Ships that pass by

"live mapping of marine traffic” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: 68 Others... Omnibuses2.0: Jubilation

Considering that Plymothian Transit aims to cover all forms of transportation in and around Plymouth, and that Plymouth is well known for being a major port, I very rarely mention sea traffic. Well, today I cam across an interesting site which provides live mapping of marine traffic. sure how much traffic it actually covers but the ships and boats it does find are plotted on the map, and when you click on the marker it gives you the information it has on that vessel. It a large number of cases it also gives you a photo too. Marinetraffic.com

Spooners, Pophams and Norwich Union

"Lets just sort out the ugly run down bits of Plymouth City Centre first” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: 500 My Dog smells nice! Others... Omnibuses 2.0 : W&D VRT Farewell First: Hawks

©Plymouth Man on Flickr These three buildings date from 1951 until 1958. Two of the buildings were designed by architects who were RIBA gold medallists at the time. Unfortunately, there is a plan to demolish all three and build new retail units with 'a glass frontage'. No doubt that they will be termed "iconic" such as every other new building in Plymouth (although I do agree that the Levinsky Building is quite special).  I must admit that this development scheme has passed me by, but then there have been so many promises of redevelopment in and around the City Centre that have come and (mostly) gone I am not surprised. It is clear that parts of the City Centre do need some work, and Drake’s Circus was the prime example of that, but these fine buildings here surely deserve to be saved rather than replaced by modern glass fronted buildings. I am all in favour of modern glass buildings, and actually quite like the Drakes Circus complex (from most angles anyway) but not when they replace fine old buildings just for the sake of it. In the current economic climate many planned schemes are likely to be delayed or even dropped so lets just hope that this is one of them. Lets just sort out the ugly run down bits of Plymouth City Centre first can we?

Odd things catch my attention

" You find some odd things left on buses ”

You find some odd things left on buses. Had a treat one day last week as I caught the duplicate 50 from Derriford which was one of the G-CHF Volvo / East Lancs double deckers. These three sorry looking flowers / weeds enjoyed the ride with me.

Royal Albert Bridge 150 Web Site

"It will be 150 years since the bridge was opened on the 2nd May 2009.” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: 170 Others... Weird Animal Creations I am on the town on Friday night after work so the next posting will be on Saturday!

Well it certainly is not going to win any awards for its design, but this web site is all about the local events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the wonderful Royal Albert Bridge. Click the image above to go straight there or click this link! It is certainly something which is worth celebrating (and a better web site) and there are some interesting events being organised which I am sure will be well supported.

Stagecoach Spin

" You have to admire the excellent spin the company have managed to put on the story ” This is Exeter original article

STAGECOACH today backed the Echo's Exeter Bites Back campaign and announced a price freeze on many of its fares. This was the opening line of a news report on This is Exeter back on the 10th March. Echo editor Marc Astley said: "The gesture by Stagecoach … on page four of today's newspaper are exactly the sorts of initiatives we are hoping to encourage and highlight as part of the Bites Back campaign." But then came the small print: However it said some fares will still have to rise. As the bus firm revealed its annual tariffs, Stagecoach announced it was reducing the rise for standard single and return fares from a predicted ten per cent to an average six per cent, and announced a price freeze or reduction on many of its other ticket types. The news article then goes on to list all sorts of changes to the range of day and season tickets across the network. Some of these are a little lower, and one or two of them may be quite generous drops. You have to admire the excellent spin the company have managed to put on a news item which is basically announcing an inflation busting 6 percent fare increase across all its services. Even then it is billed as a reduction in the 10 percent increase they were thinking of! Maurice Spurway, co-ordinator of Exeter Friends of the Earth, said: "You have to ask why they are putting the price of general tickets up six per cent. " They say it is instead of ten per cent — but that should not let them off the hook." It has to be said, that the paper has certainly let them off the hook. Well done Stagecoach Devon for that one!

50p bus day

"in the hope that they will consider leaving the car at home and travelling by bus more often” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: 46 Others... TGP: Windows Omnibuses: Smoother ride? News: Woops!

