26 July 2018

T minus 95 and counting

Rumour

It started as a rumour and a few comments left on the site like this one back on the 13th July:

“Told by Target driver they have lost all tendered services in Plymouth..7d, 13, 18,19, 31, 38, 52 and 223 all going to Stagecoach from November. Not sure re current Citybus 14 or new service to Sherford..have these gone to SC too?”

I was getting too many similar comments for it to be discounted as rumour.

Confirmation

Then we get this from Plymouth City Council:

Sherford will soon be getting its first bus service following a review of the city’s subsidised network. Launching in September, the 2A will be operated by Stagecoach South West and link the new community in the east with Saltash in the west, via Plymstock Broadway, Pomphlett Roundabout, the city centre, railway station and Milehouse. It will run every 20 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday and hourly in the evenings, on Sundays and on Bank Holidays.

Stagecoach South West will also take over nine of our 11 financially supported services (7D, 13, 14, 18, 19, 31, 39, 52 and 223) from Monday 29 October, with customers seeing a number of improvements. Service 14 will be extended to Derriford (restoring an hourly service to residents of Powisland Drive, Dunraven Drive and Upland Drive from Monday to Saturday).

Service 52 which links Plympton, Leigham and Asda in Estover to Derriford Hospital, will be extended to serve Crownhill, Hartley Vale, Compton, Mannamead and the city centre, replacing the current service 39 and providing new cross-city links as a result.

We are also stepping in to fund replacement services for Holly Park and Ringmore Way (where the commercially-run services 50A and 51A are being withdrawn) and Mainstone (currently served by the 28A). The replacement services will continue to be operated by Plymouth Citybus.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “Most of the city’s bus services are run commercially but there are some that we financially support to ensure residents can get from A to B and access the local services they need. “With ever-growing pressures on our budgets it’s really important to target this funding where it is most needed. Before tendering these contracts we carried out a full review of current demand and travel patterns to ensure our new network meets passengers’ needs while delivering value for money. “Where many councils across the country have been reducing or withdrawing their bus subsidies we are really pleased to have managed to retain our full network, with only minor changes, as well as replace services being withdrawn by commercial operators and introduce a new service into Sherford.”

Well that confirmed the news that Stagecoach are indeed taking on the tenders from Target Travel.

Reason

Notices & Proceedings 2657 was issued today (26th July) and on page 20 we have section 5.2

Section 5.2 – Decisions Taken at Public Inquiries

  • Public Inquiry (76938) held at Jubilee House (Bristol), BS5 0GB, Croydon Street, Bristol, on 10 July 2018 commenced at 10:30 (Previous Publication:(2650))
  • PH1020218 SN
  • DEALTOP (PLYMOUTH) LTD
  • Director(s): ROBERT JOHN RISK, LEE ROBERT RISK
  • LANGAGE SCIENCE PARK, WESTERN WOOD WAY, PLYMOUTH, PL7 5BG
  • S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger
  • Vehicles Act 1981)
  • S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)
  • S17 - Licence revoked with effect from 23:59 on 27 October 2018.
  • Acceptance of Tristan Kelly as nominated transport manager until revocation.

There have been comments suggesting that a new licence has been applied for which will presumably be for a smaller coach only operation if it goes ahead.

Target Travel YX09FLV

Target Travel have been a part of the Plymouth bus scene for many years now being there to pick up the services which the bigger operators didn't want. The fleet has been upgraded and looks a lot better than it used to, and services have seemed reliable. It seems that drivers have been offered the chance to transfer across to Stagecoach so hopefully none of them will loose their jobs which is a good thing although I know some of them like driving to Target precisely because they are not First, Stagecoach or GoAhead.

So now seems a good time to catch up on any Target Travel photos as I cant see many of the buses going to Stagecoach, or if they do, not lasting very long with SC. 

34 comments:

  1. If anything it a be the e200s

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  2. Any news about Target's work around Tavistock?

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    Replies
    1. All the Tavistock bus services have now been put up for tender.

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  3. I take it that will mean the end of the PR3...leaving that to SC 101? What will happen to DCC 59? 89 on Tavi and all the moors services 55 etc are these likely to go to SC too?

