First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[davetheguard]

Whatever the reason neither that nor the return trip are showing on Bustimes.org.

No mention of a cancellation on the operator's social media, but that's by no means unusual.

Thanks for the reply Goldfish62.

I've e-mailed First Bus using their Adventures by Bus address; no reply as yet, but early days.

 

[83G/84D]

Solo SR 53864 is on the 17 today. Whilst a Solo can appear early morning or late evening a daytime appearance is a bit more unusual.

 

[richw]

Whatever the reason neither that nor the return trip are showing on Bustimes.org.

No mention of a cancellation on the operator's social media, but that's by no means unusual.

The 0926 Gunnislake to Exeter and 1400 return appears to have forgotten to change his ticket machine, as the map traces both ways on the am journey.

Buses of Somerset (BOS) oversee the Exeter start, whereas Cornwall oversee the Gunnislake start. It might be worth asking the BOS Twitter in future for a response on the day?

 

[embers25]

The 1000 often doesn't show on trackers

 

[richw]

The 1000 often doesn't show on trackers

Seems to be whenever it’s something thats not a Gemini from Exeter that it doesn’t track. When I’m driving the Cornish end one I check it’s whereabouts on bustimes when at Mortonhampstead and as long as it’s close I’ll wait rather than struggle past it in those first narrow lanes. I’ve noticed when they’ve used an E400 it hasn’t shown on bustimes. Gemini has shown 100% of time.

 

[vla50]

Is there any update on the YN08s being transferred down?

 

[83G/84D]

Is there any update on the YN08s being transferred down?

Not heard anything about that topic myself. Heard one or two other rumours / speculation but won't post anything that is unsubstantiated.

 

[thameslink2000]

Changes to First South West's Adventures by Bus services from April.

News and service updates

Keep up to date with the latest news and service information on our socials. Twitter: @adventuresbybus Facebook: adventuresbybus

www.firstbus.co.uk

Changes to our Adventure routes between 2 April 2023 and 9 July 2023

Atlantic Coaster

The first day of service is Sunday 28 May, and it will run daily until Saturday 5 September. The timetable is the same as last year except the 0940 from Mawgan Porth to Newquay and 1835 from Newquay to Mawgan Porth will run for the full season.

Dartmoor Explorer

After reviewing Dartmoor Explorer, we have identified that the route is commercially viable in the summer months and needs to allow for extended visits to Dartmoor. Therefore, the daily service will pause from 2 April. It will return with a revised route and enhanced timetable between Sunday 9 July, and Saturday 9 September inclusive. Further details will be published nearer the time.

Exmoor Coaster

Will adopt a new and enhanced timetable from 2 April 2023. Additionally, the route will extend to Ilfracombe from Sunday 28 May, incorporating Exmoor Sunseeker. In high summer, buses run up to every 30 mins at busy times, with buses at least hourly between Minehead and Lynmouth, and at least every 2 hours between Lynmouth and Ilfracombe. Between Easter and October, we will react to demand locally with duplicate buses on our busiest journeys.

Falmouth Coaster

Will recommence on Sunday 2 April and run until Saturday 28 October. The timetable is the same except the last trip will run at 1500 from The Moor.

Land’s End Coaster

A revised summer timetable will commence on Sunday 28 May. We will return to the winter timetable on Sunday 3 September. Between Easter and October, we will react to demand locally with duplicate buses on our busiest journeys.

Lizard L1 L2 L3 L5

From Sunday 2 April, the L1 and L2 will continue to provide links between The Lizard, Helston and Truro College. Buses will run to a revised timetable with fewer buses running on The Lizard, timed to serve the needs of the college. We are withdrawing the L3 and L5.

Mousehole

In preparation for the new buses and anticipated demand, the timetable is enhanced to run every 15 mins from Sunday 2 April. Buses will run every 30 mins through Alverton, and the opposite 30 mins service to run direct along Penzance Promenade.

