First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[MB162435]

I hope all the people who complained about First not publishing details of subsidised services in their booklet will be just as vocal about a website that claims to be 'Transport for Cornwall' but only contains details for a fraction of the transport services in Cornwall!

To be fair most of the problems with the website and the brand has already been mentioned, we can all be vocal if you would like us to be, but would just be repeating ourselves

The TfC app isn't yet on play store, that's one new problem that hasn't been mentioned

 

[Goldfish62]

PCB are the prime contractor and so they lead/own the partnership so it is part of Go Ahead.

That isn't what the website says. It states that TfC is the renamed "One Public Transport System for Cornwall". TfC is therefore not part of the GoAhead Group.

At the very least the council logo should be there alongside the GA logo and that's before we consider why TfC excludes 50% of the Cornish bus network.

 

[richw]

PCB are the prime contractor and so they lead/own the partnership so it is part of Go Ahead.

it isn’t part of GA. it’s a council branding and was requirement of the tender to use it, whether the tenders were won as a package or individually.
much like Transport for London isn’t Part of any of the operators.

 

[GBM]

Looks like the PR1 is every 15 minutes on a Saturday under the new contract with the service operating until 21:30 as per the weekday, not the current 10 minute frequency

Mostly yes, but Saturday only on 15 minute runs; apart from a few 'oddballs' thrown in to ensure that timing.

 

[GBM]

What you're thinking of was Summer 2018 when there was a 2bph service instead of the enhanced 3bph service. It couldn't cope at times and needed extras running. Where larger buses have been substituted due to breakdowns they operate to Mousehole turning at the Coastguard's.

The situation in Mousehole can be avoided by one bus waiting at the Coastguard's until the previous one comes up from the harbour.

A problem then arises if there's a problem with traffic/pedestrians in the harbour area, and the outgoing one is delayed! There's also the problem if the one supposed to be waiting at the Coastguard is delayed on it's inbound run to Mousehole.
Drivers had a local understanding on lates for the 17 run that the outbound 17 would come through Marazion as and when it could whilst the inbound 17 would wait at the top of Marazion for the outbound to clear. This to avoid meeting in one of the infamous narrows.
Didn't always work of course! Drivers have radio's but only to/from base. Greyhound had inter-bus radio's so could ask each other "where are you?"; or "I've a passenger for changeover at xyz, please wait for me", etc.

 

[Goldfish62]

A problem then arises if there's a problem with traffic/pedestrians in the harbour area, and the outgoing one is delayed! There's also the problem if the one supposed to be waiting at the Coastguard is

Well, it's worked in the past and I don't know what the answer is otherwise.

 

[didbygraham]

The ones that are there are full of issues. Several have no explanation of codes, the 11 opens a random webpage, not the timetable and the description says Wad not Wadebridge, the 12 has errors in timings and why is the 12a separate at the bottom. Separate 16 and 16a timetables is also silly. The Gorran Havern service is just bizarre, particularly the midday loops in Meva and that it doesnt show the St Austell loop properly so it looks like they dont serve the bus station when they do. Also, on the 10 is it legal to show it all as a through service due to length.
Also, surely this site should show all services as otherwise people now need 2 sites, 1 for Kernow and one for GA. Lastly, how are people supposed to know this isn't the full final timetable list as it doesn't say 'more to come'. This is embarrassingly bad and you can see why Kernow published their timetable as you clearly can't rely on GA to give a reliable timetable yet...despite being only 2 weeks out.

It does look like the new web site has been published before its actually ready for public use, which may be an error on someones part. Hopefully the proper full version will be published very soon. However all is not great with Firsts own web site at the moment either
I have been trying to find details of some of the timetable changes FK are making on the 29th - and they are not easy to find. The main site says there are no planned changes at all at the moment. A link from their Facebook / Twitter does link through to a new timetable booklet which you can get by clicking through on a header but the main site does not mention it. In the new booklet there is no mention of what the changes actually are, just the new timetables. I have no doubt at all that First will get it all out very soon as they have been one of the best at publishing details in advance in the past. Everything is changing very fast at the moment for all the operators. I do agree though that there should be one web site for all Cornwall services

 

[MB162435]

https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/18306156.truro-park-ride-will-run-10pm/

Kernow's turn for a bit of publicity articles, this one in regard to the late night PR1s

 

[Busaholic]

PCB are the prime contractor and so they lead/own the partnership so it is part of Go Ahead.

