First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Busgeek]

Back to my previous comment RE the 660. @On the Buses , you said that it won't be run by either Helston or Falmouth? Wouldn't it make more sense than Truronian doing it as the drivers there used to tackle the 35 and know the roads and the hazards?

I traveled on that service in my younger days and remember how well the driver navigated the route.

 

[On the Buses]

Another 10 e400mmc's due to come back this week

Back to my previous comment RE the 660. @On the Buses , you said that it won't be run by either of helston or Falmouth? Wouldn't it make more sense than Truronian doing it? As the driver's there used to tackle the 35 and know the roads and the hazards?

I traveled on that service in my younger days and remember how well the driver navigated the route.

Thanks for the advice lol

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Back to my previous comment RE the 660. @On the Buses , you said that it won't be run by either of helston or Falmouth? Wouldn't it make more sense than Truronian doing it? As the driver's there used to tackle the 35 and know the roads and the hazards?

I traveled on that service in my younger days and remember how well the driver navigated the route.

There could be any number of reasons why it's a Truronian driver; how it fits with other duties, pressure on outstations, etc. It could be that it might have a regular driver who will indeed know the hazards but, irrespective of that, First do train their drivers to a high standard.

 

[richw]

Former 32069 has turned up at AVMT buses, Seaton.

 

[Whiteway215]

I see 32277 has been removed from the bus tracker.

 

[On the Buses]

There could be any number of reasons why it's a Truronian driver; how it fits with other duties, pressure on outstations, etc. It could be that it might have a regular driver who will indeed know the hazards but, irrespective of that, First do train their drivers to a high standard.

Indeed, and staff availability in Helston and Falmouth is finite. I never actually mentioned Truronian or Truro. What’s more, the off service running time from Helston and Falmouth is far greater and more costly than either Truro or Summercourt, which are comparable, so either makes far more sense than Falmouth of Helston!

I see 32277 has been removed from the bus tracker.

I’ve already reported that all 21 closed top B7TL ALX 400s apart from the 4 red fronted and 9 white ones have been withdrawn.

 

[Andyh82]

Indeed, and staff availability in Helston and Falmouth is finite. I never actually mentioned Truronian or Truro. What’s more, the off service running time from Helston and Falmouth is far greater and more costly than either Truro or Summercourt, which are comparable, so either makes far more sense than Falmouth of Helston!


I’ve already reported that all 21 closed top B7TL ALX 400s apart from the 4 red fronted and 9 white ones have been withdrawn.

For some reason people see BusTimes.org as gospel, if it hasn’t been reflected on there it hasn’t happened. And if something is changed on there it must have happened, even though it’s been mentioned many times that anyone can change it and it isn’t entirely accurate.

 

[fgwrich]

Indeed, and staff availability in Helston and Falmouth is finite. I never actually mentioned Truronian or Truro. What’s more, the off service running time from Helston and Falmouth is far greater and more costly than either Truro or Summercourt, which are comparable, so either makes far more sense than Falmouth of Helston!


I’ve already reported that all 21 closed top B7TL ALX 400s apart from the 4 red fronted and 9 white ones have been withdrawn.

For some reason people see BusTimes.org as gospel, if it hasn’t been reflected on there it hasn’t happened. And if something is changed on there it must have happened, even though it’s been mentioned many times that anyone can change it and it isn’t entirely accurate.

I wonder, an idea for the Mods. Is it worth creating a new fleet list thread that can be pinned to the top of the bus section so the mentioning of the same vehicles can be stopped?

 

[richw]

I see 32277 has been removed from the bus tracker.

I’ve already reported that all 21 closed top B7TL ALX 400s apart from the 4 red fronted and 9 white ones have been withdrawn.

32277 is a red fronted one, @onthebuses has previously mentioned several pages back it was waiting a part.
Bustimes appears to automatically remove something that’s been VOR or not tracked on a service run for a period of time? It definitely should not be taken as a reliable source, vehicles that spent long periods on college or school runs over the last year regularly deleted and reappeared from their “fleet” list

 

[Goldfish62]

I wonder, an idea for the Mods. Is it worth creating a new fleet list thread that can be pinned to the top of the bus section so the mentioning of the same vehicles can be stopped?

