TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I didnt mean it was along time ago just a few years ago, just remember seeing the 12 plate e400 when they were in and around Cornwall and wonder how we needed up getting them, and I've never really researched about the devon part of first till recently.
I was just a bit surprised that you didn't know about the Devon part of First.
The reason they arrived was probably of a combination of having expensive fleet in a loss making operation (Devon) and a need to have newer fleet for the U1/U2. Having got the new fleet at the end of 2016 and a load more arriving in early 2018 for other routes like the U4, 91-3 and 27, there wouldn't have been quite the requirement to retain them so Bristol got them.
First Kernow have done brilliantly to get as much fleet investment as they have. Now they're getting Geminis to replace the Tridents (at least in part depending on schools tender results) so there's not that much old tat. Guess the short Darts are perhaps the oldest (for use on the 47 when normality returns?) though it would be good if the M6 got some new fleet. However, given current circumstances and the potential future ramifications, new vehicle investment is moot point.