2010- every little helps

Well we have reached the end of the year so I guess now is as good a time as any to look back at how this little blog has performed over the last twelve months.
At the end of last year this site was receiving aprox 4000 visits a month which I thought was amazing. Since August this year it has been over 6000 a month which is even more amazing to me.
So where are these visitors coming from?
Its no surprise that most come from this country but over 10% come from the USA. The third country in the list - Israel!

I can also see that there are small numbers of visitors viewing the site on mobile devices including 29 who are using the Sony PSP - which I didn't realise was possible!
The main referrers to the site are pretty much as expected:
The excellent Omnibuses blog being top with the other local blog - PTOTPA also sending quite a few across. The new Southern England Bus Scene is now sending a fair few too.
It was when I started looking at the most popular posts over the last year (although the count only started in April) that I got the biggest shock as there are three posts which outshine all the others by a considerable margin:
Number 1: Tesco Bus Timetables
Number 2: Citybus timetable changes September 2010
Number 3: The most expensive bus in the world
The top two I can kind of understand as I am sure people were searching for the timetables but the last one is most odd, especially as it dates back to 2007 - and is still ranked in the top five pages most months, indeed its the fifth most viewed posting this week! "Most expensive bus" being the 4th most popular search that has brought people to my site!

One of the joys this last year for me has been the excellent collection of photos from Jos Van Hemert that he has allowed me to use on Plymothian Transit. So we end the year with another of his shots with this fine Atlantean on the X50 taken at the top of my road way back on the 18th July 1987. Appropriately enough it is in the livery of Tesco for their Roborough Superstore.
©Jos Van Hemert: PCB Leyland Atlantean AN 130 - Ply., Keswick Cr - 18-07-1987
So to end 2010 I want to thank all the visitors, especially those that have contributed either through comments or allowing me to use their photos etc. The next post will be looking ahead to what we might expect to see in 2011. Hopefully my crystal ball will work better than it did this time last year! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Related articles

• First Christmas (plymothiantransit.com)
• Its not all cuts (plymothiantransit.com)
• Plymouth Prototype (plymothiantransit.com)

I wish they’d leave it alone

There was one entry on VOSA on 24th December which caught my eye:
PH0004983/396 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between City Centre and City Centre given service number 15 effective from 20-Feb-2011. To amend Route and Timetable.

It does seem that the 15 is getting more than its fair share of changes. It does seem a popular route and it does offer something different to Citybus unlike the other Ugobus routes which were introduced (and now mostly dropped). You cant help but feel that if they left it alone for a while it should grow.
Its a bit early to discover exactly what the planned changes are but surely they cant be cutting it back again? My best guess is they are going to take it back out of Marjon which has been a real pain especially on runs from Mainstone to Derriford. Well I hope its that anyway!
It also appears that the Northern Connect Taxibus is finally coming to an end in the new year too. They are off this week and then it looks like they will be back for the first week in January and then finish altogether. As has been the case with this service right from the beginning, the drivers themselves only seem to hear of these changes at the very last minute so things may yet change but I am not holding my breath.

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The future of the UK's largest municipal bus operator was confirmed just before Christmas, when councillors in Edinburgh wholeheartedly placed their support for Lothian Buses to remain independent for the foreseeable future. A Transport of Delight

2011 will be a momentous year. Some things are certain and others far from it. The bus industry needs to play its part. Omnibuses

From 10 January, the Silver Choice overnight Glasgow-London coach service will become part of First's Greyhound operation with a makeover that will see First compete with National Express and Stagecoach's Megabus services for the overnight Anglo-Scottish express coach service market. A Transport of Delight

No one should ever throw children off a bus because they haven’t the correct—or any—fare. There are (or should be) procedures that involve names, addresses and promises. Omnibuses

One of my favourites was by Willowbrook of Loughborough who supplied Devon General with six new buses in 1966. Busworld Photography

Related articles

• Minor changes (plymothiantransit.com)
• forty eight (plymothiantransit.com)
• Northern Connect Taxibus back up and running (plymothiantransit.com)

Just the ticket?

