New Solos for Stagecoach Devon?

As many visitors to this site have commented over the last year, investment in brand new buses has all but dried up. Stagecoach as not had any new buses since 2018 and the ones that were due last year were diverted up North.

However, it seems that there are some brand new diesel buses due very shortly.

I actually came across this when checking The Devon Bus web site and found the notes from the BUS (Bus Users and Stakeholders) Forum, 12th October 2023

The document itself is well worth a read as it summarizes future plans in Devon, however the section I noticed was part of a Q&A section as answered by Peter Knight, Stagecoach MD.

Q: Are our buses all old ones from elsewhere in the country. I went on the bus to Okehampton and it broke down
one stop short of my destination. The driver said it had happened before. I am getting reports from other
councillors that buses have broken down and/or been cancelled leaving people stranded.
A: (Stagecoach) the vast majority (90%) of vehicle started their life in the SW. You can spot local registrations starting
with a ‘W’. Regrading reliability and breakdowns, they are machines and failures do happen despite 28 day
inspections. The performance of vehicles in Devon are within the top 5 or 6 in the Stagecoach group. In rural areas it
does take longer to get to a vehicle when an incident happens which causes disruption to passengers. Stagecoach
are committed to investing in the fleet going forwards

Q: Stagecoach had to severely cut back on capital investment in vehicles during Covid. Has this improved?
A: Stagecoach is no longer listed on the London Stock Exchange and is now supported by private investment. There
are 10 new vehicles coming to the South West in 2024; there are plans to invest £1.5m in the fleet.

I do like the answer to Q1 although I make it less than 90% (nearer 75-80% which is still pretty good compared with other operators in the area – Citybus is nearer 65%) but I do hope people wont be looking out for all of these new local buses by looking for those starting with a W. He is right in that local area registrations do start with W but all Stagecoach new buses are centrally registered and have been for many years! Go Ahead being unusual in that it still generally tries to register buses locally.

Having found this document and made notes to post it this week, this evening I see that there is another new letter published on the Devon Bus site

BUS (Bus Users and Stakeholders) Forum, 11th January, 2024

The Q&A section

Q: Any news on the new vehicles coming in the Spring? Is it dependent on winning the ZEBRA 2 bid?
A: 10 new diesel vehicles are still coming to Devon very shortly.
Q: Will new vehicles have audio announcements?
A: Yes, they will be equipped with next stop information and a hearing loop. This is a government requirement for
any new passenger service vehicles which are purchased

So it does appear that these new buses are due pretty soon. Its not mentioned what these buses will be or where in Devon they are heading. Stagecoach are placing a large batch of Enviro 400s at the moment but of course the Devon allocation was reassigned so its probably not them. More likely they will be Optare Solos as Stagecoach have placed a group order for 60 this year. The SC Devon fleet does still have a few elderly Solos from back in 2004.

[https://cbwmagazine.com/70-vehicle-switch-order-to-include-60-optare-solos-for-stagecoach/]

47089 seen back in 2019 but I believe still part of the fleet, but presumably for not much longer.

Like I said its well worth following the links to the two news letters and having a good read.

PT Library copies:

• 12 October 2023
• 11 January 2024

Plymouth Citybus Catch up

Some bits of fleet news for Plymouth Citybus from the last few week or so

Optare Solos

The Optare Solos coming from Go Ahead Northern are being allocated fleet numbers in the 1800’s (no idea why either!)

1804 NL63XZU

1808 NL63XZY

1809 NL63XZZ confirmed so far

The other ones I have so far as being in Plymouth are YJ62FMA, KY63VTA, NL63XZW, NL63XZO, NK18EEA, NK18EEB

As far as I am aware none have been used in service yet, but some of them have been given Plymouth Citybus fleetnames on their red based GNE liveries.

Coaches

The group seems to be expanding their coach operations again.

One from East Yorkshire is YX14SFY Volvo B9R with Plaxton Elite bodywork which is now Plymouth Citybus 324. It remains in East Yorkshire livery at the moment

There are also a few Volvo B9R Caetano Levante’s joining the fleet with BF63ZPY, BF63ZRA and BF63ZRZ confirmed as Plymouth Citybus 324-326 resp. Another three are coming but expected to join Dartline. These remain in plain white at the moment. It remains to be seen if the Plymouth Citycoach fleetname is going to be used on the Citybus ones.

