Go Cornwall Bus

[richw]

The first new TfC Strata has been delivered to Travel Cornwall, for use I presume on the Truro local services

its Stratas ex demonstrator, is with Summercourt travel
Here is a pic of it back in mid March before the TfC started!

 

[MB162435]

its Stratas ex demonstrator, is with Summercourt travel
Here is a pic of it back in mid March before the TfC started!

Ah it's the same one, forgot to read the licence plate, didn't take long to transform it then

 

[richw]

Ah it's the same one, forgot to read the licence plate, didn't take long to transform it then

I had to double take as I seen it only maybe a week or so ago in unpainted form

 

[MB162435]

I had to double take as I seen it only maybe a week or so ago in unpainted form

I bet, did it come with the red seats or was that part of the transformation?

Didn't expect anything to be delivered during the lockdown, other than the temporary stuff, looks like they have done a good job tho

 

[cnjb8]

The first new TfC Strata has been delivered to Travel Cornwall, for use I presume on Truro local services

Images posted on their Facebook page

That looks awesome. Looks better then the Enviros

 

[MB162435]

That looks awesome. Looks better then the Enviros

Does look pretty decent, ideal for the elderly when they are eventually allowed out

OTS have some coming as well for the Falmouth routes, so all looks quite promising

 

[Cesarcollie]

The first new TfC Strata has been delivered to Travel Cornwall, for use I presume on Truro local services

Images posted on their Facebook page

New? It’s a 68 plate so maybe new to Cornwall, but not ‘new’

 

[Volvo142]

How many seats in the accessible section and how many are up steps?

Are they similar to larger midis such as Solos and short E200s?

 

[Goldfish62]

How many seats in the accessible section and how many are up steps?

Are they similar to larger midis such as Solos and short E200s?

The issue with these is the very low legal standing capacity, whereas you can effectively crush load a small Solo and remain within the legal capacity.

 

[richw]

The issue with these is the very low legal standing capacity, whereas you can effectively crush load a small Solo and remain within the legal capacity.

There’s a small solo capacity. A small MMC total capacity is 75 seated/standing!

 

[carlberry]

There’s a small solo capacity. A small MMC total capacity is 75 seated/standing!

Or about 8 at the moment!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The issue with these is the very low legal standing capacity, whereas you can effectively crush load a small Solo and remain within the legal capacity.

The Strata can accommodate 26 whereas the short Solo can accommodate 32. Given the type of work they're going on, I doubt they'll be any need to crush load though

 

[richw]

Or about 8 at the moment!

the engineering van will be overcapacity. I’ve been on the 24 since starting at 0842 and have carried zero so far!

 

[Goldfish62]

The Strata can accommodate 26 whereas the short Solo can accommodate 32. Given the type of work they're going on, I doubt they'll be any need to crush load though

Indeed. I was pointing out the capacity issues as a pre-emptive strike before anyone says, "they'd be perfect for Mousehole".

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Indeed. I was pointing out the capacity issues as a pre-emptive strike before anyone says, "they'd be perfect for Mousehole".

Certainly not in the summer. However, it may well have been the solution for the tendered runs before FK registered them.

 

[Goldfish62]

Certainly not in the summer. However, it may well have been the solution for the tendered runs before FK registered them.

Not any time of year at the busiest times.

Agreed re early mornings, evenings and winter Sundays though.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Not any time of year at the busiest times.

Agreed re early mornings, evenings and winter Sundays though.

I was thinking about the original tendered runs

 

[Bungle965]

The Strata can accommodate 26 whereas the short Solo can accommodate 32. Given the type of work they're going on, I doubt they'll be any need to crush load though

If the routes are right then the Strata is a very sensible option compared to the classic Solo.
Unfortunately minibuses as a whole have come into criticism in recent years as a result of them being put onto routes which simply aren't suited to minibuses (Little and Often in Ashford springs to mind).
Sam

 

[Goldfish62]

If the routes are right then the Strata is a very sensible option compared to the classic Solo.
Unfortunately they come into criticism in recent years as a result of them being put onto routes which simply aren't suited to minibuses (Little and Often in Ashford springs to mind)
Sam

Yes, an economical vehicle with an attractive passenger environment. Certainly better than the straight MB Sprinter.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

If the routes are right then the Strata is a very sensible option compared to the classic Solo.
Unfortunately minibuses as a whole have come into criticism in recent years as a result of them being put onto routes which simply aren't suited to minibuses (Little and Often in Ashford springs to mind).
Sam

Yes, an economical vehicle with an attractive passenger environment. Certainly better than the straight MB Sprinter.

