Summer Substitution in Pwllheli

Arriva Bus Services have returned to normal along the Porthmadog Pwllheli Corridor following the introduction of a new Open Top Double Decker at the Company’s Pwllheli Outstation following the devastating fire early on Saturday Morning.

As Stated in the previous Post Disruption in Pwllheli as Fire Strikes Depot, Services were disrupted in the town following a fire which completely destroyed Rhyl Depot based Alexander ALX400 T305FGN and caused substantial damage to Bangor based  VDL SB120CS Wright Cadet CX04AYC.

The Remains of Alexander ALX400 T305FGN following the Fire in Pwllheli

It is understood by Bws Cymru Blog that this incident is being treated as an arson attack against the bus, with a joint investigation being set up by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service alongside the North Wales Police.

Police are currently looking for any witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously around the Arriva Outstation at the Glandon Filling Station in Pwllheli between 01:30 and 02:30 on Saturday Morning (16th July 2016) to contact PC100 Carwyn Tomos at Pwllheli Police Station on 101, or to Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Despite the continued investigation, and with half of the Outstation now fenced off for Police and Fire Investigation, Bus Services have continued with Rhyl Depot sending S288JUA to Pwllheli for operation on the newly introduced 3T Service which links Pwllheli with the Harbour Town of Porthmadog.

Arriva Buses Wales S288JUA is seen in Pwllheli following completion of its first day of Service on Service 3T linking Porthmadog and Pwllheli 

 

Disruption in Pwllheli as Fire Strikes Depot

Passengers in the Seaside Town of Pwllheli had their journeys disrupted following a major fire at the Arriva Buses Wales Outstation at the rear of the Glandon BP Petrol Station located on Caernarfon Road on the Outskirts of town

A North Wales Fire and Rescue Spokesperson told us that “fire crews from Pwllheli, Porthmadog and nearby Nefyn were sent at 02:30 AM on Saturday 16th July 2016 to the BP Filling Station following reports from local residents of a explosion at the garage.”

The Fire caused major damage to VDL SB12OCS, Wright Cadet CX04AYC purchased new in March 2004 with financial support from the Welsh Assembly and Anglesey County Council for operation on Service 4 linking Bangor with Holyhead, whilst DAF DB250RS Alexander X400 T305FGN on loan from Arriva’s Rhyl Depot for operation on the newly introduced 3T Open Top Service between Porthmadog and Pwllheli was completely destroyed in the fire.

The Remains of Alexander ALX400 T305FGN following the Fire in Pwllheli

The Remains of Wright Cadet CX04AYC following the Fire at Pwllheli Depot

Its Currently unclear of the cause of the fire but when Bws Cymru Blog Spoke to a Worker at the BP garage, they said

“Were Lucky that the whole Petrol Station didn’t go up as one of the buses [T305FGN] was parked next to a Autogas tank.”

Arriva Buses Wales T305FGN Seen in Porthmadog prior to return to Pwllheli on Service 3T on the 6th July 2016           (C)Tomos Jones

 

Despite the a major shock to the Drivers Services did continue to operate with replacement buses being sent from the Regional Headquarters in nearby Bangor, joining the third vehicle which survived the Depot Blaze

Arriva Buses Wales CX07CPZ is Seen in Pwllheli Bus Station between duties on Service 3 between Porthmadog and Pwllheli (C)Tomos Jones

Despite 100% destruction to the Alexander ALX400 Open Top Double Decker, the new 3T Service did continue to operate, with VDL SB120CS Wright Cadet CX07CRF operating the service on the damp and foggy day across Cardigan Bay.

_________________________________________________________________

Operating their Share of the Service 3  was Caelloi Owned Optare Versa YD63UZB

 

Keeping The City Moving

Night Buses Could return to the Streets of Cardiff Next Weekend following the announcement by the City’s Hackney Driver Association that its planning to go on strike between Midnight and 4am on April 15/16/22 and 23rd due to their unhappiness on a council crackdown following complaints regarding Taxi Drivers lodged to the Council following a series of reported sex attacks in Cardiff Last Year.

