New Timetables Plymouth Citybus 45

This coming weekend sees quite a few timetable changes for both Plymouth Citybus and First. I have covered some of these, but over the next few days I will bring all details and timetables together with links to my Plymothian Bus Services pages where you can view the recent histories of these routes...

Plymouth Citybus 45

Route Changes: No Change in the route between the City Centre and Ivybridge Town Hall. From the Town Hall the service is to be withdrawn from Exeter road and Rail Station and instead is to operate up to every 30 minutes along Hartford Road, Cole Lane, St Peters Way, Woolcombe Lane, then into Leonards Road past the Town Hall around the roundabout then back to Plymouth as per the current route. Time and Frequency changes: Sunday and Bank Holiday services are to be withdrawn. No changes to the frequency of Service Monday to Saturday with an additional journey to Ivybridge leaving Plymouth at 20:25 Monday to Saturday.

Timetable 45

The withdrawal of the Sunday service is noted.

A Bridge too far

The latest item on VOSA confirms that First Devon is now out of Ivybridge as Plymouth Citybus  take over the Devon County Council tender:

PH0004983/351 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT

Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Plymouth, Bretonside Bus Station and Ivybridge, Cole Lane given service number 180 effective from 19-Apr-2014.

48263 W603PAF is typical of the 180 workings seen back in August 2012. I have seen Optare Solos from time to time but most of the time it was these

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A few tender moments to share…

New registrations are slowly starting to appear for services changing hands under council tenders. Tuesday saw a few entries for Jacketts Coaches:

Jacketts 318

PH1101608/7 - TREVELLYAN JACKETT T/A JACKETT'S COACHES, KINGSETT HOUSE,, ALBASTON, GUNNISLAKE, PL18 9AL

Variation Accepted: Operating between Okehampton, Fore Street and North Tawton given service number 318 effective from 27-May-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

Jacketts 55

PH1101608/12 - TREVELLYAN JACKETT T/A JACKETT'S COACHES, KINGSETT HOUSE,, ALBASTON, GUNNISLAKE, PL18 9AL

• Registration Accepted

• Starting Point: Tavistock Bus Station

• Finish Point: Yelverton Roundabout

• Via: Horrabridge, Milton Coombe, Dousland

• Service Number: 55

• Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride

• Effective Date: 27-MAY-2014

• Other Details: Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays.

The 55 is currently operated by Beacon Bus.
This next one is a bit of a surprise - It is of course currently a Plymouth Citybus route Monday to Saturday:

Jacketts 25

PH1101608/11 - TREVELLYAN JACKETT T/A JACKETT'S COACHES, KINGSETT HOUSE,, ALBASTON, GUNNISLAKE, PL18 9AL

• Registration Accepted

• Starting Point: Plymouth, Royal Parade

• Finish Point: Plymouth, Royal Parade

• Via: Barbican & West Hoe

• Service Number: 25

• Service Type: Normal Stopping

• Effective Date: 06-MAY-2014

• Other Details: Sundays and public holiday from first Sunday in May through to last Sunday in September each year.

Meanwhile a little more information on the new 20A announced by Plymouth Citybus ...

As scheduled, the County Council contract for operating financially supported Service 180 has been retendered. The outcome of this is that Plymouth Citybus are successful. A revised timetable which takes effect on Monday 21st April.
The Citybus operation takes the form of an extension to their local service between Plymouth and Plympton. The service is therefore renumbered 20A.

The service restores an hourly frequency between Ivybridge Town, Lee Mill, Smithaleigh, Plympton and Plymouth. Ivybridge Town sections continue to be served, at the improved frequency, with the eastern half of the town being served by means of a one-way clockwise loop. Plymouth-bound passengers boarding in Cole Lane will travel via Ivybridge Station, as will passengers travelling from Plymouth to St. Peter's Way. The route between Ivybridge and Lee Mill is via Beech Road and Woodland Road. The stop in Plympton moves to Moorland Road.

The route in and out of Plymouth will be via Marsh Mills, Laira, North Hill and Mayflower Street to and from Royal Parade. College-time passengers will need to change in the City Centre. Citybus are providing the new 20A in addition to their half-hourly direct Service 45. The full range of Citybus network tickets will be available. The Plymouth Citybus service is not only the lowest cost option for the County Council, but also, being built on a sound commercial core, it offers the best prospect of future sustainability.

Which of course replaces First service 180

48265 seen in February 2010

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Close Down Mode?

Question:

It’s Alex Brignall from UBS. …Firstly, in terms of the disposal target, the £100 million you say you’ve achieved, I think last year you talked about £100 million with no impact on EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes), so therefore we would see a margin improvement. Obviously we have seen an impact on EBIT.  Does that mean that there’s still a tale of non-profitable businesses that you’re trying to get out of, or is what you have left what you’re planning on keeping?