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    1. Will Target see out their contract do we think. If they are going to have licence revoked and many drivers are likely to leave early as won't want to xfer to SC? They won't be able to attract new drivers surely. If they have licence revoked will they be able to continue to operate their other services?

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    2. Anonymous 27 July 2018 at 10:22 i would think the DCC routes will go to sister dartline

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  4. Tesco shopper bus 🚍

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    Replies
    1. May stay as a contract service IF they get a new licence if not o reckon they will cease as Asda one did unless Stagecoach could do them like the Waitrose service in Saltash perhaps

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  5. Hi Graham

    The council says the 14 will be extended to Derriford but doesn't it currently terminate there?

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  6. Assume the 2A will simply be extended beyond Elburton breaking its current loop operation?

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  7. i know i do alot with target travel but would seem i have no clue on there other routes as this was kept hidden, though target seems to still be working on buses, so im guessing there contacted routes like 46/47 and PAFC wil stay with shoppers but dont know if this will be under there new service

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  8. about the buses i can see what info i can get out of the depot staff but i would guess solos will go stagecoach (newer ones) and the deckers will stay for contacts and maybe see the MAN go to stagecoach too... like i said this is a guess so cant confirm until i visit them (probably for the last time)

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    1. I can't see Stagecoach taking *any* buses from Target. It would be highly unusual if they did.

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  9. I was told yesterday that Devon county council are stripping target of their services

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  10. Anyone know why Target have had their licence revoked?

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    1. i worked for them for a few years, robert sailed very close to the wind, finance was an issue, hand to mouth at times, maintenance was a huge problem, buses were sent out with known defects, drivers hours,tachographs would be purposely lost, wages ever went up,, the list is endless, they had a few public enquires, which amazed me how they were not revoked ages ago, i jumped ship...i noticed quite a few left recently as well...when people asked me about private hire, i would give them the number, but warned them, i wouldnt want to be a passenger on them myself.. good times though, i feel sad for my old workmates...Gary

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    2. Target lost their licence due to financial standing

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  11. Unless they do what some operators do find a dead relation to hold the op licence.
    On a seperate not i did hear another sw operator in same dog house as target or was my source geting muddled up

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  12. Does anyone know how hamilton greys trip to tc bristol went cant find anything on ukgov

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    Replies
    1. Licence also revoked - late Oct off top of my head

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  13. All Targets Devon County contracts are up for re tender now.

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    Replies
    1. Any idea when Devon County tender results will be known? Do we think Target will manage to see out their contract routes until end of October or potentially Stagecoach take over early on hire to Target perhaps?

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  14. I saw drivers in a stagecoach uniform on the target routes 87 and 89 when I was in Tavistock on Saturday.

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    1. The Drivers With Stagecoach Uniform On Are The Ones Swapping Over I Would Guess As Before The Court Itself A Few Had Them Already

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    2. I would imagine Stagecoach will at least pick up the 87 and 89 perhaps 55 and 56 too. They may well have to compete with GO Ahead for the Plymouth area ones such as 49,59 and 94 unless they go for job lot like Plymouth City tenders?

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    3. I see Target are starting a new football special PA2A this week. Are they still Ok to operate these with licence being revoked? Any know if PR3 will continue or not?

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  15. Does anyone know if Target have applied or been successful in obtaining a new licence and if so is it just for coaches now?

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  16. Think they applied for 20 "o" discs

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  17. Target have got a new licence apparently but only a smaller operation. Will operate PR3, School services and pafc only from October 29.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous19 August 2018 at 17:22 sorry but not true, they lost the PR3, they got to sell the MAN, lost the schools aswell, licence not approved yet. only routes there keeping is the torbridge school and tescos and contracts,

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    2. Whom will run their school services then...such as Devonport High boys and girl's contracts plus some to Ivybridge from South Hams?

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  18. If Stagecoach have take over most of Targets services id imagined they will try to merge them into their current routes or try to join them up if possible, reduces vehicles and drivers required.

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  19. PCB take over PR3 from Target at start of October. Interesting to see how Stagecoach react as this is direct competition with their 101 on same route from Hospital to George?

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