Trip to Bath 30-11-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
BX13 CYY	Longton TI	Bath Coach Park	Charter	Bakers
42911	Bath BS	Bear Flat, Bear Flat (Stop C)‎	267	First Somerset & Avon
43849	Bear Flat, Bear Flat (Stop A)	Bath BS	179	First Somerset & Avon
46225	Bath BS	Lower Weston, Chelsea Road (NW-bound)‎	319	First Somerset & Avon
40588	Lower Weston, Chelsea Road (SE-bound)	Bath BS	319	First Somerset & Avon
46318	Bath BS	Weston, Outside 68 (NW-bound)‎‎	14	First Somerset & Avon
40513	Weston, Outside 68 (NW-bound)	Lower Weston, Chelsea Road (SE-bound)	14	First Somerset & Avon
46259	Lower Weston, Chelsea Road (SE-bound)	Bath BS	319	First Somerset & Avon
BX13 CYY	Bath Coach Park	Longton TI	Charter	Bakers

Today we decided to do a coach trip down to Bath. Happy Days coaches were due to run a trip to Bath on November 16, but they had to cancel due to low numbers. Bakers were running a trip this weekend, so we decided to go with Bakers. Mum had had a bad fall the day before in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and so this trip was going to be more difficult than usual. Research for the trip consisted of find an old timetable booklet for the area and reading all of the previous 3 Blog postings of our trips to Bath to see what buses we did and on what services. We also looked at which step entranced Darts were in operation with First on Steve White's excellent site on First Somerset and Avon buses. There were also a few P reg low floor buses in the area which probably wont last much longer. We also found a ticket called the Bath Rider. The weather was predicted for a sunny day with temperatures around 7' which is tropical for the time of year! We got up at 07:30 today. Matthew had crumpets for breakfast. Due to there being little in the way of long stay parking in Longton we decided to book a taxi to Longton Interchange. The taxi came around 08:45 and it took us onto the A5035 and into Longton. The taxi dropped us off in the interchange and we had to walk across into the bus station! We had around 15 minutes to wait for the coach so Matthew took a few pictures. We saw Copeland's Tours MIB 783 on the #40 Fenton circular service.

Copeland's Tours MIB 783 in Longton Interchange

We had a bit of time so we went to Wright's Pie and brought some sausage rolls for later. Matthew had a Manchester tart for now. Just after it's due time of 09:10 a coach rolled up into the Interchange. We were expecting a white and green Bakers coach, or one of the newer silver coloured King Longs. Instead a short wheelbase coach in Chino Travel livery arrived. It had a Bakers 'Bath' sticker in the front window and also it had Bakers legals on the side. The coach set off out of the interchange and onto the Westbound A50 where we passed Cox's of Belper coach COX 637V. We joined the Southbound A500 and then we headed South on the M6. In Walsall we joined the Southbound M5 which we did down to Strensham services where we had a quick break. Here Matthew got a picture of the coach.

Bakers BX13 CYY in Strensham services

We visited the toilet and then we went to WH Smiths where we picked up some Irn Bru and sweet as well as a truck magazine. We came out of the services and we saw another coach 3315 HP, which was taking football fans from Bury to their away game in Exeter.

3315 HP in Strensham services

The coach carried on South along the M5, which we did down to the M4. We then went East on the M4 until we reached the A46. We did the A46 southbound and a couple of miles outside Bath we hit stationary traffic. It took around 3/4 of an hour to get into Bath where we stopped at the riverside coach park around 13:30. The driver dropped us off and told us to be back at the coach park at around 18:15. After using the toilet we ate at the coach park cafe where Matthew had a bacon and egg sandwich and a can of Coke. After saying goodbye to mum, we set off on foot to the bus station. We left mum behind as she couldn't keep up with us on her crutches. On the way into the bus station we spotted our First 'First' step entranced Dart of the day. It was required 46318 on the #14 to Odd Down. We had a quick walk around the bus station whilst we decided what we were going to catch. On Dorchester Street was The Traveller's Choice PO12 JNF.