Service News

Plymouth Citybus has announced it will be providing an extra service from Royal Parade for school children. The travel company says the extra bus is needed due to regular "overcrowding" on the 8.10am service.

A statement released on the company's Twitter page reads: "City College Students. In order to address overcrowding issues on morning departures from Royal Parade there will now be an additional bus running as a duplicate alongside the 0810 departure from Royal Parade. If you use the buses at this time there will be plenty of space."  Archive Copy

Fares

Plymouth Citybus has stressed it is not unfairly targeting certain bus users after it emerged some fares have risen more than others. The company has explained why some ticket prices have risen by more than others by saying it is an attempt to keep fares low for as many passengers as possible.

The bus company hiked fares across the board this month - but some tickets went up by more than others. For example, a one-day Dayrider ticket for Zones 1 and 2 has risen 50p to £5.50, a 10% increase and a one-week season ticket for Zones 1 and 2 has also gone up by 10%, from £20 to £22.

But a one-week season ticket for Zone 1 only, or Zone 2 only, has jumped by £3 to £20 - a rise of 17.6%. A four-week season ticket for Zone 1 only, or Zone 2 only, has jumped £12 - an 18.1% hike.

However, one Citybus user, who asked to be anonymous, complained: “Surely, any price increase should be at an equal rate across all fares and season tickets, one specific set of users should not be subject to a higher price rise, especially when that increase is higher than the rate of inflation

Archive Copy

Comment: Although I can see the passengers point to an extent, this is no different to most businesses. If you go into a shop will will see some items have gone up by a lot more than inflation whilst some prices are actually lower (not many!)  Its just business!

Dennis Dart 251

Friday 30 December was the final day of operation of PCC tendered route 39.  Time will tell but it may also have been the final day in service for Citybus Mini Pointer Dart 251. I've attached a shot on what was a dismal gloomy day (weather to match the occasion) of 251 starting the 1151 return journey from Hartley Vale to the city centre via Mannamead.

Kind regards Mark Bailey

It has appeared on the 59 at least since the new year. Surely it cant manage much longer?

Incoming Solos for Citybus

The Optare Solos are now starting to arrive in Plymouth from Go Ahead North East.

Thanks to Jason Beverly for supplying a few photos of the first few to be collected this week:

For the record the 4 to arrive so far are

GNE647	NL63XZU
GNE649	NL63XZW
GNE651	NL63XZY
GNE722	KY63VTA

It is believed there are up to 15 due to join Citybus. As for fleet numbers to be allocated – its anyone's guess!

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!

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!

Life after Plymouth - Solos up North

The chances of seeing a Citybus Solo are rapidly disappearing

Newly arrived in Gateshead:

 

They are clearly keen to get them out on the road as WK58EAF is now in the new Go North East livery and looking very smart with it. I have to say that this new livery really does suit these little buses

Thanks to Andrew for the photos!

Solo(ng)

As has been pointed out in the comments over the last few days, ALL Optare Solos with Plymouth Citybus are heading North to join the Go North East fleets.

207 ready to depart Plymouth

206 only recently painted for the 34/34A has also departed to GNE. The legal lettering has already been removed in this shot by Richard Smith

And then the same bus at Gateshead, soon to be Go North East 706

Another one at Gateshead, now GNE 708

Clearly they are very keen to get them repainted and into service as here we see 708 WK58EAG already in the paint shop being rubbed down for repaint! Hopefully we will have photos of them in service in full livery shortly!

Plymouth buses 206-209 will be Go North East 706-709 whilst Plymouth 220-224 will be going later to become 710-714.

The reason for their transfer is:

• Go North East has gained extra contract work, requiring an extra 3 buses
• Go North East need to replace 13/14 year old Dennis MPD buses
• Solo are non standard at Plymouth
• Solo are now standard at Go North East - them having taken 15 from fellow Go Ahead company Thames Travel in the last 4 months, and with 66 bought new in their fleet

Thanks to Jason and Richard for the Plymouth photos and Andrew Tyldsley for sending in the Go North East photos.

