Thanks to Mark Bailey for this:
Today Oakleys took over Devon CC contracted services 55, 56 and 98 from Plymouth Citybus.
Services were being worked by two Wright Streetlite WF acquired from Dartline - MX12 DZA and MX62 ANR - and both smartly repainted in Oakley's light grey livery and with full working destination indicators. I've attached a shot of each in Yelverton.
Timekeeping though was very poor, 7-8 minutes late on average, and parts of the 55 route were missed out, whether because the driver wasn't familiar with the route or to claw back time I'm not sure. Returning on the 55 from Milton Combe and Buckland Monachorum, the driver took a short cut to Yelverton, missing out Yelverton Rock (where I was patiently waiting) and the golf club. And later, returning on the 55 from Tavistock, it didn't serve Walkhampton (where I was again) or Dousland as timetabled. Not a great start, and let's hope things improve or they will be in trouble with the Traffic Commissioner.
© Mark Bailey – with thanks.
Oakleys themselves have acknowledged a few teething troubles:
We may have some teething issues, but we will do our best to serve the local community. It was good to see some familiar faces again. These buses are temporary buses operating the services until our brand new Mercedes Sprinters are delivered.
Hopefully things will settle down pretty quickly
A correction to yesterdays post it seems that only ONE of the new Streetdeck electrics has actually arrived so far at Milehouse. Thanks to all who have confirmed this. It looks like they will be numbered 77001 upwards. The first one at Milehouse is BN25DCZ which is 77002. It remains to be seen if they keep the BN25 registrations or get more local WA plates.
It looks like, as registered
ReplyDeleteBN25 DCY, DCZ,
BN25 DDA, DDE, DDF, DDJ, DDK, DDL, DDO and DDU
Are the first ten. 77001-77010 perhaps
How will it work with Sprinters first thing in the morning, with how busy it gets? Even Citybus has a mini E200MMC on the first 55 and 98 of the day.
ReplyDeleteWith Oakleys you're lucky if your bus runs, then if it goes the right way, then if it makes an impromptu visit to their depot and then if it breaks down. Truly awful operator.
ReplyDeleteGosh really that bad I never use Oakley s busses, hopefully they don’t get any other routes thought stagecoach and Plymouth Citybus where bad for cancellations
ReplyDeleteCityBus new arrivals, further to list posted above on 23/4, the following three have now been registered
ReplyDeleteBN25 DDV, DDX and DDZ
77011-77013 possibly.