Devon and Cornwall

The September changes continue to come through with yet more Stagecoach registrations

Stagecoach Devon Ltd

Licence	Route	Start Point	End Point	Effective	Notes
PH1020951.409	4A	Exeter St Davids	Exeter Airport	01-Sep-2024	Buses will use the new bus gate on New North Road for journeys towards Exeter Bus Station via Sidwell Street and no longer serve Longbrook Street or York Road.
PH1020951.437	6B	Tavistock	Okehampton	01-Sep-2024	A new Service 6B will be introduced, providing one journey in each direction Monday to Friday between Tavistock and Okehampton. In the morning, there will be a journey at 0840 from Tavistock to Okehampton.  In the afternoon, there will be a journey at 1420 from Okehampton to Tavistock. Service 6B journeys provide connections in and out of Service 6A at Okehampton for travel to and from Exeter.
PH1020951.436	21B 21C	Barnstaple	Ilfracombe or Georgeham	01-Sep-2024	A new Service 21B will be introduced between Barnstaple Railway Station and Ilfracombe via Barnstaple Bus Station and Braunton. Service 21B will operate every 30 minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes and hourly on Sunday and Public Holidays daytimes and during the evening. With Service 21B extending beyond Barnstaple Bus Station to and from Barnstaple Railway Station, passengers will be able to travel across the town centre to and from Barnstaple Railway Station for rail connections. Service 21C will continue to operate between Barnstaple and Croyde Bay / Georgeham via Braunton, with some minor changes to the timetable.  The Sunday and Public Holiday timetable on Service 21C will end for the 2024 season after operation on Sunday 15 September 2024.
PH1020951.420	30 31	Plymouth Royal Parade	Hartley Vale	01-Sep-2024	There are some minor changes to the timetable to improve reliability and punctuality.
PH1020951.125	71 72	Barnstaple Bus Station	Holsworthy/Shebbear	01-Sep-2024	15:00 departure from Barnstaple amended to terminate at Great Torrington School (Schooldays only).  Further minor timetable revisions to reflect punctuality data, particularly affecting journeys operating to Rounsdwell Sainsburys
PH1020951.120	75	Bideford	Great Torrington	01-Sep-2024	Minor amendment to timetable with one schoolday only journey from Great Torrington School retarded by 10 mins to 15:35.
PH1020951.163	155	South Molton	Barnstaple	01-Sep-2024	Journeys between Barnstaple Pottington and South Molton Mill on the Mole, Adjusted to terminate at South Molton Broad Street, return jourines to commence at South Molton King Street to provide same bus connections between the 155 and 346 services though the core of the day.
PH1020951.377	346	South Molton	Tiverton	01-Sep-2024	The majority of journeys on Service 346 will be operated by double decker buses, replacing the current smaller and older buses. Passengers connecting to and from Service 155 at South Molton, will no longer need to change buses, remaining on the same vehicle in South Molton. The 1015, 1215, 1415 and 1615 Monday to Saturday journeys from South Molton to Tiverton will depart 10 minutes earlier to provide improved connections with Service 55 at Tiverton Bus Station.
PH1020951.277	372	Bradworthy	Barnstaple	01-Sep-2024	Following a review of passenger demand a small number of Monday to Friday journeys will be withdrawn;  the 0855 Bideford to Holsworthy, 1140 Holsworthy to Bradworthy, 1212 Bradworthy to Holsworthy and 1330 Holsworthy to Bideford.
PH1020951.417	646	Holsworthy	Ashwater	01-Sep-2024	CANCELLATION: Following a review of passenger demand, Service 646 will be withdrawn, which includes four journeys per day Monday to Friday at 1010 and 1235 from Holsworthy to Ashwater and 1035 and 1300 from Ashwater to Holsworthy.
PH1020951.136	815 821 921	Barnstaple	Appledore or Westward Ho!	01-Sep-2024	Redesign on the 21/21A timetables to operate between Barnstaple and Westward Ho! Or Appledore respectively.  Reintroduction of the afternoon 921 service between Pilton Community College and Westward Ho!  Morning journey on 821 changed to start at Bideford Quay to match termination of afternoon journey. The morning journey on Service 821 will change to start at Bideford Quay at 0728, no longer serving the section of route between Westward Ho! and Bideford Quay. Some fares will change to coincide with the start of the new academic year.
PH1020951.334	UNI	Exeter City Centre	Cowley Bridge	15-Sep-2024	During University of Exeter term time, Service UNI will offer a night service linking student accommodation and the City Centre on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am. Buses will operate from Cowley Bridge via Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter St Davids, St Davids Hill, Hele Road, New North Road, Streatham Drive, Prince of Wales Road, Pennsylvania Road, York Road, Cheeke Street to Paris Street. Journeys returning from the City Centre will operate from Paris Street via Sidwell Street to York Road and then operate the reverse of the above. For daytime travel to and from University of Exeter, please refer to Service 4.

Cornwall Timetables

Its not all about Devon as Cornwall is also going to see a fair few new timetables – watch this space tomorrow for more details!

Still with Cornwall…

Industrial Action Continues

First Kernow: INDUSTRIAL ACTION - FRIDAY 9 AUGUST TO MONDAY 12 AUGUST ⚠️

We expect Truro Park & Ride (PR1 / PR1A) to be the only registered bus service operating a full timetable as normal. However, no services are guaranteed. Please check for the latest updates before travel as schedules may change or be canceled last minute.

