Devon General Remembered

DGOT buses at Devon General Remembered event in Tiverton

Four buses from the Devon General Omnibus Trust’s collection took part in the ‘Devon General Remembered’ running day at Tiverton on Sunday 5th September 2021. The event was organised by the Devon General Society.

Making its public debut was 1957 Weymann-bodied AEC Reliance VDV 798, the restoration of which had only been completed a few days earlier. The event was also the first opportunity for the Trust’s 1953 AEC ‘Light Six’ ETT 995 to carry members of the public since its acquisition earlier in the year. Completing the DGOT’s line-up were its 1952 AEC Regent III NTT 661 and 1957 AEC Regent V VDV 817.

Peter Murnaghan, DGOT’s chairman, said “We are incredibly grateful to our volunteer Sam Merrifield for leading 798’s four-year restoration and for pulling out all the stops to get the bus ready in time. In total our buses carried over 500 passengers during the day, bringing back some great memories of the Devon General services in and around Tiverton.”

All photos © Russell Ayre used with permission

Devon & Cornwall Transit 2021 Week 36

It is time for the usual weekly look back on what has been published on the Registered Local Bus Services site over the last week. As always click through for more details including timetables and maps.

It continues to be busy with almost all of these being changes that have already happened, some of which have already been superseded. It really is next to impossible to keep up these days.

• Stagecoach: A few special event registrations from August.
• Travel Cornwall (Summercourt) a few new timetables
• First Kernow (First South West) Lots of changes most from last weekend, but quite a few services suspended in July – some of these have been resumed since, but the registrations have yet to catch up. One of the main features is the renumbering of most if not all of the college services from the 200’s to all sorts of numbers!
• MD Buses (Linden) – another of the Exeter changes after the new Bus Station opened back in July.

