Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2010-08-23 20:15:17 - Graham Ellis
Update - Friday, 10th September ... An anonymous correspondent writes "Hello ! Just to let you know that Faresaver originally split the X72 Bath- Devizes and the X71 'Lavington loop', partly so as to understand how poorly used the loop is (according to Firstbus). However, after 2 days of operation, it became apparent that, what with the roadworks in Bath(London Road) and Melksham (Market Place) the connections between buses were becoming alomst impossible to guarantee. It also became apparent that loadings were higher than expected, even on the loop. Therefore since Wednesday 8th Sept 2010, the buses have reverted to a through service combining the X72 and X71, utilising full size single deck low floor vehicles as opposed the 'midibus' originally intended for the loop. Hope this is of interest"
As from 5th September, it's "all change" on the bus service from Bath to Melksham, Devizes and Easterton. [DOWNLOAD HERE]
Headlines:
During the day, Monday to Saturday ...
• First will run an hourly service from Bath bus station to Bowerhill, Melksham, via Box and Whitley. That's shown in Orange on the diagram - route numbers 272 and occasionally 271 or 273
• Faresaver will run an hourly service from Bath Guildhall via Melksham to Devizes, via Kingsdown. That's shown in Green on the diagram - route number X72
• Faresaver will also run an hourly service from Devizes around the Lavington Loop - servince Potterne, the Lavingtons, Easterton and Urchfont. That's shown in yellow on the diagram - route number X71
• there is a two hour gap in the Faresaver service for Devizes, mid afternoon.
Early Mornings, Monday to Saturday ...
• A couple of extra buses run by both companies into Bath - First only from Bowerhill.
• Some route changes on those - some via Melksham Forest, one even via Corsham, some Faresavers via Box rather than Kingsdown.
Evenings, Monday to Saturday ...
• No Faresaver service. First will run two journeys on the Bath - Devizes route and one on Bath - Easterton (each way in each case)
• Bit of a gap in services into Bath in the evening between the last Faresaver and the first First
Sundays and public holidays ...
• 6 buses each way at 2 hourly intervals, run by First, Bath to Urchfont. And one extra bus from Devizes to Bath.
It's been a bit of a nightmare finding all of this out - but I got a fax today from Wiltshire Council showing each of the services as they should run. I've digitized it as a .pdf ... [DOWNLOAD HERE]. I'll post an update if and when I get one (or someone shouts at me about copyright!)
Big thanks to Faresaver and Wiltshire Council for all there help on resolving this / getting us the timetables. First have promised to return my call when they have the information available.
As from 5th September, it's "all change" on the bus service from Bath to Melksham, Devizes and Easterton. [DOWNLOAD HERE]