The Travellers Choice PO12 JNF in bath bus station

We only had a couple of hours of daylight left so we wanted to catch a bus quickly. The bus station as packed with shoppers. We have never seen the bus station as busy as it was today on all our previous visits. We saw an interesting bus coming into the bus station. It was Libra Travel Mercedes minibus SF06 FSN on a #94 to Trowbridge. I decided to see if we could book a multi-operator ticket. The driver said he would except an Avon Rider ticket on the bus (that was what I'd asked for) but he couldn't issue one. What I actually wanted was a Bath Rider, which turns out aren't valid on the #94 anyway. So we decided no to do this minibus. First Somerset and Avon 46260 was on one of the longer distance services from the middle stands but I don't know which one. We saw 46259 around the same time on a #319 service, but this was a dude bus that we had done back in August 2011. We decided to do required First Somerset & Avon 42911 on the #267 to Frome. This was a service we had covered back in October 2010 with 46237, so we knew we could do it u to Bear Flat. We also thought that if we were lucky we would drop on 46318 returning from Odd Down on the #14 to Weston. Matthew got a picture and then we got on this bus.

First Somerset & Avon 42911 in Bath bus station

We got on the bus and we asked for an Avon Rider (again I should have asked for a Bath Rider but didn't). When he told me the price of £7.50 I decided to get a First Bath ticket at £4.20. We sat down near the back of the bus. We then saw required 46261 on a #231 to Chippenham. The bus left town and crossed under the railway and then climbed to the top of the hill. The bus turned right and we were at our destination. We got off and Matthew got a better picture of 42911.

First Somerset & Avon 42911 in Bear Flat

We crossed the road to wait for a return service into Bath. We didn't have to wait long before we saw there was a Dart approaching. Someone else was catching the bus so I asked Matthew if he wanted to do this bus or let it go. We saw it was required First Somerset and Avon Dart 43849 on a #179 service from Midsommer Norton.

First Somerset & Avon 43849 in Bear Flat

We got on and sat down near the back. As expected at this time of day this inbound service was nearly empty. The bus headed down the hill and we headed into the bus station. When we got to the bus station we let the bus empty and Matthew took a picture inside First Somerset & Avon 43849.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 43849

We thought about going to take a few picture for a short while but we noticed 46318 was in the bus station on the #14 to Weston.

First Somerset & Avon 46318 in Bath bus station

We were going to do this bus but the driver got on the bus and immediately got off it again. In the meantime another step entranced dart came in. It was dud First Somerset & Avon 46247 which we had done up to Bailbrook on the #231 back in October 2012. As 46318 wasn't going anywhere soon we did consider doing 46247 on the #319 up to Lower Weston, but 46247 reversed off stand. We went for a bit of a walk around and we took some pictures. On e of the buses we photographed was Wessex Connect 30928 running out of service.

Wessex Connect 30928 in Bath bus station

We also saw First Somerset & Avon R reg Volvo B10 66107 on a #173 to Wells.

First Somerset & Avon 66107 in Bath bus station

Back in the bus station dud First Somerset & Avon 42824 had arrived on the next #14 to Weston. We considered doing this in case 46318 followed it out of the bus station, but then dud step entranced Dart First Somerset & Avon 46225 appeared on stand to replace 46247 on service #319. We decided to do this instead as we hadn't been on this bus since August 2011. We waited for the driver to ready the bus and then we got on it. The bus was full and standing again, and it set off through the town around Ambury and North up to the A4 picking up more passengers in the town centre. The bus headed West along the A4 before branching right onto the A431. We decidedto get off here so that we could head back to Bath on either a #14 or another #319. We got off and then took a picture of 46225 as it headed of into the distance.

First Somerset & Avon 46225 in Lower Weston

Right behind us was the #14 we had turned down with dud First Somerset and Avon 42824 which was another full bus.

First Somerset & Avon 42824 in Lower Weston

We crossed over catch something back to Bath. We didn't have to wait long before we saw a #319 approaching down the A431. It turned out to be required First Somerset & Avon 40588.

First Somerset & Avon 40588 in Lower Weston

We got on the bus and sat down near the back. There were a few people on this bus but it wasn't full. We headed back into bath along the A4 and then around the back along James Street West along the one way system. We came into the bus station and the bus emptied out and Matthew got his empty bus picture.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 40588

Along side us was required First Somerset and Avon 46262 on the adjacent stand. We decided to turn it down to try and get a few pictures near the bus station before it went dark. We had only taken a few pictures when we saw First Somerset & Avon 46318 again on a #14 to Weston. We had to try and get this so we walked around to the bus station. This time it was loading immediately and we got on the bus.

First Somerset & Avon 46318 in Bath bus station

The bus was full and Matthew sat down and Uncle Dave stood next to him. The bus was full and standing and it picked up even more passengers in the town centre. We headed out along the A4 and then turned towards Weston. The bus emptied out as we went along and by the time we reached the hospital we managed to sit down together. We decided to do the bus up to Eastfield Avenue so we could get a picture of the bus when it emptied out. At the end of the Eastfield Avenue we saw someone getting on the bus so we decided to get off and take a picture as we got off.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 46318

We also got a picture of 46318 as it went off into the sunset.

