First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Cesarcollie]

Doubt it needs deckers for Chelmsford P&R; perhaps release e200mmc from elsewhere but not really a capacity challenge

Agreed, and I doubt ECC would accept buses that old, even on a temporary basis. So yes, if true, likely will displace newer SD’s to P&R.

 

[stuart81]

Doubt it needs deckers for Chelmsford P&R; perhaps release e200mmc from elsewhere but not really a capacity challenge

I vaguely remember a while ago there was plans to transfer Hadleigh's B9TL's to Eastern Counties - wonder if that plan is back on the radar?

Chelmsford P&R from memory has always been single deck at relevant high frequency at peak times

 

[Snozzel]

I'm interested to see when they depart Summercourt, wouldn't mind going up to watch them leave.

Go cornwall drivers start in newquay depot on sunday and finish in summercourt, so i guess all should be done by the afternoon.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

I vaguely remember a while ago there was plans to transfer Hadleigh's B9TL's to Eastern Counties - wonder if that plan is back on the radar?

Chelmsford P&R from memory has always been single deck at relevant high frequency at peak times

I agree that this looks like B9TL replacements at Essex - coincidentally they have nine left.

The P&R work is only one route as I recall - Central Connect are doing the other commercially, so four vehicles can probably be found from the existing single deck fleet.

 

[Pyromaniac]

@aswilliamsuk The Chelmsford P&R is an interesting case come next month.

Central Connect have said they'll run the Sandon route commercially.

Meanwhile First have been awarded the tender and registered on VOSA for both routes.

 

[Cesarcollie]

@aswilliamsuk The Chelmsford P&R is an interesting case come next month.

Central Connect have said they'll run the Sandon route commercially.

Meanwhile First have been awarded the tender and registered on VOSA for both routes.

Correct. Central Connect declined the opportunity to register commercially when the opportunity was offered prior to tendering, failed to win the tender, then said they would run one of the services (Sandon) commercially. Essex have awarded the tender anyway. Can’t say I blame them…..

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Correct. Central Connect declined the opportunity to register commercially when the opportunity was offered prior to tendering, failed to win the tender, then said they would run one of the services (Sandon) commercially. Essex have awarded the tender anyway. Can’t say I blame them…..

It's even more odd than that. If you look at the tender award (attached PDF) then there were two tenderers - First and Stephensons. Begs the question whether CC actually submitted a bid, or if it was a compliant bid.

The tender also mentions that there is a future provision to introduce double deck vehicles at an agreed higher price so, to drag this back to First Kernow, it would seem unlikely that the e400mmcs are headed to Essex for P&R though they may allow something else to move if only in the short term.

 

[Snozzel]

The last bus from fowey safe harbour, go cornwall no longer use this stop.

 

[fgwrich]

Well, with just a final T1 and U1 left to complete their journeys, the curtain comes down on the final lineage of the Western National Omnibus Company.

Despite the mixed nature of the fleet, I will certainly miss First Kernow and the rather smartly presented combinations of All routes two tone Green, the teal and turquoise of the Atlantic Coasters, U Lines two tone Blue, The Tinner two tone Red and some of the many ideas and concepts they had come up with. It’s also fair to say that whilst they’ve not been without their faults, they’ve been fairly ambitious too thanks to Alex Carter and Marc Morgan Hews, even if some of it didn’t pay off in the end.

And finally, I want to wish all the staff farewell and all the best for the future. Thank you for driving me around the Duchy over the years!

 

[Liam L]

33305 WK18 CFX has the honour of being the final service bus.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

View attachment 198163The last bus from fowey safe harbour, go cornwall no longer use this stop.

Lovely photo

 

[MarkC]

Yes thank you First and all staff concerned. A real sad day for Cornwall bus services and passengers. Unfortunately the same circumstance that happened in Plymouth 10 years ago but we at least had the advantage of Stagecoach moving in and not being left just with Go Ahead! Who knows what will happen west of the Tamar in a few years time though !

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes thank you First and all staff concerned. A real sad day for Cornwall bus services and passengers. Unfortunately the same circumstance that happened in Plymouth 10 years ago but we at least had the advantage of Stagecoach moving in and not being left just with Go Ahead! Who knows what will happen west of the Tamar in a few years time though !

