First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Lizard1324]

The two open top Geminis are on the L1 today, with the B9tl tracking as a training bus

 

[vla50]

A few familiar machines heading off there with 32284/5 especially so. I'm sure a number will be sold on to operators looking to remove step entrance deckers from schools work - there must be still a few ex Dublin Bus Olympians out there!

Whilst the earlier Tridents were a bit ponderous, the later Presidents (33***) seemingly felt better. I used to quite like the President with the bonded glazing so a little sad to see them head off but they've probably battled on for a year or more longer than we might have expected.

I would have thought step entrance deckers would have been removed from service ages ago due to PSVAR?

Anyway I think the 03 reg B7TLs will likely fly off the shelf pretty well. Some already did from Yorkshire and the LT52 batch from London initially also sold very well. Definitely LED Blinds and of reasonable age would be very attractive to school companies.

The old Tridents weren't great as you said particularly as they needed some B7TLs from GNE temporarily in order to help phase in the MMCs into service. I wonder whether any of the Tridents will sell? Some tridents haven't been in service for a while (33111/158/176) whereas 33072/112/144/182 seem to be doing very well in service.

 

[cnjb8]

I would have thought step entrance deckers would have been removed from service ages ago due to PSVAR?

Anyway I think the 03 reg B7TLs will likely fly off the shelf pretty well. Some already did from Yorkshire and the LT52 batch from London initially also sold very well. Definitely LED Blinds and of reasonable age would be very attractive to school companies.

The old tridents weren't great as you said particularly as they needed some B7TLs from GNE temporarily in order to help phase in the MMCs into service. I wonder whether any of the Tridents will sell? Some tridents haven't been in service for a while (33111/158/176) whereas 33072/112/144/182 seem to be doing very well in service.

Some operators use step entrance buses for schools. My local company still operates ex Dublin Olympians as Grand Wazoo said earlier.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I would have thought step entrance deckers would have been removed from service ages ago due to PSVAR?

I said "schools work" - you still have Olympians on closed school contracts in certain locations and with certain operators.

The old Tridents (328**) examples were a bit slower. However, the need for the hiring in of ex GNE B7s from Ensign wasn't because they were slow. I suspect the rationale (and @On the Buses may well correct me) was that the Tridents were required for an extra 4-6 months IIRC. Therefore, if one had a major unit failure (gearbox/engine) or required work to get through MOT (e.g. extensive welding etc) then it just wouldn't have been cost effective. So hiring in the short term was the sensible option.

Of the older W regs, you might be surprised but 3 of the same batch were sold in January for further service!

 

[vla50]

I said "schools work" - you still have Olympians on closed school contracts in certain locations and with certain operators.

The old Tridents (328**) examples were a bit slower. However, the need for the hiring in of ex GNE B7s from Ensign wasn't because they were slow. I suspect the rationale (and @On the Buses may well correct me) was that the Tridents were required for an extra 4-6 months IIRC. Therefore, if one had a major unit failure (gearbox/engine) or required work to get through MOT (e.g. extensive welding etc) then it just wouldn't have been cost effective. So hiring in the short term was the sensible option.

Of the older W regs, you might be surprised but 3 of the same batch were sold in January for further service!

Oh no I understood! In London I haven't seen step entrance deckers in a good 8-10 years since Sullivan Buses did contracts across London - I believe they did some down to Stamford Hill. Was just a bit confused how they are still allowed but no I totally understand your point about step entrance Olympians working school routes.

Interesting about the V---LGCs.

What W Reg examples were sold for further service? Afaik only one W-VLN unit is still in service from the 207 Hayes batch and that's currently in Great Yarmouth I believe as the open topper?

 

[On the Buses]

None of the Tridents is for sale. Those withdrawn are scrap.

 

[83G/84D]

I said "schools work" - you still have Olympians on closed school contracts in certain locations and with certain operators.

The old Tridents (328**) examples were a bit slower. However, the need for the hiring in of ex GNE B7s from Ensign wasn't because they were slow. I suspect the rationale (and @On the Buses may well correct me) was that the Tridents were required for an extra 4-6 months IIRC. Therefore, if one had a major unit failure (gearbox/engine) or required work to get through MOT (e.g. extensive welding etc) then it just wouldn't have been cost effective. So hiring in the short term was the sensible option.

Of the older W regs, you might be surprised but 3 of the same batch were sold in January for further service!

Charlton Services from Oxfordshire recently had some elderly step entrance buses for schools work and there's Confidence of Leicestershire who also operate some veteran buses including a good number of Leyland Olympians.

