Happy New Year

Just a very quick post to wish everyone a very Happy New Year from Plymothian Transit.

Thanks especially to all who have left comments or supplied photos and other information over the last twelve months. It has not always been possible to give PT as much time as I would like but thanks to you all, it has been a real pleasure. PT will be back very soon, suitably refreshed after the Christmas break.

©Jos VanHemeert:  the 15 in 1985

In The News

• Focus Transport: Go North East Steps In to Save Quaylink Service Kevin Carr, managing director of Go North East, said: “With all our local authorities facing a funding crisis and some considering increasing council taxes, it’s inevitable that front-line services – including those buses funded by councils – will be hit. “But this must bring in to question the Combined Authority’s view that bus services are best controlled by local authorities – if they can’t guarantee a service as important as this, how can they guarantee improvements to the bus network?”

You may have missed...

• Norfolk Scene: Year Overview ~ September - December 2014 : Further Afield; Contributors Content ~ LIAM
• Public Transport Experience: The Trouble with Tunnels
• The Circle of London Blog: Norwich – A parallel Universe?
• East Norfolk Bus Blog: Christmas Eve on the South Coast : Boxing Day Buses
• Dennis Basford's Rails, Roads and Runways ‘Scene’ in Burton on Trent (BoT) 2 ‘Arriva’
• Southampton Bus Update Amended bus services for Monday and Tuesday : Routes being withdrawn this weekend : New Year's Eve bus services
• Focus Transport: Preston Bus Station - New Plans Unveiled
• Steves Bus and Train Page: Review Of The Year 2014 Part One

Welcome Home number 9

From the PCTPG:

Double Decker returns to Plymouth after 26 year absence.

A RARE  double decker bus that once graced the streets of Plymouth has finally returned home after an absence of more than 26 years in to the care of the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group (PCTPG).

No. 9 NDR 509J has spent much of the last quarter of a century in the Avon and Gloucestershire areas finally making its return visit under tow to the groups Colebrook depot in the Plympton area of the city on Thursday afternoon. The bus was one of a batch of 15 33ft long dual door Park Royal double decker’s delivered new to Plymouth City Transport in 1971. They made up the final batch of this double decker type the first being delivered in 1969 after exhibition at the 1968 commercial motor show in Earl’s court.

In total the City Transport department took 58 of this type of double decker and 9 is thought to be the last of its type anywhere on the mainland UK.Over the coming months the bus which is mechanically sound and was last used as church meeting place in Gloucestershire will be worked on by members of the group to bring her back to her former glory. The restoration process will take some time as internally she is devoid of seats and other fixtures and fittings so it may not be until 2015 that she makes a return to the preservation scene.

 

The bus:

Leyland Atlantean PDR2/1 with Park Royal dual door jumbo 33ft long body. No.9 NDR 509J New to Plymouth City Transport in 1971 and withdrawn in October 1986. Acquired from the Gloucestershire church group in early 2013 and returned to Plymouth Group Member David Jenkins has worked on the vehicle since its acquisition in order for its return to Plymouth to be possible.

The Group:

Formed in July 2006 has grown rapidly over the last 6 years to a membership of almost 100 and a collection of 22 buses all with backgrounds of service in the Plymouth area. Our preservation work is funded wholly by member’s donations and membership fees as well as our group sales bus attending events across the region. Many of the buses are owned by individual members of the group coming under the PCTPG collection.

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PT RECOMMENDS

• What is clear from the above is that very few airline passengers (if any) would ever contemplate the bus link. Cardiff bus has reduced their X91 over the years to an inconvenient and decidedly forgettable frequency. Public Transport Experience 9 August
• we interrupt the series on Cardiff Airport to bring some breaking news from Seaton, Devon Public Transport Experience 10 August
• On a recent pass by at Tesco in Roborough what was there to greet me, but this very colourful Dennis Trident, PTOTPA 10 August
• "Rhoose Station for Cardiff Airport" was reopened but unstaffed and a connecting bus introduced for the short run to the airport terminal. The whole operation is hardly luxurious! Public Transport Experience 11 August
• As of the beginning of the month, Wales’ Traws Cymru, the new name for Trawscambria, has again become a network. If a network can in fact be two routes. Omnibuses 11 August
• With Wilts & Dorset's Lymington's present use of elderly Leyland Olympians on the X1 and X2 at present, I thought this week we'd return to 2008, which was the last year of the Lymington VR Southern England 11 August

