Welcome to Devon Transit 037
The Last Two Weeks
New notices on VOSA from the last two weeks: The main news here is the cancellation of a wave of services by Turners Tours
Stagecoach Devon 21 [PH1020951.136] Ilfracombe Barnstaple Appledore Westward Ho
- PH1020951/136 -
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Ilfracombe or Barnstaple
- and Appledore or Westward Ho!
- given service number 21/21A/21C
- effective from 25-Jul-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
Plymouth Citybus 27 [PH0000135.146] Royal Parade - Derriford
- PH0000135/146 -
- PLYMOUTH CITYBUS LTD,
- MILEHOUSE, MILEHOUSE ROAD, PLYMOUTH, PL3 4AA
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Plymouth Royal Parade
- and Derriford Hospital
- given service number 27/27A/27B
- effective from 03-Jul-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
Chelston Leisure Services 60 [PH1052309.020] Torquay Paignton
- PH1052309/20 - CHELSTON LEISURE SERVICES LTD T/A DIAL-A-BUS, LONG ROAD, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7BL
- Registration Accepted by SN
- Starting Point: Torquay, Castle Circus
- Finish Point: Paignton Bus Station
- Via: Occombe, Preston
- Service Number: 60
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 16-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Friday hourly
Chelston Leisure Services 61 [PH1052309.021] Paignton Torquay
- PH1052309/21 - CHELSTON LEISURE SERVICES LTD T/A DIAL-A-BUS, LONG ROAD, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7BL
- Registration Accepted by SN
- Starting Point: Paignton Bus Station
- Finish Point: Torquay, Castle Circus
- Via: Preston, Occombe
- Service Number: 61
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 16-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Friday, hourly
Stagecoach Devon 158 [PH1020951.231] Exmouth Bicton College
- PH1020951/231 -
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Cancellation Accepted by SN:
- Operating between Exmouth Bus Station
- and Bicton College
- given service number 158
- effective from 06-Jul-2016.
Filers Travel 300 [PH1066351.021] Ilfracombe - Lynmouth
- PH1066351/21 - FILERS TRAVEL LIMITED, SLADE LODGE, SLADE ROAD, ILFRACOMBE, EX34 8LB
- Registration Accepted
- Starting Point: Ilfracombe, St James Place Gardens
- Finish Point: Lynmouth, Lyndale Car Park
- Via: Combe Martin
- Service Number: 300
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 11-JUL-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Friday from 11 July 2016 until 2 September 2016.
Dealtop Dartline 398 [PH0005305.047] Dulverton Tiverton
- PH0005305/47 -
- DEALTOP LTD T/A DARTLINE COACHES,
- UNIT 2, LANGDON BUSINESS PARK, OIL MILL LANE, CLYST ST. MARY, EXETER, EX5 1AF
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Dulverton, Barns Close
- and Duklverton, Barns Close
- given service number 398
- effective from 25-Jul-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
Turners Tours 633 [PH0000620.063] North Lew Okehampton
- PH0000620/63 -
- ALBERT RALPH TURNER & PARTNERS T/A TURNERS TOURS,
- BOWLING GREEN, CHULMLEIGH, EX18 7BT
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between NORTH LEW SQUARE
- and OKEHAMPTON SQUARE
- given service number 633
- effective from 12-Aug-2016.
Turners Tours 647 [PH0000620.058] Hatherleigh Exeter
- PH0000620/58 -
- ALBERT RALPH TURNER & PARTNERS T/A TURNERS TOURS,
- BOWLING GREEN, CHULMLEIGH, EX18 7BT
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between HATHERLEIGH MARKET
- and EXETER BUS STATION
- given service number 647
- effective from 12-Aug-2016.
Turners Tours 669 [PH0000620.056] South Zeal Crediton
- PH0000620/56 -
- ALBERT RALPH TURNER & PARTNERS T/A TURNERS TOURS,
- BOWLING GREEN, CHULMLEIGH, EX18 7BT
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between SOUTH ZEAL, OXENHAM ARMS
- and CREDITON, MORRISONS
- given service number 669
- effective from 12-Aug-2016.
Turners Tours 670 [PH0000620.055] Cheriton Bishop Okehampton
- PH0000620/55 -
- ALBERT RALPH TURNER & PARTNERS T/A TURNERS TOURS,
- BOWLING GREEN, CHULMLEIGH, EX18 7BT
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between CHERITON BISHOP, GLEBELANDS
- and OKEHAMPTON, SCHOOL WAY
- given service number 670
- effective from 12-Aug-2016.
