First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[83G/84D]

New additions to the FDC fleet and a new route:-

 

[Busaholic]

Yeah but then Busaholic wouldn't be able to feed the First group chip on his shoulder

Unlike some who don the ra-ra skirts and act as paid/unpaid cheerleaders for First. A 'declaration of interests' would not come amiss sometimes:roll:

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Unlike some who don the ra-ra skirts and act as paid/unpaid cheerleaders for First. A 'declaration of interests' would not come amiss sometimes:roll:

Fair question - I don't/haven't worked for First. I have worked in the industry but now work elsewhere within the transport industry. I am a shareholder but then again, I like a laugh

When they do good things, I say. When the do bad, similarly. However, it did really boil my p*ss when people used to come onto various threads on this board about 18 months ago to complain about the speed of change in First when Giles had been in place for 6 months. It was clearly going to be a long haul after the hubris and arrogance of the Moir era, undoing the damage of underinvestment from an overleveraged US purchase restricting capital allied to unrealistic margin expectations

My experience last week in Penzance was that the office was well stocked with stacks of nice glossy timetable booklets (of which I have one) - I don't much like the maps nor the way that the days of operation (with shading instead of codes) is done though. First may well have been advised to place notices (clearly stating it was a council directive) about these passes but the actual policy is the council's not First.

 

[Busaholic]

Fair question - I don't/haven't worked for First. I have worked in the industry but now work elsewhere within the transport industry. I am a shareholder but then again, I like a laugh

When they do good things, I say. When the do bad, similarly. However, it did really boil my p*ss when people used to come onto various threads on this board about 18 months ago to complain about the speed of change in First when Giles had been in place for 6 months. It was clearly going to be a long haul after the hubris and arrogance of the Moir era, undoing the damage of underinvestment from an overleveraged US purchase restricting capital allied to unrealistic margin expectations

My experience last week in Penzance was that the office was well stocked with stacks of nice glossy timetable booklets (of which I have one) - I don't much like the maps nor the way that the days of operation (with shading instead of codes) is done though. First may well have been advised to place notices (clearly stating it was a council directive) about these passes but the actual policy is the council's not First.

A very fair post. I absolutely agree that you should speak as you find, that includes praise as well as brickbats. If Firstbus nationally is on an upward curve then that is to be applauded, as it is with any bus company in the same position, and when things have been dire it does take time and effort to sort them out.

I'm not even having a go at Penzance travel office- it's good that First still provide one, albeit closed at weekends and part of lunchtime. In general, up-to-date leaflets are carried for the immediate area, but not for some of the less frequent routes or for any that don't reach Penzance e.g. Helston to Redruth. These MAY be available under the counter, as may the Cornwall Council printed timetable that only seems to be published annually and includes routes not operated by First, including some from Pz Bus Station that information would not be available for otherwise. To be told specifically that Cornwall Council no longer published a printed timetable, as I was in June, when in fact they'd been provided with them and they were sitting under the counter, is not good enough. It took a call to Cornwall Council Public Transport Unit, followed by a further call to the office when a different member of staff (happy and obliging) produced said timetable without demur to sort that out.

I've now read the bit on Cornwall Council's website about hotlisting of concessionary passes from 2nd February and now realise this has got nothing to do with First: a pity the info couldn't be more generally widespread though, not only amongst the enthusiast community but among passholders themselves. I reiterate, though, that the three reasons given for passes not being accepted (or even taken away) do not include the issues my friend has faced , nor should they.

 

[83G/84D]

Can a link to the relevant page on the Cornwall Council website reference concessionary passes be posted please? If not can a pm be sent to me?

TIA

 

[Busaholic]

Can a link to the relevant page on the Cornwall Council website reference concessionary passes be posted please? If not can a pm be sent to me?

TIA

Please google Cornwall Council Public Transport and it's right there, immediately. One day some young whippersnapper will teach me about posting links.

 

[pne]

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/national-concession-bus-pass/

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A very fair post. I absolutely agree that you should speak as you find, that includes praise as well as brickbats. If Firstbus nationally is on an upward curve then that is to be applauded, as it is with any bus company in the same position, and when things have been dire it does take time and effort to sort them out.

I'm not even having a go at Penzance travel office- it's good that First still provide one, albeit closed at weekends and part of lunchtime. In general, up-to-date leaflets are carried for the immediate area, but not for some of the less frequent routes or for any that don't reach Penzance e.g. Helston to Redruth. These MAY be available under the counter, as may the Cornwall Council printed timetable that only seems to be published annually and includes routes not operated by First, including some from Pz Bus Station that information would not be available for otherwise. To be told specifically that Cornwall Council no longer published a printed timetable, as I was in June, when in fact they'd been provided with them and they were sitting under the counter, is not good enough. It took a call to Cornwall Council Public Transport Unit, followed by a further call to the office when a different member of staff (happy and obliging) produced said timetable without demur to sort that out.

