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Go Cornwall Bus
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I think @jammy36 has summed it up. It's the standard web template employed by Go Ahead; you see it with MoreBus, Bluestar etc.
The references to GAG are also to protect the IP (intellectual property). Who retains the IP to the Transport for Cornwall name isn't readily apparent and is probably something in the contract between Go Ahead and CC. Could always submit a FOI request. However, the image on the tweet didn't refer to TfC but to PCB and GCB being part of Go South West.
Busaholic
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As you say, a FOI request might elicit some new info, or not as the case may be.
I did notice in passing that Go-Ahead's Conditions of Carriage on their nationwide bus network specifically exempts buses working on Transport for London contracted services, also work done on behalf of National Express. There is no mention of Transport for Cornwall, but, on the other hand, that might just mean the Conditions have not been updated recently.
My conclusions, in the absence of anything more concrete, is that GCB are currently one of the partners of Cornwall Council in TfC, this could be subject to change at any time, but there is no more to it than that.
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Goldfish62
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Strange way of mentioning the 7 given it never started operating in the first place.
Makes you wonder why they bothered register it in the first place if they were never intending to operate it, especially when the A3 was postponed before TfC even launched
Surely that 2 has far too similar mileage to the U4 to be eligible for a subsidy suggested in the local media!
Would have surely been far cheaper and better value for tax payer To pay first to divert the U4 through Praa Sands.
Would have surely been far cheaper and better value for tax payer To pay first to divert the U4 through Praa Sands.
Goldfish62
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Yes, the council could do that through a de minimis payment without the need to tender. They may have asked FK and PCB for costs and PCB may have come in lower, or they may not have asked FK at all.
Given there's still low bus usage in the area I wonder just how useful three return journeys are going to be. Seems an odd decision at a time when the council needs to start saving money.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
A de minimis arrangement would've made more sense. I can't believe it wouldn't have been cheaper and easier than having dedicated journeys.
Goldfish62
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Unless the council is now so blinkered that it intends all supported work to go through TfC rather than lower itself to ask the main commercial operator for a price.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Something like that.
I suspect that the TfC brand is probably CC's IP (though may be wrong) and that TfC contract is between CC, GCB (a subsidiary of Go SW, as the prime contractor) and then Hopleys, OTS and Summercourt as partners.
Goldfish62
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Yes, I've never assumed it was anything else. Essentially it's the new name for the council's "One Public Transport System", although the council seems to now be doing its best to de-integrate the public transport network.
Goldfish62
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And given that TfC don't post roadside timetables and there's nowhere to obtain a timetable in the Penzance area I imagine they'll just carry fresh air anyway.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
And to think that we get people on this forum who are implacably pro-regulation, relying on local authorities and politicians to come up with public transport integration!
They claim on Twitter timetables are available from all drivers. Don’t know if this is the reality
Got mine from the driver of the 50, and most look like they have them in the luggage rack or in the cab, highly likely not every driver and bus have copies available tho
Busaholic
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Deliberately avoiding the three stops each way in Goldsithney doesn't help. The straight on route from Perran Cross Roads westbound has no stops on it, even for the 39A, so it is in effect an 'express' U4. Now all it needs to do is follow the 39A down the Marazion By-Pass to ensure an empty bus!! They should at least route the 2 via Marazion Surgery as well as Goldsithney, requiring the smaller buses, but it would provide a useful link to a proper doctors' surgery that is so old-fashioned it actually still provides physical appointments, and without a three week wait! I tried to transfer, but they've signed up so many from the greater Penzance area in recent months that they've drawn a line. Actually, I'll get in touch with my local councillor who's a bus champion of the old Labour school, and ask him to exert pressure, then he can take the kudos if TfC listen.
Taken at St Austell today, one of these operators is running a full service, one still on covid timetables. A light evening quiz for you, which is the covid timetable operator, and which has been running a full service since 1st June. (It’s 1 August today!!)
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Rich McLean
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As for the Management Structure from GSW down, will be the following as it stands:
MD Go South West - Richard Stevens
Operations Manager PCB - Brian George (reports to MD GSW)
Operations Manager GCB (TfC) - Mel Williams (reports to MD GSW)
Bigger job for Richard, but he has 2 under him to run each respective operation areas. Hopefully with the new structure, it means each Ops Manager can devote all their efforts to their respective areas, and working together for cross county ops. Be interesting to see what changes there will be going forward.
MD Go South West - Richard Stevens
Operations Manager PCB - Brian George (reports to MD GSW)
Operations Manager GCB (TfC) - Mel Williams (reports to MD GSW)
Bigger job for Richard, but he has 2 under him to run each respective operation areas. Hopefully with the new structure, it means each Ops Manager can devote all their efforts to their respective areas, and working together for cross county ops. Be interesting to see what changes there will be going forward.
Rich McLean
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That's easy, First running the full Service
So easy you’re (Deliberately) Wrong!!! TfC running full service, first running covid times
Sounds promising, hopefully it will pay off as TfC certainly needs it
Rich McLean
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Knew it wouldn't be that easy. Hopefully Mel can sort out TfC
Someone was going to fall into that trap
TfC commenced full service on 1st June. First have made 3 timetable changes since, every time changing roadside publicity!
many of the users of TfC tendered services are elderly lifeline services. How many of those are computer/internet literate without stereotyping those elderly. I wonder how many don’t use the bus because of times not being easily accessible to them
Rich McLean
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Exactly, my Grandparents are in their Mid to late 80s and late 70s respectfully, and neither have a Mobile phone or Internet access.
