Go Cornwall Bus

[richw]

The local rags may well take out of context and the official press release did not say it. If it's fake news, it isn't from the council or the operators.

Newspapers frequently pick up the wrong end of the stick, especially when it comes to public transport.

I would focus on what the Council and TfC say, rather than any newspaper.

so the public get the wrong information.I will be surprised if the fares pilot happens anywhere close to May too.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

so the public get the wrong information.I will be surprised if the fares pilot happens anywhere close to May too.

Be fair - Cornwall Council and GCB issued a joint press release. That's the official line. If some rag decides to print stuff that they have misinterpreted, that ISN'T the fault of the council OR the operator. There are things to pillory the council for - this isn't one of them.

Given the circumstances that we're in now, I wouldn't be surprised if the fares pilot doesn't happen then.

 

[berneyarms]

so the public get the wrong information.I will be surprised if the fares pilot happens anywhere close to May too.

Well if the press get the wrong end of the stick that’s their fault.

Most papers don’t have specialist transport journalists and often as a result get things wrong.

You are always better reading the official documents and press releases rather than relying on a newspaper.

Given the current pandemic situation I suspect that you’re right about the fares pilot.

 

[Busaholic]

Be fair - Cornwall Council and GCB issued a joint press release. That's the official line. If some rag decides to print stuff that they have misinterpreted, that ISN'T the fault of the council OR the operator. There are things to pillory the council for - this isn't one of them.

Given the circumstances that we're in now, I wouldn't be surprised if the fares pilot doesn't happen then.

I'd be amazed if the fares pilot happens then. In fact, I'd be highly critical if it was attempted, because there are and will be far more important things to concentrate on, and this would be a misuse of council time apart from anything else. I'm not sure how many are yet getting the reality that things will not gradually be getting back to 'normal', whatever that is, but so many will never be the same again both for social and economic reasons. The comparison between the bus network of today, and of the future, might be like looking at railway lines pre- and post- Beeching on a map, for the simple reason there may be no subsidy money available and fewer passengers to keep the commercial routes going. Unrealistic attempts at creating 'zero emission' buses while keeping them affordable will only exacerbate this. And I'm a natural optimist: just imagine if I was a pessimist.

 

[Ian10]

I'd be amazed if the fares pilot happens then. In fact, I'd be highly critical if it was attempted, because there are and will be far more important things to concentrate on, and this would be a misuse of council time apart from anything else. I'm not sure how many are yet getting the reality that things will not gradually be getting back to 'normal', whatever that is, but so many will never be the same again both for social and economic reasons. The comparison between the bus network of today, and of the future, might be like looking at railway lines pre- and post- Beeching on a map, for the simple reason there may be no subsidy money available and fewer passengers to keep the commercial routes going. Unrealistic attempts at creating 'zero emission' buses while keeping them affordable will only exacerbate this. And I'm a natural optimist: just imagine if I was a pessimist.

The DfT Superbus project which included a low fares scheme for Cornwall was scrapped earlier this month.

 

[Goldfish62]

I'd be amazed if the fares pilot happens then. In fact, I'd be highly critical if it was attempted, because there are and will be far more important things to concentrate on, and this would be a misuse of council time apart from anything else. I'm not sure how many are yet getting the reality that things will not gradually be getting back to 'normal', whatever that is, but so many will never be the same again both for social and economic reasons. The comparison between the bus network of today, and of the future, might be like looking at railway lines pre- and post- Beeching on a map, for the simple reason there may be no subsidy money available and fewer passengers to keep the commercial routes going. Unrealistic attempts at creating 'zero emission' buses while keeping them affordable will only exacerbate this. And I'm a natural optimist: just imagine if I was a pessimist.

Meanwhile, as with the railways, it looks like TfC is making preparations to (re-)introduce the full service:

"Cornwall bus drivers required as services set to increase after COVID-19

Following the successful launch of Transport for Cornwall on the 29th March; we are seeking to recruit a select number of people, for bus driver vacancies in specific locations across the county. This opportunity is part of our return to full service from the current reduced timetables due to COVID-19.

