Western Greyhound Fire and subsequent WG general discussion.

[TheGrandWazoo]

The website just says "This website is not available until further notice".

Listened to the 13:00 bulletin on BBC Radio Cornwall, and one driver they spoke to had said they knew that something like this was going to come, and so it wasn't a great surprise. Another driver has said they may now seek employment outwith the bus industry. So, it's no means certain that all the staff will move to other bus companies.

Going back to the Summercourt depot, I wasn't aware that in First days, Newquay was an outstation. But in NBC days, did Western National have an full depot in Newquay, or was it just an outstation?

Whatever happens, it's the end of an era.

In NBC days (and before), there was a full depot in Tolcarne Rd, Newquay. Also depots at Snozell, Truro, Penzance, and Camborne plus Falmouth and Helston (until they closed in 1980 - replaced with outstations).

NQ depot lasted til c.1990 when the depot was sold for housing but the adjoining yard kept as an outbase (plus a former British Gas compound opposite). Think it went c.2006 but was still very active in 2001 when I was on a stag weekend down there

 

[83G/84D]

At least six Western Greyhound liveried buses (3 Solo's & 3 Dart's) parked up at First Camborne depot a short time ago with one being worked on in an engineering bay.

 

[KendalKing]

Here is the letter, which all staff should of received

http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/We...egret-letter/story-26167035-detail/story.html

 

[fgwrich]

At least six Western Greyhound liveried buses (3 Solo's & 3 Dart's) parked up at First Camborne depot a short time ago with one being worked on in an engineering bay.

Could they just be for First to use to cover WGs services I wonder (and to check the 'hired' buses maintenance is up to scratch) or have First put some calls in to save some of the decent Solos I wonder? Certainly if I was First and in a position to pick up some of the former WG fleet I'd consider the Wright Cadets not for Cornwall but the Plymouth operations - and with a good refurbishment of course!

 

[83G/84D]

Could they just be for First to use to cover WGs services I wonder (and to check the 'hired' buses maintenance is up to scratch) or have First put some calls in to save some of the decent Solos I wonder? Certainly if I was First and in a position to pick up some of the former WG fleet I'd consider the Wright Cadets not for Cornwall but the Plymouth operations - and with a good refurbishment of course!

I have a contact I can ask next week, don't know what if anything they can say or know but I'll ask anyway.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Could they just be for First to use to cover WGs services I wonder (and to check the 'hired' buses maintenance is up to scratch) or have First put some calls in to save some of the decent Solos I wonder? Certainly if I was First and in a position to pick up some of the former WG fleet I'd consider the Wright Cadets not for Cornwall but the Plymouth operations - and with a good refurbishment of course!

SouthWesterly will probably know.

Why the Dafs for Plymouth - they don't have any either? Anyhow, I wonder if they've even paid for them yet??

Assuming that they're to cover for WG work in the short term, wonder if it's the 550/1 and the 522 may also be involved? Guess a lot will come clearer in the next day or two

 

[KendalKing]

Taken from the First website:-

Replacement buses for Western Greyhound routes from Monday 16 March.

This afternoon, following agreement with Cornwall Council to step in, we can confirm we anticipate well run some form of replacement bus service from Monday, following the cessation of Western Greyhounds services today.

We are currently working on driver duties, schedules and timetables and we are sure you will appreciate this takes time. As well as working on these they also need to have them approved by the Regulators and Cornwall Council before we can publish and implement. Again this takes time. There may be some minor amends to services/timetables so we ask all passengers to check the timetables closely.

We will endeavour to publish timetables on our website and social media feeds as soon as we are able over this weekend. We expect to have everything available by Monday morning. Timetables at the bus stops will also be updated as soon as we can, however, again, we ask passengers to appreciate this is a lengthy process too. We will also try to have printed timetables in our travel shops early next week.
Please keep checking our Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates.

A big thanks in advance to all our team who will be working extra this weekend to arrange these emergency services and timetables.

 

[richw]

First have arranged purchase of 10 vehicles from WG and will be transferring a further 8 vehicles from First elsewhere in the country to cover for short term registrations.

WG arranged with members of First management to spend the day at Summercourt depot, discussing employment opportunities amongst other things with the WG staff
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just seen on Facebook

Services 584 and 595 based at Wadebridge will be operated from Monday 16 March 2015 by Stagecoach South West

Services 555 bodmin parkway to Padstow together with the 593 renumbered 75 between bodmin and liskeard will be operated by Plymouth citybus operation go Cornwall.


Most other routes will be run by first kernow

 

[Volvodart]

Cornwall council website has a full list of who is doing what.

