Hard times mean difficult decisions

Plymouth Citybus is making job losses as it battles rising costs and falling income. The transport company is consulting with about 16 office staff but has stressed passengers will not be affected by the cuts.

The company is battling a number of economic factors which means it has to make savings. Managing director Richard Stevens said the transport sector has been hit with a 14% rise in costs this year, which comes on top of the end of Government Covid support and the implications of the £2 ticket price cap, now extended until the end of October.

“We knew we had a date with destiny when the Covid support ended,” he said. “There is some help with increased funding on 2019 levels, but nothing like what we were receiving for Covid recovery.

“On top of that, transport inflation is running at 14% year-on-year and prices are effectively capped with the Government’s £2 fare scheme.We are getting some reimbursement, but it’s a pot for the industry that is divided up amongst bus companies.”

However, Mr Stevens stressed the company’s future was still “solid” and Citybus has been in talks with Plymouth City Council about the future of transport. He said passenger numbers have grown by an astonishing 10.5% year-on-year and added: “That’s fantastic. So it is not all bad news, but at the moment we have to be able to pay our bills and stabilise, to grow from where we are.”

Its never good news when people find their jobs under threat so I hope that the staff affected manage to get new employment quickly. Many operators are struggling at the moment as barely a week seems to go by without at least one operator falling by the wayside, even some quite big ones. The issue with the capped fares isnt going to go away anytime soon as as the cap will rise to £2.50 in November but them seemingly be fixed for twelve months. I do wonder if many operators will end up excluding themselves from this scheme.

Plymouth Citybus makes job cuts as it battles inflation and £2 fare cap https://t.co/WzjSynLlZB

— Plymouth Live (@Plymouth_Live) September 5, 2023

Lack of drivers driving the country down

It wont have escaped your attention that the country seems to be very short of drivers at the moment. This is seen in the number of empty shelves in supermarkets, missing products when shopping online and longer delivery times for many online retailers. Of course the bus companies are no exception and are all desperate for drivers.

Plymouth Citybus has always been very good at keeping passengers up to date on Twitter and has now actually set up a page with all the services that are being cancelled currently, trying to space them out across their network:

We are having to make reductions to some of our bus routes with immediate effect. https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes-bus-services

This is due to challenges we are facing with staff availability, a problem facing many transport operators. We believe this issue will be short term as we move through the current spike of absence and progress the training of over 40 new drivers in our recruitment system.

Services affected are:

Monday-Friday

5/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Elburton at: 07.25, 9.25, 10.35, 13.05, 15.25

Removing buses running from Elburton to Royal Parade at: 7.35, 9.55,  11.05, 13.35, 15.55

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Callington Road (Saltash) at: 8.10, 14.10

Removing bus running from Callington Road (Saltash) to Royal Parade at: 8.40, 14.40

8/9

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Torridge Way at: 11.22, 15.32, 16.17, 18.15

Removing buses running from Torridge Way to City Centre at: 11.34, 15.52, 16.37, 18.30

16

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Kings Tamerton at: 8.25, 15.55

Removing buses running from Kings Tamerton to Royal Parade at: 8.48, 16.18

21/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Barne Barton at: 7.05, 9.35, 13.35, 16.55, 19.30, 21.45

Removing buses running from Barne Barton towards Royal Parade at: 7.34, 10.04, 14.04, 17.28, 22.08

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Plympton at: 8.15, 10.45, 14.45, 15.35, 18.20, 22.40

Removing buses running from Plympton towards Royal Parade at: 8.54, 11.21, 15.21, 16.14, 18.49, 23.12

27

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Deer Park at: 10.30, 11.30

Removing buses running from Deer Park towards Royal Parade at: 10.48, 11.48

28/A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Crownhill at: 9.15, 9.45

Removing buses running from Crownhill towards Royal Parade at: 9.45, 17.25

40

Removing bus running from Royal Parade towards Southway at 13.25

Removing bus running from Southway towards Royal Parade at: 13.56

42

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Mainstone at: 6.45, 8.50, 11.50, 15.50, 17.55

Removing buses running from Mainstone towards Royal Parade at: 7.37, 9.45, 12.45, 16.50, 18.45, 19.58

Removing bus running from The Ship towards Mainstone at 19.21

42A

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Tamerton Foliot at: 12.00, 18.05, 20.30

Removing buses running from Tamerton Foliot towards Royal Parade at: 12.49, 18.49, 21.13

