Go Ahead Group

Go-Ahead Group's bus companies are setting the pace for the prestigious UK Bus Awards this year, topping the shortlist with an impressive 20 entries.

The shortlist includes representatives from virtually all sectors of the bus industry, and Go-Ahead is followed by Stagecoach with 13 places, Arriva with 10 and FirstGroup with nine. Other groups, independents and municipal operators also feature strongly, reflecting the diversity in the industry.

The list contains more than 90 people, projects and organisations from around the country, selected by the judges from over 270 nominations to go forward to the final stages, including mystery traveller checks.

Go North East is nominated for Top City Operator, Marketing Initiatives, Marketing Excellence, Innovation and Putting Passengers First

Oxford Bus Company has been shortlisted for Shire Operator of the Year; Express Service Operator of the Year (the airline); Innovation (Transform Oxford, joint with Stagecoach and Oxfordshire County Council) and Bus Driver of the Year (Sharon Harry)

Metrobus has also been shortlisted for Shire Operator of the Year as well as Marketing Excellence: Horsham - getting the basics right; Bus Driver of the Year (John Russell); Bus Depot of the Year for Crawley Depot and the Transport for London Award for London Bus Garage for Orpington.

Bluestar has been shortlisted for Shire Operator of the year and Eureka awards for marketing at Bluestar.

Operations manager Ron Hayes, who works at Brighton and Hove Buses has been shortlisted in the Unsung Heroes Award category.

Konectbus has been shortlisted for Putting Passengers First for Service 8 from Dereham to Norwich

Go-Ahead London has reached the shortlist in two categories - Bus Garage of the Year for Merton and Putney and Top London Bus Driver (Scott Horney and Roy Lamb).

David Brown, Group Chief Executive said: "This is great news for the staff at our bus companies and I am delighted that their dedication and commitment to providing high quality services for our passengers is recognised in this way."

UK Bus Awards chairman John Owen commented: “It has been a bumper year for entries, proving that the industry really is determined to grow and improve.

"The number and quality of entries in this, our 17th year, has made for interesting and lively judging panels. In some cases the scoring was very close indeed - testament to the quality of the nominations. With the standards so high, results are inevitably going to be very close. I wish all the nominees every success at this year’s event in November."

Go Ahead Group

Would be nice to see Citybus on this list next year!

Citybus doing its bit

 

Young people who get work through Plymouth’s new 1,000 Club will get a free ride, thanks to Citybus.

The bus company has pledged to donate a 1,000 free week passes to those young people who get placements through the 1,000 Club, which is officially launched today.

The club has been set up to encourage 1,000 businesses to give Plymouth young people a chance of sampling work – whether this is work experience, graduate internships, apprenticeships and jobs – full or part-time.

The 1,000 Club aims to make it easier for employers and young people to team up to better suit each other needs. Initially targeting bigger businesses and organisations, the club is hoping businesses will act as ambassadors and spread the word to their suppliers and contacts.

Citybus has donated 1,000 free bus passes to the first placements – either those who become apprentices or get full time work through the scheme.

Councillor Leader Tudor Evans said: "This is a really generous gesture and we’re really grateful to Citybus for their help on this. For some young people, the cost of getting to and from work is an issue, so this is a real helping hand. I am delighted that businesses and organisations are getting this behind this club. "

Richard Stevens, managing director of Plymouth Citybus said: "We’re really excited about this scheme as this is the city’s organisations and businesses way of helping the next generation who have the misfortune to be looking for work during an economically-difficult time.

"The potential of this scheme is limitless. By making it easier for companies to tap into what they need – be it an apprenticeship or part-time, they are giving 1,000 young people a real taste for life at work and a clearer idea of what companies expect from their employees."

The 1,000 Club has been set up through the Plymouth Growth Board – a partnership between business and senior public sector leaders. It aims to make sure plans to increase earning and spending power in Plymouth happen.

The Council has made employment, skills and growth a top priority and Councillor Evans is also chairing the Plan for Jobs Task Force, which will create a range of initiatives to get people into work.

Plymouth City Council

Citybus 91 Swooped

The first Citaro in the new livery:

©Brian George.
Now that does look smart! The big advantage of this livery is that its basically all over red so the paint shop is really turning them out now. Repaints have been very few over the last few years so there is some catching up to do. Although I like a bit of variety there are too many variations of Citybus livery out there at the moment.

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Bloggers

• The new, long-awaited Portsmouth network has been announced. Copied below is the press release from First Hampshire & Dorset... Southern England Bus Scene
• I've repeatedly said that if you need a high capacity vehicle with just one driver, over a sustained period of time, you probably have a good reason to build rail. But now we're seeing some really, really long buses: Human Transit
• And, to show our sense of humour and make traditional bus people squirm on their top decks, we are going to have a route 0 (zero). Public Transport Experience
• The newly named First Norwich bus network began operating in the city on Sunday last with buses being colour coded to 'simplify' the Norwich bus network for passengers East Norfolk Bus Blog

OJ Williams

HEATING oil and lubricant supplier OJ Williams is launching a bursary fund to provide assistance for worthy causes in Plymouth. The firm, which has a depot in Cattedown, intends the fund to help all sorts of charitable organisations, in or around Plymouth, including community groups and sporting organisations. The firm is calling for nominations outlining how the money will be used in less than 200 words. Applicants must include the name of the charity or cause, its function, location and contact detail. Suggestions must be submitted before October 31.

Send applications by email to: bursary@ojwilliams.co.uk, or by post to OJ Williams Bursary Fund, Oakfield Terrace Road, Cattedown, Plymouth, PL4 0RY.

Citybus Timetables: 21

Citybus 21

The current Service 21 and 22 are to be replaced with new services 21/A/B

Service 21/A will depart from the City Centre up to every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes evenings and every 15 minutes during the day on Sundays.

From Mudge way Service 21 will operate Westfield, Chaddlewood, Sandy Road, St Maurice to Mudge Way, with the Service 21A operating St Maurice, Sandy Road, Chaddlewood, West Field to Mudge Way.
Service 21/A is to operate to the City Centre via Embankment Road and Prince Rock. In most cases it will be possible continue through to Devonport on the Service 26 which has also been retimed to improve reliability and journey options for Plympton.

Service 21B will provide additional trips in the morning and evening peak Monday to Friday and will operate from Steer Park to Chaddlewood and Westfield. From Westfield the Service will operates along Glen Road to Plymouth Road before continuing to the City Centre via Prince Rock.

