Incoming Citybus Volvo B7TL

The first batch of Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents from Go Ahead London have arrived as planned. Here so far are:

PVL 93 W493WGH
PVL 168 X568EGK
PVL 171 X571 EGK Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by EastleighBusMan
PVL 201 X501 EGK
PVL 202 X702 EGK Creative Commons licensed flickr photo shared by EastleighBusMan

Thanks to Brian George we can confirm that these ex London buses and the new double deckers will be in place of the 10 new Volvo B7RLEs which had been ordered:

“The only scheduled arrivals to PCB this year will be the ex London stock (for full refurbishment including removal of centre doors) and the eight brand new Enviro 400's. This should see off the remaining D10Ms (buyers waiting). There are no plans to dispose of the older Darts as yet. These may aid further frequency improvements in the City or allow further expansion particularly after the success of the 45 service. Below is from the Ivybridge Gazette”

A BUS service to Plymouth has seen a 50 per cent increase in passengers since its launch in September. The Citybus 45 service from Ivybridge to Plymouth saw weekly passenger numbers rocket from 2,378 to 3,623 between September and December, with bus bosses calling the figures ‘incredibly impressive for a new service’.
The half-hourly provision runs every day from Ivybridge station to Royal Parade in Plymouth and has proved hugely popular with travellers and Citybus alike. Marketing co-ordinator for Plymouth Citybus, Hayleigh Beck, said: ‘Since launch, we have seen an increase of over 1,000 passengers which is incredibly impressive for a new service. We are continuing to see a definite increase on passenger numbers every week and are pleased the service is proving so popular.
‘One of the reasons we think this is happening is because we recently changed our Plym zone boundaries to include Ivybridge. This change led to a fare decrease for Ivybridge residents across all ticket types. It is rapidly becoming one of our most popular services and we have received, and continue to receive, incredibly positive feedback about it.’
Councillors and members of the public have all praised the new provision, calling it a vital link to Plymouth and a hugely popular addition to the town.
County councillor for Ivybridge Roger Croad said: ‘It really is an excellent service, I've traveled on it a couple of times and it’s very efficient and just what the town needed.’ The mayor of Ivybridge, Cllr Frances Reeve, said: ‘ I've heard nothing but positives about the 45 and am so pleased it’s doing well. I always see queues at the bus stop. It’s a sign that the service is being well used.’ Despite the provision proving a big hit with travellers, Citybus says it is always looking for ways to increase passenger numbers and improve services. Commercial manager Peter Oliver said: ‘Service 45 has gone from strength to strength. We still have a fair bit to go before we reach our intended customer numbers and would welcome ideas and feedback from our customers on how improve our service.’
Hayleigh Beck added: ‘We have had the Chatterbus, our community focused vehicle, stationed at Ivybridge Station to provide rail users with the information they require should they wish to use the bus, such as timetables and fare information. Lots of people use the train, but it’s helpful to show them the benefits of using the more regular service.’

© South Hams Newspapers Ltd

I know that there is some disappointment at the age of these double deckers especially as the phrase “nearly new” had been used previously but it has to be remembered that these will still be a lot newer than many of the DDs running in Plymouth. Don't forget First have given us K reg Leyland Olympians and Citybus are still running the F reg Volvos which will finally be seen off this year. At least these are going to be fully refurbished rather than just rushed into service after a quick paint job. There are also many that will probably share my disappointment that the new buses are not Volvo / Wright products but Alexander Dennis Enviro 400’s. I have never been a fan of the E400 with Alexander's strange fixation of fitting their buses out in plastic panels which looks more suited to 1970’s bathrooms than on a bus. For many the bus seats on a double decker are the front seats upstairs – not on an E400 they aren't! The back seats too are poor compared with the rest of them. This was especially pronounced on the original Park & Ride E400s with First which were fantastically comfortable apart from these seats. Having said that it is still great that Citybus are buying new DDs again after so many years. Long may it continue, even if its more E400s! I may even grow to love them. (No guarantee of that as I am a fussy old git. The Citaros have never grown on me, and probably never will…) I do actually really like the PVLs.

Plymouth Citybus  must be doing something right at the moment that they need double deckers so badly. If you hang around outside Derriford Hospital from tea time onwards you will see a lot of double decker action, those routes which dont have them will often have standing loads. I arrive at Derriford Hospital well before 8am and often see the 28 departure covered by TWO double deckers leaving at the same time!

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