First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[83G/84D]

Would the uncertainty regarding future First Bus UK operations play a part as well? If First were to sell up Kernow opco in 12 months for example how would that affect things?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Would the uncertainty regarding future First Bus UK operations play a part as well? If First were to sell up Kernow opco in 12 months for example how would that affect things?

They can’t allow that to influence the decision to award but they can have a change of ownership clause in the contract. Fairly standard stuff.

 

[83G/84D]

A merry Christmas and a happy new year to the regular and not so regular posters on this thread. I look forward to your continued contributions in 2020.

Best Wishes everyone.

 

[richw]

I noticed the council all operator timetable book notes which services are financially supported. Will be interesting to see (assumingly) larger operator in places such as polruan (I took a sprinter down there in previous work and it was tight down in the village and the lanes on the way there)

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/38472854/public-transport-guide-2019_pages-52-114.pdf

 

[MB162435]

MMC 33318 heading home to join its family at Truro Depot, on the 23:52 U1 service from Falmouth Moor to Truro bus station this evening

Merry Christmas to all the Kernow staff and all my fellow enthusiasts!

 

[Busaholic]

MMC 33318 heading home to join its family at Truro Depot, on the 23:52 U1 service from Falmouth Moor to Truro bus station this evening

Merry Christmas to all the Kernow staff and all my fellow enthusiasts!

And to your good self, and all on this forum: peace.

 

[Andyh82]

I’m planning a trip down to Cornwall for next summer and are wondering about the optimum time to visit.

Is there a time period when it’s both still term time at Truro College and also when the summer services are in operation?

 

[83G/84D]

I’m planning a trip down to Cornwall for next summer and are wondering about the optimum time to visit.

Is there a time period when it’s both still term time at Truro College and also when the summer services are in operation?

June is probably the best month.

 

[Goldfish62]

June is probably the best month.

Agreed. It's also before all the crowds and traffic jams start!

 

[richw]

I’m planning a trip down to Cornwall for next summer and are wondering about the optimum time to visit.

Is there a time period when it’s both still term time at Truro College and also when the summer services are in operation?

definitely June. College normally breaks up late June early July. or early September. Summer timetable normally runs Late May bank holiday (whitsun half term) until mid September

 

[matt_splat]

talk or rural routes where bigger operators might not be able to serve would anything stop a larger operator to work with a smaller operator, also have first not had a few smaller busses on trial recently?

 

[cnjb8]

talk or rural routes where bigger operators might not be able to serve would anything stop a larger operator to work with a smaller operator, also have first not had a few smaller busses on trial recently?

They had KF19 LCV, a Mellor Strata

 

[richw]

talk or rural routes where bigger operators might not be able to serve would anything stop a larger operator to work with a smaller operator, also have first not had a few smaller busses on trial recently?

There was also a package of 70 school bus services as well.

All the publications from the council (assuming not badly worded (entirely possible)) imply it was 3 packages for tender, 1) service buses, 2) school services, 3) Truro p&r. As it was implied as being packages, would there be any reason the big guns couldn’t have said to the little operators how much, and add it all up and that was the bid for sub contracting partnerships included. If as implied it was all one package, there is no way any of the little operators could bid. Of course with Cornwall council it could just be badly worded press releases and they weren’t as packages.

 

[carlberry]

There was also a package of 70 school bus services as well.

All the publications from the council (assuming not badly worded (entirely possible)) imply it was 3 packages for tender, 1) service buses, 2) school services, 3) Truro p&r. As it was implied as being packages, would there be any reason the big guns couldn’t have said to the little operators how much, and add it all up and that was the bid for sub contracting partnerships included. If as implied it was all one package, there is no way any of the little operators could bid. Of course with Cornwall council it could just be badly worded press releases and they weren’t as packages.

Some LAs have done similar things before covering just the contracted operations (Dorset and Powys for example) and the end result has often been the winning operator sub contracting stuff to smaller operators. It's also possible for a consortium of operators to bid together.

 

[Goldfish62]

Park & Ride Solo 53503 is on the 5 today. It's only got 17 seats, plus 6 standees.

 

[83G/84D]

It was on the St Erth park and ride back in the summer and the number of pushchairs waiting to board was higher than the amount it could carry. Several extra trips between car parks were required.

 

[MB162435]

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

33314 entering the new decade on the 23:52 U1 service from Falmouth Moor to Truro bus station

Wonder what Kernow buses and routes will look like by the end of the decade?