VOSA: PH0000135/100 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth, Royal Parade and Steer Park, Down Road given service number 21 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

 

Plymouth Citybus new timetable

Plymothian Transit Extra 21

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Bloggers

• Now that simply isn't acceptable, is it? People taking bus information. Why, they might even start using buses, and we wouldn't want that, would we? Public Transport Experience
• Well you got the brief tour of the "The Wall" ARP Shelter & here we look at some of the graffiti & artefacts found within alongside a few surprises above ground. To kick off though, we want to focus on that one brick in "The Wall" Hidden Plymouth

74 Swooped

Its not just the Enviros that have been repainted recently:

September 2012 January 2012 September 2008 October 2006

Citybus Timetables: 20

Continuing our route by route look at the forthcoming timetables for Plymouth Citybus (11th November 2012)

Route 20

VOSA

PH0000135/95 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth, Royal Parade and Steer Park, Down Road given service number 20 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

Timetable

Service to Mudge Way via Glen road has been restored with Services operating from Sandy Road Plympton to Mudge Way then into Woodford before continuing to the City Centre via Lipson Vale. On most journeys once the bus has reached the City Centre will continue as the Service 42 to Derriford Hospital. Other changes to the Service 20 include the introducing of a Sunday day service and the routeing of the Service to operate from Strode Road then Glen Road to Mudge Way thus restoring a number of local links to Woodford.

Full Citybus Timetable 20

Plymothian Transit Extra 20

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Bloggers

• Back at the end of August, we were kindly notified by one our readers of yet another ARP shelter discovery at the site of a new building to be constructed on the Plymouth University Campus & we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to document it's passageways before demolition began. Hidden Plymouth
• David Bell has come across a couple of photographs of Norfolk Green's Optare Spectras whilst they were with their original operator Reading Buses Andys Bus Blog
• But therein lies a snag; and it's a snag which is not at all uncommon in public transport information. The timetable and the map don't match. Four of the time points on the table are simply not shown on the map. Public Transport Experience
• Julian Patterson at Konectbus has kindly sent us some photographs of one of the new buses taken at the ADL factory in Falkirk last week.. Andys Bus Blog
• So which way is the bread industry going? Re-regulation, quality contracts or what? Ever since this vital product was deregulated more than 25 years ago, controversy has raged. Of course, we mustn’t overlook that in certain parts of the UK, bread deregulation was never introduced. Omnibuses

Winkleigh Trip

The PCTPG are organising a trip to the Winkleigh Open Day on Sunday 7 October with 176 INVINCIBLE. Any person (s) wishing to join us are advised to email events@plymouthcitytransport.co.uk as soon as possible to reserve their seat. We can pick up / set down at any stop along the line of route:

MILEHOUSE Depart 08:30

NORTH ROAD STATION 08:35

ROYAL PARADE Derry's Cross 08:40

COYPOOL 08:55

CROWNHILL Low Level 09:05

YELVERTON Roundabout 09:20

TAVISTOCK Bus Station 09:40

WINKLEIGH Arrive 10:30

WINKLEIGH Depart 16:30

TAVISTOCK Bus Station 17:20

YELVERTON Roundabout 17:35

CROWNHILL Low Level 17:50

COYPOOL 18:00

ROYAL PARADE 18:15

NORTH ROAD STATION 18:20

MILEHOUSE Arrive 18:25

Thanks

Paul

(for the PCTPG)

Citybus Timetables: 16

Citybus 16

Proposal:

Service 16 has been retimed to improve reliability with services operating every 15 minutes for more of the day than at present. Service 16B is to be replaced with Service 16. (Services to Holly Park being covered by changes to the Service 43B) Sunday Services increased from the current hourly to every 30 minutes during the day and operating hourly Sunday to Saturday evening.

VOSA

PH0000135/1 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and KINGS TAMERTON Steph.Way given service number 16/16B effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

Timetable

Service 16 has been retimed to improve reliability with services operating every 15 minutes for more of the day than at present. Service 16B is to be replaced with Service 16. (Services to Holly Park being covered by changes to the Service 43B) Sunday will see services in Kings Tamerton increased from the current hourly to every 30 minutes during the day evening services will continue to be provided on an hourly basis.

Full Timetable on Citybus

on Plymothian Transit Extra

Citybus 14D

14D One of the few service that does not change:

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Bloggers

• The cemetery has become multi-faith and still trades; but no longer could fbb choose 1st, 2nd or 3rd class funerals complete with rail travel from Waterloo. No longer could his mourners enjoy refreshment in the Cemetery's station buildings where the premises were licensed for the sale of spirits. Public Transport Experience
• There really is only one place to remember today - and that is to mark the end of First services in North Devon. Southern England Bus Scene
• At seven of the fourteen stops I passed, the nearest street light is turned off as an economy measure. Perhaps we should ask Council members to check their local area? Public Transport Experience

The Battle for Ivybridge

First have finally started to publicise their new Ivybridge service:

First Devon is introducing a brand new service 88 between Ivybridge and Plymouth from Monday 8th October.
This new service operates up to every 30 minutes, Monday to Saturday.
Serving the main estates in Ivybridge, including Cole Lane (close to Ivybridge Rail Station), so you dont have to walk far to catch your bus in Ivybridge! The journey from Cole Lane to Plymouth takes just 36 minutes. To celebrate the launch of this service we have some great value new tickets for our customers in the Ivybridge area:

New Ivybridge Day ticket launches

Thursday 20 September 2012

First Devon is launching a new value day ticket for unlimited travel anywhere between Plymouth and Ivybridge.
Only £4.00 adult or £3.50 child.

This great value new ticket is available to buy on bus from Sunday 23rd September 2012.
Simply ask your driver for a FirstDay Ivybridge ticket.

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Plymouth to Ivybridge is now only £1 per journey!*

Thursday 20 September 2012

For a limited period only you can buy a 10 journey ticket for only £10!

Simply ask your driver for a 10 journey ticket available on Service X80, Service 180 (and new Service 88 which serves Ivybridge from 8th October!) But hurry! This special offer is only available for a limited time:
From 23 Sep-20 Oct on the X80 and 180 and from 8 Oct-20 Oct on our new Service 88, for journeys between Plymouth and Ivybridge.
*With a £10 journey ticket.

The full timetable for the service is yet to appear on the main timetable pages on their web site, (not even the forthcoming timetables) but they do link to a PDF timetable leaflet HERE

Its going to be very interesting to see who wins on the Ivybridge corridor. I will certainly be trying out both services ( especially while they are both so cheap).