Sunseeker (S1)

Withdrawn due to low use last season. The U1/U1A through Perranporth continues to run twice hourly throughout the day.

Sunseeker (S2)

From Sunday 2 April, a one-way loop at Gwithian removes the reverse outside the Red River Inn. An extra 3 trips run into the evening to boost capacity on Land’s End Coaster and the 17. We’re dropping the route number this year, with the route being known simply as Sunseeker.

Tin Coaster

From Sunday 2 April, a revised timetable to improve intermediate running times.

 

[Andyh82]

Shame about The Lizard being cut right back, with no L3, L5 and it sounds like the L1 will be very restricted to just the school services

Also slightly odd Dartmoor Explorer ran all the way through winter but then is being suspended until high summer

 

[thameslink2000]

Further changes to First Kernow services in addition to those already listed above.

News and service updates

Latest News For our latest news stories, please visit: https://news-ssandsw.firstbus.co.uk/

www.firstbus.co.uk

U1/U1A

From Sunday 2 April, a revised timetable, and layover will be introduced at Perranporth.

U4

From Monday 3 July, a revised Monday to Saturday timetable will see a new two-hourly open-top service run between Helston and Penzance to cater for the demand experienced last year. It will serve Praa Sands, allowing the main buses to pull away from this delay point.

17

From Sunday 2 April, a new route will be adopted in Penzance, running from St Ives as now to Tesco, then clockwise via Penwith College, West Cornwall Hospital, Market Jew Street, Penzance bus station (where layover will be taken), then along the current route back to Tesco and St Ives. A minor change in the morning and afternoon splits the two schools onto separate buses to help reduce delays. In the evening, the last buses run 90-mins apart rather than hourly to save a late duty. The 17 will not serve St Ives Holiday Village – these are replaced by addition journeys on the S2.

19

From Sunday 2 April, a minor timetable change is introduced.

24

From Sunday 2 April, some early and late buses are withdrawn due to low patronage.

27

From Monday 3 April, the 27 will adopt a revised route to reduce operating costs reflecting current patronage. In St Austell this will run a clockwise loop using Slades Road, then Carclaze Road, Phernyssick road and the current route back to St Austell. One bus in the morning and afternoon will extend to Truro College, and all others will terminate at Truro bus station (and connect with the 91 for onward travel to/from the college).

91

From Sunday 2 April, a revised timetable will run to reflect demand. The 91 will no longer run on a Sunday and some early and late trips are withdrawn on Mondays to Saturdays.

 

[Andyh82]

So you get the feeling that is an internal notice that has just been copied and pasted onto the web - talking about layover and duties

 

[andyc20050]

Interesting to read about some of the U4 services going open top from Penzance to Helston.

 

[Goldfish62]

Also slightly odd Dartmoor Explorer ran all the way through winter but then is being suspended until high summer

I would guess it's due to a review of the sustainability of the business. Judging by the loadings it seems pretty obvious that the DART runs at a loss during Winter. Previously I'd say the decision was taken to take the loss to maintain a year round presence.

However, times are hard and getting harder. Therefore maintaining such services are a luxury the business can no longer afford if it is to protect the core network.

 

[GBM]

Interesting to read about some of the U4 services going open top from Penzance to Helston.

There was a period around 8 or 9 years ago when that ran occasionally as an open- topper. All served Perranuthnoe at the that time, and reversing there at times in summer was virtually impossible. Likewise the road into and out of Perranuthnoe was at times difficult as parking on either side of that road reduced it to a single lane.

 

[Peter Philips]

There was a period around 8 or 9 years ago when that ran occasionally. occasionally as a topper. All served Perranuthnoe at the that time, and reversing there at times in summer was virtually impossible. Likewise the road into and out of Perranuthnoe was at times difficult as parking on either side of that road reduced it to a single lane.

I don't recall open-tops on the U4 but do remember the old circular two-hourly open-top 300 (current Land's End Coaster) used to have additional short Penzance-Perranuthnoe journeys making Penzance-Marazion hourly.

