How Many Buses Each Hour?
In yesterday's blog about bus changes due from 5th April, we have already met the 522 reduced to hourly between Bristol and Keynsham but still serving the Chandag Road area, east of the town centre, on its circuitous way to Bath.
We also know that the half hourly 349 to Bilbie Green will become the half hourly 43, extended from Bilbie Green to Burnett Business Park.
Chandag Estate leaps from one bus an hour to three!
The 43 is joined at Burnett Business Park by a brand new service 42, approaching Keynsham from the north. It runs every hour.
Also approaching from the north is a revised route 17. This used to run to Bilbie Green every hour ...
... although the timetable has Ashton Way, not the same place at all.
No matter, from the change date the 17 will run to ...
So, if fbb's maths skills are up to standard (he did get 'O' level!) all that means that Burnett Park gets FOUR buses an hour!
Before we examine the massive number of potential passengers from what must be a vast Business Park at Burnett, we need to seek out Keynsham's missing bus route.
What About The A4, Eh!
Bus watchers were very surprised when The Bath Bus Company started their 'Air Decker' service from Bath to Bristol Airport.
The same enthusiasts were further surprised when the Bath company was bought by RATP, effectively the Paris Municipal bus, tram and metro operator.
Recently a new (less attractive?) livery has been adopted.
Readers may also remember that RATP's London Buses operation was bought by First. This included a sightseeing business and, less well known, The Bath Bus Company was added to the package.
So First now has the Air Decker A4 route as part of its Bristol/Bath oeuvre. It runs at least every hour with tweaks and extras ...
... but this is no luxury limited stop service. Look at the outward map; from Bath to almost Keynsham ...
... from Keynsham to Hartcliffe ...
... noting that it eschews the by pass and serves all the local stops including Keynsham Church! It continues from Hartclffe ...
It is, most definitely, NOT fast. Journeys take, typically, one hour and 20 minutes. According to Google, the journey by car, taking a different route ...
... takes forty minutes - half of the time on an Air Decker!
... to the Airport.
The A4 Is unchanged from April 5th onwards.
But First could not be bothered to add it to their current network map. We await, with eager anticipation, the new network map.
What Happens At Burnett?
Not a lot!
Most of the buildings are old ...
... this below being called "The Fires Station" ...
... and these looking very strange indeed.
It is out in the country, well separated from any other hereditament.
But it has a pink ack-ack gun on its logo and a real one sitting enigmatically next to some if the other buildings.
You might have worked it out! Burnett Park was a World War 2 ammunition store for the MOD.
The ever observant fbb reckons he knows why this innocuous and minimalist business park warrants four buses an hour.
It doesn't!
But look closely at the above aerial enlargement; and look more closely. See open top buses ...
.. of various types.
And three Air Decker A4 vehicles in the latest livery.
Yes folks, this is the Bath Bus Company's depot, now c/o First Bus and, presumably, an operating base for services 17, 42, 43 and the afore-spotted A4.
That's why four buses an hour go there - it is, as is often the case, for operational convenience NOT for improvements for Keynsham passengers!
The Future's Orange
Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire mega metro Mayor has launched his vision for a franchised network.
Oddly his launch bus was decorated differently from the above orange all over.
S Y P N - South Yorkshire People's Network ...
... has a truly meaningful logo.
At least Olly is excited!
But there is also a full printed report and some more infrastructure goodies.
Because of fbb's Sheffield heritage, the report warrants a blog.
Next People's Network blog : Fri 20 Mar
Cardiff has had orange buses (on and off) for years.
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