First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[henairs]

Led to believe one of the BASE ones got towed into Taunton today.

Thanks for sorting that one out rich, should be heading your way today then,
Mike R

 

[Goldfish62]

Further to my observations that the M6 is having capacity problems I ran the excellent Space Checker. As you can see, if you're travelling from the Ropewalk into Penzance you have serious problems. The M6 is the only service following the diversion of the 5 away to carry fresh air.

 

[Yarp1]

I wouldn't be surprised if the overflow yard has been given up. The need to reduce overheads is all the more important now.

With losing the 5 and 16/16A plus the reduction in the T1 frequency there's been an eight PVR saving at Penzance and I'm not aware of any additional contract work, so there'll be more storage room in the main depot yard.

The pvr maybe less but the vehicles havent gone away except for the e200s to pcb. So parking space is still the same as before and there are more buses to cope with extra loadings. There are the buses at hinkley but their parking spaces as it were are taken by the extras that have come along

 

[richw]

I wouldn't be surprised if the overflow yard has been given up. The need to reduce overheads is all the more important now.

That area isn’t part of the Fk lease.

 

[Goldfish62]

That area isn’t part of the Fk lease.

So they occupied it for free?

The pvr maybe less but the vehicles havent gone away except for the e200s to pcb. So parking space is still the same as before and there are more buses to cope with extra loadings. There are the buses at hinkley but their parking spaces as it were are taken by the extras that have come along

Remember that there are three new operating centres for the Cornwall College contracts.

 

[richw]

So they occupied it for free?

Not sure about the agreement for the use it had. Same landlord

 

[khp516e]

Thanks for sorting that one out rich, should be heading your way today then,
Mike R

For the record, LJ53BAV was outside Taunton yesterday

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Thanks to all who posted on parking in relation to the open toppers.

I guess that it's been a developing situation with the tender losses being offset against increased schools and Covid requirements. I guess that parking can always be found and guess that the open toppers can be squirrelled away.

Going off the UK Buses site (so appropriate health warning there) but the FK fleet will have 23 open toppers.... Even in ye olden days of VRs and Atlanteans, I don't think there was anything close to that in all of Western National, let alone just Cornwall.

 

[richw]

Going off the UK Buses site (so appropriate health warning there) but the FK fleet will have 23 open toppers....

I don’t think they’re all listed on there...

I guess that parking can always be found and guess that the open toppers can be squirrelled away.

Two currently parked in Bodmin. unless we’re starting an open top tour of Bodmin Roche and bugle I’m pretty confident they’re just using up some parking space

 

[Busaholic]

Further to my observations that the M6 is having capacity problems I ran the excellent Space Checker. As you can see, if you're travelling from the Ropewalk into Penzance you have serious problemView attachment 84137s. The M6 is the only service following the diversion of the 5 away to carry fresh air.

That is very concerning. Once I resume driving again in a few days time I shall be going down to Newlyn quite regularly, and will vary my route to go via M6 on occasion: I'll consult the 5 timetable and follow one down the Coombe too, observing loadings in and out of the estate, then follow it into Pz, until St John's Hall anyway. I'll post on here, but it's a bit Candle in the Wind, isn't it?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I don’t think they’re all listed on there...


Two currently parked in Bodmin. unless we’re starting an open top tour of Bodmin Roche and bugle I’m pretty confident they’re just using up some parking space

I didn't know how accurate that 23 was.... hence the health warning If it's more, that's even more impressive!

Bodmin was one location that I was thinking of for storage. It was quite cosy and they did lose a bit of work to TfC but didn't know how the later work won affected it. It's a quaint location but I'm a sucker for a country depot!! As for the Bodmin Moor Explorer, Cornwall Council already contracted that to TfC

Also, there is also the option to store at somewhere like Winkleigh. In the past, they have also stored FSW and SPS vehicles at the depots in Yeovil and Minehead so there are plenty of options.