 

[GBM]

I don't recall open-tops on the U4 but do remember the old circular two-hourly open-top 300 (current Land's End Coaster) used to have additional short Penzance-Perranuthnoe journeys making Penzance-Marazion hourly.

Sometimes used on the short U4 summertime - Penzance to Helston and return; also occasionally on the old 300 route.

 

[richard13]

The Dartmoor Explorer will be reduced to running during Bicton College holidays, rather than between college journeys. Bicton College in East Devon is part of the Cornwall College Group with whom First has a transport contract. Thus a Dartmoor Explorer liveried bus was in Sidmouth Monday afternoon in service on a Bicton route. I still find it odd seeing Truronion coaches and other First buses in East Devon in service.

 

[RELL6L]

I am very disappointed that the Dartmoor Explorer is being withdrawn outside the high summer period, I had thought this was doing OK. I guess that if they have given it their best shot and it hasn't covered even the marginal costs of running buses between college journeys then it can't be worthwhile. Shame Devon can't put their hands in their pocket to make this viable, it would be a good asset to the county.

More excited about the Exmoor Coaster which sounds much more positive. Every 30 minutes in busy times! Hope this continues to do well.

 

[Goldfish62]

I am very disappointed that the Dartmoor Explorer is being withdrawn outside the high summer period, I had thought this was doing OK. I guess that if they have given it their best shot and it hasn't covered even the marginal costs of running buses between college journeys then it can't be worthwhile. Shame Devon can't put their hands in their pocket to make this viable, it would be a good asset to the county.

More excited about the Exmoor Coaster which sounds much more positive. Every 30 minutes in busy times! Hope this continues to do well.

I'd be more surprised if it was commercially viable during the winter. The fuel costs alone must be quite substantial given the nature of the route and the heavy gas-guzzling Euro III/IV buses used. Given the paltry loadings I and others have noted the route would surely have to defy all normal rules of bus operating economics for it to be viable in the winter.

The problem with the Dartmoor Explorer running between college journeys has always been that the times of operation aren't ideal, so now this is an opportunity to remedy that. Hopefully it will be a success. If not this could be the last year it operates.

Consistent use of correctly branded buses would help as well to raise the route's profile. And the Exeter end journeys being more reliable and actually following the correct route in Exeter City Centre.

I travelled on the Exmoor Coaster last June on a weekday and it was rammed, so I'm not surprised about the frequency increase.

 

[davetheguard]

And the Exeter end journeys being more reliable and actually following the correct route in Exeter City Centre.

I posted on 20th Feb how I'd waited for the 10.00 Exeter to Tavistock but it didn't turn up. Absolutely nothing at the bus stop at Exeter St. Thomas station to show that the route even serves the stop: no timetable and no route number on the flag. If it hadn't been included in the Devon County Council bus timetable book, I wouldn't have even been aware that the route existed.

To rub salt in to the wound, it is now 8 working days since I e-mailed Buses of Somerset to report the non operation and ask the reason, but I've had no response at all. Hopeless!
Would I trust this operator to pick me up at some remote spot on the moor after a walk? On this performance - no way. No wonder they're not carrying the passengers.

 

[Ryan H]

I posted on 20th Feb how I'd waited for the 10.00 Exeter to Tavistock but it didn't turn up. Absolutely nothing at the bus stop at Exeter St. Thomas to show that the route even serves the stop: no timetable and no route number on the flag. If it hadn't been included in the Devon County Council bus timetable book, I wouldn't have even been aware that the route existed.

To rub salt in to the wound, it is now 8 working days since I e-mailed Buses of Somerset to report the non operation and ask the reason, but I've had no response at all. Hopeless!
Would I trust this operator to pick me up at some remote spot on the moor after a walk? On this performance - no way. No wonder they're not carrying the passengers.

It was probably a quick thing and one time only. You can't just not use a service if one doesn't turn up it's unlikely that it would happen and if it does it's not the end of the world.

Any links for new Exmoor Coaster times?