To help alleviate the effect of the strikes, Cardiff Based New Adventure Travel will over a full 24 Hour Service on its Successful CrossCity X1 Service linking Culverhouse Cross and Pontprennau through the main housing areas of  Ely, Canton, City Centre, Albany Road, Llanederyn and Pentwyn every 30 minutes overnight.

New Adventure Travel YD63UZM is seen departing Cardiff City Centre whilst operating on Cardiff Airport Express Service T9 to Cardiff Airport

New Adventure Travel’s managing Director Kevin Jones said

“Having learned of the upcoming taxi strikes, we’ve considered how we could help our customers.

With the X1 service linking many of Cardiff’s main housing areas – Ely, Canton, Albany Road, Llanedeyrn, Pentwyn and Pontprennau – with the city, extending the service to 24-hour operation on the strike days will help our customers continue with their plans and not be inconvenienced too much by the strike.

 Our £3 daily tickets and £10 weekly tickets, sold on both our X1 and X11 services, will be valid on the night buses during this period.”

New Adventure Travel YJ65EOY is seen at Radyr Railway Station whilst on Rail Replacement Standby

Although the operation of the temporary Night Buses will come at a financial cost to the company. The company will look at the demand for such a service and cold possibly bring a future Night Bus to the Welsh Capital

New Bus In Town

The Optare Metrocity, a bus built for the London Bus Market has now found a home to last in Wales with Cardiff Based New Adventure Travel owning 20 Metrocity for their routes in South East Wales, and 4 vehicles finding home with Cardigan Based Richards Bros for operation on their TrawsCymru T5 Service linking Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest along the Coastline of Cardigan Bay

Richards Bros Optare Metrocity YJ15MAU is seen in Aberystwyth Bus Station resting before returning home to Cardigan on TrawsCymru Service T5

As previously posted in Our Post Lloyds New Toy, Lloyds Coaches have recently received two new Optare Metorcity with a third vehicle due in March alongside a sole vehicle for Express Motors for their share of the Service, with the first two vehicles today entering service following the installation of a digital tachograph as required for the 87 Mile Journey from Aberystwyth to Bangor.

Working the 08:50 X28 Machynlleth – Aberystwyth, 10:00 T2 Aberystwyth – Bangor, 15:25 T2 Bangor – Aberystwyth & 18:40 X28 Aberystwyth – Machynlleth was YJ65EUN.

Whilst YJ65EUM was working the 07:30 T2 Machynlleth – Bangor, 11:15 T2 Bangor – Aberystwyth Morrisons, 15:30 T2Aberystwyth Morrisons – Bangor & 19:35 T2 Bangor – Machynlleth duty

Lloyds Coaches YJ65EUM is seen at Morrisons in Aberystwyth having completed the 11:15 TrawsCymru T2 Service from Bangor

Seen at Morrisons in Aberystwyth is Lloyds Coaches YJ65EUM

More Photographs will be published on our Flickr Site and further updates will be uploaded onto our Facebook Page

Lloyds New Toy

Machynlleth Based Lloyds Coaches has received its first of three new Optare Metrocity for their share of Welsh Government Supported TrawsCymru T2 Service linking Bangor with Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.

Registered as YJ65EUM, this Optare Metrocity is fully branded for the T2 route and features free to use Wifi, Next Stop announcements and leather seating for passenger comfort, the same specification which is featured on the four Optare Metrocity’s currently operated by Richards Bros on TrawsCymru service T5 linking Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest

It is understood that this vehicle won’t enter service until the second vehicle is to arrive shortly. Whilst a third vehicle will enter service in March alongside a single Metrocity for Express Motors for their share of the T2 Service.

Further Photographs will be uploaded to the BwsCymru Flickr Site as these vehicles enter service.

