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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

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83G/84D

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Looks like its broken down again, was on the a4 then was 20 minutes late and replaced with a 2 door president


Oh dear, there seem to be a few reliability issues with the Atlantic Coaster decker fleet at the moment. Judging by the loadings on the A4 when I have seen it an Atlantic Coaster Solo would suffice.
 

MB162435

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Oh dear, there seem to be a few reliability issues with the Atlantic Coaster decker fleet at the moment. Judging by the loadings on the A4 when I have seen it an Atlantic Coaster Solo would suffice.
I would think so too, especially with the AC Solos not doing much if anything at the moment
 

Goldfish62

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Oh dear, there seem to be a few reliability issues with the Atlantic Coaster decker fleet at the moment. Judging by the loadings on the A4 when I have seen it an Atlantic Coaster Solo would suffice.
They just don't seem to be reliable. There were the same issues last year. I would say they need to be replaced, but given the undoubted amount spent on converting them they'll doubtless need a few more years service to get an appropriate return on the investment.
 

MB162435

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Yes it's been a while since I have seen one in service.
Same, they use to send their summers on the 46/47, but not much for them to do in Summer time now

The Lizard and Kernow livery SRs have found some work, but the arrival of the MMCs probably means they will be little used until September now as well
 

83G/84D

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The E400 conversions are obviously coming but are they primarily for the A5? Then there's the ex EYMS stuff to come as well, perhaps they will be more reliable. Having said that they aren't exactly young buses.
 

Goldfish62

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Same, they use to send their summers on the 46/47, but not much for them to do in Summer time now

The Lizard and Kernow livery SRs have found some work, but the arrival of the MMCs probably means they will be little used until September now as well
As much as I don't want to see them leave Cornwall, the amount of work the SRs are being used for seems pretty minimal. It may be better to utilise at least some of them in Somerset to replace the oldest in the BoS fleet.
 

83G/84D

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Super busy at St Erth station earlier, 7 buses in under 10 minutes! Two Gemini's on the A17's, two B7TL's on the A2's, a Solo on the car park shuttle, an E400MMC on rail replacement standby and a ex Kernow E200MMC on service 515.
 

Goldfish62

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Super busy at St Erth station earlier, 7 buses in under 10 minutes! Two Gemini's on the A17's, two B7TL's on the A2's, a Solo on the car park shuttle, an E400MMC on rail replacement standby and a ex Kernow E200MMC on service 515.
What were loadings like?
 

MB162435

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As much as I don't want to see them leave Cornwall, the amount of work the SRs are being used for seems pretty minimal. It may be better to utilise at least some of them in Somerset to replace the oldest in the BoS fleet.
I agree, they're great little buses bit cramped interiors but are a lovely ride

But are seriously underused for the newest buses in the fleet made worse by Covid, and with Kernow themselves saying they are focusing on big bus work you wonder where they fit in

If they ever left us Somerset would be a safe bet, but I suppose we will have to wait and see
 

henairs

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I agree, they're great little buses bit cramped interiors but are a lovely ride

But are seriously underused for the newest buses in the fleet made worse by Covid, and with Kernow themselves saying they are focusing on big bus work you wonder where they fit in

If they ever left us Somerset would be a safe bet, but I suppose we will have to wait and see
Thanks for the thought but same applies here that with social distancing larger buses are required to safely convay passengers as numbers fluctuate between points.
With distancing in place what are the max number allowed for these vehicles please ?
Mike R
 

carlberry

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I agree, they're great little buses bit cramped interiors but are a lovely ride

But are seriously underused for the newest buses in the fleet made worse by Covid, and with Kernow themselves saying they are focusing on big bus work you wonder where they fit in

If they ever left us Somerset would be a safe bet, but I suppose we will have to wait and see
I suspect that Kwernow will want to keep them as long as it can in the hope there will be more of a use for them next year. They may be a bit expensive for Somerset (other than a summer loan) and it may have to involve them going somewhere else and Somerset getting some more knackered examples!
 

