sent this to fbb:-
Ominous indeed. But from another source came this:-
fbb responded to this by going to the very top; to the highest possible authority on anything to do with buses in the area ...
It is worth noting that the route between Lyme Regis and Colyford ...
... only serves Rousdon. The only evidence of sentient life here is the garage ...
Firstly, a correspondent sent this to fbb:-
... to Barry Doe himself! Barry told all, but warned that it was not for publication and may be confidential. fbb's lips and computer were sealed. But an enquiry via "senior manager at First Bus" produced a full timetable so all can now be revealed.
From the 2014 season, Jurassic Coaster X53 (Poole to Exeter) ...
... was joined in a leaflet with a revised 31 (originally Weymouth, Dorchester, Axminster but with Weymouth excised) now X31.
Buses began to appear in a matching livery with "X31" replacing "X53".
In recent months, there has been a decided lack of branded buses on both routes as here on th X31 ...
... and here on the X53.
It smacks either of lack of buses or lack of commitment in vehicle allocation.
The leaflet map showed how the two routes worked together ...
... to provide a joint half hourly service between Bridport and Lyme Regis.
The X31, like its predecessor, is hourly ...
... once the confusion of a multi-noted "daily" start-up is over. The X53 is likewise hourly over its core ...
... between Weymouth and Lyme Regis with two hourly beyond in each direction.
The leaflet map showed how the two routes worked together ...
It is worth noting that the route between Lyme Regis and Colyford ...
... with its associated shop now closed. An aerial view shows a few houses, a posh Hotel (The Dower House) ...
... with some amazing cooking facilities.
Actually, it's more like a posh B & B ...
... with a caravan site just along the road for mere mortals.
It is rare for an X53 to stop anywhere between Lyme Regis and Colyford
Which possibly makes the timetable changes due in September appear a little more sensible.
Which possibly makes the timetable changes due in September appear a little more sensible.
Perhaps?
We will explore the changes tomorrow.
It's all excitement in an fbb blog.
If you have about 4 minutes to spare, enjoy First's promotional video for the X53:-
Click on the panel to read the message which, yesterday, applied to the whole of Stagecoach nationally. Now if each company had its own web site and managed it locally; and if it were built using nice simple HTML coding; and if it didn't try to be show-off clever ...
If you have about 4 minutes to spare, enjoy First's promotional video for the X53:-
Follow the tiny little bus at the bottom of the video image - sweet!
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It's All Available On-line - Part 135
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Next Jurassic blog : Tuesday 18th August
SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 2015
fbb and a Topless Party [2]
The Topless Tour Trundles On ...
A strange choice, thought fbb, as the Fearnley Family Fun-bus chugged along the A380 Paignton by pass; why not return to Torquay via the sea front as per outward route. O ye of little faith! Our experienced driver, actually Stagecoach Devon's marketing manager, doubtless remembered when the Company ran an open top service 200 ...
... via Preston. Lest you might think that fbb's (or Stagecoach's) sanity has evaporated yet again, this is NOT Preston, Lancashire, but a quiet embungalowed suburb of Paignton. But it does have views from high above the town out over Torbay. Route 200 last ran that way in 2005.
Views don't photograph well but, be assured, they were wonderful in the setting sun.
Nice elbow! Our driver stopped to allow the multitude to charge up their smart phones (and a few dull ones as well) to record the beauty, much to the amusement of a family enjoying a pleasant evening barbecue.
The return route was back along the sea front passing the flesh-pots of Torquay ...
... with fbb busting to go on the twiddly thing - NOT.
Enforced tree-avoiding transfer to the lower deck was opposite St Matthias Church ...
... the location for Sunday's Christening; but that last couple of minutes were a further delight travelling downstairs with lighting from real bulbs!
There remained time for the few more photos as both family and the gloom gathered, hugging close to the radiator for warmth ...
... a pleasant and atmospheric finale to a splendid "do". Thanks to all concerned for the invite.
And the bus itself? It was from the Portsmouth Corporation fleet ...
... and never, historically, did it ply the palm-tree pulchritude of the promenade at Torquay! It, and a chum from the 1956 intake, were converted to open-top to replace a brace of Leyland TD4s ...
... for the seafront service 25. Note the winders for the clockwork!
LRV 992 has appeared in a multitude of guises and labels.
... but, to simplify history, was rescued from a graceful retirement to earn poor penniless Stagecoach an extra summer crust at Torquay.
In previous seasons the bus appeared, often unannounced, on normal service 22 trips; but this year it has a published open top tour schedule (and price!). This information was emblazoned across the Stagecoach Devon web site until cruelly ousted by details of the new Plymouth network.
So neither fbb (nor any other on-line enquirer) knows it is in use! Good publicity confounded by the internet - AGAIN! Traveline to he rescue; the service is also numbered 200 but simply runs from Paignton to Torquay and back, but via Paignton sea front, seven days a week throughout he peak summer.
In previous seasons the bus appeared, often unannounced, on normal service 22 trips; but this year it has a published open top tour schedule (and price!). This information was emblazoned across the Stagecoach Devon web site until cruelly ousted by details of the new Plymouth network.
So neither fbb (nor any other on-line enquirer) knows it is in use! Good publicity confounded by the internet - AGAIN! Traveline to he rescue; the service is also numbered 200 but simply runs from Paignton to Torquay and back, but via Paignton sea front, seven days a week throughout he peak summer.
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Another Bus Company Closure?
The family-run Brijan Tours, which has running bus and coach services for 25 years, has ceased trading in a move that has shocked the county’s business leaders. Brijan had announced it was ditching the routes to focus on its coach services. It added that several drivers would transfer to Xelabus while remaining employees would be retained to operate the coaches.
Saturday 15th August
“Xelabus will operate the routes 7, 8, 15 17 and passengers will not see any difference in their service,” said Mr Blair.
Accordung to the Traveline list of services, Xelabus has been operating the Brijan routes (technically on hire?) since January.
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Next bus blog : Monday 17th August
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