Bus passengers in Plymouth will be able to travel all day for just 50p on Saturday 28 March and Saturday 4 April as part of a special promotion being run by local bus companies in partnership with the City Council. The 50p Bus Day events aim to encourage people who don't normally use the bus to give at a go, promoting sustainable travel as well as helping the wide range of services running throughout the city. All passengers will pay just 50p when they board the bus and will get a ticket which will allow them to travel with the same bus company anywhere in the city for the rest of the day - including on park and ride services. The Council hopes the initiative will help to boost bus travel and reduce congestion and pollution by showing people that taking the bus is clean, convenient, reliable and cost effective alternative to jumping in the car. Councillor Kevin Wigens, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Many of us think its easier to get around the city by car, but when you factor in the time it takes to load up your car, look for a parking space and pay for a ticket, its often quicker and cheaper to jump on and off the bus. "There is a good network of bus services covering the whole city, with recent investment in new, modern vehicles and various discounts available for regular travellers. Research shows there is high ratio of car users following the same routes as buses in Plymouth, increasing congestion and impacting on the environment. "By supporting this initiative we want to show people how clean, comfortable and convenient the city's bus services are in the hope that they will consider leaving the car at home and travelling by bus more often.' Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall said: "This is a great initiative - the bus represents a very cost effective way of travelling around the region and anything that encourages people to give it a go should be commended. We hope that people make the most of this offer; there are some great places to go by bus in this area - including the shops, the beach, the countryside and much, much more.' John Ackroyd, Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus Ltd added: "Our company is happy to be working in conjunction with Plymouth City Council to encourage the greater use of bus travel within Plymouth and promote what we believe is both an economic and environmentally more friendly alternative to increasing car usage –  whilst also providing a just as convenient mode of transport within the city area. We hope that existing and new customers will take the further opportunity to try the services available within the city at the reduced fare. For more information about 50p Bus Day visit Plymouth's dedicated journey planner at www.plymgo.com or call 01752 66800. The 50p Bus Day ticket is valid on all bus routes operated within the city boundary by Plymouth CityBus, Target Travel and First Devon and Cornwall. It is also valid on Plymouth Citybus services into and out of Plymouth from Saltash, Roborough, Heybrook Bay, and Sparkwell; and First Devon and Cornwall services into and out of Plymouth from Torpoint, Saltash, Woolwell, Roborough and Wembury. Its good to see events like this happening - and both bus companies taking part too.

Sunday Best on Flickr: XDV601S

"just they way you remember Royal Parade used to be”

XDV601S ©AecRegent A Nice photos taken on Royal Parade in what now seems ages ago. Western National VRTs and Citybus Atlanteans - just they way you remember Royal Parade used to be. The free unhindered flow of traffic at this spot is also a long distant memory. I do prefer the crossing over the old underpass, but the new pedestrian crossing does cause havoc for the buses. The advert for British Telecom is also a reminder of times past.

Looking after our highways

"The existing Highways fleet of Plymouth City Council passed to the new concern ” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 717000000000 17687 Others... TGP Saltash Townsfolk Its Beneath You Leave the Anoraks alone Bus Busting Bollards Poop n Ride

VU09DXG Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is one of quite a small fleet of trucks with the new Amey / Plymouth City Council Highways fleet. Other smaller vans in the fleet include... RF58DWC Vauxhall Combo van and ... BT57NKC a Ford Transit truck. The existing Highways fleet of Plymouth City Council passed to the new concern with V988ETT showing off the new logo on the cab door.

Tanked Up

"Baby Fuel Tankers” Others... New advert format for First?

By far the oldest tanker seen for some time is this ERF ES6 of Watson Fuels. A real survivor! Not as old as Watsons ERF but looking quite a bit rougher! Y223CCY WX04FMV Volvo tanker of Tincknell Fuels. DK07HTV MAN of Total Butler

What a waste

"I didn't expect to get any Plymouth City Council refuse trucks ” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 138000 Others... TGP gets a wash The Tamar Valley Giant Pasty Omnibuses 2.0 First Conumdrum

I spent an hour at lunchtime at Crownhill taking more photos, another 120 to add to my growing backlog of processing! Still, we continue with the pictures from last Friday with a selection of Skip trucks... Viridor Waste smart Volvo FE KM57JWU SWM Waste Recycling DAF 85CF Sims Metal FJ55WMK a smaller DAF LF truck. being a Friday I didn't expect to get any Plymouth City Council refuse trucks and I was right not to expect any as I didn't get any. I did however catch up with a couple from South Hams DC with VU58KGY which carries fleet number 190 and is a Dennis Eagle Elite 2 N2229VRC which carries their own version of the Recycle For... livery. A similar scheme is being rolled out onto Plymouth's new Mercedes trucks and of course features on some Citybus Darts.

Bread Vans Caught on Camera

"I guess this just shows much much more comfortable we expect our buses to be these days” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 780000 Others… Tom gets 32879 Terry has a spring in his step An Enviro - naked! Omnibuses ponders - what's going wrong?

Continuing with the photos taken on Friday 13th March we have no less than three Citybus bread vans out and about. Two in the current livery... And one in the older livery... Its rare these days that I actually catch one of these machines. I did get one on the 52 recently and got quite nostalgic, for a few minutes at least. We then reached the speed humps on Miller Way - I then remembered why I never did like them! I also remember the old Renault trucks they used to have, and how much more refined the Mercedes were compared to them. I guess this just shows much much more comfortable we expect our buses to be these days. Perhaps I am just getting spoilt these days as my usual rides are on the Citybus Enviro’s on the 42, (when it remembers to come down off Derriford Roundabout - it didn't tonight!),and The Target Travel Optare Solos - the newer 55 registration ones are very comfortable.