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes	OPERATOR
PH1020951.345	1	Plymouth, Royal Parade	Tavistock	18-Aug-2021	To operate a 2300 departure to Tavistock for the Plymouth Fireworks Championships.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1011427.084	23	St. Austell, South Street.	Gorran Haven Car Park.	06-Sep-2021	timetable change	SUMMERCOURT TRAVEL LTD
PH0004983.504	24	Fowey Safe Harbour Hotel	Mevagissey/Lost Gardens of Heligan	05-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.196	27	Truro College Bus Park	St Austell Bus Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.505	27	Bodmin Asda	St Austell Bus Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.501	87 86	Newquay Manor Road	Truro Bus Station	12-Jul-2021	Temporary change to timetable due to corona virus.  Service D3 will not run.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.498	91	Truro College Bus Park	Newquay, Bus Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH1020951.031	95	Exeter	Sandy Bay (Devon Cliffs)	26-Sep-2021	Revised timetable to hourly	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0004983.581	100 200 300	Penzance Bus Station	Truro College	09-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable. Renumbered from 239	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.461	220	St Dennis Pharmacy	Truro College	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable. 222 renumbered to 220	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.575	270 - 274	Mevagissy, Fowey, St Austell	Truro College	07-Sep-2021	Revised route and timetables. 270 replaces 223, 271/272 replaces 215, 273 replaces 214 274 replaces 216.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.404	271 272	Callington, New Road	St Austell, Trinity Street	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable. 228 renumbered to 271. Additional service 272	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.587	390	Camborne Bus Station	Penwith College	09-Sep-2021	250 renumbered to 390 with no changes to the timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.454	400	Portreath Beach Car Park	Truro College	08-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable.   243 renumbered to 400	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH1011427.013	408	Summercourt Bus Garage	Old Cattle Market, Trekenning Road	22-Sep-2021	Timetable variation	SUMMERCOURT TRAVEL LTD
PH1011427.099	423	Summercourt Bus Garage	Gorran Haven Holiday Park, Boswinger	24-Sep-2021	Timetable changes.. New timetable on Traveline from 5 September 2021?	SUMMERCOURT TRAVEL LTD
PH1011427.093	499	Tregony Square, Ladock	Summercourt, London Inn	24-Sep-2021	Timetable variation	SUMMERCOURT TRAVEL LTD
PH0004983.368	500	Truro College	St Mawes Car Park	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     227 renumbered to 500	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH2008096.008	647	Market Entrance, Co op, Hatherleigh	Sidwell Street	30-Jul-2021	Termination and return point changed from Exeter Bus Station to Sidwell Street.	LINDEN HOLDINGS (DEVON) LTD
PH0004983.577	660	Brill, Hillcrest	Truro College	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH1020951.349	819	Bude, Splash Centre	Atlantic Academy	06-Sep-2021	Schooldays only, one journey in each direction	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0004983.188	850	TRURO COLLEGE	NEWQUAY RAILWAY STATION	06-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable     Service number changed from 224, 225 and 226 to 850.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.195	890	Bodmin/ Summercourt	Truro College	06-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     211 and 223 renumbered to 890	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.410	890	Launceston, Westgate Street	Victoria Cornwall Services	06-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     211 renumbered to 890	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.202	900 950	St Columb Major	Truro College	06-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     212 and 213 renumbered to 900 and 950.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.406	900 950	Wadebridge Bus Station	Kingsley Village Shopping Centre	06-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable and route.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.407	950	Boscastle, Car Park	Wadebridge Bus Station	06-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     212 renumbered to 950	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.599	D1 (D2)	Eden Project Bus Station	Newquay Bus Station	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.600	D3	Eden Project Bus Station	Perranporth, Perran Sands	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.601	D4	Eden Project Bus Station	Truro, outside Truro College	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.602	D5	Eden Project Bus Station	Lost Gardens of Heligan/ Mevagissey	12-Jul-2021	Temporary timetable variation due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.603	D6 (D7)	Eden Project Bus Station	Lost Gardens of Heligan	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.604	D8	Eden Project Bus Station	Fowey Safe Harbour Inn	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.605	D9 (D10)	Eden Project Bus Station	Looe Tregoad Park/ Polperro Crumplehorn /Lanhydrock	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.606	D11	Eden Project	Padstow Old Station Car Park	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH1020951.346	GOLD	Plymouth, Royal Parade	Ivybridge	18-Aug-2021	To operate a 2320 departure to Ivybridge for the Plymouth Fireworks Competition	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0004983.367	L1 L2	Helston, Blue Anchor	Truro Bus Station	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     234 and 235 renumbered to L1 and L2.	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.447	L1	Redruth Railway station, Poldhu, Mullion, Helston	The Lizard	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable new timetable, running every 2 hours Mondays to Saturdays, with extra buses towards Helston on college days	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.427	L2	Coverack	Helston Blue Anchor	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     235 renumbered to L2	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.589	L3	Helston, Blue Anchor	Truro Rail Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable new timetable, running every 2 hours Mondays to Saturdays	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.610	L5	Helston Tesco	St Ives, Malakoff Bus Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable new timetable, running every 2 hours Mondays to Saturdays	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.170	Land's End Coaster	PENZANCE Bus Station	LANDS END	09-Sep-2021	Variation to include two new journeys on college days only. two new journeys will run on college day mornings between Sennen Cove, Porthcurno, St Buryan, Newlyn and Penzance	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.172	The Mousehole	PENZANCE Bus Station	MOUSEHOLE	05-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable and route description.    M6 renamed to The Mousehole the Mousehole has a new timetable with minor changes, and buses will no longer show M6 on the front	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.612	S1	Newquay, Tresillian Barton, Dairyland	Pentire Headland	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.613	S2	Trevarrian, opp Travellers Rest	Pentire Headland	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.614	S3	RAF St Mawgan	Pentire Headland	12-Jul-2021	Temporary suspension of service due to Coronavirus	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.174	T1 T2	Penzance, Bus Station/ ST IVES, Malakoff	Truro,  Bus Station/ College	05-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable minor timetable changes, and the T1 serves West Cornwall Shopping Park more often	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH1020951.347	TC1	Bideford	Great Torrington	28-Aug-2021	Special event service for the Torrington Cavaliers. Saturday 28th August only. 4 journeys in each direction	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH1020951.348	TC2	Barnstaple	Great Torrington	28-Aug-2021	Special Event service for the Torrington Cavaliers. Saturday 28th August 2021only. 4 journeys in each direction.	STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
PH0004983.187	U1 U1A U3	FALMOUTH Moor	TRURO Treliske Hospital/NEWQUAY Bus Station	05-Sep-2021	Variation to timetable, some journeys renumbered U1A extends beyond Truro to serve Treliske Hospital, St Agnes (U1A), Perranporth and Newquay up to every 30 mins	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.576	U1X	Falmouth, The Moor	Truro College	07-Sep-2021	Variation to route and timetable.     231 and 232 renumbered to U1X	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
PH0004983.171	U4	Falmouth	Penzance	05-Sep-2021	Variation to U4 timetable.     Addition of U4X	FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED

More so now than ever – please check with the operators web sites before planning to travel – dont rely on any timetables on these pages as things are changing almost daily at the moment as operators struggle to find enough drivers to run their networks.

Lack of drivers driving the country down

It wont have escaped your attention that the country seems to be very short of drivers at the moment. This is seen in the number of empty shelves in supermarkets, missing products when shopping online and longer delivery times for many online retailers. Of course the bus companies are no exception and are all desperate for drivers.

Plymouth Citybus has always been very good at keeping passengers up to date on Twitter and has now actually set up a page with all the services that are being cancelled currently, trying to space them out across their network:

We are having to make reductions to some of our bus routes with immediate effect. https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes-bus-services

This is due to challenges we are facing with staff availability, a problem facing many transport operators. We believe this issue will be short term as we move through the current spike of absence and progress the training of over 40 new drivers in our recruitment system.

Services affected are:

Monday-Friday

5/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Elburton at: 07.25, 9.25, 10.35, 13.05, 15.25

Removing buses running from Elburton to Royal Parade at: 7.35, 9.55,  11.05, 13.35, 15.55

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Callington Road (Saltash) at: 8.10, 14.10

Removing bus running from Callington Road (Saltash) to Royal Parade at: 8.40, 14.40

8/9

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Torridge Way at: 11.22, 15.32, 16.17, 18.15

Removing buses running from Torridge Way to City Centre at: 11.34, 15.52, 16.37, 18.30

16

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Kings Tamerton at: 8.25, 15.55

Removing buses running from Kings Tamerton to Royal Parade at: 8.48, 16.18

21/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Barne Barton at: 7.05, 9.35, 13.35, 16.55, 19.30, 21.45

Removing buses running from Barne Barton towards Royal Parade at: 7.34, 10.04, 14.04, 17.28, 22.08

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Plympton at: 8.15, 10.45, 14.45, 15.35, 18.20, 22.40

Removing buses running from Plympton towards Royal Parade at: 8.54, 11.21, 15.21, 16.14, 18.49, 23.12

27

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Deer Park at: 10.30, 11.30

Removing buses running from Deer Park towards Royal Parade at: 10.48, 11.48

28/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Crownhill at: 9.15, 9.45

Removing buses running from Crownhill towards Royal Parade at: 9.45, 17.25

40

Removing bus running from Royal Parade towards Southway at 13.25

Removing bus running from Southway towards Royal Parade at: 13.56

42

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Mainstone at: 6.45, 8.50, 11.50, 15.50, 17.55

Removing buses running from Mainstone towards Royal Parade at: 7.37, 9.45, 12.45, 16.50, 18.45, 19.58

Removing bus running from The Ship towards Mainstone at 19.21

42A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Tamerton Foliot at: 12.00, 18.05, 20.30

Removing buses running from Tamerton Foliot towards Royal Parade at: 12.49, 18.49, 21.13

42C

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Woolwell at: 13.40, 15.10, 16.40, 22.00

Removing buses running from Woolwell towards Royal Parade at: 14.21, 15.56, 17.26, 22.49

43

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Ernesettle at: 10.15, 12.15, 14.15, 17.05

