First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Andyh82]

53865, the new GWR Solo SR was in use on the S2 service today

After travelling around the area over the past few days, overall a positive experience, and the fact you can use the same ticket on all operators is good. Also that there are still printed timetable information readily available.

I think they need to tighten up the allocations though, it seems to be normal for some Tinners not to be on the Tinner (there was one on the 17 all day today) and blue U Lines buses on either the Tinner or the green services. The open tops are all over the place as well with a Lands End Coaster operating the L1 yesterday. I’m guessing this happens because there is technically only one depot and a load of outstations and everything has to circle through them. I’ll let it slide due to the overall positive experience but I know if it was Arriva Kernow some other industry commentators would be all over it.

It’s nice to see some of the Geminis have had an interior refurbishment as well. This is unheard of in the part of First I usually travel on.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It’s nice to see some of the Geminis have had an interior refurbishment as well. This is unheard of in the part of First I usually travel on.

Indeed - it is a bit varied from area to area. First West of England refurbed most of their Geminis in 2013/4. Think a number of those were in decent nick when they arrived into Cornwall whilst others (ex Glasgow or West Yorks) were in need of some TLC.

Looking forward to travelling on FSW next week

 

[On the Buses]

Replacing anything or just additional?

Additional school contracts

 

[Goldfish62]

Had an excellent day out on the Exmoor Coaster yesterday. Had Scania 36081 from Minehead very much looking the part and B9 36100 on return from Lynmouth. The latter performed very well even it was somewhat anonymous. Both buses were full up - I can see there'll be capacity problems during the school holidays.

The only niggle was a reluctance from the drivers in accepting our First Week Family and Friends tickets, with one saying, "we don't normally accept these, but I'll let you off on this occasion".

 

[MB162435]

Additional school contracts

Ah brilliant, thanks for the reply

 

[Andyh82]

I also notice that the Day Tripper buses seem to keep a low profile, mostly being used on schools or colleagues.

I suppose the livery could be interpreted to advertise bus travel in general rather than the 2021 Day Tripper network so still kind of works.

 

[83G/84D]

Park & Ride Citaro 64056 noted at Mercedes Benz at Victoria plus a Duchy College branded Gemini under tow behind a Cornwall Commercials wrecker eastbound A30 at Carland Cross mid morning.
Solo 53701 broken down in a layby on the eastbound A30 near Scorrier.

Yellow open top 32102 in Camborne with a defect sticker on it, after breaking down earlier this week.

 

[Bazer]

Park & Ride Citaro 64056 noted at Mercedes Benz at Victoria plus a Duchy College branded Gemini under tow behind a Cornwall Commercials wrecker eastbound A30 at Carland Cross mid morning.
Solo 53701 broken down in a layby on the eastbound A30 near Scorrier.

Yellow open top 32102 in Camborne with a defect sticker on it, after breaking down earlier this week.

64056 has been at Merc for over two months now with issues.

 

[83G/84D]

Started Monday.

Thanks, what is the service number and what is working it as I can't see it on bustimes?

64056 has been at Merc for over two months now with issues.

I thought so, as it appears to not have worked on the park & ride for a while.

 

[Andyh82]

Do the ALX500s do any other duties besides the Truro College rubs that they track on. I noticed one near Newquay yesterday at a time that didn’t tie up with a college service (it was 9am)

 

[richw]

Duchy College branded Gemini under tow behind a Cornwall Commercials wrecker eastbound A30 at Carland Cross mid morning.
Solo 53701 broken down in a layby on the eastbound A30 near Scorrier.

32691 got towed from Bodmin depot. But would have thought that would have gone west to summercourt

53701 shredded a alternator belt, fixed at roadside and in callington by 1330 in good time for afternoon school service

 

[MB162435]

Mousehole Solo 53826 made a very rare appearance on a Helston route, working the 16:00 L2 service from Truro Bus Station to Coverack via Truro College

 

[83G/84D]

32691 got towed from Bodmin depot. But would have thought that would have gone west to summercourt

53701 shredded a alternator belt, fixed at roadside and in callington by 1330 in good time for afternoon school service

Thanks for the information. I could not get the details of the Gemini as I was driving so not sure which one it was.

37793 seen in Camborne this afternoon.