Life after Plymouth VU52UEF

The Optare Solo. Like them or hate them, there can be no denying that they have been a very successful bus and are still being chosen by operators large and small, helped also by the huge number of variations that Optare have produced.

Plymouth Citybus tried a few Solos for a short time which didn't stay very long, although they then ‘inherited’ some when they purchased the South East Cornwall operations from Western Greyhound which have hung around a bit longer than many of use expected.

One of the earlier batch has been well travelled and has now turned up in The North East

“New to Rogers, Horden (Jayline), passing with that business to Go North East, Optare Solo VU52 UEF subsequently worked for fellow Go Ahead companies Plymouth Citybus and Damory Coaches, but is now back in the North East with SB Travel (GW & M Brunskill Ltd.), still in Damory livery.”

© Andrew Tyldsley - with thanks!

Although clearly still in Damory blue livery there are one or two nice extra touches including the pale blue band and the OPTARE SOLO lettering on the front that help it stand out.

Previously it carried the new all over blue Damory livery as Damory 3715 (Photo Link: 16th March, John Morris) repainted from the insipid two tone blue Damory (photo Link: Solenteer 15th April 2014)

Plymouth Citybus 211 way back in 2010!

Thanks again to Andrew for sending me the link to his recent photo to share.

First stepping up repaints

First seem to have stepped up a gear recently when it comes to repaints. Richard Smith has caught a couple of the latest into the standard Olympia livery, although neither carries any proper fleetnames just yet.

53154 Optare Solo looks very smart indeed on the 6.

while a recent addition to the Plymouth fleet, having come up from Cornwall is ex Manchester Volvo B10BLE 60379

 

Both © Richard Smith

Antiques

First are operating another Park & Ride service, for one day only. Thursday 11th June will see the new PR4 operating between MIlehouse and The Royal William Yard

VOSA:

• PH0004983/523 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
• Registration Accepted by SN
• Starting Point: Milehouse Park & Ride
• Finish Point: Milehouse Park & Ride
• Via: Royal William Yard
• Service Number: PR4
• Service Type: Limited Stop
• Effective Date: 11-JUN-2015
• Other Details: 11 June 2015 only.

BBC ONEs ever popular Sunday evening programme ANTIQUES ROADSHOW will be filming for its 38th series at The Royal William Yard, Plymouth, on Thursday 11th, June, 2015. The doors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free.
Presenter Fiona Bruce says, "This will be my 8th year on the Antiques Roadshow and I still feel so lucky to be presenting the programme. Every week is different; a new location and thousands of new visitors. The only constant is the pleasure of the unexpected - we never know what will turn up, from the most fabulous Faberge to the most humble object with a riveting story...'
Some of Britains leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.
People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.
Series Editor Simon Shaw says: We love meeting our viewers at Antiques Roadshows. And so many people tell us how much they enjoy the experience of meeting Fiona and the experts and seeing how the show is made. And, even 38 years later, the magic formula of surprising some lucky guests with exciting news about their treasure still seems to come true. So join us at Royal William Yard It might just be your day.'
First Devon and Cornwall Park & Ride
The Park & Ride service will operate every 20 minutes throughout with first departure from the Milehouse Park & Ride site at 8am and last departure from the Royal William Yard (turning circle outside) at 6.58pm calling at the Railway Station stop on Saltash Road in each direction.
Fares will be £2 adult return (£1 for kids age 5-18 or NUS card holders of any age) A family ticket is £5 return (up to 2 adults plus 3 kids)
Milehouse Park & Ride site is adjacent to the Plymouth Argyle football stadium and from the A38 Parkway, just follow signs for PAFC.

Talking of antiques…

I have not really kept up with the First Plymouth fleet and am still in the middle of updating my First Group fleetlist. However one bus which is now in Plymouth is 50277 W308DWX which was with First Hampshire & Dorset.

© Richard Smith

A Selection of Solos

Former Western Greyhound operating with First, Truro

I believe that most, if not all Western Greyhound buses have now returned to Ensign as other First Group stock has been transferred in

Countrybus PL06TFV

Quite clearly another ex Western Greyhound Solo, this time with Countrybus, Newton Abbot.