Annabel is poorly

The planned trip on TTT168X has been cancelled as she has developed gear box issues so the 46/47 wont be quite so interesting today after all.
To make up for it here is 157 taking a breather from the 47 in Bretonside back in 1988

© Terry Stapley. Plymouth 157 ATK 157W - Plymouth 19/07/1988

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PTOTPA: Barbie 2 Solo

Omnibuses: Top marks for Cornwall
Leon Daniels: World HQ
TGP Public: Royal Albert Bridge Terry gets up close!
Uncle Terry: Uncle on a hot tin roof
A Transport of delight: Bus Passes - again
Omnibuses: Urgent appeal

Twitter / Facebook

For 4 weeks from Monday 19th July gas works on Saltash Road will require the closure of the road at the end of Admiralty Street. Affected service 4 journeys will be diverted via Saltash Road and Royal Navy Avenue and will not be able to the serve the bus stops on Admirality Street. We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control.

From www.facebook.com via clp.ly

 

Annabel out and about this weekend

I mentioned a couple of days ago that Plymouth would be seeing an Atlantean out and about this weekend:

It will hopefully be leaving town at about 14:15 ish and following the 46 route. I am hoping to join him so expect a few photos after the weekend.

Hello. I'm Michael, owner of TTT 168X or 'Annabel' as I like to call her!  I have had an interest in buses from an early age. I can recall riding round on Plymouth Citybus Leyland Atlanteans when they were in active service and I used to catch them going to and from school as well. I used to sit at the front and watch how the drivers used to change gear. Some were better than others!!.

The attraction to Atlanteans was the sound of that 0.680 engine especially when it was climbing up some of Plymouth's steep hills and I like the design of them too. I used to see an impressive line up of Atlanteans at Plymouth Citybus's depot at Milehouse

From ttt168x.weebly.com via clp.ly

 
You can follow the restoration of 168 on Michaels new web site:

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A Transport of delight: InterCity Express Report
Omnibuses: Beeching of the Buses
Uncle Terry: 153 - the grass is greener
Transport of Delight: Elite Citylink Gold Stunning!
Uncle Terry: 154 Look into my eyes
Omnibuses: Infamy
WillCycle: Crap Cycling - in Plymouth!

Twitter / Facebook

Reports from our Operations Team state that since the new filter light/lane has been erected on the Laira Bridge/Finnigan Road junction punctuality of our Plymstock services 2 & 6 have improved dramatically so it has clearly made all the difference to the flow of traffic.

From www.firstgroup.com via clp.ly

 

Prudential In Plymouth

©Derek Tait

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Thanks to Derek who has been sending me a few photos recently with this one really catching my eye as a classic Leyland Atlantean shot in Plymouth. All being well on Saturday the streets of Plymouth will once again ring out to the sound of at least one Atlantean. More details to follow later in the week!

Citybus getting it all together with Asda

Asda on Citybus

©AecRegent In the mid 1980s, this bus received an all over advert for Asda after a new large store opened on the outskirts of Plymouth. It is passing a Western National Olympian in their version of the Citybus livery. The Atlantean has been converted from two doors to single door. Following in from the post earlier in the week on the registrations for shoppers service we have this fine looking Atlantean in full Asda advert. Asda looks so different now, as does Citybus!  There will quite likely be a slight break in postings as I hope to be setting up a brand new PC today (Friday) which means trying to transfer lots of files across and getting all the settings and new software set up on the new machine. It has just taken 4 hours to transfer 4 GB of files across to Zaks PSP ready to move to the new PC so its clearly not going to be a quick process! Hopefully by the end of the weekend normal service will be resumed!

