The 31st March is the 14th anniversary of Plymothian Transit so the PCTPG are running a free service using some of their Atlanteans. Actually the free service is for the Plym Valley Railway running day (details here) but I will take the coincidence!
The timetable for the free bus service is as follows:
So if you fancy a ride you know where to be on Sunday 31st!
Plymouth Citybus has posted its Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2018. I wont go into the full financial details here as its a lot of dry numbers - but they are available for those that wish to view them.
The interesting bits from a quick reading are..
Future developments
Revenue, operating profit and the number of passenger journeys, schedule adherence and route costing analysis are some of the key financial performance indicators used. Other performance indicators measured and monitored by management include customer satisfaction, employee engagement surveys alongside the more traditional employee absenteeism and revenue ratios. All making sure that every journey is taken care of.
On the national stage Plymouth Citybus won the 2017 Route One Medium Bus Operator of the Year Award and were highly commended at the National Transport Awards. Local runners up at the Herald Business Awards for Large Business of the Year.
Through several new initiatives, the cash to non-cash passenger income ratio has reduced. The roll out of a new contactless payment system on all vehicles in November 2017 now accounts for 20% of on bus takings. The introduction of a new journey planning and ticket purchase mobile app in February 2017 now has over 11,000 downloads and continues to grow revenue through this channel.
Passenger satisfaction measured by independent body Transport Focus remained at 90%, against a backdrop of increased congestion in the city due to major road work schemes.
During the financial year, sixteen new Enviro 400 City buses, fitted with carbon reduction kits entered service on our flagship route, an investment of £3.5m.
In September 2017 new services were launched, after winning the tender to provide transport to students across Cornwall who would study at the newly built Callywith College.
Following from the successful integration of several leisure related tickets, in October 2017 a new ‘Weekend Wonder' ticket was launched, giving unlimited travel all weekend. In April 2018 a new £1 single fare was introduced for the length of the Easter school holidays, giving those aged 18 and under cheaper travel across the network. This trial saw an increase in passenger numbers of 39.5% and in turn has led to the product being available throughout all school holidays.
The annual employee survey showed engagement went up from 69% to 77%, an industry leading score. Investing in 1-2-1 meetings for all members of the organisation, alongside new communication streams opening up shows continuous improvements year on year.
Future developments
We will continue to invest in our fleet, with the introduction of 9 brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 City buses entering service in the Spring of 2019, of which all are Euro 6 carbon certified vehicles. These buses will be introduced on the core route that links the City Centre to the Hospital. A route with strong passenger growth, in the growth area of the city.
We will continue to break down barriers to bus travel, developing both our App and Contactless payment systems to the next level. Continuing to offer school holiday child £1 single fares, stimulating the market.
Looking at new housing developments and a buoyant student accommodation market to make sure we serve the needs of potential new passengers.
We will be agile, developing bus routes to fit a changing road network in the City, putting the customer at the centre of each decision we make.
The full report can be found at Companies House along with all their other documents or you can view my copy here
Another batch of these fine 400 City buses will be more than welcome, especially on the 42s which I catch quite often. It will also interesting to see what livery / brand they use…
The last week on social media and elsewhere from the local operators and others that you might have missed for the week just gone 9th- 15th March:
Plymouth Citybus: Advance Notice: Part of Mannamead Rd will be closed outbound between 1830 & 0600 on Monday 11th March. City Centre passengers for Mutley Plain should use services 35/35A/40/41/44/61 & 62 only. Passengers for Mannamead Rd should use the service 42A/B/C during the closure. Services 40/41 & 44 will be diverted outbound from Mutley Plain via Peverell & Outland Rd to Manadon Roundabout. Inbound services are not affected. Services 42/A/B/C will be diverted from North Hill via Alexandra Rd, Efford Lane, Torridge Way & the Bluebird to Henders Corner. Inbound services are not affected. Services 27B & 28A will be diverted from North Hill via Alexandra Rd, Efford Lane, Torridge Way to the Bluebird. Lower Compton will only be served on inbound journeys.
Due to operational problems this evening, we are unlikely to be able to operate the following services. Service 41 at 18:30. Service 16 at 19:37. Service 33 at 20:15. Service 21 (Plympton) at 1905. Service 43 at 18:30 & Service 43 at 19:30. We apologise for any inconvenience.
First Kernow: Sorry to say the 9.30 U2 from Falmouth Moor to Redruth will not be running. But we will be running the U2 from Redruth to Falmouth moor at 10.16. Due to a road incident, the 96 service from Wadebridge to Delabole will not be serving St Minver, the bus will be operating via Rock, Polzeath and then Porth Isaac. Service U4 18.15 from Longdowns to Penzance has broken down with electrical problems engineering are attending. Service M6 20.20 Penzance to Mousehole and M6 20.41 Mousehole to Penzance will not be running due to driver running out of hours from previous break down on the U4
Stagecoach: Barnstaple #Exeter #Bude Due to roadworks on Exe Bridges service 6 and 6a are suffering delays of up to 90 mins. 1405 6A Exeter -Launceston Will be running 50 mins late due to roadworks.