I'm genuinely loath to quibble with someone of your knowledge and experience but I believe your analysis is flawed. PCB are nowhere in this without Cornwall Council whose fingers (ham fists, some might say) are all over this, initiated it and are largely funding it.

 

[Goldfish62]

it isn’t part of GA. it’s a council branding and was requirement of the tender to use it, whether the tenders were won as a package or individually.
much like Transport for London isn’t Part of any of the operators.

Indeed, and PCB cannot possibly be both a contractor and leading/owning the partnership at the same time. The council owns the partnership because it is contracting the work.

 

[MB162435]

Uni MMC 33477 on Newquay runs today, currently on the 12:40 87 service from Truro to Newquay

 

[richw]

Uni MMC 33477 on Newquay runs today, currently on the 12:40 87 service from Truro to Newquay

it was swapped onto a 27 yesterday after a green one broke down in the Truro area. 27 are Summercourt and Bodmin worked so would have ended the day in the wrong place for a blue one

 

[jammy36]

Yes, I find that very strange.

I think its simply because the TfC website is a skin over a standard GoAhead group template. The same basic site is used for Plymouth Citybus, Thames Travel, Oxford Bus Company, Metrobus, Go North East and Go North West as examples. Presumably the "We're part of the GoAhead Group" text is just part of the standard footer for the template. Easily overlooked and presumably can be changed with some adjustment to the template code.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm genuinely loath to quibble with someone of your knowledge and experience but I believe your analysis is flawed. PCB are nowhere in this without Cornwall Council whose fingers (ham fists, some might say) are all over this, initiated it and are largely funding it.

In a legal context. CC and their tender process have led us here but the partnership is really a prime contractor and some subbies

 

[MB162435]

it was swapped onto a 27 yesterday after a green one broke down in the Truro area. 27 are Summercourt and Bodmin worked so would have ended the day in the wrong place for a blue one

Ah right, quite rare for a MMC to break down, seem to have pretty good reliability compared to the rest of the fleet

 

[-Colly405-]

The ones that are there are full of issues. Several have no explanation of codes, the 11 opens a random webpage, not the timetable and the description says Wad not Wadebridge, the 12 has errors in timings and why is the 12a separate at the bottom. Separate 16 and 16a timetables is also silly. The Gorran Havern service is just bizarre, particularly the midday loops in Meva and that it doesnt show the St Austell loop properly so it looks like they dont serve the bus station when they do. Also, on the 10 is it legal to show it all as a through service due to length.
Also, surely this site should show all services as otherwise people now need 2 sites, 1 for Kernow and one for GA. Lastly, how are people supposed to know this isn't the full final timetable list as it doesn't say 'more to come'. This is embarrassingly bad and you can see why Kernow published their timetable as you clearly can't rely on GA to give a reliable timetable yet...despite being only 2 weeks out.

I noticed the "Wad" too...

But ironic that you call them out for that, and then use "Meva" yourself

 

[embers25]

I noticed the "Wad" too...

But ironic that you call them out for that, and then use "Meva" yourself

Fair play

 

[Busaholic]

In a legal context. CC and their tender process have led us here but the partnership is really a prime contractor and some subbies

'Ownership' of the Transport for Cornwall name though is extremely unlikely to be with the Go-Ahead group, as it would imply they have both applied for and been granted the trademark. If that has happened, that would imo be extraordinary, and would suggest connivance on Cornwall Council's part that will receive a great amount of scrutiny, as they might have to 'buy back' the name when the current arrangement becomes unstuck, for whatever reason. Personally, I find it a typical grandiose gesture by this local authority trying to put themselves up there with Transport for London, Transport for Greater Manchester,etc. Learn to walk before you try to run! You're not even a toddler as yet.