Removing buses running from Ernesettle towards Royal Parade at: 10.47, 12.47, 14.53, 17.38

50

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Derriford Hospital at: 9.25, 11.05, 12.05, 14.25, 16.05

Removing buses running from Derriford Hospital to Royal Parade at: 10.20, 15.20, 17.05

61

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Transit Way at: 7.05, 14.35

Removing bus running from Transit Way to Royal Parade at 15.10

You can see all current timetables on our website or via the Plymouth Citybus app, and can contact our Customer Experience Team on 01752 662271

We’ve tried to focus our resources on routes which get students to school, key workers to their jobs, and patients and visitors to healthcare, but we know that this will cause inconveniences for some of you, for which we apologise. We’re working to get more drivers on the road, and are actively recruiting and training. The driver shortage has been compounded by delays at the DVLA, slowing down the paperwork we need before someone can drive for us.

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, you can find out more here: https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/careers

Stagecoach are also having major problems

Thursday 9th September 2021

The following journeys will not operate:

Exeter

A From  Alphington 0646, 0811, 0941, 1111, 1241, 1411, 1541, 1712

From  Thornpark Rise 0620, 0739, 0903, 1033, 1203, 1333, 1503, 1633, 1803

E From  Exwick 0625, 0705, 0753, 0902, 0959, 1059, 1159, 1259, 1359, 1503, 1607, 1710, 1818

From  City Centre 0610, 0650, 0741, 0840, 0940, 1040, 1140, 1240, 1340, 1440, 1540, 1640, 1750

F2 From  Summerway 0755, 0920, 1050, 1220, 1350, 1520, 1650, 1820,

From  City Centre 0740, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800

F2 From  Savoy Hill 0627, 0655, 0725, 0835, 1005, 1135, 1305, 1435, 1605, 1735, 1900

From  City Centre 0612, 0640, 0710, 0815, 0945, 1115, 1245, 1415, 1545, 1715, 1845,

K From  Science Park 0746, 0846, 0948, 1048, 1148, 1248, 1348, 1448, 1558, 1648, 1748, 18458, 2005

From  City Centre 0720, 0820, 0920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1830, 1930

GREEN From  Matford P&R 0745, 0925, 1649, 1845,

From  Sowton P&R 0833, 1002, 1615, 1755, 1920

R From  Rifford Road 0735, 0810, 0850,0930, 1010, 1050, 1130, 1210, 1250, 1330, 1410, 1450, 1530, 1610, 1650, 1730, 1810

From  City Centre 0750. 0832. 0912. 0950, 1030, 1110, 1150, 1230, 1310, 1350, 1430, 1510,1550, 1630, 1710, 1750, 1825

S From  Rifford Road 0725, 0800, 0840, 0920, 1000, 1040, 1120, 1200, 1240, 1320, 1400, 1440, 1520, 1600, 1640, 1720, 1800

From  City Centre 0742, 0822, 0902, 0940, 1020, 1100, 1140,1220, 1300, 1340, 1420, 1500, 1540, 1620, 1700, 1740, 1820

J From  Tesco Superstore 0717, 0817, 0917, 1017, 1117, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1605, 1710, 1810

From  City Centre 0652, 0754, 0855, 0955, 1055, 1122, 1222, 1322, 1422, 1522, 1630, 1736, 1835

57 From  Exeter 0640, 0710, 0740, 0815, 0905, 0930, 1000, 1045, 1130, 1200, 1230, 1315, 1400, 1430, 1505, 1550, 1635, 1705, 1740, 1825

From  Exmouth  0523, 0715, 0728, 0802, 0833, 0918, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1150, 1235, 1305, 1335,  1420, 1504, 1534, 1613, 1658, 1750, 1816, 1842

Torbay                

12           From     Paignton Bus Station      13:27:00,09:08,12:35,14:35,15:22

12           From     Brixham               14:10:00,07:50,10:40,13.00,10:10,14:30,10:30,12:50,15:00,18:00,12:00,17:30,14.30,

