It seems most of the August changes are now behind us, though a few odds and ends are still trickling through. This past week has been pleasantly quiet, with just three new notices in my daily feeds.
Only one of these (679) relates to August. First, Hants & Dorset have announced new timetables for the X51-X53 services, and we’ve also had an early November notice from Stagecoach cancelling the 60. It would be unusual if this were just a one-off change on that date, so perhaps we can expect a few more adjustments in November for the Torbay area.
| Licence | Route | Start Point | End Point | Effective | Notes | Operator |
| PH1020951.426 | 60 | Preston Sandringham Gardens | Hyde Road | 01-Nov-2026 | CANCELLED | STAGECOACH DEVON LTD |
| PH0006159.414 | X51 (X53) | Bridport Coach Station | Axminster Rail Station | 20-Sep-2026 | Running times amended on the X51 and X53 services and some evening and weekend trips removed for the winter level of service. The LB1 is due to finish after 26th September, although there are ongoing discussions with Lyme Regis Town Council as to whether this will be extended. | FIRST HAMPSHIRE & DORSET LIMITED |
| PH0005305.065 | 679 | Beech Hill | Exeter Bus Station | 30-Aug-2026 | Service withdrawn. Customers from Black Dog and Kennerleigh will be able to catch revised service 369 instead. | DEALTOP LIMITED |
The 60 covers quite a bit of Torquay but seems to be a one bus operation with just 4 round trips a day. I would imagine it is just being transferred to another operator under tender?
Route 60 is contracted to Torbay Council, I expect it is transferring to another operator (likely Torbay Buses again). It may also regain the double-run to Occombe Farm as that has reopened to the public. All this is my own speculation and not to be taken as fact.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a Facebook post by Steve Darling, the Lib-Dem MP for Torbay, the 60 will be contracted back to Torbay Buses from Monday 2nd November. The route will be renumbered 26 and the stop at Occombe Farm reinstated.
DeleteStanding room only on the 11 Torquay to Dawlish Warren now they've put single deckers on it
ReplyDeleteThere were two instances in late July where a double-deck Enviro400 EV struck an overhanging roof, the second causing injuries to passengers. The road is narrow at this point and on a slight bend, so oncoming vehicles often don't realise a bus is coming. It is thought that overgrown vegetation on the other side is causing oncoming vehicles to come further across to the middle of the road. The 11 will remain single deck until a solution can be found.
Delete11 is awful experience now. Have officially complained. Preferably find a way to return to DD otherwise frequency needs to increase.
DeleteYes passengers have been left behind on what is only an hourly service. It needs restoring to double deck ASAP, perhaps barriers or bollards could be erected around said building? Using single decks only really requires a half hourly frequency, which it once was under previous route numbers.
DeleteThey could make it half hourly while they use single deckers especially between 9 and 5
ReplyDeleteSurely jjust replace the riny electric songles with e300s from Exeter?
ReplyDeleteThe Yutongs aren't that tiny, they are 10.9m long and seat 31, with up to 34 allowed standing. Whilst they are not ideal for a long route like the 11 they cope most of the time.
DeleteYutong electric single deckers are the worst bus ever, cramped no views, screens in the way. People use buses for views bus manufacturers and bus companies should respect this
ReplyDeleteYes indeed!!
DeleteAs Stagecoach South West got there new ticket machines yet?
ReplyDeleteNo, not until New Year now
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