Turners Tours 671 [PH0000620.054] Okehampton Newton Abbot
- PH0000620/54 -
- ALBERT RALPH TURNER & PARTNERS T/A TURNERS TOURS,
- BOWLING GREEN, CHULMLEIGH, EX18 7BT
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between OKEHAMPTON, FORE STREET
- and NEWTON ABBOT, SHERBOURNE ROAD
- given service number 671
- effective from 12-Aug-2016.
The Next Two Weeks
Previously announced changes due in the next two weeks
Stagecoach Devon 13D [PH1020951.098] Kingsteignton SDCFE
- PH1020951/98
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Kingsteignton
- and South Devon CFE
- given service number 13D (was 66D)
- effective from 06-Jun-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
- This looks like a catch up as the 13D was changed from 29 May as already covered in DT29. The 13D is on a seperate licence from the rest of the 13 group of services (PH1020951.091)
Stagecoach Devon 27 [PH1020951.134] Paighton Torquay Grammar School
- PH1020951/134 -
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Paignton Penwill Way
- and Torquay Grammar School
- given service number 27
- effective from 05-Jun-2016.
- To amend Route and Timetable.
- We are introducing an amended afternoon timetable.
- Stagecoach Torbay Schools Timetable
- Traveline 27 Paignton - Torquay Grammar School
Stagecoach Devon 30 [PH1020951.100] Brixham St Marychurch
- PH1020951/100
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Brixham/Paignton
- and Cuthbert Mayne Sch/St Marychurch
- given service number 30
- effective from 05-Jun-2016.
- To amend Route and Timetable
- Traveline 30 Brixham - St Marychurch
- Stagecoach Torbay Schools Timetable
- 30A/30B (school service) We are combining buses into one route (30).
Chelston Leisure Services 60 [PH1052309.020] Torquay Paignton
- PH1052309/20 - CHELSTON LEISURE SERVICES LTD T/A DIAL-A-BUS, LONG ROAD, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7BL
- Registration Accepted by SN
- Starting Point: Torquay, Castle Circus
- Finish Point: Paignton Bus Station
- Via: Occombe, Preston
- Service Number: 60
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 16-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Friday hourly.
- Traveline 60 Torquay - Livermead - Paignton
- It took quite a while for Traveline timetables to catch up with this last minute new timetable. The times and route remain exactly the same for now
Chelston Leisure Services 61 [PH1052309.021] Paignton Torquay
- PH1052309/21 - CHELSTON LEISURE SERVICES LTD T/A DIAL-A-BUS, LONG ROAD, PAIGNTON, TQ4 7BL
- Registration Accepted by SN
- Starting Point: Paignton Bus Station
- Finish Point: Torquay, Castle Circus
- Via: Preston, Occombe
- Service Number: 61
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 16-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Friday, hourly
- Traveline 61 Paignton - Livermead - Torquay
- It took quite a while for Traveline timetables to catch up with this last minute new timetable. The times and route remain exactly the same for now
Dealtop Target Travel 87 [PH1020218.020] Tavistock - Bere Alston
- PH1020218/20
- DEALTOP (PLYMOUTH) LTD T/A TARGET TRAVEL,
- LANGAGE SCIENCE PARK, WESTERN WOOD WAY, PLYMOUTH, PL7 5BG
- Registration Accepted by SN
- Starting Point: Tavistock Bus Station
- Finish Point: Bere Alston
- Via:
- Service Number: 87
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Saturday
- Operation of this service will pass to Target Travel with a revised timetable. As is all to often the case its not easy to find the details. Target Travel dont mention the service at all on their site. The usually reliable Devon Bus web sites are also lacking. The latest news page does not mention any changes and if you click through to the local timetable booklets site anf follow the link to the West Devon timetable you will see the booklet has been updated from 29 May 2016 - but there is no mention of Target Travel 87 in the Table of Contents. (If you scroll through all the pages you will find the timetable though!)
