Wiltshire Day Rover - new multi-operator bus ticket

[whole diary]

[Trowres]

Perhaps the word "unique" is inappropriate. Wiltshire also has a multi-operator ticket:
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/publictransport/busservices/dayroverticket.htm

Unfortunately Wiltshire Council has done an "ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies see - here)" and the quoted leaflet isn't online. There is an outdated leaflet on the Thamesdown site at:
http://www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk/uploaded_files/1431/images/dayrover.pdf.
Assuming the the validity hasn't changed, one could theoretically travel from Bath to Southampton with this ticket.

[bobm]

Swindon has a DayRider ticket which is valid on both Thamesdown and Stagecoach services.  Interestingly if you buy the ticket on a Stagecoach Bus it is ^3.20 - 30p cheaper than if you buy it on a Thamesdown service!

[grahame]

Perhaps the word "unique" is inappropriate. Wiltshire also has a multi-operator ticket:
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/publictransport/busservices/dayroverticket.htm

Unfortunately Wiltshire Council has done an "ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies see - here)" and the quoted leaflet isn't online. There is an outdated leaflet on the Thamesdown site at:
http://www.thamesdown-transport.co.uk/uploaded_files/1431/images/dayrover.pdf.
Assuming the the validity hasn't changed, one could theoretically travel from Bath to Southampton with this ticket.

Details of the Wiltshire ticket:  

I've previously been advised (by First, phone enquiry) that on First buses, it's valid to the outskirts of Bath on the 272, and you need to get an extra ticket into the centre.  I will follow up further on this - I'm checking another source to confirm

On the Faresaver x72, I'm told this morning that the ticket is valid all the way to the end of the route in the City Centre, but isn't valid for intermediate journeys that don't touch Wiltshire - for example Batheaston into Bath.  If you want to go into Bath on this ticket, breaking your journey at Batheaston, you can't.  Get the bus back out from Batheaston into Wiltshire, then get off and go all the way back in, and you're OK 

This ticket could be a really useful way for Melksham residents who want the freedom to use either company's bus after a day in Bath to buy their ticket, except for the First "outskirts only" thing.  The Faresaver restriction isn't a problem, even though it has some quirky side effects!

[grahame]

I've previously been advised (by First, phone enquiry) that on First buses, it's valid to the outskirts of Bath on the 272, and you need to get an extra ticket into the centre.  I will follow up further on this - I'm checking another source to confirm

Confirmed:

Dear Mr Ellis,

Thank you for your E-Mail. The Wiltshire Day Rover is not valid for travel in and out of Bath, the Wiltshire boundary is Shockerwick Lane on the 271/2/3 route.

If you need anything further please do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this e-mail and quoting the reference:120508

Regards,
First Customer Services

So ... The Wiltshire Day Rover is valid on route X72 into Bath (Faresaver) but on the broadly parallel 272 (First) to can only go as far as Shockerwick Lane - that's a request stop halfway between Box and Batheaston.

That appears to be at varience with the leaflet linked to earlier in this thread, but which we were warned may be out of date, which states for First: All Wiltshire Services, (including to/from Bath and Frome). Also valid on service 158 between Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Mere and Wincanton only.

[westerleigh]

Assuming the the validity hasn't changed, one could theoretically travel from Bath to Southampton with this ticket.

You can definitely do this, I know because I've done it!! 
(X72 to Devizes, 2 to Salisbury, X7 to Southampton)

[bobm]

Made use of the Wiltshire Day Rover for the first time today and it is cracking good value at ^7.50



Bought it on a Thamesdown Bus without fuss and the driver put it in a sealed wallet which meant I was less likely to lose it along with all my other bits and pieces.

Having got my ticket I then got a 52 service which goes to Cirencester, via Royal Wootton Bassett, Purton and Minety.  I learned that from the council website - but none of the bus stops near me where it passes even make mention of it!  Stopped off at Minety than back to Purton on the vehicle's return working from Cirencester.  Then took a Stagecoach bus into the outskirts of Swindon before doubling back to Wootton Bassett on another Stagecoach service.  After a pub lunch (well a pint and crisps) I had the choice of going to Malmesbury or Calne but opted for the latter as the timings were better.  After a brief stop in Calne it was off to Chippenham and then back to Swindon - and all that for ^7.50!

Each bus driver accepted the ticket without question, so the training is in place, and I will contact the council about the lack of service 52 details in the town.  That said the service was quite well used going out from Swindon in mid morning.  Obviously a number of regulars as they knew the driver by name.  One managed to do quite a bit of her knitting on her way to Minety!

A good day out and didn't break the bank!

[swrural]

Regarding the lack of information you mentioned BobM, I am not surprised.  I had a look at Ad Rains coaches and there was no mention of the service whatsoever.   

[bobm]

The only reference I could find was on the council website

http://www.swindonbus.info/tts/052_adr.htm

[Trowres]

The Wiltshire Day Rover leaflet is now available on the Wiltshire website at:
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-transport-wiltshire-day-rover.pdf

[bobm]

Does anyone know if there is an updated version of the leaflet linked to above?  That is dated May 2012 and there have been several changes of operator since then.

[bobm]

To answer my own question - there is a new version.  It is at the printers at the moment.

Here is a copy - http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/day-rover-leaflet.pdf

[bobm]

Swindon Bus have announced on their website that the Wiltshire Day rider is to increase to £10 from £8.50 from 20th March.  Still showing at the old price on the Salisbury Reds and Wiltshire Council websites.

[bobm]

Swindon Bus website has been updated again and puts the new price of the Wiltshire Day Rover as £9.50 rather than £10.00.

[Trowres]

That's better. The range of Wiltshire Day Rover fares will be:
Adults = £9.50
Child  =  £6.30
Senior Citizen (over 60)  =  £6.30
Family (2 adults + 2 children OR  1 adult + 3 children)  =  £25.00

[bobm]

Although this thread seems to be me mainly talking to myself, I thought it was worth giving the Wiltshire Day Rover another plug.

It is now priced at £11 for adults and £7.50 for over 60s.

I went to Cricklade, Royal Wootton Bassett, a local shopping park and three trips to B&Q today.  The individual fares would have cost me £27.20 - so paying £7.50 was a real bargain.