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Post by wirewiper on Dec 9, 2023 19:08:17 GMT
Christmas and New Year bus services in Devon. Plymouth CityBus and Go Cornwall Bus
<snip> Wednesday 27th December: Sunday service EDIT: Monday-Friday school holiday service <snip> EDIT: for Plymouth CityBus and Go Cornwall Bus Wednesday 27th December will be the Monday-Friday school holiday service - Sunday service was originally posted in error.
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Post by wirewiper on Dec 13, 2023 18:03:34 GMT
Plymouth City Council is leading a £34 million bid for ZEBRA2 funding for 50 electric double-deck buses. The bid is in conjunction with Plymouth CityBus and would include wiring up of Milehouse Depot for electric bus operation. Cornwall Council are also involved as the funding will include the Rame Peninsula 70/70A/70B routes, which although nominally Transport for Cornwall services are operated from Milehouse Depot. www.plymouth.gov.uk/council-bids-zero-emission-busesClosing date for bids is 15th December and awards will be announced in April.
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Post by gwiwer on Dec 14, 2023 18:03:15 GMT
I genuinely do not know the business position on these routes at present.
Historically they were WN routes run from their Torpoint garage and originally did not cross the Torpoint Ferry. With adaptations to some Bristol VRTs and a couple of LHs they were then extended to float over to the City side and ran through to Bretonside Bus Station but were always "country" routes and not (AFAIK) in any way the responsibility of the large Laira Bridge garage other than for engineering support. Only "ferry" buses could be allocated to Torpoint.
They were always light on traffic beyond HMS Raleigh but have long been considered essential links across the wider Rame area.
More recently they have been contracted to secure the services on the Torpoint side, i.e. entirely within Cornwall, but I understood that the Plymouth side was commercially operated.
So are they "Cornwall" or "Plymouth" routes? The answer is neither and both; they are classic examples of cross-border routes which follow logical lines of desire that happen to cross political boundaries. The service was cut recently due to falling demand on the Plymouth side (where there are other routes available for the most part as well) but as I understand it the modest number of passengers using the services locally within Cornwall is holding up.
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Post by markc166 on Dec 21, 2023 18:46:19 GMT
Stagecoach are branching out over the border into Somerset... taking over the Taunton Park and Ride from February
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Post by gwiwer on Dec 21, 2023 20:34:26 GMT
Stagecoach are branching out over the border into Somerset... taking over the Taunton Park and Ride from February Returning to Somerset. They had quite a little supported network going at one time but lost most on re-tender. As Somerset no longer supports bus services with a few exceptions the country has become a no-man's land between better territories for the major operators. First has pulled back from Yeovil and Bridgwater so almost everything is now run from Taunton. Between them and Stagecoach most of the independents have been seen off or have failed due to losing out in free-market competition. So there's not a lot of opportunity to fill gaps. Too many places now have no service or only a very basic one of little use to most people. Even the main commercial Taunton - Minehead and Taunton - Bridgewater - Burnham corridors are threatened with significant reductions. Taunton - Exeter as a direct bus link was severed many years ago.
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Post by wirewiper on Dec 22, 2023 18:11:09 GMT
Oxford City ADL Enviro400s 251-254 are due to transfer imminently to Plymouth CityBus, which already has a considerable number of the type. The have been displaced by the new Wright Streetdeck Electroliners that are now entering service on Brookesbus routes. 251-254 were originally destined for Southern Vectis but were diverted to Oxford at a very late stage to operate an Oxford-Bicester Town rail replacement service. They entered service in Southern Vectis base colours and with Isle of Wight registrations (which they still carry). The train to Bicester by Julian Walker, on Flickr
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Post by wirewiper on Dec 23, 2023 13:35:37 GMT
There is a handful of service changes coming up in the first few days of January, most are just minor timetable changes or route adjustments.
Country Bus:
From 2nd January route 149 will have a new route and timetable with four return journeys a day (Mon-Sat) between Totnes and Torbay Hospital (three continuing to/from The Willows). Most journeys will operate via Higher Westonfields in Totnes. Will no longer serve Preston Down Road, Livermead or Torquay centre.
