The Bright Fairy Lights of Swindon's Bus Policy

The loss of a million miles of bus route running in Swindon & Wiltshire since 2013 doesn't seem to bother Swindon Borough Council.

They've defended themselves with pointing out that they and central government support nearly 15 services with investment (or as government usually likes to call it in it's loaded way, 'subsidy') with the Bus Services Operators Grant and Section 106 money from developers.

Oh yes, like the £55,000 of Section 106 money that has been used to decorate the Greenbridge Roundabout with lights to make it look nice.

£55,000 would have gone a long way on, maybe employing a handful of people to act as traffic officers that could be on-call on peak traffic days around the Outlet Village.

Think how good an idea that would be, whilst your stuck on a bus, staring at the pretty lights.

Swindon Bus War Round 4 : 3 is not the Magic Number

Too many buses running around with fresh air on board has seen Stagecoach blink on the number 3/number 5 near identical route.

Stagecoach will stop the number 3 from 12th August, stating it started well, but once Thamesdown started their near carbon copy number 5, passenger numbers fell away.

This skirmish benefit mostly the residents of Park North, with a hyper frequency of buses from two operators to choose from. In a welcome comment, the Stagecoach MD Rupert Cox noted the large number of buses running round having a "negative impact on their communities".

Top marks to Stagecoach for the comments, conceding early and giving it a go.

Now, from one front in the Swindon bus war to another, that Battle for Bassett, how goes things at the front Rupert and Andrew?

Thamesdown Sold - Go Ahead and dump Dayriders & Travelpasses?

The deafening silence from Swindon Borough Council on the sale of Thamesdown Transport was bound to break and it has. The company has, or is about to be today or tomorrow, sold to the Go-Ahead Group

It's a pretty poor show on SBC's part, as it essentially means SBC staff (but at arms length as Thamesdown), have been caught up in a quick sale to the private sector.

Go-Ahead are far better than some of the other big national bus companies, with a history of keeping local company names (will Thamesdown live on?).

But nothing, not a whisper, has been made to the most important people in all of this, the passengers.

Firm assurances are now needed from SBC and Go Ahead on whether DayRiders and TravelPasses will remain inter-available.

Otherwise, SBC may have just doubled the price (at the least) of bus travel for the poorest in Swindon on top of the loss of routes due to SBC cutting investment/subsidies in social necessary services.

Lets hope they didn't use the words 'innovate ' and 'vibrant' in the discussions with Go-Ahead, otherwise we are all doomed.

You wait ages for a political bluster and two come along at once

The withdrawal of the no.65 Stagecoach in Swindon service has ruffled some feathers amongst councillors in Swindon Borough Council and South Marston.

South Marston Parish Council complain that they didn't know about the changes until a resident told them. It's clear then that none of the parish councillors use the bus. To then complain they weren't informed discounts that Stagecoach advertised the changes before, in many ways - online, at bus stops, leaflets, new timetables and in the Adver.

Not to miss out making a little hay, Swindon Borough Councillor Heenan has suggested alternatives will be discussed at the next Cabinet meeting.

One thinks, are they only reactive alternatives due to the Adver story? Surely a proactive council would have planned possible alternatives back in March (and announced they were working on them) when Oxfordshire County Council withdrew the main chunk of funding for the 65? Odd that he didn't comment on the improvement to Thamesdown Transport's service through his own constituency, with the renumbered service 1/1A now recreating a cross-town route and increasing to every 10 minutes.

But that decision didn't involve politicians of course, or subsidy.

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 254

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. You'll never get away with this.

9. Bullying isn't being properly dealt with.

8. That was a narrow escape, no salad for me.

7. I'm going to go for the first half an hour then head off.

6. Mol said I'd have to ring him first and see exactly what it was that she was so bothered by.

5. Wink at him and I'm sure there'll be more to come later.

4. Two sausage rolls and a cream horn, I didn't have any breakfast.

3. Where did he go? He was on the 13 when we got on at college.

2. It's a two-minute walk from where they live now, a lot nicer.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. He said they're going to move into the shop next door soon and start selling the full range again as they're still only to be imported and not made in the UK.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 253

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I don't expect him to understand wearing that.

9. This is very serious, I only eat the unsalted ones.

8. That app is a rip off, it just gives you reviews of all the other apps.

7. There is no golf course in Surrey he's not been to and failed at each one.

6. I've done my part, it's up to Sue now to decide if she wants it built on the street side or in the loft.

5. Lowest at £1, but it just falls apart after a week or too and in the right light, it's see-through.

4. We'll end up with an office full of 10 year olds that haven't heard of negative equity.

3. Maybe if you moved your workspace to Manchester you'd get more support from the divisional office.

2.  I think that's a very good idea, I'll make sure he wears his full length ones on the holiday and see what difference it makes.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I can't remember a worse time since Clive use to come into work and lear over my asset management desk. I use to use a wet-wipe to clean up afterwards.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 252

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. No it's misty, that's not smoke.