My partners gran of similar age phones me to ask for times. She has an ancient mobile that just does calls and texts, no internet at home etc
Jamesbus80
Member
Hi all,
I have just returned from a few days in Bude and then a few more in Fowey and was very intrigued to see the status of TfC and Go Cornwall Bus.
On the face of it, the outfit is launching a fleet of very smart Enviro200s - a lady at my hotel looked out of the window for breakfast and commented on the smart, shiny ‘20 plate buses. A line up I saw of four at Truro in a line and then three in St. Austell looked great. However, digging deeper, a lot had scratches or temporary fixings - there’s a couple running around with duck tape or white patches needing a quick red reminder over certain panels. What was disappointing was the external cleanliness of the buses - no less than three that I saw in Truro had “clean me” on the rear, written by someone‘s finger in the muck.
Timetable-wise, I’m a bit confused. Most stops, as Rich posted earlier, have no times, with links or phone numbers. This may not be so much of a problem, but in spots shared with First, clear timetables are evident with good branding. What is more, not all people have signal or links on their phone - I was in Crackington Haven and Boscastle and had no signal whatsoever - I was driving, but finding the bus times would have been impossible. In North Cornwall, a lot of stops still have First Kernow flags up too - the TfC brand has not made it this far.
Covid-wise, I was a bit confused. Unlike First, there was no cleaning or capacity limits. I’m sure I just missed it. The 95s were generally arriving in Bude empty or rammed - I noted one evening departure carrying about 8 lads who had, let’s say, been to get supplies up Sainsburys, heading for Widemouth Bay presumably plus the ordinary passengers. It seems a tricky route to get right, but I do wonder, if First had been able to keep it on tender, whether it could have grown, with specific branding perhaps. like the Coasthopper in Norfolk. Specially branded Enviro200s or Solos would really promote the route in the summer.
The staff seemed very jolly - certainly a few gave waves to the camera and were positive. I don’t make a point of talking to the bus drivers when taking photos as they have a job to do, but I got some waves and thumbs-ups. One, in St. Austell, was talking to a colleague extolling the impossibility of maintaining time on his route - think it was the 176 but not sure - saying not enough running time has been given.
Finally, I really hope that some of the new services pick up and take off. Routed like the 10, 89 and 176, that I observed in Launceston and Bodmin, didn’t really carry anyone and there was not any branding that I could see about these brand new, super routes that could be used. The 176 looks great for getting people from Launceston quickly to Bodmin Parkway, but there is no “Rail Link” branding or any way to differentiate it from a normal service. I am no expert in bus branding, but knowing how fast the Eclipse and Solent Rangers have grown in my home of Hampshire with proper branding, I think this is important to sustain the long-term viability.
Again, I hope my summary from an outsider point of view is helpful and of interest.
Best wishes,
James
I have just returned from a few days in Bude and then a few more in Fowey and was very intrigued to see the status of TfC and Go Cornwall Bus.
On the face of it, the outfit is launching a fleet of very smart Enviro200s - a lady at my hotel looked out of the window for breakfast and commented on the smart, shiny ‘20 plate buses. A line up I saw of four at Truro in a line and then three in St. Austell looked great. However, digging deeper, a lot had scratches or temporary fixings - there’s a couple running around with duck tape or white patches needing a quick red reminder over certain panels. What was disappointing was the external cleanliness of the buses - no less than three that I saw in Truro had “clean me” on the rear, written by someone‘s finger in the muck.
Timetable-wise, I’m a bit confused. Most stops, as Rich posted earlier, have no times, with links or phone numbers. This may not be so much of a problem, but in spots shared with First, clear timetables are evident with good branding. What is more, not all people have signal or links on their phone - I was in Crackington Haven and Boscastle and had no signal whatsoever - I was driving, but finding the bus times would have been impossible. In North Cornwall, a lot of stops still have First Kernow flags up too - the TfC brand has not made it this far.
Covid-wise, I was a bit confused. Unlike First, there was no cleaning or capacity limits. I’m sure I just missed it. The 95s were generally arriving in Bude empty or rammed - I noted one evening departure carrying about 8 lads who had, let’s say, been to get supplies up Sainsburys, heading for Widemouth Bay presumably plus the ordinary passengers. It seems a tricky route to get right, but I do wonder, if First had been able to keep it on tender, whether it could have grown, with specific branding perhaps. like the Coasthopper in Norfolk. Specially branded Enviro200s or Solos would really promote the route in the summer.
The staff seemed very jolly - certainly a few gave waves to the camera and were positive. I don’t make a point of talking to the bus drivers when taking photos as they have a job to do, but I got some waves and thumbs-ups. One, in St. Austell, was talking to a colleague extolling the impossibility of maintaining time on his route - think it was the 176 but not sure - saying not enough running time has been given.
Finally, I really hope that some of the new services pick up and take off. Routed like the 10, 89 and 176, that I observed in Launceston and Bodmin, didn’t really carry anyone and there was not any branding that I could see about these brand new, super routes that could be used. The 176 looks great for getting people from Launceston quickly to Bodmin Parkway, but there is no “Rail Link” branding or any way to differentiate it from a normal service. I am no expert in bus branding, but knowing how fast the Eclipse and Solent Rangers have grown in my home of Hampshire with proper branding, I think this is important to sustain the long-term viability.
Again, I hope my summary from an outsider point of view is helpful and of interest.
Best wishes,
James
Sadly you didn’t miss it. Neither exists from what I’ve seen as a First driver who shares bus stations daily with TFC.
Passengers are bringing our (First) cleaners at bus stations chocolates to say thank you for the cleanliness, so it’s clearly an important thing to the passengers.
Locals in Newquay are asking “are you First” before boarding. I asked one to elaborate, and she said she feels safer with the clear covid Measures in place !