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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

83G/84D

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33001 is on the A17 route now, been replaced on the U4 by 33113

Noticed that, 32757 also on the U4. Solo 53504 collected by a Jose wrecker from Penzance bus station earlier this afternoon. Strange allocations today, one of the Mousehole Solo’s on the 16/16A all day whilst 53503 with4 seats less was on the M6. Standing passengers on the two trips I made.
 

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busKernow

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That's all understandable.

The depots with the greatest impact are Bodmin (routes noted above), together with the outstations at Helston (Lizard network) and Falmouth (Helford and locals)?
Plus Camborne they have lost 383939A Jointly with Helston & the 46 /47 .
 

richw

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I did a 50 this morning to St Mawes, and wondered why does the council want that frequency increased. Carried a massive zero passengers!
 

TheGrandWazoo

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I did a 50 this morning to St Mawes, and wondered why does the council want that frequency increased. Carried a massive zero passengers!

To be fair, a trip to St Mawes in the morning is probably less likely to carry passengers. However, the frequency increase seems rather unnecessary and that's before you look at the proposed feeder service from Tregony to Snozzell..... money to burn!
 

MB162435

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Unlike GCB, Kernow will need more bums on seats to make their new commercial services pay off

Both GCB and FK should be alright during the summer with the kids off and tourists down but the real test for the new services will be post September, but by then you would hope things will of settled down by then with 2 timetable changes by that point since the beginning of the contract, and both operators would of hopefully worked out what services are needed, and what ones will need to be reduced or consigned to the history books
 

MB162435

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PCB have said on Twitter that the new timetables for the CC services will be available either early or mid March
 

MB162435

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a friend who knows one of the pcb team said CC keep adding more demands and wishes.
not something they can really do at the moment really, maybe in May or more logically September when they become more established and might have some drivers, but at the moment they should just be concentrating on getting things up and running, personally I'm a great supporter of the new contract and want it to succeed, but you can ask for so much so soon when you're like GCB is starting from scratch, and competing against a well established and respected operator like kernow
 

richw

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not something they can really do at the moment really, maybe in May or more logically September when they become more established and might have some drivers, but at the moment they should just be concentrating on getting things up and running, personally I'm a great supporter of the new contract and want it to succeed, but you can ask for so much so soon when you're like GCB is starting from scratch, and competing against a well established and respected operator like kernow

It depends whether these demands are what citybus have ticked without thinking it through how it can be practically done. There was a number of ridiculous demands and requirements in the ‘quality’ section that First lost points on, presumably for not agreeing to the points.
First met the pricing, but fell down on the ‘quality’ aspect for not agreeing to a load of ridiculous and onerous requirements.
GA met all the ‘quality’ but bid £24m over the max price. Bidding so much over the maximum budget is normally a way of saying we don’t really want this.
 

MB162435

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It depends whether these demands are what citybus have ticked without thinking it through how it can be practically done. There was a number of ridiculous demands and requirements in the ‘quality’ section that First lost points on, presumably for not agreeing to the points.
First met the pricing, but fell down on the ‘quality’ aspect for not agreeing to a load of ridiculous and onerous requirements.
GA met all the ‘quality’ but bid £24m over the max price. Bidding so much over the maximum budget is normally a way of saying we don’t really want this.
I expect they thought with CC and FK having had such a good relationship over the past 5 years or so, they and I admit so did I expected them to give Kernow the contract and continue the turn around in Kernow's fortune, as Kernow only really prospered when they were the main operator once WG went, they're business basically went from rags to riches
 

Cesarcollie

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It depends whether these demands are what citybus have ticked without thinking it through how it can be practically done. There was a number of ridiculous demands and requirements in the ‘quality’ section that First lost points on, presumably for not agreeing to the points.
First met the pricing, but fell down on the ‘quality’ aspect for not agreeing to a load of ridiculous and onerous requirements.
GA met all the ‘quality’ but bid £24m over the max price. Bidding so much over the maximum budget is normally a way of saying we don’t really want this.

Not really. It’s a way of saying ‘we can do this but it’ll cost you £24m more.....’ !!
 

richw

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At least, both FK and CC made it sound good then with buying some E200 MMCs and the bus station refurbs

the council make ridiculous demands. Loss of these tenders will pretty much remove the shackles, and give FK a more freer reign to run services as they wish and not as they’re told.
 