First seem to cover more of Ivybridge itself which may give them an advantage for some passengers. Citybus start earlier in the morning which may be useful for commuters whilst First operate a a couple of later journeys which might help a few others!

Plymouth Citybus operate into Royal Parade which I cant help but feel is a better option over Bretonside Bus Station. Citybus alos win on Sundays with an hourly day time service compared with every two hours (X80).

The one thing I am puzzled about though is the lack of any mention of Lee Mill on the First timetable leaflet. The earlier published timetable did suggest it was being served?

Of course the other big question is what buses are First going to be using to tempt Ivybridge passengers to stick with them? Plymouth depot is not exactly awash with decent buses at the moment.

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Bloggers

• fbb wonders whether the planners of the new network have been too "clever" with complex linkings and failed to create a network simple enough for the Mrs Miggins of this world to understand. Public Transport Experience
• Reasons for omitting a thirteenth floor include triskaidekaphobia** on the part of the building's owner or builder, or a desire by the building owner or landlord to prevent problems that may arise with superstitious tenants, occupants, or customers. Public Transport Experience
• Up to 600 LT-class New Buses for London will enter service on and before 2016, according to TfL’s announcement yesterday. The departure from the norm regarding this batch of buses, though, is that they will be owned by TfL Omnibuses

Citybus Timetables: 13

The next new timetable to look at is the 13:

Original proposal

Minor changes to intermediate timing points within the timetable to provide improved reliability. There are no changes to the number of journeys or days of operations. Service 13 is provided with financial support from Plymouth City Council

VOSA

PH0000135/91 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Royal Parade and Saltash Passage given service number 13 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable

 

Citybus 13 New Timetable Page

Plymothian Transit Extra 13

 

Citybus fares and times

Plymouth Citybus now have full details of their new timetables on their web site. They also have an important note about fares – it seems that the flat fare experiment has not been a success so its back to normal fares at the end of the month. I know many passengers will welcome this!

 

Here at Plymouth Citybus we are please to reveal our revised network, which will start on Sunday 11th November. We have been in consultation for the last three months with you, the people who use the service, making sure that the changes we are making are for the better.

We have been on the road with our ‘Chatter Bus’ as well as opening up new communication channels via social media and our website, to make sure we gained all your comments on our proposed plans, helping us to evolve them into the final plans shown below and on the timetable page of the web site.

We will be investing over £1/2 million in the new network, which will start on Sunday 11th November. We have been working hard with you to make sure that the new revised network will be more reliable and punctual, whilst suiting the public transport needs of Plymouth more.

From Sunday 30th September we are also moving away from the flat fare structure that we introduced in April and going back to a distance based fare table. The move from the flat fare will mean that many of you will be paying less for your bus journey and importantly no one will be paying more. The furthest distance single and return will not revert back to the pre flat fare prices until the new year.

All other fares including season tickets on ‘the key’ and Dayrider specials are unchanged.

We hoped that the two factors together will encourage more people to use public transport in Plymouth. Below we have highlighted a couple bigger benefits that we have ready to put in place. A full route map will be on this site very soon with route by route changes outlined below.

Services 40 and 41 will see 2 more buses and 3 additional drivers employed to maintain the current combined frequency of every 10 minutes. Service 29 and 34 will be allocated 1 more bus and 2 more drivers to help ensure these two services operate considerably better than current.

Other positives are: the restoration of a link to Derriford Hospital from Efford, providing a Monday to Friday service between Ernesettle Whitleigh and Derriford. Restored evening services for the Service 34 Monday to Saturday and Whitleigh on Sundays. New Sunday services to Saltash with increased Sunday Services Kings Tamarton and Plympton. More services operating direct between Derriford Hospital and the City Centre Monday to Friday. We have also been able to maintain services between Peverell, Brake Farm and Honicknowle to Derriford Hospital. Sadly we could not do everything that was asked for so the following changes that had been put forward in our earlier consultation rounds has been put to one side for now. These are: evening services for the Service 20, more buses to Estover industrial estate, Sunday evening Service 34, 35 and 29.

Below is by service summary of our changes. Timetables are available to view on our web site with printed versions available from our Travel Centre from the middle of October.

You can download the new network map by clicking here.

Service 5/A

Service 5/A alterations to morning services with the last two evening journeys terminate at Prince Rock

Service 8 and Service 9

Service 8A/C/D to be replaced with Service 8. Both Services retimed in the peaks to create an even combined bus every 10 minutes from earlier in the day and will maintain this frequency until a little later in the day. With Sunday evening services to operate alternate Service 8 and 9 on an hourly basis

Service 13

Minor changes to intermediate timing points within the timetable to provide improved reliability. There are no changes to the number of journeys or days of operations. Service 13 is provided with financial support from Plymouth City Council

Service 16/B

Service 16 has been retimed to improve reliability with services operating every 15 minutes for more of the day than at present. Service 16B is to be replaced with Service 16. (Services to Holly Park being covered by changes to the Service 43B) Sunday will see services in Kings Tamerton increased from the current hourly to every 30 minutes during the day evening services will continue to be provided on an hourly basis.

Service 20

Service to Mudge Way via Glen road has been restored with Services operating from Sandy Road Plympton to Mudge Way then into Woodford before continuing to the City Centre via Lipson Vale. On most journeys once the bus has reached the City Centre will continue as the Service 42 to Derriford Hospital. Other changes to the Service 20 include the introducing of a Sunday day service and the routeing of the Service to operate from Strode Road then Glen Road to Mudge Way thus restoring a number of local links to Woodford.

Service 21/A /B

The current Service 21 and 22 are to be replaced with new services 21/A/B

Service 21/A will depart from the City Centre up to every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes evenings and every 15 minutes during the day on Sundays.From Mudge way

Service 21 will operate Westfield, Chaddlewood, Sandy Road, St Maurice to Mudge Way, with the Service 21A operating St Maurice, Sandy Road, Chaddlewood, West Field to Mudge Way.
Service 21/A is to operate to the City Centre via Embankment Road and Prince Rock. In most cases it will be possible continue through to Devonport on the Service 26 which has also been retimed to improve reliability and journey options for Plympton.

Service 21B will provide additional trips in the morning and evening peak Monday to Friday and will operate from Steer Park to Chaddlewood and Westfield. From Westfield the Service will operates along Glen Road to Plymouth Road before continuing to the City Centre via Prince Rock.

