First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[DaveHarries]

Presumably not. We'll most likely see something in Notices and Proceedings soon.

Given how few journeys are running the 28A route via. Norton Fitzwarren and Cotford St. Luke I personally reckon that BoS could provide a more frequent route between Cotford St. Luke, Norton Fitzwarren and Taunton by adding a new route: that could also serve Staplegrove village (ie. Lawn Road) which, I believe, only has the 613 Bridgwater College route at present. Hourly end-to-end, Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Such a move could also dispense with the need for the 25 to detour into Cotford St. Luke and thus give quicker journey times which might result in a bit of extra patronage for the 25.

Dave

 

[Goldfish62]

Given how few journeys are running the 28A route via. Norton Fitzwarren and Cotford St. Luke I personally reckon that BoS could provide a more frequent route between Cotford St. Luke, Norton Fitzwarren and Taunton by adding a new route: that could also serve Staplegrove village (ie. Lawn Road) which, I believe, only has the 613 Bridgwater College route at present. Hourly end-to-end, Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Such a move could also dispense with the need for the 25 to detour into Cotford St. Luke and thus give quicker journey times which might result in a bit of extra patronage for the 25.

Dave

But then as posted above the 28A appears to be under 50km anyway, do false alarm.

 

[Poiuytre]

But then as posted above the 28A appears to be under 50km anyway, do false alarm.

Not false alarm as far as I know. I don't have enough local knowledge to understand how the 28A is getting to over 50km, but apparently from tomorrow the 28A & 54 will be operated by two drivers and the 25 from Dulverton extending to the college we be re-routed

 

[richw]

But then as posted above the 28A appears to be under 50km anyway, do false alarm.

No false alarm
See screenshot I’ve just been forwarded on messenger.
54 and 28A are now split routes is the jist of the screenshot.

15 and 25 have also had to have route changes

 

[Goldfish62]

No false alarm
See screenshot I’ve just been forwarded on messenger.
54 and 28A are now split routes is the jist of the screenshot.

15 and 25 have also had to have route changes

Thanks!

Well, what a mess!

Short notice variations specifically have to go to the Traffic Commissioner for approval rather than being dealt with at Leeds. Given the TCs only just tolerate the 50km work-around anyway I doubt if Mr Rooney is going to be very happy with this!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Given how few journeys are running the 28A route via. Norton Fitzwarren and Cotford St. Luke I personally reckon that BoS could provide a more frequent route between Cotford St. Luke, Norton Fitzwarren and Taunton by adding a new route: that could also serve Staplegrove village (ie. Lawn Road) which, I believe, only has the 613 Bridgwater College route at present. Hourly end-to-end, Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Such a move could also dispense with the need for the 25 to detour into Cotford St. Luke and thus give quicker journey times which might result in a bit of extra patronage for the 25.

Dave

I doubt that they'd be able to run to Cotford commercially. I'd sooner see them and Somerset Council improve the 25, and remove the 28A (except eve/Sun) with a more balanced 28/X28 service during the day rather than the unmemorable hotchpotch that we have now. I don't think it's the diversion around Cotford that's the issue for the 25 - more that it used to be an hourly service about 30 years ago and now it's 6 journeys a day

Thanks!

Well, what a mess!

Short notice variations specifically have to go to the Traffic Commissioner for approval rather than being dealt with at Leeds. Given the TCs only just tolerate the 50km work-around anyway I doubt if Mr Rooney is going to be very happy with this!

