Buses in Swindon

Buses in Swindon have been the major method of Public Transport in the region since the beginning of the 20th century.

Introduced in 1927 and replacing the tram system in 1929, the area is now served by numerous operators.

History

Swindon Corporation was the local council formed by the 1901 Municipal Borough charter, the corporation started to operate electric trams in 1904.

Motor-bus operation started in 1927 and two years later all the trams were replaced by this form of transport. In 1942 Swindon became one of the first authorities to take delivery of the "Arab" made by Guy Motors.Cite web|url=http://www.regent9.ic24.net/muni_swindon.htm|title=Swindon Corporation|accessdate=2007-01-30] One of these, No. 51 (DHR 192), is now preserved at RAF Wroughton near Swindon which is an Annex of the National Museum of Science and Industry and open to the public on certain days of the year.

On local government re-organisation in the early 1970s the name was changed to Thamesdown Transport under which it operates to this day.

Rural and inter-urban bus services around Swindon were mainly operated by Bristol Tramways (later known as Bristol Omnibus Company), which established a branch in Swindon in 1921. Bristol became part of the National Bus Company, and in 1983 the Swindon branch was transferred to a new company, Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Company, operating in Swindon under the name Swindon and District. Cheltenham & Gloucester was sold to its management in 1986, and absorbed into the Stagecoach Group as Stagecoach in Swindon in 1993.

Bus Station and Fleming Way

Original Bus Station

Before 1966 Swindon had no bus station, and buses departed from street stops in and around Regent Circus. The first Bus Station was opened in 1966 on the site of the Tram station in Corporation Street. Following expansion it eventually took up most of the land between Manchester Road and Fleming Way.

The main Bus Station area was demolished in the 1980s on construction of the current facility, with the old site being redeveloped into office accommodation now used by Zurich Financial Services.

Existing Bus Station

Constructed in the 1980s adjacent to the former site of Thamesdown Transport's garages, the current Bus Station consists of a number of bays with an adjacent Multi-storey car-park.

It pre-dominantly acts as a Terminus for buses serving destinations outside of the Swindon Urban Area or non-frequent services. It is also used as a Coach Station, with services for National Express, Megabus and international services leaving from here.In recent years, following increased immigration from Eastern European countries, regular services to Poland have been introduced.

Redevelopment of area

In 2004, Swindon Borough Council announced the proposed redevelopment of the Town Centre area including the Bus Station.Cite web|url=http://www.swindonweb.com/life/newswindonplans.htm|title=Plans for New Swindon unveiled|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=swindonweb.com|year=2004|work=Swindon Report] Thamesdown Transport moved from their Corporation Street home to a new facility at Barnfield in 2005,Cite web|url=http://www.swindonoffice.com/articles/newbusdepot05.htm|title=Thamesdown Transport unveil modern new bus depot |accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=swindonoffice.com|year=2005] with the land earmarked for conversion to commercial properties. As well as town centre offices, the project area also makes provision for housing, shops, cafes and restaurants.Cite web|url=http://www.swindonweb.com/life/newswindon_busdepot.htm|title=Second piece of New Swindon Jigsaw falls into place|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=swindonweb.com|year=2004|work=Swindon Report] The plans announced would lead to the demolition of all buildings in this area, including the current Bus Station,Cite web|url=http://www.newswindon.co.uk/pdfs/6.pdf|title=The Exchange|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=The New Swindon Company|author=CB Richard Ellis Limited|work=New life for New Swindon|format=pdf] and also the change in use of Fleming Way to public transport use only. A new Bus Station development is part of the proposal.Cite web|url=http://www.newswindon.co.uk/pdfs/6.pdf|title=The Exchange|accessdate=2007-01-30|publisher=The New Swindon Company|author=CB Richard Ellis Limited|work=New life for New Swindon|format=pdf]

Use of Fleming Way

Bus stands were erected in Fleming Way with a subway under the road linking Northbound and Southbound stops. This area is used as a major through-stop by services traversing the town that are operated by Thamesdown Transport or Stagecoach in Swindon.

Routes

"For detailed information on a service, please see the relevant operators article"

Operators

Andybus

Andybus provides services to Wootton Bassett, Malmesbury, Chipping Sodbury and Yate from the Bus Station.

APL Travel

APL Travel provide services to Wootton Bassett, Lydiard, Minety, Ashton Keynes and Cirencester from the Bus Station.

Coachman

Coachman provide services to Wantage from the Bus Station.

First Somerset & Avon

First Somerset & Avon provide services to Trowbridge from the Bus Station.

Hatts Coaches

Hatts Coaches provide services to Chippenham and Cirencester from the Bus Station.

Megabus

Megabus provide low-cost bus services to Cheltenham, Gloucester and London from the Bus Station.

National Express

National Express provide nationwide coach travel from the Bus Station.

tagecoach in Hampshire

Stagecoach in Hampshire provide services to Andover. Services terminate in the Bus Station

tagecoach in Oxford

Stagecoach in Oxford provide services to Carterton and Witney. Services terminate in the Bus Station.

tagecoach in Swindon

Stagecoach in Swindon operate in West and North Swindon and in rural areas. The company also provides the Night Bus services. Services terminate at both the Bus Station and Fleming Way.

Thamesdown Transport

Thamesdown Transport operate the majority of Swindon's urban services and school buses. They also provide the Park and Ride services, Hospital Express (for the Great Western Hospital) and contract lunchtime link services to companies such as Thames Water. Services terminate at both the Bus Station and Fleming Way.

Wilts & Dorset

Wilts & Dorset operate services to Avebury, Marlborough, Pewsey and Salisbury from the Bus Station.

Weavaway Travel

Weavaway Travel provide services to Wantage, Aldbourne, Hungerford and Marlborough from the Bus Station.

Fares

The majority of tickets purchased on Thamesdown Transport and Stagecoach in Swindon services are honoured by both operators.For more information on fares and tickets offered, refer to the individual operators' article.

ee also

*Transport in Swindon

Notes

External links

* [http://www.swindonbus.info Swindon Borough Council public transport homepage]
* [http://www.swindonweb.com/parkride/ Swindon Park and Ride]
* [http://www.showbus.co.uk/gallery/boc/scptd.htm EFE Showbus photo gallery] - Swindon Corporation Passenger Transport Department and Thamesdown Transport