Goldfish62

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I suspect that Kwernow will want to keep them as long as it can in the hope there will be more of a use for them next year. They may be a bit expensive for Somerset (other than a summer loan) and it may have to involve them going somewhere else and Somerset getting some more knackered examples!
I agree. Next year onwards is a great unknown. Everyone is expecting long term cuts to bus services, but that will of course vary by area.

If the T1/T2 and U2 don't get restored to pre Covid frequencies then there'll also be surplus E400MMCs. They could potentially displace the Geminis off mainstream local bus work, eg the A17.
 

MB162435

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Thanks for the thought but same applies here that with social distancing larger buses are required to safely convay passengers as numbers fluctuate between points.
With distancing in place what are the max number allowed for these vehicles please ?
Mike R
I suspect that Kwernow will want to keep them as long as it can in the hope there will be more of a use for them next year. They may be a bit expensive for Somerset (other than a summer loan) and it may have to involve them going somewhere else and Somerset getting some more knackered examples!
Not saying Kernow will or is looking to get rid of some or all of the SRs, as they would of likely left with all the other recently departed buses

If anything the Darts are more vulnerable due to their age and small number, and would fit more into Somerset's fleet compared to the SRs which are quite well received with passengers, and Somerset engineers seem to do wonders with the older South West fleet members

Believe it was about 10 for a single but not sure how many it is now, not far off full capacity I would of thought

The '2020 Vision' is by no means dead in the water, and will most certainly come back in some form or another when the time is right, don't think many would be too happy see more of Kernow's newest buses go to Somerset certainly not permanently
 

Lizard1324

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I agree. Next year onwards is a great unknown. Everyone is expecting long term cuts to bus services, but that will of course vary by area.

If the T1/T2 and U2 don't get restored to pre Covid frequencies then there'll also be surplus E400MMCs. They could potentially displace the Geminis off mainstream local bus work, eg the A17.
They could bring some green 400mmc for other west cornwall works like the a17.

The E400 conversions are obviously coming but are they primarily for the A5? Then there's the ex EYMS stuff to come as well, perhaps they will be more reliable. Having said that they aren't exactly young buses.
With 12 opentops currently on the fleet (some probqly broken at the moment) and 10 more due in 8 e400 to be converted and 2 plaxton presidents from eyms that would be alot of surples buses, you would think they are updating there old buses but why would they buy even older buses from Eyms? But they will probaly introduce a new open top route probaly next summer now. (Hopefully penzance - marizion - porthleven - pholdu - lizard) but very unlikely but would be a good opentop route
 

Busaholic

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A2's fairly well loaded, A17's not so much. 4 carriage train to St Ives mid morning packed full & standing , no social distancing carried out and standby bus not used!
Wouldn't you think that with an attractive fare offer (i.e. neither extortionate nor a giveaway) FK could get some of that for themselves between St Erth and St Ives? Not everyone 'has' to have that sea view (and, in any case, how can you enjoy it when you're packed in?) The attraction of an open top bus on a day like this one would make up for the lack of proximity to sea water for many. The common First ownership certainly seems to point to lack of meaningful competition in this particular case.
 

henairs

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Not saying Kernow will or is looking to get rid of some or all of the SRs, as they would of likely left with all the other recently departed buses

If anything the Darts are more vulnerable due to their age and small number, and would fit more into Somerset's fleet compared to the SRs which are quite well received with passengers, and Somerset engineers seem to do wonders with the older South West fleet members

Believe it was about 10 for a single but not sure how many it is now, not far off full capacity I would of thought

The '2020 Vision' is by no means dead in the water, and will most certainly come back in some form or another when the time is right, don't think many would be too happy see more of Kernow's newest buses go to Somerset certainly not permanently
Thanks MB162435 for your reply. Even our tiddly E200s are 13 capacity now whilst the longer ones are at 18 capacity so SRs have their limitations so easy to see why Kernow will keep them on ice for the moment until
we see what the future holds.
Did see a small SR out yesterday up our way but that was on a lightly used rural route, the 19 from Street to Bridgwater operated by Hatch Green coaches. 2 elderly ladies with provisions heading back into the wilds from Street were the only footfall on the service I noted.
Cheers, Mike R
 