There are also temporary changes for routes 88, 359 and 898 during January due to road closures in Ashburton Town Centre and at Steps Bridge. The Ashburton Town Centre closure will also affect Stagecoach 38.
Plymouth CityBus:
From 2nd January route 27 will no longer operate into George Park & Ride but will be extended via Runway Road and Marjons to Derriford Hospital. An hourly Saturday service will be reintroduced, running at the same times as Monday-Friday apart from the two first morning journeys that will operate at slightly later times. Improvements funded by BSIP+.
From 2nd January there will also be timetable changes to routes 5/5A, 20/20A/20B and 48, and a temporary route and timetable for routes 70/70A/70B during roadworks. 'Live' staff bus routes 84/85 will be withdrawn, replaced by early journeys on routes 5/5A and 20B.
Stagecoach:
From 2nd January the 06.43 (MF) Crediton to Barnstaple will operate via the A39 from Bideford.
From Sunday 7th January routes 44/44A (Exeter-Honiton/Axminster) will have minor timetable changes.
From Sunday 7th January route 2 in Saltash will be rerouted via Callington Road and Church Road due to road layout changes. No change to the timetable apart from one timing point in Saltash.
From Sunday 7th January Tavistock local route 89 will have a change of route within Staple Tor Estate. No change to the timetable.
From Monday 8th January Stagecoach will operate new Devon County Council-contracted Monday-Friday peak hour route 358 between Otterton, Budleigh Salterton and Exeter, departing Otterton at 07.20 and returning from Exeter at 17.05. This service is funded by BSIP+.
Saturday-night N21 (Barnstaple-Bideford) will be withdrawn after operation on Saturday 30th December.
The A379 will be closed at Modbury from 8th January to 9th February, with a substantial diversion in place between Yealmpton (Hollowcombe Cross) and Harraton Cross which will add around 40 minutes to journey times. A reduced and retimed service will operate on routes 3 and 93 during this period. A limited shutle service 3M will operate between Modbury and Yealmpton (to connect with main 3 service) or between Modbury and Plymouth. Route 93 is also diverted between Dartmouth and Blackpool Sands from 2nd January to 28th March due to a road closure at Stoke Fleming. When the Modbury diversion is not operating the normal level of service will operate on route 93 but with some timing changes, mostly at the Dartmouth end. A limited shuttle service will operate between Dartmouth and Stoke Fleming.
Dartline:
From 2nd January route 20 (Seaton-Taunton) will have minor timetable changes including an extension to/from Richard Huish College in Taunton on College days.
Also from 23rd December Dartline has made changes to its Exeter Chiefs rugby services 77/78 to and from Sandy Park. The 77 has a new timetable and service pattern, whilst the 78 is altered to start at Streatham Rise and is rerouted around Pinhoe.
Tally Ho!:
From 2nd January route 164 (Totnes-Salcombe) will be rerouted in Kingsbridge via A379/A381 instead of Stentiford Hill.
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Post by wirewiper on Jan 25, 2024 14:02:58 GMT
Some snippets:
- Slightly out of area, but Stagecoach South West is taking over the Taunton Park & Ride service from 12th February after First (Buses of Somerset) announced it was pulling out of the contract. Stagecoach SW will operate three double-deckers at 20-minute intervals and these will be based at its Tiverton outstation, some 20 miles from Taunton.
- Torbay Council has invited bids for nine supported services. Since the pandemic these have been receiving Government Covid support grants, but this year the Council has been awarded BSIP+ funding of just over £400,000 for each of two years. Potential bidders have been invited to submit ideas for service improvements, such as longer hours of operation and new vehicles, for which unspecified additional funding may be made available by the Council. The routes involved are Country Bus 15/16 in Brixham, Torbay Buses routes 25, 60, 108/109 in Paignton and 62, 64 in Torquay, Our Bus Torbay routes 61, 65 in Torquay plus the Sunday service on Stagecoach 17 in Brixham. New contracts are expected to commence from 1st April.
