Life after Plymouth: WA54JWC

Thanks to Micheal Dodd for these photos from Southampton last week of Dennis Dart WA54JWC now with Citylink, Southampton.

You might just be able to guess which operator this used to belong to…

Life (and death?) after Plymouth: Solos

Plymouth Citybus under Go Ahead have had a couple of goes with the Optare Solo, and its fair to say they have not lasted that long down here in both cases. The first batch came to us in 2010 and were one of the first signs of the new ownership. In fact their arrival and Go Ahead ownership was reported in the same PSV Circle news sheet

210 VU52UEE July 2011

213 MX53FEF

By early 2012 they were all at Go South Coast where they have had a long life – with all four only going in November 2021 – their disposal being recorded in this months PSV Circle new sheets, which has prompted this posting. Of course GSC (and Wilts & Dorset before them) were well used to the Solo and seem to have been able to run them a lot longer than many operators have.

3714 VU52UEE May 2015 ©KK70088 (creative commons)

All four of the batch have been kept together and were with Ensign in November. It remains to be seen if they go on to further service elsewhere (which would by surprising given their age) or end up being “recycled” – which sounds a lot nicer than “scrapped”…

Life and Death after Plymouth

This was the scene earlier today just outside Bristol…

Double-decker bus fire closes A370 at Long Ashton

Several fire crews were called to the A370 Long Ashton bypass, on the outskirts of Bristol, just after 13:46 BST on Wednesday.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service said the bus was "well alight" when firefighters arrived and breathing apparatus had to be deployed.

The road remains closed in both directions and motorists have been warned to avoid the area.

First West of England, which owns the bus - an X1 service from Bristol to Weston-super-Mare - said the driver and passengers were all evacuated safely.

The company's commercial manager Simon Ford said all passengers had been taken to a replacement bus, and there would be a "thorough investigation" into the cause of the fire.

In a statement Avon Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Bedminster, Bath and Kingswood had been sent to fight the blaze, using high-pressure hose reels.

"Firefighters remain on the scene damping down. The cause of the fire is thought to be accidental," it added.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Constabulary said police and highways officers are supporting the fire service at the scene, and a road inspection will be carried out before it reopens.

Some bus services along the route are being diverted through the village of Long Ashton.

BBC News Somerset

This was former Park & Ride bus 33417

Seen back in happier days (February 2011)

A sad end to one of the finest batch of buses ever to grace the street of Plymouth, certainly far better than anything that has appeared on Plymouth park & Ride ever since.

Life After Plymouth WJY756

Happy Birthday To Me…

A real blast from the past with this lovely shot from Peter Murnaghan:

ex Plymouth Leyland Atlantean WJY 756 in service with Cardiff City Transport as their no.508 at Cardiff Bus Station on 26th April 1978.  The destination display has been reduced to a single line, by the simple expedient of plating over the upper display window.

508 is followed by a Willowbrook bodied Bristol VR.

Thanks Peter!

Life After Plymouth

Following on from last weeks post we have another Plymouth exile in Manchester, this time WA12ACV and WA12ACZ which have been fully liveried up in the much brighter Orbits livery, which I have to say really suits these buses.

© Gobbiner 3rd February – with permission.

Thanks to Gobbiner for giving permission to use these. Click here to explore more of his photos!

WA12ACZ has carried three different liveries in its fairly short life in Plymouth:

I have to say the current Manchester livery is by far the best she has worn!

The long planned replacements for these buses, are apparently due to start arriving in Plymouth from London fairly soon. More news on these when they actually start arriving!  Staying with Citybus, the first of many new buses for Cornwall have started to arrive at Milehouse with a couple unregistered plain red Enviro 200s so far. No more details are know and probably wont be until they start getting registered and lettered up!

Life After Plymouth

The Plymouth Citybus Volvo B7RLEs are entering service in Manchester

© NBW999 27 December 2019

©KLTP17 18 October 2019

Both are seen in unfinished livery as the Go North West have already changed their livery slightly. These buses have also now been renumbered I believe!