Uncle Terry 078 Sometimes I feel drained TGP - the other Terry! Public - Wee folk of bow Dads Daily - Just add heat Omnibuses In the eye of the beholder: Ugly buses? PTOTPA Transit trails off: A Line Transport of Delight Sex Sells

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• Citybus go shopping (plymothiantransit.com)

Sunday Best: GDR201N

A classic in many ways

©AEC Regent "This was the first numerically of the AN68 type of Atlanteans for Plymouth, here seen at Bretonside bus station. Those of this batch (76-90) had Park Royal bodywork. Later deliveries had similar bodywork, but by Roe." A classic shot of a classic Plymouth Citybus Atlantean in a classic livery. I wont go so far as to say its a classic location, but at least in this view you don't get the full horror of Bretonside Bus Station, and it actually looks quite a nice day. Don't forget to visit AECRegents Photostream for more great photos like this one with over 9700 photos to see. Might take a while!

Further Reading Uncle Terry - an open and shut case Omnibuses: Self Harm Leon Daniels: Return to Dagenham Dock TGP: Books or eggs? Uncle Terry: In too deep Transport of Delight: Satisfied? National News Arriva shares fall as merger talks end

Life After Plymouth - OCO120S

OCO120S in Ashford

© Michael Wadman AML Coaches OCO 120S. Former Plymouth City Transport Atlantean / Roe, still in the livery of Harris Bus, its previous operator Route 419, Ashford Hospital, 26th February 1994 Thanks to Michael for permission to use the photo.

Further Reading TGP - Cats TGP - Shopping Experience Omnibuses - Peace breaks out Uncle Terry - Needs a poo! First on Twitter / Facebook Feb 16 09:40 St Levan Road closed for utilities work 0900 - 1530 Wednesday 24th February. Affected ugobus service 4 journeys will be diverted via Ford Hill, Devonport Road, Albert Road & Keyham Road and will not serve the bus stops on St Levan Road for the duration of the closure. We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control. To view a map of the diversion click here: 16:33 Due to roadworks being carried out in Chillington the road between Kingsbridge and Dartmouth will be closed to all traffic on Sunday 21st February. While closed service 93 will be diverted via the A381, Halwell Turn and the A3122 (in both directions). We apologise for any inconvenience caused due to circumstances beyond our control. Citybus on Twitter / Facebook 16 Feb 07:27 Just a reminder that the bus stop at Crownhill inbound towards the City Centre is closed for the whole of this week whilst essential work takes place During the duration of the work buses will be unable to serve the stop Alternative stops are at Crownhill High Level, Great Berry Road, and Charlton Road. We apologise... for any inconvenience caused during this closure which is completely beyond our control. 16:21 Advance notice for you. Due to the installation of new computer equipment at our Milehouse Head Office the Travel Shop will be unable to sell or top up Freedom Cards on Saturday 20 February they will also be unable to sell tours and excursion tickets. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause but unfortunately there is no other time that the work can be completed

Western National Atlantean almost new

" as a very young bus spotter the VUHs were seen as being a bit special ” Others... Lady Wulfrun Flickr TGP Egypt in Devonport

I am out on Friday evening so was wondering what to post in advance. I then came across this excellent rare shot of a very new Atlantean of Western National which is interesting in so many different ways. The contrast of the square lines of the the Plymouth City Atlantean on the roadway above with the rounder flowing lines of the Alexander body illustrate why as a very young bus spotter the VUHs were seen as being a bit special. It was always a treat to get a ride on one of these. Notice also that Bretonside was still using the ‘saw tooth’ bus stopping arrangements at this time, much more suited for rear loaders! New to Western Welsh in July 1971, this Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean, VUH377J, is pictured just 13-months later working for its new owners Western National. Wearing Western National livery, the bus is seen loading in Plymouth Bus Station, prior to making the long journey to Looe in Cornwall. Photo: August 1972. ©Claire Pendrous

Easter Specials

"Just in case you are free tomorrow” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: 10447 Others... TGP: Faces TGP Clocks Off Omnibuses2.0 Consequences How Railway Works