Target Travel X657WYG

No fleetnumber carried yet?

First 53014 W814PAF

 

Formerly of the Somerset Division of First Devon & Cornwall Ltd now operating in Plymouth with Somerset names. One of two now in Plymouth I believe.

 

Plymouth Citybus 224 WK59CWZ

Another ex Western Greyhound Solo but this one has been done up and looks very smart in full swoop livery

All photos above ® Richard Smith – with thanks!

Five First Solos

Another Five Photo Feature for Friday:

The trouble with these large national bus groups is that all their buses are the same…

50205

© Richard Smith 26 March 2015 (pretty sure this is for Dartmouth Park & Ride?)

50279

20 March 2015 Waitrose

52091

© Richard Smith 26 March 2015

53827

17 March 2015 Dartmouth again

53011

We round things off with a blast from the past: 2003 in full Overground livery.

 

Recommended Reading

As I mentioned a while back, here are just a few of the blogs that I recommend. See the new blog roll on the right hand side for all blog updates. Here are just a few that have really caught my eye:

• Public Transport of The Plymouth Area: Ops and Sods Another 4 months has flown past in what has been an extremely exciting time to be working at Plymouth Citybus! I'm sure all of you will be well aware of the massive expansion in operating territory that has been undertaken
• Public Transport Experience A Jolly Day with 6, 6A! (2) One Starts, the Other .. There was a delay before departure because a "senior" pass came up on the ticket machine as "not valid" when it was, palpably, valid. This bit of bureaucracy from the Council (presumably) is one of the daftest.

Naked Solo

Plymouth Citybus 220 WK59CWU sits looking rather naked and exposed as it awaits its turn in the workshops.
I am sure the next time we see 220 she will look a lot better than this. She already has new panels fitted and is currently in the paintshop I believe so should appear in full swoops very shortly.
Here's a couple they prepared earlier...

206 WK58EAE and 208 WK58EAG both out and about on Friday.

Recommended Reading

Just a quick note about a slight change in how I am doing things. You may have noticed I now have a full blogroll in the right hand panel of the blog which gives the latest updates on most of the transport blogs I follow. This is because it's impossible to keep up with all the latests posts as the moment with so much happening! I will still post the odd recommendation and news item here from time to time though. There are still a few blogs to add to the list but most of the frequent ones are there now. Please use the links to visit the other blogs - they all deserve your support - blogging is hard work!

Swooped Solos and Chatterbus

I had the dreaded Blue Screen of Death on my laptop again today thanks to yet another failed Windows Update so spent most of my time performing a roll back of Windows which hopefully will solve the problem. It did last time! Thankfully Richard Smith as sent me a few nice shots which form today's post...


206 WK58EAE one of the latest buses into full Swoops with the new Go Cornwall branding


221 is the first of the big Solos into swoops.

The final one for today a decent shot of Chatterbus 214. I must admit I am surprised its not lettered up with the Chatterbus name. That roof line towards the rear of the bus is crying out for some simple yellow sign writing...
Thanks to Richard Smith for the excellent photos.

Swooped Solo 208

Repaints at Milehouse have clearly stepped up a notch or two recently.

©Mike Hudson.
207 is the latest Optare to be painted out of green. As many have noted it still  looks odd with the green LED display but this is due to be sorted once the software has arrived to change them orange!
Its not just Optare Solos, Currently Dennis Dart 39 is in the paint shop with 42 expected to be next. 39 was in the Best Impressions design. Cant say I will miss it...

Recommended Reading

• Public Transport Experience: Near the Knuckle [4]
• Focus Transport: First Great Western have introduced a Pullman Dining menu on some of their services.
• East Norfolk Bus Blog: TBT - Yarmouth Buses At The Millenium :
• Transport Illustrated: Midland Metro
• East Norfolk Bus Blog: Gemini 37573 Returns Home :
• Ipswich Bus Blog: NOT QUITE THE END OF THE SCANIAS
• Norwich Buses: Latest details of former Metrobus Omnidekkas heading for East Anglia
• Norwich Buses: City Centre chaos, bus in an accident, new technologies and other updates
• Public Transport Experience: Near the Knuckle [5]
• Public Transport Experience: Seaton to Falmouth by Train (& Bus)
• Focus Transport: IT'S BETTER BY BUS IN YORKSHIRE
• Steves Bus and Train Page: Weekend Preview
• Steves Bus and Train Page: Weekly News Round Up
• Steves Bus and Train Page: The STEVE Awards 2014
• Ipswich Bus Blog: RAIL REPLACEMENT SATURDAY PHOTO SPECIAL