 

[Trainfan061193]

I wonder if the blue MMCs are ever going to get Coast to Coast vinyls…

This idea was proposed around August/September last year I think…

 

[On the Buses]

I wonder if the blue MMCs are ever going to get Coast to Coast vinyls…

This idea was proposed around August/September last year I think…

Yes the vinyls are cut ready.

 

[Andyh82]

Do First still have buses based at an outstation in Plymouth, since the Dartmoor Explorer stopped running from there?

 

[Bazer]

I also notice that the Day Tripper buses seem to keep a low profile, mostly being used on schools or colleagues.

I suppose the livery could be interpreted to advertise bus travel in general rather than the 2021 Day Tripper network so still kind of works.

32687 and 32689 are currently working Glastonbury shuttles

 

[richw]

Do First still have buses based at an outstation in Plymouth, since the Dartmoor Explorer stopped running from there?

Yes. They run 2 duchy college duties and the 2 Dartmoors from this end on duchy college days.

 

[farwest]

Yes the vinyls are cut ready.

That will be good as the coast to coast U1 across Truro seems very successful and getting busier. Also Falmouth and Penryn now have a 7 day week service direct to Treliske hospital.

 

[Goldfish62]

@OntheBuses is there going to be a printed BoS timetable book or is it now just online? The notices at Bridgwater bus station last week suggest staff have had many enquiries!

 

[On the Buses]

@OntheBuses is there going to be a printed BoS timetable book or is it now just online? The notices at Bridgwater bus station last week suggest staff have had many enquiries!

Yes but it was pulled temporarily from print when we agreed to make some last minute timetable changes at the request of Somerset County Council.

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes but it was pulled temporarily from print when we agreed to make some last minute timetable changes at the request of SCC

Many thanks.

 

[Accelerator59]

32525 is now carrying the reg HIG 1519. Spotted in Hayle this afternoon.

Does anybody know if 37388, 37396 and 37416 are transferring to Buses Of Somerset from Bristol? I thought they were going to Norwich but somebody changed them to be on Buses Of Somerset fleet list.

Thought I saw them changed to be on the First Kernow fleetlist, but now appears to be back on the Buses of Somerset one.

 

[richw]

Thought I saw them changed to be on the First Kernow fleetlist, but now appears to be back on the Buses of Somerset one.

@On the Buses has already answered where and what they are for in this thread.

 

[Callum15632]

32687 and 32689 are currently working Glastonbury shuttles

I know they worked Glastonbury shuttles to their former home (Bristol). 32545, 32687,32689, 32760, 37013, 33377, 33508, 33565, 33571 and 32767 all spotted on Bustimes working Glastonbury Shuttles to Bristol on Sunday evening and Monday morning until about 12:30 ish. 32767 ran the last Glastonbury Shuttle to Bristol at about 6pm last night.

 

[Accelerator59]

@On the Buses has already answered where and what they are for in this thread.

Yeah, I know and read that but I’ve checked again since then and I re-iterate what I said earlier.

 

[richw]

Yeah, I know and read that but I’ve checked again since then and I re-iterate what I said earlier.

On the buses is clearly a much more reliable source than bustimes where anybody can log in and make amendments without source.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yeah, I know and read that but I’ve checked again since then and I re-iterate what I said earlier.

@On the Buses is a senior member of FSW’s management team. I’d be going with what they said than bustimes.

I know they worked Glastonbury shuttles to their former home (Bristol). 32545, 32687,32689, 32760, 37013, 33377, 33508, 33565, 33571 and 32767 all spotted on Bustimes working Glastonbury Shuttles to Bristol on Sunday evening and Monday morning until about 12:30 ish. 32767 ran the last Glastonbury Shuttle to Bristol at about 6pm last night.

Passed 37013 and what I think was 32689 returning on the A30 near Fraddon today.

 

[On the Buses]

On the buses is clearly a much more reliable source than bustimes where anybody can log in and make amendments without source.

Two of the three have landed in Somerset but all three are going to Cornwall. They will be joined by some of the East Lancs Tridents for September.

 

[Accelerator59]

Two of the three have landed in Somerset but all three are going to Cornwall. They will be joined by some of the East Lancs Tridents for September.

Thank you! Glad that’s now set in stone.