MB162435

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the council make ridiculous demands. Loss of these tenders will pretty much remove the shackles, and give FK a more freer reign to run services as they wish and not as they’re told.
Certainly will get the council of their shoulders
Maybe, the CC contract might allow GCB to expand their commercial network in the future when they become established down here?
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Just the Devon part that let it down then?

It's hard to tell. It was losing a lot with both North Devon but even after the got rid of that, it lost over £3.6m.

It was probably profitable with routes like the 14/18 or the 41 but not especially so. Remember that there was limited new vehicle investment for many years (though not many First Opcos did get any) and even a few of those were courtesy of funding from CC.
 

MB162435

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Atlantic Coasters on tour today

33177 is on the 27 route

32097 is working T1/T2 services
 

MB162435

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It's hard to tell. It was losing a lot with both North Devon but even after the got rid of that, it lost over £3.6m.

It was probably profitable with routes like the 14/18 or the 41 but not especially so. Remember that there was limited new vehicle investment for many years (though not many First Opcos did get any) and even a few of those were courtesy of funding from CC.
Plus there was a lot of services covering various routes, Treliske Hospital being the most notable example which had the 27, 88, 14, 18, the 47 I think or it could of had a different number back then, plus all the WG services

Many criticise GCB for over kill of routes but for many years Kernow was the same, routes here there and everywhere, my local bus stop which now just has the U1/U2 back then had the 69A, 88, 88A, 2 and 41, although I do hope Kernow return some of these routes in April
 

richw

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24/25 services currently terminating on Hanson Drive and turning in the main car park due to scaffolding at the safe harbour hotel making it inaccessible. Here’s a photo of 44965 waiting time today. 8/2/2020
The turn outside Safe Harbour hotel is tight at the best of times.
 

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Busaholic

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Plus there was a lot of services covering various routes, Treliske Hospital being the most notable example which had the 27, 88, 14, 18, the 47 I think or it could of had a different number back then, plus all the WG services

Many criticise GCB for over kill of routes but for many years Kernow was the same, routes here there and everywhere, my local bus stop which now just has the U1/U2 back then had the 69A, 88, 88A, 2 and 41, although I do hope Kernow return some of these routes in April

Treliske Hospital is now very badly served by buses from Truro centre and Truro Station, in particular. Only two services per hour now go into hospital grounds, excepting Park and Ride buses which are only available for those parking their cars at Langarth or Tregurra. Even the buses passing along the dual carriageway nearby are much diminished in frequency: the T1 and T2 with a joint 15 minute frequency replaced the 14 and 18 at 10 minute intervals. The last time I travelled by bus from the station I waited fifteen minutes, and then three buses were all scheduled at the stop at 11.11, which included the sole PCB journey to Truro College, which DOES call in at the hospital, and which I availed myself of.

My point is that many people visiting Treliske for out-patient appointments in particular may not have car access, or have conditions which preclude driving, and don't wish to impose on family or friends to drive them there. I'm such a person, although there are occasions when I've asked friends, and been very grateful. If you're less mobile for any reason, by the time you've got off the bus on the dual carriageway, crossed both carriageways and then found the most direct pedestrian route to the main wing, which is not signposted and involves accessing a car park via a mud path, you've walked a quarter mile and, by the time you've found your department in the hospital, on whichever floor, you've probably walked another quarter mile, or half mile if you've been unfortunate enough to go to the Tower Block.
 

MB162435

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Treliske Hospital is now very badly served by buses from Truro centre and Truro Station, in particular. Only two services per hour now go into hospital grounds, excepting Park and Ride buses which are only available for those parking their cars at Langarth or Tregurra. Even the buses passing along the dual carriageway nearby are much diminished in frequency: the T1 and T2 with a joint 15 minute frequency replaced the 14 and 18 at 10 minute intervals. The last time I travelled by bus from the station I waited fifteen minutes, and then three buses were all scheduled at the stop at 11.11, which included the sole PCB journey to Truro College, which DOES call in at the hospital, and which I availed myself of.

