Western Greyhound Fire and subsequent WG general discussion.

[SWTH]

I can assure you it was blown off the road on 4th February as I was the driver who handed it over to be driven back to Summercourt at Zelah 10 minutes before the incident happened. Given the severe damage (the dashboard was split in two, and I understand the chassis is badly damaged) I very much doubt it was on the road in March, especially when I have observed the remains using the standard Mk.1 eyeball at the Pollards Mill yard repeatedly over the last 8 weeks.

Sorry if the above sounds a little abrasive, but I don't report incorrect facts.

 

[richw]

I can assure you it was blown off the road on 4th February as I was the driver who handed it over to be driven back to Summercourt at Zelah 10 minutes before the incident happened. Given the severe damage (the dashboard was split in two, and I understand the chassis is badly damaged) I very much doubt it was on the road in March, especially when I have observed the remains using the standard Mk.1 eyeball at the Pollards Mill yard repeatedly over the last 8 weeks.

Sorry if the above sounds a little abrasive, but I don't report incorrect facts.

I assume 445 is Y445NHK? My only possibility being the date wrong on the photo on Flickr, but it definitely shows on Flickr as pictures taken on 17th March, hence my query.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I assume 445 is Y445NHK? My only possibility being the date wrong on the photo on Flickr, but it definitely shows on Flickr as pictures taken on 17th March, hence my query.

I took photos of 445 in mid March operating round Truro as did some other Flickr contacts of mine. The most recent picture it was operating the 586 on 17th march.


The Dart which was in Treliske at about 0750-0800 this morning looks very smart. I didn't catch any I.D for it.

I feel the need to correct my previous post, my photos were of 447, and my Flickr contact has confirmed the date showing 17/3/14 is not correct.
However it has transpired my contact's photo may be the last of 445 in service as was taken on the 4th February on Hendra Road leaving Truro.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Hope the driver of this vehicle was ok, that cant have been nice.

 

[SWTH]

The driver was shaken up but otherwise uninjured, fortunately.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I have often felt a bit unsafe on tridents when its blowing in Scotland but I guess this shows there safety is up to it. Would this have happened if there had been a good load on? On other matters I really hope not too many if any jobs will be lost with the new tenders, as an enthusiast staff jobs and welfare matter to me.↲

 

[DaveHarries]

I have often felt a bit unsafe on tridents when its blowing in Scotland but I guess this shows there safety is up to it. Would this have happened if there had been a good load on? On other matters I really hope not too many if any jobs will be lost with the new tenders, as an enthusiast staff jobs and welfare matter to me.↲

Seconded. I also hope not too much is lost, both in terms of jobs and contracts.

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I have often felt a bit unsafe on tridents when its blowing in Scotland but I guess this shows there safety is up to it. Would this have happened if there had been a good load on? On other matters I really hope not too many if any jobs will be lost with the new tenders, as an enthusiast staff jobs and welfare matter to me.↲

To be fair, it's the same on most deckers in the wind. I can remember my local depot being caught out one Saturday morning, with first bus eastbound blown into a field as was the third one. The second made it through but was then sent back "not in service" and it too ended up getting blown off the road. Those were all lowbridge VRs though none of the drivers were injured. In fact, all three were very experienced and were quite sanguine about it!!

I know what it's like to have a livelihood hanging on tender results - not nice. The one hope is that even if WG lose work to First or vice versa, or First to Go Ahead etc, that there'll be the opportunity to move across and on comparable TCEs

 

[SWTH]

I know what it's like to have a livelihood hanging on tender results - not nice. The one hope is that even if WG lose work to First or vice versa, or First to Go Ahead etc, that there'll be the opportunity to move across and on comparable TCEs

Unfortunately TUPE in this case would benefit the employers more. First's pay rate and conditions are considerably better than WGL, the ex-WGL park and ride staff in Truro are still on £8.10p/h whilst First are paying staff who didn't TUPE over around £9p/h. In any case, as I understand it, First haven't taken any work from WGL in this round of tendering.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Unfortunately TUPE in this case would benefit the employers more. First's pay rate and conditions are considerably better than WGL, the ex-WGL park and ride staff in Truro are still on £8.10p/h whilst First are paying staff who didn't TUPE over around £9p/h. In any case, as I understand it, First haven't taken any work from WGL in this round of tendering.

