The battle for Citybus

"but everyone else will see fares rise” dbg Elsewhere... Citybus Sale Timeline

A BATTLE to stop the sell-off of Plymouth's council-owned bus company intensified today with the launch of a new campaign. Unite, the trade union giant, said any move to sell Citybus was 'an insult' and 'nonsense', claiming it would lead to job losses. Residents' leaders and other local politicians voiced strong opposition last night, and one Citybus employee has set up a 'Save Plymouth Citybus' profile on Facebook. Tudor Evans, the Labour group leader on the council who is organising today's protest, said: "The bus company helps to control the price of fares in Plymouth. Cities that don't have a council-owned bus company have all seen their fares rise much higher than they are here. Pensioners will continue to travel for free, but everyone else will see fares rise. The council will also lose its dividend from Citybus profits, so council tax will rise." South West Devon Liberal Democrat leader Stephen Kearney said: "The people of Plymouth should stand up and tell the council that the greed has got to stop." Council leader Vivien Pengelly told The Herald this week: "Plymouth Citybus will not be sold unless a sensible offer is put forward. This is Plymouth Bus services in Plymouth are going to be front page news for some time with this and other changes due shortly. Plymothian Transit will be following it all very closely! Having said that… My PC monitor is dying and keeps changing size and sometimes the picture disappears altogether - If it can just hold on for a few more days till the new one arrives then hopefully there will be no more breaks in service. If I do disappear for a few days - then you know why! (The new monitor should be with me on Wednesday). Computers - brilliant when they work!

Clocking Out

"at least try and get them to tell the same time!”

Bretonside Bus Station this afternoon. They have clearly made a lot of improvements to Bretonside Bus Station over the past year or so, but if you are going to add nice clocks, at least try and get them to tell the same time!

Not First Class

" passengers decided that the luxury of large leather seats was not worth the increase in price ” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 28 Others... JZjr on Flickr Omnibuses2.0 Lost in Translation TGP Squeeze Timeless North Devon It wasnt always like this...

HST Power Car by JZjr (Creative commons) From The Times 21st May we have this: First Great Western has increased the cost of upgrades by up to 150 per cent, with the result that first class carriages are running almost empty on Saturdays and Sundays while there is standing room only in standard class. On Sunday 18th May the cost of a one-way upgrade increased from £10 to £25 for journeys between stations in Cornwall and South Wales to London. On many other routes the price doubled to £20.   More than 90 per cent of first class seats remained empty on some First Great Western trains on Sunday as passengers decided that the luxury of large leather seats was not worth the increase in price. Cheap weekend upgrades were introduced by British Rail as a way of raising extra revenue at the same time as making use of carriages that would otherwise remain empty. A First Great Western spokesman said: “We’ve changed the way Weekend First works to reflect the distance travelled rather than one, catch-all fare, which saw customers travelling from, for example, London to Reading paying the same price as someone going from London to Penzance. Railway Eye are not impressed… So based on the fact that First have milked local passengers at the same rate as long-distance travellers over many years, does this mean that Weekend First prices between Reading and London have actually decreased. Errr... no. They of course remain the same.

City centre Traffic Management

"Plymouth has always been a congestion-free city and one of its key strengths is free-flowing traffic” dbg Elsewhere... Citybus sale - Timeline (work in progress!) Others... Omnibuses2.0 So who’s next TGP Weathering Tom New FDC Enviro model bus

