Hi all,
I have just returned from a few days down staying at Fowey and visiting the wider area in Cornwall.
Despite the turbulent recent months, First seem to run a tight and professional outfit. All buses were spotlessly clean on the outside (yes, some of the old brand were left on the Volvos but these are being sorted in due course) with internal cleaning very clear. I spent some time around Truro and St. Austell bus stations, and each bus came in with social distancing stickers by the door and sashes over seats out of use. A member of staff cleaned each bus on arrival or designated stand time - for example, at St. Austell, each of the 24s and 27s were cleaned.
Loading-wise, they seemed to be positive with around most of the given capacity taken on most trips. One 24 departed St. Austell as ”bus full” yesterday morning, for Fowey. As mentioned previously, the 24s are largely 44951/2/3, but Solos 53863/4 were out on the 24 on 30th July. Although I won’t get into my personal thoughts of the politics, it does seem one of the companies - potentially First as it has to be commercial - is missing a trick with the 24s and 25s on the Fowey to St. Austell leg. Lots of customers were disgruntled about having to wait for a red one or a green one, in both Fowey and St. Austell. I wonder if on next year’s summer uplift, First register the Fowey to St. Austell leg of the 25 commercially. Both seemed to be doing well, capacity restraints considered.
The buses in Kernow liveries looked marvellous - great to see some of the MMCs back and in use. The U Lines MMCs are mostly not back, which left the U1 in the hands of other buses - certainly, this week, the Lizard Tridents seem to have found a home on this service.
I have some photos, which are still on the camera so will see what I can find over the next few days.
I hope this is of relevance and interest.
All the best,
James