Service 22

Service 22 is to be replaced by the new Service 21 and Service 21A. The revised service 20 will now connect Plympton to the City via Lipson (See Service 20 for more information).

Service 23/D and Service 24

Service 23D will be replaced by Service 23. Both services have minor time changes in the peaks, with some additional late evening services on Sundays being provided by the Service 23. Sunday and Bank Holiday services are to operate with hourly service 23 and an hourly service 24

Service 25

Minor changes to times with additional journeys in the School day peak to enable a regular 30 minute timetable to be delivered Monday to Saturday and also on Sundays during the summer months. With a change of route = From West Hoe the Service is to instead operate West Hoe, Western Approach to Mayflower Street to Royal Parade instead of Walker Terrace and Citadel Road to Royal Parade.

Service 26/B/D

Service 26 has been retimed to improve reliability, evening Service 26B will be incorporated into the Service 26 along with the current journeys on the Service 26D becoming 26A. Most journeys on the Service 26 will continue to Plympton as the Service 21/A to provide through journeys between Plympton and Devonport.

Service 27

Current Service 27 will split at the City Centre with buses between the Torpoint Ferry terminal and the City centre being renamed Service 33. The remainder of the timetable is subject to a route revision, see Service 33/28/A/B for information on how the section of route between City Centre and Deer Park is planned to change.

Service 28/A/B

These Services are to be replaced by a new Service 27 and Service 28.
Service 27 is to operate every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and hourly evenings Sunday to Saturday and hourly during the day on Sundays. Service is to operate from the City Centre to Blandford Road then Eggbuckland Charfield drive to Crownhill terminating at Derriford Hospital.

Service 28 is to operate every 30 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and hourly evenings Sunday to Saturday and hourly during the day on Sundays. Service is to operate from the City Centre to Eggbuckland Road then Deer Park, Eggbuckland Austin Crescent to Crownhill terminating at Derriford Hospital. These Services from Derriford will connect Derriford and Eggbuckland via Crownhill Village.

Service 29

This service has been retimed to improve reliability with Services to Derriford operating via Crownhill Village. Due to increased journey times these services will operate 10 minutes later in the hour than current. Evening Services to operate hourly Monday to Saturday with later buses operating on Sundays.

Service 31

No Changes, Service 31 is provided with financial support from Plymouth City Council

Service 33

This service replaces old Service 27 between the City Centre at Torpoint Ferry. Service to operate up to every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday.

Service 34

Service 34 has been retimed to improve reliability Sunday to Saturday, with additional evening services being provided hourly Monday to Saturday with later buses operating on Sundays. Service timed to provide better connections with the Ferry’s.

Service 35

Service 35 has been retimed to improve reliability There are also changes in the peaks to even out the timetable Monday to Saturday.

Service 36

From 3rd September the first and last journeys were withdrawn, however, there are no further changes for November

Service 4S

This service is to be withdrawn following the ending of our arrangement with Lipson School and very low usage.

Service 40/41

The route remains unchanged with the exception that on approach to the City Centre the Service will operate via North Hill and Mayflower Street instead of North Road East. However, these timetables have been re-timed to improve reliability. These Services together will continue to provide services every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday with evening services operating every 30 minutes Sunday to Saturday and every 30 minutes during the day on Sundays. These changes will see the return of evening Sunday services to Southway.

Service 42/A/X/D

Service 42 will split to become two separate hourly timetables with Services from Tamerton Foliot to the City Centre via Derriford operating hourly as Service 42 which operates Tamerton Folliot. looseleigh lane, Derriford hospital then to the City Centre via Mutley Plain. Service 42A will also depart hourly from Tamerton Folliot then operate via Southway to Tavistock Road then continue to the City Centre via Derriford Hospital and Mutley Plain. Evening Services are to operate as the Service 42 Sunday to Saturday.

In addition to the above Monday to Friday additional services will be provided in the off peak between Derriford Hospital and the City Centre creating a bus every 15 minutes from Derriford Hospital to the City Centre with further additional trips in the Monday to Friday Peak. Buses from the City Centre that operate just to Derriford will be marked

Service 43

Service retimed to improve reliability (Sundays have been extensively retimed). Service 43 will continue to be the principle Service between St Budeaux Square and the City Centre which together with Services 43A/B and the Service 29 will continue to provide a bus every 5 minutes (10 on Sundays) for most of the day.

Service 43A

Service 43A has been retimed to improve its relationship with the retimed Services 29, 43/B with an additional service operating 19:40 from the City Centre to Saltash. Service 43A will also see the introduction of a Sunday day service also operating hourly for most of the day.

Service 43B

Service 43B has been retimed to improve its relationship with the retimed Services 29, and Service 43. Evening Services are being introduced on this service Sunday to Saturday to replace evening Service 16B and to improve the level of evening Services between St Budeaux and the City centre offsetting the withdrawal of the Service 26B. In addition Service 43B is to operate during the day on Sundays which together with the Service 43/A and Service 29 will create a bus every 10 minutes during the day on Sundays between St Budeaux and the City Centre.

Service 44/A

Services have been retimed to improve reliability with both Services retimed in the peaks to create an even combined bus every 10 minutes from earlier in the day and will maintain this frequency until a little later in the day. Evening Services on Sundays have also been returned to compliment the retimed Sunday day timetable. Service 44/A together with Service 40 and 41 provide buses up to every 5 minutes for most of the day Monday to Saturday between the City Centre and Crownhill.

Service 45

This is a new service commences from the 30th September providing almost express type services between Ivybridge and Plymouth every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sunday.

Service 46

This is a new service designed to replace the recently withdrawn connections between Ernesttle Whitleigh Southway to Derriford Hospital. The Service is to operate hourly off peak Monday to Friday.

Service 49

This service operates under tender with Devon County Council and is not changing.

Service 50

This Service has been retimed to improve reliability. Service 50 will continue to operate every 15 minutes although this new timetable will extend that frequency over more of the day. The ability to stay on the service 50 bus as a through link between Derriford and Transit Way on Service 61 and Service 62 will no longer be possible.

Service 61 and Service 62

These services has been extensively re-timed to improve reliability,
Service to Derriford Hospital Monday to Saturday with Service 61 operating every 20 minutes to Transit Way with one bus an hour operating to Derriford Hospital, Service 62 also operating every 20 minutes with one bus an hour operating to Derriford Hospital. Both together providing a bus every 30 minutes between Transit way and Derriford.

