The Cornish Road to March 2028

Cornwall Council has launched a bus market engagement exercise as part of its participation in the Department for Transport (DfT) Franchising and Bus Reform pilot.

The engagement process opened on 9 December and will run to 14 January 2026. Through it, bus operators and other industry stakeholders have been invited to assist the local authority in developing a future delivery model for bus services in the county.

Under the DfT pilot, Cornwall Council will investigate potential models including Enhanced Partnership Plus and various franchising approaches. The latter will capture different levels of risk sharing between operators and the authority; phasing; and procurement methods.

The council describes the engagement work as “a soft market testing exercise” and says it will provide critical insights into interest and help to inform the procurement strategy for bus services in Cornwall.

March 2028 may sound like a long way ahead but that will soon go by. It will be interesting to see what model Cornwall go with.

With luck this should be my last posting made on my trusty PC which has come to the end of its natural life. There may be a bit of a wait while I get everything installed and up and running on the new pc. Based on previous experience there is always something I have missed…

A tender moment

We have got used to Stagecoach hoovering up a lot of tendered work over the last few years so a bit of a surprise to see they have lost some work. No mention yet of who has picked up the work though, I am sure it wont be long before we find out…

Tender Changes from 4 January 2026

Following a recent tender round by Devon County Council, a number of services will transfer to new operators from 4 January 2026 and will therefore no longer be operated by Stagecoach South West.

Barnstaple Depot
• Services 660/663S/855/856/859 – South Molton Town Services

Exeter Depot
• Service 6A – Exeter to Okehampton (majority of journeys)
• Service 96 – Exmouth Town Service
• Service 97 – Exmouth Town Service
• Service 173 – Exeter to Chagford and Moretonhampstead
• Service 348/349 – Tiverton Town Service
• Service 352/352 – Tiverton Town Service
• Service 360 – Exeter to Bridford and Christow
• Service 369 – Exeter to Morchard Bishop and Witheridge

Plymouth Depot
• Service 6A/6B – Exeter to Okehampton / Tavistock to Okehampton

While it can be disappointing when services transfer to other operators, these changes will benefit the business in a number of ways.

The loss of these services is no reflection of our delivery of these services, some of which we have operated for a number of years.

As a result of these changes, there will be some changes to duties and rosters at Exeter Depot from 4 January 2026, with minimal changes at Barnstaple and Plymouth Depots.

We will be communicating these changes, as well as a small number of other services changes to our customers over the coming weeks.

A Tender moment for Stagecoach

Plymouth City Council have awarded tenders for Plymouth services starting in April:

Stagecoach to take over 14 and 27 from April. Stagecoach also will continue to operate services 4,4a,4b, 4c, 30/31, 52 and increased 200 park and ride they will also operate new service 19 from city to Plymstock via Plympton and the crematorium. Service 4 will be extended from Plymstock via Sherford to Plympton Ridgeway.

The new links from Plympton to Plymstock are the main points here with the new crematorium being served finally after many people complained…

https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/plymouth-news/anger-no-buses-go-plymouths-9586485

The 27 is a regular haunt of the MAN gas buses although they wont be around for too much longer anyway…

Thanks for the people who alerted me of this!

UPDATE

Rather than add a new post I have added this from the City Council:

Residents will soon benefit from better bus links between Plympton and Plymstock, including a route that will shortly serve the new crematorium, The Park.

From Sunday 30 March, the number 19 (which previously ran between the city centre and Merafield) will be reinstated and extended to serve Plymstock Broadway and Plympton Ridgeway.

The service, which will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest, is one of seventeen that will be financially supported by the Council following a recent retendering of the city’s ‘non-commercial’ routes. It will run roughly every 75 minutes from 9.30am to just after 5pm every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).

The service 19 will provide a connection to the new crematorium with buses stopping at this location once necessary infrastructure has been provided which is expected to be in the spring.

The number 4 will also be extended beyond Plymstock Broadway to serve Plympton Ridgeway via Sherford and Sandy Road, providing new links for workers at Langage and for pupils travelling to and from school.

This service will run hourly between 6am and 9.05pm from Monday to Friday, 7am and 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 7pm on Sundays and bank holidays. It will operate every day (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).