 

[davetheguard]

It was probably a quick thing and one time only. You can't just not use a service if one doesn't turn up it's unlikely that it would happen and if it does it's not the end of the world.

Any links for new Exmoor Coaster times?

I agree it's not the end of the world on most bus routes. But this is the Dartmoor Explorer.

When your bus has not turned up, there's only two buses a day anyway, and the next bus may now be tomorrow morning (if that runs), that's something else. Add in the possibility that you might not be in Exeter city centre or in a town like Tavistock with other bus routes available, but in a very remote location on the moor, and things become potentially quite serious; particularly if there's no phone signal.

 

[Ryan H]

I agree it's not the end of the world on most bus routes. But this is the Dartmoor Explorer.

When your bus has not turned up, there's only two buses a day anyway, and the next bus may now be tomorrow morning (if that runs), that's something else. Add in the possibility that you might not be in Exeter city centre or in a town like Tavistock with other bus routes available, but in a very remote location on the moor, and things become potentially quite serious; particularly if there's no phone signal.

Fair enough. I didn't realise it was that staggered, to be fair. I get your point.

 

[fgwrich]

I'd be more surprised if it was commercially viable during the winter. The fuel costs alone must be quite substantial given the nature of the route and the heavy gas-guzzling Euro III/IV buses used. Given the paltry loadings I and others have noted the route would surely have to defy all normal rules of bus operating economics for it to be viable in the winter.

The problem with the Dartmoor Explorer running between college journeys has always been that the times of operation aren't ideal, so now this is an opportunity to remedy that. Hopefully it will be a success. If not this could be the last year it operates.

Consistent use of correctly branded buses would help as well to raise the route's profile. And the Exeter end journeys being more reliable and actually following the correct route in Exeter City Centre.

I travelled on the Exmoor Coaster last June on a weekday and it was rammed, so I'm not surprised about the frequency increase.

I really do hope the Dartmoor Explorer can be revitalised because it looks like it has the potential to be an excellent service and an excellent scenic ride across the moors, but at its current times, it is somewhat awkward. I've been meaning to use it for a while now, but by the time I make it down from Hampshire, the morning service is gone leaving me with a single westbound trip to Gunnislake.

Certainly looking forward to the expanded Exmoor Coaster this year though!

 

[Andyh82]

I was planning a ride on the Dartmoor Explorer when I’m down in June, which may have been a Saturday. I’ll have to think of something else.

Running it in winter was a bit optimistic I have to say, whereas running it at Easter, spring weekends, May half term etc would have been better than not running it until July

 

[Goldfish62]

I really do hope the Dartmoor Explorer can be revitalised because it looks like it has the potential to be an excellent service and an excellent scenic ride across the moors, but at its current times, it is somewhat awkward.

It's certainly a stunning route and it's a shame that it's not reached its full potential.

 

[henryb]

On the subject of the Dartmoor explorer, are Saturdays almost guaranteed to be a 400mmc? @richw

 

[RELL6L]

I agree the Dartmoor Explorer isn't likely to be viable during the winter and probably presents operating challenges in cold or wet weather. But from the start of the Easter holidays through until say October half term you would have thought a low-cost between college run service from either end ought to have worked. When I went on it - in 2021 - there were definitely enough passengers to justify this, although of course this was a sunny day. Disappointing that it is being cut to high summer only.

 

[richw]

On the subject of the Dartmoor explorer, are Saturdays almost guaranteed to be a 400mmc? @richw

No. Depends which depot covers it. We’ve got a pool of drivers across Bodmin, Callington, Plymouth and even Summercourt who share the Saturday duty, so it depends where it comes from.
This morning callington had no MMCs and Bodmin had 1 E400MMC, Plymouth had 1 E400mmc and a Gemini, as well as a Solo.
Plymouth and Callington this morning had a Dartmoor Gemini each, 37155 and 37173 so it should be correct liveried if either of those two cover it this weekend

 

[henryb]

Any idea what kind of summer timetable could be implemented?