If you are a fully trained local bus driver living in Cornwall, we want to hear from you. People who are not qualified, who would like to join the industry; there will be opportunities announced in the future to join us.

Transport for Cornwall is a new eight-year contract, awarded to Go Cornwall Bus, a subsidiary of national company Go-Ahead. This is a great time to join us and enjoy great job security in these uncertain times, delivering local bus services which are essential to residents across the county.

Established in 2015, Go Cornwall Bus has been delivering contracts in East Cornwall; we are delighted to be expanding west to cover the whole county. We will be delivering the type of innovation and passenger focus that makes Go Cornwall Bus the winner of the National Transport Awards for Bus Operator of the Year in 2019. Alongside enjoying a region high of 94% passenger satisfaction and most recently winning a Queens Award, the highest accolade a business can hold.

Our Operational Control Centre is now operational in Truro and our customer services in Newquay Bus Station. Alongside our depots across the Duchy, there are vacancies at bases near you:

Newquay (39 vacancies)
Scorrier (17 vacancies)
Penzance (11 vacancies)
Helston (11 vacancies)
Launceston (3 vacancies)
St Austell (2 vacancies)

Come and drive for Team Go Cornwall Bus…

£11ph pay rate (£22,880 pa guaranteed)

Security of a permanent contract

£500 sign on bonus*

Protection of your Length of Service and Holiday Entitlement

Join an Investors in People Platinum company

Work for the National Bus Operator of the Year

TO APPLY

Contact us on….

[email protected]

01872 613017

*Sign on bonus paid at start of work, Terms and Conditions apply. "

 

[richw]

only 83 drivers short!

 

[Goldfish62]

only 83 drivers short!

I assume PCB is being pushed by the council to work on reinstating the full network.

I can't see it lasting long before it has to be reviewed and rationalised.

 

[fgwrich]

A little bit cheeky in that advert - "Security of a permanent contract" & "Work for the National Bus Operator of the Year" - It rather implies that TFC are the National Bus Operator of the Year, and I cant find any reference to Plymouth Citybus being this years NBOOTY.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I assume PCB is being pushed by the council to work on reinstating the full network.

I can't see it lasting long before it has to be reviewed and rationalised.

I know if that's the case but maybe there's an expectation that they do need to recruit if there is a partial lifting of lockdown with more businesses and schools open?

As an aside, I notice that all the sites are now listed on DVSA

UNIT 4, BODMIN BUSINESS PARK, LAUNCESTON ROAD, BODMIN, PL31 2RJ, (12)
Bus Depot, NEW ROAD, CALLINGTON, PL17 7BE, (6)
Newport Square, Launceston, PL15 8DF, (10)
CORMAC, TISCOTT WOOD DEPOT, BUSH, BUDE, EX23 9LE, GB (6)
CORMAC HIGHWAYS DEPOT, TREGONGEEVES LANE, St Mewan, ST AUSTELL, PL26 7DS, (6)
CORMAC, Long Rock Depot, LONG ROCK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, PENZANCE, TR20 8AS, (10)
CORMAC DEPOT, C/O FACILITIES MANAGEMENT OFFICE, CORNWALL AIRPORT, NEWQUAY, TR8 4HP, (30)
Cormac Depot, HallenBeagle, Cornwall East Bio Park, Redruth, TR16 5BN, (20)
THE FLAMBARDS EXPERIENCE, HELSTON, TR13 0QA, (10)


Of the advert, "Protection of your Length of Service and Holiday Entitlement" - that's interesting.....

 

[richw]

I assume PCB is being pushed by the council to work on reinstating the full network.

I can't see it lasting long before it has to be reviewed and rationalised.

talking to one of their employees this morning, Council want full service within a month. Some additional services starting next week

 

[carlberry]

A little bit cheeky in that advert - "Security of a permanent contract" & "Work for the National Bus Operator of the Year" - It rather implies that TFC are the National Bus Operator of the Year, and I cant find any reference to Plymouth Citybus being this years NBOOTY.