Some other changes will be made to the subsidised network:

• The frequency on the Coypool park and ride service 200 (operated by Stagecoach Southwest) will be increased to every 15 minutes during the day but it will operate via Exeter Street Viaduct to Royal Parade and no longer serve Mayflower Street and Western Approach.
• Services 4A and 4B will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest but will be reduced from hourly to two-hourly due to low passenger demand. The very early morning service 4C between the city centre and Saltram Meadow will be withdrawn due to low use but replaced by the newly extended service 4 from 6am.
• Services 30 and 31 will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest but reduced from hourly to two-hourly, also due to passenger demand. However, they run the same, short circular route in different directions so passengers will still have a service once every hour (but may have to travel the opposite way between stops).
• Services 13/S, 14 and 27 will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest but their timetables and routes will be largely unchanged.
• Service 41 will be operated by Plymouth Citybus. There will be no change to the route but there will be some minor timetables changes.
• Service 54 will be operated by Stagecoach Southwest.

With the exception of service 19, the contracts are being awarded for three years. Service 19 will be contracted for one year as it is being fully funded through the Department for Transport’s 2025/2026 Bus Grant. It is hoped that after the first year of operation, passenger numbers will reach a level that mean the service can be sustained commercially by the bus operator in the longer term.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport said: “I’m really pleased we have been able to retain all of our supported bus routes following the latest round of tenders, as I know how important these are to the residents who use them. Although the operators have had to reduce the frequency on a few of these routes, this reflects current passenger demand and we have to target our limited funding where it is most needed.

“We have received many requests for direct links between Plympton and Plymstock, given the growth of Sherford and the opening of the new crematorium. We have listened to our residents and I am delighted we have been able to provide these links. We now need passengers to make use of these services to ensure their long-term future.”

Councillor Kevin Sproston, the city’s bus champion, added: “It’s great that services currently supported by the Council are able to continue and that new links to education, employment, shopping and leisure facilities are being introduced, enabling residents to be better connected to the places they need to visit.”

T minus 95 and counting

Rumour

It started as a rumour and a few comments left on the site like this one back on the 13th July:

“Told by Target driver they have lost all tendered services in Plymouth..7d, 13, 18,19, 31, 38, 52 and 223 all going to Stagecoach from November. Not sure re current Citybus 14 or new service to Sherford..have these gone to SC too?”

I was getting too many similar comments for it to be discounted as rumour.

Confirmation

Then we get this from Plymouth City Council:

Sherford will soon be getting its first bus service following a review of the city’s subsidised network. Launching in September, the 2A will be operated by Stagecoach South West and link the new community in the east with Saltash in the west, via Plymstock Broadway, Pomphlett Roundabout, the city centre, railway station and Milehouse. It will run every 20 minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday and hourly in the evenings, on Sundays and on Bank Holidays.

Stagecoach South West will also take over nine of our 11 financially supported services (7D, 13, 14, 18, 19, 31, 39, 52 and 223) from Monday 29 October, with customers seeing a number of improvements. Service 14 will be extended to Derriford (restoring an hourly service to residents of Powisland Drive, Dunraven Drive and Upland Drive from Monday to Saturday).

Service 52 which links Plympton, Leigham and Asda in Estover to Derriford Hospital, will be extended to serve Crownhill, Hartley Vale, Compton, Mannamead and the city centre, replacing the current service 39 and providing new cross-city links as a result.

We are also stepping in to fund replacement services for Holly Park and Ringmore Way (where the commercially-run services 50A and 51A are being withdrawn) and Mainstone (currently served by the 28A). The replacement services will continue to be operated by Plymouth Citybus.

Councillor Mark Coker, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure, said: “Most of the city’s bus services are run commercially but there are some that we financially support to ensure residents can get from A to B and access the local services they need. “With ever-growing pressures on our budgets it’s really important to target this funding where it is most needed. Before tendering these contracts we carried out a full review of current demand and travel patterns to ensure our new network meets passengers’ needs while delivering value for money. “Where many councils across the country have been reducing or withdrawing their bus subsidies we are really pleased to have managed to retain our full network, with only minor changes, as well as replace services being withdrawn by commercial operators and introduce a new service into Sherford.”

Well that confirmed the news that Stagecoach are indeed taking on the tenders from Target Travel.