Answer:

Tim O’Toole: Well, in the disposals there are some money losing operations we have to run off, of which we weren’t able to complete the sales. We had more regulatory interference than we expected, but we also had people who had indicated expressions of interest, who at the
end of the day walked away, and there was just no getting around that. In South Devon and Northampton we are almost in a close-down mode trying to figure out Northampton getting two or more efficient, smaller operations, transferring some of those operations to other carriers so we can TUPE the employees across and give them the appropriate future. We are having to do some of that although it is not a big financial item that you would see.

This was from a transcript of a talk to investors by First Group.

There is still a bit of fight in First Devon though…

We've reduced our fares between Plymouth and Ivybridge on the X80 (and the 180 too!) from 26 May they're:
Single £2.50 (save 50p)
Return £3 (save £1.20)
Plus we've extended the boundary of our FirstDay Plymouth ticket zone to include Ivybridge as well. So now you can have unlimited travel all day on our buses in Plymouth plus Saltash, Torpoint and Ivybridge for just £3.50 (that's a saving of 50p compared to the price of the FirstDay Ivybridge ticket)  First Devon

Of course next week is when the current 88 comes off – although I have not seen any announcement of this on the First web site, although I may have missed it?

 

 

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Blinking First

A while back when the great battle for Ivybridge began we asked you a few simple questions one of them being:

57.14% of you expected First to blink first. It seems you were right…

Yesterday there was a little notice on VOSA

PH0004983/451 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth City Centre, Bretonside Bus Station and Ivybridge given service number 88 effective from 02-Jun-2013.

It remains to be seen what happens to the infrequent 180 service but at this stage it does look like Plymouth Citybus have won this little skirmish. The 88 did go serve parts of Ivybridge that were not touched by Citybus so it will be interesting to see if Citybus rejig their 45 to help these communities?

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Battle for Ivybridge: Your views

A week or so ago we asked a few simple questions about the Battle for Ivybridge so as promised lets have a quick look at the answers:

Ivybridge will now be served by three different bus companies: Plymouth Citybus, First Devon and Stagecoach. Is there room for all three?

 

If Ivybridge cannot sustain all three operators which company do you think will blink first and reduce their service?

 

3) Ultimately which company do you think will win the battle for Ivybridge?

thanks to the 35 people who joined in, including one reportedly from Iceland!

I probably dont really need to say much more on this at the moment, however I do have one quick question: I have not seen any reports on what First are using on their 88 service. Can anyone please confirm what First are using up against the Citybus Enviros?

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The Battle for Ivybridge

The battle for Ivybridge kicks off properly next week with both Plymouth Citybus and First Devon offering special fare deals:

First Devon

For a limited period only you can buy a 10 journey ticket for only £10!

Simply ask your driver for a 10 journey ticket available on Service X80, Service 180 (and new Service 88 which serves Ivybridge from 8th October!) But hurry! This special offer is only available for a limited time:
From 23 Sep-20 Oct on the X80 and 180 and from 8 Oct-20 Oct on our new Service 88, for journeys between Plymouth and Ivybridge.
*With a £10 journey ticket.

 

Plymouth Citybus

We have launched our eagerly awaited service to Ivybridge! Route 45 went into service on Sunday 30th September to wonderful reactions from the residents of Ivybridge and Plymouth alike. After the incredibly successful launch of the new 45 Service to Ivybridge, the special launch price of just £1 for single tickets has been extended into next week.

Travel on the 45 between the City Centre and Ivybridge and pay just £1 each way!

Tickets and passes for the new Country Zone will soon be available on The Key and Plymouthbus Mobile - we'll keep you updated.

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Have your say

Now I know its very early days but I am interesting in your opinion on how all of this will develop.

To start with I have a very simple survey which contains just three simple questions. Please click the link below and the survey should open in a new window. (This is the first time I have used this service so I hope it all works!)

Take part in our online survey

Finally there is one further question which I would like to see you have a go at as detailed on the survey page:

That's all the questions for now, but I would like you get your crystal balls out and offer your views on what will be happening on this important transport corridor this time next year. Please leave your predictions as comments on the main blog post that this quick survey belongs to.

Please leave your answers to this question using the usual comments link for this post or if you prefer you can email them to IvybridgeBattle@PlymothianTransit.com (If your comment is not for publication or you wish to remain anonymous then please say so in the email!) Please try and refrain from “Citybus / First are crap….” type comments for this post at least!

I will leave the survey up until the end of October but will give an initial report on the results in one weeks time.

Timetables

Plymouth Citybus 45

First Devon 88 (Forthcoming timetable from 7th October)

First Devon 180

First Devon X80

Stagecoach X38

Ivybridge here we come

Sunday saw the first day of the new Citybus service to Ivybridge...
©Brian George.
Anyone had a go yet?