42C

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Woolwell at: 13.40, 15.10, 16.40, 22.00

Removing buses running from Woolwell towards Royal Parade at: 14.21, 15.56, 17.26, 22.49

43

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Ernesettle at: 10.15, 12.15, 14.15, 17.05

Removing buses running from Ernesettle towards Royal Parade at: 10.47, 12.47, 14.53, 17.38

50

Removing buses running from Royal Parade towards Derriford Hospital at: 9.25, 11.05, 12.05, 14.25, 16.05

Removing buses running from Derriford Hospital to Royal Parade at: 10.20, 15.20, 17.05

61

Removing buses running from Royal Parade to Transit Way at: 7.05, 14.35

Removing bus running from Transit Way to Royal Parade at 15.10

You can see all current timetables on our website or via the Plymouth Citybus app, and can contact our Customer Experience Team on 01752 662271

We’ve tried to focus our resources on routes which get students to school, key workers to their jobs, and patients and visitors to healthcare, but we know that this will cause inconveniences for some of you, for which we apologise. We’re working to get more drivers on the road, and are actively recruiting and training. The driver shortage has been compounded by delays at the DVLA, slowing down the paperwork we need before someone can drive for us.

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, you can find out more here: https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/careers

Stagecoach are also having major problems

Thursday 9th September 2021

The following journeys will not operate:

Exeter

A From  Alphington 0646, 0811, 0941, 1111, 1241, 1411, 1541, 1712

From  Thornpark Rise 0620, 0739, 0903, 1033, 1203, 1333, 1503, 1633, 1803

E From  Exwick 0625, 0705, 0753, 0902, 0959, 1059, 1159, 1259, 1359, 1503, 1607, 1710, 1818

From  City Centre 0610, 0650, 0741, 0840, 0940, 1040, 1140, 1240, 1340, 1440, 1540, 1640, 1750

F2 From  Summerway 0755, 0920, 1050, 1220, 1350, 1520, 1650, 1820,

From  City Centre 0740, 0900, 1030, 1200, 1330, 1500, 1630, 1800

F2 From  Savoy Hill 0627, 0655, 0725, 0835, 1005, 1135, 1305, 1435, 1605, 1735, 1900

From  City Centre 0612, 0640, 0710, 0815, 0945, 1115, 1245, 1415, 1545, 1715, 1845,

K From  Science Park 0746, 0846, 0948, 1048, 1148, 1248, 1348, 1448, 1558, 1648, 1748, 18458, 2005

From  City Centre 0720, 0820, 0920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1830, 1930

GREEN From  Matford P&R 0745, 0925, 1649, 1845,

From  Sowton P&R 0833, 1002, 1615, 1755, 1920

R From  Rifford Road 0735, 0810, 0850,0930, 1010, 1050, 1130, 1210, 1250, 1330, 1410, 1450, 1530, 1610, 1650, 1730, 1810

From  City Centre 0750. 0832. 0912. 0950, 1030, 1110, 1150, 1230, 1310, 1350, 1430, 1510,1550, 1630, 1710, 1750, 1825

S From  Rifford Road 0725, 0800, 0840, 0920, 1000, 1040, 1120, 1200, 1240, 1320, 1400, 1440, 1520, 1600, 1640, 1720, 1800

From  City Centre 0742, 0822, 0902, 0940, 1020, 1100, 1140,1220, 1300, 1340, 1420, 1500, 1540, 1620, 1700, 1740, 1820

J From  Tesco Superstore 0717, 0817, 0917, 1017, 1117, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1605, 1710, 1810

From  City Centre 0652, 0754, 0855, 0955, 1055, 1122, 1222, 1322, 1422, 1522, 1630, 1736, 1835

57 From  Exeter 0640, 0710, 0740, 0815, 0905, 0930, 1000, 1045, 1130, 1200, 1230, 1315, 1400, 1430, 1505, 1550, 1635, 1705, 1740, 1825

From  Exmouth  0523, 0715, 0728, 0802, 0833, 0918, 1005, 1035, 1105, 1150, 1235, 1305, 1335,  1420, 1504, 1534, 1613, 1658, 1750, 1816, 1842

Torbay                

12           From     Paignton Bus Station      13:27:00,09:08,12:35,14:35,15:22

12           From     Brixham               14:10:00,07:50,10:40,13.00,10:10,14:30,10:30,12:50,15:00,18:00,12:00,17:30,14.30,