We plan to deploy any available staff on a modified U1/U1A service between Falmouth and Newquay, focusing on early morning and late services for hospital staff. Again, no services are guaranteed—check for updates before travelling.

🚌 Sunday service will operate on the 24 and 29.
🚫 The Atlantic Coaster will not operate.
⚠️ All other services depend on driver availability, with priority given to the T1/2 service if possible.

**Note:** All services may be subject to change, so always check before travelling.

Services to the Boardmasters Festival will run as planned (operated by a separate partner company of First SW).

Local news

There is nothing to report for the usual weekly Devon & Cornwall Transit edition this weekend so  there just a few bits of news to catch up from the local operators over the last week

Plymouth Citybus

Monday 25th-Friday 29th October is half term for our city’s schools, which means fewer people will be travelling by bus.

Our normal school day only services won’t be running over this week. We will also be reducing the frequency on some of our more frequent routes, as we know there will be a reduced demand.

Services that will be adjusted over the half term week from Monday to Friday are:

8 & 9	Running every 15 minutes instead of every 10
21	Running every 15 minutes instead of every 10
43	Running every 30 minutes instead of every 20
50 & 51	Running every 30 minutes instead of every 20

Services 50 and 51 will change slightly, starting and ending at Royal Parade instead of Derriford Hospital, so if you want to continue through the city centre, you will need to change buses.

All services will return to their standard timetable after half term, and the half term timetables will be available on the website soon.

More worrying…

For the safety of our passengers and drivers we will not be serving Park Avenue, Devonport after 7pm in the evening.

Buses have been on the receiving end of attacks over the last couple of evenings. Shattering a number of windows.

These incidents are now in the hands of the Police.

Buses will divert in both directions using Albert Road - Devonport Road - Fore Street.

Passengers for all services that would use the Granby Way Bus Stop, will need to use Fore Street.

Passengers for all services except the 34 that would use the UTC Bus Stop, will need to use Albert Road.

Service 34 will still serve the UTC and Torpoint Ferry in both directions.

This is likely to be for a number of nights. We will give an update on Monday 18th October.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but the safety is our number one priority here.

Stagecoach

We are pleased to confirm there will be no industrial strike action in Exeter, Torbay and North Devon on Monday 18th October.
Following constructive discussions with RMT, the decision to implement industrial action has been suspended and services in Exeter, Torbay and North Devon will run as per our current timetables.
Due to a driver shortage there may still be some service cancellations on the day but please keep up to date by checking our latest service updates here:
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this uncertainty and we assure you we have been working tirelessly in an effort to avoid such disruption

Plym Valley Railway

October 30-31st Join us for our two day Halloween Weekend packed fill of scary surprises!!

Saturday & Sunday daytime will see the following:

~ Hourly Steam Service

~ Games and Activities for Children

~ Spooky Decorated Train

~ Dress up and travel with us!

Fares:

£8.00- Adult Return

£5.00- Child Return

Trains Depart Marsh Mills at: 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00

Saturday Evening- Story of the Lost Driver

A narrated frightful story story told on board the train. Learn one of the railway's well known tales as the sun sets at the railway. There is no such thing as ghosts?? mwahaha

Fares:

£30- Table of 4

Trains Depart Marsh Mills at: 18:00, 19:00, 20:00

Stagecoach Strike Suspended

A very short note on the Stagecoach web site delivers some good news for passengers in Devon:

Following discussions with senior union officials we can confirm that the strike action planned for 13, 17 and 30 October has been suspended, pending a referendum of members on a revised proposal.

We are therefore pleased to confirm our services will operate as normal on these days, avoiding any disruption to vital transport links for the community.

Although Plymouth wasn't included in the action, services which come into Plymouth from elsewhere in Devon could have been affected

Stagecoach Strike Action?

Over the coming days there will be a series of smaller posts as I try to catch up on some of the happenings that have happened or will happen.

Stagecoach Strike

Stagecoach South West bus drivers have voted 'overwhelmingly' for both strike action and action short of a strike over pay. More than 78 per cent of RMT members’ voted for strike action whilst nearly 90 per cent voted for action short of a strike.

Transport Union RMT members are angry that the company has tabled a pay and conditions package that 'doesn’t even keep pace with the Retail Price Index' and which 'would condemn a key group of transport staff who are already on low pay levels to a de facto pay cut.' They say today's inflation rise has rubbed yet more salt in the wound.

Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said "We have received no notification of any strike action at this stage. Our door remains open for discussions and we will be doing everything possible to find a solution that avoids any impact on our customers.

Full story Devon Live

If this strike does go ahead then it wont affect Plymouth services as they are under a different union. Either way though, lets hope for all concerned that it doesn't get that far…

Citybus Torpoint plans

As expected Plymouth Citybus  have also outlined their plans for next Tuesdays strike action on the Torpoint Ferry. I am pretty sure its the same set up as last time...

Replacement Services for Torpoint and the Rame Tuesday 14th October 2014.

As part of the general public sector day of industrial action taking place Tuesday 14th October 2014. We have been informed that the Torpoint chain ferry will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles from Midnight Monday until Midnight on Tuesday. This means that the Service 32/A which operates Plymouth to Torpoint via the chain ferry to Liskeard and the Rame Peninsula will not be able to do so. To adapt for this day of action, Plymouth Citybus has prepared a revised alternative timetable for the day. (timetable available to view on our web site)

Service 32 Plymouth side will generally operate unchanged but with all services terminating at the Plymouth side of the Torpoint Ferry. See replacement Service 31

Service 32/A will operate as far as is practically possible the existing timetable between Torpoint Ferry Torpoint side to Liskeard (32A) and Cremyll (32).