Where there’s a Way

"Once you give it a name you start to care for it” Elsewhere... Numberzz 391,000,000 3152 TGPs signs of the times Virgin Trains - Talking to you National Express - Anti Anorak?

Continuing my photo selection from last Friday we turn to the smart fleet of M.Way and Sons Ltd. Another fleet that obviously take pride in their vehicles with most of them having 'Select' registrations featuring the company name. Most of the truck in Way's orange livery also carry names. To paraphrase a line in Shrek - Once you give it a name you start to care for it! Lady Tanya CN03WAY DAF TRUCKS FTG XF95.480 TRACTOR (ROAD TRACTIVE UNIT) 12600cc Cathy Jane PN04BXK VOLVO TRACTOR (ROAD TRACTIVE UNIT) 12130cc (24-03-2004) DIESEL Maid Marian EG06WAY RENAULT TRACTOR (ROAD TRACTIVE UNIT) 10837cc (07-08-2006) DIESEL

Sunday Best on Flickr: Metroliner

" It must be said that this design has dated extremely well ” Elsewhere … Paulmans photostream Omnibuses 2.0: 15 seconds of fame TGP On the rails  and stoned!

©Paulman265 Western National Metroliner A761VAF Victoria With the new extra long Volvo Plaxton coaches now entering service with Trathens it seems the days of double deckers on National Express are well and truly numbered. In much happier times we see Western Nationals answer to the Neoplan Skyliners of Trathens, in one of the fine MCW Metroliners A761VAF. I did like these machines a lot, but they never quite matched the Skyliners which were in a class of their own. It must be said that this design has dated extremely well though.

Good Evans

"one of my favourite local haulage fleets thanks to its distinctive livery” dbg elsewhere: More of my photos of Evans Transport Vintage London Underground posters Other peoples stuff: Omnibuses2.0: Here to take you there? TGP5: Frozen in time

Not a brilliant shot, but included here as its my first 09 registration I have for Devon based Evans Transport. WA09AZU is a new Scania R480. This has to be one of my favourite local haulage fleets thanks to its distinctive livery. WA56KTN is a MAN TGA which does seem to be a favoured model in the fleet. The last of my photos of this fleet, all taken yesterday, is DAF XF WA06LVD.

First Caught on Camera

"the camera was telling me the battery was almost dead ” Other First photos: First 42969 First 32803 First 42832 Elsewhere: Numberzz: 79 Red noses TGP in the fog 3D pavement art

Having the day off work and seeing that the weather was brightening up I decided to spend an hour or so down at Marsh Mills to get a few more photos of what is out there on the roads of Plymouth. It was my first such outing this year and was quiet successful in that I took over 400 photos, with most of them coming out pretty well. The results will be appearing here over the next week or so. Today I feature some of the First buses and coaches that I caught on camera starting with this fine Caetano coach which actually manages to look good even in the awful National Express livery. 20547 bog standard Plaxton coach on National Express somehow doesn't carry the livery so well On the X80 we see 48234 Volvo Wright and 32717 Dennis Trident East Lancs Two buses that were not in service: Mercedes 50306 in Tamar Link livery and then Dennis Trident 32875 which has just arrived from London. Not a brilliant photo as it caught me by surprise as I had finished taking photos for the day, the camera was telling me the battery was almost dead and it came around the corner as I was walking away from my photographers perch.

Gold Star Award

" Well done Dave, we're proud of you ”   Elsewhere… Warning for bus spotters TGP: Tides out Warning - flying poo! and introducing… Numberzz: the new blog!

This is Plymouth A BUS driver who became a school governor has won the Gold Star Award. Dave Connell, a driver in Plymstock, is First Devon and Cornwall's nominated winner of the award, which the bus company sponsors. Mr Connell, aged 59, has worked 'on the buses' since 1968, and has driven the school bus at Coombe Dean School for seven years. He became a community governor at the school three years ago. Marc Reddy, managing director of First Devon and Cornwall, said: "Dave is one of the best bus drivers we have. He's committed and enthusiastic and he applies the same dedication to his role as school governor. "He's helped us build links with the school and the importance of this, in itself, should not be underestimated. He thoroughly deserves his Gold Star Award; Well done Dave, we're proud of you." [archive link] Having known Dave and his family for many years I have to add my own congratulations to Dave. A reward well deserved for a true busman!   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Well, I did it! I am now back to being a skinhead! Three years of growing my hair and I am now back where I started. Nearly £300 raised for Comic Relief so I cant complain- but my head is cold!