First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[matt_splat]

with first taking on webbers only service bus have webbers maybe gone bust or given up maybe?

 

[THarris123]

with first taking on webbers only service bus have webbers maybe gone bust or given up maybe?

If only. Webbers have a fairly good coach fleet/private hire part which is fairly regularly updated, so I expect it has just sold the coach after replacing it with a new vehicle.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hang on - are we talking about Webbers or Webberbus? I'm referring to Webberbus.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If only. Webbers have a fairly good coach fleet/private hire part which is fairly regularly updated, so I expect it has just sold the coach after replacing it with a new vehicle.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hang on - are we talking about Webbers or Webberbus? I'm referring to Webberbus.

This is Webbers of Blisland near Bodmin (or might have moved into Bodmin - I can't remember!!) who were operating the 251 but are no longer as First will be operating it (but as the 55) - http://www.firstkernow.co.uk/news.shtml

 

[matt_splat]

Learnt the following this morning....

First have taken on Webbers Depot in Bodmin.
First have taken on some Coaches from them as well
The old Western Greyhound depot at SC went operational today

so maybe more school work for first in the North of Cornwall?
Collage work from padstow to move to Bodmin for North Cornwall and rest of Padstow work to SC in turn closing the outstation?
A B6 may have been out on the 55 today

 

[robertclark125]

How many full depots does First Kernow have now, and where. In addition, what outstations do they still have, and both where, and which main depot are they attached to?

 

[matt_splat]

Penzance
Truro
St Austell?
Padstow?
Camborne
Summercourt
Newquay?
Bodmin?

I have put question marks next to some because who knows what the opening of Summercourt means to other depots.

And if work from Webbers of Bodmin has been taken and the depot has also been taken by First it suddenly gives them a North Cornwall Base I wonder if any contracts are up soon in the North?

 

[busconductors]

The vast majority of customers to Tesco drive so can't blame the closure on lack of buses.

In my experience going to Tesco for shopping takes hours. From Bodmin to get to either the Wadebridge Tesco or the St Austell Tesco means taking 2 buses. Neither has a direct bus service from Bodmin. It is no wonder it is mostly car owners who go there. Yes, I would blame the buses for the lack of bus passengers going there. But they might go to these supermarkets, both normal days and bank holidays, if there were buses going there direct.

 

[matt_splat]

doesnt the 75 or the 11A now run right past Tescos in Wadebridge...

Most people in Bodmin would surely use one of the other 4 big supermarkets in the town which busses do serve

 

[richw]

In my experience going to Tesco for shopping takes hours. From Bodmin to get to either the Wadebridge Tesco or the St Austell Tesco means taking 2 buses. Neither has a direct bus service from Bodmin. It is no wonder it is mostly car owners who go there. Yes, I would blame the buses for the lack of bus passengers going there. But they might go to these supermarkets, both normal days and bank holidays, if there were buses going there direct.

The big Tesco Extra at Pool I believe is only served by the 46/47. Quite a poor service really. Helston Tesco and Sainsburys on the other hand are served by every bus service at Helston.

I guess as Bodmin doesn't have a Tesco you use the other companies who are in my experience much cheaper than Tesco anyway.

 

[83G/84D]

Learnt the following this morning....

First have taken on Webbers Depot in Bodmin.
First have taken on some Coaches from them as well
The old Western Greyhound depot at SC went operational today

so maybe more school work for first in the North of Cornwall?
Collage work from padstow to move to Bodmin for North Cornwall and rest of Padstow work to SC in turn closing the outstation?
A B6 may have been out on the 55 today

If that is the case then does anyone know if First has operated a Dennis Javelin before? I'll dig out some old fleetlists this evening and have a look.

 

[90sWereBetter]

If that is the case then does anyone know if First has operated a Dennis Javelin before? I'll dig out some old fleetlists this evening and have a look.

First Eastern Counties had two batches of bus-bodied Javelins bought at the turn of the 1990s, five with Duple bodies, 10 with Plaxton bodywork. The Duple ones barely lasted 10 years before being scrapped, whilst the Plaxton ones lasted until the mid-2000s.

I think First Cymru operated some on National Express and airport contracts in the late 1990s

 

[richw]

Learnt the following this morning....

