First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[South Westerly]

Between 0835 and 0840 this morning it was outside Redruth station operating an 18 in the direction of Truro. There was a man taking a photo of it, so I'll look out for that photo on Flickr.
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I've just rethought what my contact said. It may not be brand new but cascaded Streetlites he referred to, as he just said getting a fleet of them.
This could mean 2-3 year old ones from elsewhere.

Nope! No Streetlites from anywhere this coming year (April to March)
As the Granzwazoo suspects, there will be plenty of transfers in, not least of course, because DDA will require during the year that all non-DDA single decks will have to be either converted (a small number) or replaced. The WG expansion probably increases that by another 20ish so I would expect to see something like 35 replacements required here by the end of the year, some from within First as new buses are delivered elsewhere, some where reductions release buses in specific places, or for a balance, maybe bought in from Ensignbus.
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Opentop Volvo B7TL 32027 in camborne today.
In the same green livery as the mousehole slimline solo.
First low floor open topper down here?

And for the new open top route in Falmouth I believe!

 

[fgwrich]

Opentop Volvo B7TL 32027 in camborne today.
In the same green livery as the mousehole slimline solo.
First low floor open topper down here?

Are there any pictures of this anywhere? I can't seem to find any reference to it since it hit the tree in Bristol in a white livery from Volvo.

 

[mic]

are 42860/71 to 76 DDA compliance

 

[diffywood]

Are there any pictures of this anywhere? I can't seem to find any reference to it since it hit the tree in Bristol in a white livery from Volvo.

seen this on flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/firstbristol/15254212090/

 

[LAIRA]

are 42860/71 to 76 DDA compliance

As they are all 03 or 53 reg they will be compliant, it is only the very early darts that were not.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As they are all 03 or 53 reg they will be compliant, it is only the very early darts that were not.

A more intriguing prospect is First Devon where the elderly fleet there is largely non compliant, being made up predominantly of S reg Darts, W reg B6s, and T/W reg Tridents. Apart from the odd Solo and Dart, I think DDA is confined to a few B7Ls, two Tridents and three e400s.

That will require some work in terms of replacements or recertification assuming that FD still exists by December given PCB's further expansion plans

 

[LAIRA]

The ex Hong Long Darts and the B6's all have ramps so unless the wheelchair space size is too small the will be complaint.
The only buses that are not complaint are 42463 42724 and probably 48210 as the seating layout is different in that bus.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The ex Hong Long Darts and the B6's all have ramps so unless the wheelchair space size is too small the will be complaint.
The only buses that are not complaint are 42463 42724 and probably 48210 as the seating layout is different in that bus.

I travelled on B6 48217 of Wells depot just before Christmas. Whilst I'm not fully up to speed on the internal dimensions etc, it did look like a case of recertification on those. Not so certain on the older Darts because of the wheelchair space etc.

Hence why I mentioned recertification. That said, there's no escaping the "mature" aspect of the fleet and that will need tackling at some point too

 

[South Westerly]

A more intriguing prospect is First Devon where the elderly fleet there is largely non compliant, being made up predominantly of S reg Darts, W reg B6s, and T/W reg Tridents. Apart from the odd Solo and Dart, I think DDA is confined to a few B7Ls, two Tridents and three e400s.

That will require some work in terms of replacements or recertification assuming that FD still exists by December given PCB's further expansion plans

Many of the Tridents are DDA spec from their single door conversions, but of course they are not due to comply for nearly two years yet.

 

[Robertj21a]

The ex Hong Long Darts and the B6's all have ramps so unless the wheelchair space size is too small the will be complaint.
The only buses that are not complaint are 42463 42724 and probably 48210 as the seating layout is different in that bus.

If they are (approx) Y-reg onwards they will most probably be DDA-compliant. Otherwise, older vehicles will need to be modified (the ramp is only one section of the specifications).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Many of the Tridents are DDA spec from their single door conversions, but of course they are not due to comply for nearly two years yet.

Indeed, the deckers aren't the most pressing because of the more distant deadline. Wasn't certain on the ex London fleet (because of what work was done on conversion). Wondered if they were just a recertification job and same with the ex Bath/Bristol ones - I did forget about the Mayflower ones which will certainly be compliant though

It'll be a busy old fleet this year

 

[Accelerator59]

Does anybody know why the digital bus time displays are currently switched off?

 

[Temple Meads]

Does anybody know why the digital bus time displays are currently switched off?

