Excellent video. On time as this was a Pulhams service ( now part of Oxford Bus Co/ Go Ahead Group) and not a service provided by the incompetents from Stagecoach West in Gloucester/ Cheltenham. I see what you say about the 94 service. You should try the 97/98 service. I am a regular traveller on that bus boarding / alighting at Brookfield Road. The service from Cheltenham is usually on time but that from Gloucester is always late for no apparent reason. Couple of weeks ago the service I was on, already running 20 mins late stopped at the Rotunda in Cheltemnham and the driver go out and went to do his shopping in the Co-op next to the Ivy ! Beggars belief. I can never understand why the Service S2 from Oxford to Cheltenham and return, run by the excellent team from Stagecoach Oxford in Witney is always on time give or take 5 mins or so for a 45 mile journey despite the traffic problems in Oxford, the difficulty in circumnavigating the road through Northleach and the approach to Cheltenham.
Hi, thanks for the comment! I've tried the 97 route before while the 97/98 routes were merged due to a diversion. On the day I used it it was quite quiet, while there were large queues for the 94/94X, and it seems to be relatively ok, albeit with occasional major issues as you mentioned but that just seems to be Gloucester depot to be frank. Personally I've found the 33 from Gloucester to Ross-on-Wye (then Hereford) to be absolutely dreadful departing Gloucester, with drivers often coming out to start the route long after due departure time, before we even count getting the passengers on, paying and reversing... while a 22/23 is usually sitting next to it with the driver there ready and waiting 15 minutes early. A 33 bus I used the other day didn't even start moving from Gloucester Transport Hub until 17 minutes after the departure time! With no apology or clear reason. And yes, agreed, other companies and even Stagecoach depots always seem to do it better. But Gloucester and Cheltenham in particular seem to have had major punctuality issues as of late. I'm glad the services aren't being cancelled anymore, but the issues are absolutely still there. I won't win any friends in Stagecoach enthusiast groups for saying it, but this is the reality for everyday users and has been for far too long now.
Thanks for the reply which confirms my suspicions about Stagecoach West in Gloucester/ Cheltenham. I have only praise for Stagecoach Oxford from the Witney depot. @@herefordbuses