- Also in Torquay, work to improve the public realm around Torquay Harbourside will see buses removed from their long-standing and traditional stops along Strand. New bus stops are being erected in Cary Parade as part of the road remodelling for the area, this will include a new direct right turn from Fleet Street into Cary Parade. The work commenced in November 2023 and will take around a year to complete, including a full eight-week closure of Strand to all vehicles in May and June.
- The four ex-Oxford City ADL Enviro400s have now arrived in Plymouth in all-over base light blue livery, although they have not yet entered service and there is no news on how they are to be used.
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 4, 2024 9:43:07 GMT
<snip> - Also in Torquay, work to improve the public realm around Torquay Harbourside will see buses removed from their long-standing and traditional stops along Strand. New bus stops are being erected in Cary Parade as part of the road remodelling for the area, this will include a new direct right turn from Fleet Street into Cary Parade. The work commenced in November 2023 and will take around a year to complete, including a full eight-week closure of Strand to all vehicles in May and June. <snip> Changes from Monday 5th February will see the long-established stops on Torquay Harbourside removed. Buses 12 and 22 (towards Paignton), 35A/35C, 62 and 64 will move to new permanent stops in Cary Parade, alongside Cary Green (these are on the site of the former taxi rank, which has moved to a nearby location). A new stop for setting down only will be put in at the bottom end of Fleet Street. Buses will be able to turn right directly from Fleet Street into Cary Parade and will no longer circle the Clocktower roundabout. Bus 22 towards St Marychurch/Dawlish Warren and bus 62 towards Parkhill Road moved to a temporary stop in Torwood Street back in November (from Monday 8th). Bus 64 towards Middle Warberry Road now stops in Victoria Parade. Special arrangements will be needed for routes 22, 62 and 64 when Strand is fully closed to all vehicles in late Spring and early Summer. During Summer/Autumn 2024 the stops in Cary Parade outside the amusement arcade will be closed temporarily to allow pavement widening. Buses 12 (towards Newton Abbot) and 31 will use alternative stops nearby.
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 7, 2024 9:27:30 GMT
Some snippets: - Slightly out of area, but Stagecoach South West is taking over the Taunton Park & Ride service from 12th February after First (Buses of Somerset) announced it was pulling out of the contract. Stagecoach SW will operate three double-deckers at 20-minute intervals and these will be based at its Tiverton outstation, some 20 miles from Taunton. <snip> The Taunton Park & Ride will be operated by Scania/ADL Enviro400 MMC 15325/6/7 in a special allover blue-green livery, these will transfer in from Torquay. Buses will run every 20 minutes between Silk Mills, Musgrove Park Hopsital, Town Centre and Taunton Gateway. The BSIP-supported fare of £1 for any single journey within Taunton will apply on this route. The service is operated under contract to Somerset Council and will run initially for three years. Artist's impression of the new livery: flic.kr/p/2pwNaDN
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 20, 2024 9:45:06 GMT
Oxford City ADL Enviro400s 251-254 are due to transfer imminently to Plymouth CityBus, which already has a considerable number of the type. The have been displaced by the new Wright Streetdeck Electroliners that are now entering service on Brookesbus routes. 251-254 were originally destined for Southern Vectis but were diverted to Oxford at a very late stage to operate an Oxford-Bicester Town rail replacement service. They entered service in Southern Vectis base colours and with Isle of Wight registrations (which they still carry). 251-254 have become 539-542 in the Go South West fleet. 541 and 542 entered service on Plymouth CityBus routes on Monday 19th February, still in base blue as delivered but with Transport for Cornwall fleetnames on the front! www.plymothiantransit.com/2024/02/citybus-gets-blues.html
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 23, 2024 18:09:54 GMT
An unexploded Second World War bomb in Plymouth has caused considerable disruption in the Devonport area of the City this afternoon (Friday 23rd February).
