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
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.