First Devon and Cornwall have revised their ticket prices for the new year:
From Sunday 9th January 2011 the following prices will apply for First Day, 3Day, Week, Month, 3Month, 6Month and Year tickets:
••• Day •••
FirstDay Plymouth Child £2.50
FirstDay Plymouth Adult £3.30
FirstDay Plymouth Family £7.30
FirstDay Plymouth Plus Child £2.90
FirstDay Plymouth Plus Adult £4.30
FirstDay TavyLinx Adult £6.15
First Day Dartmouth Adult £3.00
First Day Dartmouth Child £2.00
FirstDay Cornwall Adult £7.00
FirstDay Cornwall Child £4.70
FirstDay Penzance Adult £3.45
FirstDay Newquay Adult £3.45
FirstDay Newquay Child £2.30
FirstDay Barnstaple Adult £3.50
FirstDay North Devon Adult £4.00
FirstDay North Devon Child £3.10
FirstDay North Devon Family £12.50
FirstDay Devon Adult £7.00
FirstDay Devon Child £4.70
First Day South West Adult £7.30
First Day South West Child £5.95
FirstDay South West Senior £6.25
First Day South West Family £17.90
All of the above tickets can be purchased from your First driver
••• 3Day •••
First3Day Devon & Cornwall Adult £13.00
First3Day Devon & Cornwall Child £9.00
First3Day Devon & Cornwall Family £26.00

All of the above tickets can be purchased from your First driver

••• Week •••
FirstWeek City Adult £10.50
FirstWeek Plymouth Adult £14.00
FirstWeek Plymouth Child £10.00
FirstWeek Plymouth Plus Adult £19.50
FirstWeek Plymouth Plus Child £14.00
FirstWeek Plymouth Family £42.00
FirstWeek Plymouth Plus Family £47.00
First Week Service 93 Adult £24.00
FirstWeek Dartmouth Adult £14.00
FirstWeek Tavy Linx Adult £25.00
FirstWeek Devon Adult £32.50
FirstWeek Devon Child £21.00
FirstWeek Barnstaple Adult £9.00
FirstWeek North Devon Adult £17.00
FirstWeek North Devon Child £10.40
FirstWeek North Devon Senior £14.00
FirstWeek North Devon Family £45.00
FirstWeek Cornwall Adult £34.00
FirstWeek Cornwall Child £21.00
FirstWeek Newquay Adult £18.00
FirstWeek Newquay Child £12.50
FirstWeek Devon & Cornwall Family £51.00
All of the above tickets can be purchased from your First driver
••• Month •••
FirstMonth Plymouth City Adult £35.00
FirstMonth Plymouth Adult £54.00
FirstMonth Plymouth Child £40.00
FirstMonth Plymouth Plus Adult £70.00
FirstMonth Plymouth Plus Child £47.00
FirstMonth Devon & Cornwall Adult £94.00
All of the above tickets can be purchased from your First driver or from the First Travel shops in Plymouth, Barnstaple, Truro and Penzance. The above prices exclude Season Ticket Replacement Insurance at £2.50 which can be purchased from the First Travel Shops.

••• 3Month •••
First 3 Month Plymouth Adult £150.00
First 3 Month Plymouth Plus Adult £190.00
The above tickets can be purchased from First Travel shop in Plymouth Bus Station or from the George Junction Park & Ride Office. The above prices exclude Season Ticket Replacement Insurance at £7.50 which can be purchased from the Travel Shop or The George at the time of purchasing the 3month pass. These tickets can also be purchased on line at www.firstgroup.com/etickets.
••• 6Month •••
First 6 Month Plymouth Adult £250.00
First 6 Month Plymouth Plus Adult £332.00
First 6 Month Devon & Cornwall Adult £416.00
All of above tickets can be purchased from First Travel shop in Plymouth Bus Station or from the George Junction Park & Ride Office. The First6Month Devon & Cornwall ticket can also be purchased from the First Travel Shops in Barnstaple, Truro and Penzance Bus Station. The above prices exclude Season Ticket Replacement Insurance at £14.00 which can be purchased from the Travel Shop or The George at the time of purchasing the 6month pass. These tickets can also be purchased on line at www.firstgroup.com/etickets.
••• Year •••
First Year Plymouth Adult £540.00
First Year Plymouth Child £405.00
First Year Plymouth Plus Adult £705.00
First Year Plymouth Plus Child £530.00
First Year Devon & Cornwall Adult £780.00
First Year Devon & Cornwall Child £625.00
All of above tickets can be purchased from First Travel shop in Plymouth Bus Station or from the George Junction Park & Ride Office. The FirsyYear Devon & Cornwall tickets can also be purchased from the First Travel Shops in Barnstaple, Truro and Penzance Bus Station. The above prices exclude Season Ticket Replacement Insurance at £25.00 which can be purchased from the Travel Shops or The George at the time of purchasing the FirstYear ticket. These tickets can also be purchased on line at www.firstgroup.com/etickets.
The dog day rider fare will also be changing to 70p.

Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by The Happy Robot

Phew! The first thing that hits me with this list is what a massive list it is. I knew the First Tickets were complicated but didn't realise just how complicated. I am not sure how much of an increase these new prices are but I suspect that most are increases rather than decreases!

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It’s not unheard of. Local transport authority feels the pinch and selects services or journeys from which it wishes to withdraw. Operator decides to take on the risk commercially. Everyone’s happy. And with more & more LTAs contemplating budget savings, they will no doubt be hoping that operators will step in. Omnibuses

My one and only communist Christmas happened 25 years ago in 1985 and, as you can imagine was a fascinating experience. Transport Illustrated

Northern Belle has now returned to operation after her annual refit. This year it has seemed particularly quick, and Northern is looking spectacular again, ready for another season of hard graft. PTOTPA

We’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating: today has become one of the biggest shopping days of the year, even busier that New Year’s Day. This year could be busier still, with VAT on the rise and a certain pent up need for shopping, thanks to pre-Christmas winter weather. Boxing Day used to be a family day and it’s actually a sad indictment of our consumer culture that it is no longer. Omnibuses

Never before have we seen so many unfortunate incidents of coaches overturning on our roads. Two weekends ago yet another Oxford Tube Van Hool Astromega double-deck coach overturned as it existed the M40 at J7 and three days ago a Galloway European 60-reg coach, fully laden with elderly passengers, ended up sideways on the tarmac. A Transport of Delight

I suppose it was the fact that the crash occurred on Christmas Eve. And that the majority if not all the 48-49 passengers aboard were reported as wearing their seat belts and the vehicle remained largely structurally intact. For these reasons, the Norfolk crash, where a brand new 60-reg Mercedes of Coach Marqued Galloway’s ended up on its side, didn’t quite get the media exposure you might’ve expected. No one died. Omnibuses

In the mid-Sixties London Transport tried new bus types including the AEC Swift or named for LT at first the Merlin Busworld Photography

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Its that time again!

Well its finally Christmas Eve so its time to wish all my visitors a very happy Christmas!

I am taking a short break from blogging over the Christmas period but will be back with a couple of postings before the new year. Stay Safe and enjoy the holiday!

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I would like to wish everybody who reads this blog, visits my fotopic site, or uses the First Hants & Dorset website and forum a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2011 Southern England Bus Scene

Of course snowy images are not so effective this year but I'm sure Swiss snow is a more expensive luxury product Busworld Photography

Should you chose to exercise the power of your purse by refusing a particular commodity, the Ethical Consumer website has a long list of boycotted products, ranging from perennials such as Nestlé to newcomer BP, via the likes of Kellogg’s, Shell and Peugeot. No mention that I can see of any bus operators. Omnibuses

What a load of rubbish…

Of course its not just the buses that are having problems...
Difficult road conditions together with continuing freezing temperatures means bin collection services in Plymouth are likely to face further disruptions. Collections have been suspended since Monday due to the weather and road conditions and as the temperatures are not expected to rise above zero, these problems are expected to continue. While some more major roads may be clear, there are still significant problems on secondary roads. Many back lanes and pavements are still frozen solid and are extremely slippery to walk on and pull wheelie bins along. Managers and supervisors are meeting daily to discuss the ongoing situation and the predicted freezing temperatures and are trying to identify where it may be possible to provide a very limited service. Waste and Street Scene Manager Colin Mee said: "We appreciate that the situation is not ideal, but we are doing the best we can in testing circumstances. There are many roads where the ice simply has not melted, which makes life difficult not just for the crews, but too dangerous for the trucks, especially when trying to negotiate back lanes.” As a result of the disruptions and if the icy conditions improve, crews will be asked to report for work this Friday and Bank Holiday Monday (27 December). However, the big freeze is expected to last until at least Bank Holiday Monday. Councillor Michael Leaves, Cabinet Member for Community Services (Street Scene, Waste and Sustainability) said: "We still want people to recycle, but appreciate that space in their recycling bins or green bags could be more of a problem over Christmas. "Squash down the recyclables as much as possible, such as cans and boxes which can be folded. If you have more than a bin load of recyclables, put them in a cardboard box by the side of your recycling bin and we will collect them on this occasion. Avoid putting them in black bin liners if at all possible.” The service will aim to pick up both missed recycling as well as missed normal waste next week. The changes are being made in response to current weather as well as the forecast. It is possible dramatic changes in the weather will again affect the service and we will publish updates on the website and in the local media