You certainly couldn't of predicted in 2010 what Kernow would look like by 2019 with new buses, new routes run especially ones formally run by rivals especially with the demise of Western Greyhound, and many routes being axed or reduced and many buses being scrapped or cascaded

So what will we be posting about come 2030, electric buses, a new company running Kernow....

One thing is for sure, the 2020's will certainly spring a few surprises in the bus world

 

[Busaholic]

Park & Ride Solo 53503 is on the 5 today. It's only got 17 seats, plus 6 standees. View attachment 72220

It's not able to display more than the extreme right hand bit of the 5 number either, can just be made out on the photo on the left side of the destination screen.

 

[83G/84D]

E200MMC 44963 is in Camborne, not one of the usual batch operating from here.

 

[Goldfish62]

It's not able to display more than the extreme right hand bit of the 5 number either, can just be made out on the photo on the left side of the destination screen.

Yes, and it's not the only bus in the fleet with that problem.

 

[Busaholic]

Yes, and it's not the only bus in the fleet with that problem.

Indeed, there's an M6 which can only display the 6 part - given these buses can work the 11 or 16 too, then you can see the possible confusion amongst the public.

 

[Goldfish62]

Indeed, there's an M6 which can only display the 6 part - given these buses can work the 11 or 16 too, then you can see the possible confusion amongst the public.

Absolutely, I've been confused myself with them!

 

[83G/84D]

An update regarding the South West Water works at Carbis Bay, there have been changes since I last posted about this back in November:-

Carbis Bay sewer upgrade


South West Water is upgrading sections of sewer along St Ives Road and Longstone Hill in Carbis Bay to improve the service to residents and businesses in the local area.

We began preparatory in the area in November 2019, which was completed on Friday 20 December 2019. The sewer upgrade will begin with a road closure on Monday 6 January 2020 and be completed on Thursday 13 February. The remaining work will begin under two-way traffic lights on Monday 10 February and will be completed on Friday 20 March 2020.

Beginning work on site allowed us to survey the sewers in more detail than our previous method of using CCTV had provided. The surveys showed some sections of sewer were in better condition than first believed and did not require the essential work that others did.

Using this new knowledge – and following feedback from residents – we will now focus only on relining the most essential sections of sewer. This will allow us to reduce the period of disruption for residents and businesses and complete the work in the most timely and cost-effective way, requiring shorter road closures than originally planned.

As this scheme, like all work carried out by South West Water, is funded by our customers, it is vital we ensure we prioritise the most essential work to ensure we are using the money available in the best way.

Due to the location of the sewer and to maintain the health and safety of the public and our workers, one section of repair will require a road closure on St Ives Road and Longstone Hill of approximately 350m. Diversions will be clearly signed and maintained 24/7 throughout the length of this work and any sections that can avoid a road closure will be completed under temporary traffic lights.

Programme of work

Programme of work

Date

Activity

Monday 6 January to Thursday 13 February 2020

St Ives Road, road closure from junction of Count House Lane to Carbis Bay Holidays.

Monday 10 February to Friday 20 March 2020

St Ives Road and Longstone Hill, two-way traffic lights from Longstone Cemetery to junction of Laity Lane.

Due to the location of the sewer and to maintain the health and safety of the public and our workers, we will need to close a section of St Ives Road and Longstone Hill of approximately 350m on Monday 6 January until Thursday 13 February 2020. Diversions will be clearly signed and maintained 24/7 throughout the length of this work.

To view road closure area, click here.

Our last phase of works will be completed under two-way traffic lights from Monday 10 February to Friday 20 March 2020, to reduce the impact on local residents and businesses.

Bus timetables

All bus companies are fully aware of our plans to work in this area and we have arranged temporary shuttle bus services during this period. Details of new bus timetables can be seen below, however if you require specific advice please contact the relevant companies who will be able to help you.

Service A17 (Pendeen/Madron – St Ives via Penzance)

All Monday to Saturday daytime journeys between 7.10am and 7.30pm (with the exception of two Monday to Friday peak journeys in each direction) will operate between Pendeen/Madron/Penzance and St Erth Multi Modal Hub only – customers travelling to and from Carbis Bay, Lelant and St Ives will need to change buses at St Erth Multi Modal Hub and travel on temporary service 17 (St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay)

All journeys on Sunday and on Monday to Saturday early morning and evening will continue to provide through buses between Penzance and St Ives via St Erth, Lelant and Carbis Bay.

All buses operating between St Erth and St Ives will be diverted between the junction of A3074 St Ives Road/Polmennor Drive and the junction of A3074 St Ives Road/Count House Lane via Polmennor Road, Polwithen Drive, Wheal Speed Road and Count House Lane.