Reason

Notices & Proceedings 2657 was issued today (26th July) and on page 20 we have section 5.2

Section 5.2 – Decisions Taken at Public Inquiries

• Public Inquiry (76938) held at Jubilee House (Bristol), BS5 0GB, Croydon Street, Bristol, on 10 July 2018 commenced at 10:30 (Previous Publication:(2650))
• PH1020218 SN
• DEALTOP (PLYMOUTH) LTD
• Director(s): ROBERT JOHN RISK, LEE ROBERT RISK
• LANGAGE SCIENCE PARK, WESTERN WOOD WAY, PLYMOUTH, PL7 5BG
• S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger
• Vehicles Act 1981)
• S28 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 28 (The Transport Act 1985)
• S17 - Licence revoked with effect from 23:59 on 27 October 2018.
• Acceptance of Tristan Kelly as nominated transport manager until revocation.

There have been comments suggesting that a new licence has been applied for which will presumably be for a smaller coach only operation if it goes ahead.

Target Travel have been a part of the Plymouth bus scene for many years now being there to pick up the services which the bigger operators didn't want. The fleet has been upgraded and looks a lot better than it used to, and services have seemed reliable. It seems that drivers have been offered the chance to transfer across to Stagecoach so hopefully none of them will loose their jobs which is a good thing although I know some of them like driving to Target precisely because they are not First, Stagecoach or GoAhead.

So now seems a good time to catch up on any Target Travel photos as I cant see many of the buses going to Stagecoach, or if they do, not lasting very long with SC. 

Callington 79

Cornwall Council has confirmed that from Monday 22 September, the bus service between Callington and Tavistock will transfer from Western Greyhound  Ltd to Plymouth Citybus  Ltd. The Council is grateful to Western Greyhound for cooperating and ensuring a smooth transition to the new service. The new service has been revised slightly to give better efficiency. Provision will be restored to housing estates on the north of Callington and journey time between the two mains towns of Callington and Tavistock has also been reduced. Journeys through Harrowbarrow and Metherall will return to the pre June 2014 frequency level of two-hourly. The Cothele area will be served by a dial-a-ride service provided by Darren’s Taxis of Callington.

Peter Oliver, Commercial Manager of Plymouth Citybus Ltd, said “Plymouth Citybus is delighted to be once again operating the service between Callington and Tavistock under the service number 79/A.

The new timetable maintains a number of important links within Callington and an hourly service between Callington and Tavistock with journeys now able to accommodate a number of the school movements between the two towns".

There will be two new tickets introduced specifically for the 79/79A route between Tavistock and Callington.

There will be a 7 day ticket that will be available from the driver and via the plymouthbus mobile app at £16 adult and £13 child (under 19), plus a 31 day ticket available from plymouthbus mobile only at £59 adult and £44.25 child.

In addition to this the Plymouth Citybus Tavi tickets will also be extended to include the 79/79A, meaning that passengers can extend their travel onto services 11 and 42, plus all zone 1 and 2 Citybus services for a small extra charge.

I am also happy to confirm that in spite of reports in the press at the time (as mentioned on Plymothian Transit) that THE ROUTE WAS NOT TAKEN OFF WESTERN GREYHOUND BY THE COUNCIL. It was WG themselves who told the council that they wished to come off the service. They also agreed to remain on the route until the council had managed to secure another operator to take over.

I end with a recommendation from Brian Bell:

If anyone has not done the section of bus route via Cothele (currently Western Greyhound 575), this is a really superb route with very narrow roads, and is well worth doing over the next week. Whereas Plymouth City Bus had to divert to avoid the narrowest roads on the 79A (Cothele to Harrowbarrow section), Western Greyhound have reverted to using the very narrow lane. Operates twice a day Mon to Sat. A very highly recommended ride !!

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Terminated

Its funny how things seem to go round in cycles. We have seen it in Plymouth where at various times the fortunes of Plymouth Citybus and Western National / First seem to have swapped around. We are seeing it in Cornwall too. It does not seem that long ago that we were wondering how long First would remain in Cornwall as everything seemed to be going towards Western Greyhound who were busy filling in all the gaps left by the gradual withdrawal by First. WG could do no wrong then. Sadly it now seems to be the other way round.