My point is that many people visiting Treliske for out-patient appointments in particular may not have car access, or have conditions which preclude driving, and don't wish to impose on family or friends to drive them there. I'm such a person, although there are occasions when I've asked friends, and been very grateful. If you're less mobile for any reason, by the time you've got off the bus on the dual carriageway, crossed both carriageways and then found the most direct pedestrian route to the main wing, which is not signposted and involves accessing a car park via a mud path, you've walked a quarter mile and, by the time you've found your department in the hospital, on whichever floor, you've probably walked another quarter mile, or half mile if you've been unfortunate enough to go to the Tower Block.
I couldn't agree more with you really, if I remember tightly WG was brilliant at serving the hospital grounds, during First Devon and Cornwall days they were pretty decent but when they went over to Kernow First sort of forgot about the Trelawny Wing bus stop, use to catch WG services all the time to Treliske when my brother was in hospital back in 2013/14, but recently my mum has had appointment after appointment at Treliske and trying to get a bus to make your appointment is certainly a challenge, as we both have the direct debit monthly M-Tickets so can only catch T1/T2/47/87 and the T3 when it is running

Hopefully Kernow's new commercial services will include some services serving the Hospital after the 47 moves over to GCB, if everyone could use the PR1 service, it wouldn't be a problem, but as you said someone who isn't the most able walker, will certainly struggle from the lay by, and I always seem to see the T1/T2 come together and then a 47 or 87 behind them, then hundreds of PR1's until the next Tinner, so the frequency certainly need to be sorted
 

MB162435

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33305 batting the worst the Storm Ciara has to throw at it while working the 23:52 U1 from Falmouth Moor service to Truro
 

GBM

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I couldn't agree more with you really, if I remember tightly WG was brilliant at serving the hospital grounds, during First Devon and Cornwall days they were pretty decent but when they went over to Kernow First sort of forgot about the Trelawny Wing bus stop, use to catch WG services all the time to Treliske when my brother was in hospital back in 2013/14, but recently my mum has had appointment after appointment at Treliske and trying to get a bus to make your appointment is certainly a challenge, as we both have the direct debit monthly M-Tickets so can only catch T1/T2/47/87 and the T3 when it is running

Hopefully Kernow's new commercial services will include some services serving the Hospital after the 47 moves over to GCB, if everyone could use the PR1 service, it wouldn't be a problem, but as you said someone who isn't the most able walker, will certainly struggle from the lay by, and I always seem to see the T1/T2 come together and then a 47 or 87 behind them, then hundreds of PR1's until the next Tinner, so the frequency certainly need to be sorted
If all services used the hospital, it would be far too crowded. The Council or First did consider putting all services through recently, but decided there would be chaos for busses.
As for all passengers using P&R, in the peak times, services are standing full, so no spare capacity.
So put on extra busses - there aren't any! Extra busses would need extra drivers - not enough of them now I hear. I've heard the Council will not pay out for extra vehicles or staff.
When the Council wanted to set up P&R, all the other service operators objected to the loss of revenue. Hence why P&R has a limited stop and car park tickets only (but does accept Plusbus).
 

Goldfish62

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Looks like the entire T1/T2 allocation is single deck today. A mix of E200s, Darts and knackered Solos. Same on the A17.

Undoubtedly due to the weather.
 

MB162435

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Atlantic Coaster Solo SR 53255 on the 10:22 U4 service from Falmouth Moor to Penzance

53805, 44970, 42559, 42562, 53253, 44967 and 44969 on T1/T2 services today

Looks like it's only Summercourt and Falmouth sending any deckers out today, although routes such as the A1 and 27 are usually single deckers anyway
 
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MB162435

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If all services used the hospital, it would be far too crowded. The Council or First did consider putting all services through recently, but decided there would be chaos for busses.
As for all passengers using P&R, in the peak times, services are standing full, so no spare capacity.
So put on extra busses - there aren't any! Extra busses would need extra drivers - not enough of them now I hear. I've heard the Council will not pay out for extra vehicles or staff.
When the Council wanted to set up P&R, all the other service operators objected to the loss of revenue. Hence why P&R has a limited stop and car park tickets only (but does accept Plusbus).
Maybe not necessarily every route but the hospital does need more attention than its currently getting, similar level of service to the Devon and Cornwall days withthe 88 and 27 is what's needed

Yeah the PR1 is rammed at rush hour but to be fair so is every bus and train, if they ran a Saturday timetable all week the city centre would be better served, then you are spreading the amount of passengers over more buses, also speeding up boarding times as less people will be waiting, it's nothing worse than seeing dozens of PR1s pass before the convoy of Tinners arrive and miss your connection at the bus station anyway
 

Busaholic

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Atlantic Coaster Solo SR 53255 on the 10:22 U4 service from Falmouth Moor to Penzance

53805, 44970, 42559, 42562, 53253, 44967 and 44969 on T1/T2 services today

Looks like it's only Summercourt and Falmouth sending any deckers out today, although routes such as the A1 and 27 are usually single deckers anyway
There was a Uni decker on the U4 today, it passed 44967 working the T1 at Long Rock.
 

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