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Post by wirewiper on Jun 12, 2022 17:59:00 GMT
The Exeter Highways and Traffic Orders Committee, a cross-party body on Exeter City Council, called an extraordinary emergency public meeting on 12th April to discuss the city's ongoing bus crisis. Stagecoach South West's managing director told the meeting that Exeter Depot was 55 drivers short, but 70 are being recruited and around 92% of services - many now reduced in frequency - are running. Stagecoach reduced several service frequencies on a permanent basis from 10th April, with some routes being halved. This is a reflection of current driver levels, and also passenger numbers which have only returned to 70% of pre-Covid levels (although the poor level of service may well be a factor here). Other routes have temporarily-reduced timetables in place and there are "planned cancellations" in force. To compound matters, fares were raised by around 10% in March but the increase was higher for Park & Ride users as dedicated tickets for these services were withdrawn. On the plus side, four City routes now have hourly night buses on Friday and Saturday nights, under contract to the City Council. The meeting concluded that current services are "not fit for purpose" and wants to explore franchising as a way of improving services. Following on from this, Teignbridge District Council has agreed that a motion can go forward to the next full council meeting. The motion calls for the service between Exeter, Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot to be increased from two to three buses an hour "at the earliest opportunity". Devon County Council has responded to the motion by saying that they had an aspiration to increase the service, but had not been allocated funding for it (it would cost around £600,000 a year). There are also calls for the County Council to explore the creation of a "Transport for Devon" organisation to improve public transport and through ticketing, emulating Transport for Cornwall. The Council's ruling cabinet is due to discuss the future managementv of Devon's bus services, and to consider its funding allocation from the Government's "Bus Back Better" funding (the County had bid for £34 million but was only allocated £14 million - and Torbay and Plymouth unitary Councils will receive nothing). www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/transport-devon-needed-improve-countys-7161406
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 18, 2022 17:22:12 GMT
The Plymouth Half-Marathon takes place tomorrow, Sunday 19th June.
Royal Parade and Viaduct will be closed until 09.30, buses will terminate/start at stops in Mayflower Street and Western Approach instead.
Embankment Road will be closed until 14.00. Routes 21/21A, 50/51, X38 and Gold will be diverted via North Hill and Laira and will not serve the Prince Rock area.
Roads around Barbican and The Hoe will be closed until 14.00, route 25 will be suspended until the roads reopen.
(Curiously, routes 2/2A and 5/5A appear to be able to get through to Plymstock despite Laira Bridge being part of the running route in both directions).
The Torbay Half-Marathon takes place the following Sunday, 26th June. The main Torbay Road will be closed between Torquay Pavilion roundabout and Preston, Seaway Road from 07.00 until 12.30 and there will also be closures along Preston and Paignton Seafront. Routes 12, 22, 122 and Gold will be affected.
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markc
Conductor
Posts: 73
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Post by markc on Jun 19, 2022 14:48:48 GMT
Stagecoach drivers don't seem to like the Laira diversion when the Embankment is closed.
Today as per normal in these circumstances most Gold services continued along A38 to Manadon before taking in Mannamead Road and Mutley to Plymouth .
I saw several Gold services near Golden Hind going into Plymouth and out to Torbay
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 27, 2022 11:30:05 GMT
Stagecoach drivers don't seem to like the Laira diversion when the Embankment is closed. Today as per normal in these circumstances most Gold services continued along A38 to Manadon before taking in Mannamead Road and Mutley to Plymouth . I saw several Gold services near Golden Hind going into Plymouth and out to Torbay I am surprised they go that way, going via Laira would at least allow them to serve Marsh Mills.
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 27, 2022 11:31:19 GMT
Stagecoach South West is set to make further service cuts in and around Exeter from 31st July. They are still suffering from severe staff shortages at Matford Depot (Exeter) and journeys are still being cancelled on a daily basis despite reduced timetables having been implemented.
The changes are starting to filter through, a full list when I have them.
