19 March 2023

Devon & Cornwall Transit 2023: Week up to 17 March

The 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. The First weekend of April gets even busier with lots more registration changes coming through over the last week.

New Notices from this week

First South West Ltd

A Few more late changes for April

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH0004983.619 19 Penzance Bus Station Madron, Trelawney Estate 02-Apr-2023 From Sunday 2 April, a minor timetable change is introduced. T002366
PH0004983.309 895 Padstow Park and Ride Padstow Old Rail Station 02-Apr-2023 Cancelled None
PH0004983.596 Dartmoor Explorer Gunnislake/ Tavistock Moretonhamstead Court Street 02-Apr-2023 After reviewing Dartmoor Explorer, we have identified that the route is commercially viable in the summer months and needs to allow for extended visits to Dartmoor. Therefore, the daily service will pause from 2 April. It will return with a revised route and enhanced timetable between Sunday 9 July, and Saturday 9 September inclusive. Further details will be published nearer the time. None
PH0004983.585 Sunseeker Newquay Bus Station Portreath Beach Car Park 02-Apr-2023 Withdrawn due to low use last season. The U1/U1A through Perranporth continues to run twice hourly throughout the day. None


Oakley Coaches

Oakleys gain a tendered service in April:

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH1091418.010 875 Bigbury on Sea, Marine Drive Lee Mill, Tesco 07-Apr-2023 Tuesdays only, one journey in each direction tbc


Redwoods Travel

A small batch of new timetables from 17th April

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH1077645.006 681 Farway, Church Green Honiton, Heathfield Tesco 17-Apr-2023 Variation to timetable and stopping places T002357
PH1077645.005 682 Honiton, Heathfield Tesco Upottery, Sidmouth Arms 17-Apr-2023 Timetable variation T002358
PH1077645.001 697 Hemyock, Lower Millhayes Tiverton Bus Station 17-Apr-2023 Variation to to route, timetable and stopping places T002359


Stagecoach Devon Ltd

Some late notices changes from Stagecoach from 2nd April

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH1020951.249 1 1A X1 Plymouth / Sherford Tavistock / George P&R 02-Apr-2023 Intermediate running times are revised on all days of operation to improve reliability and punctuality  Journeys that operate between George Park and Ride and Plymouth City Centre will be extended to Sherford, following the current route of Service 2A between the City Centre and Sherford.   The extension of journeys to Sherford will provide a new direct link between Sherford and Derriford Hospital up to every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime.   Sherford to George Park and Ride journeys to operate as Service 1A  X1. Morning duplicate journey will be withdrawn due to insufficient demand, and the PM departure time amended to 1535 as approved by both schools. T002361
PH1020951.236 2 (2A) Saltash, Frith Street Plymouth, Royal Parade & Mount Batten 02-Apr-2023 Service 2 will continue to operate every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes in the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays between Mount Batten and Saltash via City Centre.

Service 2A will be revised to operate between the City Centre and Saltash only, operating every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes during the evening and on Sunday and Public Holidays. The current section of route between Sherford and the City Centre will be served by new Service 1A, which will provide an enhanced level of service.
T002362
PH1020951.381 4 4A 4B 4C Plymouth City Centre, Royal Parade Plymstock 02-Apr-2023 Changes are introduced to the route of Services 4A and 4B, designed to reduce delays caused by inconsiderate parking and unsuitable roads. In Plymstock, Service 4A and 4B will operate a more direct routes, the 4A via Mount Batten Way and no longer serving Stanborough Road, Dunstone Drive and Under Lane.  Whilst the 4B will operate via Broadway East, Dunstone Drive and Springfield Road and no longer serving Southernway and Stentaway Drive. In addition, Service 4B will no longer serve Nightingale Close due to extremely low passenger demand. T002364
PH1020951.380 52 Plympton, George Lane Derriford Hospital 02-Apr-2023 To coincide with the opening of the Forder Valley Link Road, the route of Service 52 will be amended from 2 April 2023. Service 52 will serve Coypool Park and Ride and then operate via the Forder Valley Link Road to Derriford Hospital and will therefore no longer serve Leigham and Estover. This route change will provide a new direct link between Coypool Park and Ride and Derriford Hospital.