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Cornwall Tenders for June

Service 76 (Plymouth - Saltash - Callington - Launceston - Bude)

 

As a result of the retendering exercise by Cornwall Council, from Monday 2 June this service will only operate between Plymouth, Callington and Launceston. The section previously covered by the 76 between Launceston and Bude will be operated by Western Greyhound. Most service 76 journeys from Plymouth will continue to depart at their current times, with most journeys from Launceston and Callington running 10 minutes later.

Evening journeys from Plymouth will also cease to operate. Passengers who have purchased return or day tickets on our service will be able to make return journeys on Western Greyhound buses as these are supported by Cornwall Council.

 

Service 81 (Plymouth - Devonport - Torpoint - Antony - Cawsands - Cremyll)

 

As a result of the retendering exercise by Cornwall Council, from Monday 2 June service 81 will only operate between Plymouth, Devonport, Torpoint and HMS Raleigh from Monday to Saturday (except public holidays) The frequency will continue at mostly every 15 minutes, although there are some slight changes late evenings and early morning Saturday trips.

We will continue to operate through to Antony, Cawsands, Whitsands Holiday PArk and Cremyll on Sundays and public holidays, with a slightly revised timetable for the summer period.

New timetable leaflets for these routes will be available from our travel shops from the end of May. They will also be available to view and download on The First website (in the forthcoming timetables section within the Timetables section) from 17 May.

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A Tendered Moment

If you are still waiting to try out the Plymouth Citybus 79 Tavistock to Calllington route then you only have a few weeks left...

2 May 2014

PH0000135/158 - PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD, MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Kelly Bray, Parsons Green and Tavistock Bus Station given service number 79/79a/X79 effective from 31-May-2014.

Of course we only have half the story so far. This was a temporary contract to replace the service provided by DAC who sadly went under recently. It seems that more permanent arrangements are being put in place from the start of June. This route was of course joint with Western Greyhound so its quite possible that they will continue to operate the whole service from June. It is also possible that someone else has won the whole contract. I am sure it wont be long before we find out...

Torpoint and Beyond

First Devon Facebook

There have been some rumors that First will shortly no longer be running buses between Plymouth and Torpoint. We can confirm that this is not the case and continue to run up to 4 service 81 buses an hour between Plymouth City Centre, Devonport, Torpoint and HMS Raleigh, 7 days a week (including evenings). However as we have recently lost the Cornwall Council tender to run the service 81 buses beyond HMS Raleigh to Insworke and Rame (from 1 June) we are currently looking at whether this section of the 81 will continue after this date as we will receive no financial support to run them. We will keep you posted. But for now please be assured the service 81 is still and will still be running between Plymouth and Torpoint (CJ)

We have already noted that Plymouth Citybus have won the Cornwall County Council tenders in this area...

22 April 2014

PH0000135/159 - PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD, MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA Registration

• Starting Point: Royal Parade Plymouth
• Finish Point: Liskeard Railway Station
• Via: Torpoint, Downderry
• Service Number: 32A
• Service Type: Normal stopping
• Effective Date: 1 June 2014

22 April 2014

PH0000135/150 - PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD, MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Royal Parade and Torpoint HMS Raleigh given service number 32/22B effective from 01-Jun-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

We now have the full timetables up on Traveline SW

1 June 2014

Service 32 New Timetable

TIMETABLE PDF

Service 32A New Route!

TIMETABLE PDF

Service 32B New Route!

TIMETABLE PDF

It will be very interesting to see if First Devon do decide to run at least some of these services on a commercial basis. It would certainly upset Plymouth Citybus especially as the Council might then have to reconsider the original tender. It could then also upset the council who might wonder why First can suddenly run a service on a commercial basis when it has needed a subsidy for years! If however First give in and cut back their routes to just Plymouth - Torpoint then it should free up a few buses and drivers for use elsewhere in Plymouth where their earning potential should be quite a bit higher. I guess the ball is now firmly in First's court and we all wait to see what First do next... They certainly seem much more up for the fight these days than they have been in recent years.
Full route history on Plymothian Bus Services

Oakleys Party Bus Services

Beacon 98

PH1016164/18 - HOLSWORTHY LTD T/A BEACON GARAGE, DOLTON BEACON, DOLTON, WINKLEIGH, EX19 8PS

Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Tavistock and Yelverton given service number WD98 effective from 19-Apr-2014.

