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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

Express380

Member
Joined
7 Mar 2020
Messages
405
Location
.
Screenshot 2026-01-19 140722.png
Well this is giving one of the mini buses a stretch if it's true! Image of 54113 tracking on a Lands End route.
 
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RailUK Forums

DaveHarries

Established Member
Joined
12 Dec 2011
Messages
2,576
Location
England
I have just been looking at the agenda for Somerset Council's Bus Advisory Board at which any changes proposed are mentioned as part of the meeting. Going by the changes proposed for 05th April 2026 it would seem that First have decided to merge Taunton town routes 1, 4 & 6 into one route (Service 1) although I can't see why. The Eastwick Road section of route 1 will also be dropped which may not go down too well but perhaps someone else will step in to provide a replacement for Eastwick Road.

Changes also in the pipeline for Service 14 (Bridgwater) (revised timetable and possibly a revised route "in the Durleigh Road area to incorporate a section of route that used to be served by this service" as well as routes 25, 54, 126, 173, 174, 374, 375 & 376 (timetables only: no route changes). Tender results also pending for Services 14 & 126. There are also changes also in the pipeline for the Yeovil area routes.

Link to changes from the agenda of the B.A.B which also incorporates a few changes from Hatch Green:

I somehow find myself wondering how First will thread routes 1, 4 & 6 into a single route without perhaps some confusion among passengers: we will see.

HTIOI,
Dave
 
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Citistar

Member
Joined
4 Apr 2017
Messages
578
Location
The Magical Mendips
I somehow find myself wondering how First will thread routes 1, 4 & 6 into a single route without perhaps some confusion among passengers: we will see.

I'm guessing that they're trying to reduce the number of trips in and out of the traffic hotspot of Taunton town centre. From the fairly vague description, i would propose that the 1 runs as current up to Priorswood Road (after looping the estate), then left at the A358 roundabout, over the railway, across at the next roundabout, then left on to Hamilton Road to take up the 4 route to the Lane Estate loop, returning the same junction and then heading off down Wordsworth Road to run the 6 loop and back in to town.

If this is correct, it will take a painfully long time to get in from the Wellsprings end of the 1 route to the town centre.
 

Rutland Road

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2025
Messages
42
Location
Norton Fitzwarren
I'm guessing that they're trying to reduce the number of trips in and out of the traffic hotspot of Taunton town centre. From the fairly vague description, i would propose that the 1 runs as current up to Priorswood Road (after looping the estate), then left at the A358 roundabout, over the railway, across at the next roundabout, then left on to Hamilton Road to take up the 4 route to the Lane Estate loop, returning the same junction and then heading off down Wordsworth Road to run the 6 loop and back in to town.

If this is correct, it will take a painfully long time to get in from the Wellsprings end of the 1 route to the town centre.
Looks like introduction of across-town routes, perhaps a 1A and a 1B, where a bus arriving back at Taunton Parade on the existing route 1 continues as a route 4. 30 minutes later a currently terminating 1 continues as a route 6 and soforth alternating. Combined PVR of 3, same as now where route 1 has a PVR of 2 and routes 4 & 6 share the same bus alternating. Makes direct journeys such as Hamilton Road to Railway Station possible, presumably with a single fare.
 

Lizard1324

Member
Joined
19 Feb 2020
Messages
709
Location
Cornwall
Has it been announced who will run the truro park and ride yet from the 15th Feb. Is first keeping it or is go cornwall running it
 

Andyh82

Established Member
Joined
19 May 2014
Messages
4,635
I’ve just acquired the rare First Kernow Summer 2020 timetable off eBay. The original post tender loss timetable which of course never happened

Interesting that they were planning on running the 35 & 47 on a commercial basis

The 91 would have been every 30 minutes as well
 
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Jamesbus80

Member
Joined
24 Jun 2016
Messages
54
Location
Fareham, Hampshire
Probably the wrong thread (as it is now a First Solent bus) but 44951 entered service from Hilsea depot today on route 22, in full Kernow Green with an old pink f symbol on the front.
Source - private photo on Facebook
 

baza585

Member
Joined
1 Aug 2010
Messages
726
Probably the wrong thread (as it is now a First Solent bus) but 44951 entered service from Hilsea depot today on route 22, in full Kernow Green with an old pink f symbol on the front.
Source - private photo on Facebook
But didn't last the day; replaced by 44917. Hopefully teething troubles.
 

Fletcj10

Member
Joined
28 Apr 2023
Messages
156
Location
Reading
So first question being will vehicles be included?
To my knowledge unless i'm wrong.... these are the vehicles they currently have and i imagine they will transfer over as can't think these would be used else where in First?
20808260ERYVOLVOB9RPANTHER
23651XFF283SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23652481FPOSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23653Y24TRUSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23654UHW661SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23655WSV409SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
24212BF73CCDMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24270BF21EOCMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24274BF21EOJMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24275BF21EOKMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24276BF21EOLMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
 

Whiteway215

Established Member
Joined
15 Sep 2015
Messages
2,146
Location
Bath
To my knowledge unless i'm wrong.... these are the vehicles they currently have and i imagine they will transfer over as can't think these would be used else where in First?
20808260ERYVOLVOB9RPANTHER
23651XFF283SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23652481FPOSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23653Y24TRUSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23654UHW661SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23655WSV409SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
24212BF73CCDMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24270BF21EOCMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24274BF21EOJMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24275BF21EOKMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24276BF21EOLMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
20808 has gone to Eastern Counties for contract work and is now registered YN62GYR. 23655 is now registered BK15AUY and together with 23654 has passed to Ensign. Both of these are now ‘in preparation’ but whether that is for resale or for transferring within First is not known.
 

Lynford1976

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2015
Messages
218
What's the current situation with Penzance (Long Rock) depot? Weren't First building a new depot? Is that now finished?
 

LAIRA

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2014
Messages
438
To my knowledge unless i'm wrong.... these are the vehicles they currently have and i imagine they will transfer over as can't think these would be used else where in First?
20808260ERYVOLVOB9RPANTHER
23651XFF283SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23652481FPOSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23653Y24TRUSCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23654UHW661SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
23655WSV409SCANIAK360 EB4X2L1LEVANTE
24212BF73CCDMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24270BF21EOCMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24274BF21EOJMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24275BF21EOKMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
24276BF21EOLMERCEDESTOURISMOTOURISMO
Plus the 3 Flix coaches 27001-27003

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Plus the 3 Flix coaches 27001-27003
I am now advised only the Flix coaches will be joining Go South West
 
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Murray J

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2019
Messages
790
Location
Southampton
The Flix coaches will be remaining with First, running out of Truronian but as a First operation.
Are you sure? The depot and Truronian itself are being sold to Go-Ahead, unless solely the Flixbus vehicles are staying in Cornwall and being outstationed somewhere this doesn't make sense, First aren't going to run a contract at a Go-Ahead owned company.
 

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