To replace the service connecting Torpoint and Plymouth a Service 31 will be in place. This replacement service is to operate hourly from the Torpoint Ferry Torpoint side to Plymouth City Centre via Antony, Trerulefoot Tideford Saltash to Plymouth Royal Parade. Our intention or plan is to operate serving all bus stops between Torpoint and Sheviock. Then we will operate a nonstop to St Budeaux Square to enable customers to change for services 21/A for Devonport. Then the service will operate nonstop to the City Centre. We are operating via Saltash New Road to Plymouth but this is only to take advantage of the bus priority for Pemros Road, the bus will not be stopping to board and alight passengers. Should the Torpoint Ferry Service be running and available for buses, then we will revert back to our normal timetabled service. For the updates on the day we strongly recommend following our Facebook page (link on our web site)

Please accept our sincere apologies for the travel disruption faced on the day. All other Plymouth Citybus local bus services will be operating normally.

Timetable

Recommended Reading

• ON THIS BUS: Scrummy Cake and Green Buses! There’s nothing better than seeing old transport infrastructure being used in a new way today. And what’s more, if it involves cake, so much more the better!
• STEVES BUS AND TRAIN PAGE: X1 E400 Steve's WiFi Comparison in Ipswich Last week in a blaze of erm, well, understatement the on board WiFi on the refurbished First fleet in Ipswich was switched on. And so as a frequent passenger as well as enthisiast I thought I'd spend the afternoon comapring the two versions available in Ipswich with Ipswich Buses having WiFi on a few of their buses too.
• TRANSPORT ILLUSTRATED: Exeter Bus & Coach Station 50th Anniversary Back in July the 50th Anniversary of the opening of Exeter's Paris Street Bus and Coach Station was marked by a gathering of vehicles on the lower level, several of which also gave rides round the city.
• NORWICH BUSES: BorderBus: BB07BUS enters service with cherished registration The short wheelbase Enviro200 was employed on the 146 service between Norwich and Southwold, which is usually operated by LWB Enviro200's now with route branding
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: ANOTHER LONDON ROUTE GOES OVER TO NEW ROUTEMASTER OPERATION Route 453 becomes the ninth in the capital to convert and the first to operate entirely with Euro VI New Routemaster buses – delivering even further emission reductions
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: U's a Clever Boy, then? Part the Third Those of our readers who, like fbb, are entering their years of maturity/decrepitude, may be confused by the idea of a University at Falmouth and further befuddled by the addition of Exeter University to the publicity.

First take the long road to Torpoint

14 OCT 2014

TEMPORARY SERVICE 81 TIMETABLE DUE TO LOCAL AUTHORITY DAY OF ACTION: TUESDAY 14 OCTOBER Due to the proposed Torpoint Ferry industrial action (as part of the Local Authority Day Of Action) we have had to create a temporary alternative timetable for service 81 buses between Torpoint and Plymouth. All service 81 trips between HMS Raleigh and the Torpoint Ferry will run as normal with no change.

For those needing to get from Torpoint to Plymouth we will run buses between the Torpoint Ferry Shop, Landrake, the Tamar Bridge and Plymouth City Centre at 0623 and 0713 and then approx. every two hours during the day. There will also be return trips back to Torpoint running every two hours, increased to hourly from 1530 to 1830 from Royal Parade (during the day time some will run from Fore Street in Saltash so you'll need to catch service 1/1A from Plymouth and change there).

To view the temporary timetable running on Tuesday 14 October please click here or pick up a copy from your service 81 driver or the Torpoint bus depot (from tomorrow). Timetable

Its interesting that this is a slight change from the last time when First left the Plymouth - Saltash - Torpoint connections to Plymouth Citybus. No word from Citybus just yet as to what they are running... Of course most passengers will be well aware of the industrial action and either make alternative arrangements - or just stay at home!

Recommended Reading

• STEVES BUS AND TRAIN PAGE: X1 E400 Steve's Multi Coloured First Post! Hands up all who can accurately describe First's current livery. Come on now be brave and have a go! Well yes obviously lilac but what about the front? Dark Grey I mean RAF Blue? Purple? Red? I was having a browse in Flickr yesterday and decided to see just how many colours I could find and here is what I came up with.
• DENNIS BASFORD: ‘Scene’ on the West Coast of Scotland part 2. Earlier this year, I had a short break staying at the Alexandra Hotel in Oban. The tour company was ‘Highland Heritage’ (HH) with whom I have no connection other than as a satisfied customer.
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: U's a Clever Boy, then? Part the Second Fal River Ferries The word on the Cornwall Street is that Fal River wanted to tender for the contract to run buses for the University but, after due consideration and tricky negotiation, it was decided to offer a joint deal

A step forward?

A mediation service has been requested to resolve a pay dispute involving First Bus Group in Devon and Cornwall. Drivers, engineers and backroom staff walked out at 00:01 GMT for 24 hours on Thursday, as part of a dispute over pay. It ended at midnight. First said it had requested to work with Acas to solve the situation. The RMT union said First was "stalling" over a pay deal and it would consider "all options", including working with the mediators.