Beacon 55/56

PH1016164/19 - HOLSWORTHY LTD T/A BEACON GARAGE, DOLTON BEACON, DOLTON, WINKLEIGH, EX19 8PS

Cancellation Accepted by SN: Operating between Tavistock Bus Station and Yelverton given service number 55/56 effective from 19-Apr-2014..

Oakleys 55

PH1091418/1 - PAUL SIMON OAKLEY T/A OAKLEYS PARTY LIMOS, 4 NEWNHAM ROAD, COLEBROOK, PLYMOUTH, PL7 4AN Registration

• Starting Point: Milton Combe
• Finish Point: Milton Combe
• Via: Yelverton Tavistock
• Service Number: 55
• Service Type: Normal stopping
• Effective Date: 22 April 2014
• Other Details: Monday to Saturday, not bank holidays.

Oakleys 98

PH1091418/2 - PAUL SIMON OAKLEY T/A OAKLEYS PARTY LIMOS, 4 NEWNHAM ROAD, COLEBROOK, PLYMOUTH, PL7 4AN Registration

• Starting Point: Tavistock Bus Station
• Finish Point: Tavistock Bus Station
• Via: Merrivale Princetown
• Service Number: 98
• Service Type: Normal stopping
• Effective Date: 22 April 2014
• Other Details: Monday to Saturday, not bank holidays.

This is very short notice as the service has already started! Traveline South West still has the old timetables for Beacon as being current but does mention that Oakleys will be running the services from the 22nd April. The Devon County web site still shows the service as being with Beacon. Their own web site is purely for the other side of their business – the party limos. As you can see from the VOSA route licence numbers these are the first bus services operated by Oakleys. I am sure their entry into the tendered services market has been warmly welcomed by Devon County Council!

55 Timetable PDF

98 Timetable PDF

Does anyone know what they are using on the new services? The service is down as being low floor so I guess they must have a low floor Dart or a Solo? Of course they do have at least one low floor Optare bus...

©Nick Rice (cc)

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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Metroline CELF Centre Part 43 The introduction of new Routemasters on the 390 was the catalyst that triggered a fleet shuffle within the Metroline fleet particularly concerning their Holloway and Potters Bar Garages.

Latest on Northampton Bus Station Fiasco & A Driver's View In the meantime we bring you a driver's eye view of what its like to use the new facility from Malcolm Tales. His comments about how disabled bays are mixed with coach parking bays in Victoria Street are, in particular, very worrying and illustrate how such things shouldn't be designed and implemented by people who lack the necessary knowledge and skills

Take a “Farewell Tour” around the Tube Network there will be a sort of tube-geek joy in seeing the wrong train on the wrong lines at least for part of the tour. These events tend to be a bit weird, a very long commute on a train lasting a very long time, but they can be quite good fun, and a very rare chance to do such a thing.

Velvet to vanish? / Totton evening buses diverted: Velvet wanted to sell, Xela wanted to buy. A deal was signed, but then Xela exercised their right to withdraw from the deal at the last minute.

Out & about in Northampton ~ new bus station special We finish this two part feature with a view of the closed Greyfriars bus station, part of Northampton's transport history for the last 38 years, in 2005 the building was listed in a survey carried out by The Guardian for Channel 4's Demolition series, as the third most hated building in Britain

Reregulation / Long distance diversions A reminder in the Sunderland Echo that the argument over how bus services should be run is still raging in Tyne & Wear. Nexus, the regional transport authority wants to have the same power over bus services as Transport for London.

Clopper, Clipper, Freebee, 3B, Gone [3] Travel South Yorkshire was delighted to be at the heart of the first ever FreeBee bus. Launched in Sheffield city centre in October 2007, it continues to be a rip roaring success and a real customer favourite. Which is why we are withdrawing it.

THE BUXTON SPA EXPRESS At last The Railway Touring Company have managed to run The Buxton Spa Express on Saturday 15th March 2014.

 

: Six operators (really, five) and one authority persevere with the 12-hour clock style. One is Brighton & Hove and another Trent Barton. They both must have a Really Good reason for doing so.