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The Battle for Ivybridge

First have finally started to publicise their new Ivybridge service:

First Devon is introducing a brand new service 88 between Ivybridge and Plymouth from Monday 8th October.
This new service operates up to every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday.
Serving the main estates in Ivybridge, including Cole Lane (close to Ivybridge Rail Station), so you dont have to walk far to catch your bus in Ivybridge! The journey from Cole Lane to Plymouth takes just 36 minutes. To celebrate the launch of this service we have some great value new tickets for our customers in the Ivybridge area:

New Ivybridge Day ticket launches

Thursday 20 September 2012

First Devon is launching a new value day ticket for unlimited travel anywhere between Plymouth and Ivybridge.
Only £4.00 adult or £3.50 child.

This great value new ticket is available to buy on bus from Sunday 23rd September 2012.
Simply ask your driver for a FirstDay Ivybridge ticket.

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Plymouth to Ivybridge is now only £1 per journey!*

Thursday 20 September 2012

For a limited period only you can buy a 10 journey ticket for only £10!

Simply ask your driver for a 10 journey ticket available on Service X80, Service 180 (and new Service 88 which serves Ivybridge from 8th October!) But hurry! This special offer is only available for a limited time:
From 23 Sep-20 Oct on the X80 and 180 and from 8 Oct-20 Oct on our new Service 88, for journeys between Plymouth and Ivybridge.
*With a £10 journey ticket.

The full timetable for the service is yet to appear on the main timetable pages on their web site, (not even the forthcoming timetables) but they do link to a PDF timetable leaflet HERE

Its going to be very interesting to see who wins on the Ivybridge corridor. I will certainly be trying out both services ( especially while they are both so cheap).

First seem to cover more of Ivybridge itself which may give them an advantage for some passengers. Citybus start earlier in the morning which may be useful for commuters whilst First operate a a couple of later journeys which might help a few others!

Plymouth Citybus operate into Royal Parade which I cant help but feel is a better option over Bretonside Bus Station. Citybus alos win on Sundays with an hourly day time service compared with every two hours (X80).

The one thing I am puzzled about though is the lack of any mention of Lee Mill on the First timetable leaflet. The earlier published timetable did suggest it was being served?

Of course the other big question is what buses are First going to be using to tempt Ivybridge passengers to stick with them? Plymouth depot is not exactly awash with decent buses at the moment.

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First Fight for Ivybridge

As rumoured First have indeed responded to Plymouth Citybus’ new 45 service with a new 88 service:

Interesting to see its serving Lee Mill and Smithalee unlike the Citybus 45. It is unknown if this new service will result in the 180 being cutback. It looks like its due to start 7th October. I guess we can expect fares to match Citybus too.

Thanks to Travelwatch SouthWest for supplying me with the details. They sum up the coming battle quite nicely:

The outcome in Ivybridge will be determined by reliability and fares (for non-concessionary pass holders). FD&C have a very poor reputation in Ivybridge for punctuality, particularly on westbound service X80 journeys to Plymouth – many Ivybridge residents try to use the infrequent Stagecoach South West service X38 (Exeter – Plymouth) which has a good reputation for reliability.

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Ivybridge Fares

Plymouth Citybus have added the fares chart to their new timetable for the 45 service. I can see the £2 return fare being very popular in week one.

Ivybridge Timetable

Citybus have already published the new timetable for their new Ivybridge service 45:

Its a nice simple timetable which should be easy for passengers to remember. It also looks to be a quick run so I can see it being popular. Citybus have said that details of fares will follow nearer the time, expect some nice introductory promotional fares to begin with.

There are rumours that the buses will be route branded in some way, but nothing has been confirmed. It seems that this route needs three buses to run the timetable. It will be interesting to see what buses are used on the service. The 08 reg Enviros would seem to be ideal for the route as they are nice and comfortable. Citybus are expecting “new” buses fairly soon once everything settles down after the Olympics. Rumours / suggestions seen so far include ex London Darts, more ex London PVL Plaxton Volvo DDs, or even some almost brand new double deckers! Whatever eventually turns up its going to make the Plymouth bus scene more interesting!

 

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Ivybridge here we come

The long rumoured Plymouth Citybus service to Ivybridge is finally a reality as this new registration on VOSA today confirms:

PH0000135/145 - PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD, MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Royal Parade
• Finish Point: Ivybridge Rail Station
• Via:
• Service Number: 45
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 30-SEP-2012
• Other Details: Monday to Saturday, evry 30 mins Sunday and Bank hols, hourly

Although the Ivybridge route is not that much of surprise it is interesting to see it running every 30 mins AND a Sunday service too! At the moment Ivybridge is served by First with the hourly X80 and the occasional 180 which seems to fill in a few gaps more than anything else. The town is also served by Stagecoach X38 every two hours. It will also be interesting to see what the fares will be on this service. I guess the standard £2 flat fare wont apply after Plympton, but expect it to be ‘competitive’ with First and Stagecoach.

I wonder how long the 180 will survive against Citybus? How much fight is there left in First Devon & Cornwall at the moment. All eyes will be on First to see what they do next, especially the staff who work for them. Its all very unsettling for them at the moment. How things have turned since First launched their attack on Citybus a few years ago...

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