Go Cornwall Bus

[Andyh82]

There does seem to be endless tinkering with the network at the start of every season, almost as if it was being done by a big bad commercial company rather than a council branded network!

You’d hope after a few years of normal post COVID operations, it might start to settle down

 

[richw]

There does seem to be endless tinkering with the network at the start of every season, almost as if it was being done by a big bad commercial company rather than a council branded network!

You’d hope after a few years of normal post COVID operations, it might start to settle down

I’ve never known a company to tinker as much as Citybus/ go Cornwall.

 

[Goldfish62]

There does seem to be endless tinkering with the network at the start of every season, almost as if it was being done by a big bad commercial company rather than a council branded network!

You’d hope after a few years of normal post COVID operations, it might start to settle down

There's no such thing as normal post-Covid operation as evidenced across the country! Cornwall is exceptionally lucky to have so far got away without savage cuts. Unless central government views on local bus services change fundamentally for the better that time will come.

 

[83G/84D]

Not very impressed today with a Go Cornwall bus driver. A E200MMC arrives at Camborne earlier today and all the stands are full. Normally if this occurs the bus waits on the road until a stand is available. This driver on service 49 pulls into the bus station and parks sideways blocking all the buses on the stands from departing. The door opens and passengers are allowed to board and alight. The E400 that arrived a few minutes before this had to wait on the road for a stand to be available but whilst waiting the driver opened the door and passengers got out.
I’m not sure of what exactly is permitted but didn’t think that this was acceptable.

 

[GBM]

A 40 driver was picking up/dropping passengers off at the Treliske Hospital Park and Ride stop yesterday. New driver perhaps and not familiar with the hospital stop arrangements.

 

[DaveHarries]

Having looked at the changes to the 72 (soon to be 10) between Plymouth and Looe and the 11 between Plymouth and Wadebridge, via. Bodmin, I don't think the changes are a good idea while the threat of rail strikes continues given that the rail strikes cause the suspension of all services in Cornwall, both mainline and branch line: I think more people will end up driving instead.

Dave

 

[richw]

Having looked at the changes to the 72 (soon to be 10) between Plymouth and Looe and the 11 between Plymouth and Wadebridge, via. Bodmin, I don't think the changes are a good idea while the threat of rail strikes continues given that the rail strikes cause the suspension of all services in Cornwall, both mainline and branch line: I think more people will end up driving instead.

Dave

The 11 frequency reduction baffles me.
I regularly use it between Liskeard and Plymouth. It’s regularly standing room only, and often leaves people behind coming out of Plymouth.

 

[KendalKing]

The 11 frequency reduction baffles me.
I regularly use it between Liskeard and Plymouth. It’s regularly standing room only, and often leaves people behind coming out of Plymouth.

Sounds like they leaving the door open for another operator.

 

[MarkC]

Sounds like they leaving the door open for another operator.

With a bit of luck yes. I used the Go Cornwall bus network and it was awful (before next months cuts). Cancellations to service 12, 72 and 73 throughout the day. I think Citybus are not interested in the SE Cornwall routes IMO

 

[fgwrich]

Sounds like they leaving the door open for another operator.

If only First weren't in retreat mode with the management changes... Sounds like a possible option for Stagecoach to get another foot back into Cornwall.

 

[MarkC]

If only First weren't in retreat mode with the management changes... Sounds like a possible option for Stagecoach to get another foot back into Cornwall.

Yes I don't think First would be interested now but would be great if Stagecoach could take over all these services as they can not really be any worse!

 

[JKP]

Yes I don't think First would be interested now but would be great if Stagecoach could take over all these services as they can not really be any worse!

Are not all the non First routes in Cornwall not under contract to Cornwall Council who will have been part of the consultation prior to these changes being made?

Is it not also possible that these changes are being made due to the ongoing driver shortages? Surely it is to the benefit of passengers that services advertised do run rather than posting cancellations on a regular basis?

 

[richw]

If only First weren't in retreat mode with the management changes... Sounds like a possible option for Stagecoach to get another foot back into Cornwall.