12           From     Cary Parade        08:01,

12           From     Newton Abbot  14:30:00,08:50,11:30,16:30,10:40,13:30,16:00

12           From     Torquay Harbour             09:47,

12           From     Newton Rd Asda              06:55, 09:20,

13           From     Newton Rd Asda              12:51:00,14:05

13           From     Brixham               14:00

22           From     Dawlish warren                11:05

22           From     St Marychurch   115:35,18:30,

22           From     Torquay Strand 11:20:00,

22           From     Paignton Bus Station      09/01/1900  09:03:12,13:46,

22           From     South Devon College     14:23,17:03,

23           From     Paignton Bus Station      15:48,16:13,16:53

23           From     South Devon College     15:53,16:33,17:13

32C         From     Grammar School              16:05

77           From     Sherborne Rd    8:52

35A        From     Torquay Harbour             11:40,13:00

35C         From     Torquay Harbour             06:27,07:00,11:40,13:00

FOX        From     Paignton Bus Station      11.00,11.30

North Devon

21           From     Barnstaple - Westward Ho!       0545,

From     Westward Ho! - Barnstaple       0630,

From     Barnstaple - Ilfracombe                0732, 1325,

From     Ilfraocmbe - Barnstaple                0820, 1420,

21A        From     Barnstaple - Appledore               0706, 0740, 0910, 0940, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310, 1340,

From     Appledore - Barnstaple               0809, 0839, 1009, 1039, 1109, 1209, 1309, 1409, 1439,

10/10A  From     Barnstaple - Gorwell      1155, 1455, 1525,

From     Gorwell - Barnstaple      1202, 1502, 1532,

11A/11C               From     Barnstaple - Whiddon Valley    0755, 0835, 0915, 0955, 1035, 1115, 1155, 1235, 1315,

From     Whiddon Valley - Barnstaple    0811, 0853, 0933, 1011, 1053, 1133, 1211, 1253, 1333,

Plymouth

101         From     George P&R       07:30 07:45 09:00 09:22 10:22 10:37 11:37 11:52 12:52 13:07 13:22  14:22 14:37 15:37 15:52 17:00 18:05 18:25 19:15

101         From     Royal Parade     07:05 08:10 08:30 09:45  10:00 11:00 11:15 12:15 12:30 12:45 14:00 14:30 14:45 15:00 15:15  15:45 16:15 16:30 17:15 17:45 18:00 18:45 19:45

1              From     Tavistock             05:50  08:05 10:00 11;15 12:00 13:30 14:45 15:45 17:10 18:20

1              From     Royal Parade     06:10 06:51 09:08 09:51  10:51 11:51 12:06 12:51 14:21 15:51 16:42

2              From     Mount Batten   07:53 09:20 10:20 11:00 11:40 12:00  12:40 13:00 14:00 14:20 15:20 6:43 17:03 17:38 18:00  18:30 18:53  19:23 20:23 21:23 23:23

2              From     St Stephens        06:32 09:03 10:22 10:42  12:02 12:42 13:42 14:02 16:24 16:44 17:25 18:04 19:23 20:18 22:18

2A           From     Sherford              07:42 08:22 09:10  11:30 11:50 12:10 13:50 14:10 15:10 15:22  15:51 16:12 16:53 17:14 17:44  17:54 18:13 18 :41 19:53

2A           From     Saltash 06:20 07:36  08:51  09:31 10:10 10:30 12:50  13:10  13:50 14:30 14:50  15:10 15:51 16:12 16:31  17:05 17:51 18:11 18:52 19:15 19:46

Falcon   From     Plymouth            02:00 am 05:00 am

Falcon   From     Bristol   6:30 am 10:00 am

There is a similar list for Friday 10th on the same page

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/08/2021-17:43:03:382

Of course with all of this going on you can expect any competent government to be doing its best to get things moving and put into place a proper well thought out plan to help operators. Sadly however we do not have a competent government in this country so good luck…

Of course they blame covid for all of this, and I am sure covid certainly plays its part in making things worse – however covid exists all around the world at the moment – and nowhere else seems to having the same chronic staff shortages as we are.

Cancelled Buses and Massive Buses causing Problems…

If you follow Plymouth Citybus on Twitter at the moment you will see a lot of services being unable to run due to “operational difficulties” – almost certainly down to staff shortages which is a problem facing a lot of companies at the moment, with transport particularly hard hit. They are actively recruiting for new drivers if anyone is interested… Although if you are a driver looking for work at the moment there are a lot of companies after your services!

Are you interested in a new career?