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Despite their short lives with London Transport these AEC Merlins and Swifts did not achieve the kind of popularity enjoyed by better buses like the DM Fleetline finding new owners Busworld Photography

Small concerns tend to cite bureaucracy as a determining factor in selling up. The fact that the proprietor is 66 and there’s no family member prepared to take over could be a function of this ever increasing red tape. But it also indicates that there are usually more lucrative and easier ways of making a living without the long hours and marginal rewards associated with coaching. Omnibuses

In the face of defeat, A-Line Coaches was the only company left running today on the Rame Peninsula. PTOTPA

Mobile Library

Something a bit different today with this wonderful shot of former Plymouth City Mobile Library GJY473F

©Plymouth Library Services (Used with kind permission)
I did check with a few colleagues at the Fleet Data Society to see if anyone had any additional info on the make of this fine looking truck and got this back from Paul Creighton:
The chassis is obviously an Austin FGK100. The very handsome, if somewhat impractical, body, however, does not closely resemble anything that I have seen elsewhere. Of the major builders, it bears some resemblance to the products of Cocker of Southport (windshield) and Bailey of Biddulph (dome), but I'm certainly not convinced that it is a product of either concern. It could be a one-off specimen from a coachbuilder not hitherto (or subsequently) noted as a manufacturer of mobile libraries. I did not think that Mumford were still in the coach building business at the time that this was built,but they would be a promising candidate if they were. Local authorities tended to favour local manufacturers as far as possible in those days. One thing's for sure, I wouldn't fancy having to drive it in wet weather, seated a good four feet back from the windshield!

If anyone does have any more information on this library I would love to know more.

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Right well here come all my amazing interesting photos of the snow scenes in Plymouth. Ah wait! I haven't had a bus service since Saturday! PTOTPA

The white Christmas we seem to long has arrived a week early. And in many parts of England, it will no doubt stay till Christmas day and beyond. Omnibuses

Important message

An extra post tonight but its a totally self indulgent one!
Happy Birthday Zak!

Cant believe its EIGHT years already!

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First South Coast use a number of "Connection" brands across the fleet, and a few of them are illustrated below Southern England Bus Scene

It’s not just Stagecoach that’s recently declared it’s in the market to mop up smaller bus operators. Last week, Go Ahead did so, too Omnibuses

