07 January 2012

Plymouth Bus Routes Part One.

One of my main aims for 2012 is to get a better view of the bus services operated in and around Plymouth. I have been slowly building up details on the sister Plymothian Transit Extra site but I really need to get a bit more organised and keep up to date with current changes as well as add in older archive material for routes.

With this in mind I have been playing with various Google Maps but I have now finally found a better way to show off a full route in a quick and easy format. The Google Street view Time-lapse video. Well, I say quick and easy way. In fact its proved to be a real pain in the neck as I have tried various bits of software but I have now finally produced my first video….

Plymouth Bus Routes Part One

Route 1 Royal Parade to St Stephens Saltash, operated by First Devon & Cornwall.

 

 

The whole video lasts just under 4 minutes. It does look a bit odd in places as the Street View does not always keep to the obvious path and occasionally it crosses to the wrong side of the road. There are also quite a few places where the weather changes dramatically several times along the same stretch of road. Google have clearly just used what they consider to be the best image they have for each section. Most of these images were taken in 2009. Hopefully the video will serve as a guide to the route and is a but more interesting than a plain map.

Now I have streamlined my production methods to something more manageable the aim is to work my way through each route in turn, roughly one a week all being well. I have seen a few areas I can improve on so hopefully future parts will be slightly tidier around the edges!

Hopefully the embedded video above will work for most of you. If for any reason it doesn't try using the Vimeo link below and selecting the video from there.



Related Links


Recommended Links

  • Each StopArea has the equivalent of a CommonName - and generally this should be the same name as that which is used as the CommonName for each of the stops in the StopArea. AlternativeNames can also be assigned to stop areas for ease of finding them in Gazetteers: and all names are associated with a language to allow for multi-lingual naming where relevant. Public Transport Experience
  • If there’s one thing that’s likely to come around as often as the bus itself, it’s an increase in fares. Omnibuses
  • For those who feel that the new Go South Coast broom has acted improperly, remember that we live in a deregulated world where operators are free and able to (and do) protect themselves and their businesses Dorset Bus Blog
  • The origin of the name Malin Bridge is obscure but the most probable explanation is that the name derived from Malin Stacie, who was Lord of the Manor of Owlerton (which lies ¾ mile to the NE) between 1607 and 1652. It is possible that Stacie built the bridge or was responsible for its upkeep and it was therefore named after him. Public Transport Experience
  • It suddenly occurred to me this afternoon that Monday marked a momentous occasion in the UK's transport calendar, for it was on 2 January 1981 that British Railways ran its last Deltic-hauled passenger train A Transport of Delight
  • Bus managers are busy people. Networks to run, meetings to attend, forms to fill in, problems to resolve, bosses to placate, even payroll and HR (unless you’re unlucky enough to have to do it yourself). Omnibuses
  • The story behind the 347/387 is that, following retendering, Bournemouth Transport (RATP Yellow Buses) won the route, along with First's 31 from Weymouth to Axminster, Dorchester town services and more. Yellow Buses were expanding west, threatening First and Go South Coast land. Southern England Bus Scene
  • This photo of Tamerton Foliot, probably taken in the early 1960s, really reminds me of my childhood Plymouth Local History Blog
  • 2011 was a landmark year for 270 KTA, one in which fortunes were reversed, and a poorly SUL of old returned to the road once more. 270KTA
  • Yesterday's blog examined the replacement arrangements, using modified existing services, in the north of the City. For the other (western) end of the former tram route, the solution was different but even more controversial. Public Transport Experience
  • This month, Optare has announced that it is to retire the venerable Solo, in favour of the Solo SR. The SR is the restyled, more modern looking version, with the Solo’s signature windscreen sweeping up the roofline, without an awkwardly protruding destination box to disrupt the lines. Omnibuses
  • The River Exe in flood. TGP
  • Yesterday I went on my first Norfolk Explorer tour of 2012, my plan was to sample the new konectexpress ADL Enviro400's and also their recently aquired Mercedes Benz Citaro bendybuses... Andys Bus Blog
  • Further to my post at the end of last year Target Travel are continuing to invest in their fleet to bring it up to date ready for the low floor DDA regulations looming ever closer. PTOTPA

3 comments:

  1. i work for first and have suggested doing something like this before for drivers that maybe hav'nt driven a route for a while and just want a re-cap, google earth/street view is already widely used in the depot for diversions etc

    ReplyDelete
  2. Think it's a great idea - be nice to see the 43A or 152 with this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You've done well to produce this. Mind you, it's a bit sppoky when you have to drive along the wrong side of the road, with the reversing car in front. But potentially very useful for 'learning the road'.

    ReplyDelete

Have something interesting to say? Please share it here!

(Moderation is currently switched on so please allow a short while before your comment appears on the site. This is only to cut down on spam - not to cut out people who disagree with me!)