Plymouth City Council news item from 21st May: City centre traders and Plymouth Citybus have given a big thumbs-up to road layout changes at Drake Circus which have dramatically improved traffic flow during their first few months. Plymouth City Council introduced a trial order in February in a bid to reduce congestion around the busy shopping centre and help get traffic moving through Cobourg Street and Charles Street. Since opening just over two years ago Drake Circus has exceeded its visitor targets by more than three million and routes into the shopping centre have been much busier than originally expected, particularly at the weekend. The Council has been carrying out a detailed review of long-term traffic management arrangements along this key transport route but introduced the experimental order to help alleviate the problem of congestion in the short term. The right-hand turn from Cobourg Street into Mayflower Street, which had previously been used only by buses, was opened up to all vehicles and the right-hand lane into Drake Circus from Charles Street was closed off to prevent queues which were being caused by motorists blocking the box junction behind it. Motorists travelling from North Hill or North Cross now have to travel around Charles Cross roundabout and back up Charles Street to access Drake Circus but traffic is now flowing much more freely, making it quicker and easier to get into the car park. Traffic flow has improved so much in Charles Street that most of the Citybus services that were rerouted via Western Approach or Bretonside viaduct to avoid delays are to have their original routes reinstated from Sunday 14 June. These are: Services 23 and 24 Services 28, 28A and 28B Service 35 Services 50 and 50A Services 61, 62 and 62A Services 20 and 20A from Woodford in Plympton and 40 and 41 from Southway will continue to operate via North Road East and Western Approach. Councillor Kevin Wigens, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "The new road layout has definitely cut the amount of congestion around Drake Circus and helped vehicles move through the area much more quickly and smoothly. If these improvements continue over the next three months we will look to introduce a full Traffic Regulation Order to make the arrangements permanent.” Frank Elford, owner of Frank Elford Sports in Mayflower Street said: "The right-hand turn was brought back to reduce congestion and it is has done this, along with increasing the trade in the street. It’s great that the Council has listened to us and has been proactive with this decision." Katherine Lee from The Cutting Garden hair salon, also in Mayflower Street, added: "Plymouth has always been a congestion-free city and one of its key strengths is free-flowing traffic. Now we are able to keep it that way. The Council has been forward-thinking with this approach and we welcome this. Now lets just have a look at that last bit again… "Plymouth has always been a congestion-free city and one of its key strengths is free-flowing traffic. Now we are able to keep it that way.” Really? I think most people in Plymouth would find this last statement a bit odd to say the least! Interestingly this last bit was left off from the news item as reported in This is Plymouth Citybus have announced these changes, along with one or two other minor adjustments to mainly school services on their web site here (pdf) Personally I am sad that the 50 is reverting to the old route as it save a few yards walking to get to Bretonside, but I know most people prefer the old route.

Citybus for sale

"After all, something's only worth what someone's prepared to pay for it” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 36 Photoshopping Penguin City Teach Yourself Graphic Design Others... Omnibuses2.0 13 - 1 = 12 Protecting Staff Five Challenges Going Dutch Flexibility More BRT This is Plymouth Citybus for sale Missed a trick TGP: Meldon Viaduct Iron Oxide Knotty Escape Meldon Pool Red-a-ven Brook Writing on the wall

"During these tough economic times, it would be irresponsible not to find out exactly what our assets are worth and to do that, we need to offer it to the market. After all, something's only worth what someone's prepared to pay for it.” I have spent some of today catching up with the news over the past week or so and actually came across this story first of all on the excellent Omnibuse2.0 site. Plymouth City Council have announced that it is looking at releasing some or all of its shares in Plymouth Citybus. Cllr Pengelly said: "I will say that Plymouth CityBus will not be sold unless a sensible offer is put forward. A report to Cabinet suggests the city council would receive millions of pounds if a sale were to take place, which could then be invested in front-line services through its capital programme. Naturally First have already expressed their interest. "If and when Plymouth Citybus is offered for sale, naturally we would be interested in it” Local businessman ‘Taxi Mogul’ John Preece thinks its all a bit too late… "Plymouth City Council has missed a trick here. They should have sold the company five years ago. Delaying it has cost millions to the value of CityBus” He has been trying to buy Citybus for some time! The sale or otherwise of Citybus has come up several times over the years, but this time it does seem more likely, although John Preece may well be right in wondering how many buyers are sitting in the wings with cash to spend. That said, as Omnibuses point out There are few jewels left and there’s likely to be a frenzy for this one.  This is clearly a story which is going to run and run over the coming weeks/ months and will be followed closely here. The one thing that can be sure is that it will be an unsettling period for all the staff.