The diverted buses will be unable to serve the Boskerris Road bus stops – temporary bus stops will be located in the vicinity of the Higher Boskerris/Polwithen Drive junction (as an alternative facility for customers who currently use the Boskerris Road bus stops).

To view a copy of the revised timetable for this service, click here.

Service T2 (St Ives – Truro via Camborne and Redruth)

All journeys will be withdrawn between the St Erth Roundabout and St Ives Malakoff – buses will be diverted at St Erth Roundabouit to operate to and from the St Erth Multi Modal Hub.

Customers travelling to and from Carbis Bay, Lelant and St Ives will need to change buses at St Erth Multi Modal Hub and travel on services A17 (Pendeen/Madron – St Ives via Penzance) and 17 (St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay).

To view a copy of the revised timetable for this service, click here.

Service 17 (St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay)

This temporary service will operate on Monday to Saturday daytime between St Erth Multi Modal Hub and St Ives Malakoff via Lelant and Carbis Bay – buses will be diverted between the junction of A3074 St Ives Road/Polmennor Drive and the junction of A3074 St Ives Road/Count House Lane via Polmennor Road, Polwithen Drive, Wheal Speed Road and Count House Lane.

The diverted buses will be unable to serve the Boskerris Road bus stops – temporary bus stops will be located in the vicinity of the Higher Boskerris/Polwithen Drive junction (as an alternative facility for customers who currently use the Boskerris Road bus stops).

To view a copy of the revised timetable for this service, click here.

St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay

All journeys on services A17 (Pendeen/Madron – St Ives via Penzance) and 17 (St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay) between St Erth and St Ives will be operated by small vehicles (which currently operate on routes in Mid and North Cornwall) which are suitable for operation via the diversion route.

Service 239 (Castle Gate/St Ives – Truro College)

Buses will be diverted between St Ives and Lelant (A3074 Nut Lane/A3074 road/Mill Hill roundabout) to operate via B3306 road, B3306 Higher Stennack, B3311 road, Halsetown, B3311 road, unclassified road, Balnoon Inn, unclassified road, St Ives Holiday Village, unclassified road and Mill Hill.

Students travelling to and from Carbis Bay and Lelant will need to change buses at St Erth Multi Modal Hub and travel on temporary service 17 (St Erth – St Ives via Lelant and Carbis Bay).

To view a copy of the revised timetable for this service, click here.

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/carbisbay

 

[83G/84D]

Solos 53814 and 53816 due from West of England opco for service 17 in connection with the aforementioned roadworks at Carbis Bay. 53816 has arrived but 53814 is at Taunton with issues!

Coaches 20323/4 transferring from Cymru tomorrow and 2 more to follow.

 

[iantherev]

Solos 53814 and 53816 due from West of England opco for service 17 in connection with the aforementioned roadworks at Carbis Bay. 53816 has arrived but 53814 is at Taunton with issues!

Coaches 20323/4 transferring from Cymru tomorrow and 2 more to follow.

20325/64 to follow.

 

[83G/84D]

Green E400MMC 33312 on Park & Ride services in Truro this morning.

 

[83G/84D]

Solos 53814 and 53816 due from West of England opco for service 17 in connection with the aforementioned roadworks at Carbis Bay. 53816 has arrived but 53814 is at Taunton with issues!

Coaches 20323/4 transferring from Cymru tomorrow and 2 more to follow.

53816 is at Camborne.

 

[Busaholic]

An update regarding the South West Water works at Carbis Bay, there have been changes since I last posted about this back in November:-



https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/carbisbay

A much reduced daytime weekday service between St Ives and Lelant, even before you factor in the loss of seating capacity. FK must be thinking many passengers will find alternatives, like the train. The 16 might also become rather full of Penzance to St Ives and vice versa through passengers, leaving behind Gulval, etc passengers. I hope through bus ticket availability will be in place. I foresee problems!

 

[83G/84D]

A much reduced daytime weekday service between St Ives and Lelant, even before you factor in the loss of seating capacity. FK must be thinking many passengers will find alternatives, like the train. The 16 might also become rather full of Penzance to St Ives and vice versa through passengers, leaving behind Gulval, etc passengers. I hope through bus ticket availability will be in place. I foresee problems!

Not ideal like you suggest but at least the work is being done in the winter months when it is relatively quiet in St Ives.

 

[richw]

2/4 coaches from wales arrived last night I believe (I passed what looked like them on A30 near Fraddon)