Go South Coast won it in 2018 and Plymouth were a city operator finalist in 2019 however neither of those support their statement.

 

[carlberry]

talking to one of their employees this morning, Council want full service within a month. Some additional services starting next week

I suppose the reality is that council can say that full service is what they're paying for and the low load factor allows for social distancing on the vehicle. PCB's only defense would be if there was somewhere in the contract that said that it could be changed if passenger receipts fell below a certain level.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I suppose the reality is that council can say that full service is what they're paying for and the low load factor allows for social distancing on the vehicle. PCB's only defense would be if there was somewhere in the contract that said that it could be changed if passenger receipts fell below a certain level.

Depends on the contract as you say. If they're getting paid come what may and there's no revenue risk, then fine. I'd imagine that given a number of these routes are new (and so there's no detailed revenue figures), then the revenue risk may well sit with the council.

 

[richw]

Did I see the government instructed all subsidies etc still to be paid in full, so if that’s the case completely understandably why their customer (which in effect the council is) would want what they pay for

 

[Goldfish62]

Did I see the government instructed all subsidies etc still to be paid in full, so if that’s the case completely understandably why their customer (which in effect the council is) would want what they pay for

What the government said is that they expect BSOG and concessionary fares reimbursement to be paid based on the amount paid for a normal service this time last year. In addition there is a £167m pot available for operators to apply to make up revenue shortfalls over a 12 week period ending in June as long as they operate around 50% of normal scheduled mileage.

 

[richw]

In addition there is a £167m pot available for operators to apply to make up revenue shortfalls over a 12 week period ending in June as long as they operate around 50% of normal scheduled mileage.

Nationally only 40% of services are running. Presumably this will mean many won’t be eligible

 

[Goldfish62]

Nationally only 40% of services are running. Presumably this will mean many won’t be eligible

Depends I suppose on how flexible the government is prepared to be. I'm also guessing there's a calculation operators have to make as to whether it's actually worthwhile increasing service levels in return for a slice of the fund.

 

[richw]

Depends I suppose on how flexible the government is prepared to be. I'm also guessing there's a calculation operators have to make as to whether it's actually worthwhile increasing service levels in return for a slice of the fund.

The Gov document actually says “up to 50% of capacity” not “50% of services” too.

 

[Goldfish62]

The Gov document actually says “up to 50% of capacity” not “50% of services” too.

I'm told that in the documentation it needs to be around 50% of scheduled mileage.

 

[Kevpbus]

I'm told that in the documentation it needs to be around 50% of scheduled mileage.

The qualifying range is 40% to 50%, unless a case can be made for operating either more or less than these levels to meet local circumstances but this needs to be supported in conjunction with the local authority.

 

[richw]

I'm told that in the documentation it needs to be around 50% of scheduled mileage.

This is interesting as i don’t think TfC weren’t hitting close that figure. Take the 21, 5 round trips a day instead of 14, 25 4 round trips a day instead of hourly from approx 6-7am until 7pm and not running the full route, 56 4 round trips a day instead of hourly from 7am until 5 or 6pm, 93 6 round trips instead of hourly from 6am until 11pm!
Other routes completely capped.
They aren’t running any of the evening services on First commercial routes so first have put on at a loss a 2035 service on nearly every commercial route out of Truro to connect with treliske ward shifts finishing at 2000 to support our key workers at the hospital. I wont be surprised if something further comes from that as a subsidised journey not being run and a commercial operator steps in to cover at loss to support a small handful of nhs workers. That comes from knowing our local community and engagement with them. There’s also a through service from Falmouth at 2152 to st Austell (shows on timetable as guaranteed connection U1 to 27, it’s the same vehicle and driver) to support some care workers who commute from probus to Falmouth.