Bretonside 1986

" a very scruffy Bretonside sign - and its raining ” Others... More of Claire’s Photos

©Claire Pendrous September 1986 A wonderful shot that captures Bretonside Bus Station back in 1986 - Line up of Citybus Atlanteans, a very scruffy Bretonside sign - and its raining! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * You may have noticed a slight gap in proceedings here on Plymothian Transit. This was because I was unexpectedly admitted to hospital on Wednesday. I went in for an outpatient appointment for routine tests to investigate my ongoing chest problems - which through up some interesting results and they admitted me straight away. It did look like I would be in until the middle of next week at least, but they managed to fit me in for an angiogram a lot quicker than they expected - which was brilliant. Even better was that it actually showed that my heart is in good shape and that I don't have angina, despite what the initial tests showed. Still off work and taking it easy until they do know what is going on, but at least the worse case scenario has now been ruled out! I did try to post on the blog, using the patientline service which supposedly offers internet access but even on the few occasions it did work, blocked access to blogger. It also crashed twice leaving me without TV for over half of my stay because I had used the internet. All in all a very poor service indeed. Apart from that I cant fault anything else at Derriford Hospital. If you are going to be poorly - its a good place to do it - just don't believe the doctor when he says something doesn't hurt! Hopefully over the next few days I can get back into the blog properly and catch up with things in Plymouth…

flaming things

" The yard was full of the flaming things ” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz 3.80 Photoshopping Penguin End of the world Neighbirds Bridge to nowhere Others... Plymouth Local History Kiss me Hardy TGP Budeful Dartmoor Depot Omnibuses 2.0 Eastbourne Quote of the week DD Future

Back in the 1980's came the mini-bus boom, the streets of Britain were awash with them. One of the most popular choices with operators was the Mercedes-Benz 608D with van conversion bodies built by such body builders as Dormobile, Reeve Burgess and Alexander, to name but a few. Now the trend has gone back to conventional buses, thank God. Seen here at Penzance garage on the 13th of June 1993 is Western National Mercedes-Benz 608D 57 (C672 ECV) with Reeve-Burgess body. The yard was full of the flaming things, as can be seen in the photo. © Richard Field. Neath, south Wales - with thanks! Was going to post more over the weekend - but my son Zak had a silly fall and ended up with a very nasty fractured arm - spent the weekend at Derriford Hospital! He is doing great though so should make a full recovery. This is not helping me get the rest I am supposed to have!!

X38 - the bendy years

"the original Stagecoach stripes (remember them!) ” Others... Omnibuses2.0 Feeders TGP: Scrap or spares? Thanks for all the messages over the past few days - its really appreciated

Out… In… Two photos of the X38 Bendy Years when the route was operated by these articulated coaches. We see P563MSX leaving Plymouth in the original Stagecoach stripes (remember them!) and the sister coach P564MSX arriving at Bretonside in then brand new Stagecoach swirly livery. Over the years I can remember the X38 has been in the hands of Leyland Leopards with smart Plaxton and then ugly Willowbrook bodies, Mercedes Bread vans, Volvo Plaxtons, Volvo Plaxton Bendy bus, and now Dennis Tridents of Enviros are the norm. At one stage they actually brought in few ‘Mega Deckers’ ex Honk Kong Olympians. It really has had the full range of vehicle types and sizes!

Plymouth Local History

"a small snippet of local history” Others... Omnibuses 2.0 Microsites TGP: Ozzy etc

Plymouth Local History Blog is a newish blog by Derek Tait which I have been following for a short while now. Its a nice simple blog with one or two posts each week offering a small snippet of local history just like the one above. It only started in March so its easy to go back through all the posts, which is well worth the effort. Links to other new posts I notice will appear in the side bar alongside the others I usually post there. On a personal note, sorry for the lack of action here over the past week or so. I have now been signed off work awaiting a hospital appointment for further tests of my ongoing chest pain. Although this does mean I can sit indoors and spend more time at the computer, it also means I cant get out and about much at all. I am severely restricted as to what I can do at the moment, and quite frankly blogging has often been far from my mind as I have been feeling so rough. I will be trying to get back into regular posts but until things settle down expect the occasional gap!