Just another quiet morning in Plymouth

Cant be too difficult running a bus company can it? When its like this it can!
05:49: A-LINE COACHES Monday 20th Decemember: Services are suspended due to very heavy snow and black Ice. Updates when we know, if weather gets better. sorry for any inconvenience this might cause but safety comes first.
06:10 CITYBUS We are having difficulty getting information back from our drivers. The foillowing is all we know at the moment. If your service is not listed it will be running but may only be operating on the main roads. These services are affected at the moment.
Services 5 and 5A cannot serve Holmwood Avenue or Oreston
Service 16 unable to serve Kings Tamerton Road
Service 20 not serving St Margarets Road Amados Drive, Cot Hill (Terminating Plymouth Road at bottom of Cot Hill)
Service 28 not serving Charfield drive, Shallowford Road, Culver Way, Austin Crescent (operating Church Hill in both directions)
Service 35 unable to serve Merrivale Road, using Beacon Park Road and Recreation Road instead.
Service 42 not serving Leatfield Drive, operating via Loosleigh Lane
43A turning at the Ploughboy
Service 43B not serving Ringmore Way and Holly Park terminating at Woodford Fort
Service 44 44A unable to serve Whitleigh Green otherwise okay
46/47 cannot serve Lower Compton operating via Henders Corner
Service 50 not serving Keswick Crescent otherwise okay
Service 61 not serving St Pancras Avenue and Coombe Park Lane otherwise okay
Sevice 62A not serving Coombe Park lane, Sheridan Road, Chaucer way (operating Shakespeare Road in both directions
06:29 CITYBUS
Service 59 Due to the overnight snowfall service 59 is suspended until further notice
CITYBUS 06:30 update as above plus
Service 22 unable to serve St Maurice or Wolverwood Lane
Service 31 suspended
06:59 CITYBUS update. The side roads are worse than yesterday following overnight snow and rain. The following is all we know at the moment. If your service is not listed it will be running but may only be operating on the main roads
Services 5 and 5A cannot serve Holmwood Avenue or Oreston and now cannot get to Staddiscombe
40/41 Dunnet Road closed
07:10 CITYBUS update
Service 26 cannot get around Barne Barton turning at the Square
46/47 cannot serve Southway (due to traffic at the George Lights), Lower Compton or Deer Park operating via Henders Corner
Service 42 not serving Leatfield Drive,and now cannot get to Tamerton operating via Loosleigh Lane and turning at Dunnet Road
07:53 FIRST
These routes in Plymouth are operating on main roads only: Service 1/1A not serving Yellowtor Road, St Stephens & terminating at Carkeel Roundabout. Service 2 is operating but disrupted Service 3 is only operating the City to St Budeaux, not serving Barne Barton Service 4 is not serving Station Rd Service 6 is not serving Oreston, it will serve Pomphlett Rd instead ¬ serving Holmwood Avenue
SOUTH DEVON: Service X80/180 not currently operating Services 81/81C not serving Cawsands and Cremyll Services 83/84/86 operating to Yelverton only and are not serving Woolwell or Whitchurch. This service will cease operation around 2000. Services 90/90A - suspended Service 93 - suspended

07:54 CITYBUS
Service 8 and 9 now restricted to Lipson and Laira only. Pike Road and Efford Lane out
08:18 CITYBUS
Service 23 and 24 having to turn at Dartmoor View due to Heathfield Road being blocked
08:45 CITYBUS - its getting worse!
Service 21 turning at the District Centre
Service 23 and 24 turning at Mount Gould hospital <08:44>FIRST
Service 76 is operating to Callington only and not serving Launceston
08:50 CITYBUS (and FIRST) Major problem at Manadon Roundabout with a jack-knifed petrol tanker on the north bound A386 slip road (towards Crownhill) all traffic at a standstill
09:04 CITYBUS
Service 49 will not operate until further notice 09:12 FIRST
SALTASH: Service 33/33A Saltash Circular is currently not operating 09:24 FIRST
TAVISTOCK: Service 87/87A Bere Alston/Bere Ferrers/Tavistock and service 89Tavistock Circular are currently not operating 09:25 FIRST
PLYMOUTH: service 5 (City - Mount Gould) is currently not operating 09:27 FIRST
SOUTH DEVON: Service 48 (City to Wembury) is currently not operating 11:00 FIRST FULL CURRENT POSITION:
Services in Plymouth and South Devon are severely disrupted. Some services in Plymouth and South Devon are operating along the main roads only.

PR1 Plymouth Park and Ride from City to George and Milehouse is operating
PR2 Plymouth Park and Ride from City to Coypool is operating.
Service 1/1A is not serving Yellowtor Road, St Stephens and terminating at Carkeel Roundabout.
Service 2 is operating but disrupted
Service 3 is only operating the City to St Budeaux, not serving Barne Barton
Service 4 is not serving Station Road
Service 6 is not serving Oreston, it will be serving Pomphlett Road instead and not serving Holmwood Avenue
Service 12 to Plympton is operating normal route
Service 15 not serving Mainstone
Service 76 is operating to Callington only and not serving Launceston
Services 83/84/86 Plymouth to Tavistock is operating to Yelverton only and are not serving Woolwell or Whitchurch. This service will cease operation around 2000
Services suspended are as follows.
Service 33/A Saltash Circular
Service X80 Plymouth - Ivybridge " Paignton " Torquay
Service 180 Plymouth " Ivybridge
Service 81/81A/.81C Plymouth " Torpoint " Cremyll
Service 87/A Tavistock- Bere Alston/Bere Ferrers
89 Tavistock Town Service
Services 90/90A Dartmouth Local services
Service 93 Plymouth to Dartmouth and Kingsbridge
North Devon
Services 1/2 are now running a 15 minute service between Barnstaple & Bideford Quay only but not serving Instow, Northam & Westward Ho/Appledore!
Service 4 between Barnstaple & Braunton is now operating normal route and timetable. (Service 3 journeys on to Illfracombe not yet running).
All other services in North Devon are currently suspended This includes
Service 3 Barnstaple - Braunton - Ilfracombe
Service 5 Barnstaple - Landkey/Swimbridge
Service X7 Barnstaple - South Molton
Service X9 Bude - Exeter.
Service 30/32 Ilfracombe - Combe Martin
Service 31 Ilfracombe - Woolacombe
Service 128 Bude Town Service
Service 303 Barnstaple - Woolacombe 10:47 CITYBUS
Plymouth Citybus 40 41 46 and 47 now able to serve Southway fully. Service 42 back into Tamerton but using Loosleigh Lane not Leatfield Drive 11:24 CITYBUS
Service 8 now operating via Pike Road Blandford Road and Mutley Plain. Service 9 turning at Laira roundabout