Managers from the bus company and the RMT union had disagreed over a pay offer which guaranteed staff a 2% pay increase from 2 December, followed by a 2.3% increase from April 2013. But Phil Bialyk, from the RMT, said: "They've made us offers and this pay should be implemented from the 1 April. "They want to implement it from 2 December so there is something like seven or eight months back payments that should be made to the staff and they're refusing to make those payments." He described the strike as a success and said only "one or two" out of 675 employees went into work. Mr Bialyk said: "I've spoken to the company and we're trying to set up a meeting next week. "We're still considering reports and are considering all options available, including working with Acas."

First said it was disappointed by the strike but said it managed to provide more services in Cornwall and Plymouth compared to a strike in October when only 10% of services were in operation. Robbie Lamerton from First said: "We're in an industry where we're losing income streams and therefore we have to make efficiency savings. "They didn't want those efficiency savings so we've given them what they wanted but they want the back-pay as well, which we just can't afford." First said it hoped the option to bring in Acas would being about a "conclusion" to the situation quickly.

In a statement Acas said: "We have contacted both parties involved in the dispute and we stand ready to assist if needed."

Bloggers

• So was Bowden Wood Crescent omitted to save a few precious minutes of running time? Or was it yet another example of TSY staff not knowing where their own buses go? Public Transport Experience
• Suffolk is considering rebranding itself “The Curious County”. However, what of Northamptonshire? Known as the “Rose of the Shires”, it could easily be described as the “Innocuous” or “Average” county. Among the English shire counties, it’s middle ranking in terms of size and population density. Omnibuses
• Nowadays, most bus services have stops on Bethlehem Street near the Station. Sadly the lads at Stagecoach can't spell "Bethlehem"! Public Transport Experience
• So that makes everything nice a clear. The Great and Good of Great Grimsby are spending 6.5 million pounds to remove an excellent bus station and replace it with street shelters spread more widely around the area. What a jolly good idea! Public Transport Experience

Strike Two

Strike Update for Thursday 15th November 2012 - Services operating

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Some First bus drivers, engineers and back office staff, who are part of the RMT Union are taking part in a 24 hour walk out from 00.01 hours tonight, until 12.59 hours tomorrow (thursday) night. The dispute is linked to pay.
What follows is a summary of those services that we expect to be able to run on Thursday - everything else is expected to be severely disrupted / suspended for the duration of the 24 hour walk out.
We would strongly advise customers to allow additional time for important journeys where possible to avoid disappointment.
As things stand we hope to run the following:

In Cornwall

• Contracted services to Truro College (ie all 900 services)
  
• A shuttle bus service between Falmouth and the Tremough Campus " NB we hope to run this on a half hourly basis throughout the day if possible
  
• Eden Rider service (includes Park and Ride and Service 101 from St Austell)
  
• On Service 2, we will operate buses between Penzance and Goldsithney and back again. They will run hourly from 0945 until 1545, with the exception of the 1245 departure, when the driver will be having a break. In addition, buses will operate between Helston (Tescos) and Porthleven on an hourly basis from around 0900 hours, with a break at midday to allow the driver to rest. Buses will operate as close to the scheduled timetable as possible, although the last bus will be at 1358 from Helson Tesco, and 1429 from Porthleven
  
• On Service 18, we will operate a journey from Camborne to Truro at 0727 hours, and a return journey at 16.05 hours. In addition, during the day (ie between 0900 and 1500 hours) we hope to operate an hourly service from Truro to Camborne, with buses leaving both locations on the hour.
  
• Service 18C from Mousehole to Cornwall College: we will operate the 0740 departure from Mousehole (The Coastguard) to Cornwall College, and the return journey at 1650 from Cornwall College " Mousehole,
  
• Service 37/34: A journey to and from The Lizard and Cornwall College: at 0725 hours from The Lizard, and 1645 from Cornwall College
  
• Service 38, this Helston town service will operate between 1030 and 1430 hours, keeping as close to the normal scheduled timetable as possible between these times,
  
• Service 39: A journey to and from Helston and Cornwall College: at 0740 from Helston and 1645 from Cornwall College,
  
• Service 45: A journey to and from Camborne and Helston School: at 0745 from Camborne and 1530 from Helston School.
  

  In Devon

• A reduced Park and Ride Service in Plymouth (with buses running up to every 15 minutes, rather than every 7 minutes on normal days).
  
• Service 2: We hope to run a half hourly service on in Plymouth (City Centre " Mountbattern Pier via Plymstock and Hooe). This will operate every 30 minutes, departing city centre and Mount Batten on the hour and 30 minutes past. Between 1130 and 1330 the service will only operate hourly, this is to allow the drivers on the route to have the necessary breaks. The last bus will leave the city centre at 1800 hours.
  
• Service 86: A journey to and from Plymouth to Tavistock College: at 0720 from Plymouth, and 1505 from Tavistock
  
• Service 89, Tavistock town bus: we hope to operate the normal timetable throughout most of the day albeit with break around lunchtime to allow the driver to have a necessary rest period.