 

[richw]

Cornwall council website has a full list of who is doing what.

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/western-greyhound-buses/

520

St Austell - Grampound – Truro



First - 520 New Arrangement


521

Newquay - St Dennis - St Austell

First 21 - Service already in place and Evenings and Sundays


522

St Austell – Truro



First - 522 New Arrangement


524

Fowey - St Austell - Mevagissey - Heligan Gardens

First 24 - Service already in place but will add evenings and Sundays in line 524


525

Fowey - Par - St Austell - Mevagissey

First - 525 New Arrangement with revised time


527

Newquay - Eden Project

First - 527 New Arrangement with revised time


529

St Austell - Bodmin

First 27 - Service already in place add evenings and Sundays in line 529


550

Truro - Probus - Tregony - Portscatho - St Mawes

First - 550 New Arrangement possible revised time


551

Truro - Probus - Tregony - Veryan

First - combined with the 550 new arrangement


555

Bodmin Parkway - Padstow

Plymouth City Bus - 75 new arrangement with revised times


556

Newquay – Padstow

First - 556 new arrangement


558

Newquay - Mayfield – Pentire

First - 558 new arrangement


584

Wadebridge - Camelford

Stagecoach - 584 new arrangement


586

Newquay - Truro

First - 585 new arrangement with revised times


587

Newquay - Crantock - Cubert - Perranporth - St Agnes - Truro

First 87 - Service already in place, varied to include St Agnes


593

Liskeard - Bodmin (Bodmin to St Columb Major leg removed)

Plymouth City Bus - 75 new arrangement with revised timetable


594

Wadebridge - St Columb Major - Truro

First 90,91 & 92 - Service already in place but with variations to service St Columb Major


595

Wadebridge - Boscastle - Bude

Stagecoach - 595 new arrangement


597

Newquay - St Columb Major - Fraddon - Summercourt - Truro

First 90,91 & 92 - Service already in place but with variations to service St Columb Major


LIS105

Liskeard - school run

Group Travel - New arrangement until end of academic year

 

[Rich McLean]

It seems that First were well prepared for this happening, it was just a matter of when.

 

[richw]

It seems that First were well prepared for this happening, it was just a matter of when.

As were Cornwall Council. The council produced an action plan for this occurrence before it was sold in December, as they were days away from closure before the take overs.

The directors had reportedly forewarned the council it was a possibility early this week, but they were working to secure funding which ultimately proved unsucceful

 

[matt_splat]

i'm guessing Plymouth City Bus might park a bus in the first outstation in Padstow for the 75.

i'm in cornwall next weekend and the start of the week after so may well enjoy some time exploring the new network of services that are going to be running about

 

[richw]

I'm guessing Ride Cornwall will be restricted to First now.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

i'm guessing Plymouth City Bus might park a bus in the first outstation in Padstow for the 75.

i'm in cornwall next weekend and the start of the week after so may well enjoy some time exploring the new network of services that are going to be running about

Outstation of an outstation! I think they'll run it from Liskeard to make it easier to manage. 47 miles from Padstow to Milehouse. Enjoy the explore!!!

 

[Hophead]

There have certainly been some rum goings-on with this company over recent years. I wonder if some of the truth will emerge some time in the not too distant future?

Note: I am not looking for wild speculation, nor possibly slanderous allegations, just hoping for some facts when the dust has settled (whenever that may be).

 

[richw]

There have certainly been some rum goings-on with this company over recent years. I wonder if some of the truth will emerge some time in the not too distant future?

Note: I am not looking for wild speculation, nor possibly slanderous allegations, just hoping for some facts when the dust has settled (whenever that may be).

May come out in the public enquiry on 23rd and 24th, assuming they go ahead after the closure?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In addition to the WG vehicles at Camborne, there are some more at Penzance depot.
All solos and Darts.

 

[matt_splat]

Outstation of an outstation! I think they'll run it from Liskeard to make it easier to manage. 47 miles from Padstow to Milehouse. Enjoy the explore!!!

a rather long dead run to be in Padstow for 06:30 in the morning and a costly one

 

[richw]

a rather long dead run to be in Padstow for 06:30 in the morning and a costly one

depends where the driver is based though. If the driver is coming in from Liskeard, might as well take in the bus anyway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just seen online a number of vehicles were transferred from WG to Buses etc yesterday. Unsure whether this is accurate as yet as only seen it on a bus group page on Facebook.

 

[Temple Meads]

I'm guessing Ride Cornwall will be restricted to First now.