I've now read the bit on Cornwall Council's website about hotlisting of concessionary passes from 2nd February and now realise this has got nothing to do with First: a pity the info couldn't be more generally widespread though, not only amongst the enthusiast community but among passholders themselves. I reiterate, though, that the three reasons given for passes not being accepted (or even taken away) do not include the issues my friend has faced , nor should they.

The timetable leaflets are actually now in one book for the whole of the Kernow network..... with one odd exception. For some reason, the 101 is not included (?). Actually, that's not quite true as the book dates from Nov 2014 so the latest new services and revisions aren't included

 

[83G/84D]

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/national-concession-bus-pass/

Thanks for that.

 

[DD12]

Please google Cornwall Council Public Transport and it's right there, immediately. One day some young whippersnapper will teach me about posting links.

" ...GO FOR IT Men !!"

A lot of the situations that get discussed on bus forums (and disagreements ! ) involve the multitude of problems of everyday human interactions and communications, that never seem to get any better !
- with ever changing technologies, and increasing numbers of people with genuine brain problems, it's only getting worse !

I recently rushed from my house to catch a bus - I raced around a junction that had just been resurfaced - to point where it had a new grey tarmac surface. - I stuck out my hand, and the bus went sailing past.
I was very irate for a moment, until I realised I hadn't even reached the stop!

I dare not tell what a normally sensible member of my family did once (regarding buses), but when Worcester's Citibus network was run with yellow fronted minibuses, she stuck out her hand at an approaching AA van which obligingly stopped and gave her a lift into town !

Unfortunately bus companies and bus drivers have to try to deal with all the problems and misunderstandings, and sometimes I think they just "give-up".

I also, am "too old" to know how to "post a link" so if some kind person could tell us how, I'd be grateful !!

 

[Busaholic]

" ...GO FOR IT Men !!"

A lot of the situations that get discussed on bus forums (and disagreements ! ) involve the multitude of problems of everyday human interactions and communications, that never seem to get any better !
- with ever changing technologies, and increasing numbers of people with genuine brain problems, it's only getting worse !

I recently rushed from my house to catch a bus - I raced around a junction that had just been resurfaced - to point where it had a new grey tarmac surface. - I stuck out my hand, and the bus went sailing past.
I was very irate for a moment, until I realised I hadn't even reached the stop!

I dare not tell what a normally sensible member of my family did once (regarding buses), but when Worcester's Citibus network was run with yellow fronted minibuses, she stuck out her hand at an approaching AA van which obligingly stopped and gave her a lift into town !

Unfortunately bus companies and bus drivers have to try to deal with all the problems and misunderstandings, and sometimes I think they just "give-up".

I also, am "too old" to know how to "post a link" so if some kind person could tell us how, I'd be grateful !!

Old dogs, new tricks. I never was any good with anything technical, let alone technological. Have managed to drive over half a million miles with no accidents, though, while knowing precious little about what goes on under the bonnet. Keeping calm and focused, and a 'sixth sense' about the erratic behaviour of some drivers holds you in good stead.

 

[83G/84D]

Please google Cornwall Council Public Transport and it's right there, immediately. One day some young whippersnapper will teach me about posting links.

Okay pal, will do! On the topic how do you reply to someone's posting quoting only part of their post rather than all of it. Hope this makes sense and if it does how do you do it please!?

 

[DD12]

Okay pal, will do! On the topic how do you reply to someone's posting quoting only part of their post rather than all of it. Hope this makes sense and if it does how do you do it please!?

Press the"Quote" symbol to reveal the whole post, then postion the "I" thingy at the end of whatever it is you want to exclude (but in front of "[/QUOTE]" at the end) then press the Backspace button until it's gone, but don't go too far back.
If you also want to remove a bit more, nearer the start of the post, just skip over what you want to retain, using the leftwards arrow on the keyboard, then use the Backspace button again.

I expect some modern, computer-literate person, will give you give you much better instructions, and tell you what the "thingy" is called !

 

[richw]

Press the"Quote" symbol to reveal the whole post, then postion the "I" thingy at the end of whatever it is you want to exclude (but in front of "[ / QUOTE]" at the end) then press the Backspace button until it's gone, but don't go too far back.
If you also want to remove a bit more, nearer the start of the post, just skip over what you want to retain, using the leftwards arrow on the keyboard, then use the Backspace button again.

I expect some modern, computer-literate person, will give you give you much better instructions, and tell you what the "thingy" is called !

That will be the cursor, if you click and hold the click, and drag over the text you want to delete and when all to delete is highlighted just press back space once and it will all go together.

 

[83G/84D]

Thanks richw.

 

[Busaholic]

That will be the cursor, if you click and hold the click, and drag over the text you want to delete and when all to delete is highlighted just press back space once and it will all go together.

Well, I must have been more clued-up than I thought,

 

[richw]

Well, I must have been more clued-up than I thought,

Seems a lot of older generation are getting more clued up, found my 75 year old grandad has become a computer wiz since my nan passed away- facebook, LinkedIn, Skype. He has found old friends on facebook he hadn't spoke for close to 60 years when he left school, and lost contact before the days of computers and mobiles.