Plymouth Citybus:
Stagecoach: Exeter Due to a fallen tree in Exton all 57 services will be operating normal service to the George and Dragon then turning left then right towards Woodbury then right in Woodbury square down to pink house corner then normal route to Exmouth. due to operational problems the 09.13 A Service from Alphington to Thornpark rise will not be running. Due to operational problems the 09.58 A service from Thornpark Rise to Alphington will not be running
Falcon: The A38 at Churchill will be closed from Monday 11th March for five nights. Falcon services will divert from Bristol Airport via Downside Road, A370 up to Junction 21 on the M5 then continue normal line of route from Junction 22. Delay caused to the Falcon this afternoon on the A38 Lower Weare due to a power cable being down and our services unable to pass. Emergency services have been informed and we will update you as soon as we know more. due to the earlier issue at Lower Weare the 20:30 departure from Plymouth coach station will be running approx. 15 Min late. Sorry for this delay.
Plymouth Citybus: Serious RTC in Exeter Street outbound, traffic currently backed up to Charles Cross which is going to delay our services, sorry for the inconvenience. Services 21/21A outbound from Royal Parade are being diverted via North Hill and Lipson Vale to Laira, inbound services are unaffected. Sorry for the inconvenience. Services 5, 5A and 51 are being diverted outbound via Sutton Road. Inbound services are unaffected. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Mannamead Rd OUTBOUND will be closed at the exit from Mutley Plain tonight from 1830-0600. Services 42A/B/C will be diverted via Alexandra Rd, Efford Lane to Torridge Way, Bluebird to Henders Corner. Inbound services are not affected. Services 40/41/44 will be diverted via Peverell Park Rd. to Outland Rd and then down onto Manadon roundabout back to normal route. Services 27B/28A will follow a diversion via Efford lane to the Bluebird. Lower Compton will only be served towards the city centre.
First Kernow: Truro college service 215 from holmbush to Truro college has suffered a technical problem, students are advised to catch the other available services to the college. We are sorry to say that we are unable to serve Whitemoor today, this is due to a hole in the road, customers are advised to go to either St Dennis or Nanpean to catch our services. Services 21,22 and 25 are being affected by a lorry stuck under Trewoon bridge, services will be slightly delayed, we will keep you all informed when the situation changes. We have been advised that the bus turning area at Port Isaac is closed between 09.30 till 16.00, please make your way to Silvershell road, by the CO-OP, our buses will be turning at the point. The 35A from Falmouth at 14.37 has been hit by another vehicle near Constantine and is unable to continue it's journey to Helston where it was due at 15.26. Due to the incident involving the 35A this will mean that the 15.37 35 service from Helston Community College is currently not operating. We are endeavouring to source a replacement bus. Service T1 19.30 Camborne to Truro is running 15 mins late due to vehicle break down with none start. Service U1 19.52 Falmouth to Truro is not running as the doors have stopped working engineering are attending. Service U1 20.35 is not running due to previous break down we are sorry
Stagecoach:PLYMOUTH the 13 service from Saltash Passage at 0932 will be running about 15 minutes late. Service 32 is not operating due to a broken down vehicle. Sorry for the inconvenience. BARNSTAPLE: Due to operational issues, the 16:10 21 service to West Meadow road and its return journey will not operate.
Falcon: the 0900 falcon from Plymouth to Bristol is running currently 15 minutes late. The A38 at Churchill will be closed from tonight for five nights. Falcon services will divert from Bristol Airport via Downside Road, A370 up to Junction 21 on the M5 then continue normal line of route from Junction 22. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Due to an accident on Exeter Street outbound the 17.20 Falcon Service will no be able to serve Asda Field as well as Laira Bridge
Plymouth Citybus: Due to an onboard incident we are unable to operate the 19.03 service 42A from Tamerton Foliot to Royal parade. the next service will be the 19.39 service 42B. Our apologies for the non-running of this service .
First Kernow: Good Morning the U2 0615 From Tremough to Redruth is delayed at Comford at the moment due to an accident blocking the road, this will also affect the 0640 from Redruth to Tremough. Service 5 16.30 Penzance to Lower Sheffield and 16.48 Lower Sheffield to Penzance are not running due to vehicle none start in Penzance bus station engineering are attending, Service 5 17.20 will be running but about 15/20 mins late due to previous beak down. U1 19.52 Falmouth to Truro will be running late due to electrical fault with vehicle.