All the latest will also be uploaded onto the BwsCymru Facebook Page, so like our page for all the latest

An Early Christmas Present For South Wales

Luxury Bus Travel has grown throughout the United Kingdom during the last couple of years with Four Services operating across North Wales with Arriva operating their Arriva Sapphire brand on Service 1 linking Wrexham Bus Station and Chester Railway Station, Service 10/10A linking Holywell Bus Station, Connahs Quay and Chester Bus Exchange, and Service 12/12B linking Llandudno and Rhyl Bus Station alongside their Arriva Max on Service 51/51S linking Rhyl Bus Station and Denbigh Lenten Pool

Arriva Buses Wales CX14BXN is seen atchallanges Abergele Tesco whilst operating on Service 12 to Llandudno

But now South Wales are now benefiting from Luxury Travel, thanks to Stagecoach South Wales introducing its Stagecoach Gold Sub-brand onto Service X24 linking Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon with 15 new Alexander Dennis Enviro 300’s alongside a national expansion of  94 vehicles for the Stagecoach Gold sub-brand which have included Service 1/2 linking Liverpool and Chester and the 125 linking Bolton and Preston

Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire SN65ODH is seen passing Cheshire Oaks whilst operating on Service 1 to Chester City Centre

The X24 is the first Stagecoach Gold service to launch in Wales which links the valleys with Wales third City Newport launched on the 16th of November, in a plan to co-incide with the planned opening of Friars Walk Bus Station in the city, which overran until December 2015.

Stagecoach South Wales SN65OEE is seen at Cwmbran Bus Station whilst operating on Service X24 to Blaenavon

The improvements to the X24 are part of a £2 Million fleet investment in South Wales Cwmbran Depot with 15 Stagecoach Gold Branded with fleet numbers ranging from 27273 to 27287, alongside free to use Wifi, USB Charging Points and Hand Stitched Leather Seats alongside a number of uniformed drivers who operate exclusively on the service.

Stagecoach South Wales SN65OEA is seen departing Cwmbran Bus Station whilst operating on Gold Service X24 to Blaenavon

Its unclear yet if Stagecoach are planning any additional Stagecoach Gold branded services in Wales, although if so they will be of course reported on the Bws Cymru Facebook Page

Additional Photographs from the X24 are available on the Bws Cymru Flickr Page

Stagecoach South Wales SN65ODS is seen departing Cwmbran Bus Station whilst operating on Service X24 to Newport 

Working in Partnership

Passingers in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire were given a rare treat today on the TrawsCymru T1 service with an alternative vehcile in operation.

The route service consists of a 5 vehicle PVR with three ex Swansea Park and Ride Enviro 300 SL63GBF/GCF/GCK and two Enviro 200 YX14RWN/RWO with three vehicles parked at First Cymru’s Tycroes Depot near Ammanford and two at Mid Wales Travels depot in Penrhyncoch near Aberystwyth

First Cymru SL63GCF is seen at Carmarthen Bus Station having completed its return journey from Lampeter

With a daily service its clear that some days you will get some non TrawsCymru liveried buses on the T5 with enviro 200s from Firsts Ravenhill depot in Swansea being sent up west onto the T1

Seen in November 2015 at Aberystwyth Bus Station is First Cymru YX14RUO whilst operating on TrawsCymru T1 service to Carmarthen

Today however there was an unknown fault with SL63GBF which resulted in Mid Wales Travel YX62FVV being put out onto one working diagram

07:40 Aberystwyth – Carmarthen

10:05 Carmarthen – Aberystwyth

12:40 Aberystwyth – Carmarthen

15:05 Carmarthen – Aberystwyth

First Cymru’s SL63GBF subsequently took over the duty at 17:40 with only then a X29 duty to Tycroes Depot at 19:53

Mid Wales Travel YX62FVV hands over duties back to First Cymru SL63GBF at Aberystwyth Bus Station following a days out in service on The T1

Nat Expands in 2016

BREAKING NEWS 

Cardiff based New Adventure Travel is set to expand its CrossCity
network with two additional routes in the New Year

Less Than a year since the launch of the peopular X1 Service between the Tesco/Marks and Spencers Stores at Culverhouse Cross and the Asda Supermarket in Pontprennau, operated by a batch of Optare MetroCitys vehicles which caused offence through an advertising campaign for the new service.

