First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, I know. I'm talking about long term, which I think was also the original question that sparked this debate.

I think the question, which we obviously don't know the answer to yet, is whether the MMCs at SPS will be required back in Cornwall long term. With the economics of local bus services now in tatters one way of achieving economies would be to use fully depreciated vehicles.

Given that the current arrangement is so lucrative it can't be the best value for money long term for EDF, who will at some stage want to formalise more permanent arrangements. But then that probably can't be done until we know how long social distancing will last. It could be for ever of course!

At the current time, it makes sense for SPS to have additional modern deckers to enable social distancing AND that FSW get an income (on top of their £900k dividend) and aren’t left with the burden of depreciation.

In the longer term, it’ll be interesting to see what SPS do and whether FSW will require their MMC back.

 

[richw]

Marc has confirmed that the MMCs will be returning to Cornwall when social distancing is no longer required at Hinckley.
Tridents are for school flow social distance requirements.

 

[richw]

on top of their £900k dividend)

The dividend of course being variable dependent on profit/loss

 

[Goldfish62]

Marc has confirmed that the MMCs will be returning to Cornwall when social distancing is no longer required at Hinckley.
Tridents are for school flow social distance requirements.

Thanks for the update. So beyond the originally intended September, but at some stage, whenever that be (that's the how long is a piece of string question).

 

[Goldfish62]

Interesting tweet from Marc stating that the 2020 vision has been updated and FK has engaged Flash Forward Consulting in further developments. Good positive stuff in these grim times!

 

[83G/84D]

Any sign of any old buses from Bath arriving at Camborne yet?

I will let you all know if I see any.

 

[richw]

I will let you all know if I see any.

Monday.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The dividend of course being variable dependent on profit/loss

As First shareholders (of which I am one) are all too well aware

 

[CD]

Sorry, I meant the current short term contract for hiring buses to SPS, not the last set of accounts which I've looked at.

I expect that is classified as confidential information.

Marc has confirmed that the MMCs will be returning to Cornwall when social distancing is no longer required at Hinckley.
Tridents are for school flow social distance requirements.

Social distancing could be in place for years. The site was originally forecast to open in 2025 but its running well behind schedule.

 

[Goldfish62]

I expect that is classified as confidential information.

Yes, but it was suggested that it was highly profitable so someone on here has the info!

 

[richw]

Yes, but it was suggested that it was highly profitable so someone on here has the info!

Stating it is Highly profitable is different to quoting exact figures in pounds!

 

[baza585]

It is almost certainly more profitable than having buses and drivers sat doing nothing in depots. Beyond that I doubt we will ever know..............

 

[Goldfish62]

Stating it is Highly profitable is different to quoting exact figures in pounds!

But to say it is highly profitable you have to know the numbers, otherwise the statement is without foundation!

 

[richw]

But to say it is highly profitable you have to know the numbers, otherwise the statement is without foundation!

Again I know enough to know it’s highly profitable

 

[Blackpudding]

Monday.

32069/70/75/76/83 are the supposed vehicles due but as always subject to change.

 

[Goldfish62]

Again I know enough to know it’s highly profitable

OK, fair enough, thanks.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

32069/70/75/76/83 are the supposed vehicles due but as always subject to change.

At least they’re a bit tidier than most 18/19 yr old deckers. Just a little oddity is that they’re sending ones in blue unibus livery rather than those in Urban (albeit with purple fronts from the 3/4)

 

[Blackpudding]

At least they’re a bit tidier than most 18/19 yr old deckers. Just a little oddity is that they’re sending ones in blue unibus livery rather than those in Urban (albeit with purple fronts from the 3/4)

I for got to mention that Hengrove Dennis Trident 33072 was reported at Bridgwater earlier in the week presumably en route to Cornwall.

 

[Lizard1324]

I for got to mention that Hengrove Dennis Trident 33072 was reported at Bridgwater earlier in the week presumably en route to Cornwall.

This image from the 4th of August shows it in buses of somersets Taunton depot so presumably its eith them now.

First Buses of Somerset Plaxton President LN51 GOC 33072 , Taunton Bus Depot 4.8.20

First Buses of Somerset Plaxton President LN51 GOC 33072 , Taunton Bus Depot 4.8.20

www.flickr.com

 

[83G/84D]

The former Mendip Explorer Gemini 32688 now green and light blue has been out on the Tinner route today.

 

[Lizard1324]

Marc has shown on twitter the first of 12 geminis to go into there own cornwall college livery.
Image shows new gemini with a green front and white rear

 

[Goldfish62]

Marc has shown on twitter the first of 12 geminis to go into there own cornwall college livery.View attachment 81940
Image shows new gemini with a green front and white rear

Reminds me of the poppy Solo.

 

[Volvo142]

Long weekend in Somerset for me and whilst sitting outside The Esplanade Fish Bar in Burnham on Sea enjoying their finest f&c, I had to do a double take as Atlantic Coaster 33177 passed by!

Vinyls have been removed but the branding is still clearly apparent.

 

[fgwrich]

Long weekend in Somerset for me and whilst sitting outside The Esplanade Fish Bar in Burnham on Sea enjoying their finest f&c, I had to do a double take as Atlantic Coaster 33177 passed by!

Vinyls have been removed but the branding is still clearly apparent.

Looking at Flickr I can see what you mean!

First Buses of Somerset 33177 LR02LYW

In Bridgwater bus station on a 21A to Taunton.

www.flickr.com

While it does look rather smart still, it's a shame that the dents / scrapes do take the shine off it a little!

 

[richw]

Long weekend in Somerset for me and whilst sitting outside The Esplanade Fish Bar in Burnham on Sea enjoying their finest f&c, I had to do a double take as Atlantic Coaster 33177 passed by!

Vinyls have been removed but the branding is still clearly apparent.

Seen on Facebook a comment that 3 atlantic coasters were in that route.

 

[Busaholic]

Long weekend in Somerset for me and whilst sitting outside The Esplanade Fish Bar in Burnham on Sea enjoying their finest f&c, I had to do a double take as Atlantic Coaster 33177 passed by!

Vinyls have been removed but the branding is still clearly apparent.

Global warming brings the Atlantic to Burnham. luckily the -on-Sea one rather than the Market one in Norfolk.

 

[carlberry]

Global warming brings the Atlantic to Burnham. luckily the -on-Sea one rather than the Market one in Norfolk.

The single deckers on the 21 route have been ex AC ones for a while now, most eventually had the logos changed for route 21, now the deckers have arrived.

 

[fgwrich]

Global warming brings the Atlantic to Burnham. luckily the -on-Sea one rather than the Market one in Norfolk.

Oh I don't know, I think it would do some of us a favour if it washed away the one in Bucks!

 

[Busaholic]

Oh I don't know, I think it would do some of us a favour if it washed away the one in Bucks!

Forgot about that one - I don't know it, is it, or some of its residents, particularly obnoxious?

 

[fgwrich]

Forgot about that one - I don't know it, is it, or some of its residents, particularly obnoxious?

Let's just say, it's the a**e end of Slough. Having had a few jobs at the station and dealing with some of the locals, it's not an area I'm in a rush to go back to!

Although, linking this back to the thread, the last time I had to go to Slough for work purposes, the FK / GW Timetable / Bike Bus dart was parked outside.