Want to work for a local company?
Want to be paid to train?
Would you like to earn £10.95ph for the first year, rising to £12.25?

Have you thought about becoming a bus driver?

Want to know more? Click here:https://t.co/o4ANk7Q8wM pic.twitter.com/KfpPDPFWwD

— Plymouth Citybus (@plymouthbus) July 15, 2021

Its not just Citybus of course as First Kernow have had to suspend operation on a few of its services:

We’re sorry to advise that due to the growing number of staff we have self-isolating, we are currently unable to operate our full timetables.

In order to provide certainty, we taken the decision to suspend our DayTripper and S1/2/3 routes on a temporary basis after Saturday 10th July.

We are hopeful that we will be able to restart these from 26 July 2021 and will update the situation prior to that date.

Please kindly keep an eye on our social media channels and website for current information and updates. Thank you all in advance for your patience and support during what is a challenging time for us all, it is appreciated and we hope to be back up and running again soon.

The company said it wanted to bring "certainty" to its other routes.https://t.co/EHwbZbPVN7

— Packet Newspapers (@ThePacket) July 9, 2021

Meanwhile down in Cornwall one service which is still running is the Falmouth Coaster, although not everyone is so happy about it…

FALMOUTH's deputy mayor has made a complaint about the 'massive' open top tourist bus going through the town's pedestrianised zone.

Falmouth Packet

Cllr Coun Kirstie Edwards has complained both to the Department of Transport and to First Bus about the tourist bus that ploughs the town on an hourly basis.

The Falmouth Coaster open top bus tour, operated by First South West, follows a scenic route around Falmouth taking in the waterside, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth itself and the National Maritime Museum on route. The bus is hourly. Last month members of Falmouth Town council complained that the service was making a mockery of the pedestrianisation trial, and was 'literally' driving a bus through it. Cllr Edwards says she made the complaint as a resident about the massive bus constantly going through town.

"Many of us in council have attempted to find out why the huge double decker bus is allowed to go through town during pedestrian only times.

"It makes little sense that just because the small hopper bus is allowed to do it, the massive bus can also.

"In the last two days I’ve had endless people complaining about it, seen the dangers for myself as people, pushchairs and wheelchairs are crushed together as it passes, particularly near the grapes where the bollard is.

"It’s madness in non-Covid times, but in a busy packed Falmouth town centre, with Covid on the rise, it’s downright dangerous. I’ve also had reports of cameras and hanging baskets getting damaged from business.

"It is well outside my/ our remit to do much about it, but we can all moan at the people miles away that made this decision in the hope that it will be overturned."

She is urging other people who have been upset by it to complain themselves if they have been effected by it.

"I enjoy the circular open top with my kids and have done for years, but there is just no need to send it through town- the old route from the park and ride along the marina road into the Prince Of Wales pier and up Killigrew and around to the Dell area worked very well, with plenty of sights to see before it hit the sea front.

So if it’s bugging you as much as it’s bugging me, spend a few minutes having a jolly good moan at the people that think they know best about OUR town."

A spokesman for First South West said: “The Falmouth Coaster is registered through the statutory process in compliance with Cornwall Council’s traffic regulation orders and follows the same route taken through the town by Transport for Cornwall services.

"It’s already proved extremely popular with visitors and local residents alike and we are delighted to be able to bring an additional service to help the local economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

You can make contact to complain at:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/make-a-complaint/

You can also contact first bus at

https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall/help-and-support

You would think after a difficult couple of years most business would welcome the open top service and the additional customers if would bring to the area. I would describe the buses in use as being massive either, and as the operator comments – it serves the same route as other TFC services in the town.

First Kernow

Kernow Staff Shortages

Just like Plymouth Citybus First Kernow have also been cancelling quite a few journeys recently due to staff shortages. This from the 7th July:

Due to driver shortage the 11:21 95 service from Wadebridge to Bude and 13:09 returning trip will not run, again apologies for these missing services.

The lost services due to staffing issues do not seem to be a frequent as with Citybus at the moment however due to the nature of services in Cornwall  these missed runs are lot more inconvenient than the lost services in Plymouth. The next 95 from Wadebridge to Bude was two hours later!

