First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[carlberry]

On the plus side the duty finishes at 0925.

Plenty of time to pick up a late afterwards!

 

[RELL6L]

Ah @RELL6L - you have the advantage over me on the 300. Driven it in the car but not had the chance to ride the 300 at any stage. I predict a trip to Minehead Parkrun one Saturday morning and a trip to Lynmouth shortly after (roadmap etc permitting!) A very innovative piece of work from FSW and its partners and I really hope it pays off.

Indeed! I don't know how these will come out but attached are one photo I took from the open topper on each trip. In 2012 (top) it was definitely the Scania, the photo is descending Porlock Hill. It may have been the same bus in 2009 too but maybe from this picture, about to descend towards Lynmouth, others better qualified can identify it for certain.

 

[GBM]

To an extent the P&R busses have a harder life? They are used for between a 20/30 minute run, then switched off for 10/15 minutes. Another run, then off again.
A bus is usually running for at least an hour, or up to 3 or 4 hours continuously and up to 20 odd hours a day, 7 days a week.
So the P&R whilst having a far easier life, are not being used as a 'real' bus would be, so making it harder on the engine.

 

[Blackpudding]

For the record.

20354 has been re-registered from CU05LGJ to an as yet unknown registration.
20357 has reverted from HIG1519 to its original registration of CV55ABK and is delicenced.
20358 has been re-registered from CV55ACO to an as yet unknown registration.
20361 has been re-registered from CV55ACY to an as yet unknown registration.
32014 has reverted from NTL655 to its original registration of W814PAE.
32015 has reverted from WYY752 to its original registration of W815PAE.

 

[cnjb8]

For the record.

20354 has been re-registered from CU05LGJ to an as yet unknown registration.
20357 has reverted from HIG1519 to its original registration of CV55ABK and is delicenced.
20358 has been re-registered from CV55ACO to an as yet unknown registration.
20361 has been re-registered from CV55ACY to an as yet unknown registration.
32014 has reverted from NTL655 to its original registration of W814PAE.
32015 has reverted from WYY752 to its original registration of W815PAE.

Was 20357 involved in an accident, it's seems weird that a delicensed vehicle would lose a cherished plate.

 

[83G/84D]

"Tinner" branded E400MMC 33458 is on the A17 today, first one I have seen on this route for quite a while.

 

[MB162435]

"Tinner" branded E400MMC 33458 is on the A17 today, first one I have seen on this route for quite a while.

Believe it was to replace 53252 which had a door issue

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

For the record.

20354 has been re-registered from CU05LGJ to an as yet unknown registration.
20357 has reverted from HIG1519 to its original registration of CV55ABK and is delicenced.
20358 has been re-registered from CV55ACO to an as yet unknown registration.
20361 has been re-registered from CV55ACY to an as yet unknown registration.
32014 has reverted from NTL655 to its original registration of W814PAE.
32015 has reverted from WYY752 to its original registration of W815PAE.

Would that be suggesting that 32014/5 are also about to be disposed of?

The plates have actually been on relatively few vehicles, unlike the Kernow ones which have had many varied incarnations.

 

[richw]

20357 has reverted from HIG1519 to its original registration of CV55ABK and is delicenced.

Was 20357 involved in an accident, it's seems weird that a delicensed vehicle would lose a cherished plate.

It’s been cannibalised for spares. Not a lot left of it so assume it’ll go to scrap soon. The engineer I spoke to said it had terminal chassis rot.

 

[83G/84D]

Believe it was to replace 53252 which had a door issue

Okay, thanks.

 

[richw]

32014 has reverted from NTL655 to its original registration of W814PAE.

Still displaying the NTL plate at 1010 this morning when it was photographed by a probus resident in the village on a 27 and posted to Facebook enthusiast groups

 

[swifty]

Would that be suggesting that 32014/5 are also about to be disposed of?

The plates have actually been on relatively few vehicles, unlike the Kernow ones which have had many varied incarnations.

Could just be a case of WoE claiming their cherished plates back, seeing as they retained the plates from the open toppers that went to Cymru?

 

[cnjb8]

It’s been cannibalised for spares. Not a lot left of it so assume it’ll go to scrap soon. The engineer I spoke to said it had terminal chassis rot.

Ah thanks

 

[TechDan2002]

Tweet from Marc Morgan Huws this morning:

https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1364580475105406981?s=21

Sunday 16th May is our expected date to start all seasonal routes. We’re making ready at the double...

With the following two pictures of Gemini 37155 wearing complete Dartmoor Explorer livery:

 

[richw]

First has announced that management team changes will take place due to the retirement of Managing Director Alex Carter

Alex Carter, Managing Director of First South West, which includes operating companies Buses of Somerset, Cornwall by Kernow and Truronian, announced on 18 February that he will be taking retirement in the coming months.

Alex told staff: “This is something I’ve thought through long and hard, and many of you know its a possibility I’ve considered for some while. I actually stepped back from taking the decision earlier when the pandemic struck, as it really didn’t seem right to turn away from the job and all the things we needed to put in place to cope with that. I know Covid very much is still with us, and no doubt in some degree that will be the case for some time. But, the future does look much more optimistic, with the rapid onward march of the UK’s stunning vaccination programme, a lockdown which appears to be having the desired effect, and better weather soon round the corner.

“So with not just the positive outlook, but also a business in the South West that is stable and poised to expand into new markets, it seems the right time to hang up my boots and bid you a very fond farewell.”