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Post by wirewiper on Jun 28, 2022 9:54:31 GMT
Stagecoach South West is set to make further service cuts in and around Exeter from 31st July. They are still suffering from severe staff shortages at Matford Depot (Exeter) and journeys are still being cancelled on a daily basis despite reduced timetables having been implemented. The changes are starting to filter through, a full list when I have them. Stagecoach changes from 31st July are now appearing on Traveline timetables. It is possible that some of the withdrawn routes/sections of route may be picked up by other operators, either with or without Devon County Council funding. 4/4A - withdrawn between Cranbrook and Axminster. Sunday daytime service to run every 30 minutes between Exeter and Cranbrook. 9 - Sunday service between Sidmouth and Honiton withdrawn 9A - withdrawn between Seaton and Lyme Regis 56 - reduced level of service between Exeter St David's Station and Exeter Airport with the daytime short journeys withdrawn K - withdrawn L - withdrawn Red Park & Ride - to run every 20 minutes and serve all stops to replace much of route K Green Park & Ride - peak-hour extension from Sowton Park & Ride to Sowton Industrial Area withdrawn
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 1, 2022 8:32:46 GMT
Stagecoach South West is set to make further service cuts in and around Exeter from 31st July. They are still suffering from severe staff shortages at Matford Depot (Exeter) and journeys are still being cancelled on a daily basis despite reduced timetables having been implemented. The changes are starting to filter through, a full list when I have them. Stagecoach changes from 31st July are now appearing on Traveline timetables. It is possible that some of the withdrawn routes/sections of route may be picked up by other operators, either with or without Devon County Council funding. 4/4A - withdrawn between Cranbrook and Axminster. Sunday daytime service to run every 30 minutes between Exeter and Cranbrook. 9 - Sunday service between Sidmouth and Honiton withdrawn 9A - withdrawn between Seaton and Lyme Regis 56 - reduced level of service between Exeter St David's Station and Exeter Airport with the daytime short journeys withdrawn K - withdrawn L - withdrawn Red Park & Ride - to run every 20 minutes and serve all stops to replace much of route K Green Park & Ride - peak-hour extension from Sowton Park & Ride to Sowton Industrial Area withdrawn Some more information is leaking out. The following have been suggested, although concrete information and timetables are not yet available: - in Exeter, new Stagecoach routes B1 and B2 will replace much of routes K and L - presumably these will be circulars with a bi-directional loop at the outer end. - Axe Valley Mini Travel will operate a limited replacement service between Seaton and Lyme Regis, supported by Devon County Council.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 6, 2022 9:15:25 GMT
Stagecoach South West is set to make further service cuts in and around Exeter from 31st July. They are still suffering from severe staff shortages at Matford Depot (Exeter) and journeys are still being cancelled on a daily basis despite reduced timetables having been implemented. The changes are starting to filter through, a full list when I have them. Stagecoach changes from 31st July are now appearing on Traveline timetables. It is possible that some of the withdrawn routes/sections of route may be picked up by other operators, either with or without Devon County Council funding. 4/4A - withdrawn between Cranbrook and Axminster. Sunday daytime service to run every 30 minutes between Exeter and Cranbrook. 9 - Sunday service between Sidmouth and Honiton withdrawn 9A - withdrawn between Seaton and Lyme Regis 56 - reduced level of service between Exeter St David's Station and Exeter Airport with the daytime short journeys withdrawn K - withdrawn L - withdrawn Red Park & Ride - to run every 20 minutes and serve all stops to replace much of route K Green Park & Ride - peak-hour extension from Sowton Park & Ride to Sowton Industrial Area withdrawn Route 4 beyond Cranbrook will be replaced by new routes 44/44A which will operate under contract to Devon County Council. An hourly service will operate on route 44 between Exeter and Honiton, and 6 journeys a day will operate on route 44A between Exeter and Axminster. I should be able to do a full round-up of the 31st July changes this weekend.
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markc
Conductor
Posts: 73
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Post by markc on Jul 7, 2022 19:57:36 GMT
Any ideas if / when Stagecoach are going to review their Plymouth area network? If so what they might do etc?
Also heard Gold is having a route change soon (possibly September) does anyone know what this will entail please?
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 11, 2022 8:46:20 GMT
Here is a full list of the service changes in and around Exeter, effective Sunday 31st July
EXETER CITY ROUTES
- NEW ROUTES B1/B2: B1: Exminster - City Centre - Pinhoe, replacing routes B and L B2: Exminster - City Centre - Science Park, replacing routes 2B and K Each route will run hourly Monday-Saturday daytimes. Evenings and Sundays route B1 will operate hourly between City Centre and Pinhoe only. Buses will operate via High Street and Sidwell Street in the City Centre and will not serve Exeter Bus Station. Journeys will no longer operate beyond Exminster, apart from two morning peak journeys from Teignmouth and Dawlish and two return evening peak journeys on Mondays to Fridays.
- Routes A, E1, I and J will lose their Friday/Saturday night service and route B1 (replacing route L) will not have a weekend night service. Devon County Council is to review this in the Autumn.
- UNI: withdrawn for the Summer period, will resume on 26th September.
