First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Whiteway215]

I'm not sure anyone in their right mind would buy them unless very cheap. They are struggling by.
I went for a trip in the rain recently with a driver friend, the Volvo was leaking worse than an open top. The driver had a steady river pouring out of his cab and reported his trousers and shoes in particular being soaked.

I take your point! Sounds like they might be making the trip to Barnsley.

 

[FSW Official]

Hows strange i work for First & stood in that bus only today !& standby what i said ! funny ay the W Reg Volvo's are to go so why bother putting that back together ?

Then I suggest you ask us at work

We're currently carefully managing those vehicles that are due for replacement. Of the 17 Trident 1s, 2 have suffered engine failure and have been sent for scrap.

Of the 3 Lothian Darts, 1 has suffered engine failure and has been used for spares.

The last of the Y reg Solos is being prepared for collection for scrap due to component failure.

There's a limit to how many vehicles we can withdraw prior to the arrival of new vehicles in early 2018, but an expected slight adjustment to PVR and the drop from Summer to Winter PVR means that we can afford to take some out in advance.

However, the W reg Volvos are not destined for sale or scrap at this stage. While we will consider the future of any of them if they suffer a major failure, never mind that we are planning to hold onto them, the cost of putting that one back together is much less than the cost of replacing an engine in a Trident 1 which has no future use or indeed sale value.

The current early plan is that of the 10 Wreg Volvos, 4 will go to BoS for contracts, 3 will stay with FK for seasonal contracts, and 3 will become Trainers at FK.

 

[busKernow]

I'm not sure anyone in their right mind would buy them unless very cheap. They are struggling by.
I went for a trip in the rain recently with a driver friend, the Volvo was leaking worse than an open top. The driver had a steady river pouring out of his cab and reported his trousers and shoes in particular being soaked.

Disgusting RicW that Staff have to do there shifts in Buses like this in the year 2017 ! even more so when a Valued Customer has to witness it i work in the Engineering Department know where u are coming from RE: the B7TL's !

 

[busKernow]

Then I suggest you ask us at work

We're currently carefully managing those vehicles that are due for replacement. Of the 17 Trident 1s, 2 have suffered engine failure and have been sent for scrap.

Of the 3 Lothian Darts, 1 has suffered engine failure and has been used for spares.

The last of the Y reg Solos is being prepared for collection for scrap due to component failure.

There's a limit to how many vehicles we can withdraw prior to the arrival of new vehicles in early 2018, but an expected slight adjustment to PVR and the drop from Summer to Winter PVR means that we can afford to take some out in advance.

However, the W reg Volvos are not destined for sale or scrap at this stage. While we will consider the future of any of them if they suffer a major failure, never mind that we are planning to hold onto them, the cost of putting that one back together is much less than the cost of replacing an engine in a Trident 1 which has no future use or indeed sale value.

The current early plan is that of the 10 Wreg Volvos, 4 will go to BoS for contracts, 3 will stay with FK for seasonal contracts, and 3 will become Trainers at FK.

i am at work most days so no need to ask a bus in bits will always be a port of call for bits to get working ones back on the road in a quick fix & the excellent staff here at Team Kernow can put anything back together IF thats what required !

 

[THarris123]

Then I suggest you ask us at work

We're currently carefully managing those vehicles that are due for replacement. Of the 17 Trident 1s, 2 have suffered engine failure and have been sent for scrap.

Of the 3 Lothian Darts, 1 has suffered engine failure and has been used for spares.

The last of the Y reg Solos is being prepared for collection for scrap due to component failure.

There's a limit to how many vehicles we can withdraw prior to the arrival of new vehicles in early 2018, but an expected slight adjustment to PVR and the drop from Summer to Winter PVR means that we can afford to take some out in advance.

However, the W reg Volvos are not destined for sale or scrap at this stage. While we will consider the future of any of them if they suffer a major failure, never mind that we are planning to hold onto them, the cost of putting that one back together is much less than the cost of replacing an engine in a Trident 1 which has no future use or indeed sale value.

The current early plan is that of the 10 Wreg Volvos, 4 will go to BoS for contracts, 3 will stay with FK for seasonal contracts, and 3 will become Trainers at FK.

So can you confirm what the overall plan is?

Last time you mentioned new buses you said that Kernow were due 20 new deckers in the east this year. Has this been delayed?

When will the Tridents be withdrawn? Will cascades replace them this year or will they be directly replaced by these new vehicles in early 2018 or these 20 deckers?

What's replacing the solos? Will the jersey darts be replaced and if so by what?

Will the B7TLs be replaced directly by the new investment or cascades later next year?

Can you provide us with an up to date fleet list if possible?

 

[Whiteway215]

Then I suggest you ask us at work

We're currently carefully managing those vehicles that are due for replacement. Of the 17 Trident 1s, 2 have suffered engine failure and have been sent for scrap.

