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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

RPI

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Doesn't seem to be a specific thread for First's Cornish operations in general.
Some news is that First will be running the 21, currently WG 521 between St Austell and Newquay from September
 
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matt_splat

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if this is true would be a interesting development.

It would be intresting to see what would happen if first did go up against western greyhound could it be the final nail in the coffin?

Cornish busways make some intresting comments on the facebook page surrounding the service 29
 

swifty

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I noticed a registration for an 89 service along the same route as the 597 last week, is this an enhancement of the Truro - Newquay leg alongside the 88?
 

RPI

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Can't reveal my source, just watch this space. ;)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The 88 between Truro and Falmouth is to become the U1 and U2 using 12 plate enviro 400's from Plymouth, but someone has already mentioned this somewhere on here, not sure what will replace them in Plymouth though.
 

swifty

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Can't reveal my source, just watch this space. ;)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The 88 between Truro and Falmouth is to become the U1 and U2 using 12 plate enviro 400's from Plymouth, but someone has already mentioned this somewhere on here, not sure what will replace them in Plymouth though.

The B7Ls from Somerset by the looks if it, they're due a refurb and repaint in due course ;)
 

SWTH

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I noticed a registration for an 89 service along the same route as the 597 last week, is this an enhancement of the Truro - Newquay leg alongside the 88?

I've just checked the latest N&P (8th July) and there's nothing listed in sections 3.1 to 3.4 for a service 89 by FDC?

It'd be interesting to see if First do try and compete, it would however be a complete reversal of their strategy for the last decade of concentrating on everything west of Truro with only a few minor extensions (i.e the 88 and 27) further east.
 

richw

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The 88 between Truro and Falmouth is to become the U1 and U2 using 12 plate enviro 400's from Plymouth, but someone has already mentioned this somewhere on here, not sure what will replace them in Plymouth though.

I've been given this information by a First Kernow employee. He says U1 and U2 will by the 88 and 41 respectively. They will have a separate branding and their own livery, believed to be an all over blue but unconfirmed as yet.
 
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I've just checked the latest N&P (8th July) and there's nothing listed in sections 3.1 to 3.4 for a service 89 by FDC?

It'd be interesting to see if First do try and compete, it would however be a complete reversal of their strategy for the last decade of concentrating on everything west of Truro with only a few minor extensions (i.e the 88 and 27) further east.

There is of course a difference between competing head to head, and putting a shot across the bows. I guess that First has suffered from its competitors assuming it will just roll over for them and therefore needs to send a message out that it won't. Looks like it is FDC where the message is strongest - in Plymouth against GoAhead with the 6 and all the fares etc, in Somerset against Webberbus with the fares and from this weekend a serious assault on their routes, and now in Cornwall with WGL. They certainly don't appear to be afraid to hit back and pretty effectively.
 

richw

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16th July a large number of applications were made, the interesting ones are below:

PH0004983/187 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between FALMOUTH Moor and TRURO Treliske Hospital/NEWQUAY Bus Station given service number U1/231/233/U3 effective from 07-Sep-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

PH0004983/498 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Truro Bus Station
Finish Point: Newquay, Manor Park Bus Station
Via: Trispen, Quintrell Downs
Service Number: 89
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 07-SEP-2014
Other Details: Monday to Saturday except public holidays.

PH0004983/179 - FIRST DEVON & CORNWALL LTD, THE RIDE, CHELSON MEADOW, PLYMOUTH, PL9 7JT
Variation Accepted: Operating between Troon Square and Falmouth Hotel given service number U2 effective from 07-Sep-2014. To amend Timetable.


The U1, U2 & U3 are all apparently going to have their own branding and livery, rumoured to be all over blue.

There are a number of cancellations in Plymouth, maybe explains where we are getting the Enviros from.
 
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TheGrandWazoo

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There are two questions that spring to mind.

A) Still nothing official on First appearing on the 21/521 whether that be from the company or via VOSA etc
B) Assuming that the E400s are taken to Cornwall, what replaces them on the Tavistock service and how does that play with the long term future of First Devon?
 

richw

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I've just checked the latest N&P (8th July) and there's nothing listed in sections 3.1 to 3.4 for a service 89 by FDC?