12           From     Cary Parade        08:01,

12           From     Newton Abbot  14:30:00,08:50,11:30,16:30,10:40,13:30,16:00

12           From     Torquay Harbour             09:47,

12           From     Newton Rd Asda              06:55, 09:20,

13           From     Newton Rd Asda              12:51:00,14:05

13           From     Brixham               14:00

22           From     Dawlish warren                11:05

22           From     St Marychurch   115:35,18:30,

22           From     Torquay Strand 11:20:00,

22           From     Paignton Bus Station      09/01/1900  09:03:12,13:46,

22           From     South Devon College     14:23,17:03,

23           From     Paignton Bus Station      15:48,16:13,16:53

23           From     South Devon College     15:53,16:33,17:13

32C         From     Grammar School              16:05

77           From     Sherborne Rd    8:52

35A        From     Torquay Harbour             11:40,13:00

35C         From     Torquay Harbour             06:27,07:00,11:40,13:00

FOX        From     Paignton Bus Station      11.00,11.30

North Devon

21           From     Barnstaple - Westward Ho!       0545,

From     Westward Ho! - Barnstaple       0630,

From     Barnstaple - Ilfracombe                0732, 1325,

From     Ilfraocmbe - Barnstaple                0820, 1420,

21A        From     Barnstaple - Appledore               0706, 0740, 0910, 0940, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1340,

From     Appledore - Barnstaple               0809, 0839, 1009, 1039, 1109, 1209, 1309, 1409, 1439,

10/10A  From     Barnstaple - Gorwell      1155, 1455, 1525,

From     Gorwell - Barnstaple      1202, 1502, 1532,

11A/11C               From     Barnstaple - Whiddon Valley    0755, 0835, 0915, 0955, 1035, 1115, 1155, 1235, 1315,

From     Whiddon Valley - Barnstaple    0811, 0853, 0933, 1011, 1053, 1133, 1211, 1253, 1333,

Plymouth

101         From     George P&R       07:30 07:45 09:00 09:22 10:22 10:37 11:37 11:52 12:52 13:07 13:22  14:22 14:37 15:37 15:52 17:00 18:05 18:25 19:15

101         From     Royal Parade     07:05 08:10 08:30 09:45  10:00 11:00 11:15 12:15 12:30 12:45 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:00 15:15  15:45 16:15 16:30 17:15 17:45 18:00 18:45 19:45

1              From     Tavistock             05:50  08:05 10:00 11;15 12:00 13:30 14:45 15:45 17:10 18:20

1              From     Royal Parade     06:10 06:51 09:08 09:51  10:51 11:51 12:06 12:51 14:21 15:51 16:42

2              From     Mount Batten   07:53 09:20 10:20 11:00 11:40 12:00  12:40 13:00 14:00 14:20 15:20 6:43 17:03 17:38 18:00  18:30 18:53  19:23 20:23 21:23 23:23

2              From     St Stephens        06:32 09:03 10:22 10:42  12:02 12:42 13:42 14:02 16:24 16:44 17:25 18:04 19:23 20:18 22:18

2A           From     Sherford              07:42 08:22 09:10  11:30 11:50 12:10 13:50 14:10 15:10 15:22  15:51 16:12 16:53 17:14 17:44  17:54 18:13 18 :41 19:53

2A           From     Saltash 06:20 07:36  08:51  09:31 10:10 10:30 12:50  13:10  13:50 14:30 14:50  15:10 15:51 16:12 16:31  17:05 17:51 18:11 18:52 19:15 19:46

Falcon   From     Plymouth            02:00 am 05:00 am

Falcon   From     Bristol   6:30 am 10:00 am

There is a similar list for Friday 10th on the same page

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/08/2021-17:43:03:382

Of course with all of this going on you can expect any competent government to be doing its best to get things moving and put into place a proper well thought out plan to help operators. Sadly however we do not have a competent government in this country so good luck…

Of course they blame covid for all of this, and I am sure covid certainly plays its part in making things worse – however covid exists all around the world at the moment – and nowhere else seems to having the same chronic staff shortages as we are.