 

[richw]

Bodmin was one location that I was thinking of for storage. It was quite cosy and they did lose a bit of work to TfC but didn't know how the later work won affected it.

bodmin is very cosy now. Whereas it used to be 12 Or so small buses, it’s now 11 big buses and two stored open tops. Bodmin doesn’t do any service work.
3 schools - 2 deckers and a 70 seater coach
3 duchy college - 1 short solo, 1 long single deck, and mine, I seem to get anything, I have 32 kids (Never had more than 26 on any given day so far) booked on my run and so far I’ve had Gemini’s, ALX400, coaches, and now I’ve got a Lizard Solo! I’ve attached some photos of my selection of vehicles so far!
1 st Austell college- Dart.
4 Truro college - 1 coach, 2 deckers and a long single deck.

plus one Hopleys cheetah out stationed here and uses the corner space.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

bodmin is very cosy now. Whereas it used to be 12 Or so small buses, it’s now 11 big buses and two stored open tops. Bodmin doesn’t do any service work.
3 schools - 2 deckers and a 70 seater coach
3 duchy college - 1 short solo, 1 long single deck, and mine, I seem to get anything, I have 32 kids (Never had more than 26 on any given day so far) booked on my run and so far I’ve had Gemini’s, ALX400, coaches, and now I’ve got a Lizard Solo! I’ve attached some photos of my selection of vehicles so far!
1 st Austell college- Dart.
4 Truro college - 1 coach, 2 deckers and a long single deck.

plus one Hopleys cheetah out stationed here and uses the corner space.

Thanks for that info. Oh, and thanks for the photos as well

Last time I was there, it had a sufficient eclectic mix with brand new e200/e400 alongside some yellow school buses and a selection of coaches in Truronian and Vamooz colours.

The service work was the 55 and 95 plus a 27 board at that time? Nice to know it's still in rude health despite it no longer doing service stuff. Take it that servicing is done at Summercourt?

 

[Ballysundriven]

bodmin is very cosy now. Whereas it used to be 12 Or so small buses, it’s now 11 big buses and two stored open tops. Bodmin doesn’t do any service work.
3 schools - 2 deckers and a 70 seater coach
3 duchy college - 1 short solo, 1 long single deck, and mine, I seem to get anything, I have 32 kids (Never had more than 26 on any given day so far) booked on my run and so far I’ve had Gemini’s, ALX400, coaches, and now I’ve got a Lizard Solo! I’ve attached some photos of my selection of vehicles so far!
1 st Austell college- Dart.
4 Truro college - 1 coach, 2 deckers and a long single deck.

plus one Hopleys cheetah out stationed here and uses the corner space.

Thank you for the fascinating report from Bodmin depot. Would you happen to know the contract numbers for the three ‘school’ buses please?

 

[richw]

Thank you for the fascinating report from Bodmin depot. Would you happen to know the contract numbers for the three ‘school’ buses please?

Don’t take this as gospel but I think The 2 poltair Deckers are POL109 and POL111, one goes up bugle stenalees straight over the top roundabout down to poltair school. The other goes bugle- Penwithick road through to poltair.
The 70 seater is I believe LAU103 or 003, coads green, tregadillet, south petherwin are some of the calling points I recall

Take it that servicing is done at Summercourt?

It’s spread where required. I’ve delivered buses to Summercourt, truro and Camborne for servicing! Not sure about Truro College, but duchy college and school drivers all come under Truronian Management so we are predominately Working under truronian brand

A pair of Lizards met at duchy college this afternoon. One to Bude and the other to Looe

 

[khp516e]

Ex Kernow 33084 seen being towed northbound on m5 yesterday on route to scrap man.

 

[CornwallBus]

I know that Truro are prepping the E400 Open Toppers with LED blinds etc. Bodmin is quite snug with all the School/College work there, so not much space to play with.

Its good to see it being busy, especially with Rail Replacement in Exeter & Taunton!

 

[Ballysundriven]

Don’t take this as gospel but I think The 2 poltair Deckers are POL109 and POL111, one goes up bugle stenalees straight over the top roundabout down to poltair school. The other goes bugle- Penwithick road through to poltair.
The 70 seater is I believe LAU103 or 003, coads green, tregadillet, south petherwin are some of the calling points I recall


It’s spread where required. I’ve delivered buses to Summercourt, truro and Camborne for servicing! Not sure about Truro College, but duchy college and school drivers all come under Truronian Management so we are predominately Working under truronian brand

A pair of Lizards met at duchy college this afternoon. One to Bude and the other to Looe

Thank you for the reply. Great photograph of the two Lizard Solos together at Duchy College. Would the Looe one be operating from Eden or the New Plymouth base please?