9. In the interview she kept referring to KPIs, all I could think of was KP nuts.

8. I've not had these crisps since you could buy them in the canteen.

7. He's got crap all over his desk, their apartment must be like a tip.

6. What an undercut, knobber.

5. No the other side, over where you'd turn off for Eldene, he lives there, but it's a lot bigger than you'd imagine, you could park a tank on his front drive.

4. Too me ages to look like this, I tried on four pairs of trousers.

3. He wanted to keep things casual, so I've not seen him for a week.

2. Try to keep it to yourself, but I'm leaving after the next set of sales results.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Can you remember a time where you didn't care about your iPhone?

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 251

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. You smell of bacon.

9. Give me that back you thieving thief.

8. I tapped, unwrapped and then felt massively guilty.

7. I keep my ID badge in the same pocket as my minstrels, pastels, and weight watchers card.

6. Have a merry new year, or whatever it is.

5. That's exactly why when you asked me to come over, I pretended to be fixing the fridge.

4. I posted it on Facebook, no-one could be arsed to comment on it, so I've gone off grid.

3. Talking of Fiona, how long did you know her before she started to be a cow?

2. There he is, look, there, now!

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I play 1, 2, 6, 7, 18, 19 and 49, never won a single thing.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 250

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. You can't, there's cameras.

9. If she wants me to work she'll have to really get it together, I'm not standing in the cold holding a tray again.

8. No, this does usually go that way, but the road's shut, so it's going back the way it use to go before I dyed my hair.

7. I've got one more of these, two hours off, then, who knows.

6. But it's what I'm truly passionate about, I just love Twitter.

5. He's newly divorced, but I think it's going to be good, I mean he can spend more time with his girlfriend now.

4. Don't think that gives you the right to do and say what you want just because I'm not with you.

3. There's little doubt in my mind that we're on the wrong bus.

2. I can't call him, what would I say? "Hi, I saw your arms on a poster at work and want you to hold me with them"?

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I never go upstairs, I'm always worried the height and motion will make me seasick, plus stairs never agree with me.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 249

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. That foot of yours will have to go.

9. I see no reason we can't have pasta tonight. But I'd prefer a curry.

8. Your afternoon has been rather terrifying.

7. She was asked to return after it had gone back to it's usual size.

6. Mousy, tousled, that type of thing.

5. There's no internal dialogue, I mean I did have my earphones on at that point.

4. Less is very much more, but only on spec.

3. There's no philosophy connected with it, it's just money-grabbing.

2. He's a lot smaller, but that does make him quicker in several respects.


And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Your teeth can't itch, it's the same rubbish people talk about having your heart in your mouth, unless you're eating haggis.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 248

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. This was totally what he warned me would happen even without me sleeping with him.

9. Let me just test out that theory on my thighs, I'll see how I get on.

8. It's an original jumper before they started moving production to Asia and everything was made out of crumbly thread.

7. Round up those paper-thin people from accounts and get them drunk.

6. Zaha is that woman I use to go to zumba with before she got thin.

5. It's not a new one, but it will do I suppose.

4. Imagine for a minute I care about what you're saying, just for a minute.

3. You can't brag about those shoes, look at them, they're not fit to be seen in the dark in.

2. No potatoes have gone up and I'm always at a loose end with them.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. I can't prove the moon orbits the earth, but like Mike and his wandering eyes, I know it happens.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 247

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. He needs to be kept in check, follow him at lunchtime.

9. It won't be as easy as you make out.

8. I'm not telling you what to tell him, I'm just giving my side of the story.

7. Not very flattering, but I can't understand why you're that bothered by it all.

6. Does Sarah have a coloured baby? Does she have a brown baby?

5. Well I can't do that with these swollen fingers, can I?

4. There are no legal grounds for it's suppression.

3. Steam it open, no one will know, or care.

2. Starting a war is never a business growth move in telesales.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. She looked like she'd have been happier sitting in a chair, with a damp cloth on a her face and someone rubbing her feet.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 246

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It's character building, like divorce.

9. They're brothers but everyone knows he was adopted, meanwhile he was an accident.

8. Everyone had to deal with sore balls, until you get that cream.

7. It's worth £4 each, or 2 for £8.

6. Forget bonding, I had a cracking night on my own with a takeaway.

5. His flat is all well and good, but you can't retire on it can you?

4. There's fire in it, but that might just be the lactic acid.

3. You've never used the word 'medaled' before.

2. Put Sarah down, she does not want to be moved like that.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1.Dressage? Dressage? No idea what it is, but I'm drawn to watch it.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses Last Week ; 245

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I suspect you're right, but will pretend you're wrong.

9. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.

8. Just 'cos you've got a smartcard, don't act like it's a gold-plated iPad.

7. Yeah but she's a slapper, the whole street knows it, they've all had her.

6. Have you seen Burn Notice? I stream them online, totally illegal but it's quicker than waiting for them.

5. I've done four of these already, want to swap?

4. I smacked her in the mouth, I didn't use my fists, I used my sarcasm.

3. Try seeing what the cuts will do to their I.T. department, less screens and attitude from them for a start.

2. Stare right down there and you can see all the way to the top of the hill.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. They've got the heating on, are they trying to kill me or grow tomatoes?

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Last Week ; 244

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. He has the charm of a Lib Dem front-bencher.

9. Wearing pink socks does not make you wild.

8. She stared the entire time, never seen somebody that thin before.

7. I'll buy you a coffee, I haven't the money for a tequila shot.

6. Can you get blue tomatoes?

5. You have a smaller interest in Sally than I thought.

4. Should have left it at home, I told you, didn't I tell you?

3. I'm not interested, just buy me a pair of jeans and be done with it.

2. Does it go to Liden? Does it, I thought Liden was near Oxford.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Don't even reckon on me turning up, I'd just come in, smack two people from the main office in the face, take all the free drinks I'm allowed, and walk out.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Bus Reinstatement Buys Extra Time

Congratulations to all concerned with getting the hybrid 21/23 bus service reinstatement done.

I've been informed on Twitter (by Dorcandave, tip of the hat) that Thamesdown Transport (Swindon's bus company that the Council, and therefore us, all own) carries 175,000 passengers each week. 600 people signed the petition to get the bus service reintroduced, it better translate to bus passenger numbers.

Swindon Centric Says ; If you signed the petition, you should be first at the stop on the day of launch, reasonable ticket prices to suit all pockets!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses (Last, Last, Last, Last) Last Week ; 243

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. All about what Sophie said, but she's so immature.

9. The night seemed to go on forever.

8. The weather's so gloomy I'll be hard-pressed to find anything worthy to say.

7. I'm so excited, but I bet Steve will come along and find something to make me feel rubbish.

6. I woke up without any pants on.

5. Try eating more fibre, when did you last encounter an apple that wasn't deep fried?

4. You need to remember that accounts are the same department that caught Al Capone.

3. Stop taking all the stationary, some of us actually need paperclips for proper purposes.

2. I always take my bags for life, then forget they're in my pocket.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. Someone forgot that it was her birthday, so we nipped to Tescos and bought her some no-frills vodka, she seemed quite touched.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Last Week ; 242

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. I remember seeing smoke, but no Indians.

9. You can do it properly, or not at all.

8. He waltzed off and I had to make up the whole time.

7. They always go to play dominos, thrilling I know.

6. I take it that these pants are ones you'll be wearing for special occasions?

5. Only half the lights are on, who do I see about that?

4. It's called a suspection inspection. Sounds serious and severe, but quite quirky.

3. Treating her like that makes me want to become violent, but you've seen my lack of upper body strength.

2. She jumped forward at the lights, I missed by about a foot and a half.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. The sun was coming up over Great Western Way and I thought it looked rather beautiful, don't tell anyone.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Last Week ; 241

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. He got the boot.

9. It must stem from his fear of responsibility.

8. I bought a cup of tea and waited until the reduced the price of the fresh bread.

7. You saved 7 pence, talk about tight.

6. Keep your opinion and body odour to yourself.

5. But there isn't a top deck, so your double-capacity strategy is laughable.

4. Everyone saw him out with her, she'd got the face that would suited being stuck on a wooden wall mount.

3. Try and remember why he even thinks it's a good idea to buy a facelift voucher for Jackie.

2. No, we didn't have pasta, I had spaghetti.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. There's only so many ways you can use spinach without making pie out of it.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!

Top Ten Things Overheard On Swindon's Buses (Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last, Last) Last Week ; 240

Click here for the original at this brilliant idea, here's our own version for Swindon's buses from last week.

10. It plays really quietly and nearly goes silence.

9. Tuneage.

8. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it'll stop the limp.

7. Carol told me in confidence, which is why that's not her real name, to protect the gossips.

6. Keep him on your left and move forward.

5. The job has been changed, so they can replace him.

4. It doesn't seem fair on those who wear cut-off trousers.

3. But we didn't buy any water so you can't have any clean feet.

2. It would not surprise me if we all get told how bad a job we're doing when we hit the target.

And the number one overheard phrase on Swindon's buses from last week is...

1. He only played him once, then they replaced his role with a door handle.

Overheard something we've missed? Then email swindoncentric@gmail.com or leave a comment and your phrase could make it onto next weeks list!