Citybus Shows Its Colours

Red Flash Gets Greener

Buses on one of Plymouth’s busiest routes will be fitted with new technology designed to reduce pollution, thanks to a grant from the Department for Transport (DfT). Plymouth City Council has been awarded almost £485,000 from the Clean Vehicle Technology Fund, which helps local authorities upgrade vehicles, reduce emissions and improve air quality. The funding will be used to install ‘gyrodrive flywheel’ equipment on 16 RedFlash vehicles on the cross-city service 21/21A, run by Plymouth Citybus.
The flywheel gets electrically charged when the vehicle brakes and stores energy which the bus uses when it pulls away. The stored electricity can also be used to power heating and lighting on board. This means greater fuel efficiency and fewer nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions – which is good news for air quality, especially on roads like Exeter Street and Royal Parade, where a significant proportion of vehicle emissions come from buses. Exeter Street is on one of the key routes in and out of the city and Royal Parade is the main bus interchange. The service 21/21A runs with high frequency along both roads, which is why it has been selected for the upgrade. The £484,921 from the DfT will pay for 14 buses to be modified and Citybus is providing match funding for the additional two vehicles. Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “This is a practical measure that will help us reduce pollution and improve air quality along two of the city’s busiest bus routes and lower the risk of associated health problems. We hope it will also encourage operators to equip more vehicles with this sort of technology in the future.”
Richard Stevens, Managing Director Plymouth Citybus, said: “Citybus is delighted to partner the City Council on this exciting initiative. I am confident that once fitted there will be real benefits in terms of improved efficiency, reduced consumption and reduced emissions – a real win-win for residents, passengers and other road users.”
The flywheel equipment is expected to be in use on the buses by January 2016.
Plymouth City Council: Cleaner, greener technology for Plymouth buses
Go Ahead Group have been fans of this system for some time now:
GKN plc and The Go-Ahead Group have agreed a deal that will help reduce emissions in cities with the supply of electric flywheel systems to 500 buses over the next two years. The innovative GKN system is based on Formula One race technology developed in the UK. It will help increase the efficiency of every bus to which it is fitted by using less fuel and therefore reducing carbon emissions. This same technology helped Audi’s R18 e-tron win at Le Mans last month.
Go-Ahead has placed an order for GKN Hybrid Power to supply 500 of its Gyrodrive systems to the transport operator. The Gyrodrive system uses a high speed flywheel made of carbon fibre to store the energy generated by a bus as it slows down to stop. It then uses the stored energy to power an electric motor which helps accelerate the bus back up to speed, generating fuel savings of more than 20% at a significantly lower cost than battery hybrid alternatives. The agreement covers the supply of the complete Gyrodrive system, including the innovative GKN Hybrid Power flywheel as well as GKN’s advanced EVO electric motor, a GKN designed and manufactured gearbox, and installation. The system is designed to last for the life of the bus eliminating the need for any battery changes. Following successful trials on buses in London, Go-Ahead intends to utilise the technology in cities it serves across the UK, initially in London and Oxford.
Philip Swash, CEO GKN Land Systems, said: ‘This is an important milestone for GKN Hybrid Power. We’ve worked in close partnership with Go-Ahead throughout the development of this innovative technology and it’s very exciting to move into the production phase. The fact that we are using the same groundbreaking technology that helped Audi win at Le Mans for the past three years to improve fuel efficiency in the public transport sector also shows what great innovation there is in the UK’s engineering sector.’ CEO of Go-Ahead, David Brown, added: ’Our collaboration with GKN has been a most constructive one. We have a strong record in continually reducing our carbon emissions and flywheel technology will help us make buses an even more environmentally responsible choice and encourage more people to travel by public transport. The flywheel technology helps us to reduce our fuel consumption and C02 emissions so improving air quality for all those living, working and visiting the city.’ GKN Hybrid Power is based in Oxfordshire, with final assembly taking place in a new facility at GKN’s site in Telford. The Gyrodrive technology is being further developed for other mass transit markets including trams, construction and agricultural equipment. Earlier this year GKN announced the acquisition of Williams Hybrid Power from Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited to form GKN Hybrid Power, which is focused on delivering complete hybrid solutions across multiple vehicle, power and industrial markets.
GKN Group: GKN and The Go-Ahead Group using F1 technology to improve fuel efficiency of London buses

