All thanks to Richard Smith
The theme is carried on inside the bus with more great archive shots...
and a last great little detail which is sure to prove a talking point..
Thanks to Brian George for the interior detail
It has to be said that this is a fantastic effort all round with some great photos from the South West Image Bank. I can see it being really popular with us old fogies!
A new scheme is being launched next month (April) offering unlimited day travel on most buses throughout Devon on just one bus ticket.
Devon County Council has teamed up with a number of bus operators to introduce the Devon Day ticket.
The ticket entitles the holder to one day’s travel on local bus services of all participating local bus companies within the Devon Day Bus area, which includes Plymouth and Torbay.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The Devon Day ticket gives passengers the freedom and flexibility to use most local bus services in Devon. This scheme is a passport to Devon – it’s a much easier and cheaper way to explore the county by bus. Tickets can be bought from the driver of any of the participating services and they are then available to use at any time on the day of issue.”
The bus companies taking part in the initiative are
Tickets are also available beyond the Devon County boundary on Stagecoach services to Saltash on services 2, 2A, to Bude on service 6, 6A, 85, 217, 219, 319, to Lyme Regis on service 9A, and to Taunton on service 20.
Dartline services to Dulverton on service 398, to Taunton on service 387,
Plymouth Citybus to Saltash (A38/Liskeard Road, or Carkeel Roundabout) on services 10, 11, 11A, 12, to Torpoint (H.M.S Raleigh) on services 70, 70A, 70B, 71 and to Gunnislake (Square/Cornish Inn) on service 79/79A.
Valid Devon Day tickets will also be accepted on Devon County Council supported services operated by Taw & Torridge – Services 654, 657, 658, 696, 873 and Redwoods services 397, 681, 682.
On services operated by Taw and Torridge and Redwoods, Devon Day tickets will be accepted for travel, but you will not be able to purchase the ticket from these companies.
For more information visit https://www.journeydevon.info/devon-day-ticket/
On Twitter follow @journeydevon or email devonbus@devon.gov.uk
For timetable enquiries and journey planning across the South West go to www.traveline.info or contact Traveline (call charges apply) on 0871 200 2233.
Unlimited travel on most bus and all train services
The Ride Cornwall ticket is a one-day rover ticket that gives the holder a day's unlimited travel on all rail and most bus services within Cornwall and between Cornwall and Plymouth, after 9am Monday-Friday and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Tickets cost £10 (adult), £7.50 (child) and £20 (up to 5 people but no more than 2 adults). For more information view the First Group Ride Corwall. (note that this link does not work this morning!)
Plymouth City Council, in partnership with all of the city’s bus companies, have agreed to offer the residents of Plymouth a multi operator day bus ticket, which will enable them to make as many bus changes on their journey as they like, regardless of the bus operator, for a whole day (from the start of the service until 2am the following day).
You can purchase this ticket on the bus (only), from any of the participating bus operators, namely:
The area of validity for the Plymouth SKIPPER day ticket will include the whole of Plymouth including Torpoint, Saltash, Roborough, Langage, the built up areas of Ivybridge, Wembury and Heybrook Bay.
The southern boundary between Ivybridge and Deep Lane Junction will be the A38 and therefore include Lee Mill and Smithaleigh, and then include the area of Sherford down to the A379.
The northern boundary will include all communities served by the existing 59 route including the whole of Roborough.
The ticket is valid on all services, except those listed below, and is valid from the start of service until 2am the following day. The ticket is valid only for travel on journeys with a start point and an end point within the area of validity.
It is also planned to have week and month Skipper tickets available later in the year, hopefully for the start of 2017. Whilst this may be good news for some, it sadly replaces the excellent green travel pass that the council operate and is available through particpating employers. I have relied on this pass for over twenety years jnow so it will take a bit of getting used to as I will have to purchase it and keep it up to date whereas my current pass just gets paid out of my wages and I dont have to think about it. . I also expect it to cost quite a bit more than the current pass too, but I will wait and see!
After a long period with very little happening we have quite a collection coming up. Alongside the usual St Ives changes we have a few changes for First South West, including the takeover of the former Western Greyhound 584/595 from Stagecoach.
New notices on VOSA from the last two weeks:
Previously announced changes due in the next two weeks
CALLINGTON Primary School is now the proud owner of two new minibuses after £17,000 of donations. The money for the buses came from Callington Co-operative, the school's parent and staff association, and Callington Lions.
