First no longer Open Minded in Cornwall?

As mentioned in a comment on this blog ( I was sceptical at first!) and confirmed by some on Facebook as having been announced internally within the company

Some sad news indeed emerging from First Kernow tonight, is that it has been announced internally that ALL open top vehicles have been withdrawn for next season, and that The Land's End Coaster and The Atlantic Coaster will be operated with closed top vehicles year round instead of just in the winter.

I must admit I am surprised as it seems they were popular. Having said that though the operation is looking very much unloved by the group these days so maybe we shouldn't be that surprised really. Presumably the routes themselves will continue to operate so would be less attractive to anyone else who might feel inclined to operate open tops in Cornwall instead. It would be sad that a county with the most amazing coastline will have no open top services for tourists.

For an idea of what will be missed this year there is an excellent series on You tube where Johhny Hoover tracks the South West Coast Path from Minehead to Poole using local buses. Its well worth a watch and it does highlight the stunning scenery that can be enjoyed on these routes.

MInehead to Hartland

Hartland – Watergate Bay

Watergate Bay – Penzance

The Land’s End Coaster

The Lizard to Truro

St Austell – Looe

Liskeard – Totnes

Paignton – Seaton

Seaton – Weymouth

Weymouth – Poole

Do we even see First staying in Cornwall for much longer?  Any attempt at localisation is now frowned upon by the group with many attractive local liveries being replaced by the admitted smart new corporate livery although I have yet to see any local buses repainted. ( I think there is one that came ready painted?). Any attempt at marketing appears to have been dropped with their own web site being a bland corporate affair where you are more likely to read about developments in Berkshire than anything more local.

© Nick Rice [creative commons] back in 2022