Turning the corner

Bus operator First Devon and Cornwall says it has turned a corner after several 'difficult' trading years.The firm says it has implemented changes in its operations after a new management team was appointed in April 2006.Managing director Marc Reddy said: "After a number of difficult years, we have now most certainly turned the corner. The financial performance of the company dramatically improved in the first half of 2006-07 and trading in the second half of the year started well and was in line with our expectations."Our current strong trading performance has been achieved thanks to the hard work and commitment shown by my new management team and all of our staff," he said."The successful partnerships with our local transport authorities have also played a key role in getting us to where we are today."The results include an increase of 31.8 per cent in passenger numbers in the Plymouth area, an investment of more than £5million in 56 new buses over the last two years, passenger numbers on Plymouth park-and-ride services up by 25 per cent and a 22 per cent increase in FirstDay ticket sales.

Alex Huke, public transport co-ordinator with Plymouth City Council, said: "2006-07 was a landmark year in Plymouth City Council's relations with First Devon and Cornwall following a number of highly successful joint initiatives.

David Whitton, at Devon County Council, said: "We're pleased that First Devon and Cornwall is overcoming its reliability problems and progressing towards a reliable and sustainable network of commercial bus services.

"The improvements to vehicle quality, with a reduction in vehicle age and more low-floor buses, also show the considerable progress made.

"Later this year improvements will also be introduced on the Plymouth- Tavistock corridor, as a result of a 'Kick-start' bid, jointly submitted by First and Devon County Council."Having come through this difficult period, we're confident that the partnership approach will allow us to move forward by developing services," he said, "with a joint approach to marketing and service delivery, leading to increased passenger numbers."

Congratulation to Marc and his team. The change in FDC is really evident out there on the streets of Plymouth.

New government money!

A Department of Transport News Release today brings some good news for buses in Devon & Cornwall. £750,000 is being spent in Exeter upgrading several city services and over £520,000 is going towards upgrading the Cambourne - Redruth coridor in Cornwall.

Most important news for Plymouth though is the award of nearly £300,000 towards the Tavy GoldLine major upgrade of Plymouth - Derriford - Tavistock services.


The Devon County Council news release
From Pam Newby, Exeter 383654, November 01,2005
Bus services in Exeter and West Devon are to be boosted by a further £1 million investment thanks to joint bids for Government funding submitted by Devon County Council with bus operators Stagecoach and First Devon Cornwall.
The joint bids have secured £1,043,000 in the Kickstart Bus Competition run by the Department for Transport.
Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Margaret Rogers, said: "I welcome this success. Once again, the County Council, working in partnership with bus operators, is bringing further improvements to bus services in Devon."
In Exeter a total of £750,000 will be spent on 10 new 35-seater low-floor buses for service A. This will release 10 nearly-new low-floor buses which will be used to increase the frequency of services E and F to every 10 minutes, and convert services P and B to low floor buses. Service F will also provide a new link to the Summerway area of Whipton.
Chris Hilditch, Managing Director of Stagecoach Devon, said: "This is exciting news. In partnership with the County Council we can now have a completely low-floor network and make Exeter the first city in the South West where all bus services are fully accessible. The increased capacity will also allow us to continue getting more people to use Exeter bus services."
The West Devon scheme is called the Tavy Gold Line and £293,000 will allow bus services between Tavistock, Yelverton, Derriford Hospital and Plymouth to be upgraded. The frequency will increase to four buses per hour with faster, direct journeys at work times. The service will be operated by refurbished low-floor, fully accessible, route-branded buses and, to ensure consistent high-quality service, a dedicated route manager will be responsible for day-to-day operations.
New attractively-priced season and weekly ticket deals will also be offered to passengers.
Gerald Taylor, Managing Director of First Devon Cornwall, said: "This is excellent news. First are pleased to be working in partnership with the County Council to deliver service improvements on the key Plymouth to Tavistock corridor. This will allow us to introduce a more frequent timetable with improved buses and a dedicated route manager to ensure a quality service."