First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[MB162435]

According to Bustimes 33311 has returned from SPS and is currently on the T1. I suspect ticket machine not reprogrammed and it's actually a Gemini??

The drivers at Hinckley are really good at keeping people updated on Facebook about the comings and goings of what buses are operating there, nobody has posted that anything is returning yet and they've all said it won't be for a good while

Social distancing is being reviewed apparently, so might make a difference for the number of extra buses required going forward?

 

[richw]

According to Bustimes 33311 has returned from SPS and is currently on the T1. I suspect ticket machine not reprogrammed and it's actually a Gemini??

Could it be 33111? That was on the T1/T2 over the weekend.

It’s actually 33111, havent looked on bus times to see how it’s recording

 

[83G/84D]

Thanks, thought I saw it from a distance earlier.All sorts on the Tinner routes today, Tridents, Gemini’s and a Solo.

 

[Goldfish62]

It’s actually 33111, havent looked on bus times to see how it’s recording

On Bustimes.org it's definitely showing as 33311, although obviously in reality it's not.

 

[richw]

On Bustimes.org it's definitely showing as 33311, although obviously in reality it's not.

I assume 33111 isn’t showing and it will be 33111 pretending to be 33311?

 

[Goldfish62]

I assume 33111 isn’t showing and it will be 33111 pretending to be 33311?

I reckon so.

 

[83G/84D]

37151 was in Camborne garage on Friday 19.6.20

Saw it today. Volvo B7R coach 20323 also in for attention in the workshops. It is still in the colours it arrived in i.e. dark blue but had trade plates fitted for a while.

 

[fgwrich]

Do you remember what episode it was on?

Unfortunately I cant remember I'm afraid. I've got a feeling it might have been Police Interceptors too (although both Traffic Cops & Police Interceptors have followed Officers across Yorkshire).

Yep, Police Interceptors - Episode 8, Series 15.

Episode 8: Interceptor Steve Oliver is involved in a dangerous high-speed pursuit of a car stolen in a burglary. PC's Claire Gray and Tom Phillips deal with an abusive drunk driver who's clueless about what he's done wrong; rookie PC Omar Caines deals with a fence hopping suspect whose antics have left him with a slashed hand, and Steve Oliver's back in action, blue lighting it to track down a VW Golf suspected of being involved in a robbery. Plus the interceptors deal with a double-decker bus which has hit a low bridge in Bradford, taking its roof clean off.

 

[richw]

Good morning, have the following vehicles arrived at Kernow yet?
20325 and 20361
37151 37153 and 37161 to 37165
I don't suppose the 3 ex East Yorkshire open toppers have either?
Many thanks in advance

37161 is in Summercourt this morning

 

[83G/84D]

The tree lopper departed Camborne a short time ago eastbound, just the driver (with very green eyes!) aboard and a man in a truck following on behind.

 

[Goldfish62]

Tourism allowed again from Saturday week so time to activate the open toppers!

 

[MB162435]

Tourism allowed again from Saturday week so time to activate the open toppers!

1m distancing is allowed but not recommended, wonder which one operators will settle for?

I would guess they will keep it at 2, especially after all the work First has put into the app recently, and getting buses distance friendly

Expect at best we will only be seeing the A2-A4 this year for the tourism routes

 

[carlberry]

1m distancing is allowed but not recommended, wonder which one operators will settle for?

I would guess they will keep it at 2, especially after all the work First has put into the app recently, and getting buses distance friendly

It's a classic bit of fudge from the government. Buses are not going to be viable at 2m (or even 1m really) so it'll depend on how long the government keeps the extra payments up for.

 

[Goldfish62]

1m distancing is allowed but not recommended, wonder which one operators will settle for?

I would guess they will keep it at 2, especially after all the work First has put into the app recently, and getting buses distance friendly

Keeping it at 2m just because the app and Buses are set for it is very much a case of the tail wagging the dog as well as eventual commercial suicide.

As it there's no issue with 2m given current loadings in Cornwall but that will change very soon.

I note that South Western Railway has already replaced its "keep 2m apart" notices with "keep your distance" instead.

 

[richw]

Personally I’d say have every window seat in place. It won’t be hard to change capacity on the ticket machines for each type of bus, which is the data the app pulls from. Personally I think it will be a great feature to keep even when we eventually get back to normal. Last summer on the A5 I came close to full and standing capacity a few times, I could see x number of people standing, but was there any hiding out of my mirror view? Previously on ticketer you could see how many have boarded each trip but no way of deducting who’s got off until this recent update.
The social distance sticker says additional capacity at driver discretion. Union rep directive was even if we are full we don’t leave a Potentially vulnerable person at the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, as a teenage girl getting attacked after the bus left her behind is maybe worse than the low risk of covid passing about. Also wouldn’t leave someone behind on last service of day for example, never had to use my discretion but those would be things I’d consider.

 

[MB162435]

The Government has basically said it's up to you with the relaxations anyway, did think the introduction of face masks might enable capacity to be enhanced but nothing as yet, although with nearly everyone back at work from the 4th July they will have little choice eventually

The greatest challenge for operators is to give passengers confidence to travel again, workers who don't drive will have little choice but those who used it just for leisure it will be tougher

 

[Goldfish62]

The Government has basically said it's up to you with the relaxations anyway, did think the introduction of face masks might enable capacity to be enhanced but nothing as yet, although with nearly everyone back at work from the 4th July they will have little choice eventually

The greatest challenge for operators is to give passengers confidence to travel again, workers who don't drive will have little choice but those who used it just for leisure it will be tougher

Yes. Bus operators are absolutely desperate for the government to tell people it's safe to use public transport again, but no sign of that as yet. The longer it's left the more people will have made alternative arrangements permanently.

