By the time my spies arrived at Gosport & Fareham yesterday, the light had already begun to fade. They nevertheless managed a number of images that we can bring you, ahead of today’s launch
Note the front of the Eclipse 2-bodied Volvo B7RLE is devoid of the usual Wrightbus “W”. First Hampshire is understood to have modified the front, one by one, so that it could show the Eclipse sub-brand name.
The southern access to the busway is via a short stretch of road named Hutfield Link. This, apparently, was the name of an early Gosport motor charabanc proprietor and, if so, it seems fitting eminently fitting. The choice of name for the busway itself might’ve perhaps been Orme White Way but, instead, they chose Henry Cort Way, after a local pioneering iron master of the industrial revolution.
No everyone’s delighted at today’s opening of the busway. Several houses had paper white elephants in their windows.
The only regular vehicles operating the length of the busway has been for security purposes. This is to keep vehicles and pedestrians off the busway. Note that there are no street lights (other than at bus stops). Today, it’s for buses only but it’s also open for the emergency services, special forces vehicles and, apparently, undertakers.
Each of the 14 new stops has cycle facilities. The idea is that people who live some distance might be encouraged to use the busway. Each stop also has a zonal map showing a 15-minute walking distance. At least on pair of stops is handily close to high-density accommodation.
I doubt that this young lady will make an appearance on the busway today. Maybe Monday, though : )
Apart from most over-bridges and the straight busway alignment itself, there are still other telltale signs that this was once a railway.
12 comments:
It’s actually a nice and useful piece of post. I am glad that you simply shared with us. Thanks!
Now that it's all in place, it will be very interesting to gauge reaction from users and local residents, following the launch. But, again, let's not set too much store by what's reported in the dreadful Portsmouth News.
"and, apparently, undertakers."
This is a typical media misunderstanding. The TRO for the busway states 'statutory undertakers' which if you look at the definition makes far more sense.
From WP: "In the United Kingdom Statutory Undertakers are the various companies and agencies with legal rights to carry out certain development and highways works."
That makes sense Anon @1004.
Why would undertakers be in such a rush as to require use of the busway? :D
Well what a fantastic start to the service. I have been on several journeys this morning (one journey even being driven by Wave 105 DJ Rick Jackson) and all the customers I spoke with, or overhead, were very very impressed with the service, both in terms of the staff and vehicles, but also the busway itself. This whole project has only been possible through fantastic partnership working with Hampshire County Council, and it just goes to show what can be delivered with such partnership, enthusiasm and drive from both parties.
As a Trainee Bus Driver with First @ Hoeford. Once I have passed my Test, I cannot wait to be able to be type trained on the Eclipse Buses and be Trained on the bus way. Well done to all Parties Involved.
"Note the front of the Eclipse 2-bodied Volvo B7RLE is devoid of the usual Wrightbus “W”. First Hampshire is understood to have modified the front, one by one, so that it could show the Eclipse sub-brand name."
Really? Wrightbus couldn't supply plain front panels as they've done for Brighton & Hove for the last two years?
Please don't think this is a nasty comment,but I notice from the photos that the busway does not seem to have a painted central carriageway divider line.
Looking at the photo of two buses passing each other,it seems a fairly tight clearance,and without a white line to help,does this not make things a bit dangerous,especially in the dark...and possibly with bicycles using the busway too ?
Wrightbus wouldn't, not "couldn't" for whatever reason.
They want to show off their brand as well, after all. I think the design looks a little odd without them to be honest.
Anonymous said...
"Wrightbus wouldn't, not "couldn't" for whatever reason.
They want to show off their brand as well, after all. I think the design looks a little odd without them to be honest."
Not sure why Wrights need to "show off" their brand, especially with such a prominent logo where operators normally want to put a fleetname. To whom are they showing it off? Is the man in the street going to buy a bus from Wrights as a result? Seems to me that the customer should be calling the shots on this, or is it more the case that First didn't realise there was nowhere for the Eclipse name to go until the buses started arriving? Hmm....
Anon @1956 - very odd comment! You seem to suggest First have bought a product blind, definitely not the case given a) the number of Wrightbus products in the First fleet and b) I know the livery of the bus was agreed before the first metal was cast for the bus at the factory.
Anon at 20:32 - it might seem a " very odd comment" and no, I wouldn't expect First to have bought the product blind especially given your valid points a) and b). It just seems a very odd situation all round.... but hey, we are where we are!
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