This was a quote from Richard on Facebook:
A number could be any number though. At present we know of 2 routes
No need for apologies - just wondering if there were any crossed purposes
First have always had a presence in Devon unless Axminster and Tiverton have left the county since I did. Of course, presumably as they are not First Kernow operations they don't count to some...Either way it will be good to see First have a presence in Devon again
Regarding 20357. I remember seeing it in Penzance Long Rock depot in 2018 parked up beside 20358/63 and 20801-5. Did it ever enter service?
Hmmm..... I wonder if that may presage something? I might well be wrong but was it suggested that FSW (not just Kernow) was to receive further Geminis?
I don’t think it has. I’ve never seen it in use, and was cannibalised very early on
It would make sense to rereg all the newly painted 'Explorer' stuff as a nicely presented 13 year old bus suddenly looks like a nicely presented fairly new bus to joe public if the registration year is hidden.
Two weeks to change plates over from new logbook issue iirc. Gov website says last V5c issued 22nd February so they have until 8th March to change it over.
And Bampton...
I'm surprised they seem to be re-registering the driver training vehicles, unless they are up for replacement as well?
Well remembered there. Did a trip (poss 2013) going from Taunton to Tiverton, then Beacon Bus to Bampton, and getting the 25 back to Taunton. It's a great run through the countryside and yep, Bampton and a few other hamlets are in Devon and served by BoS.
On 2012 - indeed after my second trip on the 300 in Exmoor - I returned from Minehead to Tiverton on what was then the 398. I think it was run by Beacon Bus or some such. It was a long but very scenic run which included Dulverton and Bampton, also Winsford, very out of the way.
It was the 307 (credit to photographer) and to my chagrin, I never bothered to get off my @r5e and do it. I was doing a lot of other things than travelling on buses at the time, but still no excuse not to travel on a Vario across huge chunks of almost uninhabited territory!
I wouldn't be surprised if they were, considering we have 03 plate alx 400's which aren't staying after covid.
I highley doubt Geminis will become training vehicles. The ALXs are leaving when the MMCs return from Somerset Passenger Solutions.
The training buses were converted back to service as they were needed again for college routes, and because they had all the drivers they need I think.
Okay but they'll be needed again as trainers at some point, it's likely they'll return to that role when needed again
I was talking about the passenger ALXs
They had an additional seat for the instructor fitted in the doorway.
Sometimes a table is fitted and with two seats turned to the back to face it. Maybe a whiteboard would be fitted too
Add to that anything after it leaves Lyme Regis for Axminster, Uplyme is where Devon starts.
The real issue is simply the fact that you have two networks, working in isolation, and passengers not knowing what tickets are available/valid on what. The odd PCB vehicle working in Cornwall or vice versa is minor in comparison.
Agreed. And the situation is even worse where GSW provides early and late journeys on otherwise FK routes.