- Traveline: 87 Tavistock - Bere Alston - Bere Ferrers - Tavistock
- Traveline: 87A Tavistock - Bere Alston - Tavistock
Legassick: St Budeaux Taxibus 223 [PH1140056.001] St Budeaux Local
- PH1140056/1
- MARK LEGASSICK T/A ST BUDEAUX TAXI BUS,
- 32 TAMERTON AVENUE, PLYMOUTH, PL5 1TN
- Cancellation Accepted:
- Operating between St Budeaux Library
- and St Budeaux Square
- given service number 223
- St Budeaux Taxibus
- effective from 01-Jun-2016 - was brought forward as Countrybus have already taken over
Alansway Countrybus 271 [PH1017984.077] Newton Abbot Widdecombe
- PH1017984/77 -
- ALANSWAY COACHES LTD T/A COUNTRY BUS,
- KING CHARLES BUSINESS PK, OLD NEWTON RD, HEATHFIELD, NEWTON ABBOT, TQ12 6UT
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Newton Abbot, Railway Station
- and Widdecombe Car Park
- given service number 271
- effective from 04-Jun-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
- Summer service introduced
- Traveline 271 Newton Abbot - Bovey Tracey - Widecombe
Filers Travel 301 [PH1066351.004] Combe Martin - Barnstaple
- PH1066351/4
- FILERS TRAVEL LIMITED,
- SLADE LODGE, SLADE ROAD, ILFRACOMBE, EX34 8LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Combe Martin
- and Barnstaple Post Office
- given service number 301
- effective from 31-May-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
- Timetable Revised.
- Traveline: 301 Combe Martin - Ilfracombe - Barnstaple
Filers Travel 303 [PH1066351.020] Barnstaple - Mortehoe
- PH1066351/20 - FILERS TRAVEL LIMITED, SLADE LODGE, SLADE ROAD, ILFRACOMBE, EX34 8LB
- Registration Accepted
- Starting Point: Mortehoe Post Office
- Finish Point: Barnstaple Bus Station
- Via: Woolacombe, Braunton
- Service Number: 303
- Service Type: Normal Stopping
- Effective Date: 31-MAY-2016
- Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays.
- Traveline 303 Barnstaple-Woolacombe (31 May 2016 - 3 June 2016)
- Traveline 303 Barnstaple-Woolacombe (4 June 2016 onwards)
Dartline 343 [PH0005305.034] Tiverton - Cottylands
- PH0005305/34
- DEALTOP LTD T/A DARTLINE COACHES,
- UNIT 2, LANGDON BUSINESS PARK, OIL MILL LANE, CLYST ST. MARY, EXETER, EX5 1AF
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Tiverton Bus Station
- and Cotteylands
- given service number 343
- effective from 06-Jun-2016.
- To amend Route and Stopping Places.
- No details found anywhere. Old timetables and route map still in operation.
FM Searle Axe Valley 899 [PH0004666.002] Exmouth Seaton
- PH0004666/2 -
- FRANCES MAY SEARLE T/A AXE VALLEY MINI TRAVEL,
- BUS DEPOT, 26 HARBOUR ROAD, SEATON, EX12 2NA
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Exmouth Tesco
- and Seaton Sea Front
- given service number 899
- effective from 31-May-2016.
- To amend Timetable
- Traveline Timetables: 899 Seaton - Beer - Branscombe - Sidmouth
- Traveline Timetables: 899 Seaton - Colyford - Sidmouth - Exmouth
- Traveline Timetables: 899 Seaton - Rousdon - Lyme Regis
- Revised timetable. Services between Seaton, Axmouth and Lyme Regis withdrawn. Alternative facilities are available on Stagecoach service 9A and First service X52.
In The News
THE RIVIERA Line will feature in a new national website promoting the country's community rail lines and heritage railways to tourists both at home and abroad. The project has been awarded a £75,000 Government grant and will draw upon the digital marketing expertise of the based Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, who have won a number of national awards for their online campaigns. The new website will be launched in 2017 and will be accompanied by a national and international marketing campaign. It will be translated into key European languages, and will be user-friendly on PCs, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.
Read more: http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Riviera-Line-feature-newwebsite-promoting-local/story-29327594-detail/story.html#ixzz4A9kK99J9
DRONES are being used by Network Rail to help them protect the Dawlish rail line. Following the extreme weather at the beginning of 2014 which caused part of the railway line at Dawlish to collapse into the sea, Network Rail began working with residents on a study looking into the impact of coastal flooding, erosion and cliff instability on the route and the options available to limit the effects of these in the future.
A PETITION has been launched to reinstate a bus route between Torbay and Dawlish Warren that has been axed by Stagecoach.