MB162435

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Thanks MB162435 for your reply. Even our tiddly E200s are 13 capacity now whilst the longer ones are at 18 capacity so SRs have their limitations so easy to see why Kernow will keep them on ice for the moment until
we see what the future holds.
Did see a small SR out yesterday up our way but that was on a lightly used rural route, the 19 from Street to Bridgwater operated by Hatch Green coaches. 2 elderly ladies with provisions heading back into the wilds from Street were the only footfall on the service I noted.
Cheers, Mike R
Thanks for your reply as well @henairs

They have been pretty handy on the early and late night services on many routes, and as you say they can't decide on their future until next year and beyond becomes more clear

Down here they're only currently regular on the 24 Fowey- Mevagissey route and as staff Taxi's so they're still pulling their weight
 

richw

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There was a long SR on Truro park and ride yesterday.
From next week will throw up some additional non pr vehicles on Truro PR with Treliske charging staff to park their again from Monday, there will be Numerous duplicate runnings through the day. I’m taking a bus down from Summercourt to run duplicated on Wednesday and Thursday.
 

83G/84D

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Wouldn't you think that with an attractive fare offer (i.e. neither extortionate nor a giveaway) FK could get some of that for themselves between St Erth and St Ives? Not everyone 'has' to have that sea view (and, in any case, how can you enjoy it when you're packed in?) The attraction of an open top bus on a day like this one would make up for the lack of proximity to sea water for many. The common First ownership certainly seems to point to lack of meaningful competition in this particular case.

Yes I agree with you & I'd rather go on the bus than have less than 10 minutes looking at the St Ives bay from the train. It appeals though to the holidaymakers who may not have done the train ride before even then you have to be sat on the right side of the train for a decent view.

There was a long SR on Truro park and ride yesterday.
From next week will throw up some additional non pr vehicles on Truro PR with Treliske charging staff to park their again from Monday, there will be Numerous duplicate runnings through the day. I’m taking a bus down from Summercourt to run duplicated on Wednesday and Thursday.


According to bustimes tracking there were three Park & Ride buses off the road late last week & early this week. Were there any other types in use on the service?
 

83G/84D

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Talking Atlantic Coasters as we were there was a nice contrast at Camborne tonight. Olympian 34137 and Volvo B9TL 37729 parked up. Sadly I was unable to get any decent views and they were not positioned right for a "together" comparison photo!
 

Busaholic

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There was a long SR on Truro park and ride yesterday.
From next week will throw up some additional non pr vehicles on Truro PR with Treliske charging staff to park their again from Monday, there will be Numerous duplicate runnings through the day. I’m taking a bus down from Summercourt to run duplicated on Wednesday and Thursday.
Not the place to discuss this in detail, but the Covid-19 crisis must be be over officially. Q Drive, the operator of car parks at Treliske, have previously said their agreement with NHS Trusts precluded charges during the crisis. All very strange in view of the Greater Manchester announcement tonight.
 

Lizard1324

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There was a long SR on Truro park and ride yesterday.
From next week will throw up some additional non pr vehicles on Truro PR with Treliske charging staff to park their again from Monday, there will be Numerous duplicate runnings through the day. I’m taking a bus down from Summercourt to run duplicated on Wednesday and Thursday.
Do anyone know the p+r age limit for vehicles as the oldest 08 plate ex greyhound citaro are 12 years old, but i could really see a long solo sr in truro p+r livery
 

83G/84D

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Is there an instruction to drive with headlights on during the day? I have noted that more buses are doing this recently so wondered if it is a drivers decision to have lights on or not, or something that they are requested to do.
 

richw

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Most of the buses now have had their brain altered so the lights are permanent on with ignition too. But it’s company policy for lights to be on at First.
 

83G/84D

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FK drivers are mandated to always have headlight on at all times. Can't speak for TfC
Most of the buses now have had their brain altered so the lights are permanent on with ignition too. But it’s company policy for lights to be on at First.


Thanks both, the "tic tac" (orange & green) Gemini is on the A17 route heading towards Penzance at the moment. It does not seem to be tracking on "bustimes" though.

My brain could do with altering as I don't think the lights are always on!
 

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