Accepted by the traffic commissioner on 16th July, due to start 7th September.
 

SWTH

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Ah, found them. Thanks.

The 89 doesn't appear to follow the same route as the 597 judging by the basic registration details showing the route to be through Quintrell Downs (597 does not serve QD). Looks almost like a re numbering/replacement for the 88.
 

fgwrich

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Ah, found them. Thanks.

The 89 doesn't appear to follow the same route as the 597 judging by the basic registration details showing the route to be through Quintrell Downs (597 does not serve QD). Looks almost like a re numbering/replacement for the 88.

Service 88 (Falmouth - Newquay via Truro)
The service will be withdrawn with alternative services being the new Service U1 (Falmouth - Truro) and Services 89/90 (Newquay - Truro).

Service 89/90 (Newquay - Truro)
- The routing of new Service 89 is identical to the current service 88 routing between Newquay Bus Station and Truro Bus Station in both directions.
- New service 90 follows the same routing as existing service 88 and new service 89 between Quintrell Downs and Truro Bus Station, but it operates between Newquay Bus Station and Quintrell Downs via Porth Four Turns and St Columb Minor.
- New service 90 will operate hourly on Monday to Saturday daytime, including peak periods.
- New service 89 will operate hourly on Monday to Saturday daytime, except during morning and evening peak periods

So it looks like abit of a 2 birds one stone situation, with the splitting of the 88.
 

richw

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12 plate Enviros have arrived at Falmouth for the Redruth and Truro routes. Seen today on driver training.
 

SWTH

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The 89/90 is interesting, I wonder what their fares will be?

WGL charge £1.80 AD SGL (£2.60 RTN) from Newquay to St Columb Minor, if First price match then some people may wait for them instead. However, going on current experience with the 88 through Treloggan most passengers will probably stick with WGL because of the higher service frequency (2bph as opposed to First's 1). Henver Road sees up to 5bph, and that sort of flexibility is a big plus to passengers.

However, on the question of Newquay to Truro, First may well have people switching over to them if their fares are reasonable.
 

richw

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The 89/90 is interesting, I wonder what their fares will be?

WGL charge £1.80 AD SGL (£2.60 RTN) from Newquay to St Columb Minor, if First price match then some people may wait for them instead. However, going on current experience with the 88 through Treloggan most passengers will probably stick with WGL because of the higher service frequency (2bph as opposed to First's 1). Henver Road sees up to 5bph, and that sort of flexibility is a big plus to passengers.

However, on the question of Newquay to Truro, First may well have people switching over to them if their fares are reasonable.

I expect first to price in line with their existing route.

Currently £5 single and £7.50 return Newquay to Truro.
 

RPI

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See no mention of 21/521 here

Yeah, looks like my source wasn't right on this occasion lol!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I expect first to price in line with their existing route.

Currently £5 single and £7.50 return Newquay to Truro.

I thought Newquay to Truro was £4.00/£6.00?
 

richw

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Yeah, looks like my source wasn't right on this occasion lol!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I thought Newquay to Truro was £4.00/£6.00?

I thought it went up in January. All other routes of similar and even less distance are £5.00/£7.50
 

nw1

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So it looks like abit of a 2 birds one stone situation, with the splitting of the 88.

Why would a service run *except* peak periods? Seems strange that one of these (the 89) runs only during off-peak periods. Is there something else which takes its place in the peak?
 
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83G/84D

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12 plate Enviros have arrived at Falmouth for the Redruth and Truro routes. Seen today on driver training.

33662 & 33665 seen at Camborne parked up this morning. No sign of any route branding or livery variations although I could not get a good look at them as they were round the back of the depot.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
33662 & 33665 seen at Camborne parked up this morning. No sign of any route branding or livery variations although I could not get a good look at them as they were round the back of the depot.

33661 seen heading from Camborne to Truro this lunchtime.
 

richw

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The Enviros are part of a tender made by university Falmouth. The contract won by first includes a maximum vehicle age hence the swap on ageing tridents for the Enviros. The contract is for 5 years, but the Enviros will exceed the age limit well within that time frame,
 

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