First Somerset & Avon 46318 in Weston

In theory we had 12 minutes to wait for the next bus. We had decided to do the next #14 down to Lower Weston and then wait for a #319 to Bath. We were hoping to perhaps get a double decker on the #319 as we had seen one leave bath earlier. Around 5 minutes after we had gotten off 46318 we heard another bus approaching. It turned out to be required First Somerset & Avon 40513.

First Somerset & Avon 40513 in Weston

The bus was nearly empty so we sat near the back and Matthew took a picture of the empty bus in front of us.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 40513

The bus headed back into the hospital and down onto the A431. When the bus reached the stop that we had used to catch 40588 earlier in the day, we decided to get off. Matthew got another picture of the bus and the driver paused for a few extra second so Matthew could take his picture...

First Somerset & Avon 40513 in Lower Weston

We had approximately 1o minutes to wait for the next #319, which we were hoping was going to be a double decker. Around due time we saw a Dart approaching. As i got closer we saw that it was dud First Somerset & Avon 46259 which we had seen leave on the #319 a few hours previously.

First Somerset & Avon 46259 in Lower Weston

We got on the bus and we set off back into town. We had arranged to meet mum by the bus station and it was going to be close to that by the time we got back into town. We went in through the one way system and we saw an Enviro 400 loading on the #41 P&R service. There was a queue so long it could have filled 3 or 4 double deckers! We got into the bus station and Matthew photographed the inside of 46259.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 46259

We found mum and then we had 3/4 of an hour to get back to the to the coach park. We took a slow walk back as mum was tired from her day on crutches. On Dorchester street was First Somerset & Avon Enviro 200 44523 on a #13 to Foxhill.

First Somerset & Avon 44523 in Bath bus station

We had a slight diversion into town whilst Matthew checked out the massive queue for the Park & Ride service. It took us a while to actually get across the queue as it was a hundred yards of so up in the pedestrianised area. When we did get across we headed down to Ambury where we took a few more pictures. National Express FJ60 HYW was arriving on a #403 service from London to Bath.

National Express FJ60 HYW in Ambury, Bath

Closer to the park Matthew got a picture of Redwing 231 on Corn Street.

Redwing 231 in Corn Street, Bath

Matthew was getting a bit would up and wanted to head back into town to visit Sainsbury's as he had read in a text that mum had been there earlier in the day. We persuaded him to head back to the coach park with the promise that we would take him to a supermarket for dinner the next day. At the coach park he took a few pictures of coaches, used the toilet, had a drink a Coke and ate some chicken popcorn that mum hadn't finished off that she had saved. As promised the coach appeared into the coach park from it's designated parking spot at the race course. The reason the city had been incredibly busy was there was a rugby match on accounting for 12,200 extra people in town as well as the Christmas market. We left the coach park at 18:20, but it took more than 30 minutes to get out of Bath town centre along the A4. Eventually we reached the A46 and the traffic was still nose to tail albeit moving steadily. We made it onto the Westbound M4 and then onto the M5. We stopped again at Strensham service going North and we had a quick toilet stop. Matthew had a chicken nugget meal and a plain cheeseburger as we knew we would not be able to do tea when we got back tonight. Around 20:20 we set off North on the M5 and joined the Northbound M6 at Walsall. We headed North up to the A500 and then onto the A50 into Longton. We said goodbye to the driver and then we called for a taxi to take us home. A few minutes later the taxi appeared. He took us out of Longton and onto Longton Hall Road. We went through Blurton and the taxi dropped us hoe around 22:10. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30. A very tiring trip that is better done earlier in the year when the days are longer...Mark

Trip to Bath 20-10-2012

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
222	Stafford Town Centre, opp Railway Station	Bath Coach Park	Charter	Happy Days
42633	Bath BS	Batheaston, High Street (NE-bound)	231	First Somerset & Avon
67338	Batheaston, High Street (SW-bound)	Bath BS	231	First Somerset & Avon
42824	Bath BS	Bathford, Dovers Park (SE-bound)	13	First Somerset & Avon
42824	Bathford, Dovers Park (SE-bound)	Bath BS	13	First Somerset & Avon
46247	Bath BS	Bailbrook, Bailbrook Lane (NE-bound)	231	First Somerset & Avon
42557	Bailbrook, Bailbrook Lane (SW-bound)	Bath BS	13	First Somerset & Avon
222	Bath Coach Park	Stafford Town Centre, opp Railway Station	Charter	Happy Days