Because they'd be confused with the alterations following WGL's closure. Would seem the service alterations haven't been loaded into the system yet.

 

[Penwithian]

Solo 53826 (which was on the 6 yesterday) was in Camborne with damage to it and 53709 is still VOR here so may explain why an Olympian was on the 6.

The two new Marshall Dart arrivals were being used today with 41490 on the 47 and 41383 on the 39.

In Penzance today, Optare Solos 53701 and 53801 were on the 6 to Mousehole; 53805 on 11 Town service, while repaired 53826 was on the 1c to Lamorna. What was the damage which required attention at Cambourne?
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Nope! No Streetlites from anywhere this coming year (April to March)
As the Granzwazoo suspects, there will be plenty of transfers in, not least of course, because DDA will require during the year that all non-DDA single decks will have to be either converted (a small number) or replaced. The WG expansion probably increases that by another 20ish so I would expect to see something like 35 replacements required here by the end of the year, some from within First as new buses are delivered elsewhere, some where reductions release buses in specific places, or for a balance, maybe bought in from Ensignbus.
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And for the new open top route in Falmouth I believe!

What is the new open top route in Falmouth?

Does anyone know if service 300 Land's End to St Ives will be heritage bus operated as last year?
Also is there a chance the full original 300 route (Penzance-Land's End- St Ives- Penzance) be reinstated?

 

[Accelerator59]

Because they'd be confused with the alterations following WGL's closure. Would seem the service alterations haven't been loaded into the system yet.

That's a good point. Didn't think of that haha. Thanks

 

[Westnat]

The FalRiver 2015 guide includes a timetable for the Falmouth Open Top Tour running daily 25/5 to 26/9/15 every hour from 10am to 5pm. It starts from the Ponsharden Park & Ride site. A photo of First open top 34137 is used to illustrate it.

 

[richw]

What is the new open top route in Falmouth?

Its part of the Fal River P&R contract requiring a Low Floor open topper.
I've been told The Falmouth park and ride site this year will also be served by U1, U2 & U3 along with the 400 which is the open top service so should be improved frequency.
The U1 U2 and U3 are all part of the Fal River contract.

 

[Goldfish62]

If they are (approx) Y-reg onwards they will most probably be DDA-compliant. Otherwise, older vehicles will need to be modified (the ramp is only one section of the specifications).

Basically everything from late X-reg onwards had to be DDA complaint as built.

Where there might be exceptions is where side and/or rear destination equipment has been removed (particularly prevalent on ex-London and Truronian buses where side and rear manual equipment has been removed but not replaced by LEDs). DDA requires side number/destination and rear number so some buses will need these reinstated.

 

[richw]

The FalRiver 2015 guide includes a timetable for the Falmouth Open Top Tour running daily 25/5 to 26/9/15 every hour from 10am to 5pm. It starts from the Ponsharden Park & Ride site. A photo of First open top 34137 is used to illustrate it.

Guide is downloadable for free online, over 100 pages though. I found it with google term "Fal River Guide 2015"

 

[83G/84D]

The open top Volvo B7TL 32027 seems to have vanished from Camborne, in fact I have not seen it despite looking since the weekend. The other Volvo B7TL from Leicester may have gone as well, anyone seen it?
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Service changes in Cornwall from 29 March
Sunday 29 March 2015
SERVICE 21 (Newquay - St Austell)
The 21 will be changing from Sunday 29 March. The changes to the current timetable are the adding of two extra journeys from Monday to Saturday as follows:-
06:26 from Fraddon Services to Newquay Manor Road Bus Station (arrives 06:57)
23:03 from Newquay Manor Road Bus Station to Fraddon Services (arrives 23:31)
Please click below to view the timetable.

NEW SERVICE 59 (Newquay - Hendra - Quntrell Downs)
We have a new service starting from Monday 30 March. The 59 is an hourly Monday to Saturday (except public holidays) circular service between Newquay, Hendra Holiday Park, Quintrell Downs, Hendra Holiday Park and Newquay. Please click below to view the timetable.

SERVICE 87 (Newquay - Perranporth - Truro)
A revised timetable is being introduced with all journeys after 08:45 serving Perran Sands Holiday Park. An additional journey will run from Monday to Friday only. This departs Goonhavern (opposite New Inn) at 06:28 to Truro Bus Station (arrives 07:26). Please click below to view the timetable.

SERVICE 93 (Newquay - Truro)
The 18:50 departure from Newquay Manor Road Bus Station will now depart 20 minutes earlier at 18:30 and will now arrive into Truro Bus Station at 19:39. Please click below to view the timetable.

