VOSA October Part One

I am a bit behind on VOSA but have started my look back at October.

Applications To Vary Existing Services: VOSA 07 OCT 2014

PH0004983/35 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between TORPOINT FERRY and PLYMOUTH Bus Station given service number 81/81A effective from 02-Nov-2014. To amend Timetable.

2 NOV 2014: First Torpoint 81 81A

Changes are being made to services operated by First in Torpoint provide better bus connections for staff and patients using the towns new health centre which is due to open in the New Year. From Sunday 2 November, changes to Services 81/81A from Plymouth to Torpoint and Inswork will enable journeys to serve the health centre in Trevol Road. 

The Monday to Friday timetable is being revised with most journeys now terminating at HMS Raleigh. Buses from Torpoint Ferry will serve Great Park every 30 minutes alternating with direct buses which will miss out Great Park on their way to HMS Raleigh. These will run to the ferry on their return. The Saturday timetable will remain unchanged apart from some slight re-timings to early evening services. The Sunday services will be unaffected by the changes. 

At the same time a new £1 fare (50p for those age 5-18 or NUS card holders of any age) will be introduced for all single trips on the 81/81A between the Torpoint Ferry Terminal (Torpoint side) and HMS Raleigh. Commenting on the changes, Paul Smith, First Devons Operations Manager said: "Feedback about these changes have been very positive so far. This is good news for Torpoint as it will mean staff and patients going to and from the health centre will have peace of mind in knowing that there will be regular bus services to ensure they arrive on time for work and for their appointments. 

"The other good news is that we are introducing a new £1 fare for all single trips within Torpoint and we hope this will encourage people, especially those who are not currently First customers or have not travelled on public transport for a while, to reconsider using our buses for their local journeys.' Customers wanting more information about the changes or wishing to view timetables for the affected services are advised to log onto: www.firstgroup.com/devon. First is also on Twitter and Facebook, at www.twitter.com/firstbus_devon and www.facebook.com/firstdevon

There was going to be more this morning but I have run out of time! We will be caqtching up on Octobers activity over the next few days...

In The News

• TELEGRAPH 5 NOV 2014: FirstGroup insists turnaround 'on track' as revenues slide 10.9pc Embattled transport company FirstGroup has told investors its turnaround plan is "on track" as it posted a 10.9pc fall in revenues. The bus and rail giant on Wednesday reported first half revenues of £2.9bn, 10.9pc lower than in the same period a year agoTim O'Toole, chief executive, said trading during the first half was "in line with our expectations for the Group and our transformation programmes continue to make progress as planned".

Featured Blog Post

• ENSIGN VINTAGE FLEET: October update There was a time when we used to get to the Autumn breathe a sigh of relief and start pulling vehicles off for the winter as it quietened down. Not so now, as the season and particularly wedding season work is still very busy with some Saturdays seeing us having up to 13 vintage buses out per day.

Reading List

• FOCUS TRANSPORT: Miliband pledges London-style bus service across England
• RICHARDS TRAM BLOG: CRICH HALLOWEEN 2014
• NORWICH BUSES: BorderBus Updates
• DENNIS BASFORD: ‘Scene’ in Dorchester
• STEVES BUS AND TRAIN PAGE: Spotting In The Rain
• IPSWICH BUS BLOG: 32489 ENTERS SERVICE
• GREAT YARMOUTH BUS PAGE: 33126 enters service!
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT EXPERIENCE: Worries Whilst Waiting at Watford [2]
• FOCUS TRANSPORT: SEASONAL STAGECOACH SERVICES
• ANDYS BUS BLOG: Looking back... East Anglian vintage variety 2