Today we finally managed to get to Bath! We had been trying for most of the year to spot and book a suitable trip but the last one we had booked was canceled due to low numbers. We booked this trip which involved a 15 mile journey to meet the coach and then we kept our fingers crossed that the bus was full enough to run. We checked the weather for today as always and the forecast was for sunny interval and unseasonably mild weather. Research for the trip didn't really happen due to a lack of time. Departure on the coach was at 08:45 from outside station and so we set our alarm for 07:00. Matthew got up and had some toast and orange juice before setting off just after 08:00. Our route to Stafford was A5035, A34 through Trentham, Whitmore Road and then onto the M6 Southbound. We then came into Stafford from the North and around the town centre to the railway station. We parked up at the railway station. Parking is reasonable here on a Saturday as it is only £2 to park here all day. We crossed the road and waited for the coach. As we waited for the coach we saw Arriva Midlands 3604 on a #76 service. We saw the coach approaching from the Newport end of the station and as we had never been on a Happy Days coach before we knew it was going to be required. It turned out to be required Neoplan coach 222 (MT61 HUP). We got on the coach and we were lucky enough to have the front 4 seats. The view of the trip down was fantastic. we set off through Rising Brook and Baswich before heading into Cannock and the bus station. Whilst in Cannock we saw Arriva Midlands double decker 4791 on a #26 service. We then joined onto the M6 and headed Southwards. We had a hostess drinks service which started after we had left the bumpy park of the M5. Matthew was fascinated when he found out there was a fridge in the front window of the coach! I think he would like one fitted in the front of our car to replace the glovebox. The driver told us he was going to stop at Michaelwood services which we did for 10 minutes. We got off and went to the toilet. He also visited the WH Smith shop and brough some pop and the latest Buses magazine. We also had time to get a picture of this fine coach.

Happy Days 222 in Michaelwood services

We jumped on and carried on South down the M5. The driver was dropping off people in a place called Bog Island in the town centre as this was the most central location. We asked if we could stay on the coach and go to the coach park as we wanted to take pictures of the coaches and also we wanted to be close to the bus station. After everyone else had been dropped off Bog Island we carried on to the the coach park. As we went passed the bus station we saw First Somerset and Avon step entranced Dart 46225. I cannot believe that no one else on the coach had come to Bath to ride around on the local buses! We got to the coach park at just after 12:00 and we had to be back around 16:30 if we wanted to get a few pictures of coaches before we left. We decided to eat at the cafe by the coach park. We ordered breakfasts and uncle Dave had a sausage sandwich. It took a while to cook because the lady there was on her own but it worth the wait. After using the 'wonderful' toilets at the coach park we walked down to the bus station via Ambury where all the Faresaver buses usually park. Here we saw and he photographed Faresaver T436 EBD and Bugler Coaches Mercedes minibus BIG 7763.

Bugler Coaches BIG 7763 in Bath

By the time we had eaten and walked up to the bus station it was nearly 13:00 there were a couple of First Step entranced Darts parked up and a Mercedes minibus but these didn't look like they were going anywhere anytime soon. We also saw 46925. There was a low floor Plaxton Pointer about to move off so we decided to do this. It was required 42633 and when it moved onto stand Matthew got a picture through the glass of the door on stand 5.

First 42633 in Bath bus station

We got on and booked some local First Day tickets. We got on and sat near the back. We saw a double decker arrive on the 332 service. We fought our way through the busy Streets and back past Bog Island before heading off up on to London Road. We decided to travel out for around 20 minutes to give us time to get back and do at least 3 out and back journeys. As such, once we had sussed out which direction we were traveling in we decided to get off a few stops after we had crossed the A4/A46 roundabout. This turned out to be in the village of Batheaston, and when we got off Matthew got a picture of 42633 here too.

First 42633 in Batheaston High Street

We crossed the road to catch a return service. It was now around 13:40. We looked at the timetable on the bus stop and we saw that there was a #231 service due the other way. Shortly after this there was a #13 service too. We saw a long single decker approaching and as we had not been on any before we knew it was going to be required. As it got closer we saw it was First 67338 and Matthew got a picture.

First 67338 in Batheaston High Street

We got on this bus and sat near the back. The bus seats had a moquette design which we had not seen before. The bus journey back in was quite swift due to the bus lane on the inbound A4, and we were back in town a little after 14:00. As we came into Dorchester Street we saw a First East Lancs Sprite Dart. It's a type of bus that we had never seen in Bath before. When we arrived Matthew took a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside First 67338

I had not realised that we had been on a Dennis Lance even though I saw Matthew taking a picture of the Dennis logo just inside the door! We came out of the door of the bus station and the Sprite was still on Dorchester street. It was going to be required as we have never been on a bus of this type before. We saw it was 42824 and then Matthew got a picture before we got on.