32015 out and about today on services between Truro and Newquay.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Oh no I understood! In London I haven't seen step entrance deckers in a good 8-10 years since Sullivan Buses did contracts across London - I believe they did some down to Stamford Hill. Was just a bit confused how they are still allowed but no I totally understand your point about step entrance Olympians working school routes.

Interesting about the V---LGCs.

What W Reg examples were sold for further service? Afaik only one W-VLN unit is still in service from the 207 Hayes batch and that's currently in Great Yarmouth I believe as the open topper?

Sorry - was referring to the W reg B7TLs (similar to 32014/5) - 32004/6/8 all went for further service to.....Confidence of Leicester!!

 

[vla50]

Sorry - was referring to the W reg B7TLs (similar to 32014/5) - 32004/6/8 all went for further service to.....Confidence of Leicester!!

Yes I saw something about that on Facebook. Seemed really interesting and I know they have some of the ex GAL 12 ALX400s (what 32027 is basically - V1**LGC)

One of the Tridents is for sale. Those withdrawn are scrap.

Do you know which one is for sale if you don't mind me asking?

 

[On the Buses]

Yes I saw something about that on Facebook. Seemed really interesting and I know they have some of the ex GAL 12 ALX400s (what 32027 is basically - V1**LGC)


Do you know which one is for sale if you don't mind me asking?

One should have said none

 

[Whiteway215]

Sorry - was referring to the W reg B7TLs (similar to 32014/5) - 32004/6/8 all went for further service to.....Confidence of Leicester!!

In my opinion the first fifteen or so of this batch have done quite well in view of their age

32001/2/12 are open toppers with First Cymru
32003 I don’t know what happened to this one (anyone know?)
32004/6/8 to Confidence of Leicester
32005 went to Rosevidney Travel, Ludgvan, Cornwall
32007 donated to an unknown charity project, either with Bristol or Bath & North East Somerset Council (not sure which)
32009 Canteen at West of England Wells Depot
32011/13 are open toppers with West of England at Weston-super-Mare
32014/15 with First South West, currently heading to Ensign

 

[richw]

32003 I don’t know what happened to this one (anyone know?)

It shows on fleet lists that it left fleet between end of November and end of January. DVLA says it’s SORN

 

[vla50]

One should have said none

Oh that's fine!

 

[Whiteway215]

It shows on fleet lists that it left fleet between end of November and end of January. DVLA says it’s SORN

Thank you

 

[S.Jacket]

Have any more of the Gemini's been painted recently since the DayTrippers were done? By my records since 37002 went into Lizard base livery recently there are just 7 remaining now, is that correct? When you think about it, that's some achievement.

 

[On the Buses]

Have any more of the Gemini's been painted recently since the DayTrippers were done? By my records since 37002 went into Lizard base livery recently there are just 7 remaining now, is that correct? When you think about it, that's some achievement.

No The paintshop in Bodmin is filled with a Macsalvors crane for a couple of weeks. Next week it’s back to our buses. First to go will probably be the B10B and then the 6 Outstanding Lizards so only 1 Gemini. The remaining 6 will then go through nearer the Autumn, two into a partner livery and 4 into a new brand.

 

[Goldfish62]

No The paintshop in Bodmin is filled with a Macsalvors crane for a couple of weeks. Next week it’s back to our buses. First to go will probably be the B10B and then the 6 Outstanding Lizards so only 1 Gemini. The remaining 6 will then go through nearer the Autumn, two into a partner livery and 4 into a new brand.

And hopefully the Barbie and BoS liveried Solos sometime soonish?

 

[On the Buses]

And hopefully the Barbie and BoS liveried Solos sometime soonish?

Different body shop

 

[Flange Squeal]

King Harry Coaches acquisition has been confirmed through this tweet by Marc Huws today (sorry if I’ve missed any other official confirmation in this thread!).

We’re announcing today that our growing @TruronianC coach business has taken over the operation of King Harry Coaches and these two fine classic coaches as we Build back Better.

Link to tweet: https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1415972095583006720?s=21

 

[Busaholic]

King Harry Coaches acquisition has been confirmed through this tweet by Marc today (sorry if I’ve missed any other official confirmation in this thread!).



Link to tweet: https://twitter.com/marcmorganhuws/status/1415972095583006720?s=21

If some upstart came along to try to compete with this, would they call themselves Falstaff Coaches (or, possibly, Charabancs)?

 

[83G/84D]

Enviro 200 GN08 CGU has received Eden Project titles and fleet number 44382. It retains its red colours.