---

There have been a few notices on VOSA for First South West recently:

First South West Ltd • PH0004983

25 25A • Newquay - Fowey •  First South West Ltd • PH0004983.514

• Licence: PH0004983.514
• Operator: FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
• Address: UNION STREET, CAMBORNE, TR14 8HF, GB
• Route Number: 25
• Start Point: Newquay, Manor Road
• Via: St Austell
• End Point: Fowey, Safe Harbour Hotel/Quintrell Downs
• Other Details: Vary timetable
• Received: 28-Jun-2018
• Effective: 02-Sep-2018
• Accepted: 02-Jul-2018
• End Date: 00-Jan-1900
• Event Type: Variation applications
• N & P:  NP2654
• N & P Section: 3.3 Applications to Vary Existing Services
• Event Description:  Variation Accepted
• Final Published: DCT117
• VOSA: PH0004983/514

101 • St Austell Station - Eden Project •  First South West Ltd • PH0004983.360

• Licence: PH0004983.360
• Operator: FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
• Address: UNION STREET, CAMBORNE, TR14 8HF, GB
• Route Number: 101
• Start Point: St Austell Trinity Street
• Via: 0
• End Point: Eden Project/ Luxulyan School
• Other Details: Vary timetable.
• Received: 28-Jun-2018
• Effective: 10-Sep-2018
• Accepted: 02-Jul-2018
• End Date: 00-Jan-1900
• Event Type: Variation applications
• N & P:  NP2654
• N & P Section: 3.3 Applications to Vary Existing Services
• Event Description:  Variation Accepted
• Final Published: DCT119
• VOSA: PH0004983/360

810 • Lafrowda Festival - Penzance •  First South West Ltd • PH0004983.173

• Licence: PH0004983.173
• Operator: FIRST SOUTH WEST LIMITED
• Address: UNION STREET, CAMBORNE, TR14 8HF, GB
• Route Number: A17 (A2, 810)
• Start Point: PENZANCE Bus Station/ ST IVES
• Via: 0
• End Point: MADRON/ ST IVES/ ST JUST
• Other Details: Vary timetable for one day only for the Lafrowda Festival.
• Received: 27-Jun-2018
• Effective: 21-Jul-2018
• Accepted: 28-Jun-2018
• End Date: 21-Jul-2018
• Event Type: Variation applications
• N & P:  0
• N & P Section: 0
• Event Description:  Variation Accepted by SN
• Final Published: DCT111
• VOSA: PH0004983/173

Staff Shortages at Citybus

 

This has been going on for some time now:

A number of Plymouth Citybus services have been cancelled, according to the firm's Twitter feed. More than a dozen services have been hit on routes from the city centre to Plympton, Kings Tamerton, Barne Barton and Whitleigh have been affected along with a number of other routes. In April Plymouth Citybus announced a slew of cancellations, stating that all had been affected because there were not enough bus drivers to run them.

A spokesman for Plymouth Citybus said they were sorry for the changes to their schedule, but it was caused by a combination of driver sickness and roadworks around the Longbridge Road area.

They said: "We're doing everything we can to cover and keep services running wherever possible, and in most cases, there is only around a ten minute wait for the next bus. "We are trying to help our drivers combat genuine sickness but this does take time to sort out. One of the main problems is if one driver goes sick, that can affect a number of services as each shift runs for around 7-8 hours on average and will cover multiple services in one shift.

"If there is more than one driver off sick and there are roadworks at key locations, this can compound the problem. We are doing our very best to keep the cancellations to a minimum and are working hard to provide services to our customers, so please bear with us. We do appreciate our customers' patience."

Typical of many such messages on their Facebook page yesterday:

We are sorry that we are unable to run the 15:15 service 21A journey from the City Centre to Plympton. The next Plympton service will be 10 minutes later. We apologise most sincerely and thank you for your patience

They have been running adverts on their pages for some time for drivers in Cornwall as they have new college contracts starting after the summer holidays but I have not seen any adverts for new drivers in Plymouth recently?

Room at the top

Go Ahead owned Go South Coast has appointed Peter Oliver as its new Commercial Manager. The firm – which operates morebus, Bluestar, Southern Vectis, Salisbury Reds, Damory, Tourist Coaches and Hants & Dorset Trim – is welcoming Peter from south west company Plymouth Citybus.
“I am delighted that Peter has joined our team here at Go South Coast,” said managing director, Andrew Wickham. “He comes to us with a wealth of experience and I look forward to seeing him build on the relationships we have with customers and partners – including local authorities throughout the region.”

Route One

This does of course leave a gap at Plymouth Citybus.