Hopefully another post later in the day - family time permitting!

Snow!

We don't often get snow in Plymouth, and we certainly haven't had the volume of snow that many places have. Being a Saturday meant for once I had a chance to get out with the camera to see how the buses were getting on...
A rare chance to get a 46 and a 47 coming out of Leigham as the 46 should be going the other way. It actually turned left here and went down Novorossiysk Road, presumably as it could get down the hill at the other end of Leigham at this time. The 47 turned left up the hill but avoided Miller Way and Asda and used Dover Road instead.

Getting back Down to Business

Managed to get an hour in town this week to catch up on a few photos. Citybus have a new advert bus out:

Plymothian Transit in Miniature

I haven't collected model buses for several years now, but there are some lovely new models coming up in the next month or so that look very tempting:
Catalogue No. 34906 Leyland Olympian Coach WESTERN NATIONAL Reg. No. A752 VAF Fleet No. 1802 Working route 83 to Tavistock.
Due January 2011

 

Back in Plymouth

Its ironic that when I took this photo at the Western National Rally in 2007 I added the comment
"Looking very smart - its good to see FDC treating its older buses this way. Cant have that long left in service?"

Sunday Best on Flickr: J375WWK

©Nick Rice: Not a Plymouth allocation at the time of this photo but this ex Volvo demonstrator Lynx 2 was sometimes 'borrowed' by Tavistock outstation

Going Ahead

A week or so ago Omnibuses had a nice little post about the first year of Plymouth Citybus:
Aside from taking the flack at service change time, passenger reaction and perceptions remain largely positive. Moving the new designer enquiry office from the Royal Parade into Debenham’s has proven particularly welcomed. With the prospect of 100 per cent low floor operation in the near future and a new brand for 2011, Citybus under Go Ahead can be confident of its future.
Well Citybus have now put their own take on their first year under Go-Ahead on their web site:
Passenger numbers have increased over the year following the acquisition of Plymouth Citybus by the Go Ahead Group. Plymouth Citybus Managing Director Andrew Wickham says that the key changes to routes and timetables made in July and September have helped to achieve a steady growth in passenger numbers with recent months showing a 9% rise.
“It was inevitable that the loss of some administration jobs would result in the regrettable redundancies numbering 14 people within the first few months. Now with the growth in passenger numbers there is great potential to invest in the future of Plymouth Citybus,” said Andrew Wickham. “We hope that the uncertainty felt by employees before and just after the acquisition can now be laid to rest as we head into our 2nd year within the Go-Ahead Group.”


More news from Citybus:
The new Plymouth Citybus Travel Centre that opened on the 3rd floor of Debenhams in September has gained agency status to handle bookings for National Express. The team of 6 based at the centre have all been trained to handle computerised bookings for people who wish to travel to towns and cities using the National Express network that spans the UK.