Currently passengers on the buses can leave Torquay as late as 10.30pm, seven days a week, to return to Shaldon, Teignmouth, Dawlish, and Dawlish Warren, while from Dawlish Warren, buses run up until 11.35pm back to Torquay. However, from May 29, the Hop11 bus will be withdrawn and replaced by an extended route 22 (rebranded Hop22), meaning the last bus from Torquay to Dawlish Warren will now be at 7pm from Dawlish Warren to Torquay, at 8.10pm.
Another petition that will be signed by plenty of people who never used the bus but quite like the idea of one being available should they ever have the need to use it. If it was viable, it would still be running, Stagecoach aren't daft.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm one of those people. I didn't sign because I use(d) the evening service regularly. However I do believe there is a genuine need for an evening service along this route. As it stands there is now no evening service at all for Maidencombe and Shaldon, and a journey such as St Marychurch to Teignmouth in the evening now involves a detour via Torquay and Newton Abbot. There are numerous workers in tourism-related jobs and numerous visitors to the area who will benefit from the retention of an evening service.
DeleteThat said, I am a realist and and I do realise that the service cannot continue if Stagecoach is losing money. However that does not stop me from expressing an opinion that the service is needed and should continue, even if it doesn't make a profit. It really boils down to inadequate funding for bus services - if they were properly supported in the first place this issue would not even have arisen.
Sorry, but with respect, you signing on behalf of other people just exacerbates the problem as it gives a false impression of potential demand. If the people you think might benefit from the service aren't using it now, why would that change going forward? Stagecoach technically isn't allowed to run journeys that make a loss but operators often do, to keep a semblance of network or because of other aspects of the bus's or driver's duty. Equally why should the council fund an evening service used by tourists? How is that 'socially necessary'?
DeleteYou're right, though, in that bus services are inadequately funded - but we are where we are, for now at least.
That's old news about the drone being used at Dawlish. I saw one being used 18 months ago!
ReplyDeleteits nice to see step entrance minibuses still in regular use in Plymouth, well over a year after they were banned... Target Travel X429 VWR was out on the 31 today, i felt sorry for the wheelchair passenger refused passage, no doubt it will be out and about a lot, as it has been before... even seen L115 YOD used on passeneger runs, and not the shoppers buses, the new route 87, i wonder if people will want jacketts back, Target has a high breakdown rate and so far from base....chris
ReplyDeleteX429 is presumably classed as a coach, so would be legal but it's all something of a grey area and whatever way you look at it, is clearly against the spirit of the rules even if it doesn't technically break them.
DeleteThe people of Bere alston never wanted jackets to go, it was just Devon being petty
DeleteI think it does break the rules as it is being used on a registered bus service. I don't think it's the type of vehicle - coach as opposed to bus - which matters; it is what it is being used for.
ReplyDeleteYou can use a coach on registered bus services for the next few years. My local operator (not in Devon) often does it, although the services in question are commercial.
DeletePSVAR (formerly DDA) relates to the type of vehicle not the work it is on so it is still perfectly legal to run a non-wheelchair friendly coach on local bus services. That said this is a minibus and I don't think the legislation differentiated between bus & coach for vehicles under 7.5t (which any Merc mini would be) so even if licensed as a coach I don't think this would be legal, there is reputedly a derogation of something like 20-days per year which a non-compliant vehicle can be used which is designed really as a heritage operation so as a mainstream bus operator I'm not sure I would like to be relying on that as my justification.
Deletewell the contracts from plymouth city council state low floor, so its a breach of council rules and disability rules. i am sure the traffic commissioner wont look kindly to it. if anyone knows robert, they will know about his rule avoidance...i know the jackets vario is wheelchair friendly, so they in emergency use it on the 13...
ReplyDeleteTrue and if the council is concerned about its contract terms not being kept to, it is entitled to take action as it did with Jacketts. For all we know, Target may have warned the council in advance that it was happening, if they were short of vehicles. They may not got paid as a result. Is it better to run any bus, or not run the journeys at all? The council will rightly complain whichever happens. What would you do, if you were the operator and (say) several buses wouldn't start one morning and there was no time to try to borrow one from somebody else but there was a non-compliant minibus in the yard? You could say that having insufficient buses is the real problem, but again, that can't resolved there and then, on the day in question. I'm not trying to defend Target, just wondering what people think they should have done.
Delete