 

[cnjb8]

Falmouth open top service is getting complaints, seems a bit petty with the whole ‘OUR town’ thing

'Massive' open top bus running through town is a danger, says deputy mayor

FALMOUTH's deputy mayor has made a complaint about the 'massive' open top tourist bus going through the town's pedestrianised zone.

www.falmouthpacket.co.uk

Cllr Coun Kirstie Edwards has complained both to the Department of Transport and to First Bus about the tourist bus that ploughs the town on an hourly basis.

The Falmouth Coaster open top bus tour, operated by First South West, follows a scenic route around Falmouth taking in the waterside, Pendennis Castle, Falmouth itself and the National Maritime Museum on route. The bus is hourly. Last month members of Falmouth Town council complained that the service was making a mockery of the pedestrianisation trial, and was 'literally' driving a bus through it. Cllr Edwards says she made the complaint as a resident about the massive bus constantly going through town.

"Many of us in council have attempted to find out why the huge double decker bus is allowed to go through town during pedestrian only times.

"It makes little sense that just because the small hopper bus is allowed to do it, the massive bus can also.

"In the last two days I’ve had endless people complaining about it, seen the dangers for myself as people, pushchairs and wheelchairs are crushed together as it passes, particularly near the grapes where the bollard is.

"It’s madness in non-Covid times, but in a busy packed Falmouth town centre, with Covid on the rise, it’s downright dangerous. I’ve also had reports of cameras and hanging baskets getting damaged from business.

"It is well outside my/ our remit to do much about it, but we can all moan at the people miles away that made this decision in the hope that it will be overturned."

She is urging other people who have been upset by it to complain themselves if they have been effected by it.

"I enjoy the circular open top with my kids and have done for years, but there is just no need to send it through town- the old route from the park and ride along the marina road into the Prince Of Wales pier and up Killigrew and around to the Dell area worked very well, with plenty of sights to see before it hit the sea front.

So if it’s bugging you as much as it’s bugging me, spend a few minutes having a jolly good moan at the people that think they know best about OUR town."

A spokesman for First South West said: “The Falmouth Coaster is registered through the statutory process in compliance with Cornwall Council’s traffic regulation orders and follows the same route taken through the town by Transport for Cornwall services.

"It’s already proved extremely popular with visitors and local residents alike and we are delighted to be able to bring an additional service to help the local economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.”

 

[vla50]

Falmouth open top service is getting complaints, seems a bit petty with the whole ‘OUR town’ thing

'Massive' open top bus running through town is a danger, says deputy mayor

FALMOUTH's deputy mayor has made a complaint about the 'massive' open top tourist bus going through the town's pedestrianised zone.

www.falmouthpacket.co.uk

Really silly IMO.

I really like the tour service and the way it looks, definitely is something that could do good for the local economy.

 

[richw]

Falmouth open top service is getting complaints, seems a bit petty with the whole ‘OUR town’ thing

'Massive' open top bus running through town is a danger, says deputy mayor

FALMOUTH's deputy mayor has made a complaint about the 'massive' open top tourist bus going through the town's pedestrianised zone.

www.falmouthpacket.co.uk

The council haven’t tried very hard to find out why. The traffic restriction they’ve taken out doesn’t apply to buses and taxis.
Says a lot about the awareness of those we elect!

 

[Goldfish62]

The council haven’t tried very hard to find out why. The traffic restriction they’ve taken out doesn’t apply to buses and taxis.
Says a lot about the awareness of those we elect!

Indeed. A bus is a bus. Whether they use "except buses" or "local buses only" it wouldn't make any difference. Probably the only thing the council could do is put a width and/or weight restriction "except for access".

If large buses are unsuitable there what other parts of Cornwall would the councillors like to ban them from?!

 

[MarkC]

How unbelievable short sighted can they get. Let's all object to a brilliant service that brings people into the area and spend money on our local businesses... absolutely brilliant

 

[richw]

Probably the only thing the council could do is put a width and/or weight restriction "except for access".

It would still be allowed on an except for access to serve places like the Maritime museum end of town.

 

[S.Jacket]

No The paintshop in Bodmin is filled with a Macsalvors crane for a couple of weeks. Next week it’s back to our buses. First to go will probably be the B10B and then the 6 Outstanding Lizards so only 1 Gemini. The remaining 6 will then go through nearer the Autumn, two into a partner livery and 4 into a new brand.

Just imaging a Macsalvors crane in full Cornwall by Kernow livery That would be something else lol. Thanks for your reply @onthebuses

Are the Optares to be done at Botley?

 

[farwest]

The tree chopper was active in Devoran this afternoon. Strangely on a road that First do not use. (Picture shows N528LHG)

 

[On the Buses]

Just imaging a Macsalvors crane in full Cornwall by Kernow livery That would be something else lol. Thanks for your reply @onthebuses

Are the Optares to be done at Botley?

That’s the plan.