Head of Operations at First Hampshire, Dorset and Berkshire Simon Goff with be taking on the Manging Director position at First South West on an interim basis from May 2021.

Alex will continue to represent First South West as a director of joint venture company Somerset Passenger Solutions, which provides transport for Hinkley Point C nuclear reactor construction workers.

Originally from Buckinghamshire, Alex Carter began his career in the bus industry in 1981 when he joined the National Bus Company. He has enjoyed senior roles with Stagecoach and Go Ahead, during which time he was President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and Chair of the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board. At First Bus, Alex was previously Head of Transport Operations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

First South West Managing Director to retire

First has announced that management team changes will take place due to the retirement of Managing Director Alex Carter Alex Carter, Managing Director of First South West, which includes operating companies Buses of Somerset, Cornwall [...]

cbwmagazine.com

 

[Goldfish62]

Tweet from Marc Morgan Huws this morning:

https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1364580475105406981?s=21

With the following two pictures of Gemini 37155 wearing complete Dartmoor Explorer livery:

Looking good!

16 May is logical. Day before hotels and B&Bs (should) reopen.

 

[Blackpudding]

Still displaying the NTL plate at 1010 this morning when it was photographed by a probus resident in the village on a 27 and posted to Facebook enthusiast groups

I didn't check the DVLA website until lunchtime 'richw' so I cannot confirm if the DVLA had change the registration on their site before 10.10.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Tweet from Marc Morgan Huws this morning:

https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1364580475105406981?s=21

With the following two pictures of Gemini 37155 wearing complete Dartmoor Explorer livery:

Have to say that looks pretty impressive.

I hope that this venture really does pay off

 

[Lizard1324]

Out of interest out of the new route registration there is only one new open top route that I can see for buses of somerset, correct me if I'm wrong.

Also is the a17 staying but only between penzance and St Ives?

 

[MB162435]

Out of interest out of the new route registration there is only one new open top route that I can see for buses of somerset, correct me if I'm wrong.

Also is the a17 staying but only between penzance and St Ives?

A17 going completely, the St Ives- Madron service could have one number and the Pendeen service another and another new service for the 3rd number, or it could be spilt into three separate parts

 

[richw]

I didn't check the DVLA website until lunchtime 'richw' so I cannot confirm if the DVLA had change the registration on their site before 10.10.

Of course you have a given number of weeks to update the plate. Dvla shows the change was done 2 days ago, so if they send by post it’s likely the documents won’t have been received yet confirming the plate change

 

[TechDan2002]

For the record.

20354 has been re-registered from CU05LGJ to an as yet unknown registration.
20357 has reverted from HIG1519 to its original registration of CV55ABK and is delicenced.
20358 has been re-registered from CV55ACO to an as yet unknown registration.
20361 has been re-registered from CV55ACY to an as yet unknown registration.
32014 has reverted from NTL655 to its original registration of W814PAE.
32015 has reverted from WYY752 to its original registration of W815PAE.

30878, 30879 and 30880 all appear to have been registered back to W733 DWX, W734 DWX and W735 DWX from L10 PCV, L11 PCV and L12 PCV.

 

[embers25]

Interesting that it appears the new 82 will go via Tavistock according to the on bus advert, rather than direct thru Dousland.

 

[Blackpudding]

30878, 30879 and 30880 all appear to have been registered back to W733 DWX, W734 DWX and W735 DWX from L10 PCV, L11 PCV and L12 PCV.

Of course you have a given number of weeks to update the plate. Dvla shows the change was done 2 days ago, so if they send by post it’s likely the documents won’t have been received yet confirming the plate change

Thanks to both of you for the additional info.

An addition today is that 65759 at Bridgwater has reverted from HIG1533 to its original registration of YN05GXF

Also at some point;
20808 has been re-registered from YN62GYR to an as yet unknown registration.
23325 has been re-registered from YN06CGZ to an as yet unknown registration.

HIG1527 last used on 33177 was reissued this week so that may account for one of the coaches with an unidentified registration.

 

[carlberry]

Interesting that it appears the new 82 will go via Tavistock according to the on bus advert, rather than direct thru Dousland.

The writeup in Buses magazine suggests what's being run isn't a recreation of service 82. It's basically two separate operations one Exeter to Tavistock and one Plymouth to Moretonhampstead which means the Plymouth one can operate through Dousland (but might not!).

 

[richw]

Interesting that it appears the new 82 will go via Tavistock according to the on bus advert, rather than direct thru Dousland.

The registration says Tavistock too

 

[Trainfan061193]

It looks as if FSW are dropping hints that they will expand further into Devon from what I’ve seen!

 

[richw]

It looks as if FSW are dropping hints that they will expand further into Devon from what I’ve seen!

Mostly been discussed here over the last few days. Several registrations gone into traffic commissioner office. Plenty of info in the postings here over the last 72 hours

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It looks as if FSW are dropping hints that they will expand further into Devon from what I’ve seen!

We've covered the introduction of the Dartmoor Explorer extensively, as well as the Exmoor Coaster to Lynmouth, over the last few days following the route registrations and unveiling of the DE livery

Is this what you're referring to (which is more than mere hints) or are you alluding to something else?

 

[Goldfish62]

The writeup in Buses magazine suggests what's being run isn't a recreation of service 82. It's basically two separate operations one Exeter to Tavistock and one Plymouth to Moretonhampstead which means the Plymouth one can operate through Dousland (but might not!).

Both are registered to Postbridge, although this could of course just be a single journey on each section.