Plymouth Citybus

[DaveHarries]

Hi all,

PCB are advertising another round of service changes, which include Service 43 rearing its head again. There are also a few late-night services starting, albeit not at frequent intervals:

https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes/

A hint is also dropped that PCB are getting new buses for the 43. Enviro400s again or something else? Doesn't bother me either way: just wondering.

Dave

 

[Busaholic]

Hi all,

PCB are advertising another round of service changes, which include Service 43 rearing its head again. There are also a few late-night services starting, albeit not at frequent intervals:

https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes/

A hint is also dropped that PCB are getting new buses for the 43. Enviro400s again or something else? Doesn't bother me either way: just wondering.

Dave

I like the sound of those early morning/ late night services 'throughout the city', almost harking back to the days of municipal operation when what were in effect staff buses were also available to the public. I just hope timetable details won't be treated as a state secret!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hi all,

PCB are advertising another round of service changes, which include Service 43 rearing its head again. There are also a few late-night services starting, albeit not at frequent intervals:

https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/changes/

A hint is also dropped that PCB are getting new buses for the 43. Enviro400s again or something else? Doesn't bother me either way: just wondering.

Dave

No Dave, it's "newer" not new buses for the 43. MAN EcoCity gas buses due from Anglian Bus

 

[83G/84D]

There was talk earlier this year of service 43 receiving E400's and being branded "orange flash".

 

[richw]

Since Yesterday's changes I've only seen Citaros on the 11/11A route. Never before had I seen a Citaro on the 11.
I'm guessing replacing a short Dart with a full size bus is necessary with the reduction in frequency?

 

[Busaholic]

Have heard that Looe to Plymouth direct has been reinstated after one day's absence. Any truth?

 

[DaveHarries]

Have heard that Looe to Plymouth direct has been reinstated after one day's absence. Any truth?

East & West Looe already have Service 72 to Plymouth.

Dave

 

[richw]

The 72 wasn't withdrawn, just reduced to winter times every 2 hours. However on the winter times the earliest service from Looe was the 0810 arriving Plymouth at 0915. The extra service arrives Plymouth now at 0815 for people to work for a 9am start.

The 11 that became a 73 at Liskeard was withdrawn though, with the hourly 11 becoming an 11a at Liskeard to Padstow now. The 73 is now a stand alone route with no through service. It also means a connecting 11 is a 30 min wait, as the 11a ran the xx05 from Liskeard to Plymouth and the incoming 73 vehicle ran the xx35 Liskeard to Plymouth.

The 73 now turns at Morrisons roundabout, they say due to passenger demand to Morrisons, but I suspect due to it being the nearest place to the town in that direction they can turn a bus!
From the last couple of days, the 11 and 11a is now Citaro operated, and the 73 now Solos. Previously were all Dart operated. Not sure how long will remain Citaro operated as talking to one of the drivers the increased length vs a Dart is causing an issue somewhere between Liskeard and Padstow on a tight corner although I can't recall where he said.

 

[Busaholic]

The 72 wasn't withdrawn, just reduced to winter times every 2 hours. However on the winter times the earliest service from Looe was the 0810 arriving Plymouth at 0915. The extra service arrives Plymouth now at 0815 for people to work for a 9am start.

The 11 that became a 73 at Liskeard was withdrawn though, with the hourly 11 becoming an 11a at Liskeard to Padstow now. The 73 is now a stand alone route with no through service. It also means a connecting 11 is a 30 min wait, as the 11a ran the xx05 from Liskeard to Plymouth and the incoming 73 vehicle ran the xx35 Liskeard to Plymouth.

The 73 now turns at Morrisons roundabout, they say due to passenger demand to Morrisons, but I suspect due to it being the nearest place to the town in that direction they can turn a bus!
From the last couple of days, the 11 and 11a is now Citaro operated, and the 73 now Solos. Previously were all Dart operated. Not sure how long will remain Citaro operated as talking to one of the drivers the increased length vs a Dart is causing an issue somewhere between Liskeard and Padstow on a tight corner although I can't recall where he said.

Obviously a case of journalists misunderstanding bus operation (twas ever thus), which is why I didn't quote the source just in case the details didn't stack up.

 

[richw]

Obviously a case of journalists misunderstanding bus operation (twas ever thus), which is why I didn't quote the source just in case the details didn't stack up.

I forgot to report back, but confirmed with a Liskeard based driver that the only reinstatement is the first morning service from the summer timetable to continue on the winter timetable which wasn't intended!

 

[Busaholic]

I forgot to report back, but confirmed with a Liskeard based driver that the only reinstatement is the first morning service from the summer timetable to continue on the winter timetable which wasn't intended!

Happy that commonsense could be applied without waiting 56 days or whatever,

 

[LAIRA]

Happy that commonsense could be applied without waiting 56 days or whatever,

Not so quick with the 32 I understand, as it now leaves the top stop on Royal Parade goes around the roundabout, down Royal Parade and up Western Approach instead of via Charles Street & Coburg Street. Cock up with the registration according to the driver I spoke to!!!

 

[Rich McLean]

Not so quick with the 32 I understand, as it now leaves the top stop on Royal Parade goes around the roundabout, down Royal Parade and up Western Approach instead of via Charles Street & Coburg Street. Cock up with the registration according to the driver I spoke to!!!