Of the 3 Lothian Darts, 1 has suffered engine failure and has been used for spares.

The last of the Y reg Solos is being prepared for collection for scrap due to component failure.

There's a limit to how many vehicles we can withdraw prior to the arrival of new vehicles in early 2018, but an expected slight adjustment to PVR and the drop from Summer to Winter PVR means that we can afford to take some out in advance.

However, the W reg Volvos are not destined for sale or scrap at this stage. While we will consider the future of any of them if they suffer a major failure, never mind that we are planning to hold onto them, the cost of putting that one back together is much less than the cost of replacing an engine in a Trident 1 which has no future use or indeed sale value.

The current early plan is that of the 10 Wreg Volvos, 4 will go to BoS for contracts, 3 will stay with FK for seasonal contracts, and 3 will become Trainers at FK.

Thank you for this update

 

[richw]

So can you confirm what the overall plan is?

Last time you mentioned new buses you said that Kernow were due 20 new deckers in the east this year. Has this been delayed?

When will the Tridents be withdrawn? Will cascades replace them this year or will they be directly replaced by these new vehicles in early 2018 or these 20 deckers?

What's replacing the solos? Will the jersey darts be replaced and if so by what?

Will the B7TLs be replaced directly by the new investment or cascades later next year?

Can you provide us with an up to date fleet list if possible?

Take a look at comments in recent Facebook postings. The social media have said deckers around early 2018, and single deckers which are to replace like for like size wise, as nick siddaway was concerned on the post that new single deckers won't get into fowey.

 

[THarris123]

Take a look at comments in recent Facebook postings. The social media have said deckers around early 2018, and single deckers which are to replace like for like size wise, as nick siddaway was concerned on the post that new single deckers won't get into fowey.

Problem is though there is a lack of clarity from Facebook. It would be nice if FSW can confirm what is happening and the overall plan going forward.

 

[co-tr-paul]

Quicker the DWX's go the better. Those seats....!

 

[fgwrich]

Quicker the DWX's go the better. Those seats....!

Never mind those seats, it's the pi,ss poor acceleration from some of them I couldnt stand. Like being overtaken even by a tractor on the A30 while working from Truro to Newquay. I'm afraid that while they may be fine for urban routes, the DWXs struggle on the more longer distance routes.

Thanks for the update FSW. Is there any update as to what the vehicles will be - ADL / Wrights etc? Shame one of the Lothian darts has gone bang but at least it's keeping the others in service.

 

[83G/84D]

Driver of the A1/A3 this morning having trouble with the new ticket machine.Several apparent engine shut downs and machine reboots. A long discussion with another driver at Lands End partly resulting in a 20 minute delay.

 

[83G/84D]

Quicker the DWX's go the better. Those seats....!

One on the A3 /A17 today.

 

[83G/84D]

if anyone is interested here is a comparison between the new tickets and old one's.

The new one's have to scanned by the ticket machine as well as shown to the driver.

Incidentally Penzance bus station redevelopment is all but complete. Just marking up of the stands / shelters to do, albeit there is some temporary signage. There did not appear to be any lighting in the new shelters.

 

[Busaholic]

Difficult to know where to place this, but I guess this is the most appropriate.

A bus driver at Penzance named Gray Lightfoot has self-published a book of 'poetry and musings' entitled 'The View from a Cab'. It costs £8.99 and is 170 odd pages long, including a dozen or so pages of colour photos of Penwith, about half with a bus theme, including two or three of open toppers, all taken by him. He is often to be found on the M6 Mousehole route, apparently, and the cover photo shows a typical liveried bus in this location. From what he told me, getting the book out for retail sale has proved problematic but I daresay a Google search will come up with details. I can't constructively criticise the musings/poetry, but they seem of a reasonable standard to me and many are connected with his day job.

 

[Whiteway215]

Difficult to know where to place this, but I guess this is the most appropriate.

A bus driver at Penzance named Gray Lightfoot has self-published a book of 'poetry and musings' entitled 'The View from a Cab'. It costs £8.99 and is 170 odd pages long, including a dozen or so pages of colour photos of Penwith, about half with a bus theme, including two or three of open toppers, all taken by him. He is often to be found on the M6 Mousehole route, apparently, and the cover photo shows a typical liveried bus in this location. From what he told me, getting the book out for retail sale has proved problematic but I daresay a Google search will come up with details. I can't constructively criticise the musings/poetry, but they seem of a reasonable standard to me and many are connected with his day job.

It appears to be available on Amazon

 

[richw]

I've been out and about today.
Issues with ticket machines seemed a common problem. GPS not allowing tickets as it believed to be in a different location and freezing machines being the issues I've seen. One particular bus was in redruth but the ticket machine thought it was in Falmouth. The driver spent several minutes pressing buttons trying to get the GPS to update so he could sell tickets.