It is a mess. Somebody has seriously dropped the ball.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Fare changes in Somerset services operated by First Bus are coming from 1 January:

New fares, effective 1st January 2025:

Single Fares

Description

Price

Taunton £1.50 Single

Within Taunton only

£1.50

Short Hop

Short distance < 3 miles

£2.40

Maximum Single

Longer distance > 3 miles

£3.00

TOTO



Day 1

Bridgwater £7

Yeovil £7

Taunton £7

Somerset £13

Day 2

Bridgwater £14

Yeovil £14

Taunton £14

Somerset £26

Day 3

Bridgwater £15.25

Yeovil £15.25

Taunton £15.25

Somerset £28

Day 4

Bridgwater £16.50

Yeovil £16.50

Taunton £16.50

Somerset £30

Day 5

Bridgwater £17.75

Yeovil £17.75

Taunton £17.75

Somerset £32

Day 6

Bridgwater £19

Yeovil £19

Taunton £19

Somerset £34

Day 7

Bridgwater £20

Yeovil £20

Taunton £20

Somerset £36

Adult Day (Local)

Day within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£7.00

Child Day (Local)

Day within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£3.50

Group Day (Local)

Day within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£14.00

Adult Week (Local)

Week within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£20.00

Child Week (Local)

Week within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£10.00

Adult Month (Local)

Month within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£70.00

Child Month (Local)

Month within Yeovil or Taunton or Bridgwater

£35.00

Adult Day (Network)

Day ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£13.00

Child Day (Network)

Day ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£6.50

Group Day (Network)

Day ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£26.00

Adult Week (Network)

Week ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£36.00

Child Week (Local)

Week ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£18.00

Adult Month (Network)

Month ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£130

Child Month (Network)

Month ticket for any First Bus in Somerset service

£65

First Bus in Somerset announces price changes and revised fare zones | FirstBusS&SW News

Local bus operator First Bus in Somerset is revising its fare zones and updating its ticket pricing across its services.

news-ssandsw.firstbus.co.uk

 

[Goldfish62]

Fare changes in Somerset services operated by First Bus are coming from 1 January:

First Bus in Somerset announces price changes and revised fare zones | FirstBusS&SW News

Local bus operator First Bus in Somerset is revising its fare zones and updating its ticket pricing across its services.

news-ssandsw.firstbus.co.uk

I see Stagecoach has also announced fares for some areas and is also keeping shorter distance fares under £3.

 

[Snozzel]

Cornwall has released new fares, to drivers at least. They are similar to somersets.

 

[Goldfish62]

Cornwall has released new fares, to drivers at least. They are similar to somersets.

On the website:

Fares

From the 1st January, we're updating our fares across Cornwall to align with the UK Government's £3 bus fare cap. Most single bus journeys will be £3, with some costing even less as part of our offer to passengers. Please see below what your new fares will look like:

www.firstbus.co.uk

Ticket type	Current price	New price from 1 Jan 2024
Cornwall Day - Adult	£7.50	£8
Cornwall Week - Adult	£30	£32
Town Day - Adult	£4	£5.50
Town Week - Adult	£16	£22
Cornwall Day - Child	£5	£6
Cornwall Week - Child	£20	£24
Cornwall Month - Child	£65	£65 (no change)
Town Day - Child	£3	£4
Town Week - Child	£12	£16
Cornwall Day - Family	£15	£16

 

[DaveHarries]

Two registrations from First South West today regarding the 28/28A/X28 and registered SN to be effective 20-Dec-2024. No new TTs on TravelineSW as yet though when I checked earlier. If you look at the spreadsheet info (click "Export as CSV on the website) it says that the top one is for route and timetable changes.

Dave

 

[vla50]

Are any other B7s due off for the time being? Today has been penned as 37175s final day but I've heard 37163 isn't in a great condition too and that's been off the road for about a week now?

 

[Snozzel]

37175 yesterday on its penultimate day resting in st austell

 

[henryb]

Somerset looks like a mess today looking at their twitter… at least 10 services cancelled across multiple routes

 

[richw]

Somerset looks like a mess today looking at their twitter… at least 10 services cancelled across multiple routes

Unfortunately that’s a good day for recent weeks. There have been loads more than that most days

 

[henryb]

Unfortunately that’s a good day for recent weeks. There have been loads more than that most days

Why is it suddenly so bad?