To achieve this Service 62 will not operate into St Pancras as originally proposed with St Pancras being served by the Service 61 every 20 minutes. Buses providing a Service 61 to Transit way will on most occasions operate its next trip as a service 62 to the City Centre (and vice versa) thus providing new journey options connecting Brake Farm with Honicknowle and West Park.

New Service 61 and 62 would provide departures off Transit Way every 10 minutes for most of the day for the City Centre.

Service 152

This Service has been retimed to provide improved arrival times at Derriford Hospital.

I will continue with the route by route changes in the morning with the 13…

City College Livery

I will continue the look at the new timetables in the next post but for now we have the final version of the new City College Plymouth livery on 409 which hits the road for the first time today (Thursday):

©M Collins - Plymouth Citybus.

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Bloggers

• fbb is not proficient in Danish but, clearly, "vest" is "west, "ost" is "east" and, delightfully "syd" is "south"; but don't tell him. As "nord" is "north", we have to assume that "midt", which doesn't reveal itself in the on-line Danish to English dictionary is the same as "midte" meaning "middle". Public Transport Experience
• Arriva Buses Wales has announced the withdrawal of the X32 Bangor to Aberystwyth service, blaming falling passenger figures for the cut. It represents another blow to the TrawsCymru network that, until a few years ago, was promoted as a Welsh Assembly Government-led solution to the problems of long distance travel, especially from North to South Wales. Omnibuses

138 Swooped

Another recent repaint into the new livery is 138. Caught on camera in three liveries in three months:

July

August

September

Citybus New Timetables: 8 9

Citybus 8 9

Original proposal

Service 8A/C/D to be replaced with Service 8. Both Services retimed in the peaks to create an even combined bus every 10 minutes from earlier in the day and will maintain this frequency until a little later in the day.

VOSA

PH0000135/12 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade Stop A10 and PLYMOUTH Royal Parade given service number 8/9 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

Timetable

A nice tidy timetable loosing the odd 8A 8C 8D runs.
Full timetable on Plymouth Citybus 8 9 New Timetable

More detail and previous timetables Plymothian Transit Extra 8 9

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Bloggers

• Can you believe it’s twelve months since we were chased up the road by a lady on a broomstick? 270KTA
• Our Northampton correspondent (thanks Alan) has forwarded the company's excellent timetable leaflet. In the forlorn hope that Uno's high standards might encourage others, here is fbb's review. Public Transport Experience
• This post looks at the short history of the green Southern Vectis Solo. Southern England Bus Scene

Citybus new timetables: 5 5A

The much heralded new timetables are now being put on line by Plymouth Citybus for the new network from 11 November 2012. As pretty much every route sees some kind of change I will be looking at each route in turn over the coming week or so. In the mean time you can see the full set of timetables on the Plymouth Citybus Timetables page here.

Service 5 5A

Original proposals: Service 5/A is unchanged and will continue to provide Services to Plymstock from the City centre via Prince Rock

VOSA: PH0000135/94 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth City Centre and Plymouth City Centre given service number5/5A effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable

New timetable:

This is pretty much unchanged apart from a few early morning variations. I think the 05:00 start above is an extra run.

Full details can be found on Plymouth Citybus 5 5A new timetable

Plymothian Transit Extra 5 5A page with previous timetables and route maps etc.

More to follow…

137 Swooped

The new swoop livery is now taking off properly with several buses in the full new livery having been running around in plain red recently. Today we have a brief history of 137:
Brand new

11 August 2012

15 September 2012

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Related Links

• Recent Repaints Plymothian Transit August 2012
• Incoming Plymothian Transit July 2008

Bloggers

• The University of East Anglia opened in October 1963, not on its present campus, but in the "University Village" on the other side of Earlham Road .. Public Transport Experience
• It may have bypassed a few people but there seems to be a major difference between Scotland and England when it comes to coughing up for subsidised routes Omnibuses
• It was a serendipitous find of Alan Jackson's book in a second-hand bookshop that prompted fbb to renew his interest in Waterloo Station. Public Transport Experience
• The adoption of corporate leaf green and poppy red (and aircraft blue) local bus branding was probably the worst thing that NBC ever did. It was something and nothing. Omnibuses
• But when things go wrong; when the service is disrupted, how we all long for a man who knows what's happening; a nice friendly face to clip our little green Edmondson ticket ... Public Transport Experience
• So, after 5 1/2 years, and some 800 posts, today is the day PTOTPA finishes in its current form. PTOTPA

How to advertise your bus service

Just a quick bonus post. This is the way that buses should be advertised... (Hit the caption ‘cc’ button if you dont speak Danish)

Citybus changes November 2012

After all the consultations the new Plymouth Citybus service changes have now been posted on VOSA. D Day is the 11 November 2012. I post them below straight from VOSA. I will refrain from comment just yet, but feel free to add any comments you have!

PH0000135/88 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Royal Parade and Mount Gould Hospital given service number 4S effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/94 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth City Centre and Plymouth City Centre given service number 5/5A effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/12 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade Stop A10 and PLYMOUTH Royal Parade given service number 8/9 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/91 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Royal Parade and Saltash Passage given service number 13 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/1 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and KINGS TAMERTON Steph.Way given service number 16/16B effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/95 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth, Royal Parade and Steer Park, Down Road given service number 20 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/100 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth, Royal Parade and Steer Park, Down Road given service number 21 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/99 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth, Royal Parade and Plymton Sandy Road given service number 22 effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/6 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and PLYMOUTH Royal Parade given service number 23/24 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/86 Variation Accepted: Operating between Royal Parade/Station Forecourt and Royal Parade/Station Forecourt given service number 25 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/75 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth , Royal Parade and St. Budeaux Square given service number 26 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/90 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Blue Bird, Lower Compton and Toyal Parade given service number 26D effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/120 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Torpoint Ferry (Plymouth Side) and Deer Park Delamere Road given service number 27 effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/146 - Registration Accepted Starting Point: CITY CENTRE Finish Point: DERRIFORD HOSPITAL Via: MUTLEY PLAIN, LOWER COMPTON,AUSTIN FARM & CROWNHILL Service Number: 27 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 11-NOV-2012 Other Details: Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday including bank holidays

PH0000135/5 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and DERRIFORD Hospital given service number 28/28A/28B effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/76 - Variation Accepted: Operating between ROYAL PARADE and DERRIFORD HOSPITAL given service number 29/29D effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/148 - Registration Accepted Starting Point: ROYAL PARADE Finish Point: TORPOINT FERY Via: MILLBRIDGE, STOKE Service Number: 33 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 11-NOV-2012 Other Details: Monday to Saturday excluding Sunday & bank holidays every 30 minutes

