©Ben Beaver
The first of another batch of Volvo B7L Plaxtons from Go Ahead London was caught on camera by Ben yesterday on the M5 bound for Plymouth Citybus at Milehouse.
No clues so far as to what these are for!
Cornwall has recently seen an influx of Ex- First Rail Air coaches from Reading, introduced to the region for college work for the longer routes PTOTPA
Thus, whilst everyone agrees that it runs every 30 minutes Monday to Friday during Uni term times, nobody seems to know where it runs. And that includes fbb! Public Transport Experience
Plymouth City Bus has enjoyed more than it's fair share of different liveries over the years, all of which have retained an element of red whether it be 'truck red' or a maroon shade Busworld Photography
Western Greyhound have just brought about 9 of these from Stagecoach London
ReplyDeleteI think the WG ones are Dennis Tridents - with Alexander bodies. Certainly the ones i have seen so far are. Still in London red though. Certainly plenty of ex London DDs down in this part of the world now!
DeleteOne is painted green so far
DeleteYou are correct - as if they have been bought from Stagecoach London, they cannot have been Plaxton bodied or Volvo chassis, as Stagecoach London have not operated either.
DeleteHi Graham it wasn't the first the first actually arrived the day before PVL 214 Y814TGH both are now at milehouse I am reliably informed up to as many as 35 could be received between now and Christmas with most not entering service before next year as many are x/y examples they will almost certainly be single doored first. The are a batch being made redundant in London by the arrival of Borismasters for route 11 operation at New Cross they are being released as they come out of service the WVL from new cross that were on route 11 are moving to other garages to release the PVL stock.
ReplyDeleteThanks - I knew one was at Milehouse - but wasnt sure if it was this one or not! The last number I heard was 20 for now - but there were more available if they were needed - depends on what Citybus have planned for them.
DeleteIsn't that a bit old for a London bus? I thought they had an age limit of 7 years?
ReplyDeleteNo, it' slighly more sensible than that. I think it's 14 years (2 contracts each with 2 year extenions for good performance).
DeleteNo, the age limit is 14 years, ie two full contract terms.
DeleteNot at all. I travelled on one of this batch (PVL232 I think) in Central London on 19 September! A few other Y reg DDs were around as well.
DeleteI think they are putting them on the 5/5A, now that the First 6(old) and 7 no longer run, as there will be extra passengers on those routes, especially Elburton and Staddy passengers.
ReplyDeleteThe Deckers off the 21/21A which were replaced by the four new buses will go onto the Torpoint Services I would guess. I know that they are also providing School services as well.
N reg Darts on their way out prehaps?
The fist PVL was delivered on Tuesday evening at 5PM 214 Y814TGH its stored at the back of the tram sheds -nice shot this one though of the second one arriving.
ReplyDeleteI passed a red one coming down the M5 near Sampford Peverell on Saturday 14th September. But perhaps that was destined for Western Greyhound ?
ReplyDeleteFirst D&C have been given 6 months to turn things around or they will be closed down. This is the reason why PCB & SC have pounced
ReplyDeleteHow do you know this
Deletewhere have u heard this?
ReplyDeleteI have heard this as well - the staff have been told via their union (my dad works for First Devon & Cornwall at the Plymouth garage).
DeleteIf this is really the case, then that makes Citybus's task much easier. They now have a timescale to work to. A mere six months is nothing and plays right into Citybus's hands.
Delete...and I suppose you think that First phoned up Stagecoach and Citybus and told them that so they'd know do you???
ReplyDeleteAre these buses on top of the new deckers coming in or replacing the older darts in service?.
ReplyDeletefirst are getting rid of loss making routes to plug the hole, of losses and what is left is viable, and stage coach is not pushing, all the pushing is from citybus who may have done first a favour in forcing their hand, which may or may not come back to haunt them. First may then decide to sell the area off which will be more viable without all the loss making routes. All stagecoach wanted was the x80 and some sort of deal seems to have been done there.
ReplyDeletesee city bus are doing interviews next week and have been contacting first drivers, how many this time seems they are trying to hit first by stealing all their drivers lol....
ReplyDeleteNo, Citybus are short of drivers - they stopped recruiting - did they wrongly think that First were leaving and there would be a huge pool of drivers - another bad call for Citybus! More fare cuts and offers coming from First
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