2006

The Branch AGM BRISTOL. The Marshman Room, Broadmead Baptist Chapel, Union Street, 1345.

Please note the change of Date

Planned visit to Uni-Link at Southampton

This will be an event of the Eastern & Southern Branch. SWW members are welcome to attend.

By kind invitation of John Waugh, shortly to retire as Transport Manager of Southampton Uni-Link, spend a day in a study of this now high profile student transport facility, and hear the background to this and other local matters.

The party will assemble at the Bridge Bar Students Union, Highfield Campus, at 11.00 for a briefing. A Smartcard will be provided that enables transport from Southampton Airport Parkway Station (Route UIC, 00/20/40 past the hour, 15 minute journey). From Central Station the UIA runs at the same frequency and takes 20 minutes.

The Party will split into two groups for visits to the Romanse Traffic Control Centre and the Uni-Link operational base, particularly to see the GPS monitoring system.

Following these visits, the party will proceed to the City Centre at 1300 for a lunch break, with time to study the local operations.

From 1425 the party will leave Civic Centre bus stop (UIA or UIH) for retuirn to the Highfield Interchange. At 1500 there will be four 30-minute presentations:

• John Waugh will relate the Uni-Link story
• George Fair will follow on Minerva Accord (the bus contractors)
• Simon Bell, local traffic planner, on Southampton's Buses
• A final speaker on "Smart Cities"

The day will conclude at 1700 for everyone to commence their homeward travel.

Prior applications is essential for this visit, and should be made by post to the Branch Visits Secretary

Alan Cornwell
Omnibus Society, Eastern & Southern Branch
28 North Drive
Orpington
BR6 9PQ

enclosing a stamped addressed envelope. The number of places required, mode of travel to Southampton, name, OS Membership Number, address and phone number should be included with the application, with the names of any additional participants. Full details will be provided, and smartcards will be enclosed.

EXETER

Address by Mr Mark Howarth, MD of Western Greyhound

Western Greyhound are now a significant player in Cornwall and we are pleased to have arranged for their MD to meet us halfway, and give what will undoubtedly be a most interesting talk to the Branch. This is certain to be a further major attraction at what has become a popular venue for branch visits. It was felt that, as we have now somewhat outgrown our previous room at the Exeter Transport Club, this meeting should be moved to take place from 1400 at the:

This is about a five-minute walk from Venny Bridge on the B3181, served by regular buses from the city centre, and about 15 minutes from Pinhoe Railway Station. However, the Branch Chairman is providing his Bristol MW, ex-Bristol Greyhound coach, BHU92C, to provide alternative transport for the day. This will leave from central Bristol at 0930 and run via the A370/M5 and then make a connection with an appropriate train from the east at Pinhoe Station (1147 on the current timetable) before proceeding into Exeter (Bus Station) for a lunch break and observations. Local members may join it there for transport out to the meeting at 1315.

Prior notification of intent to participate is essential, especially if you wish to avail yourself of travel on the MW. Please contact the Branch Chaiman at the address below, stating where on line of route you wish to board. There will be a modest charge collected on the day to cover running costs, etc.

Note that BHU92C is a fully licensed PCV and will be running under an "O" licence.

Bristol

the Branch AGM takes place at 1145 in the Hiley Room of Broadmead Baptist Church and the talk by Peter Hendy, who will speak on his career in the bus industry commences at 1400. Please note that this is not the room we normally occupy.

SWW Members are welcomed at the monthly meetings of this organisation, held from 1930 on (usually) the 3rd Wednesday of the month at County Hall, Cardiff Bay, and often featuring speakers or topics of joint interest.

• 22nd November 2006 - Talk by Alan Kreppel, former MD of Cardiff Bus, entitled "30 years too Long in the Bus Industry".

Details of 2007 speakers will be confirmed in due course.