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