THE main Wadebridge bus shelter has been labelled one of the worst in Cornwall because of vandals. The wooden shelter at the town's main bus terminal has been attacked with graffiti so badly that local residents want it removed, to prevent tee nage boys congregating close to their homes. Gangs of youths gather in the shelter most evenings even though the town has one well-equipped play area only a few hundred yards away, and another at Egloshayle not much further
Derek Cuff
© Ian Harris A bumper selection this week with a selection of Stagecoach routes in North Devon changing at the end of this month along with a few minor changes by Plymouth Citybus. Its looking quite busy for the coming weeks too.
New notices on VOSA from the last two weeks:
Previously announced changes due in the next two weeks
Reduction in service between Plymouth and Tavistock, minor changes on trips between Tavistock and Okehampton.
Stagecoach dont mention what the changes actually are (and neither do Devon County Council). Appears to be minor changes to on early morning journey
75 Bideford - Great Torrington
75A Bideford - Great Torrington - Hatherleigh - Okehampton
75B Barnstaple - Bideford - Great Torrington - Hatherleigh - Okehampton
Devon County Council has confirmed that it has been unable to secure a replacement service from the Barnstaple Park and Ride, following Stagecoach’s announcement that it is withdrawing the commercial service next week. Stagecoach is ending its commercial service from the Park and Ride after Thursday 24 March. The County Council has considered a number of alternatives to continue a service. However, based on passenger numbers and the cost of replacement, it has not been possible to find a level of service which was both affordable and sustainable.
The decisions by Stagecoach means that there will be no bus services from the park and ride site in Barnstaple after the bus company ends its service on Thursday 24 March. The Service 19 will instead operate from North Devon Hospital to Appledore via Barnstaple, A39, East the Water, Bideford and Northam. This provides a link to the Hospital from Appledore, Northam and Bideford. During the evening and on Sunday, the 21A will continue to serve East the Water and Appledore. The Sunday service between Barnstaple and North Devon Hospital is unchanged. - See more at: https://www.devonnewscentre.info/county-council-unable-to-step-in-to-save-barnstaple-park-and-ride-service/#sthash.xyVnUISp.dpuf
© Richard Smith 
Richard Smith 
I have to share these few videos of a train arriving at Plymouth Friary a few days ago.
Video by Classic Traction (Click through for more of their videos on their You Tube page)
On 12th March 2016 the 'Tre Pol & Pen' charter ran from London Euston to the South West and covered three West Country branch lines: the freight only Carne Point and Friary branches and Dartmoor Railway to Okehampton & Meldon Quarry. Here we see the tour headed by DBS Class 66s 66177 & 66109 as they arrive at Plymouth Friary, just short of the former Southern Region terminus, where until 1958, through passenger trains ran to London Waterloo via Okehampton ,Exeter & Salisbury.
Another video taken by P16 Trains from the same day:
And yet another this time by Train Clips HD:
More on the latest developments around Derriford
Major transport improvement plans for the north of the city have taken a major step forward, with the appointment of the main contractor for the Derriford Transport Scheme. The contract has been awarded to Amey LG Ltd following a competitive tender process and construction work is expected to begin in July.
The Derriford Transport Scheme will help to reduce congestion along Tavistock Road and create more road capacity for the extra traffic that will be generated by proposed developments in the area. It will also include better facilities for public transport, walking and cycling. Derriford Roundabout and the William Prance Road junction will be upgraded with additional traffic lanes, new bus lanes and improved traffic signals, as well as new, marked cycle lanes and new pedestrian crossings. Walking and cycling improvements will also extend towards The George Park and Ride. A preferred option has been chosen and scheme designs are being finalised following public consultation in 2014 and 2015.
Derriford is an area that is undergoing vast change, significant to the city’s future. A vision to establish a new heart for the north of the city was first proposed in Plymouth’s Core Strategy in 2007 and Derriford has since been identified as a key area to deliver growth in housing, employment and associated infrastructure as part of the Plymouth Plan. Central to this vision is a transport network that can connect people to new homes, jobs and leisure and health facilities. The Derriford Transport Scheme is part of a master plan of highway improvements that will help to achieve this and deliver jobs and homes in the north of the city.
It will be supported by other essential infrastructure improvements in the area including the new Marjon Link Road (which opened in the autumn), the Derriford Hospital Interchange and the proposed Forder Valley Link Road. The Heart-of-the-South-West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) is contributing £10.16 million towards the £12.72 million scheme.
For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/derrifordtransportscheme. 