Yes, would be good to see Go Cornwall Bus included though...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

depends where the driver is based though. If the driver is coming in from Liskeard, might as well take in the bus anyway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just seen online a number of vehicles were transferred from WG to Buses etc yesterday. Unsure whether this is accurate as yet as only seen it on a bus group page on Facebook.

Indeed, 0530 start for 0630 ex Padstow would be fine. Easier to cover breakdowns/non starters and holidays if run from Liskeard.

 

[bodminnorth]

i'm guessing Plymouth City Bus might park a bus in the first outstation in Padstow for the 75.

i'm in cornwall next weekend and the start of the week after so may well enjoy some time exploring the new network of services that are going to be running about

I'm wondering if they'll grab the lease for the small Greyhound outstation at Kestle Quarry, Sladesbridge (between Bodmin and Wadebridge) I daresay the owner of the yard will probably welcome the trade....this year one transport firm (KTL coaches) has gone bust (again...), and the livestock haulage firm based there is calling it a day at the end of April... will be quite an empty yard!

 

[South Westerly]

SouthWesterly will probably know.

Why the Dafs for Plymouth - they don't have any either? Anyhow, I wonder if they've even paid for them yet??

Assuming that they're to cover for WG work in the short term, wonder if it's the 550/1 and the 522 may also be involved? Guess a lot will come clearer in the next day or two

Not quite as reported. 10 buses (5 Solos and 5 MPDs) were sold to Ensign (I believe they were not owned by WG the company) and have been loaned/rented by Ensign to First. They were collected today from Summercourt by First.

I believe that a couple of further buses are on the way from FSA, but that FK will then have sufficient buses for Monday.

In among today's goings on, which are clearly upsetting for the staff more than anyone else, it is good to hear that WG helped First to get the buses to their depots for preparation for service on Monday, and that the two operators worked together to help drivers looking to find work, with First managers attending WGs premises this afternoon to talk to staff about transferring.

 

[SWTH]

There have certainly been some rum goings-on with this company over recent years. I wonder if some of the truth will emerge some time in the not too distant future?

Note: I am not looking for wild speculation, nor possibly slanderous allegations, just hoping for some facts when the dust has settled (whenever that may be).

I'm fairly sure that there won't be much more in the way of fact to be revealed - if anything, WGL's demise will attract large amounts of speculation and hearsay passed off as facts by people who don't have any real idea of what went on inside the company. I have a fair bit of insider knowledge of course, but in all honesty I have no desire to make any of it public. Whats done is done, and right now over 100 of my ex-colleagues have a very uncertain future. If the Public Inquiry goes ahead it will make for interesting reading.

 

[pne]

I'm guessing Ride Cornwall will be restricted to First now.

I'm guessing so, too. Which is a pity because I had hoped to use it for some exploring around the Bodmin-Liskeard-Looe area as well when visiting next month. (When I started planning my trip, that was all still firmly in WG hands....)

Yes, would be good to see Go Cornwall Bus included though...

It would indeed!

I had asked Cornwall Council about it but they said it was nothing to do with them - that Ride Cornwall was a private arrangement between XC, FGW, FirstKernow and WG and it was up to Go Cornwall whether to join the arrangement or not.

 

[83G/84D]

Seven WG buses at First Camborne this morning. I'll keep a look out over the weekennd for any comings and goings.

 

[overthewater]

I'm fairly sure that there won't be much more in the way of fact to be revealed - if anything, WGL's demise will attract large amounts of speculation and hearsay passed off as facts by people who don't have any real idea of what went on inside the company. I have a fair bit of insider knowledge of course, but in all honesty I have no desire to make any of it public. Whats done is done, and right now over 100 of my ex-colleagues have a very uncertain future. If the Public Inquiry goes ahead it will make for interesting reading.

I would be very surprised if the public inquiry does not go ahead.

 

[DaveHarries]

Yes, would be good to see Go Cornwall Bus included though...

It would also be interesting to see if SCSW keep those two routes out of Wadebridge (and perhaps grab a couple more?) and also it would be interesting to see if GCB expands a bit as well.

Dave

 

[mbonwick]

No surprises that the finger is being pointed at Mark Howarth for the mess...

http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/We...-reemploying/story-26167674-detail/story.html

Mr Bishop said he could not comment on matters relating to the previous owners - Mark Howarth, his wife Mari and Robin Orbell – but did say that the past is "related" to the sudden decision to cease trading. Mr Bishop also declined to comment on issues relating to the repayment of creditors.

 

[83G/84D]

Buses at Camborne having Western Greyhound titles replaced by First one's.