- Green Park & Ride: revised timetable, no longer extended from Sowton Park & Ride to Sowton Industrial Estate during peak times.
- Red Park & Ride: revised timetable, now serves all stops along Heavitree Road and Honiton Road. Timetable co-ordinated with route 4 to provide a combined ten-minute daytime frequency. Sunday service withdrawn, route 4 provides an altewrnative operating every 30 minutes (see below).
EXETER AREA ROUTES
- Routes 1/1A/1C: revised route and timetable, with all journeys simplified to operate as route 1 via Bradninch. On Monday to Saturday daytimes buses will run every 20 minutes between Exeter and Cullompton, with one bus an hour continuing to and from Tiverton via the current route 1A (direct from Willand to Halberton). New route 373 will operate between Cullompton and Tiverton during Monday-Saturday daytimes, via Kings Oak Lea Estate, Willand, Uffculme, Tiverton Parkway Station, Sampford Courtenay and Halberton replacing the current route 1, this service will be supported by Devon County Council.
- Routes 4/4A/4B: revised to operate as route 4 between Exeter and Cranbrook only, every 20 minutes during Monday-Saturday daytimes, hourly evenings. Sunday daytime service increased to every 30 minutes. New routes 44/44A (see below) will provide an alternative service to Honiton and Axminster.
- Routes 9/9A: revised timetables, with route 9A withdrawn between Seaton and Lyme Regis. Two Sunday return journeys between Sidmouth and Honiton will be retained, supported by Devon County Council. The evening service between Exeter and Sidmouth will be reduced to every 90 minutes. Axe Valley Mini Travel will provide a replacement service 378 which will operate five return journeys on Mondays to Saturdays between Seaton and Lyme Regis until the end of October. From November until Easter a limited service will operate on Mondays to Fridays only. This route will be supported by Devon County Council.
- NEW ROUTES 44/44A: 44: Exeter - Cranbrook (London Road) - Rockbeare - Marsh Green - Ottery St. Mary - Honiton. Hourly Monday-Saturday daytimes, no Sunday service (see 44A). Some journeys operate via Gittisham. 44A: Exeter - Cranbrook (London Road) - Whimple - Ottery St. Mary - Honiton - Axminster Station. Six return journeys, Monday-Saturday daytimes and two return journeys on Sundays. EDIT: On Sundays, two route 44A journeys will operate between Exeter and Honiton only. Both routes are supported by Devon County Council.
- Route 56/56A/56B/56E: revised timetables with most of the short journeys between St David's Station and Exeter Airport withdrawn.
- Route 58/58C: revised timetable, with the 58C journeys withdrawn permanently.
In addition, bus stands in Exeter Bus Station will be reallocated and most services will depart from different stands. New routes B1/B2 towards Exminster will operate direct via Sidwell Street and will not depart from the Bus Station.
Also worth noting that First is withdrawing its Discover Exeter sightseeing tour from Monday 11th July due to ongoing staff shortages.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 16, 2022 14:28:36 GMT
Stagecoach has agreed with University of Exeter that the UNI service will now operate to a limited Holiday timetable during the Summer recess.
To clarify, the two Sunday return journeys on route 44A will operate between Exeter and Honiton only.
Route B1 - the Sunday daytime service will operate hourly between Exminster and Pinhoe, no Sunday service on B2. The evening service on all days will be an hourly B1 between Exeter City Centre (South Street) and Pinhoe.
Rote B1/B2 Teignmouth journeys - two morning journeys start from Teignmouth (B2 at 06.30 and B1 at 06.53) and two evening journeys are extended to Dawlish and Teignmouth (B1 from Pinhoe Station at 16.38 and B2 from Science Park at 17.15, departing High Street at 17.03 and 17.45). Apart from these, all Monday-Saturday daytime journeys now terminate/start at Exminster.
The new 373 (Tiverton-Cullompton) also provides a link within Cullompton to the Swallow Way and Langlands Road area as a partial replacement for the 1C. The timings of the 373 are partly designed around the needs of Uffculme School and the route appears to be operated from the Tiverton outstation.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 18, 2022 11:21:27 GMT
National Express and Megabus coaches moved to a new stop in Exeter from 1st July. The new stop (numbered 34) is in Bampfylde Street which is only 150m from the new Bus Station, closer than the previous stop in Sidwell Street which had been served from June 2018 when part of the old Bus Station was closed. Residents had been complaining about noise at night at the Sidwell Street stop.
Independent bus operators (also Stagecoach route 360 to Bridford) still use stop 40 in Sidwell Street.