The bomb was discovered in a back garden in Keyham on Tuesday 20th, households within a 200-metre radius were advised to evacuate (this was later extended to 300 metres). Plymouth CityBus route 14 was diverted away from Royal Navy Avenue in both directions via Saltash Road, Camel's Head and Wolseley Road to line of route. Route 33 diverted via Melville Road instead of Moor View and Station Road. Plymouth Life Centre (the main leisure centre in the City at Milehouse) was made available as a shelter for evacuees who needed it.
It has not proved possible to defuse the bomb on-site, so it was decided that the safest option was to transport the bomb to the Torpoint Ferry Slipway and take it out to sea to detonate it. Around 12.00 today households, businesses (including Devonport Dockyard) and schools within 300 metres of the transport route to Torpoint Ferry Slipway were told to evacuate the area. Emergency alert messages were sent to mobile phones. The railway line between Plymouth and Liskeard, plus the branch line to Gunnislake, was also closed and services suspended. Plymouth CityBus routes 14, 21/21A, 33, 34 and school routes 112, 118 were diverted around the evacuated area via Devonport Road and Stoke Village up to Milehouse. The Torpoint Ferry was suspended from 13.00 and Transport for Cornwall routes 70/70A/70B were cut back to operate between Torpoint and Insworke only with no service on the Plymouth side or to and from Cremyll.
The cordon was lifted around 17.45 after the bomb was safely removed from the area and bus and train services are being restored to normal.
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Post by gwiwer on Feb 24, 2024 12:27:35 GMT
I am informed by locals that around 90% chose to evacuate the area. Despite strong persuasive tactics being used the rest chose to remain as indeed is their right. They were, however, unable to cross security lines so could not come and go freely but were effectively confined to their homes. Of those who left any who required urgent items such as medicines were allowed back very briefly at a stage when it was not known how long they might be out for.
Bus services were disrupted as noted above plus most routes which enter and leave Plymouth via St. Budeaux were unable to do so via their normal LOR or at all. Rail services suffered disruption until the ned of service as traisn and crews were in the wrong places and Plymouth-based crews who were on the Cornish side of the blockade could not return to sign off despite being "out of hours".
No rail replacement services were provided except a very few taxis to the more isolated stations on the Gunnislake branch.
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Post by wirewiper on Feb 24, 2024 17:26:39 GMT
I am informed by locals that around 90% chose to evacuate the area. Despite strong persuasive tactics being used the rest chose to remain as indeed is their right. They were, however, unable to cross security lines so could not come and go freely but were effectively confined to their homes. Of those who left any who required urgent items such as medicines were allowed back very briefly at a stage when it was not known how long they might be out for. Bus services were disrupted as noted above plus most routes which enter and leave Plymouth via St. Budeaux were unable to do so via their normal LOR or at all. Rail services suffered disruption until the ned of service as traisn and crews were in the wrong places and Plymouth-based crews who were on the Cornish side of the blockade could not return to sign off despite being "out of hours". No rail replacement services were provided except a very few taxis to the more isolated stations on the Gunnislake branch. It does seem surprising that GWR were seemingly caught on-the-hop by the railway closure, which suggests they hadn't been forewarned - if they had, they could have instigated an emergency timetable for the day with all services split at Plymouth.
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Post by gwiwer on Feb 24, 2024 20:59:41 GMT
The original cordon just excluded the railway. Trains continued to run normally. It does seem that the extension of the cordon caught a lot of people on the hop not least the residents who had previously been "safely" outside the tapes.
Buses were diverted where they reasonably could be. The authorities had hoped to have the full exclusion zone in operation for only three hours 14.00 - 17.00 but as it turned out they needed an extra 30 minutes. An hour was used before any attempt at moving the object was made while house-to-house checks were made to ensure everyone (or at least everyone willing to go) was out.
GWR were, apparently, caught without a plan. As the problem had been known about for several days it was entirely reasonable that there might be a railway closure enforced at some stage. Some trains turned back at Liskeard but an issue arose with Plymouth-based crews having worked down then requiring statutory rest due when they reached Plymouth on their return. They were unable to return. Most trains were therefore cancelled altogether for around three hours.
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