 

[Busaholic]

. One particular bus was in redruth but the ticket machine thought it was in Falmouth.

I've been in Redruth and thought I was in the 1950s.

 

[83G/84D]

I've been in Redruth and thought I was in the 1950s.

 

[LAIRA]

I had a day out in Cornwall today and noted were

St Austell passing on the train 23318 56003
Camborne Garage
20504
30873
32876
33174/465/477/479
43855/860/874
50236
53803
56002
68503/513/534

T1/T2 33450/451/453/454/455/456/457/458/459/460/462/463/464/466/467/468/469
U1 33470/472/474/475/476
PR1 64050/51/52/54/55/56/57 65764
FAL RIVER 32819
22 43864 53040
27 32760/872/955
36 30879
39 53704
46 42946 53205/504
47 43878 53406/805
50 42562
66 53403
85 30876 33151
87/90/93 32755/758/762/844/883/33111/233/235
95 42871

Also seen in Truro 56004

Does anyone know if 21165 is still with First Kernow and if so where does it work?

 

[richw]

L650SEU has been out in service today.

 

[THarris123]

I had a day out in Cornwall today and noted were

St Austell passing on the train 23318 56003
Camborne Garage
20504
30873
32876
33174/465/477/479
43855/860/874
50236
53803
56002
68503/513/534

T1/T2 33450/451/453/454/455/456/457/458/459/460/462/463/464/466/467/468/469
U1 33470/472/474/475/476
PR1 64050/51/52/54/55/56/57 65764
FAL RIVER 32819
22 43864 53040
27 32760/872/955
36 30879
39 53704
46 42946 53205/504
47 43878 53406/805
50 42562
66 53403
85 30876 33151
87/90/93 32755/758/762/844/883/33111/233/235
95 42871

Also seen in Truro 56004

Does anyone know if 21165 is still with First Kernow and if so where does it work?

Does that mean that 34138 has been withdrawn and replaced with 32819?

 

[richw]

Does that mean that 34138 has been withdrawn and replaced with 32819?

No. The fal river contract is 2 vehicles. Falmouth P&R and Truro river low tide to Malpas

 

[LAIRA]

No. The fal river contract is 2 vehicles. Falmouth P&R and Truro river low tide to Malpas

There was another Fal River livery bus on Camborne garage on Thursday but I was unable to see the number

 

[richw]

There was another Fal River livery bus on Camborne garage on Thursday but I was unable to see the number

That's L638SEU. It's been there for a while. Unsure if it's an issue. A standard B7 has been on Falmouth p&r

 

[Busaholic]

An Atlantic Coaster single decker was on the 2 tonight, the first I've seen.

 

[swifty]

An Atlantic Coaster single decker was on the 2 tonight, the first I've seen.

There was one parked up at Flambards mid morning on Friday which I thought was a bit odd?

 

[richw]

There was one parked up at Flambards mid morning on Friday which I thought was a bit odd?

It covered a 45 on either Tuesday or Wednesday evening after a Dart failed and had been working from Helston depot since!

 

[MrKnow]

There was one parked up at Flambards mid morning on Friday which I thought was a bit odd?

Passed through Helston a few times this week and noticed its been parked there for a few days now, what a waste of a bus painting it for the Atlantic Coaster routes (A17 etc.) and its sat doing nothing all week! Funny thing is I noticed one of the Penzance Transbus Darts 42874 working out of its home depot yesterday as it was seen on the 17:45 2 to Penzance. Noticed theres been quite a few deckers breaking down of late particularly in the Helston area which has also put an unnecessary strain on the services that require single deckers. Isnt it about time this part of Cornwall saw some investment to ensure a reliable bus service?

 

[richw]

L637SEU is off on loan to the Jurassic Mule mid week to cover some repairs to the Mules own VR for a couple of weeks. It will be joined by UWV614S and the Mules own Bristol RE open Top.
If anyone is about for a trip I'm covering a few controller shifts for the Mule over the summer holiday as I've got to know the owner.
Thanks to Marc at First for his gesture arranging this loan, will be great seeing the Oly in service elsewhere

 

[THarris123]

Passed through Helston a few times this week and noticed its been parked there for a few days now, what a waste of a bus painting it for the Atlantic Coaster routes (A17 etc.) and its sat doing nothing all week! Funny thing is I noticed one of the Penzance Transbus Darts 42874 working out of its home depot yesterday as it was seen on the 17:45 2 to Penzance. Noticed theres been quite a few deckers breaking down of late particularly in the Helston area which has also put an unnecessary strain on the services that require single deckers. Isnt it about time this part of Cornwall saw some investment to ensure a reliable bus service?

That's coming in 2018 as FSW previously mentioned.