Meanwhile Plymouth Citybus have announced their Christmas timetables or at least the basic pattern of operations over the period:
Full details of last service times etc will be available next week

Featured Blog Post

• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Loose Ends? First Plymouth ain't dead yet - well not quite. First's web site, however is a bit moribund. As of yesterday there was no mention of 79 in the PDF timetables list under the general heading of "Timetable Booklets".

In The News

• NORFOLK SCENE: The Railway ~ FirstGreatWestern New series begins this Thursday (4th December) at 20:00 on Channel 5. The first episode shows the damage to the Dawlish Sea wall in winter last year. The programme is on every week (on Channel 5, Thursdays 8pm) for the upcoming weeks.

Reading List

• GREAT YARMOUTH BUS PAGE: 33060 enters service
• LANCASTER OMNIBUS: Buses back to Normal - Didn't anyone tell Traveline?
• IAN VISITS: Weekly round-up of London’s railway transport news
• EAST NORFOLK: Great Yarmouth Transport Feature
• EAST NORFOLK: Déjà vu in Lowestoft
• ANDYS BUS BLOG: Looking back... the early days of Viscount - part 1
• ANDYS BUS BLOG: Out & about in Norwich
• ANDYS BUS BLOG: Looking back... the early days of Viscount - part 2
• RICHARDS TRAM BLOG: MANCHESTER
• RICHARDS TRAM BLOG: SHEFFIELD IN THE GLOOM
• HUMBER TRANSPORT: Humber Flyer Major Route Change
• IPSWICH BUS BLOG: RETROSPECTIVE AND MODERN BRANDING
• IPSWICH BUS BLOG: 32488 ENTERS SERVICE
• DENNIS BASFORD: ‘Scene’ at Manchester International Airport (MIA) 2
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Red Arrows Reach All-over [4] First Bus Responds (a little late maybe?)
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Red Arrows Reach All-over [5] No 4 from December 1st
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Red Arrows : PS fbb in Trouble Yet Again!
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Loose Ends? A Poke at Stoke
• BRITISH BUS BUGLE: Council check: Cumbria County Council
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Leicester's Haymarket bus station scheme sees shops demolished
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: ELECTRIC BUSES & VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS FOR GLASGOW
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: TWENTY YEARS OF THE YORK PARK-&-RIDE
• STEVES BUS AND TRAIN PAGE: East Cost??
• STEVES BUS AND TRAIN PAGE: Weekly News Round Up

Apologies

It seems in my posting yesterday I made a major error in detailing the salary for the new Operations Director for Plymouth Citybus.

I have corrected the entry so it does now make it clear that the salary is £48,000 and not £18,000. A big difference!

Apologies to Plymouth Citybus for the error.

Citybus Recruits

An interesting message came out this last week for all hospital staff:

Unfortunately we no longer have any supplies of the ‘All Plymouth Zone’ staff bus pass. We contacted the bus company last week to request another delivery. However, today we have now been informed that these will take 5 weeks to be delivered.

As a result if you wish to apply for a new ‘All Plymouth Zone’ staff bus pass, please complete the application form as usual, but note there will be a delay in you receiving your bus pass.

Now please note that the bus pass in question is nothing fancy at all - its not a photo pass that has to be specially printed. Its a bog standard bit of card that gets printed off by the ticket machines on the bus. There is a slight difference in that there is a logo and Plymouth Green Travel Pass is printed on the ticket, but apart from that its nothing. So why five weeks?

An advert in the trade press this week reads:
Plymouth Citybus wish to appoint an OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
£48,000 plus benefits (note - not £18,000 as I posted originally!)
Plymouth Citybus is a successful bus company with a turnover of around £16.5m. The company employs 500 staff, of whom approx. 350 work within the Traffic section. We take pride in our fleet of 180 modern vehicles including low floor easy access buses and the latest Euro 5 engine Mercedes Citaro's
Experience and knowledge of the bus industry is valued but we want more! We are looking for someone with vision and the ability to help us turn our aims into a reality through innovation and creativity.
In a changing culture where our commitment to develop and to motivate our staff is second only to our desire to exceed the expectations of our customers this is an exciting time to join us and influence the future of bus travel in the city of Plymouth.
Closing date 24 August 2007

Lets hope whoever they get does indeed help them exceed the customers expectations (if they do they they deserve a lot more than £18000)

Quite rightly the job is indeed worth a lot more than £18000 as I originally posted. My apologies to Plymouth Citybus for the incorrect report. It did seem very low to me at the time but it seems my original source had a typo. Thanks to the two people who pointed out my error)