Some departure times are amended to facilitate the above route change and to avoid congestion at Coypool Park and Ride.
T002367
PH1020951.241 90 Dartmouth Townstal 02-Apr-2023 Timetable variation T002368
PH1020951.384 X30 Seaton, Marine Place Exeter City Centre, Bus Station 02-Apr-2023 Route and timetable variation T002369


The Saltash & District Age Concern Committee (Saltash Red Bus)

A group of local services based around Saltash working as part of the Transport for Cornwall network from the 3rd April.

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
COMMUNITY B1869 450 Saltash Railway Station Saltash Railway Station 03-Apr-2023 A joint project between Go Cornwall Bus, Saltash Red Bus and Cornwall Council will re-establish services to villages in East Cornwall such as St Neot, Menheniot and Bethany. Services will be numbered 450 - 455 T002377
COMMUNITY B1870 451 Merrymeet, Mission Church Saltash Fore street 03-Apr-2023 New Registration T002377
COMMUNITY B1871 452 Cargreen, Fore street Saltash Fore street 03-Apr-2023 New Registration T002377
COMMUNITY B1872 453 St Ives Cross Saltash Fore street 03-Apr-2023 New Registration T002377
COMMUNITY B1873 454 Cargreen, Fore street Saltash Fore street 03-Apr-2023 New Registration T002377
COMMUNITY B1874 455 St Neot Liskeard, Morrisons 03-Apr-2023 New Registration T002377


The Week Ahead

Eastwood (Royal Buses)

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH1086607.021 2 St Ives, Trenwith Car Park St Ives, Royal Square 21-Mar-2023 Timetable variation T002309

Stagecoach Devon

 Licence Route Start Point End Point Effective NotesTimetable
PH1020951.339 91 Dartmouth P&R Dartmouth Pontoon 25-Mar-2023 To re-introduce 10 min service during School Holidays and revise periods of operation. Operates at similar periods each year T002280



35 comments:

  1. Well, it’s unusual that there’s no timetable changes to any of the services throughout Torbay so far this year. The 12 usually goes onto the summer timetable and I’ll be surprised if there’s no change to the weekend frequency, considering it’s going to be packed. Doesn’t look as though we’ll see the 122 make a comeback this year either now that Torbay Road is closed off now. Service 13 has gone downhill now as well since it only goes as far as Torbay Hospital. I think that should go back to the 2016 route and timetable when it was just going between Brixham and Newton Abbot as nobody ever used it for Kingsteignton.

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    Replies
    1. Torbay changes are coming in 29th may

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    2. OK, so Bank Holiday weekend then? I take it you’ve got this from a local source then? Hopefully they’ll work around the Torbay Road closure somehow

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    3. And don't forget 19 March at 23:46 the brand new Enviro400 MMCs for the 12 have been cancelled at a very late stage. Not good for Torbay & yes the 12 will never cope with higher loadings amongst greater general traffic congestion from Easter onwards.

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    4. That’s flaming typical! Plymouth and Exeter have got some of the best buses and Torbay, as usual, are left with the rubbish! Something needs to be done as it’s just getting ridiculous now

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    5. Anon 22 March 2023 @ 18:05 actually Torbay probably has the biggest investment in buses every 4-5 years. It's getting brand new Enviro 400 MMCs sometime this year probably Summer/Autumn to replace the current Hop12 vehicles.

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    6. sorry James- the new Enviro 400s due this year have been cancelled - which is the reason for the complaint. SC Devon used to get regular batches of new double deckers but not so much recently.

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  2. understand that the Torbay open toppers will start during May, be interesting to see the route though with Torbay Rd now closed/part open

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    Replies
    1. Late decision sees short notice authorisation to start 122 early April but halved to hourly (prior to which was every 20 minutes) running inland not via Paignton Seafront & its hotels / tourist attractions which will be unserved. So much for a seaside service. The Torbay Road part closure could have been diverted around. Scenic Meadfoot Beach area is also bypassed again.