Strike Thursday

First Devon & Cornwall have posted details of another bus drivers strike – Thursday 15th November:

 

Despite extensive efforts on the part of the company to reduce the likelihood of industrial action affecting bus services in Devon and Cornwall, bus operator First has been informed by the Union representing drivers and engineers that they will stage a further 24 hour walk out.
The walk out, which the company has been told will take place on Thursday 15 November, will affect all First depots in Devon and Cornwall. While the company is still working hard to resolve the issue, the planned walk out could mean that many services across the two counties could be significantly disrupted, and that some may be entirely suspended for 24 hours, from 00.01 until 23.59 hours on Thursday 15 November.
Firsts management team has met with the RMT Union on a number of occasions in recent weeks. It tabled another good deal on Friday 2 November, offering staff a 2% pay increase from 2 December and a further 2.3% increase from April next year " but the company has been informed that this has been rejected by the Union. Notably the latest offer sought to resolve many of the issues that have previously been contentious in negotiations, with the plan for new driver contracts revised to give new staff a �new starter package instead.
The company is now planning to communicate directly with the staff to ensure that the details of the latest offer are put to individual employees, while it is similarly looking at what services could run on Thursday 15 November if the planned action does go ahead.
The company also is considering its options in relation to drawing in external support, having advised the Union representatives who attended the last meeting that if the new, improved offer was rejected that it would call in the services of ACAS to help find a long term solution to the issue.
Talking about the issue, Chris Bainbridge, Service Delivery Director for First South Coast, says: "We are incredibly disappointed and frustrated that the Union has called for this action for a second time and that they are preparing to walk out again on Thursday 15 November, despite an improved offer being put to our staff.
"This action is deeply regrettable and extremely disappointing, not least because measures like this cause undue disruption and anxiety for hard working people, who rely on our local bus services to get to school, work and leisure destinations.
"As a nation we are all facing tougher times. We have, however, offered the Union a good deal " guaranteeing staff pay rises from December this year and April next year - and yet despite this they are now preparing to strike again.
"The deal that we have put on the table is a very good one. It guarantees drivers and engineers a simple 2% pay increase from 2 December and a further 2.3% increase from April next year, with no changes to the terms and conditions of current staff. We will be writing to all staff to make them fully aware of the latest offer and encourage those who want to accept it, to do so.
"The pay offer on the table adds to an already generous pay and benefits package. On average our drivers earn around £17,000 a year with the opportunity to earn much more through overtime, and they also get a generous holiday entitlement, paid sick leave, access to contributory pension schemes, access to an employee assistance programme, access to Share Save and Buy As You Earn saving schemes, free bus travel for staff and their immediate families, reduced price train travel around the UK and access to other discounts at other high street stops and leisure destinations.
"Industrial action benefits no one. Customers are inconvenienced, drivers and engineers lose pay for the days that they do not work and the business suffers as people inevitably find other, alternative ways to get from A to B.
"The bus industry is already facing challenging times, with millions of pounds worth of funding cuts, cost increases affecting all parts of the business and the recession impacting on the number of people using our services, we would expect our staff to work with us to grow the business and make it stronger, rather than undermining efforts in this way by persisting with unnecessary strike action.'
As a company First remains committed to resolving the dispute with the Union and will do what it can to keep customers up to date with how the action may affect them, it is, however advising customers to prepare for significant disruption.
While specific plans are currently being put in place for Thursdays industrial action, the company hopes to be able to run a similar, or better, level of service to that which it operated on 26 October. That is to say in Cornwall it hopes, at a minimum, to run contracted services to Truro College, a shuttle bus service between Falmouth and the Tremough Campus and the Eden Rider service. In Devon the company hopes to run services to Tavistock School and a reduced Park and Ride Service in Plymouth (with buses running up to every 15 minutes, rather than every 7 minutes on normal days). All other services are expected to be severely disrupted. Up to date details regarding the disruption will be communicated via the companys website and via its Facebook and Twitter pages as soon it becomes available.
In light of the planned action, customers who use First bus services are advised to prepare for significant disruption on Thursday and should consider finding alternative ways to make important journeys. Traveline, the organisation which provides independent travel advice, may be able to assist customers looking for information about alternative public transport options. Traveline South West: 0871 200 22 33 or www.travelinesw.com
For regular updates on services operating please follow us on Facebook or Twitter or contact our Customer Services:

First D & C

Good News

 

We are pleased to announce that the industrial action planned for Thursday 8 November had been suspended by the union representing drivers and engineers in Devon and Cornwall.

This follows talks on Friday 2 November afternoon during which a new offer was tabled by the company.
The union will be meeting with its members this week to consult on the offer (which guarantees staff a 2% pay increase from 2 December and a further 2.3% increase from April next year) and in the meantime the planned industrial action has been suspended.
This means that bus services in Devon and Cornwall will operate as normal on Thursday 8 November. Buses will also operate as normal on Friday 9 November, the date that the union had previously said that they would stage a walkout.
We continue to work with the union to resolve the on-going dispute.

First Devon & Cornwall

Not Chaos but still a bad day

CHAOS AS BUS STRIKE HITS CITY dlvr.it/2NQlQJ

— This is Plymouth (@thisisplymouth) October 26, 2012

Well that was the morning tweet from This is Plymouth which was really overstating things by quite a bit!

The actual news item which was linked to in the tweet was slightly less dramatic:

As usual there are many comments on the This is Plymouth article including…

• It's 8.22am and I am at Crownhill lower level - there is no disruption at all”
• “I was expecting major traffic on the roads this morning, but actually had the easiest drive into town I've had all week. No sign of any disruption at all, major or otherwise!”
• “Had to wait a little bit longer for a Park & Ride bus this morning but no real inconvenience.