First have taken on Webbers Depot in Bodmin.
First have taken on some Coaches from them as well
The old Western Greyhound depot at SC went operational today

so maybe more school work for first in the North of Cornwall?
Collage work from padstow to move to Bodmin for North Cornwall and rest of Padstow work to SC in turn closing the outstation?
A B6 may have been out on the 55 today

RK Webber (keith) must be getting on a bit now, wouldn't come as a surprise if he has retired and sold up completely. He took over the original business (which later became Group Travel) in the 60s from his father (joint with a relative I believe) before selling that off around 2002 to Dave Benney. Keith then started up again a few years ago on the venture we have today as Webber Coaches.

Its been no secret First were looking to get back into the private hire market down here, so guess if Webber was selling up along with the depot would make a good base for First to relaunch private hire on. The location being close to the A30 must be a good place for a coach depot as well.
Webber also has a outstation with a couple of vehicles up in Camelford I believe.

 

[83G/84D]

First Eastern Counties had two batches of bus-bodied Javelins bought at the turn of the 1990s, five with Duple bodies, 10 with Plaxton bodywork. The Duple ones barely lasted 10 years before being scrapped, whilst the Plaxton ones lasted until the mid-2000s.

I think First Cymru operated some on National Express and airport contracts in the late 1990s

Great stuff. I knew someone would have the answer!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If that is the case then does anyone know if First has operated a Dennis Javelin before? I'll dig out some old fleetlists this evening and have a look.

They've had a few Javelins. There were some bus bodied ones that Eastern Counties bought - Plaxton Derwent and some Duple (?) - but there were also a number that were National Expressliners. Don't know if Western National had any but think SWT, Badgerline and Wessex had them.

Badgerline Group were, of course, enthusiastic users of Dennis products with Lances and Darts though I think they discovered the Javelin wasn't really suited to hammering up and down motorways on NX work and tended to have B10Ms instead.

** EDIT - was still typing when the above posts were made

 

[DaveHarries]

The old Western Greyhound depot at SC went operational today

If this isn't a stupid question: SC = ?

Dave

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If this isn't a stupid question: SC = ?

Dave

Not a stupid question but guess it's Summercourt

 

[83G/84D]

First Eastern Counties had two batches of bus-bodied Javelins bought at the turn of the 1990s, five with Duple bodies, 10 with Plaxton bodywork. The Duple ones barely lasted 10 years before being scrapped, whilst the Plaxton ones lasted until the mid-2000s.

I think First Cymru operated some on National Express and airport contracts in the late 1990s

My 1996 First bus handbook shows the following Dennis Javelins:-

a)290 - 296:- M290 FAE - M296 FAE Plaxton Expressliner coach bodied Javelins with Badgerline.

b) 170 - 174:- K9 BMS / K13 BMS / L6 BMS / L8 BMS & L14 BMS Plaxton Premiere coach bodied Javelins with Brewers.

c) JD6 - JD10:- G706 JAH - J710 JAH Duple 300 bodied Javelins listed as dual purpose, with Eastern Counties.

d) JD11 - JD20:- H611 RAH - H620 RAH Plaxton Derwent bodied Javelins also listed as dual purpose, with Eastern Counties.

e) 47:- LSK 476 (originally G166 HMS) Duple 320 bodied coach bodied Javelins, with Grampian Regional Transport.

f) 627 - 629:- KBZ 3627 / 8 / 9 (originally E888 MSX / E900 MSX / F777 UFS) Duple 320 bodied coaches, with Lowland.

g) 8, 9, 10 & 19:- J8 SMT, L109 / 110 OSX & A19 SMT (J8 SMT originally J864 WSC and A19 SMT originally F250 OFP) Plaxton bodied Javelin coaches, with Eastern Scottish (SMT).

h) 107 - 111:- L506 GEP, M107/8 NEP, M109/110/111 PWN Plaxton bodied Javelin coaches, with South Wales Transport.

More than I thought there would be. Anyone got any photo's?

 

[LAIRA]

Ian of Yorkshire reports on ybn that 33084 & 33099 have left Yorkshire for First South West with 33079 33082 33083 to follow shortly. Have any of these buses been seen in Cornwall?