Thanks to both NBW and KLTP for allowing me to use their photos -  Click the link in the copyright info to see more of their photos.

Life after Plymouth WK58EAJ

I like to catch up with buses that used to run in Plymouth so today we one of the Western Greyhound Solos which left us for sister fleet Go North East. Well it has recently received their new  fleet livery

©Matthew Jimmison

Thanks to Matthew for allowing me to use his photo.

I do quite like the new livery style for GNE but I dont think it quite works on these little buses. I think I prefer the green version below!

Another one bites the dust

Plymouth Citybus 409 left Milehouse for the last time today – towed off for scrap.

So in time honoured tradition Plymothian Transit brings you a few photos of her days in service…

February 2011

July 2011

© Mark Collins July 2012 freshly repainted.

409 retained this livery, to the end. She was withdrawn from service back in 2017. She was initially donated to All Saints Academy, only to be reacquired for removal of any useful parts back in May this year.

Social Media Highlights…

Stentaway Road is currently blocked by lorries unloading portakabins. Two buses are stuck. Other #PCB5 services are diverted in both directions via Pomphlett Rd to Morrisons Roundabout until the road has re-opened

— Plymouth Citybus (@plymouthbus) August 6, 2019

M6 Mousehole will not serve the Harbour and are turning at the old coastguard for the next couple of hours due to a scaffold lorry in the way. (DT)

— Cornwall by Kernow (@by_Kernow) August 6, 2019

In response to the cancellation of the #Boardmasters music festival, those with return tickets from #Newquay between now and Monday can use their returns today from 09:30.

— GWR Help (@GWRHelp) August 7, 2019

Is new Stagecoach branding moving a step closer?https://t.co/xQLbhwqHEo

— Coach & Bus Week (@CBWtweets) August 6, 2019

Shame all the great branding is undone by incorrect vehicle allocation.
Atlantic Coaster in L1 (Lizard)
Atlantic Coaster on L2
Lizard on 39.
pic.twitter.com/2Xzi9xBbiU

— BusAndTrain User (@BusAndTrainUser) August 6, 2019

Service update : Due to an RTC Tavistock Rd near Turners Garage is closed currently in both driections this will impact on the following services #PCBPR3 #PCB42A #PCB42B #PCB42C please expect some delays. We apologise for any inconvenience.

— Plymouth Citybus (@plymouthbus) August 7, 2019

#Partially Blocked, accident, heavy Traffic, note change of location
Partially blocked and heavy traffic due to accident on A386 Tavistock Road both ways at The Court. Near Turner's Garage, Unfortunately this is affecting all 1 services in both directions. Sorry for the delays

— Stagecoach SouthWest (@StagecoachSW) August 7, 2019

Fortunately there are no injuries https://t.co/VZ7HOLTf6A

— Cornwall LIVE (@CornwallLive) August 7, 2019

Go Cornwall Gone North West

As has been well reported in the comments recently the Volvo B7RLE Wright buses with Plymouth Citybus are heading North to Manchester where they will be joining Go North West, for former First Manchester depot recently taken over by Go Ahead. The first two have already been sent to Manchester 101 WA12ACO seen here and 109 WA12ADV

Photos thanks to Derek Cuff and James Grose

I look forward to seeing them in the smart new Go North West livery.

By coincidence I have just this evening uploaded my latest Go Ahead Group fleet list – Go North West although these two are not on it yet! (they will be soon though)

---

Social Media

Cornwall by Kernow

30 JUL 10:05 Service 21. Unfortunately, the bus has let us down. The 09.40 Newquay to St Austell has suffered a puncture. we are sourcing a replacement bus to resume the service as soon as possible. 30 JUL 11:44 Service 21. The 11:33 Nanpean to St Austell is currently being delayed at Whitemoor due to a power line across the road. This could affect the 12:13 St Austell to Newquay depending on how long the bus will be stuck there. We will keep you informed. 30 JUL 12:17 Service 21/22.Police have closed the road between Nanpean and Foxhole. Until the road is opened we will need to divert from the bottom of Nanpean, down to St Stpehens resuming route at Highstreet. Sorry but, we will NOT be able to serve Foxhole for the duration of this closure. 30 JUL 13: 45 The 35 service is currently unable to serve Oakfield Road as works vehicles are obstructing the road where the drainage works are being carried out, we are very sorry for the inconvenience caused  30 JUL 17:55 Due to a water Leak 15:30 Has Broken Down At Paynters Lane End We have Put a Bus In Place To cover The Services

