• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

Rutland Road

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2025
Messages
42
Location
Norton Fitzwarren
I am very intrigued to see...I think the open top element was a major part of the attraction for the route, and I would have thought it was worthwhile it being specified in the tender. Undoubtedly it would make the tender cost more, but I think this would easily be received back in the extra patronage it would encourage.

Last I heard was that tree encroachment would prevent OTs west of Lynmouth and that it was proposed to run single-deckers on this section. I think First Bus only tendered for the eastern section, intending to run their OTs between Minehead and Lynmouth.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

YorkRailFan

Established Member
Joined
6 Sep 2023
Messages
3,479
Location
York
Still no news on this from any operator - I would have thought it would be a May start!
It will be operated by Stagecoach from 23rd May with a change of bus required in Lynmouth:
300: Ilfracombe – Lynmouth – Minehead (Stagecoach)
New service operating until 31 August 2026, replacing the Exmoor Coaster that has operated in previous years. The route will be operated in two connecting parts (change of bus required in Lynmouth) with 3 journeys each way across both sections

There's more information in the Stagecoach South West thread from this post onwards: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/stagecoach-south-west-fleet-news-discussion.205386/post-7765821
 

markymark2000

On Moderation
Joined
11 May 2015
Messages
5,138
Location
Great Britain
It will be operated by Stagecoach from 23rd May with a change of bus required in Lynmouth:
Shame to see this change. I think the through journeys are what made the service so much better for passengers. I probably wouldn't trust such connections in Lynmouth as if any connections are missed, there is not an awful lot there to keep yourself occupied while you wait for the next bus, or re-route yourself if something happens and breaks the connection on the last bus.
 

YorkRailFan

Established Member
Joined
6 Sep 2023
Messages
3,479
Location
York
Shame to see this change. I think the through journeys are what made the service so much better for passengers. I probably wouldn't trust such connections in Lynmouth as if any connections are missed, there is not an awful lot there to keep yourself occupied while you wait for the next bus, or re-route yourself if something happens and breaks the connection on the last bus.
It will be an Open-Top from Minehead to Lynmouth & a single decker from Lynmouth to Ilfracombe. I believe it will be a "guaranteed connection" but no information about through fares yet.
 

TheGrandWazoo

Veteran Member
Joined
18 Feb 2013
Messages
23,041
Location
Somerset with international travel (e.g. across th
Shame to see this change. I think the through journeys are what made the service so much better for passengers. I probably wouldn't trust such connections in Lynmouth as if any connections are missed, there is not an awful lot there to keep yourself occupied while you wait for the next bus, or re-route yourself if something happens and breaks the connection on the last bus.
Not in my experience. When you got to Lynmouth, the vehicles would largely empty. As for Lynmouth, there's plenty of cafes, the cliff railway, etc.

It will be an Open-Top from Minehead to Lynmouth & a single decker from Lynmouth to Ilfracombe. I believe it will be a "guaranteed connection" but no information about through fares yet.
Hmmm.... Not certain how guaranteed those connections will be!
 

Rutland Road

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2025
Messages
42
Location
Norton Fitzwarren
It will be an Open-Top from Minehead to Lynmouth & a single decker from Lynmouth to Ilfracombe. I believe it will be a "guaranteed connection" but no information about through fares yet.
Curious that this is being operated as two separate services, both with the same route number 300. A recipe for confusion I suspect.
 

Andyh82

Established Member
Joined
19 May 2014
Messages
4,620
I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but the Flixbus coaches have now moved to First Beeline with a new outstation at "WHEAL BRITON TRAVEL, WEST END, BLACKWATER, TRURO"

 

Rutland Road

Member
Joined
2 Aug 2025
Messages
42
Location
Norton Fitzwarren
The six First Bus Somerset OTs are being cleared out. Four at Taunton Hamilton Road depot have already gone and two stored at Yeovil outstation due to go, or possibly already gone.
 

Whiteway215

Established Member
Joined
15 Sep 2015
Messages
2,141
Location
Bath
All six have been purchased by Buy a Bus, The Bus Garage, Belvedere Road, Burnham - on - Crouch, Essex.
33600 collected from Minehead 14 August, 32737/38 from Yeovil 18 August, 32739 from Yeovil 27 August, 33575 from Taunton 29 August and 32740 from Yeovil on 4 September.
I understand all were driven away despite being stored for so long.
 

Top