First 42824 in Dorchester Street

We booked to the end in Bathford and sat down near the back. So we went out through the town centre and back up the A4. The outwards journey were starting to take a little longer as traffic was starting to build towards the Saturday equivalent of the evening rush hour. I thought that we may get off before the end as we might be able to get in a different bus back but Matthew had other ideas! I think he wanted to get a good picture of the inside of this bus as it was the First of this type we had been on, and it also had the pastel purple moquette that we had seen for the first time on the last bus. When we got to the terminus of the service he did get his picture.

Inside First 42824

Whilst we were off we had a sandwich each from our emergency supplies and we also shared a can of Barr limeade. We headed back into town and we were due in around 15:30. We came into own along the A4 and we stopped at the bottom to await time for 2 minutes. We also saw 46260 on a #272 service. As we went through the centre of town we saw a Plaxton Pointer Dart behind us on a #231 service. I stood up to look at which one it was and we saw it was required 46247! I arranged to meet with mum at the bus station so that I give her the lottery fast pay cards. We got off 42824 to get a picture and we also got a picture of 46247 too.

First 46247 in Dorchester Street

Mum had the lottery cards and came with us to wait for 46247 to come into the bus station and ready itself for service. Matthew was keen to get a picture of the inside of this bus so he kind of got to near the front of the queue to make sure that he did! When the door did open having seen Matthew keeness the family at the front decided it might be a good idea to let him on first. As I booked his ticket he got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside 46247

As we were leaving we also saw 46261 and 46238 on a #161 service. The bus had filled to standing and we picked a couple more people as we passed through town. The journey out of town on what was the slightly late running 15:17 #231 to chippenham was quite slow. as we crossed over the A4/A46 roundabout we passed 42633 on a inbound #231 which we had been on earlier. We knew if we got to Batheaston for 15:54-ish, there would be an inbound #13. We got there for around 14:48 and Matthew got another picture of this fine old step-entranced bus.

First Somerset & Avon 46247 near Batheaston

We crossed the road and we had around 5 minutes to wait for the next Bath service. It was required First Somerset & Avon 42557.

First Somerset & Avon 42557 near Batheaston

The bus was empty as we got on Matthew got a picture before we sat down.

Inside First Somerset & Avon 42557

Only a few people got on this service as would be expected at this time of day and we had a swift inbound journey. We had quite a wait at the Snow Hill timed stop before setting off again and we still got to Dorchester Street early due to the slack timings for this service in a very busy town. When we got of the bus mum was waiting for us. We started to make our way back to the coach park, taking a few pictures on the way. We saw 40535 heading off under the railway line. Faresaver MCW Evolution TBZ 5834 was parked up on Ambery, and then we turned the corner to walk towards the car park and we saw the Wessex Connect rum Uniconnect service too.

Uniconnect BX62 FYY in Bath

Back at the coach park, we used the facilities and then took a few pictures of coaches in the car park. Matthew saw a really good example of a Van Hool bodied DAF, which was endeavour G2 END. He smiled at the driver and went to the front window to have a look in the coach to get a good look. The driver let him on and took a picture or 2 of the inside of the coach before say thank you. We got back to our coach and chatted to our driver awaiting time before departure. Matthew had his picture taken in the drivers seat of out coach and the driver had a quick flick through Matthew's Buses magazine! Around 16:45 we set off through town to Bog Island to pick up the rest of the passengers. We arrived there for our designated 16:50 pick-up slot and the coach filled up with the exception of one passenger. As it was getting close to 17:00 the driver had a look around to see if he could see him. He was sitting outside a pub finishing off his pint! After he had boarded we set off bang on time. We set of Northwards on the reverse of our route down. We stopped around 18:20 at Strensham services again for a quick 10 minute toilet stop. As usual we squeezed in a visit to the shop and taking a couple of pictures. Park's National Express Liveried coach HSK 652 was also here. Back on the motorway we continued to reverse the route we had done coming down. We started to drop off in Cannock around 19:30 and we reached Stafford railway station around 20:00. I think this trip has to qualify as the most well organised and profession coach trip that we had ever been on. It was then back to the car and after I had paid for parking we set off towards Stoke-on-Trent. We dropped off Uncle Dave and then drove back home. back home matthew helped me to upload my pictures to flickr before we went to bed...Mark