Stagecoach SouthWest

30 JUL 14:14 Service 200 Coypool P&R delayed Service due to congestion at Gydinia Way 30 JUL 15:04 14 service accident at Ham Drive, delays possible 30 JUL 16:02 Dartmouth P&R is operating with one Bus only due to a broken down vehicle. 30 JUL 17:39 THE 1 SERVICE AT 17.25 FROM TAVISTOCK IS NOT OPERATING DUE TO AN INTERNAL ISSUE. 30 JUL 17:41 BOTH VEHICLES OPERATING NOW ON DARTMOUTH P&R. SERVICE RESUME TO NORMAL

Plymouth Citybus

30 JUL 11:38 Service Update 1130: #PCB51 1130 from Derriford unfortunately is not running this is due to an onboard medical emergency. Next bus will be the 1150 departure. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause 30 JUL 15:17 Service update: #PCB35A are currently running the 35 route due to an RTC. We are sorry for any inconvenience and hope to have normal service restored as soon as possible. 30 JUL 17:34 Service update: 1730 all services are running we do have some delays to services this evening average is about 7 minutes. Customer Experience are here to help until 1800 this evening and from 0800 tomorrow morning on 01752 662271 or customer.experience@plymouthbus.co.uk 30 JUL 18:00 Roadworks this evening-Mannamead Rd is closed from Mutley Plain to Seymour Rd from 1900-0600. Mutley customers DONOT use 42/42A/42B/42C/27B/28A these will go via Alexandra Rd Efford Lane to Henders Corner 40/41/44/44A will use Weston Park Rd to Manadon Rb and will serve Mutley

South West Falcon 

29 JUL 22:49 Falcon update: All Northbound Falcons to Bristol are expected to be delayed by 20 mins at Taunton due to the offramp closure at Junction 25 until 0600 30/07/19. The service will serve the Bridgwater stop before reaching Taunton 29 JUL 23:25 The 2300 Falcon service to Bristol will be running 45 minutes late due to technical issues. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 30 JUL 03:55 The 0430 Falcon service from Plymouth is currently not running due to technical issues. We will update you when the service is running again. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. 30 JUL 04:18 The 0430 Falcon service from Plymouth is now running and will be 15 minutes late. Thank you for your continued patience. 30 JUL 17:36 Falcon. 1720 Falcon off Plymouth is running 20 minutes late due to having to change coaches over. Sorry for the delay.

Stagecoach Life after Plymouth

A group of Tridents were dispatched up to Scotland…

18061

© didbygraham March 2016

©Jamie Martin March 2018 Stagecoach 18061 OXI459 at Inverness bus station

18067

©didbygraham January 2016

© Jamie Martin March 2018 Stagecoach 18067 ESK985 at Union Street, Inverness

18068

© didbygraham April 2017 The Ride

©Cameron Robertson May 2018

The buses themselves have not altered their appearance although they do all now carry dateless registrations. It does seem odd that they can go the the expense of changing the registration number to disguise the buses age - but not even remove the rear advert for new homes in Plymstock on the back of 18068!

Thanks to Cameron and Jamie for allowing me to use their photos. Click through the photos to explore their Flickr collections.

Life before, during, and after Plymouth

Richard Anscombe came across this beastie at Malmesbury Garden Centre on the 16th November:

© Richard Anscombe (with permission)

You may recognise the registration - and the livery:

And of course before that it looked like this

I never did like this livery - but it did look good on these buses

And going back even further it started off life in London:

© Eastleighbusman (cc) May 2010

Life after Plymouth: Darts Displaced

I am slowly updating my fleet lists for First Group ( still a few months behind) and there have been a few former local buses popping up elsewhere within the First empire.