 

[carlberry]

Personally, I find it a typical grandiose gesture by this local authority trying to put themselves up there with Transport for London, Transport for Greater Manchester,etc. Learn to walk before you try to run! You're not even a toddler as yet.

If you're suggesting that transport is only for big cities I'm not sure what else it could be called; 'Buses for country bumpkins' perhaps?

 

[Westnat]

If you're suggesting that transport is only for big cities I'm not sure what else it could be called; 'Buses for country bumpkins' perhaps?

How about "Go Cornwall' ?

 

[Busaholic]

If you're suggesting that transport is only for big cities I'm not sure what else it could be called; 'Buses for country bumpkins' perhaps?

Well, if that's your view of Cornwall's inhabitants.....

 

[Lizard1324]

Is the l2 still running at this point as never see the l2 around for a while and never shows up on bus times atm

 

[TechDan2002]

At least it's not dead, but still showing 33421 as not been used in service since 18 feb l, guessing it has a technical issue

Now riding 33071 on the 231. Seems to be running well

 

[MB162435]

Is the l2 still running at this point as never see the l2 around for a while and never shows up on bus times atm

Kernow's running it until the 28th, not the most regular of services, every 2 hours only 4 services a day from Truro and 6 from St Keverne, so you are probably just missing them

 

[Lizard1324]

Anyone know when the older buses are leaving as the newer gemini are arriving

 

[83G/84D]

If all that is true (and I'm in no way implying it's not) then it's very concerning indeed.

On a personal level, though I'd love to get 'stuck in' with councillors, etc, on all this, my life at present revolves round various health matters, partly my own but mainly of my wife, and my natural interest in all this has to be tempered by reality e.g. this time two nights ago my wife was emerging from the operating theatre in Treliske. So, all power to your various elbows, but I'm obliged to take a back seat. Coming on here now is my welcome distraction from the bad news seemingly emanating from all quarters of the world.

Wishing you and your wife well through this difficult time. I have two elderly parents both in their 80's and what's happening at the moment and what's to come in the coming months is giving me concern. It's the not knowing what's coming that is worrying.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Anyone know when the older buses are leaving as the newer gemini are arriving

Probably worth a longer post as you have asked a few questions on this and related topics. @richw will probably be able to add to this, as and when.

The first examples have obviously arrived and some (37012/3) have already been out in service, still in their old 17 livery with vinyls removed. Some will also be heading through the paintshop but it takes a week per vehicle and then application of vinyls.

However, some points that you really need to remember:

• The new vehicles into Bristol have largely replaced elderly ALX400 B7TLs that have been withdrawn but even then, some have had to be reinstated.
• The next batch of new vehicles will enter service later this week BUT Kernow isn't the only recipient of vehicles from Bristol so no guarantees of what will leave and where for; at least one (and perhaps more) has gone to Essex
• Bristol has its own fleet of very old Tridents and B7TLs - some of the latter are W reg - and as they fail, they may not be repaired and so cascade plans may change in the short term
• There are a complex set of cascades required so that new vehicles can release vehicles onto the Aquae services to release the current X39 fleet allegedly to the 24 where many of the Geminis destined for Kernow currently live AND Bristol is also repainting a large number of vehicles
• Depending on what schools contracts FK win will determine how many vehicles they need. It has been rumoured that they may even need to retain some Tridents but I stress that is pure speculation

The Kernow FB page (and it was posted on here) showed the list of vehicles and most will be released in April but not exactly when.

I know you're keen but it's probably going to be a little while until things are sorted and the cascade is completed.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Wishing you and your wife well through this difficult time. I have two elderly parents both in their 80's and what's happening at the moment and what's to come in the coming months is giving me concern. It's the not knowing what's coming that is worrying.

Can only echo this. Wishing @Busaholic the best - would be troubling anyway but these are strange times.

 

[co-tr-paul]

PZ running day now cancelled according to Fb.

 

[Goldfish62]

PZ running day now cancelled according to Fb.

Yes, definitely cancelled.