New notices on VOSA from the last two weeks:
After a period with hardly anything happening, Plymouth Citybus give us a few alterations to their Go Cornwall network for the start of May 2016
Previously announced changes due in the next two weeks
The usual St Ives changes and a non event from Stagecoach…
Happy to be able to publicise these for the PCTPG:
PCTPG are pleased to be able to offer these models to enthusiasts and collectors at the bargain price each of:
Members £23.50 Non members £24.50
Free delivery within the City boundary, £2.50 outside
16538 - Leyland MCW Atlantean - Devon General
Decorated in Devon General’s reversed livery this Leyland MCW Atlantean is one of the batch of 9 in the famous ‘Sea Dogs’ series of vehicles. Francis Drake numbered 926, registered 926 GTA operates route 30 to Babbacombe via Castle Circus. RRP £34.50 
12123 - Harrington Cavalier - Royal Blue NBC
Ex Southdown Vehicle. Registration number 8739 CD, fleet number 2204. En route to Brixham.
Scheduled for a March release
email sales@plymouthcitytransport.co.uk
We sell the complete EFE range so please email your enquiries for back order availability or reserve any of the latest and pending releases:
You may have noticed that its been a bit windy recently with Wednesday in particular seeing a fair bit of disruption due to falling trees etc.
The biggest issue though was the complete closure of Royal Parade for the afternoon:
Royal Parade has now been closed on a temporary basis to traffic as a safety precaution following the damage to the Big Screen earlier this afternoon. Bus companies are currently making arrangements for alternative locations to drop off and pick up passengers who would normally use the bus stops along Royal Parade.
As there are a number of companies involved, we are asking the public to keep an eye on the companies’ social media feeds for more information. We anticipate that the wind will die down later this evening and we hope to remove parts of the structure which are hanging off if the wind dies out as expected. Conditions permitting, scaffolding will go up tomorrow for a more detailed assessment to be carried out.
We aim to let people know when the road will reopen as soon as we can.
We appreciate that this causes inconvenience and delays for people trying to get home after work but the safety of people walking, cycling and driving along this busy road has to be our top priority.
They did mention the disruption to services on their Facebook page but didnt go into any details as to what their buses were doing.
From the PCTPG:
As promised the big announcement today is....there will be a cavalcade of buses and coaches leaving Exeter bus station to arrive at Bretonside in time for the closure event there..this event is being run in association with our friends at the Devon General Omnibus trust.
This promises to be a great weekend!
New notices on VOSA from the last two weeks:
© Simon835 (cc)
Previously announced changes due in the next two weeks
PARENTS "annoyed" by planned changes to a bus service which will make getting their children to school on time more difficult have started an online petition. Parents in East-the-Water have started the petition after plans were announced to axe a bus route used by many to get their children to school. The 21/21a service between Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore has been split into two routes.
As a concerned parent of an Appledore Primary School pupil, Stephanie Shaddick, explained: "The new number 19 service is not going to have an 8:30am service going in either direction which means any parents that use the bus will not be able to get their children to school.
Read more: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Parents-struggle-children-school-time-bus-service/story-28874886-detail/story.html#ixzz42G7VYcEP
CONCERNS have been raised over the impact of council cuts following the cancellation of an important Lyn Valley bus service. Filers Travel has confirmed the end of its 300 service which has traditionally run between Ilfracombe and Minehead, passing through the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. The bus service has been under threat since Devon County Council announced last year it was to withdraw funding for the route.
Read more: http://www.northdevonjournal.co.uk/Fears-loss-lifeline-bus-service/story-28767742-detail/story.html#ixzz42G8KYWFH
Follow us: @NDJournal on Twitter | NDJournal on Facebook
Campaigners have expressed more concerns about a planned new park and ride scheme on the rural edge of Exeter. Devon County Council want to build the £6m facility
with 556 car parking spaces at Round Field next to the A30/A377 interchange near Ide. Campaign group Save the Ide Gap want to preserve the space between the village and Exeter.Members are concerned about potential the “urbanisation” of the green land and fear the scheme will eventually result in the village being “swallowed-up” by Exeter.
Read more: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Save-Ide-Gap-Campaigners-voice-concerns-new-6m/story-28876781-detail/story.html#ixzz42G9TdmuQ
Follow us: @expressandecho on Twitter | expressecho on Facebook
A Picture Special of the new Cornish Enviro fleet in service with Plymouth Citybus. Thanks to all who have sent pictures in…
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© Richard Smith
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© Ian Harris
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© Richard Smith
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© Peter Murnaghan
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© Richard Smith
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© Ian Harris
Target Travel have been having a bit of a clear out with the following being sent off for scrap this week:
VU51AXR
S722KNV
R583DYG
© Adrian Roberts
T366BSS
However the best news is saved until last
Target Travel have now repainted the first of their Volvo B7TLs acquired recently from Plymouth Citybus, and I have to say they do look very smart indeed:
It will be nice to see this scheme rolled out onto other members of the fleet.