Green Go Gone Red

Thanks to Mike Hudson for the photo – Former Western Greyhound now Plymouth Citybus Optare Solo 208 is the first to go red with the large Go Cornwall Bus fleet name which looks really big on this small bus!

Orange goes Red?

A new service has just been registered by Plymouth Citybus on VOSA:

• PH0000135/167 - PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD, MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA
• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Plymouth, Milehouse Bus Depot
• Finish Point: Langage, Ashleigh Way
• Via: St Budeaux, Crownhill
• Service Number: 22
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 01-APR-2015
• Other Details: Daily except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

It looks very much like a replacement for Target Travel’s 53 service which is believed to be stopping in April. More details when they are released!

In The News

• Railway Gazette National Express selected for Nürnberg S-Bahn operating contract

Recommended Reading

• Norwich Buses: Former First Norwich 65575 finds a new life
• East Anglian Rail Scene: Weekly Overview.
• Steves Bus and Train Page: Rail Refurbs
• Public Transport Experience: A Traipse to Tiverton [2]
• Focus Transport: No Norwich to London weekend trains for two months
• Andys Bus Blog: Looking back... St Albans in the 90's - part 3
• Steves Bus and Train Page: New Signing & More Ipswich Refurbs
• Andys Bus Blog: Norfolk Green Fleet Update
• Norwich Buses: First Norwich service changes announced
• Public Transport Experience: A Traipse to Tiverton [3]
• East Norfolk Bus Blog: Latest First Movements :
• East Norfolk Bus Blog: Service Alterations Registered :
• Great Yarmouth Bus Page: Buses in Norfolk & Suffolk in the past up to present ~ Part One
• Focus Transport: BUS LATE? SUE THE COMPANY
• Richards Tram Blog NEW ROUTE TO PENHA IN LISBON
• Richards Tram Blog LISBON ON SUNDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2015
• Portishead Update: X2/X3 new timetable from 29th March / Meet the manager online
• Steves Bus and Train Page: Dream Team Complete, Service Alterations & We Are Not Amused
• Ipswich Bus Blog: BUS PROFILE 1: BRISTOL RELL/ECW
• Norwich Buses: Oddball Wednesday - UGV847

Cornwall Transit

Cornwall Transit 002

Part 1 was back on the 6th January

First Kernow

Newly acquired Optare Solos 53503 YJ06YSK and 53504 YJ56AOT are in a two tone green livery which is pretty much the same as the Buses in Somerset livery. Both lettered up for First Kernow it does appear to be the new livery for the Cornwall fleet. Whilst it would have been nice to see something different for Cornwall, it is very smart and does make sense as it allows for easy transfers between the two fleets.

First also announced special fares on their new services:

From 7th January we’re lowering some of our fares on our new service 24 and extended service 27. Here’s a few examples: On service 24: Mevagissey – St Austell – Fowey) Mevagissey to St Austell Adult £3 single £4.50 return Tywardreath to St Austell Adult £3 single £4.50 return

On service 27 (Bodmin – St Austell – Truro) Penwithick to St Austell Adult £2 single £3 return Bodmin to Roche Adult £3 single £4.50 return

 

 

VOSA

PH0004983/506 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT Registration Accepted by SN Starting Point: Carglaze Industrial Estate Finish Point: Carglaze Industrial Estate Via: Boscoppa, At. Austell Bus Station Service Number: 30 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 05-JAN-2015 Other Details: Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

This one was already covered in the last edition - its to replace the Cornwall Busways service 30.