They diverted a lot of buses away from the rear of Drakes Circus due to congestion, especially Charles Street. The only buses which should be using Charles Street is those to and from North Hill, which would minimise delays. Less services however, but most passengers will walk to Royal Parade to catch the bus, plus timekeeping will improve ten fold

 

[LAIRA]

36 37 38 & 43 are now all withdrawn with 30 & 27 out of service but 201 has been reinstated.

 

[LAIRA]

57 has now been completely broken up and work continues on 56.

 

[DaveHarries]

The VOSA Bus Service registrations for today (10-Oct-2016) contains yet more bus service changes for Plymouth Citybus with the latest ones stretching to 23 entries of which most are changes but there is one cancellation also. These ones listed below are all registered to become effective 04-Dec-2016:

Cancelled:
32 Royal Parade - Torpoint Ferry

Route Changes only:
82 Milehouse Depot circular

Timetable Changes only:
8, 9 Royal Parade - Mount Gould
11, 11A Plymouth - Liskeard
11A Liskeard - Padstow
12 Plymouth - Launceston
12A Plymouth - Downgate
12B Launceston - Bude
25 Royal Parade - Barbican & The Hoe
27, 27A, 27B Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital
28, 28A Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital
33 Royal Parade - Keyham & Ford
40, 41 Royal Parade - Southway
44 Royal Parade - Whitleigh
50, 50A, 51 Derriford Hospital - Royal Parade - Derriford Hospital
61, 61A, 62 Royal Parade - Honicknowle
73A, 74 Liskeard - Callington

Route & Timetable Changes:
5, 5A St. Budeaux - Elburton / Staddiscombe
70, 70A, 70B Plymouth - Cremyll
71 Plymouth - Liskeard
72 Plymouth - Polperro
73, 73A Liskeard - Polperro
83 Milehouse Depot circular

Can't leave their services alone for 5 minutes (or so it seems), can they?! I think that the 5/5A have changed with just about every service change round this year!

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[LAIRA]

36 37 38 & 43 are now all withdrawn with 30 & 27 out of service but 201 has been reinstated.

I am advised that 37 is now with Berrys of Taunton & LDP272 LX05EYA is now in use with Target Travel.

 

[swifty]

Six of the Thirteen MAN Ecocitys were southbound at Taunton Deane about 2 hours ago, I didn't see the rest by the time I'd reached Bristol so can only assume they were already south of Exeter!

 

[90sWereBetter]

Six of the Thirteen MAN Ecocitys were southbound at Taunton Deane about 2 hours ago, I didn't see the rest by the time I'd reached Bristol so can only assume they were already south of Exeter!

12 of them are being driven down to Plymouth, the 13th was written off in an accident on the Acle Straight a couple of years ago. Not sure if it's gonna be used for parts or just quietly sent for scrap.

 

[83G/84D]

12 of them are being driven down to Plymouth, the 13th was written off in an accident on the Acle Straight a couple of years ago. Not sure if it's gonna be used for parts or just quietly sent for scrap.

From what was posted elsewhere the accident damaged one is to be used for spares.

 

[LAIRA]

I am advised that 37 is now with Berrys of Taunton & LDP272 LX05EYA is now in use with Target Travel.

I am informed that 37 has not yet gone to Berrys still in Milehouse on saturday.

The remains of 56 left Milehouse on the 18th.

22 now having parts removed.

 

[DaveHarries]

Details have now been posted for the changes on 04tjh December:
https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/news-service-updates/network-change-4th-december-2016/

Dave

 

[83G/84D]

Ex Anglian gas bus 703 (AU62 DWL) on service 43 today whilst 705 was seen on a test run from Milehouse passing the railway station. 711 & 712 were seen at Milehouse depot.

Also there was Solo 206 in a blue colour scheme for services 34 & 34A.

 

[LAIRA]

I am informed that 37 has not yet gone to Berrys still in Milehouse on saturday.

The remains of 56 left Milehouse on the 18th.

22 now having parts removed.

22 has now gone and 31 is ready to go.

24 is now having parts removed and 35 will be next

 

[LAIRA]

701 joined 703 on 43 today
702 on driver familiarsation on Royal PARADE

 

[LAIRA]

E400 City demonstrator SN66WLK on Milehouse shold be out on 21's tomorrow.

711 only gas bus working at the moment

 

[diffywood]

You've been BUS-ted! Police catch 130 motorists in just TWO DAYS after using a double-decker to spy on them as part of a crackdown on texting behind the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...motorists-deck-buses.html?ito=social-facebook

 

[Busaholic]

You've been BUS-ted! Police catch 130 motorists in just TWO DAYS after using a double-decker to spy on them as part of a crackdown on texting behind the wheel and not wearing a seatbelt


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...motorists-deck-buses.html?ito=social-facebook

I don't always approve of police tactics but anything that stops drivers phoning and texting while driving has got to be a good thing - now please up the penalty from the derisory six points.

 

[LAIRA]

2 second hand coaches have arrived at PCB.

320 YX14SFE
321 YX14SFN

both are ex Logans Travel of Dunloy.

 

[83G/84D]

Enviro 533 seen being evacuated at the stops outside Plymouth railway station late yesterday afternoon whilst working the 70A to Cremyll.

I didn't hang around but it appeared to have a damaged upper deck window.