There has been speculation of First winding down their Plymouth-area operations. I wonder whether this is any more likely since Go-Ahead took over Liskeard-area operations from Western Greyhound, thus strenthening their grip of the Plymouth area? Also Stagecoach may like route 93, as this ventures east of Plymouth.
Unless Stagecoach had a outstation in Plymouth or Dartmouth, operating the 93 would prove difficult, and lots of dead mileage. I agree however, this would be best placed under the Stagecoach Gold brand if it were to happen.
As for first winding down, they haven't canned any services in a while.
First also know that Go-Ahead would now find it a challenge to up the mileage in Plymouth, as of late, they have already been pushing PVR on a lot of routes back to the bare bones and had their fingers burnt on many occasions, especially having the Tavistock route on PVR 4, and had to up it to PVR 5 and interwork it with the Tamerton service, with the PVR also increasing on that as a result.
To do this, they have reduced the frequency on other routes, including the 5 and 5/A on Saturdays, reducing the combined frequency from every 10 to every 15 mins, as well as changing the PVR on the 43 at weekends to balance it out during the week.
When the DDA Deadline comes in, a big scale cut back is likely for First. PCB have lots of older SLF Darts running around, many of which don't currently meet DDA. To combat this, they are fitting ramps onto the Darts which don't have them.
Things will carry on for now, until the next financial year, when a review is carried out, and PCB may then look at upping the mileage along with a re-org of the Go Cornwall Bus operation, possibly freeing up mileage and PVR for a new service in Plymouth.
If PCB target Mountbatten & Hooe with a XCity service to the North of the City (Southway via Derriford Hospital) then this may well then put another nail in First Plymouth coffin, as the 2 is a lucrative route.