Stagecoach have won all the recent school contracts that have been retendered in south east Cornwall for Septembers new term following CJ downs decision to retire

 

[MarkC]

Stagecoach have won all the recent school contracts that have been retendered in south east Cornwall for Septembers new term following CJ downs decision to retire

That's good in as it shows Stagecoach are willing to expand over the Tamar from Plymouth. They also have new 1s school service from Plymouth Southway to Tavistock college I assume to replace a CJ Down service. The 72 and 73s are not part of Cornwall County Council's subsidised network and only small part of services 10,11 and 12 are I believe

 

[richw]

That's good in as it shows Stagecoach are willing to expand over the Tamar from Plymouth. They also have new 1s school service from Plymouth Southway to Tavistock college I assume to replace a CJ Down service. The 72 and 73s are not part of Cornwall County Council's subsidised network and only small part of services 10,11 and 12 are I believe

3 callington school
2 Launceston and a Looe I believe

 

[DaveHarries]

Stagecoach have won all the recent school contracts that have been retendered in south east Cornwall for Septembers new term following CJ downs decision to retire

Depending how far into Cornwall we are talking I doubt they will send the vehicles empty from Plymouth so where might they be planning to keep them I wonder?

Dave

 

[LAIRA]

Depending how far into Cornwall we are talking I doubt they will send the vehicles empty from Plymouth so where might they be planning to keep them I wonder?

Dave

Stagecoach have an outstation in Tavistock so if it is C J Down work they are replacing I would have thought that may be the obvious place to work from.

 

[83G/84D]

News today in the local media that Go Cornwall bus intend to withdraw the "Safe Harbour" bus stop at Fowey, from their services early next year.

Petition launched to save coastal town bus stop



Lee Trewhela

Local Democracy Reporter



More than 500 people have signed a petition to save a bus stop in Cornwall set to be removed due to safety concerns.

Go Cornwall is to remove the stop in Fowey from January 2024 over concerns that buses reversing outside the Safe Harbour Inn could possibly cause injuries.

Some residents have opposed the move, saying an alternative stop on Hanson Drive may be less safe as it did not have lighting or a shelter.

Go Cornwall has been contacted for comment.

The petition, set up last month, states the stop had been in place "for over a century".

It said the alternative was "less accessible to many ... being in a less safe location with no shelter, seating or live travel updates", the Local Democracy Reporting Service, external said.

The area in front of the Safe Harbour Inn, at the junction of Lostwithiel Street, Cobbs Well and Brown’s Hill, has been a documented transport hub for more than 100 years, with horse-drawn coaches operating before motorised vehicles.

Resident Gretchen Viehmann said the stop had a "natural logic" as "a terminus for the bus services" and she was not sure why it had "suddenly become an issue".

Passengers 'will struggle'​

Safe Harbour Inn landlord Graham Allen said getting rid of the stop would have a "huge impact on trade" for his and other businesses.

He said: "People who are waiting come in and use the pub.

"If the bus is late, passengers pop in and the bus drivers use the pub as a comfort stop."

Local Cornwall Councillor Andy Virr said the decision was taken over concerns "about the risk of serious injury or death when the bus is reversing", but he acknowledged "some bus users will struggle to use the new stop".

He said he had asked for a meeting with Cornwall Council and Go Cornwall.

Local MP Steve Double said he hoped Go Cornwall "will be willing to review their decision" and that people should "contact the company and express their concerns.

Petition launched to save Fowey bus stop - BBC News

 

[Jamesbus80]

News today in the local media that Go Cornwall bus intend to withdraw the "Safe Harbour" bus stop at Fowey, from their services early next year.



Petition launched to save Fowey bus stop - BBC News

This is a little confusing, as Go Cornwall Bus removed the stop this summer with all 25s and their tendered 24 journeys serving the loop at Readymoney Cove car park, whereas First continue to serve Safe Harbour with their 24s… perhaps the council are proposing its removal rather than a specific company?

 

[Busaholic]

News today in the local media that Go Cornwall bus intend to withdraw the "Safe Harbour" bus stop at Fowey, from their services early next year.



Petition launched to save Fowey bus stop - BBC News

I see neither bus stop nor shelter in the attached photo!

 

[richw]

News today in the local media that Go Cornwall bus intend to withdraw the "Safe Harbour" bus stop at Fowey, from their services early next year.



Petition launched to save Fowey bus stop - BBC News

They’ve already withdrawn. Council want First to stop serving too.

Graham Allen pub landlord is mainly responsible for repeat complaints about reversing buses getting close to his patrons and benches. He also refused point blank use of his toilets to drivers unless we bought something, a disciplinary offence to purchase anything from a pub in uniform. So I find his comments very strange.

 

[Busaholic]

They’ve already withdrawn. Council want First to stop serving too.

Graham Allen pub landlord is mainly responsible for repeat complaints about reversing buses getting close to his patrons and benches. He also refused point blank use of his toilets to drivers unless we bought something, a disciplinary offence to purchase anything from a pub in uniform. So I find his comments very strange.