 

[Goldfish62]

The qualifying range is 40% to 50%, unless a case can be made for operating either more or less than these levels to meet local circumstances but this needs to be supported in conjunction with the local authority.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

This is interesting as i don’t think TfC weren’t hitting close that figure. Take the 21, 5 round trips a day instead of 14, 25 4 round trips a day instead of hourly from approx 6-7am until 7pm and not running the full route, 56 4 round trips a day instead of hourly from 7am until 5 or 6pm, 93 6 round trips instead of hourly from 6am until 11pm!
Other routes completely capped.
They aren’t running any of the evening services on First commercial routes so first have put on at a loss a 2035 service on nearly every commercial route out of Truro to connect with treliske ward shifts finishing at 2000 to support our key workers at the hospital. I wont be surprised if something further comes from that as a subsidised journey not being run and a commercial operator steps in to cover at loss to support a small handful of nhs workers. That comes from knowing our local community and engagement with them. There’s also a through service from Falmouth at 2152 to st Austell (shows on timetable as guaranteed connection U1 to 27, it’s the same vehicle and driver) to support some care workers who commute from probus to Falmouth.

As has been said....

The qualifying range is 40% to 50%, unless a case can be made for operating either more or less than these levels to meet local circumstances but this needs to be supported in conjunction with the local authority.

Given that all the services are being run on behalf of and stipulated by the local authority, then I would imagine that support for TfC has been agreed.

 

[Goldfish62]

talking to one of their employees this morning, Council want full service within a month. Some additional services starting next week

If you hadn't mentioned about the changes this week I'd never have known to look them up. There's been no mention from TfC about the changes and I have no idea what has actually changed. All very poor indeed.

I note a continued aversion to operating anything with a single digit route number.

 

[richw]

If you hadn't mentioned about the changes this week I'd never have known to look them up. There's been no mention from TfC about the changes and I have no idea what has actually changed. All very poor indeed.

I note a continued aversion to operating anything with a single digit route number.

They look to shut up across the network about 6pm too, whilst FK continue to operate late services that are contracted to TfC to support key workers. a look through FK Facebook will reveal the extent of this and most of the additions to the FK emergency timetable are contracted to TfC.

 

[Goldfish62]

they look to shut up across the network about 6pm too, whilst FK continue to operate late services that are contracted to TfC to support key workers. a look through FK Facebook will reveal the extent of this and most of the additions to the FK emergency timetable are contracted to TfC.

Oh I didn't realise that these journeys were contracted to the council. Have PCB fallen out of favour with the council already?!

 

[richw]

Oh I didn't realise that these journeys were contracted to the council. Have PCB fallen out of favour with the council already?!

they were all except possibly the U1 extras contracted journeys! They aren’t (or at least weren’t) running any of the evening or early morning services on Kernow commercial services.

note... I haven’t studied the latest update that came out this week. That’s the 4th or 5th significant TfC timetable change since they took over, Kernow have added journeys at request of keyworkers, but no significant change and hourly service maintained across the 91, 27, 24 and 87 in the east across the times I believe we’re commercial anyway. 6/7am starts and going through until 7/8pm on all of those routes. TfC were contracted early morning and lates across all 4 I believe.

 

[richw]

Cornwall council want a full tendered network up and running week commencing 17th May. Whether we see this happen is another thing altogether.
50 agency drivers from all over the country due in this week for route learning.

Also been noticed this morning some of the timetables where First operate Monday to Saturday and TfC operate sundays, the TfC timetables say Sundays (not public holidays). On the basis First are operating a full Sunday timetable it appears certain services are non running today.

 

[MotCO]

Cornwall council want a full tendered network up and running week commencing 17th May. Whether we see this happen is another thing altogether.
50 agency drivers from all over the country due in this week for route learning.

Also been noticed this morning some of the timetables where First operate Monday to Saturday and TfC operate sundays, the TfC timetables say Sundays (not public holidays). On the basis First are operating a full Sunday timetable it appears certain services are non running today.

Are all the buses in place? I note that some other Go-Ahead subsidiaries are sending buses to Cornwall, but is there a full complement for the agency drivers to use?