Alexander Dennis secures £100m National Express order. Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) has signed a £100m deal to produce 600 vehicles for National Express over the next five years. The vehicles, which will be a mix of double deck and midi buses, will join National Express's fleets in the West Midlands and Dundee.

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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Colchester in 1994: Today we continue our latest Looking back... feature with another trip back 20 years to take a look at the colourful local bus scene that could be found in Colchester in 1994

North Gate : The Last Word Sooner or later, the hoardes of high-viz helpers, extra police, traffic wardens and stagecoach supervisors are going to melt away. The costs will be horrific and a misplaced sense of self-confidence will set in.

APPS THE WAY TO DO IT ! An app which can tell you if your bus is delayed by road-works has been shortlisted for a top award. The Bwsiti app, designed by Caernarfon-based company Geosho, can tell you when your bus will arrive. Once downloaded it can also be used without a wifi signal - making it especially useful in more remote areas.

Life after Plymouth M221EAF

© BristolRE2007 - Peter Horrex.

M221EAF was one of the very early low floor buses. It was operated by Western National with funding from Devon County Council and ran in the wonderful badger n flags livery.

It has since then gone on to Centrewest (First London) and I believe its currently up with First Midland Red?

It was purchased for the 118 service from Tavistock to Barnstable. This was later replaced by the 86 from Plymouth. Later this year FDC withdraw the 86 and the service reverts back to 118 from Tavistock and will be operated by Hookways Coaches. Quite what it will use on the service remains to be seen!

[This posting was actually planned for yesterday but my computer wasnt having it!]

December Changes

Just to advise that FDC will be operating the following from week
commencing 30 December 2007
10 City Centre - Derriford Hospital via Lipson, Efford and Eggbuckland
13 City Centre - Saltash Passage (Saturdays only)
18 City Centre - Plymstock - Elburton, Cavendish Drive
30 City Centre - Mutley Plain - Honicknowle
38 City Centre - Lower Compton
39 City Centre - Mutley Plain - Derriford Hospital - Southway
34B City Centre - Derriford Hospital via Stoke, Beacon Park, Brake
Farm, Crownhill (evening and Sunday journeys)
44B City Centre - Transit Way via Manadon Park, Whitleigh Green
46B City Centre - St Budeaux via Stoke Village and Devonport (evening
and Sunday journeys)

This confirms that FDC have indeed taken on all the extra work that Citybus have given up. It will be interesting to see what extra buses are drafted into Plymouth for these services.

Even more interesting is the (dead) link that Citybus have on their web site:

Passenger Information Service changes from the 28^th October with known to date changes from the 39^th December 2007!

Lucky Clover Leaf

Residents of Glenholt are looking forward to an end of months of uncertainty over bus journeys in the north of Plymouth, after the city council awarded the contract for a new service in the area.Target Travel will launch the number 57 Clover Leaf Connection on October 28. From October 30, it will provide an hourly service daily from Mondays to Saturdays between 9am and 4pm.The clover leaf-shaped route includes stops at Birdcage Farm, Glenholt, Belliver and Woolwell, for residents travelling to and from the medical centre, Tesco Extra supermarket and other shops, into the George park-and-ride site and Derriford Hospital. This is Plymouth

This seems like a good idea and will provide good links with Derriford Hospital and the George Park and Ride site which is turning into a good transport interchange. Lets just hope that the residents use the service that they have fought so hard for.

BUS NEWS - tenders

Mark Howarth of Western Greyhound has reported on the South West Bus Group (Yahoo) that Plymouth City Council has invited tenders for the following routes to start from 29th October:
5/6 evenings
7D Mondays to Saturdays
10 daily
14 evenings
17 Mondays to Saturdays
19 Mondays to Saturdays
16B Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays
20 Sundays
20A Monday to Saturday evenings and Sundays
26A Mondays to Saturdays
28B Monday to Saturday evenings
23/24 evenings
31 Mondays to Saturdays

It will be interesting to see if any of these routes change hands in the process.