Back on topic D706GHY was out in truro this morning blowing off the cobwebs (and a lot of smoke)

 

[Busaholic]

Seems a lot of older generation are getting more clued up, found my 75 year old grandad has become a computer wiz since my nan passed away- facebook, LinkedIn, Skype. He has found old friends on facebook he hadn't spoke for close to 60 years when he left school, and lost contact before the days of computers and mobiles.

Back on topic D706GHY was out in truro this morning blowing off the cobwebs (and a lot of smoke)

My late father-in-law was computer literate until shortly before his death, aged 91. When he bought a smartphone contract and gave his date of birth (two figure only) as 18 the company wouldn't accept it, even when he explained, yes, he really did mean 1918!

 

[83G/84D]

Rode on a Streetlite this morning for the first time and can't say I was terribly impressed! It was a nearly new First Essex example between Basildon and Hadleigh.There was an annoying squeal every time the door opened and plenty of rattles from the drivers area as we negotiated the potholed roads. Interior was bright and airy but the leather seats looked worn in places already. Changing down the gears brought a notable lurch (a bit like a Trident) and the braking was a bit too over responsive. Rather have an old First Kernow Dart or Volvo B7RLE myself.

 

[richw]

Rode on a Streetlite this morning for the first time and can't say I was terribly impressed! It was a nearly new First Essex example between Basildon and Hadleigh.There was an annoying squeel everytime the door opened and plenty of rattles from the drivers area as we negotiated the potholed roads. Interior was bright and airy but the leather seats looked worn in places already. Changing down the gears brought a notable lurch (a bit like a Trident) and the braking was a bit too over responsive. Rather have an old First Kernow Dart or Volvo B7RLE myself.

I thought exactly the same of this one I rode in South Wales last May. It would have been a maximum of 2 months old at the time. Lots of rattles and squeals.

SN14DVC by Rich.W., on Flickr

 

[Rich McLean]

I thought exactly the same of this one I rode in South Wales last May. It would have been a maximum of 2 months old at the time. Lots of rattles and squeals.

SN14DVC by Rich.W., on Flickr

They are designed for inner city work, not the X2, which is the South wales shacks service.

I have a caravan at Trecco Bay, so can vouch for this

 

[richw]

They are designed for inner city work, not the X2, which is the South wales shacks service.

I have a caravan at Trecco Bay, so can vouch for this

We have stayed at Trecco Bay 5 or 6 times in the last 4 years. Love it there.
This year though the prices have inflated massively compared to last year for school holidays, so don't know If we will be going this year. either 8th-15th august, or October half term if we do though.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They are designed for inner city work, not the X2, which is the South wales shacks service.

I have a caravan at Trecco Bay, so can vouch for this

A lot of it is personal opinion but I've been on quite a number of ones in Bath and Bristol as well as Southampton. I've generally found them ok though the last one I enjoyed (from Hanham in Bristol to Bath) did seem to be up and down the gears a bit. The Max ones on the main X39 are better in terms of ride but they aren't as a good a ride as a B7RLE. That said, they don't drink fuel like them either and lightweight is how the industry has gone.

However, I don't know if it's a concern for Kernow for a while yet?

 

[richw]

However, I don't know if it's a concern for Kernow for a while yet?

Newest addition to Kernow fleet is a 16-17 year old B10BLE Wright renown, so probably not for a while.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Newest addition to Kernow fleet is a 16-17 year old B10BLE Wright renown, so probably not for a while.

That one was a bit of a surprise (to me at least). At least there has been some updating of the Kernow fleet (and not just the enviros) but the Reading Solars, some 5 or 8 year old Solos and some ex Plymouth Darts..... along with the R reg Darts

 

[richw]

The ex Reading solars (2005) have replaced newer B7s (2006) that went to taunton.
We seem to have got old and new.

There is certainly massive variety in Cornwall now with all the different buses first have, one of my Flickr contacts took a photo at camborne depot and there are 5 or 6 buses in view and no two the same. And as for western greyhound is a right mix and match!

 

[ryson357]

According to UKbuses website, first have got 2 DAF Wright Cadets from Go Ahead London. Not sure if it's true but if someone sees it around in Kernow, defiantly like to see it

http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/fdc.pdf

 

[richw]

According to UKbuses website, first have got 2 DAF Wright Cadets from Go Ahead London. Not sure if it's true but if someone sees it around in Kernow, defiantly like to see it

http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/fdc.pdf

They are both in Kernow, but not with First.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swbuspics/16247633272/

 

[ryson357]

They are both in Kernow, but not with First.....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/swbuspics/16247633272/

Thought that was the case, thanks anyway

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thought that was the case, thanks anyway

UK buses are still showing 32523/4 at Taunton - still in Halifax and no suggestion that they were/are/will ever leave to head to South West.