Depends if they get to TUPE. The P&R staff were permanent on there so it was easy to identify them. In a network with a large rota and staff doing a mix of commercial and tendered, not always easy to split those people out.

My observation with Cornwall now is that with Penzance outstation closing and First coming out of Mevagissey and Fowey, the county is now fairly well divided. St Austell is now almost exclusively WGL as is Newquay and also out to Liskeard whilst First now have much of Falmouth, Camborne and Penzance. Truro is really the main border area so don't know how much will move anyway.

 

[DaveHarries]

[.....] First coming out of Mevagissey and Fowey[.....]

Interesting but I thought they had done this already?
Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Interesting but I thought they had done this already?
Dave

They have. That's why I said it's now fairly well divided!

 

[SWTH]

Depends if they get to TUPE. The P&R staff were permanent on there so it was easy to identify them. In a network with a large rota and staff doing a mix of commercial and tendered, not always easy to split those people out.

Five months ago the rota was split into several groups of certain routes, for example the 556 rota where all the duties are on 556 Newquay to Padstow and 555 Padstow to Bodmin Parkway.

I think the next few weeks will be quite interesting regarding who has won which tender.

 

[richw]

Five months ago the rota was split into several groups of certain routes, for example the 556 rota where all the duties are on 556 Newquay to Padstow and 555 Padstow to Bodmin Parkway.

I think the next few weeks will be quite interesting regarding who has won which tender.

The results come out next week according to a West Briton article I read online yesterday. The article was unclear whether it meant the results were released to the operators or public though.

 

[SWTH]

Do you happen to have a link to the article please?

 

[richw]

Do you happen to have a link to the article please?

I can't find the West Briton article I previously read but here's a Falmouth packet article, pretty much same story.
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/11147375.More_rural_bus_cuts_on_the_way_in_Cornwall_/?ref=var_0

 

[SWTH]

Thanks for the link.

I read that as official confirmation of who has been awarded the respective tenders, which would tie in with the normal 10-day cooling off period from initial notification, which happened late last week.

 

[richw]

Thanks for the link.

I read that as official confirmation of who has been awarded the respective tenders, which would tie in with the normal 10-day cooling off period from initial notification, which happened late last week.

Seems to suggest further cuts in the rural areas, cue the people who live in the middle of nowhere moaning they have no bus service, my answers is don't choose to live nowhere in the middle of nowhere if reliant on public transport, and secondly I'd guess many of the people moaning have never used a bus anyway,
I can't even remember the last time I used the bus as they are so expensive to get anywhere down here.

 

[83G/84D]

Seems to suggest further cuts in the rural areas, cue the people who live in the middle of nowhere moaning they have no bus service, my answers is don't choose to live nowhere in the middle of nowhere if reliant on public transport, and secondly I'd guess many of the people moaning have never used a bus anyway,
I can't even remember the last time I used the bus as they are so expensive to get anywhere down here.

Regarding fares it cost me £7.50 return yesterday from Camborne to Treliske Hospital.The journey was approximately 28 miles there and back allowing for the bus not going the most direct route. Other options were:-

1) Train to Truro and walk/bus to Treliske and back.
2) Car to Treliske and park in hospital car park (unaware of charges)
3) Car to Truro P&R and bus to/from hospital.

Although the bus was expensive it was the most convenient as it stopped almost right outside the hospital and I didn't have to wait around for trains or pay car parking charges. Luckily the 14/18 service is frequent and reliable but this is not always the case on cornish bus routes.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Regarding fares it cost me £7.50 return yesterday from Camborne to Treliske Hospital.The journey was approximately 28 miles there and back allowing for the bus not going the most direct route. Other options were:-

1) Train to Truro and walk/bus to Treliske and back.
2) Car to Treliske and park in hospital car park (unaware of charges)
3) Car to Truro P&R and bus to/from hospital.

Although the bus was expensive it was the most convenient as it stopped almost right outside the hospital and I didn't have to wait around for trains or pay car parking charges. Luckily the 14/18 service is frequent and reliable but this is not always the case on cornish bus routes.

From RCH website.....