I think the excellent Omnibuses Blog made the point very well yesterday

“Yes, it’s all a little inconvenient but people, most people most of the time, will get by. What does this say? That buses are perhaps not quite the lifeline we all think that they are. What a strike tends to do, from my own observation, is galvanise those who do have alternatives to the bus to use those choices more often in the future. A lift offered tomorrow might turn into a lift next Friday and the Friday after. And although after a strike things tend to get back to relative normality, a small percentage will never return. And this threatens both drivers’ jobs and management positions.” Omnibuses

First did their best to communicate the changing position throughout the day on Facebook:

Plymouth - Tavistock School bus is running am and pm - nothing else - Service 93 is not running. Park & Ride - Coypool, The George & Mile house P&R up to every 15 minutes Tavistock - Most services rush hour this morning - 83 & 86 is running during rush hour

As with This is Plymouth there have been some interesting comments left on Facebook. Many of them along the lines of “what about my bus” when it had been made clear what was running. There have also been a lot of comments on the rights and wrongs of the strike action for and against the drivers, many of the comments have been quite angry and there are one or two which should probably be removed due to bad language etc.

I have deliberately refrained from commenting on the rights and wrongs of the dispute as there is a lot of conflicting information being given out by the company and the unions on what the pay offer actually means for drivers. I suspect that the actual true position lies somewhere between the two viewpoints. The pay offer probably not being as good as the company state but then not as bad as the union says it is.

One day of strikes has certainly not caused chaos as suggested by the local press. Many people have been inconvenienced though and may well return to normal bus usage tomorrow but too many strikes like this as as Omnibuses says, passengers will look for and find alternatives, and wont come back to the buses. Lets just hope for all concerned that both sides now get back to the table and thrash out a settlement sooner rather than later. I leave the last word to First who make the point that its not been a good day…

 

It has really not been a good day for First today. Our sincerest apologies to everyone affected. It will all be back to normal tomorrow.

— First Devon/Cornwall (@FirstBus_Devon) October 26, 2012

Strike tomorrow

Latest update from First

We are incredibly disappointed that despite efforts and last minute talks to resolve the current dispute with the Union representing drivers and engineers, the planned walk out of driving, engineering and some administrative staff on Friday 26 October is still going ahead.
The dispute is over pay. The walkout was planned despite a number of very good offers having been tabled by the company, as recently as Wednesday evening.
The action that the Union is taking will cause undue disruption to hardworking people in Devon and Cornwall, who rely on our services to get to work, education and leisure destinations. We deeply regret this but we are afraid that despite lengthy talks and a willingness to negotiate on behalf of the company, an agreement has not been reached.
In this current economic climate we believe this action is very selfish. With many people out of work and other facing pay freezes and tougher times, we are very disappointed that the Union representing our drivers and engineers has turned down a two year pay deal.
The offer that the union rejected was straightforward: it guaranteed staff a pay increase from 2 December along with a one off lump sum payment on the same date, and similarly offered them a further pay increase from April next year.
This deal added to what is an already generous pay and benefits package, which includes generous holiday entitlement, paid sick leave, access to contributory pension schemes, access to an employee assistance programme, access to Share Save and Buy As You Earn saving schemes, free bus travel for staff and their immediate families, reduced price train travel around the UK and access to other discounts at other high street stops and leisure destinations.
We would like to offer our sincere apologies to our customers who will be inconvenienced by the action that is taking place.
On Friday we will prioritise contracted school and college services in Cornwall and hope to run contracted services to Truro College, a shuttle bus service between Falmouth and the Tremough Campus and the Eden Rider service. We are also looking at whether it is possible to run any other tendered services on behalf of Cornwall Council. In Devon we hope to run services to Tavistock School and a reduced Park and Ride Service in Plymouth (with buses running circa every half an hour, rather than every 7 minutes on normal days). All other services are expected to be disrupted. Up to date details regarding the disruption will be communicated as soon as possible and throughout the day on Friday 26 October.
In light of the disruption, Customers who use our normal commercial services are advised to prepare for significant disruption on Friday and should consider finding alternative ways to make important journeys. Traveline, the organisation which provides independent travel advice, may be able to assist customers looking for information about alternative public transport options.
The company will do all it can to update its website, Facebook and Twitter pages as more information becomes available regarding the services that will operate on the day.

Website: www.firstgroup.com/devon

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstinDevonandCornwall

Twitter: @FirstBus_Devon

Customer Services: 0845 600 1420
Traveline South West: 0871 200 22 33 / www.travelinesw.com

Strike

Latest update from First:

Industrial Action affecting bus services in Devon and Cornwall

Despite extensive efforts on the part of the company to reduce the likelihood of industrial action affecting bus services in Devon and Cornwall, First Devon and Cornwall has been informed by the Union representing drivers, engineers and some other staff in the company, that they will stage a 24 hour walk out on Friday 26 October (from 00.01 hours until 23.59 hours). The walk out will affect all First depots in Devon and Cornwall.
This action is deeply regrettable and very disappointing, not least because it will cause undue disruption and anxiety for the many customers who rely on local bus services to get to school, work and leisure destinations.
Firsts management team has met with the RMT Unions local officials on a number of occasions in order to resolve the pay dispute and has offered its employees what it considers to be a very generous deal which, over the course of two years, is worth up to 7.1% pay increase, of which 3.9% is guaranteed, while a further 3.2% is linked to efficiencies and business improvements (some of which are already being achieved) that must be made within the business. The need to make efficiencies is to ensure that the long term viability of the business can be maintained, and to protect jobs for those people who currently work for the company.
The company remains willing to talk to the union to resolve the issue " and proposed that they meet again on Wednesday 24 October on the understanding that the RMT postponed the action that is currently planned for Friday; however the Union declined this offer. As such industrial action is due to go ahead on Friday 26 October.
The company is now planning its response to the planned action, and is working out what services it will be able to run on Friday. This information will be communicated to customers as soon as it becomes available.
Talking about the issue, Chrissie Bainbridge, Service Delivery Director for First South Coast, says: "We are incredibly disappointed that the Union has called for this action and that they are preparing to strike on Friday 26 October. We are now putting together contingency plans, which we will communicate to customers as soon as possible.
"The offer that we have put on the table for our staff is a very good one. It guarantees drivers, engineers and administration staff a two year pay deal worth up to 7.1% overall, with this years rise backdated to April. In keeping with many businesses operating in this tough economic environment part of the deal is about improving the efficiency of the business, for instance improving driving performance and similarly reducing the amount of injuries sustained by passengers on board buses. In addition there is a proposal to make some very small changes to the sickness scheme and introduce new driver contracts in the business, which promote employment opportunities in the long term.
"The offer also adds to an already generous pay and benefits package. Drivers in Devon and Cornwall earn around £17,000 per annum as their basic salary with the opportunity to earn much more through overtime. In addition to this they also get generous holiday entitlement, paid sick leave, access to contributory pension schemes, access to an employee assistance programme, access to Share Save and Buy As You Earn saving schemes, free bus travel for staff and their immediate families, reduced price train travel around the UK and access to other discounts at other high street stops and leisure destinations.
"Industrial action benefits no one. Customers will be inconvenienced, those employees taking action will lose pay for the days that they do not work and the business will suffer as people will find other, alternative ways to get from A to B. In light of the fact that the bus industry is already facing challenging times, with millions of pounds worth of funding cuts, cost increases affecting all parts of the business and the recession impacting on the number of people using our services, we would expect trade unions representing our staff to work with us to grow the business and make it stronger, rather than undermining efforts in this way by calling for unnecessary strike action.
"We would urge the union to call off this action and once again consider the very generous offer that has been put to them.'
As a company First remains committed to resolving the dispute with the union, however it seems likely that the 24 hour walk out will go ahead on Friday with all local bus services in Devon and Cornwall affected.
First will do all it can to communicate to customers the extent of the disruption, using its Twitter feeds and Facebook pages, as well as its official website and posters on buses and at key locations. Customers should, however, prepare for disruption, possibly finding alternative forms of transport for Friday if at all possible. The company, while working hard to minimise disruption, is currently planning what will and will not operate on the day. Where possible First will be prioritising contracted school services.

First Devon & Cornwall

Strike Dates

TRANSPORT UNION RMT today confirmed two strike dates and further action short of a strike following a massive mandate from members in a ballot of groups of staff on First Devon and Cornwall buses in a dispute over pay. Relevant members are not to book on for any duty commencing between 00:01 and 23:59 hours on Friday 26th October 2012, and again between 00:01 and 23:59 hours on Friday 9th November 2012. Relevant members are not to work any unscheduled overtime or rest days between 00:01 hours on Sunday 11th
November and 23:59 hours on Saturday 17th November 2012.

The action follows the rejection of this year's long overdue pay offer. The company proposal is self-funding – meaning it would have no cost impact on the company and ring-fences their profits. It includes the loss of paid walking time, the removal of time to do a visual "walk round" check when taking a bus over mid shift and the dilution of the sick pay benefits. This follows on from the removal of the final salary section of the pension scheme, already implemented despite fierce union objections.

In this weeks ballot result RMT members voted by almost 85% for strike action and by over 90% for action short of a strike. RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “This weeks massive mandate for action by RMT members on First Devon and Cornwall buses reflects their anger at the failure to come up with a serious pay offer and the attempt to bind up what is on the table with a whole load of strings to make it self-financing at the expense of the workforce. "The fact that we have been forced to ballot and put this action on is solely down to the failure of the management side to understand the anger of their workforce. The company must take this situation seriously and get round the table with RMT to negotiate a settlement and the sooner those talks commence the better.

“Bus services and bus workers in the South West are under a series of attacks as the companies attempt to ramp up and protect profits at the expense of the staff and that situation cannot continue. "

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Previously on Plymothian Transit

• First D&C Strike Plymothian Transit July 2005
• Industrial Relations Plymothian Transit November 2009
• Trouble Ahead? Plymothian Transit September 2010
• Not so Super Trooper Strike? Plymothian Transit June 2011

Not So Super Trooper Strike?

The BBC has reported that there may be a strike ahead for First Devon & Cornwall:
Bus workers in Devon and Cornwall are being balloted over possible strike action in a dispute over "essential" staff transport. In May First Devon and Cornwall announced it would be withdrawing its early morning "Staff Trooper" bus which staff use to travel to work. The RMT union said the ballot would close on 5 July. First Devon and Cornwall said the service was "underused" which made it uneconomical to run.
Bob Crowe, from the RMT, said: "Many of our members relied on the Staff Trooper to get to work and the company has refused point-blank to enter into dialogue with RMT to either change their decision or modify their proposals.
"This is a purely penny-pinching measure at a time when First Group profits have risen by 14.3% in the last year as a result of our members hard work."
General Manager of First Devon and Cornwall, Robbie Lamerton, said: "This service was underused, benefiting only 6% of the workforce (an average 10 people a day used it out of a workforce of 168).

I cant see this turning into a full strike, but you never know, as sometimes fairly small disputes like this can escalate out of control and turn nasty. Certainly Bob Crowe likes a fight, but lets hope that it all gets resolved sensibly in due course.