As of this week social distancing for seated passengers on public transport was abolished completely in Spain and France, with, in Spain at least, socially distanced standing passengers allowed again.

 

[MB162435]

Yes. Bus operators are absolutely desperate for the government to tell people it's safe to use public transport again, but no sign of that as yet. The longer it's left the more people will have made alternative arrangements permanently.

As of this week social distancing for seated passengers on public transport was abolished completely in Spain and France, with, in Spain at least, socially distanced standing passengers allowed again.

After over 3 months of don't travel because it's too risky and there's not enough seats, it will take some convincing some that everything is now a bit more safer and you are now allowed to travel

With one of the main things tourists do in Cornwall is to travel around to see the sights and visit attractions, the go ahead to travel for leisure would be needed in the industry like with many European countries as you say

 

[Goldfish62]

After over 3 months of don't travel because it's too risky and there's not enough seats, it will take some convincing some that everything is now a bit more safer and you are now allowed to travel

With one of the main things tourists do in Cornwall is to travel around to see the sights and visit attractions, the go ahead to travel for leisure would be needed in the industry like with many European countries as you say

Agreed.

One thing's for sure, a trip to the pub will be an essential reason to use public transport for me! It'll be nearly four months not on a bus for me, which has to be the longest period in my life!

 

[83G/84D]

I am in no hurry to get back to the pub until much later in the year to be honest, same applies for restaurants. Think I will have my alcohol intake at home with a takeaway meal. No bus rides either for the time being.

Anyone else seen the green and orange Gemini recently, I haven’t seen it in West Cornwall for several weeks.

 

[Goldfish62]

I am in no hurry to get back to the pub until much later in the year to be honest, same applies for restaurants. Think I will have my alcohol intake at home with a takeaway meal. No bus rides either for the time being.

It's a personal decision each of us will take.

 

[MB162435]

Agreed.

One thing's for sure, a trip to the pub will be an essential reason to use public transport for me! It'll be nearly four months not on a bus for me, which has to be the longest period in my life!

A trip to anywhere other than Penryn for me!

Mother's Day was the last time I was on a bus, had the whole top deck of the U1 to myself, certainly never thought I would go for so long without being on a bus, although my bank balance looks more healthy by not going anywhere!

 

[83G/84D]

It's a personal decision each of us will take.

Yes, I am worried that should I venture out to the pub the actions of someone not adhering to the guidance might be problematic. Recent resurgences in cases of COVID 19 in several other countries give me concern that the same could occur here later in the summer or autumn. Hope that isn’t the case.

 

[MB162435]

Yes, I am worried that should I venture out to the pub the actions of someone not adhering to the guidance might be problematic. Recent resurgences in cases of COVID 19 in several other countries give me concern that the same could occur here later in the summer or autumn. Hope that isn’t the case.

It could take years for the Virus to disappear, so it's a judgement for everyone to make for when is best for them to return to a near normal routine, but the other countries show that life is nowhere near returning to absolute normal

 

[Goldfish62]

It could take years for the Virus to disappear, so it's a judgement for everyone to make for when is best for them to return to a near normal routine, but the other countries show that life is nowhere near returning to absolute normal

That's right, but what their governments are not doing is demonising public transport like ours appears to be.

 

[henairs]

That's right, but what their governments are not doing is demonising public transport like ours appears to be.

Well said Goldfish, I really hope bus company's don't suffer badly because of this. Coach company's are even worse off and I fully expect a notable amount to close which is so sad given all the hard work and love that most company's strive to offer.
Hope things improve up here in Somerset where routes like the 54/77 will need to increase from present 3 hourly frequency once things change from July 6th.
Oddly enough the Yeovil - Sherborne and points east services to Blandford and Wincanton have stayed as normal. Whether this is because they both cross the border into Dorset I'm not sure of.
Haven't left Yeovil by bus since mid March as could easily be stranded at Street, Taunton if one took a gamble. Fingers crossed things improve,
Mike R

 

[CD]

So many people have found alternative ways of getting to work during the lockdown, they may never return to using buses.
Others are still too fearful of using public transport, so a bleak future for the buses for at least the next year or so.

 

[MB162435]

That's right, but what their governments are not doing is demonising public transport like ours appears to be.

During the lockdown it worked by saying public transport is too risky, but it portrayed it as quite dangerous is bound to have long term impacts

WHO said it could take 5 years for the virus to disappear, public transport will be dead in the water if current passenger numbers last that long, certainly need a 'public transport is safe campaign', eventually to restore confidence which would keep TfC and Kernow social media teams busy

 

[TechDan2002]

I am in no hurry to get back to the pub until much later in the year to be honest, same applies for restaurants. Think I will have my alcohol intake at home with a takeaway meal. No bus rides either for the time being.

Anyone else seen the green and orange Gemini recently, I haven’t seen it in West Cornwall for several weeks.

At least it means unless infection and death rates skyrocket too much I’ll be able to celebrate my 18th in September with my first legal pint at a pub!

The most pressing issue for me come the 4th July will be getting down the barbers to get the rats nest that’s grown on my chin and head in the last 4 months tamed!

 

[MB162435]

At least it means unless infection and death rates skyrocket too much I’ll be able to celebrate my 18th in September with my first legal pint at a pub!

The most pressing issue for me come the 4th July will be getting down the barbers to get the rats nest that’s grown on my chin and head in the last 4 months tamed!

Got my 21st on the 17th September, will be the cheapest one ever I expect!

Think the barbers will be pretty busy with us lot, but will be good to get into a routine again