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  3. on vosa tonight is a registration for the 122 from 02-04 https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/details/608470/

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  4. How do you know the order has been cancelled? Can't find any source for it.

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    Replies
    1. I havent seen an official source myself, but several people who I know would know(!) have told me this is the case. I am sure someone said they were going to Northampton instead, but I may be getting this mixed up. Anyone out there can confirm please?

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    2. If that's true it's probably for valid reason. Don't forget other parts of the Stagecoach empire have been due new buses only for them to be diverted to Plymouth (during the First takeover) or Exeter for other reasons. They're a business and have to prioritise the current Hop12 fleet isn't that old.

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    3. I’ve been told my self by staff from Torquay the new deckers will be sent to Northampton as they have 18 older tridents

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  5. My mate at torbay has suggested Peterborough. which lost a lot of e400 mmc when east decided to put them on x5.

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    Replies
    1. Peterborough / Northampton same operating company is it so perhaps split to both?

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  6. I've also heard Northampton Graham. Apparently cancelled to increase profit levels using older buses. Plenty of old Tridents still in all day action in Torbay, even appear on 12 with other older Enviro400 amongst proper red & new local livery MMCS.

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  7. Can someone cleverer them me tell me when section 19 operators were allowed to run for hire and reward? From what I can gather these Saltash Red Bus routes are being done as a commercial venture which I didn't think was allowed.

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    Replies
    1. It will be on a section 22 permit which allows operation of local bus services.

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    2. Is it commercial or TfC supported in partnership with GSW Citybus? Is it profit making or a not for profit charity operation restoring services nobody else could run? Are drivers paid or volunteers?

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    3. Section 19 operators can't run registered services. They can only transport pre-booked members. Section 22 operators, however, can run registered local bus services open to the public. Examples in the past few years include West Penwith Community Bus Association and Age Concern running routes 7 and 515 respectively.

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  8. They've got E400MMCs on the X5 now in the East after the coaches they were using were sent to Plymouth for the Falcon.

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  9. Anyone know why Stagecoach are suddenly using single deckers on the Gold service between Plymouth and Paignton? Full and standing on the one I was on earlier.

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    Replies
    1. Noticed a lot of the gold buses are appearing on local services.

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    2. I boarded the Gold on Friday and I was in the same position as you. Three Golds got smashed by branches on Thursday and were taken off road thanks to the bad weather. As a result, they’ve decided to switch to single deckers for the time being.

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    3. There’s a low hanging tree between south Brent and Totnes it had taken out a few windows the other day

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    4. The Gold was a great service from Ivybridge to Plymouth or Paignton/Torquay that has Bern slowly eroded and now completely ruined. Used to use it all the time. Yesterday as it was running late and single deckers (standing on the one that went past) ended up using my car instead

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    5. There was an accident with a DD hitting a tree a few days ago.

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    6. Danny Walmsley-Dawe27 March 2023 at 05:14

      Concerns over some low hanging trees which took out the front window of a bus and made damages to another bus on the Gold route on Wednesday or Thursday, temporary re-allocation for now

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  10. PCB 20 is being rerouted through Marsh Mills from early April following Stagecoach’s reroute of X38 and Gold.

    No mention yet of whether it’ll be direct down the A38 (old school 45!) or it’ll be routed through Plympton.

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    Replies
    1. Timetables already available on PCB site, 20 is rerouted along Embankment Road to Marsh Mills then directly along the A38 to Lee Mill to pick up existing route in to and around Ivybridge.

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    2. According to Traveline SW it will operate via Lee Mill and the A38, with some peak time journeys operating via Langage. It will continue to operate round the Ivybridge estates. Plympton still has the 20A.

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    3. Direct via Smithaleigh & A38, also Ivybridge Train Station old 45 stop served again!

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  11. Despite the inclement weather Exmouth open toppers have been running on the 95 for past two weeks. Not seen any brave souls upstairs yet.

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