Just in case you are free tomorrow just a reminder that the Plym Valley Railway are running Easter Specials as noted above. It is also hopefully the first public outing of Atlantean 137 which should be on display with Atlantean 201 out on city centre shuttle / tour duties. There are also details on the PCTPG web site of Mondays event at Buckfastleigh. Sadly unable to make that one myself but details below: The South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh are holding their Easter Transport Extravaganza with Vintage engines, auto trains, goods trains, classic vehicles, fairground rides in addition to the model railway and café and shop. Lots for all the family to do and see. We plan to take 137 leaving (Milehouse)at about 1000hrs and departing from Buckfastleigh at approx 1630 (subject to confirmation of SDR timetable). If you wish to travel please email us – pick ups at Milehouse (1000) / Coypool (1020) / Ivybridge Town Hall (1040) all our trips are free no charge for carriage is made – (PCT PG Reserve the right to refuse travel) More details

The real 138

photo from Brian George collection - photographer unknown
Yesterday I posted photo and news of Citybus 138 which has gone a bit special. Here is the previous 138 which was also a bit special in that it carried this attractive all over advert from the days when adverts were painted on and respected windows!
Enviro 138 may be able to tell me where to get off, but if both of these turned up at the bus stop I know which one I would get on! (I also know which one most passengers would prefer - those Enviros are very comfortable!)

More use buses thanks to new pass

 

From April to September this year there were more than 3.2million concessionary bus trips in Plymouth, up 21 per cent on the same period last year. The cost to the council rose from £2.3million to £2.5million.

More use buses thanks to new pass

It has to be said that Plymouth does seem to be doing a lot better with their free bus pass provision than many councils, and dont seem to be in the same degree of panic that a lot of authorities are experiencing with the cost of the scheme. They do point out that the number of users was expected to have been higher than it has turned out, and that they are one of the more efficient local authorities when it come to administering the system. I have been impressed at the lack of news locally which suggests it is working better here than elsewhere.
Its not all good news though with one local operator having an outstanding appeal which if it goes the operators way could put the council into a loss. Nationally Stagecoach have been quite vocal against the scheme and have placed plenty of appeals in various areas which must make it very difficult for local authorities to plan ahead and set budgets, but then it cant be easy for operators either!

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On a separate note keep an eye out tomorrow for Atlantean STK131T which is hoping to be out and about for an hour or two. Give us a wave if you see us - Hopefully pictures to follow over the weekend!

Western National Atlantean

Jeff Lloyd posted this photo of VUH378J from his collection (photographer unknown)so I just had to share it here!

The bus is seen at St Budeaux Square heading back into Plymouth on the 72 from Looe. These buses were usually on the 72 and 76 routes so it was common to see them coming through St Budeaux. I often used to walk down to Bretonside to try and catch one of these home to St Budeaux from school in the City Centre when I was forming my interest in buses. I knew these buses were special compared with most other buses in Plymouth. I even knew they were Atlanteans, just like most of the Plymouth Corporation fleet, but somehow these were so much better. Light and airy and lots of blue plastic. Certainly a change from the standard Atlanteans Plymouth ran which always seemed very basic.

My own local route was the 6 and 7 which was still very much a Lodekka route which were brilliant and much better than anything Plymouth ever ran - well in my eyes they were anyway. But even then the lure of 'new' buses was always a treat. I didnt like the Leyland Nationals that much, and Bristol VRs were rare on the 6 and 7s back then. Of course when the VRs did start to appear on the 6 and 7 then I lost interest in the Atlanteans - even these nice Alexander bodied ones.

I was always a VR fan. Atlanteans were never really appreciated by myself until it was almost too late. Give me the chance to catch an Atlantean now and I will certainly take it (unless a VR is on offer at the same time!) The VUH-J batch were the exception and I really missed these when the were sent to Devon General to see out their last years of service.

Blast from the Past

© Terry Stapley - used with permission.

July 1988. In my view one of the better liveries carried by Plymouth Citybus although I know of many who disagree! Sadly the advert does distract somewhat. One of the awful breadvans can be seen to the left.

http://terrystapley397.fotopic.net/ (updated with photos from 09/02/2007)Overseas Coaches & Buses seen in Britain http://gallery76289.fotopic.net/ (updated with photos up to December 2006)Japanese Buses & Coaches http://january2007triptotokyojapan.fotopic.net/http://ukbusphotoarchive.fotopic.net/ (updated 14/03/2006)