Stagecoach: PLYMOUTH the 0654 2A service from Sugar Mill is not running due to technical difficulties, the 0730 2A service is not running due to technical difficulties, we are sorry for the delays. Service 2A 16.50 from Royal Parade to St. Stephens is not running due to internal issues. TORBAY Service 46 08:40 Exeter - Torquay will be delayed by approx 1 hour due to an RTC on A380 EXETER Due to a breakdown the 10.33 service from High street to Pennsylvania will not be running also the 10.46 return trip from Pennsylvania to High Street will not be running
Falcon: the 0900 falcon from Plymouth is currently running 45 minutes late due to technical difficulties. The 15.00 Falcon service will be delayed by 45 min due to a technical issue. The 15.40 Falcon Service from Bristol to Plymouth is not running due to a broken down vehicle. The 16.15 falcon service from Plymouth to Bristol Via Exeter is delayed by 30 min The Falcon Service 20.35 from Bristol Airport to Plymouth via Exeter is delayed by 40 min due to a broken down vehicle earlier on this evening.
First Kernow: We are currently unable to serve Whitemoor on the 21, 22 and 222 services until further notice whilst Cormac deal with a hole in the road. We have checked out the route through Whitemoor and at the moment it is still open so our 21, 22 and 222 services will resume service to the village until further notice.
Stagecoach: BARNSTAPLE Due to operational difficulties the 0710 19 Roundswell to Hospital will be 10 mins late. Due to a breakdown the 0755 11c will be 10 mins late. Sorry for any inconvenience Due to a breakdown the 1226 75 Londonderry Farm to Torrington will be delayed 45mins. 1435 15a service from appledore will not operate due to a breakdown, and will not operate until further notice 1433 75a service from Torrington to Londonderry farm will be operating 45 minutes late due to a breakdown,EXETER due to a breakdown the 07.45 970 from Topsham to St Peters school will be running approx 15 minutes late. Due to a planned protest we are experiencing severe delays to the majority of our services within the city. Due to a fallen tree on A377 near Newton St Cyres we are currently experiencing delays to 5/5A/5B/5C services. Due to a planned protest we are experiencing severe delays to the majority of our services within the city. Protestors are now in Heavitree! Tree now been cleared on A377 but there is now an RTC in Newton St Cyres causing more delays to 5/5A/5B/5C services.
Exeter City Council:
Proposals to unlock new employment land by widening a vital road near Exeter Airport and creating a dedicated bus and cycle link have been approved by Devon County Council https://t.co/vknwiEDkOT @flybe @HeartofSWLEP @EEDEnterpriseZ @eastdevon pic.twitter.com/Wg0Sgh5uVX
— Devon County Council (@DevonCC) March 13, 2019
Plymouth Citybus: Due to a breakdown, we are unable to operate the 0800 service 28A from Asda to the city centre. We apologise for any inconvenience. Multi-Way temporary traffic lights at the junction of Ham Drive & Honicknowle Lane are causing disruption to services 35, 35A, 61 & 62. We apologise for any inconvenience but this is beyond our control. Unfortunately the service 44 departing Royal Parade at 1945 will not be operated, the next Service 44 is due to leave Royal Parade at 2015. Please accept our apologies.
First Kernow: We are sorry to say that the 07.25 219 service from Padstow to Truro has an technical issue, a replacement bus is on its way, this service will run about 30 mins late. Good morning the wind may still be battering Cornwall but all our services across West Cornwall are operational and we'll get you safely to your destination. We'll keep you informed of any issues through the day. L2 Truro to St Keverne is running 50 mins late because of breakdown. We apologise for the late running of the 10.05 L2 from Truro to St Keverne, it is now on route just heading towards Stithians running aprox 50 mins late
Stagecoach: Barnstaple Due to a breakdown the 0710 19 Roundswell to Hospital will be delayed 15 mins. EXETER Due to a operational issue the 07:20 R Service from Rifford Road to the High Street is not operating. Exeter due to a operational issue the 07:43 F service from Savoy Hill to the High Street is not operating. PLYMOUTH the 3 service from Frogmore to Kingsbridge at 0725 is not running due to technical difficulties. update on the F service.This service will be back in operation at 08:06 at St Thomas travelling towards Exwick. Due to operational problems the 08.38 F1 service from the High Street to Savoy Hill will not be running. Due to operational problems the 09.00 F1 from Savoy Hill to Exwick will not be running. Due to a breakdown the 1135 Appledore to Bideford will not Operate. Will restart at 1204 East The Water. Sorry for any inconvenience. The 1332 21 service from Barnstaple bus station to Georgeham is not running due to a bus breakdown. Due to an Accident at Derriford Hospital Service 1 Tavistock and 101 P&R will be slightly delayed. Due to an accident at Derriford Hospital our Services can not access the allocated Stops close to the Main entrance. EXETER Due some issues, the 1542 E service is not running off of Exwick towards Lancelot Rd. due to a police incident, we cannot currently serve North Tawton. The closest we can currently get is Strawberry Fields for the time being. Please catch your 5A and 5B bus from here.