 

[richw]

Thank you for the reply. Great photograph of the two Lizard Solos together at Duchy College. Would the Looe one be operating from Eden or the New Plymouth base please?

Plymouth. Eden is currently mothballed

 

[83G/84D]

30880 out on the T1 again today and Gemini 32637 now branded for Cornwall Chamber of Commerce.

 

[Lizard1324]

I see that one of the e400 are now finished and all vinyled up ready for service.
Also 37001 is now in Cornwall College colours and vinyls applied.
Plus a t reg presidents is now painted.
Also a red e400 is on the a17 today one that was due for conversion

 

[83G/84D]

I see that one of the e400 are now finished and all vinyled up ready for service.
Also 37001 is now in Cornwall College colours and vinyls applied.
Plus a t reg presidents is now painted.
Also a red e400 is on the a17 today one that was due for conversion

I didn't think that the red E400's were for open top conversion. The one I saw on facebook was carrying a registration ending DXV however that wasn't on the original list I saw of open top E400's. Can't find said list now however one's I have listed are:-

33426 LK08 NVJ
33427 LK58 KHL
33428 LK58 KHP
33575 SN09 CDU
33592 SN09 CFF
33600 SN09 CFU
33601 SN09 CFV

plus the two Trident's and a B7TL.

 

[Lizard1324]

I didn't think that the red E400's were for open top conversion. The one I saw on facebook was carrying a registration ending DXV however that wasn't on the original list I saw of open top E400's. Can't find said list now however one's I have listed are:-

33426 LK08 NVJ
33427 LK58 KHL
33428 LK58 KHP
33575 SN09 CDU
33592 SN09 CFF
33600 SN09 CFU
33601 SN09 CFV

plus the two Trident's and a B7TL.

The one on the a17 was 33410 - LK08 DXV so is it also a rental

 

[83G/84D]

I was under the impression that the red one's from Ensign (ex Metroline) were not staying. There are at least two more, LK08 DXU & another one in Camborne LK08 NVL. I gather those two will be 33429 & 33430 although tie-up's unclear.

 

[Lizard1324]

Atlantic coaster 33456 - lk08nvj is shown wearing its new uniform still holding its second door (told its stays as high capacity isn't needed - route thoughts) and it also shows a vinyled rear like the a5 coasters bit newer.

 

[Whiteway215]

The South Yorkshire Transport Forum is reporting First South Yorkshire is planning to send fourteen B7TL/ALX400s 52 or 53 plates for scrap. I wonder if Kernow have been contacted if they want any?

 

[richw]

The South Yorkshire Transport Forum is reporting First South Yorkshire is planning to send fourteen B7TL/ALX400s 52 or 53 plates for scrap. I wonder if Kernow have been contacted if they want any?

I had a Ex Yorkshire 02 plate on Monday and Tuesday on Bude to duchy. Have to say it drove beautifully,

 

[jammy36]

Atlantic coaster 33456 - lk08nvj is shown wearing its new uniform still holding its second door (told its stays as high capacity isn't needed - route thoughts) and it also shows a vinyled rear like the a5 coasters bit newer.View attachment 84182View attachment 84183

Interesting to note Falmouth is included as one of the highlighted locations on the map.

 

[Lizard1324]

The South Yorkshire Transport Forum is reporting First South Yorkshire is planning to send fourteen B7TL/ALX400s 52 or 53 plates for scrap. I wonder if Kernow have been contacted if they want any?

I'm not sure but becuase the Bristol alx400 were sold to ensight and were not bought back, there were still some on the website the other day I doubt it but never know.

Interesting to note Falmouth is included as one of the highlighted locations on the map.

Now that is interesting, this is the first ac with falmouth on it not even the newer b9 gemini have it on, so maybe the Falmouth town route is returning and maybe one from Falmouth towards somewhere maybe like Falmouth- swanpool - maen porth - Helford then South to lizard peninsula or helston?
But there arnt any other towns listed on the side vinyls.

There also a comment on kernow behind the scenes that said " we have a whole plan for team Penzance. More than just the buses!!!! Leading the revolution. " any ideas?

 

[Ballysundriven]

Thank you. Would you know which contract the bus that is outstationed at Stoke Climsland Duchy College operates please?