Car parking charges for the Treliske site are as follows:

Up to 2 hours: £2.50
2 – 4 hours: £5.10
4 – 6 hours: £7.60
6 – 24 hours: £12.70

Fuel would be (based on 45 mpg @ £1.28/litre) about £3.60 plus another 56p (2p a mile accrual) for tyres and maintenance. So if you're more than 2 hours, then definitely better on cost. Disclaimer: this is fag packet maths!

 

[83G/84D]

Not sure if it is a new arrival for Summercourt Travel or Western Greyhound however Dennis Dart SLF, W163 EAX formerly of Cardiff Bus seen at Summercourt depot today. It was still in Cardiff Bus colours.

Also seen was Optare Solo B17 PTL in a dark red colour & formerly of Premiere.
This has recently been used by Summercourt Travel on the Truro City service formerly operated by Fal River buses

 

[richw]

Not sure if it is a new arrival for Summercourt Travel or Western Greyhound however Dennis Dart SLF, W163 EAX formerly of Cardiff Bus seen at Summercourt depot today. It was still in Cardiff Bus colours.

Also seen was Optare Solo B17 PTL in a dark red colour & formerly of Premiere.
This has recently been used by Summercourt Travel on the Truro City service formerly operated by Fal River buses

B17PTL has been puzzling me for a week or two, on who operates it. in places the dark red is rubbing off and it is almost western greyhound green underneath which threw me completely! Being from premiere, was it Nottingham City travel before to explain the green?

 

[trentside]

B17PTL has been puzzling me for a week or two, on who operates it. in places the dark red is rubbing off and it is almost western greyhound green underneath which threw me completely! Being from premiere, was it Nottingham City travel before to explain the green?

Yes, originally V280DRC.

 

[DaveHarries]

On the subject of Cornwall tenders, Traveline SouthWest says that "Many bus services in Cornwall are due to change (on) 1st June but timetables have not yet been confirmed" so it sounds like some fairly substantial changes could be afoot.

Dave

 

[richw]

On the subject of Cornwall tenders, Traveline SouthWest says that "Many bus services in Cornwall are due to change (on) 1st June but timetables have not yet been confirmed" so it sounds like some fairly substantial changes could be afoot.

Dave

All of the changes lodged with traffic commissioner are stated to be effective 25th may.

 

[swifty]

All of the changes lodged with traffic commissioner are stated to be effective 25th may.

All of FDCs changes today are for a 1st June start, including the withdraw of the 76 between Bude and Launceston and the registration of the 11 in Penzance. The only change on the 25th of May is for the Tavistock services.

 

[starrymarkb]

On the subject of Cornwall tenders, Traveline SouthWest says that "Many bus services in Cornwall are due to change (on) 1st June but timetables have not yet been confirmed" so it sounds like some fairly substantial changes could be afoot.

Dave

That doesn't surprise me. It took them until 2 weeks *after* the last big change to load the new times into Traveline. Leaflets and Stop Publicity took even longer!

 

[richw]

That doesn't surprise me. It took them until 2 weeks *after* the last big change to load the new times into Traveline. Leaflets and Stop Publicity took even longer!

Not to mention the timetables at the actual stops arriving 2 weeks after the changes, then blamed Cornwall council for short notice of change.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Surprised no one has mentioned it yet but today marks exactly a year ago since the Summercourt fire.

I have to say, WG have done an amazing job of sourcing buses and keeping on top of things. What a great company, and they deserve a lot of credit afer coming back following such devastation.

 

[DaveHarries]

Surprised no one has mentioned it yet but today marks exactly a year ago since the Summercourt fire.

I have to say, WG have done an amazing job of sourcing buses and keeping on top of things. What a great company, and they deserve a lot of credit afer coming back following such devastation.

I hadn't forgotten the fire but I hadn't realised it was a year to the day. I agree that WGL have done an amazing job of coming back so quickly. It was probably not surprising that they were given a special award for overcoming adversity at the UK Bus Awards for 2013:

http://www.ukbusawards.org.uk/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=797&Itemid=507

So well deserved IMO. Long live WGL.
Dave

 

[matt_splat]

its looking like travel cornwall aka summercount travel have won quite a bit of work all over the place