PH0000135/53 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and ESTOVER Industrial Estate given service number 34/34B/34S effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/42 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and HAM Merrivale Road given service number 35 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/7 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade Stop A14 and SOUTHWAY given service number 40/40A/41 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/8 - Variation Accepted: Operating between TAMERTON FOLIOT, C'ham Road and ROYAL PARADE/MILEHOSE Central Park given service number 42/42A/42B/42D effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/9 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade Stop A14 and PLYMOUTH Royal Parade given service number 43/143/43A/43B effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/77 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH ROYAL PARADE and BARNE BARTON given service number 43A effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/78 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH ROYAL PARADE and HOLLY PARK given service number 43B effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/10 -Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH, ROYAL PARADE and WHITLEIGH given service number 44/44A effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

PH0000135/147 -Registration Accepted Starting Point: Derriford Hospital Finish Point: Derriford Hospital Via: Southway, Whitleigh & Emesettle Service Number: 46 Service Type: Normal Stopping Effective Date: 11-NOV-2012 Other Details: Monday – Friday

PH0000135/13 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and DERRIFORD Hospital given service number 50 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/127 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Plymouth University and Tamar Science Park given service number 51X effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/27 - Cancellation Accepted: Operating between PLYMOUTH Royal Parade and DERRIFORD Hospital given service number 61 effective from 11-Nov-2012.

PH0000135/126 - Variation Accepted: Operating between Royal parade Plymouth and Derriford Hospital given service number 62/62A effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0000135/71 - Variation Accepted: Operating between PLYMPTON, CHADDLEWOOD and PLYMOUTH, DERRIFORD HOSPITAL given service number 152 effective from 11-Nov-2012. To amend Timetable.

 

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Bloggers

• Colour branding (a sort of new-look "Overground"?) is designed to make the network easier to understand; but fbb found First's new map a bit on the baffling side; so much so that he spent a happy hour or two modifying the official on-line version to show route details a little more clearly Public Transport Experience
• For my final day out in the South West before the move to Huddersfield this weekend I decided on a few trips on one of the most picturesque routes in Great Britain, that being the 93 PTOTPA
• For those unfamiliar with he territory, the major "traffic objective" at Sprowston is not the delightful leafy suburb with its well trimmed lawns and double glazing, but the obligatory huge Tesco Extra! Public Transport Experience

Eighty Eight

The registration for the new First Devon & Cornwall Ivybridge service 88 has finally appeared on VOSA:

PH0004983/451 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT

• Registration Accepted
• Starting Point: Plymouth City Centre, Bretonside Bus Station
• Finish Point: Ivybridge
• Via: Lee Mill
• Service Number: 88
• Service Type: Normal Stopping
• Effective Date: 07-OCT-2012
• Other Details: Mondays to Saturdays except public holidays. Every 30 minutes.

I would assume that they will have full timetable etc. online shortly as I hope they will be going all out to promote the new service, especially as it starts a week after Plymouth Citybus start running their 45. If the rumours are true there could be some form of route branding for the new Citybus 45 with the 08 registered Enviros the most likely buses to be used. if this is the case then what will First use on theirs?

It is generally the norm now across First to use their new livery to promote routes, with Hampshire & Dorset being particularly creative for some of their routes. It would be good to see something similar from FDC. I just hope the repainting of 40586 into the new scheme awaiting fleet names etc. is just a coincidence!

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Bloggers

• Details have now come to hand regarding the allocation of fleet numbers to the recent AnglianBus arrivals. East Norfolk Bus Blog
• the correspondent on last night’s BBC Radio 4 The Six O’Clock News said of the well-organised and executed olympics, “Even the transport network worked”. It was the use of the word “even” that implied the unexpected. Omnibuses
• What we have done is make the network more efficient in the way we have linked up each route. Things such as rather than drivers sitting idle waiting for their next trip; that is where we have been able to find some efficiencies by linking up different services.” Public Transport Experience
• First Devon and Cornwall have began to capitalise on the new freedom to be able to locally brand their fleet in tune with the area, the first of this being the various Cornish depots PTOTPA
• First Southampton have been running their Millbrook Flyer for 5 or so months now. Southern England Bus Scene

Plastic Bridge

Slightly outside the normal area but some interesting developments ahead at Dawlish Station:

Work is due to start this month on the new footbridge for Dawlish railway station as part of a £1m improvement project.
Contractors BAM Nuttall intend to begin preparatory works this month. The existing footbridge will be removed on 7 October and the new footbridge will be installed on 14 October. Completion for the whole scheme is expected to be end-November 2012.

Network Rail’s route asset manager for buildings, Simon Gyde said: “The renewal of Dawlish Station footbridge is driven by the asset condition and safety. The existing footbridge was last reconstructed in 1937, using steel girders taken from Park Royal Station.

“Despite numerous repair schemes being carried out, the bridge suffers from the harsh marine environment, and now has significant areas of corrosion to the main girders and roof structure with poor protective paintwork and rotten timber decking.”

The footbridge will be the second fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) footbridge to be installed on the Western Route. The first was at St Austell in Cornwall in October 2007. Plastic is being used because the steelwork of the existing footbridge has been badly corroded by the harsh marine weather conditions. The timber decking has rotted and the protective paintwork has broken down. The plastic components are being supplied by Pipex Ltd, the Plymouth-based structural composites manufacturer, replicating the style of the original steel bridge at the grade 2 listed station. Network Rail’s engineers considered a number of alternatives, including a complete refurbishment and strengthening scheme using traditional materials, before deciding to completely replace the existing footbridge with a plastic FRP structure.

Not only will the manufactured mouldings replicate the existing style of the original steel bridge - even down to plastic rivet heads - but it will be better able to withstand the harsh marine environment along the Dawlish seafront. When finished, the footbridge will be painted Admiral Gray in keeping with the rest of the station. The new structure will be lighter and easier to install and will require considerably less maintenance than the footbridge it replaces. While the work is taking place, a footbridge diversion will be in operation from the town end of the railway station. Local residents, businesses and Dawlish Town Council will be kept informed of the plans throughout the work.

The footbridge diversion will use the subway and the ramp leading to platform 2. If there is severe weather, contingency plans will be put in place to lead passengers over the Barrow level crossing.