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 20, 2022 12:50:22 GMT
Plymouth CityBus is to introduce new "Plymouth Schools" tickets in September to ensure the continued viability of its dedicated school routes. These will be pitched at a level above ordinary child tickets but still offering a discount over full adult fares. The tickets will also be valid on all other Plymouth CityBus services in the relevant zone(s) so can be used for off-peak, weekend and holiday travel. Single, return, day and week tickets can be purchased from the driver. Day, week, 4-week and 13-week tickets can be purchased on the CityBus app. Routes on which the "Plymouth Schools" tickets must be used are 100-106, 112, 118, 897-809 and also new route 107 which will replace the 50S and 51S. www.plymouthbus.co.uk/school-buses-recovery-plan-september-2022It should be noted that City of Plymouth is to receive no BSIP money from the Government, having had its bid turned down.
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markc
Conductor
Posts: 73
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Post by markc on Jul 20, 2022 16:26:04 GMT
Plymouth CityBus is to introduce new "Plymouth Schools" tickets in September to ensure the continued viability of its dedicated school routes. These will be pitched at a level above ordinary child tickets but still offering a discount over full adult fares. The tickets will also be valid on all other Plymouth CityBus services in the relevant zone(s) so can be used for off-peak, weekend and holiday travel. Single, return, day and week tickets can be purchased from the driver. Day, week, 4-week and 13-week tickets can be purchased on the CityBus app. Routes on which the "Plymouth Schools" tickets must be used are 100-106, 112, 118, 897-809 and also new route 107 which will replace the 50S and 51S. www.plymouthbus.co.uk/school-buses-recovery-plan-september-2022It should be noted that City of Plymouth is to receive no BSIP money from the Government, having had its bid turned down. Absolute day light robbery what they want for kids bus pass! Hopefully Stagecoach will see an opportunity here and add extra capacity on their 1 daily X1 service each day between Tavistock and Devonport High for Boys and Girls schools. With a bit of markting this would be very popular and save paying sky high prices on 104 and 105 for citybus pass that is useless past Woolwell Roundabout! Personally I think an x1 as it is now and another one that at Crownhill runs along Mannamead Road, then through Peverell to DHSG and on through Stoke to Devonport High For Boys could do very well if Stagecoach actually advertised the service and fares. Return journey from Devonport High for Boys about 3.35 maybe? Just a thought!
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Post by wirewiper on Jul 21, 2022 8:14:13 GMT
Plymouth CityBus is to introduce new "Plymouth Schools" tickets in September to ensure the continued viability of its dedicated school routes. These will be pitched at a level above ordinary child tickets but still offering a discount over full adult fares. The tickets will also be valid on all other Plymouth CityBus services in the relevant zone(s) so can be used for off-peak, weekend and holiday travel. Single, return, day and week tickets can be purchased from the driver. Day, week, 4-week and 13-week tickets can be purchased on the CityBus app. Routes on which the "Plymouth Schools" tickets must be used are 100-106, 112, 118, 897-809 and also new route 107 which will replace the 50S and 51S. www.plymouthbus.co.uk/school-buses-recovery-plan-september-2022It should be noted that City of Plymouth is to receive no BSIP money from the Government, having had its bid turned down. Absolute day light robbery what they want for kids bus pass! Hopefully Stagecoach will see an opportunity here and add extra capacity on their 1 daily X1 service each day between Tavistock and Devonport High for Boys and Girls schools. With a bit of markting this would be very popular and save paying sky high prices on 104 and 105 for citybus pass that is useless past Woolwell Roundabout! Personally I think an x1 as it is now and another one that at Crownhill runs along Mannamead Road, then through Peverell to DHSG and on through Stoke to Devonport High For Boys could do very well if Stagecoach actually advertised the service and fares. Return journey from Devonport High for Boys about 3.35 maybe? Just a thought! Whilst there is some help for students who live some distance away from the nearest suitable school, dedicated school transport is expensive to provide and CityBus' new prices reflect that. If prices for student travel are to be lowered, that is a matter for society, not bus operators who are required to cover their costs if not supported. It can be done; residents in Greater London get free bus travel at all times until the September after their 16th birthday, and for longer if they stay on into sixth form. Only this year Scotland introduced free bus travel for everyone under 22, and there are calls (led by Plaid Cymru) to introduce a similar scheme in Wales. But if you are expecting Stagecoach to lay on an extra X1 and poach CityBus passengers - dream on. Especially as they ditched the Coombe Dean school routes two years ago because they were no longer commercially viable.
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