I think we should just put up with it. Creating a separate thread for fleet updates will just confuse the whole situation. It would mean for example that service developments could still be reported here, but not news about any vehicles involved. That would have to go on the new thread.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think we should just put up with it. Creating a separate thread for fleet updates will just confuse the whole situation. It would mean for example that service developments could still be reported here, but not news about any vehicles involved. That would have to go on the new thread.

I agree.

I think we can all be guilty of missing the odd post. However, it is incumbent on ourselves to try and check to ensure that the same questions aren't continually being asked. Lizard open toppers and Bristol ALXs are just the latest examples (along with "PaintshopWatch") to be asked numerous times by numerous people so just have a read back, please.

As for bustimes, it is a handy tool for getting about. I'm never that bothered about which bus is tracking (as long as something is coming) and it shouldn't be taken as gospel. Remember a couple of years ago and certain folks got a bit excited as a Bath bendi had allegedly operated an early morning Nailsea to Bristol run. As with other sources, like UK Buses, it's a handy guide but in terms of vehicles, it's right 90% of the time.

 

[ZF_B7]

I see 32277 has been removed from the bus tracker.

It's back on it today and is currently tracking on the T1.

Meanwhile, the other remaining ALX400s seem to be not working as much lately.

 

[MB162435]

I see 32277 has been removed from the bus tracker.

It's tracking on T1s today so looks to be fixed now

 

[Whiteway215]

Thank you both.

 

[greengrey]

Driving through Hayle towards St Ives this morning I passed three Truronian Levantes, 23651,2 & 5, going in the opposite direction. It made me wonder, where is the best place to see/photograph Truronian vehicles, because I only ever get sightings?
I appreciate the nature of a private hire business makes appearances unpredictable but does anybody have any ideas?

 

[83G/84D]

Driving through Hayle towards St Ives this morning I passed three Truronian Levantes, 23651,2 & 5, going in the opposite direction. It made me wonder, where is the best place to see/photograph Truronian vehicles, because I only ever get sightings?
I appreciate the nature of a private hire business makes appearances unpredictable but does anybody have any ideas?

Given that their appearances on private hire, excursions etc is very much unpredictable as you say, I would try a railway station during planned engineering works for rail replacement duty. I would check the upcoming work on the train operators websites and visit one of the stations along the route.

Otherwise keep an eye out for large events or maybe a cruise ship docking in Falmouth for example where there may be associated road transport arrangements for people.

 

[richw]

Driving through Hayle towards St Ives this morning I passed three Truronian Levantes, 23651,2 & 5, going in the opposite direction. It made me wonder, where is the best place to see/photograph Truronian vehicles, because I only ever get sightings?
I appreciate the nature of a private hire business makes appearances unpredictable but does anybody have any ideas?

Cruise ship this morning. I was one of them. Unpredictable as it’s mostly all hires so no two days the same.
The route and timings are standard cruise ship coastal drive, most Wednesdays.

 

[Busgeek]

Anyone know when first will update their WiFi from SPS ?

 

[volvob12]

As for bustimes, it is a handy tool for getting about. I'm never that bothered about which bus is tracking (as long as something is coming) and it shouldn't be taken as gospel. Remember a couple of years ago and certain folks got a bit excited as a Bath bendi had allegedly operated an early morning Nailsea to Bristol run. As with other sources, like UK Buses, it's a handy guide but in terms of vehicles, it's right 90% of the time.

It’s easily edited with no moderation. I note one user keeps changing the reg of 36100 to LX60DXH when it’s already been confirmed as LX60DXB.

There’s also a user on BusTimes who must spend most of their day frantically swapping TfC (Transport for Cornwall) liveried vehicles between the TfC and PCB (Plymouth City Bus) fleets depending on which route its operating

 

[vla50]

It’s easily edited with no moderation. I note one user keeps changing the reg of 36100 to LX60DXH when it’s already been confirmed as LX60DXB.

There’s also a user on BusTimes who must spend most of their day frantically swapping TfC (Transport for Cornwall) liveried vehicles between the TfC and PCB (Plymouth City Bus) fleets depending on which route its operating

There is moderation but I think it is the case of where the user is considered established and they require no moderation

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There’s also a user on BusTimes who must spend most of their day frantically swapping TfC (Transport for Cornwall) liveried vehicles between the TfC and PCB (Plymouth City Bus) fleets depending on which route its operating

What must their friends think....