Network Rail

Not a brilliant photo but you can see the bridge at Dawlish Station, and just how rusty it is at the moment. Taken 30 August 2012.

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Bloggers

• This week's Snap on Sunday comes to you from in between Devon and Cornwall, at the mouth of the river Tamar PTOTPA
• Oddly, in the 19th Century, the bridge was hit by an iceberg and was rebuilt; this is the bridge that is currently standing. Public Transport Experience
• The recent discussion of e-auctions and the impact on tender prices raised a number of questions. Not least, that of whether larger groups should be involved in a perceived “race to the bottom”, chasing low margin business. Omnibuses

Westpoint 2012

The Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group (pctpg) is running a trip to Westpoint for the bus rally next Sunday, 16th September. Group members and members of the public are invited to join us. Here are the times:

Depart Milehouse (outside the Social Club) at 08:45

Via Plymouth Station and Derry’s Cross

Depart Royal Parade (stop A12) 08:50

Depart Coypool Park & Ride at 09:00

Arrive at Westpoint approximately 10:00

Depart Westpoint at 16:30

Arrive Coypool Park & Ride approximately 17:30

Arrive Royal Parade approximately 17:40

Arrive Milehouse approximately 17:45

Via Derry’s Cross and Plymouth Station

Times subject to traffic conditions. 176 “INVINCIBLE” will be used for this service.

Passengers travelling with us only pay £4.00 admission (instead of £5.00). We welcome contributions towards fuel cost’s.

Any enquiries please contact events@plymouthcitytransport.co.uk.

Cant believe this shot was taken 10 years ago!

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Bloggers

• The T-shirt slogan is the slightly risqué "I'm so easy : Give me a try!" How will First respond PR-wise? First's Ipswich manager in fake tan as medallion man? Public Transport Experience
• a report in today’s Passenger Transport magazine confirms that First Devon & Cornwall’s 30-vehicle North Devon operation was not the only one up for sale. Its Plymouth garage was on the market, too, but a potential local buyer backed out Omnibuses
• Expansion was the order of the day and, thanks to good marketing, additional peak journeys and cheaper fares than the slow train service, business started to grow. Public Transport Experience
• The second of the former Brighton & Hove Tridents has been released from the confines of the Car & Commercials site in Beccles East Norfolk Bus Blog
• Buses on this route boast leather seats on both decks, all high back with ample leg room. For your comfort and safety there are tinted windows to absorb glare, bright interior lighting for reading or working, upper and lower deck CCTV cameras with recording equipment Public Transport Experience
• The colours clash but there’s something about this variant that breaks up the huge amount of all-over red that will be associated with double decks. College vinyls are yet to be applied and I suspect that this will ruin the clean appearance of this version. Omnibuses
• Delaine's latest new vehicle, their third Wrightbus Eclipse Gemini 2 bodied Volvo B9TL 153 AD62DBL entered service on their routes in and out of Peterborough last weekend and was one of the first buses in England to carry a new "62" registration East Norfolk Bus Blog
• Apart from some big holes in the ground for future train stations, Crossrail also needs to dig a number of access shafts along the length of the future tunnels – and one of the largest of them can be found in Stepney Ian Visits
• From the winter of 2005/6 until late 2010, First Hampshire operated a number of former Go Ahead Volvo Olympians on the Southampton City Services. Southern England Bus Scene

Urgent Message

Urgent message from Paul Furse PCTPG 

I wondered if you could get this appeal out via Plymothian Transit as soon as you can. Its an appeal for donations, in exchange for shares, in OCO502, an ex-Plymouth Leyland PD2 which we are trying to save to become part of the Plymouth City Transport Preservation Group. We have about half the amount required for donations, and we have only until Monday evening to find the rest. It would be a real shame if we could not save this bus and return in to service in Plymouth.

If anyone can help they can email webmaster@plymouthcitytransport.co.uk.

Red and Blue

Its been on the road for a few days now, but I have yet to get a clear shot at it! Thanks to Richard for sending in these two great shots of 408 in her smart red and blue version of the new swoop livery. She has received this livery for the City College duties replacing the blue livery carried by the two Darts 55 & 56. The bus is not quite finished yet and will be receiving appropriate lettering etc shortly. Another bus, this time a Dennis Dart will be repainted to join her shortly. It is with this bus that we can see the potential of the new livery design for any future route branding or other ‘specials’ that Citybus might require.

©Richard Smith

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Bloggers

• As we celebrate this blog’s 2,500th it’s also interesting how Trent Barton features strongly throughout the top 10 list. It certainly surprised me. Omnibuses
• No-one seems to know what the horizontal bar over the "o" means. Possibilities are:- surprised by a pink and purple bus , impressed by a pink a purple bus, confused by a pink and purple bus Public Transport Experience

Deckers at Derriford

A bit of a bonus test post more than anything else as I have a brand new camera that I can carry around in my pocket (Panasonic Lumix FS40) so I dont miss so many shots. These three all arrived into Derriford Hospital within 3 mins of each other. Just a normal day at Derriford at this time in the evening. We do get spoilt when it comes to buses. If I had hung around for another 30 mins or so I would have got at least three more double deckers usually.

Brand New Atlantean

Kenneth Aveyard has supplied some great photos over the last few years but this one has to be one of the best. Plymouth City Transport 115 OCO115S only a couple of months old, is seen on loan to Leicester City. I believe it was so that Plymouth could try out one of Leicesters Dennis Dominators rather than Leicester being keen to trial an Atlantean.

©Kenneth Aveyard 3 April 1978

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Bloggers

• the livery is either to prevent the students seeing what a dump the centre of Northampton has become or, alternatively, keeping a bus load of dreaded students out of the view of staid and traditional Northamptonians! Public Transport Experience
• How did your business do during the olympics? This would very much depend upon where you were, what the weather was like and whether you were hiring out buses—and drivers, usually at the rate of 1:3. Omnibuses
• Below are a selection of "hot off the press" photographs showing 9 YG02FWD in its new livery, it carries vinyl branding to inform customers that the fleet is undergoing a makeover East Norfolk Bus Blog
• After a lengthy gestation, the first DAFs entered service today with 357 and 358 used on school duties Fylde Bus Blog
• A remarkable survivor within the First Group empire appears to be this J registered Dennis Javelin, J732 KBC, currently in use with First Somerset and Avon at their Taunton depot. PTOTPA

Nine lives?