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• Route 94 Piccadilly Circus to Acton Green on an ADL Enviro 400 Hybrid. TGP Photos Unlimited
• In 1967 the electrification of the so-called West Coast main line (which barely goes NEAR the West Coast!) was complete. Public Transport Experience
• It may not be the first in the country (as the press releases state) but it probably is the most significant & all-embracing... Omnibuses
• As we eagerly await the full publication by Dorset council of its tender results, let’s take stock of a few things relating to this fascinating occurrence, as matters dribble into the public domain. Dorset Bus Blog

Trouble ahead?

Publication Date: September 20 2010
TRANSPORT UNION RMT today slammed the “appalling and outrageous” treatment of a group of members working for First Devon and Cornwall buses on a sub-contract from National Express who have been effectively sacked following the re-award of the contract to a different company – Parks of Hamilton – who are refusing to abide by their obligations under the law to re-engage the existing staff.
RMT confirmed today that it is preparing a ballot for industrial action on First Devon and Cornwall if the company fail to intervene to ensure that the new company comply with their legal obligations and if First Group fail to protect the interests of their staff by re-engaging the workers caught in the middle of the tendering process.
RMT, National Express and First Devon and Cornwall were all clear during negotiations over the award of the contract to Parks of Hamilton that Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) regulations would apply and that existing staff would be re-employed. It is Parks of Hamilton who have refused to comply with TUPE but RMT are clear that First Devon Cornwall also have an obligation to ensure that they do and to re-engage any staff who have lost out as a result of the tendering process.
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:
“The treatment of our members who have been caught in the middle of this tendering process is a disgrace. RMT was appalled to find out that staff who should have been either re-deployed by First Devon and Cornwall, or re-engaged with their service and employment rights protected by Parks of Hamilton, were effectively sacked on the 6th September. That is an outrageous way to treat loyal staff.
“As well as preparing an industrial action ballot RMT will be pursuing legal cases against both First Devon and Cornwall and Parks of Hamilton and we are also demanding that National Express intervene as the client to clear up the mess that this tendering process has created and ensure that our members’ rights are protected.
“It is important that the seriousness of this situation is recognised by all concerned and that the employers meet their obligations to the workforce.”

It remains to be seen if this threat does come to anything as there is still time for all sides to sort something out but it does illustrate the problems that can happen when contracts change hands. As usual its the staff caught up in the middle who tend to come of worse.
Pic credit: RabidSquirrel Creative commons

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Industrial Relations at First

UNION leaders have held talks with First D&C after drivers threatened to strike over an apparent dispute with bosses

It seems all is not well at First Devon and Cornwall at the moment. This is Plymouth 10th November: A ROW has erupted at a city bus operator after an insulting email written by a manager was leaked to drivers. The manager, who works for First Devon and Cornwall, has been forced to apologise after voicing frustrations over problems in the Goosewell area of Plymstock in a 'disrespectful' manner. A private email about the problem, in which it is understood one of the firm's managers questioned some drivers' intelligence, was then leaked to dozens of members of staff. The manager's comments prompted outrage when the email reached the team and the member of staff responsible has since issued a written apology. Disgruntled Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers' Union members were last night due to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the fall-out, with one driver telling The Herald he was "infuriated" and even willing to strike. However, Phil Bialyk, regional organiser for the RMT, said industrial action was highly unlikely, adding that he would be meeting First bosses later this month to discuss the issue. Careless emails have been the downfall of many people across all walks of life. We have seen similar emails hastily recalled at Derriford in the past (no I wont go into details for obvious reasons!) and many a politician has fallen foul of emails falling into the wrong hands. The next report on This is Plymouth suggests industrial relations have got worse: UNION leaders have held talks with a Plymouth bus operator after drivers threatened to strike over an apparent dispute with bosses. Sources close to the dispute have claimed more than 100 drivers discussed their levels of confidence in First Devon and Cornwall's management team at a meeting held earlier this week. They are angry about a number of internal issues, including what they claim is 'unfair' treatment of drivers who have been investigated or suspended. A joint statement from Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall, and Phil Bialyk, Regional Organiser, RMT Union, said: "As part of the usual schedule of Company/RMT meetings, First Devon and Cornwall and the RMT met today. The meeting was productive with a number of issued discussed and aired. Further meetings will be held in due course, as is the normal state of play. It does seem that industrial action is unlikely which is a good thing as the Union and the company do seem to have a good relationship with both sides expecting these issues to be sorted out.

Further Reading Plymothian Transit July 2005: First D&C STRIKE Plymothian Transit August 2005: Good News Plymothian Transit Feb 2006: Strike News Omnibuses Feb 2006: Who’d Drive a Bus? 6 mistakes to avoid on email subject lines   Recommended Links Omnibuses: An Outer Odyssey First section of an epic posting! Highton-Ridley: Photography composition tips TGP Public: Terry has been to the beach TGP Lorries Trucks and Vans: London 2

Strike News

Just a quickie tonight

Plymouth Citybus drivers have withdrawn the threat of strike action. Staff had started the process of voting for industrial action in a dispute with the company over the sacking of a driver.But a union leader today confirmed that Terry Prout would instead be taking a claim for unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.
Whilst still not knowing the full story it is good to see that this is going to be sorted out the proper way and not through strike action.
Omnibus covers this story in his own blog today which is worth a read here.
In that context its worth noting the one comment the story has on the This is Plymouth web page.

Managing director John Ackroyd said: "The last thing we wanted was for our
passengers to suffer a major disruption in service.WE SUFFER EVERY DAY WHEN WE GET ON A CITY BUS.