SERVICE 527 (Newquay - St Austell)
All journeys on this service will have a change to their routing (both directions) and between Lane Cross Roads and Newquay Town Centre will run via Trencreek, Trerice Drive and the Chester Road Shops. All southbound journeys will consequentially depart from Newquay Manor Road Bus Station two minutes earlier at 55 minutes past the hour. Please click below to view the timetable.

SERVICE 556/557 (Newquay - Padstow)
This is a change to the timetable and the route numbers - from this date all trips will be numbered as 556. Please click below to view the timetable.

SERVICE 558 (Newquay Local Service)
All journeys will operate five minutes later throughout.

Recent Service changes. (Sorry if already posted).

 

[South Westerly]

Its part of the Fal River P&R contract requiring a Low Floor open topper.
I've been told The Falmouth park and ride site this year will also be served by U1, U2 & U3 along with the 400 which is the open top service so should be improved frequency.
The U1 U2 and U3 are all part of the Fal River contract.

It's more of a partnership than a contract!
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The open top Volvo B7TL 32027 seems to have vanished from Camborne, in fact I have not seen it despite looking since the weekend. The other Volvo B7TL from Leicester may have gone as well, anyone seen it?

Both still in Cornwall. The open top may well be under cover in Penzance. The Leicester B7TL isn't going, it's a transfer rather than a loan. There are more low floor deckers promised from within Group in the not too distant future. The Olympians may be working harder than ever now, but it won't be for long!!!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is that a clue that future deckers will be B7s rather than Tridents that have hitherto featured as the low floor decker of choice?

Also, and I confess my ignorance, what is the relationship with the University on U1-3? Do they financially support those routes or is it less tangible support?

 

[83G/84D]

It's more of a partnership than a contract!
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Both still in Cornwall. The open top may well be under cover in Penzance. The Leicester B7TL isn't going, it's a transfer rather than a loan. There are more low floor deckers promised from within Group in the not too distant future. The Olympians may be working harder than ever now, but it won't be for long!!!

I meant that the ex Leicester B7 has possibly gone from Camborne not from Cornwall.

 

[Robertj21a]

It's more of a partnership than a contract!
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Both still in Cornwall. The open top may well be under cover in Penzance. The Leicester B7TL isn't going, it's a transfer rather than a loan. There are more low floor deckers promised from within Group in the not too distant future. The Olympians may be working harder than ever now, but it won't be for long!!!

Leicester still has quite a lot of B7TLs that could be transferred if replacement vehicles there are planned in the imminent new bus order.

 

[South Westerly]

Is that a clue that future deckers will be B7s rather than Tridents that have hitherto featured as the low floor decker of choice?

Also, and I confess my ignorance, what is the relationship with the University on U1-3? Do they financially support those routes or is it less tangible support?

Not at all, the powers that be seem to quite like their Tridents. Tridents are generally less suited to long running and a tad less robust, but by contrast B7s are complicated, more electronically complicated, and incredibly expensive on parts.

The Unis went out to tender for a specific service, but accepted a variant bid from First to incorporate it into the network and to provide a reduced fare for students.
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Leicester still has quite a lot of B7TLs that could be transferred if replacement vehicles there are planned in the imminent new bus order.

I never mentioned Leicester as a source or B7TLs!

 

[richw]

An Enviro 400 was on the 18 this morning coming out of Truro just after 11am. Escaped from the U routes!
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http://issuu.com/falriver/docs/2015_fal_river_guide_web?e=9784180/11479131
Link to Fal River guide mentioned above

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not at all, the powers that be seem to quite like their Tridents. Tridents are generally less suited to long running and a tad less robust, but by contrast B7s are complicated, more electronically complicated, and incredibly expensive on parts.

The Unis went out to tender for a specific service, but accepted a variant bid from First to incorporate it into the network and to provide a reduced fare for students.
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That was my take in that Tridents were the preferred option so a little surprised that a B7TL was a permanent transfer.

 

[83G/84D]

Slightly off-topic but the TV&GWOT website has the line up for Penzance Running Day on 19th April:-

http://www.tvagwot.org.uk/event-penzance.htm

Looking good!

 

[Robertj21a]

.
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I never mentioned Leicester as a source or B7TLs!

No, never suggested you did ! - it was merely a statement of fact about First's vehicles in Leicester.

 

[richw]

V124LGC is booked. Is that the open topper that's recently arrived?