Schools are back and that means school buses. Plymouth Citybus originally planned to withdraw their school services but of course changed their mind so that means the old yellow Student Link fleet is back out on the road. It really was looking like July was their last outing with Citybus but they are still going strong. They may be popular with anoraks like myself but I know some passengers at Derriford were moaning when one turned up in service today. They cant survive for much longer surely?

We see 177, 182, 184, 185, and 187 below back in July at Milehouse. Is it just these five left now? Can anyone confirm status of 178, 181 and 186 which are on my records as still being around?

Another batch of buses which are still plodding on are the original low floor Darts the first of which were withdrawn on the arrival of the new Volvo B7RLE fleet. Number 2 was being prepared for service again back in July when caught it on camera at Milehouse and is now back out in service.
There are all sorts of rumours of second-hand or even new double deckers heading towards Plymouth sometime in the near future for the planned network revamp which looks likely to happen early November at the moment, so its hard to see these buses seeing out the full year but then we have been forecasting the death of the yellow fleet for several years now!

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Bloggers

• Well respected coach and bus operator Carmel Coaches' latest expansion has now been revealed, with the first coach to appear in the Plymouth branded livery, PTOTPA
• The Sunday was very much focussed on the north of the island with the Jurby Museum linked by special bus to the MER at Laxey where the afternoon would see unprecedented scenes at the line's northern terminus. Well, they were for me. Transport Illustrated
• From last weekend (Sunday 1st September) Uno began operating in Northampton, serving the two University Campuses. Did Uno that Northampton had a University? More tomorrow! Public Transport Experience
• Who says operators can’t work together? Yesterday, operators officially launched England’s latest multi-operator ticket, called the Avon Rider. Omnibuses

Saved

Had a very interesting comment left on an earlier post which I feel deserves a bit more attention:

Hello from Australia,
Just to let PCTPG  conservation group that we have purchased ex PCT 230 JJY 630G from the previous owner in Australia and also intend on restoring to as close to original as possible.
We drove her under her own power from Melbourne in Victoria to Berry NSW (about 200k,s south Sydney NSW) about 800k,s!! The old girl would probably never have done so many k,s in one outing?
If anybody has any more photos or info on our beautiful old bus please would very much appreciate same.

We would really love to know what livery she would have been in around the early seventies or when she was first used. I believe built in 5/1969 and possibly used by Plymouth transport from 1970? Chassis no. is 804020 plate no.JJY 630G.
Really appreciate any info available, or photos

Sadly they have not left an email address or contact but I am sure they will see any comments that people leave on this site!

©Jos Van Hemert 1983
JJY630G from 1981 Jos Van Hemert in the awful crimson lake livery

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Bloggers

• This week, a photo from the ever wonderful, annual Torbay Vintage Bus Rally organised by the Devon and Dorset Preservation Group. PTOTPA
• But where others despaired, the Richardsons saw an opportunity. They snapped up the site and claimed that their scheme for one of the country's first giant out-of-town shopping malls and accompanying office complex would eventually employ more than the steel works. Public Transport Experience
• Today, there’s a new timetable on the Stagecoach/Trent Barton joint Protno service, from Nottingham to Chestefield via Mansfield. I say “joint” as there now appears to be “irreconcilable differences” between both parties, as divorcees might say. Omnibuses

First refreshed

With the new Park & Ride fleet entering service well before the Olympics, Plymouth was one of the first places to see the new First Group livery in any numbers, but it has taken a long while before any others have been treated to the new scheme. Nick Rice has captured 40586 in the new scheme still devoid of any fleet names or indeed fleet numbers. Eventually she should receive a local First fleet name just above the doors and maybe a larger local fleet name on the sides or towards the rear above the windows. It has taken some areas quite a while before getting fleet names fixed to buses in this livery so it may be a wait before we see what names will be in use here. I expect either First Plymouth or First Devon but you never know they might get more imaginative…

©Nick Rice
She certainly looks a lot better now than in her previous livery:

and she looked even worse before that:

©Ian Kirby

 

I am quite a fan of the new livery which is now being applied to First Group buses all across the country after a pretty slow start. If you look at my FleetLists section you will see the list of buses across the group which are known to carry this livery. (or just click here)

Bloggers

• John Parry has harboured his vision of "green" flywheel powered urban transport for well over 20 years. The current operation on the Stourbridge branch is his first real "commercial" success. Public Transport Experience
• It’s reported this week that the final two of Trent Barton’s first* batch of 13 Optare Tempo SRs are at last under preparation & branding for service, three months after the launch of the initial 11. Can anyone confirm? Why the delay? Omnibuses
• Tim Miller was alerted by a noise from the Car & Commercials yard at Beccles during yesterday morning. He dashed over to witness the re-emergence of one of the former Brighton Tridents now in Anglianbus colours. East Norfolk Bus Blog

The Select Few: Caterfood

When I started this small series the first comment came through suggesting Caterfood - with its small fleet of CFD registrations. We have just two for now but there is a wonderful bonus lower down the post... Bonus
While looking for my photos of Caterfood I came across a small set of photos of STW762D on Tippermans (Nick Spencer) Flickr collection

Pop over to Tippermans collection HERE to see a few other photos of what I guess was the end of this fine bus...

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Bloggers

• Tom Rolt (1910 to 1974) effectively created and led the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society; who later named an engine after him. Public Transport Experience
• It’s interesting that National Federation of Bus Users (Bus Users UK) is having to do exactly what the industry is now doing: cut its cloth. Omnibuses

The Select Few: Parsons

Parsons Nationwide Distribution of Exeter are another fleet which has pride in its appearance:

A14PAR is a very smart Scania R480 fleet number 18 V600PAR  is a Volvo FH fleet number 45

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Bloggers

• August has seen extensive Olympian use with the East Lancs examples likely to be replaced by Manx DAFs. Fylde Bus Blog
• The Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton railway was a company authorised on 4 August 1845 to construct a railway line from the Oxford and Rugby Railway at Wolvercot Junction to Worcester, Stourbridge, Dudley, and Wolverhampton Public Transport Experience
• In a regulated, licensed environment, over four months on from the launch of the First Aircoach Dublin to Cork direct service, Baile Átha Cliath Comhfhreagraí takes a look at its effects on the market, a newly announced but unlikely partnership and why the subject of lavatories could well be key in future developments. Omnibuses
• The ride is underwhelming and slow (20 mph speed limit on most of the line) but, disturbingly, interrupted by a regular electronic squawk about every minute. Public Transport Experience