 

42948 In Glasgow 18th January 2018

© Strathclyder with permission

“Caught kicking up a bit of spray as it arrives at Faifley to take a Baillieston-bound 2 is First Glasgow's freshly in service ex-West of England/Cymru Pointer-bodied ADL Dart. Note the leather seating from it's time as a 'Express Yourself' vehicle with WoE.”

42948 In August 2010 in Plymouth

42948 WA56FTY back in March 2007

Another Dennis Dart which has appeared in Glasgow, and looking very smart too, is 43849 SN56HEJ

© Strathclyder with permission

“The 2nd ex-First West of England Pointer Dart to enter service with First Glasgow is MPD SN05 HEJ (43849); allocated to Scotstoun. Caught at rest between turns on the M60 (Clydebank - Drumchapel Circular)” February 2018

OK so this is a bit of a cheat in that it was never a proper Plymouth bus, but it did pop by on a few occasions!

In July 2006 it was on display at the Plymouth Hoe Bus Rally

I have to say it looks better in the new colours than it did in Barbie although I know that some will disagree!

Thanks to Strathclyder for allowing me to use his photos.

Life after Plymouth - 69077

First Devon & Cornwall. Remember them?

With the mostly modern fleet that Stagecoach are running in town its easy to forget what a motley selection of buses First ran in Plymouth. However there were times when some quite impressive buses were running for First…

69077 was one of quite a number of these Volvo B7RLEs that were brought in to compete with Plymouth Citybus. Very nice they were too! Sadly they didn't stay that long and soon First were back in decline. These buses were off elsewhere within the First empire. Some at least have ended up back in Glasgow and a few of them are now appearing in the new look SimpliCity branding for the 9 9A Hillington - Cardonald - Ibrox - City Centre route.

©MOD571P

Thanks to Donald for allowing me to use his excellent photo.

You do wonder, if First had stayed the course in Plymouth what would they be running right now?

Before and after WK59CWY

Thanks to Andrew Tyldsley I can bring you up to date shots of former Plymouth Citybus WK59CWY (223)

All five of the long Solo have been branded for the "Metrocentre Mini" service M6-M8.

713 is seen rounding the tight bend at the foot of Barn Hill at the start of the descent from Stanley to Tanfield Lea.

Of course before that it was with Western Greyhound

Opting Out, Opting In

Thanks to Andrew Tyldsley for keeping us up to date with with Optare Solos that recently departed Plymouth Citybus:

The five former Plymouth Citybus "long" Optare Solo now with Go North East are all being allocated to their Stanley Depot, for improved services between Stanley and the Metrocentre shopping complex that start on the 21st May, requiring 5 buses instead of the current 3. They have been painted in the modern day version of the "Venture" livery used by Go North East for its minibus services from Stanley depot (Venture Transport Company was a well known independent operator taken over by Northern in 1970). However, they will not be carrying the Venture branding, but special branding for the Metrocentre services which will be applied closer to the time of the service changes. In order to release other buses for new contracts, they have entered service on the existing routes. They have been kept together at one depot as they are non-standard in the Go North East fleet by virtue of having Cummins engines (the other 85 Solo in the Go North East fleet have Mercedes engines).

710 is seen leaving Stanley Bus Station on the half hourly service 30 to Lanchester, on which some of the buses are being used prior to the increased requirements on 21st May.

712 is seen on the Team Valley Trading Estate on one of the works services that Go North East operate to this large Business Park (the main through road is over 1.5 miles in length). As the Metrocentre does not open until 1000 some buses are used for other duties first.

But fret not any Solo Fans, as there are still plenty around in Plymouth with Target Travel still happy to pick them up. One of the latest to arrive and in the new livery is YJ54UCA which was until recently with APL Travel

Talking of Target Travel, they are just one of the operators I hope to be visiting over this weekend with the PSV Circle AGM / local tour. If any of you are joining us for that, see you there!