 

[richw]

Staff and vehicle shortages are the reasons being given on social media

 

[vla50]

Given the Winter Holidays are due to end surely - when are the replacements for 37155, 37175 and 37177 due into Cornwall? None of the YJ09s, at least, seem to be off the road in Eastern Counties. Are there any other B9s confirmed to move to Cornwall?

 

[Goldfish62]

Given the Winter Holidays are due to end surely - when are the replacements for 37155, 37175 and 37177 due into Cornwall? None of the YJ09s, at least, seem to be off the road in Eastern Counties. Are there any other B9s confirmed to move to Cornwall?

I saw a comment on Facebook the other day from someone obviously in the know saying that Cornwall currently has surplus double decks so like-for-like replacements aren't required.

 

[Snozzel]

I saw a comment on Facebook the other day from someone obviously in the know saying that Cornwall currently has surplus double decks so like-for-like replacements aren't required.

This would assume that they are not all stood v.o.r .the last few weeks have been many buses short because of this.

 

[vla50]

Given the E200s on the Eden Project are looking slightly worse for wear, will First seize the opportunity to replace them with something slightly newer? I seem to recall the specifications for the contract are Euro 6 and double door - so does beg the question whether upon the acquisition of RATP by First in London, whether they will nab a few newer E200s from the fleet?

 

[Lizard1324]

Anyone know when the new electric buses are due for Truro park and ride and anyone know which buses have been selected

 

[Snozzel]

Internal comms states that cornwall will no longer have any open top services in as they are no longer viable. Lands end possibly getting closed top as it is mostly used by locals who don't require an open topper. They cite last years generally low tourism as the catalyst.

 

[Goldfish62]

Internal comms states that cornwall will no longer have any open top services in as they are no longer viable. Lands end possibly getting closed top as it is mostly used by locals who don't require an open topper. They cite last years generally low tourism as the catalyst.

I know SW tourism suffered last year but I must have imagined those full and standing (sometimes leaving behind) open toppers on the Lands End Coaster. And plenty of locals go for a day out on it precisely because it is open top!

I have to wonder if First are at all committed to staying in Cornwall. It doesn't feel like it.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Internal comms states that cornwall will no longer have any open top services in as they are no longer viable. Lands end possibly getting closed top as it is mostly used by locals who don't require an open topper. They cite last years generally low tourism as the catalyst.

Is this the end for the Atlantic Coaster?

 

[Goldfish62]

Is this the end for the Atlantic Coaster?

I saw a comment on FB last week stating that that's the case. Buses are already being transferred to Weymouth.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I know SW tourism suffered last year but I must have imagined those full and standing (sometimes leaving behind) open toppers on the Lands End Coaster. And plenty of locals go for a day out on it precisely because it is open top!

I have to wonder if First are at all committed to staying in Cornwall. It doesn't feel like it.

It seems a very retrograde step. I know they had a bad season last year but this is a bad move. I appreciate not knowing the financials but Lands End and Atlantic Coasters would seem to be good moneyspinners. I'd love to see the data that they've captured that shows how local the passenger usage is...

I did think that the 2020/1 splurge on elderly opentoppers was a bit much (e.g. Lizard, Exeter) plus the Sunseeker singles, the oddball Solo but these are more dependable core products.

One thing that did get me thinking though. I won't be long (18 months?) until the Cornwall bus procurement cycle begins again?

 

[brick60000]

Gutted if this pans out. The Lands End Coaster is a firm part of our yearly venture to Cornwall, purely because it is open top. It’s far less attractive as a closed top.

Seems like an incredibly short sighted and frankly insane decision by First.

 

[Goldfish62]

Gutted if this pans out. The Lands End Coaster is a firm part of our yearly venture to Cornwall, purely because it is open top. It’s far less attractive as a closed top.

Seems like an incredibly short sighted and frankly insane decision by First.

Well it's obviously the plan because that's what been communicated to staff.

I agree that it will kill off trade.

 

[Fin447]

perhaps go ahead will have a go