There's a much more comprehensive and accurate report in the Falmouth Times, which I can't link you to, but Mr Allen's professed concerns for both passengers and trade in it are certainly at variance with your words.

 

[GusB]

Let's not be throwing unfounded allegations around, please. If there is evidence on social media of any individual acting in a particular manner, please ensure that you:

a) post the link to your source
b) add a suitable quote from that source, enclosed within quote tags

 

[GBM]

Hundreds of residents fight loss of 100-year-old bus stop

More than 500 people have signed a petition to save it.

www.falmouthpacket.co.uk

"""
More than 500 people have signed a petition to save a bus stop that has been a vital part of life in a coastal town for more than a century.

Residents are concerned that a new bus stop further up the road is not as safe as it doesn’t have lighting or a shelter, and is more difficult to access for passengers who are disabled or have mobility issues"""
............Continues.......

As a driver, this happened in the far West of Cornwall several years ago.
A local village had four runs a day into it. Turning involved reversing into the local pub carpark.
The new landlord objected as the first bus (always a Solo) of the day arrived around 0715 and his customers objected to the reversing horn and engine rattle disturbing their sleep.
Six months later, Cornwall Council ran a taxi to/from there for the few school pupils that used the service and our service was withdrawn.

Also heard a service in mid Cornwall (not an early morning one) used to reverse a decker into their pub car park to turn.
He objected, but as it was a contract service, it had to run.
His family cars were then parked at strategic points in his car park, preventing an easy turn. It then involved a multi shunt, taking up a lot of time and effort not to hit anything.
Then Covid hit, so the service ceased anyway.

 

[richw]

Let's not be throwing unfounded allegations around, please. If there is evidence on social media of any individual acting in a particular manner, please ensure that you:

a) post the link to your source
b) add a suitable quote from that source, enclosed within quote tags

Screen shots from Safe Harbour inn Facebook attached.

Can be found here

Safe Harbour Inn..Twin bar & Restaurant | Fowey

Safe Harbour Inn..Twin bar & Restaurant, Fowey. 1,382 likes · 19 talking about this · 1,902 were here. Pub

www.facebook.com

Had he kept the various incidents private between him and the bus company and insurers if necessary and not publicised it then the service may not have been lost from there.

 

[Goldfish62]

Reintroduced route 7 from 13 November, running between Sennen Cove and Gurnards Head to restore the links lost as a result of the Land's End Coaster cut-back.

Five return journeys daily Mon-Fri between Sennen Cove and St Just, with two extended to/from Gurnards Head Hotel. These two journeys connect with 16A journeys towards and from St Ives.

New Route 7, Sennen Cove - Gurnards Head via St Just

Our new service 7 is starting on Monday 13th November Running Mondays to Friday

www.gocornwallbus.co.uk

New Route 7, Sennen Cove - Gurnards Head via St Just​

Yesterday Wed 8th Nov 2023

From the 13th of November 2023, we will be running a new route, from Sennen Cove to Gurnards Head, via St Just. The route will operate Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
Please click here to view timetable

 

[Busaholic]

Reintroduced route 7 from 13 November, running between Sennen Cove and Gurnards Head to restore the links lost as a result of the Land's End Coaster cut-back.

Five return journeys daily Mon-Fri between Sennen Cove and St Just, with two extended to/from Gurnards Head Hotel. These two journeys connect with 16A journeys towards and from St Ives.

New Route 7, Sennen Cove - Gurnards Head via St Just

Our new service 7 is starting on Monday 13th November Running Mondays to Friday

www.gocornwallbus.co.uk

That's excellent. A shame the connections to St Ives aren't mentioned in the timetable: presumably a return trip is possible if you catch the first journey to Gurnard's Head?

 

[Goldfish62]

That's excellent. A shame the connections to St Ives aren't mentioned in the timetable: presumably a return trip is possible if you catch the first journey to Gurnard's Head?

Yes, 2.5 hours in St Ives.

A good job has been made of the timetable within the limited resources available.

 

[farwest]

Remind me of when I used to get the Western Greyhound in the winter from Penzance about 0930 and connect at Gurnards head with the connecting bus to Rosemergy for coast walks.

 

[Goldfish62]

Remind me of when I used to get the Western Greyhound in the winter from Penzance about 0930 and connect at Gurnards head with the connecting bus to Rosemergy for coast walks.

Absolutely. WGL used to do an excellent job with connections all round the Penwith peninsula.