Could be all change again in 2028! I'd have thought that the chances of one operator winning all tenders again is somewhat remote. Last time 29 bids were received from over 25 operators and I'd have thought there'll still be considerable interest next time. Maybe First will have a go assuming the council once again offers their own depots to all bidders! But that's for a new thread nearer the time.

 

[fgwrich]

Well, there seems to be a small twist in the fate of the Sprinters if Bustimes.org is to be believed, as all are listed as transfer to York Pullman for onward sale.

Go Ahead, you know what to do…

 

[Goldfish62]

Well, there seems to be a small twist in the fate of the Sprinters if Bustimes.org is to be believed, as all are listed as transfer to York Pullman for onward sale.

Go Ahead, you know what to do…

I would have thought they'd have gone to Ensign if they were up for sale, but what do I know?!

Whether they stay with York Pullman or move on they'll make decent private hire minicoaches. They all have tachos, aircon and USB A & C. Just need fitting with seatbelts.

 

[JamesC357]

33312-33321 inclusive are the MMCs transferring to Essex, as per Bustimes

 

[Whiteway215]

I would have thought they'd have gone to Ensign if they were up for sale, but what do I know?!

Whether they stay with York Pullman or move on they'll make decent private hire minicoaches. They all have tachos, aircon and USB A & C. Just need fitting with seatbelts.

York Pullman say they’re for resale.

 

[Goldfish62]

York Pullman say they’re for resale.

Thanks.

 

[Whiteway215]

33312-33321 inclusive are the MMCs transferring to Essex, as per Bustimes

33313 is supposed to be for Slough eventually.

 

[Pit_buzzer]

33312-33321 inclusive are the MMCs transferring to Essex, as per Bustimes

33313 isn't showing as Essex on bustimes. 33312 and 33314 to 33321 are the ones showing as transfered. The ultra violet ones like 33313 appear to be being singled out for different destinations to the rest of their batches.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Per Bustimes, 33466/7 have moved to Weymouth and 33473 has gone to Weston-Super-Mare. All B9TLs except 36175 have moved to Eastern Counties per Bustimes, although 36175 hasn't tracked since last December.

 

[Airfrance_A318]

I believe 175 was seen leaving so it is enroute to somewhere or just hasnt been spotted at its arrival point yet.

Per Bustimes, 33466/7 have moved to Weymouth and 33473 has gone to Weston-Super-Mare. All B9TLs except 36175 have moved to Eastern Counties per Bustimes, although 36175 hasn't tracked since last December.

 

[YorkRailFan]

I believe 175 was seen leaving so it is enroute to somewhere or just hasnt been spotted at its arrival point yet.

Ah OK, thanks, I'd imagine it also ends up with Eastern Counties.

Bustimes reports 33474 is also at First West of England now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Feb 2026 ==

33471 also going to West of England per Bustimes.

 

[Airfrance_A318]

Only 48 vehicles left on kernow's bustimes page. I imagine the ones going further north won't be transferred until later due the time they will be on the road for.

 

[Goldfish62]

Only 48 vehicles left on kernow's bustimes page. I imagine the ones going further north won't be transferred until later due the time they will be on the road for.

I wouldn't necessarily rely on Bustimes. Summercourt is completely cleared out and only a handful of buses remain at Camborne yet to be collected.

Three large convoys of buses left Cornwall this morning.

GoCornwall have now moved into Camborne.

 

[Airfrance_A318]

I wouldn't necessarily rely on Bustimes. Summercourt is completely cleared out and only a handful of buses remain at Camborne yet to be collected.

Three large convoys of buses left Cornwall this morning.

GoCornwall have now moved into Camborne.

Yeah got you. I meant that they are still on the road/overnighting somewhere so wont be transferred till they are at their final dest.

 

[Whiteway215]

Yeah got you. I meant that they are still on the road/overnighting somewhere so wont be transferred till they are at their final dest.

The Glasgow ones were scheduled to overnight at Potteries Adderley Green, Stoke.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yeah got you. I meant that they are still on the road/overnighting somewhere so wont be transferred till they are at their final dest.

Ah right. No worries!

 

[Airfrance_A318]

Any ideas on what the fate is for the 3 levantes and the tourismo?

 

[Highland050261]

Any ideas on what the fate is for the 3 levantes and the tourismo?

I believe the Tourismo 24212 is heading to First Aberdeen’s King Coaches.