LDV in Plymouth

"These days its rare to see any new ones with anyone other than Royal Mail” dbg Elsewhere... Plymothian Transit on Facebook Others... Omnibuses2.0: Fabulous TGP Exeter Bus Station

Hundreds of jobs at LDV, the van maker owned by Oleg Deripaska, the Russian billionaire, appeared to have been saved when the Government agreed to provide a £5 million bridging loan. On Monday, Gaz, Mr Deripaska’s Russian automotive business, signed a deal to sell LDV to Weststar, the Malaysian vehicle importer and contract manufacturer, but Weststar needed the bridging loan while it set up a finance deal. It is believed that Westar has pledged to put £50 million into the business, which was trying to relaunch itself as a green vehicle maker with plans to boost production of a new electric van. The plan involves keeping production in Birmingham and doubling output in the medium term by exporting more vans to Malaysia. Times It looks like LDV might just continue, when it was looking pretty bad for the company until this week. You can see the problem the company have been having. A few years back there were plenty of new LDV van on the streets of Plymouth. These days its rare to see any new ones with anyone other than Royal Mail. Plymouth City Council used to buy nothing else for its larger vans fleet: Plymouth City Council took plenty of the LDV Convoy and Pilot vans in all shapes and sizes but they have not taken any of the newer Maxus range. Apart from hire companies and Royal Mail I have not seen many out and about at all.

Trathens in the dock

"the causes of many of the offences appeared to come about due to ignorance of EU law” * * * * * * * * * * Sorry for lack up updates this week but I have been proper poorly this week and am still undergoing tests to discover the cause of a severe chest pain. Got to take things really easy at the moment!

Dont get too excited by the photo, its a fake I cobbled up in Photoshop a few years ago! EIGHT drivers for a city coach firm pleaded guilty to a number of driving offences following a prosecution by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. About 24 drivers for Trathens Travel Services Ltd were called to Plymouth Magistrates Court relating to offences uncovered by VOSA last year. Felicity Hine, prosecuting on behalf of the agency, claimed the drivers were found to have failed in a number of actions, including taking required breaks, not using the digital tachograph as provided, false records, exceeding total driving time and failing to have daily or weekly rest periods. The Defender for Trathens said the causes of many of the offences appeared to come about due to ignorance of EU law, a misunderstanding of what constituted the driving period and how to amend the recordings with unpredictable events which delayed the driver. Of the 86 offences in total initially put to the 24 drivers, 23 were withdrawn. The drivers pleaded guilty to the remaining 60 charges while two more drivers who are still to appear before magistrates will face the final three charges. Full story from This is Plymouth

Secure Stations

"Many stations are old and were designed without personal security in mind. In such cases operators will need to make whatever improvements are possible.” dbg Elsewhere... Numberzz: One Others... Secure Station Scheme Omnibuses2.0 New buses TGP: Exeter Food TGP Exeter Drains

Accredited Secure Stations in Devon and Cornwall View Secure Stations in Devon and Cornwall in a larger map Back on 28th April I posted about Secure Stations in the region. As part of this post I wondered how many stations locally had been accredited as Secure Stations as this information did not appear anywhere. Well thanks to the Department of Transport (under Freedom of Information) I can tell you that officially there are 66 stations in Devon and Cornwall operated by First Great Western that have achieved Secure Station Status. I have plotted these on the map above which you can zoom in on to the individual station to see when the station was accredited. The accreditation is valid for two years with Barnstable being officially out of date already. If you do look at the map you will see that there are not actually 66 stations displayed. This is because 2 of the stations are in Somerset and 1 is in Avon! You might also notice that apart form Plymouth Station itself, none of the other local stations are included. This is not a big surprise I guess but it would be nice to see at some stage in the future.