 

[THarris123]

Ian of Yorkshire reports on ybn that 33084 & 33099 have left Yorkshire for First South West with 33079 33082 33083 to follow shortly. Have any of these buses been seen in Cornwall?

33099 was in Taunton depot on Saturday, so I assume that's on route.

 

[CD]

33099 was in Taunton depot on Saturday, so I assume that's on route.

Still parked in the same place in Taunton depot yard. Wonder how many vehicles make it down the whole length of the M5 without breaking down?

 

[83G/84D]

Four more Dart's on the way to Cornwall:-

http://eastnorfolkbus.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Four more Dart's on the way to Cornwall:-

http://eastnorfolkbus.blogspot.co.uk/

Will they be stopping off at Taunton on the way south to replace 3 MPDs

 

[83G/84D]

Serious disruption in and around Camborne to bus services. Road closure as a result of a 12 year old girl knocked over by a police car earlier this morning.

Update at 3.30pm:- Road closure still in place on Trevenson Street near Red Jackets pub. Buses from Redruth diverted via North Roskear Rd, Eastern Lane and Wellington Rd (a former bus route) and not serving Roskear and Camborne Tesco. Buses to Redruth and beyond diverted via Union Street & Trelowarren St not serving Tolcarne St and Trevenson St.

Added to this the fire brigade were attending a house close to the bus station mid afternoon and Union St was partly blocked.

 

[83G/84D]

Olympian 34311 pressed into service on the 18 to Penzance.

 

[THarris123]

Olympian 34311 pressed into service on the 18 to Penzance.

Ooh how horrible. Going from 10 year old B7s to 20 year old Olympians. Not great really. From an enthusiast point I suppose it's a marvel!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Ooh how horrible. Going from 10 year old B7s to 20 year old Olympians. Not great really. From an enthusiast point I suppose it's a marvel!

I assume it's a result of the police incident mentioned above so whilst not ideal, you would hope that passengers are perhaps more understanding.

 

[richw]

Serious disruption in and around Camborne to bus services. Road closure as a result of a 12 year old girl knocked over by a police car earlier this morning.

Update at 3.30pm:- Road closure still in place on Trevenson Street near Red Jackets pub. Buses from Redruth diverted via North Roskear Rd, Eastern Lane and Wellington Rd (a former bus route) and not serving Roskear and Camborne Tesco. Buses to Redruth and beyond diverted via Union Street & Trelowarren St not serving Tolcarne St and Trevenson St.

Added to this the fire brigade were attending a house close to the bus station mid afternoon and Union St was partly blocked.

Trevensen Street still closed at 1900 according to Heart.
I did see 34311 in Chacewater this morning- this service is always decker operated (I pass it most days)- its a positioning move I think for a Truro College bus to get back to Penzance. More often than not its one of the HIG Tridents or a Palatine 2.

I assume it's a result of the police incident mentioned above so whilst not ideal, you would hope that passengers are perhaps more understanding.

That timed service is always a decker and not a B7, so nothing to do with the police incident.

 

[83G/84D]

richw - Watching live local TV coverage (ITV) at 6pm, it appeared that the road had reopened.

According to one of the supervisors at First that I spoke with earlier, a number of buses were late and out of position with workings subsequently switched around and some journeys cut short. I don't know on which routes this happened but the 14 & 18 was suffering with long gaps between buses at Camborne then 2 or 3 buses turning up at once heading the same way.

No idea if this was the reason for 34311 appearing but there were a number of Trident's at Camborne at the time 34311 appeared but none appeared to be in use.

 

[richw]

I think the 211 got lost this evening as well. Seen heading between Scorrier and Redruth this evening about 1820 with Launceston on the destination blind

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Trevensen Street still closed at 1900 according to Heart.
I did see 34311 in Chacewater this morning- this service is always decker operated (I pass it most days)- its a positioning move I think for a Truro College bus to get back to Penzance. More often than not its one of the HIG Tridents or a Palatine 2.



That timed service is always a decker and not a B7, so nothing to do with the police incident.

Thanks for clarifying that. Really is an odd outing; remember when those Olympians were delivered to Yorkshire Rider and didn't think I'd see one working a major service 23 ish years later