It is, as with any vehicle, a case of the right vehicle for the circumstances.

I travelled on one of the ex Ashford Sprinters that had been disposed of to the Welsh Valleys. It was a bit awkward for someone like me, who's pretty fit and not that tall.

The Strata is a different animal. It's much better designed and I'm surprised that one of the big 4 hasn't decided to take more of them - Arriva has a few but not many. For Cornwall (and a good few other places), it's a good choice.

 

[busdave]

The irony is that the old Wherrytown site is empty again. The building that replaced the depot itself has been knocked down.

That brings back memories: I served my time as a fitter (as they liked to call themselves) there.

 

[Goldfish62]

The first new TfC Strata has been delivered to Travel Cornwall, for use I presume on Truro local services

Images posted on their Facebook page

I wonder if the destination displays will be used or whether it'll be usual Summercourt practice of route number in the windscreen (if you're lucky).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I wonder if the destination displays will be used or whether it'll be usual Summercourt practice of route number in the windscreen (if you're lucky).

I'd imagine that they will be bound by various contractual quality requirements so I assume they will.

 

[Goldfish62]

I'd imagine that they will be bound by various contractual quality requirements so I assume they will.

You would think so...

 

[richw]

So when Cornwall council was promoting their new cheaper fares on the new provider is fake news. TfC is typically between 10-20% more expensive than First Kernow on routes I’ve enquires about.
£6.80 Columb major to Truro return
£6.80 Columb major to Newquay return
£9.00 Truro to Newquay return (the driver who told me that said he thinks it’s an error on the ticket machine, but imagined most drivers will be charging it)

 

[MB162435]

I wonder if the destination displays will be used or whether it'll be usual Summercourt practice of route number in the windscreen (if you're lucky).

I would hope so to, no point refurbishing it only to keep using temporary paper route numbers

Especially when Hopley's and OTS present their vehicles quite smartly, and have got off to a good start with TfC. You don't want that one company that let's the team down, hopefully Travel Cornwall will take a leaf out of their team mates book

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So when Cornwall council was promoting their new cheaper fares on the new provider is fake news. TfC is typically between 10-20% more expensive than First Kernow on routes I’ve enquires about.
£6.80 Columb major to Truro return
£6.80 Columb major to Newquay return
£9.00 Truro to Newquay return (the driver who told me that said he thinks it’s an error on the ticket machine, but imagined most drivers will be charging it)

Now come on.... We appreciate that you work for FK and indeed, appreciate the insight that you provide in that respect. Also, we all know that there are a number of fundamental flaws in the council award whether that's bizarre new services with no rhyme and reason, introducing new new routes in the midst of the pandemic, etc.

However, the press release https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council...nd-greener-buses-in-cornwall-from-april-2020/

said clearly that

“We’re also planning to introduce a 4 year pilot scheme to reduce fares to encourage more people to use buses. Last year, the government awarded Cornwall a £23.5m funding package for a “Reduced Bus Fares” pilot to support the Council’s ongoing commitment to improving bus travel for residents. We’re planning to introduce a scheme in May 2020 which will significantly reduce the cost of bus travel by establishing town zones and capping the cost for making multiple journeys within these zones. Ultimately, we want to deliver an integrated SMART ticketing system for bus, rail and ferry to make it as easy and convenient as possible for residents and visitors to use all forms of public transport.”

When you say things like this, or suggested that GCB were sending full length Eclipses to deepest Cornwall (they weren't), it detracts. Granted, at least it's more reasoned than one voice on the other side of the divide - the expert with two bus company failures behind him - but please, try to keep things objective.

 

[richw]

That may be the council link, but in the local rags in black and white print it clearly said fares will be cheaper from day one.
secondly no such talks surrounding this fare pilot has happened with any operator.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That may be the council link, but in the local rags in black and white print it clearly said fares will be cheaper from day one.
secondly no such talks surrounding this fare pilot has happened with any operator.

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.

 

[berneyarms]

That may be the council link, but in the local rags in black and white print it clearly said fares will be cheaper from day one.
secondly no such talks surrounding this fare pilot has happened with any operator.

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.