 

[dan.zyx]

User 68 by any chance? Yep, that’s me. Don’t worry, it is because when a vehicle is stationed at Milehouse there is a chance it can run a PCB duty eg. A day on the 35/35A/44s so it is under Plymouth Citybus until it is on a Cornwall ending duty. I don’t just spend my whole day watching it. I do have a life which includes going out so I’d appreciate if you are on about me for you to stop as it isn’t needed. And for other BusTimes users, I put 2433 as PCB when it was tracking as it was under another buses machine as 2433 was sat at Milehouse VOR with 2011s machine whilst 2011 had 2433s machine however they’ve now been swapped over thankfully.

What must their friends think...

 

[greengrey]

Marazion old station car park on Wednesday mornings if they are doing cruise ship usually stop between 10 and 11am

Thanks, hadn't thought of cruise ships, and that car park's an easy one for me to get to. Also thanks to @richw and @83G/84D for their thoughts and info.

 

[dan.zyx]

Here is 2433 a few weeks ago (image below), and it is still off the road with unknown issues.

 

[CBlue]

User 68 by any chance? Yep, that’s me. Don’t worry, it is because when a vehicle is stationed at Milehouse there is a chance it can run a PCB duty eg. A day on the 35/35A/44s so it is under Plymouth Citybus until it is on a Cornwall ending duty. I don’t just spend my whole day watching it. I do have a life which includes going out so I’d appreciate if you are on about me for you to stop as it isn’t needed. And for other BusTimes users, I put 2433 as PCB when it was tracking as it was under another buses machine as 2433 was sat at Milehouse VOR with 2011s machine whilst 2011 had 2433s machine however they’ve now been swapped over thankfully.

Funny you mention that, I thought they were talking about me.

I have since realised, personally, that nitpicky edits on bustimes is a waste of my time.

 

[Trainfan061193]

Meanwhile, the other remaining ALX400s seem to be not working as much lately.

Well they won’t see as much use now that the MMCs are returning back to Cornwall from Somerset Passenger Solutions (SPS). I have been informed that another 11 are back today and another 2 tomorrow.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

User 68 by any chance? Yep, that’s me. Don’t worry, it is because when a vehicle is stationed at Milehouse there is a chance it can run a PCB duty eg. A day on the 35/35A/44s so it is under Plymouth Citybus until it is on a Cornwall ending duty. I don’t just spend my whole day watching it. I do have a life which includes going out so I’d appreciate if you are on about me for you to stop as it isn’t needed. And for other BusTimes users, I put 2433 as PCB when it was tracking as it was under another buses machine as 2433 was sat at Milehouse VOR with 2011s machine whilst 2011 had 2433s machine however they’ve now been swapped over thankfully.

Indeed.

I have since realised, personally, that nitpicky edits on bustimes is a waste of my time.

Quite - it's invariably such a moving feast that it'll invariably be wrong.

 

[richw]

User 68 by any chance? Yep, that’s me. Don’t worry, it is because when a vehicle is stationed at Milehouse there is a chance it can run a PCB duty eg. A day on the 35/35A/44s so it is under Plymouth Citybus until it is on a Cornwall ending duty. I don’t just spend my whole day watching it. I do have a life which includes going out so I’d appreciate if you are on about me for you to stop as it isn’t needed. And for other BusTimes users, I put 2433 as PCB when it was tracking as it was under another buses machine as 2433 was sat at Milehouse VOR with 2011s machine whilst 2011 had 2433s machine however they’ve now been swapped over thankfully.

As it’s the same company, same operator licence, surely it would be better for bus times to amalgamate the two trading brands to one operator page rather than the need for this to happen.

 

[vla50]

Well they won’t see as much use now that the MMCs are returning back to Cornwall from SPS. I have been informed that another 11 are back today and another 2 tomorrow.

Sorry correct me if I'm wrong but I thought they were staying until 2022 even after it was announced that the Somerset Passenger Solutions (SPS) MMCs would be returning in the summer?

 

[LAIRA]

Here is 2433 a few weeks ago (image below), and it is still off the road with unknown issues.

Some broken windows on the off side for start.