But now New Adventure Travel are expanding in our capital city with a new X11 Service will launch in Cardiff linking Churchill Way in the City Centre and the Aldi Store in Pontprennau through Llanedern and Pentwyn, providing additional competition against Cardiff Bus Service 57.

This new Daily Service will launch on the 18th January 2016

 

New Adventure Travel YJ15AOL is seen at Culverhouse Cross prior to departing on service X1 to Pontprennau

Meanwhile in Newport, New Adventure Travel are launching a Fourth Service in the city from February 2016

A new N4 service will be launched linking Bettws with Spytty Park through Newport City Centre and Moorland Park. This service will join the other CrossCity services including the N1 service between Bettws and the Ringland Centre, The N2 between Newport and Brynglas and the N3 between Newport and Allt-yr-Yn, Three Services launched following the awarding of a major School Transport Contract from Newport Bus

New Adventure Travel YJ65GKV is seen at the Ringland Centre prior to departing on CrossCity N1 service to Dyffryn Asda

At time of publish there is currently no information regarding the timetables for the new services, This will be updated by your editor when published.

Here are the Vosa Registrations for the New Services

How to Solve a Problem like TrawsCymru

A year on from the TrawsCymru T2 tender crisis, where Penygroes based Tacsi Gwynedd Ltd T/A Cerbydau Huw Coaches (A local taxi company who were operating services on service 88 Caernarfon – Llanberis following the closure of Padarn Bus Ltd) were awarded the contract for the TrawsCymru T2 service, which resulted in incumbent operators Express Motors and Lloyds Coaches commercialising certain working diagrams, which resulted in three tenders being published to fill the gap between Commercial journeys.

Between then and now the TrawsCymru network has grown with the launch of two services including TrawsCymru T3 service between Barmouth and Wrexham using 3 Enviro 400 Double Decker and one Enviro 200 Single Decker alongside the new TrawsCymru T5 service linking Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest along the Cardigan Bay Coast operated by Richards Bros utilising 4 new Optare Metorcity, 4  Optare Tempo a 3 Wright Pulsar and a MCV Evolution

Thanks to Rhydgaled on RailForums for Update

First Minister Carwyn Jones is seen in Corwen launching the new TrawsCymru T3 Service linking Barmouth and Wrexham

Fast forward to today and the T2 is prepared for its time to shine, 3 years since the withdrawal of the Arriva Buses Wales TrawsCambria X32 service, Machynlleth based Lloyds Coaches and Penygroes based Express Motors have been awarded the T2 contract until the 1st November 2020 alongside their own commercial operations.

The Good news for passengers is the end of bus changes at Dolgellau Eldon Square (Apart from the 17:15 ex Bangor and 17:55 ex Aberystwyth Morrisons Services) which are not only an inconvenience to students heading to/from universities, but also discourage passengers from traveling on the services due to poor shelter facilities at Eldon Square.

The latest changes will see Express Motors operating the following Monday – Saturday Services ONLY

09:15 Bangor – Aberystwyth (Commercial)

13:55 Aberystwyth – Bangor (Commercial)

17:15 Aberystwyth – Dolgellau (Supported between Porthmadog and Dolgellau)

19:35 Dolgellau – Bangor (Fully Supported)

Express Motors will operate now the sole 19:15 Dolgellau – Porthmadog service on Sunday Evening as part of their Sunday service 2 contract

Express Motors CX64EMS is seen in Aberystwyth Coach Park between duties on TrawsCymru service T2

Lloyds Coaches Meanwhile will operate the remainder of the service which include

Northbound

07:30 Machynlleth – Bangor (Commercial)

07:35 Aberystwyth – Bangor (Commercial)

10:00 Aberystwyth – Bangor (Supported between Dolgellau and Bangor)

15:30 Aberystywth Morrisons – Bangor (Supported between Dolgellau and Bangor)

17:55 Aberystwyth Morrisons – Dolgellau (Commercial)

Southbound

11:15 Bangor – Aberystwyth Morrisons (Commercial)

13:25 Bangor – Aberystwyth Morrisons (Fully Supported)

15:25 Bangor – Aberystwyth (Supported between Bangor and Dolgellau)

19:35 Bangor – Machynlleth (Commercial)

19:35 Dolgellau – Aberystwyth (Fully Supported)

Lloyds Coaches YJ14BCV is seen at Aberystwyth Morrisons prior to operate the 17:55 service to Dolgellau.