Social Media

There was a nice little discussion on the First Kernow Facebook page from a passenger asking a perfectly reasonable question:
Why ,if you are making a profit, do you have to be subsided by local and national government, When you tender for the routes you know the profitable and not so profitable routes and as such these should be taken account of at that time!

actually our fuel costs are below the typical pump advertised prices, As part of a large group company we are able to negotiate the price we pay for a year per litre from one of the fuel suppliers. As such our costs are not calculated against mainstream pump prices. Although I can't go into more specific detail. I hope you will now understand the retail pump price reduction shouldn't be used as a basis for what might happen with our fares.(KC)

So the huge reduction on the price of oil hasn't affected your fuel price at all? Is it not worth negotiating a better deal to pass savings onto customers?

unfortunately as I said I cant comment to much on what is commercially sensitive information to us as a business. On the flip side of this coin. We have suffered a reduction since 2012 in the amount of duty on fuel we can claim back due to changes to Bus Service operators grants with further changes to this in 2014. This has increased operating costs to all bus companies and it's not all been passed to the customers by increased fares. Along with reduced funding from councils to operate commercially uneconomical routes. As I said there is a bigger picture than the cost of road side advertised fuel prices. (KC)

Its good to see the company try to explain the problems they are facing rather than just ignore the questions. I guess we can expect a lot more focus on fares over the coming months especially as we lead up to the next election...

Travel Cornwall

Covered last time, these new timetables for Travel Cornwall (Summercourt) started this week from the 19th January 2015:

• 450 Veryan - Portloe - Tregony - Summercourt
• 497 Pedna Carne - Ladock - Truro

Western Greyhound

Lets start off with the bit of WG that's very much on the outskirts of Cornwall Transit's normal coverage: Last time we mentioned a few new VOSA registrations for Western Greyhound:

PH0006741/119 - WESTERN GREYHOUND LTD, WESTERN HOUSE, ST. AUSTELL STREET, SUMMERCOURT, NEWQUAY, TR8 5DR Registration Accepted by SN Starting Point: Bitterne Shops Finish Point: Bursledon Tesco Via: Harefield, Thornhill, Sholine Service Number: 15 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 12-JAN-2015 Other Details: Monday to friday except public and bank holidays.

PH0006741/120 - WESTERN GREYHOUND LTD, WESTERN HOUSE, ST. AUSTELL STREET, SUMMERCOURT, NEWQUAY, TR8 5DR Registration Accepted by SN Starting Point: Southampton City Centre Finish Point: Shirley Precinct Via: Regents Park, Millbrook Service Number: S2 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 12-JAN-2015 Other Details: Monday to Saturday, Except public and bank holidays.

PH0006741/121 - WESTERN GREYHOUND LTD, WESTERN HOUSE, ST. AUSTELL STREET, SUMMERCOURT, NEWQUAY, TR8 5DR Registration Accepted by SN Starting Point: Lords Hill Centre Finish Point: Hedge End (Sainsubury's Superstore) Via: Shiley Precinct, Southampton City Centre, Thornhill Service Number: S1 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 12-JAN-2015 Other Details: Monday to Saturday, except public and bank holidays

This was then followed by the news from Xelabus: From Monday 12th January 2015 we will be taking over the three services operated by Black Velvet Travel. The services will be operated by green Xelabus vehicles. This has been explained: its correct that Velvet was to be renamed Solent Greyhound, but Xelabus recently made an offer to buy the company, which would have been daft to turn down, and enables Smith and Butcher to concentrate on Western Greyhound without the distraction of Southampton.

Vehicle News

Its very much a fluid situation at the moment with buses in all colours currently operating in Cornwall. Highlights are

• Volvo B7TL W401WGH in all over pink as WG fleet number 461.
• Dennis Dart MPD SHZ2046 also in pink as WG number 202.
• DAF SB120 FJ54ZDP WG 388 GA London Red livery
• DAF SB120 FJ54ZDT WG 389 GA London Red livery
• DAF SB120 BX04BXM WG 243 GA London Red livery
• Dennis Dart Caetano Y361HMY WG 283 plain white livery
• Dennis Dart Plaxton PJ02RGZ WG 286 Pennine Orange & Black livery

Photo credit: EastleighBusman under Creative Commons Licence.