Falcon: The 14.00 Falcon Service from Plymouth Coach Station will be delayed by 30 min due to an incident on the A38. The Falcon due to leave Plymouth at 23:00 is running 15 Minutes late, sorry for the Delay.
#Plymouth @FlySWFalcon Shaun is our Falcon Driver of the Month for February! Our Plymouth OM presents him with his certificate. Congratulations Shaun, keep up the good work! pic.twitter.com/KF11rfdb9D
— Stagecoach SouthWest (@StagecoachSW) March 14, 2019
Network Rail Western:
Train performance on the Western route has reached a 7-year high.
— Network Rail Western (@networkrailwest) March 14, 2019
Tim Ball, Western route’s chief operating officer explains: “We recognise that it’s only an improvement and there's a lot more to do.”
Find out about our commitment to continued improvement below. pic.twitter.com/84sGevGJoN
Plymouth Citybus: Due to a breakdown, we are unable to operate the service 34, 0915 from Derriford Hospital to the city centre. Due to a breakdown we are unable to operate the service 42, 1052 inbound from Derriford Hospital. We apologise for any inconvenience. The service 12B, 1125 from Launceston to Bude has broken down. Engineers are on the way but this service will run very late. This will also impact it's next journey, the service 12B, 1230 from Bude. Due to a fallen tree at Efford Lane, the service 9 is diverted outbound via Mutley & Lower Compton. The service 8 is currently able to continue as normal. Unfortunately we are not able to run the service 21A from Royal Parade departing at 2240 owing to a breakdown of the vehicle. The next Service will leave at 2303.
First Kernow: We are sorry to say that the 06.30 service 22 from St Austell to Truro will not be running due to a technical issue. Good Morning from Eden, all buses have left the depot, apologies for the failure of service 22 at 0630 due to the vehicle developing a technical fault. The L1 From porthleven is running 30 minutes late to redruth, which will be a knock on effect running from redruth to the lizard. everthing else is running on time. Due to an earlier vehicle problem the L1 from The Lizard due to depart at 10.28 is currently running 40 mins late just leaving Ruan Minor towards Mullion and Redruth
Stagecoach: due to a police incident, we cannot currently serve North Tawton. The closest we can currently get is Strawberry Fields for the time being. Please catch your 5A and 5B bus from here. Due to a breakdown the 08.33 A service from Alphington to Thornpark Rise will not be running. Due to a break down the 09.22 A service from Thornpark rise Alphington will not be running. Due to a breakdown the 10-00 A service from Alphington to High Street will not be running normal service will be picked up from High Street onward. Due to a breakdown the 09.30 X38 from Plymouth to Exeter is currently running approximately 30 mins late. unfortunately The service 3 from Kingsbridge (09:40) to Plymouth is currently not operating due to a mechanical fault, our engineering team are on route. 11:00 155 from South Molton will be operating 20 minutes late due to a breakdown, sorry for any inconvenience. 15a 1135 service from Appledore will not be running due to a breakdown, subsequent services will most likely be affected until further notice. Due to Protesters in Paris Street we are experiencing delays to our services around town.
Monday 11th March: Plymouth Live
A brazen man and a woman reportedly stripped off and had SEX in front of passengers on a National Express coach as it traveled along the motorway through Devon. The nude romp happened after 10pm on Monday, March 4, and the pair involved had met for the first time on the near 10 hour long service from Manchester to Exeter
The weekly look at service changes across Devon & Cornwall. As usual you can click on the licence number links below to go straight to the route page for more detailed information and full history. There is not a lot happening at the moment…
The following service changes are planned for this coming week 18th - 24th March 2019:
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes |
| PH1020951.099 | 985 | Exwick | St James School | 18-Mar-2019 | To extend to First & Last Traveline Timetable: 985 Whipton St James School - Exwick - St Thomas Traveline Map: 985 Whipton St James School - Exwick - St Thomas |
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes |
| PH1145790.009 | 630 | Northlew Square | Okehampton, Market Street | 21-Mar-2019 | Revised route and timetable. Traveline Timetable: 630 Hatherleigh - Northlew - Okehampton Traveline Map: 630 Hatherleigh - Northlew - Okehampton |
The following forthcoming changes have been registered over the last week
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes |
| PH0000135.100 | 21 21A | Barne Barton | Barne Barton | 07-Apr-2019 | To restore the standard service following road works. |
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes |
| PH1017984.089 | 359 | Moretonhampstead | Exeter Bus Station | 29-Apr-2019 | Changes to route |
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes |
| PH0005305.068 | Sidmouth Hopper () | Manor Road Car Park | Kings Down Tail, Holiday Park | 25-May-2019 | Daily service until 1 September 2019 Hourly |