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A post yesterday on take overs and what should come along? News that Arriva has taken over Potteries independent Wardle’s. Omnibuses

Having covered the MER's role in the 1996 Manx celebrations I'm going to take a look at the other railed interest on the island, together with a couple of views of the vital shipping links. Transport Illustrated

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• The Journey - and the Wait (omnibuses.blogspot.com)
• Citybus Variety (plymothiantransit.com)
• A hint of things to come? (plymothiantransit.com)

Xelant Dart

Former Plymouth Citybus 118 L118YOD is now enjoying a new life on the South Coast with Xelabus. Thanks to her new owners and Andrew Wickham we can bring you a photo of her in her smart new livery. ©Xelabus.
If you follow the excellent Omnibuses blog (often featured in the links below most postings) you will recognise the livery as it was featured there a day or so ago.
Check out Lawrences PTOTPA blog (link below) for updated photos of Citybus 45 after her sex change...

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The media tends to report operator results days before they are actually published. Today’s Stagecoach interims will therefore come as anything but a surprise. Omnibuses

Brijan Tours are based in Botley, in Southern Hampshire, and operate mainly a network of coach services and school services. Southern England Bus Scene

Dennis Dart (L112 YOD) has had a makeover and become low floor. No sorry, they haven't actually converted L112 YOD to low floor, the stickers have now been placed upon Y645 NYD (45) which was previously identified as 'Pippi' - Dennis Dart's best friend. PTOTPA

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Its not all cuts

A few minor changes to timetables for Plymouth Citybus from 9th January 2011:
Service 13
This service is to operate hourly during the day Monday to Fridays except Bank Holidays. The service is to be withdrawn on Saturdays.
Service 25
The Sunday service is to be withdrawn. But will return in the summer operating from the first Sunday in May to the last Sunday in September each year. No changes to the Monday to Saturday timetables
Service 31
The Saturday service is to be withdrawn. No changes to the Monday to Friday timetable.
Service 47
New Sunday service operating hourly between the City Centre and Delamere Road via Deer Park. No changes to the Monday to Saturday timetables This last one is a surprise in that its an extra service rather than a cutback! All of these are changes made by Plymouth City Council as supported services. It is also interesting that the new logo has yet to appear on the PDF timetables within the Citybus web site.
The final small snippet of news concerns "Dennis Dart" who is apparently back on the road, although this time he has morphed into fleet number 45! Yet to see it myself so thanks to 'DoddyUK' for the report.

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One thing I look for when on my travels is the external presentation of buses. I’m very critical, especially of my own Omnibuses

Black Velvet Travel have a new bus in service. Dennis Dart SLF/Pointer 2 162 (S162BMR) was acquired to replace one of two DAFs that suffered severe fire damage. 162's life began with Thamesdown in Swindon Southern England Bus Scene

First Christmas

First have now announced their Christmas plans for this year and it isn't as straight forward as Citybus.
For 'Special timetable' on the 2,3,12,15 and 83-6 read reduced service from the normal Saturday service on other routes. For example the 15 is running every half an hour instead of every twenty mins. Is it really going to be that much quieter on the buses during the day time?

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When it snows, the advice is always do not travel unless you have to. Naturally, whenever the snow stops, I jump on the train and travel to wherever buses are in operation Southern England Bus Scene

Yes, I look back fondly on those old green Hants & Dorset buses of yore. At the time, there appeared nothing particularly spectacular about them, other than they were very richly finished. Omnibuses

Plymouth Citybus has now started refurbishing some Volvo B7s from Wilts and Dorset as well as the Blue Triangle Darts for London PTOTPA

Today, I'm going off on a train tangent for this post - it may happen from time to time. I'm not a train spotter or photographer, but as previously discussed on the blog, I do like the railways Southern England Bus Scene

proudly showing off

While working over the weekend on a longer term project I came across this drawing of Plymouth City Transport JJY221G from September 1968.
Variety from Park Royal
THE PARK ROYAL-ROE SALES DIVISION, which handles the products of Park Royal Vehicles Ltd. and Charles H. Roe Ltd., has plumped for an all-double-decker display at the Commercial Motor Show which opens at Earls Court, London, on September 20
The Plymouth vehicle will have a Setright ticket machine and coin dispenser for the driver, a coin-operated Setright machine for passengers, and a periscope. A.A.
There is a lot more on the Park Royal Vehicles web site which is worth a read through. To get to this article click through 'Publicity' and then Variety from Park Royal.
©Jos Van Hemert : PCB Leyland Atlantean PDR 221 - Ply., Garage PCB - 07-1984

Air South West goes East

The sale of Plymouth-based airline Air Southwest to Eastern Airways has been completed, it has been announced.
Sutton Harbour Holdings made the decision to sell in May after the airline's operating profits fell. The company said it lost £7m in the sale, but added that joining a larger company gave it the best opportunity for a positive future. Sutton Harbour is still owner of Plymouth City Airport. Air Southwest was created in 2003. The company employs about 150 people and flies to UK regional airports, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. The airline is expected to continue flying under its existing brand and staff will be employed by Air Southwest
BBC
Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by Ingy the Wingy
Humberside-based Eastern Airways employs 420 staff and operates a fleet of 30 aircraft serving 21 destinations in the UK, Ireland, Norway and France.

Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by John Oram

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Torridge Grows

Its always nice to see one of the local haulage operators doing well as we have seen quite a few fleets fail over the years I have been running this blog.
Devon haulier Torridge Transport is extending its services to handle pallet deliveries in 2011 when it joins United Pallet Network (UPN).
The South Molton-based business will begin covering parts of Exeter and Taunton for the network from February next year. It is the firm's first time in a pallet network.
Brian Cobbledick, MD at Torridge Transport, says: "We have been thinking about joining a network for a while, and from 2011, our transport and storage customers can have a far greater choice when it comes to pallet deliveries. We also expect to win new clients."
The business expects to take delivery of some new trucks to join the 35-strong fleet and recruit employees to cope with a rise in volumes.
Road Transport.com

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Driving into work yesterday morning, I couldn't help but laugh along with Radio 2's DJ Richard Allinson, who found much amusement in train operating company Southern's excuse for delays in excess of what it would normally expect during the 'leaf fall' period. A Transport of Delight

My blog has been going for three months now, so I thought I'd quickly let you know how it is getting on. Southern England Bus Scene

While travelling between sites yesterday lunchtime (weather not as bad as feared) the Radio Four programme Call You & Yours was receiving “advice” and comment from its listeners on how to cope with the British weather and how badly we seem to manage. Poor Iris from near Billericay was one of them Omnibuses

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Looka like

Are they related? I think we should be told!

 

see the link below -

Transport of Delight

--
Graham
www.plymothiantransit.com
because Plymouth needs an anorak or two


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Park and Ride Un-peaked

Changes to Plymouth Park & Ride fares from Monday 29 November 2010
From Monday 29 November we will be removing all peak fares from the PR1 and PR2 services so the same price will apply all day. In addition to this we are making some revisions to the fares on both services, as follows:
PR1 - from The George
Adult single to City Centre £2.20 Adult return to City Centre £2.40
Adult 10 journey £20.00
Family (max 5 people, no more than 2 adults)£4.60
Single to Windsor House £1.20
Return to Windsor House £1.70
Adult single to Milehouse £1.50
Adult return to Milehouse £1.90


PR1 - from Milehouse
Adult single to City Centre £1.20 Adult return to City Centre £1.70
Adult 10 journey £15.50
Family (max 5 people, no more than 2 adults)£3.80
Single to Windsor House £1.20
Return to Windsor House £1.70
Adult single to The George £1.50
Adult return to The George £1.90


PR2 Coypool
Adult single to City Centre £1.90
Adult return to City Centre £2.00
Adult 10 journey £18.50
Family (max 5 people, no more than 2 adults £4.20
Source

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Plymouth City Bus passed from arms length municipal control to private ownership exactly one year ago today. In the journey it has now undertaken, what changes have there been? Omnibuses

At the start of the year, especially when the days get a bit longer by February, I always formulate a list of where I want to go taking photos or visiting for bus purposes. As the year is drawing to a close, and knowing my itinerary for next month I'm unlikely to get out again, I thought I'd see how I've done. Southern England Bus Scene

Having taken a look back at Plymouth last month I'm moving on to fellow Devon city Exeter, a place that I first visited on New Year's Eve 1979 so the title of this report is out by one day. So much for fine detail.. Transport Illustrated

Plymouth continues to be a good source of interest for the bus enthusiast. Though initially it may seem that Darts is all there is to see (or should I say Volvo B6s these days!), Plymouth always manages to come up with a few interesting things for the enthusiast. PTOTPA

A claim that 171 out of 822 services observed by bus compliance offers failed to operate correctly has been challenged by First Devon and Cornwall at a public inquiry before south west traffic commissioner Sarah Bell Bus and Coach

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