One Hundred and fifty not out!

"Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge is a masterpiece, a vital link between Devon and Cornwall, and an engineering achievement that all of us in the rail industry are very proud of.” The Royal Albert Bridge Wiki Plymouth Data Under Construction

©Network Rail The railway bridge in Saltash has stood tall for 150 years and has carried more than 1 billion tonnes of rail traffic since it opened. Today, it remains as the only rail link to and from Cornwall and the only bridge of its kind that still exists. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many who joined the walk on 3 May as that was the first time after 25 years that the railway bridge was opened to the public to cross by foot. It was a rare chance for them to come up close and personal with the bridge and to share Brunel’s first and final experience when he crossed the bridge before he passed away four months after it was completed. Jerry Swift, head of corporate responsibility, Network Rail said: “We are delighted to have been able to make the Ashtorres Brunel Bridge Committee’s brilliant idea a reality. What a fantastic way to celebrate this iconic bridge, by giving local people a very rare opportunity to walk across it. Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge is a masterpiece, a vital link between Devon and Cornwall, and an engineering achievement that all of us in the rail industry are very proud of.” I could not get on the walk myself but photos on the Network Rail press release get us a lot closer to the bridge than we normally get. You can see why the bridge needs the refurbishment that is planned over the next couple of years. IKB himself made an appearance, complete with trademark cigar. A nice touch by Network Rail. The real IKB of course missed the official opening of the bridge on the 2nd May but did get to travel across the bridge on an open wagon on the 4th May. He died in September of the same year, 1859. The forthcoming investigations prior to the full refurbishment of the bridge will try to determine the original paint colour of the bridge which is thought to have been a brown colour. It would be good to see the bridge back in its original hue, but it would take some getting used too as its been grey for years! All photos here © Network Rail

Sunday Best AFJ714T

" The current Plaxton designs are rather dull ” Others... TGP: Exeter Mural Alphabet of Parishes A 21st Century Exeter Omnibuses2.0: Change? Sound Advice Woebegone Erica Roe

©Ian Kirby. Leyland Leopard PSU3/Plaxton Supreme Express. Whitson Street, Bristol 29th May 1990    Of all the designs that Plaxton have come up with this is by far my favourite. Clean simple lines which have not dated as badly as many others have. The current Plaxton designs are rather dull and boring in comparison although the brand new top of the range model looks striking enough (are there any actually out on the road yet?). This coach carries the (happily) short lived Western National coach livery.

Ryder Away

"Sadly the days of smart Ryder trucks lined up at the front are now over”

I have spent a large portion of the weekend so far going through old photos on CDs and uploading them, onto my Flickr account as its easier to find them on line. One of the random disks I came across today contained a few old photos from the Ryder Depot at Sutton Road. I think these are from 2002 but possible slightly later. I am not sure when they moved out, but last time I passed through this way the depot was in use by someone else. Sadly the days of smart Ryder trucks lined up at the front are now over. The depot location: Google Maps.

Overhaul

"The 150 years anniversary is a testament to Brunel's achievements and to the industry's commitment to this vital rail link” Lantographer on Flickr

The Royal Albert Rail Bridge ©Lantographer The Royal Albert Bridge, which crosses the River Tamar between Devon and Cornwall, is to have a major overhaul. The rail bridge designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel will be blast-cleaned, strengthened and completely re-painted. As part of the work, research is being carried out on the existing 30 coats of paint to uncover the original colour of the bridge. Network Rail said the bridge was first repainted grey in 1911 and its original colour was never recorded. As soon as the design work is completed, work is expected to begin on site by summer 2010. This design process will finalise how the renewal and restoration work should be carried out in the next two years. For other great shots of the bridge by Lantographer click here (Well worth the effort!)