The biggest shock in the tender was the full awarding of the Sunday Operations to Lloyds Coaches which alongside their incumbent

08:45 Aberystwyth – Bangor & 13:15 Bangor – Aberystwyth Diagram

will now additional operate the following services

06:00 Machynlleth – Bangor (Commercial)

09:15 Bangor – Aberystwyth Morrisons (Fully Supported)

13:55 Aberystwyth – Bangor (Fully Supported)

17:45 Bangor – Machynlleth (Commercial)

At time of Publish it’s currently unclear if the 13:55 Aberystwyth – Bangor service will commence from Aberystwyth Morrisons, which would give North Ceredigion a direct link to the Morrisons Store on a Sunday

Its been noted that Lloyds Coaches have purchased two Optare Metorcity to the same specification as the TrawsCymru T5 vehicles for their working diagrams which hopefully will bring full TrawsCymru branding onto the TrawsCymru T2 service, something the Welsh Government had previously attempted but was refused by Lloyds Coaches on their 14 plate Optare Versa and Solo

Hopefully this will bring some stability to this strategic and vital service linking two great University Towns, and that passenger numbers will grow

TrawsCymru T2 Timetable

End of the Blue Bus Service

Yesterday (30th September 2015) was the final day of the Blue Bus Service 701, a former TrawsCambria service linking the Seaside town of Aberystwyth with the Welsh Capital through Aberaeron, Lampeter, Carmarthen, Swansea and Port Talbot.

The Service initially launched back in 2007 following the rebranding of the former Arriva 701 into the X40 (Now known as TrawsCymru T1), although the service used to operate on certain days a week, it quickly grown and in April 2012 the service operated daily.

The service continued to grow and in 2013 the service transferred from Coach Travel Wales to Bryans Coaches (Both Companies owned and registered at the same address) here an additional 09:40 ex Aberystwyth and 13:00 ex Cardiff Bay services were launched, alongside a short-lived 12:40 ex Aberystwyth and 18:00 ex Cardiff Bay service and the 750 service linking Aberystwyth and Cardiff via New Quay and Llandysul on Thursday and Saturdays only.

The Service fought well even though competition from Arriva (Service 10 to Swansea, Service 20 to Cardiff) alongside Stagecoach Megabus Serivce operating from London Victoria via Cardiff, Swansea, Carmarthen and Lampeter on Thursday – Sunday Evenings. Friday – Monday Mornings for Return Services. ( A boost was the acceptance of Welsh Concessionary Passers throughout)

Bryans Coaches L8PCC is seen at Aberystwyth Coach Station on the 1st October 2015

Bryans Coaches OUI3920 is seen at Aberystwyth Coach Park on the 1st October 2015

Having operated the Service for eight years under both Coach Travel Wales and Bryans Coaches registrations, the owners decided to retire in June 2016 and therefore decided to withdraw the 701 service from the 1st October 2015

Registration for the cancelling of the 701 registration. As seen on the VOSA Website

Luckily though Aberystwyth wouldn’t be without a direct coach service to the welsh capital with Llanrhystud based Lewis Coaches taking over the 701 and using ex Greenline Vehicles

Lewis Coaches YJ55WSX is seen at Carmarthen Bus Station whilst operating the first day of service on the 701

Lewis Coaches AA07XSH is seeen in Carmarthen Bus Station whilst operating the first day of the 701

Lewis Coaches YJ55WSY is seen outside Synod Inn having missed the first day of service on the 701 Aberystwyth – Cardiff Bay Service

Passengers numbers on today’s observation seemed the same as the former Bryans operations, although the improved coaches by Lewis Coaches hopefully will increase patronage

The Bws Cymru Bus Blog would like to wish Lewis Coaches all the luck with their new venture, and would also like to wish  George Bryan a happy and long retirement

The New 701 timetable