Continuing to mention Western Greyhound I am please to be able to report provisional details of a planned Routemaster Running Day on 18th August
RM1783 783 DYE opentop AEC engine
0915 Newquay BS to Newquay BS 500 arr 1000
1015 Newquay BS to Newquay BS 500 arr 1100
1115 Newquay BS to Newquay BS 500 arr 1200
1205 Newquay BS to Newquay Airport 556, return 1235 arr Newquay 1300
1315 Newquay BS to Newquay BS 500 arr 1400
1515 Newquay BS to Newquay BS 500 arr 1600

RM1062 62 CLT Scania engine red livery
0940 Newquay BS to Truro 586 arr1030
1035 Truro to Newquay BS 586 arr 1127
1155 Newquay BS to Sunnyside Hol Park 567, arr 1215
1230 Sunnyside Hol Pk to Newquay BS arr 1250
1255 Newquay BS to Sunnyside Hol Park 567, arr 1315
1330 Sunnyside Hol Pk to Newquay BS arr 1350
1405 Newquay BS to Newquay Airport 556, return 1435 arr Newquay 1500
1535 Newquay BS to Truro Vic Square 597 (via St Columb Major) arr1645
1645 Truro Vic Square to Newquay 587 (via Perranporth) arr1820
1830 Newquay BS to Summercourt Bus Garage 528 arr 1905

RMA11 NMY 648E forward entrance AEC engine
0954 Summecourt Bus Garage to Newquay 528 (via Fistral Bay) arr 1035
1040 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 558 arr 1117
1122 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 559 arr 1134
1140 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 558 arr 1217
1222 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 559 arr 1234
1240 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 558 arr 1317
1322 Newquay BS to Newquay BS town service 559 arr 1334

Even if you are not a Routemaster fan (I'm not!) it should be a good day if you are in the area. These are provisional plans so check before making a special trip!

St Johns Ambulance and the 52

Despite the freezing cold I ventured out at lunchtime today and took a few photos. One of the few worth posting is this Renault ambulance of St Johns. The days when they ran a fleet of ancient 'hand-me-downs from the main ambulance fleets have long gone and they now run a highly standardised fleet of new ambulances. Click here for a web page on St Johns ambulance number GA109 which is identical to this one - and even features a cut out card board model you can make! There is also the London St John fleet which features its own Crusaders and a larger specialised unit based on a Dennis Dart bus. well worth a visit. A worthy organisation to support.

Staying with hospital transport (well sort of)


This is Plymouth: 12:00 - 04 January 2006
A new bus service between Saltash and Derriford has been launched by Plymouth Citybus after a rival company axed the route. The first number 152 buses started running yesterday, along exactly the same route and with the same timetable as the old 52 service ended by First at the end of October.Buses link Saltash with Derriford Hospital by way of the Tamar Bridge, Pemros Road, St Budeaux Square, Victoria Road, Crownhill Road and Tavistock Road.First has cut several of its services to Derriford Hospital because it said not enough people were using the routes.Citybus operations director Phil Smith said the service would run until at least May, when it would be reviewed.He added: "We will be doing everything that we can to regain the old customers and will hopefully gain some new ones."Citybus is not taking over the 52A Saltash to Notre Dame School service.

It must be said that this is welcomed by most passengers I know that use the service. Those of us that use the Plympton end on the 52 that Citybus took over last year have a much better service than was ever provided by First.
didbygraham

Odds and ends

A few bits of news to catch my eye tonight:

It is reported on the South West Bus Group that Plymouth Citybus have ordered another 8 Dennis Dart MPDs for Mercedes 709 replacement. I am a bit surprised they have returned to Dennis as they were not that happy with the last batch - but then I guess there isn't much choice for this sized bus at the moment as they have already rejected the Optare Solo as unsuitable.
The ex Park & Ride 205 now in standard livery is being trialled on several of the Merc Mini routes and is ok on all but two of them (18 and 22).

Citybus have also confirmed that they are taking over the 52 from FDC (Saltash end - to be renumbered the 152) and the Tavistock 98s. Looks like nothing for Glenholt residents!

I haven't reported much on Air Transport in Plymouth so to start us off try this story

More than 50 people were stranded at Plymouth Airport yesterday after their flight to Newcastle failed to show up.Air Wales has apologised after the 7am flight from Plymouth to Newcastle, stopping in Wales, failed to arrive.Passengers claimed the flight never actually existed, and that Air Wales did not run the service on Bank Holidays despite taking bookings from almost 60 passengers beforehand. ...
[This is Plymouth ]