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First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)
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cnjb8
Established Member
Whiteway215
Established Member
Thank you to ‘On the Buses’ for the disposal schedule.
PS I see 32075 is not included on the list.
PS I see 32075 is not included on the list.
Kernow Dave
Member
Thank you for this and all of the information that you pass on, it is all appreciated.
Trainfan061193
Member
- Joined
- 29 Sep 2018
- Messages
- 435
Thank you for this, will be sad to see these lovely vehicles go!
Just out of curiosity, will there be a schedule too for which days the 30 MMCs are returning next month?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
To be honest, their time has more than come (and gone). 30877 isn't a lovely machine; neither is 32015 (which looks terrible). The ALXs are well put together, but are shabby and tired now (and TBF, the seats have always been awful on the older ones from 2000-2). They've had a reprieve of another 12-18 months but they've done their time. Good for gricers but for the general public.... they'll be happy to have the MMCs back and a fleet of well presented (albeit still mature) Geminis and the odd Trident.
Trainfan061193
Member
- Joined
- 29 Sep 2018
- Messages
- 435
I certainly agree about 32015 not looking the best! Definitely seen it’s day now I think! I’m glad the ELC Tridents are staying though. The white ALXs I’ve heard are staying until early 2022 and could also backfill any Presidents that could fail between now and then. On the Buses said also that they’re expecting a large number of cascades in the early part of next year.
fgwrich
Established Member
I think we have our answer to an earlier question.
A hint of a tweet from Marc Huws last night:
A hint of a tweet from Marc Huws last night:
(Image shows branding with the lettering "Truronian Classic, Journey in Style")
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Ah, you must mean where the ALXs with the uncomfortable seats are going!! Or bringing in some Iveco breadvans, another classic!
It really is quite incredible to remember this is still the same company that, not that many years ago, ran a fleet that mostly consisted of cast offs from other areas presented in a way that reinforced how old they were and, consequently, was contracting all over the place as other companies moved in on it's territory.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
I'm lost now (It's my age) but what question was it answering
Absolutely this!
I remember the days of Mark Howarth at Western National, and it was a business that had a decent image (badgers and flags) even if the fleet was a little mature. Even in the mid 90s, they were operating some older VRs (about the same age profile as the Geminis now) and they were refurbished and repainted and did sterling work on lesser services (and some core ones) etc whilst there was investment in newer fleet (mainly Darts and Mercs) for those routes that could justify it.
Then First came along and with his departure, you had Truronian and Western Greyhound expanding as WN contracted. New vehicles became scarcer, and it was a dumping ground for all manner of tat. Ex Aberdeen Atlanteans and ex West London Merc minis were the nadir. However, whilst the VRs continued soldiering on becoming ever more tatty, those that were sacrificed for spares were replaced by ex London Metrobuses or NBC era Olympians barely newer. The mid 2000s were shocking and it was perhaps only the purchase of Truronian that along with the fact they'd hit rock bottom and stablised meant things got slightly better/stopped getting worse.
It really is incredible that a business that received virtually no new vehicles between 2005 and 2015 has since had the level of investment that it has, and has re-established itself. The failure to obtain the Cornwall Council tender is a downside (for First, and for the public) but they (the current team) have continued to display a business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit that many should learn the lessons of.
I'm suspect the question about the King Harry coaches (however I'm still up for my suggestion about the destination of the ALXs!).I'm lost now (It's my age) but what question was it answering
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Ah right - that does make sense
As for classic ALXs.... can't say I've spent time grinding around Staple Hill on them and thought "hmmm.....classic"
On the Buses
Member
I’ll be very glad to see the back of them.
It will follow but is part of a different part exchange
cnjb8
Established Member
Have 32073, 32084, 32098 and 32277 returned to West of England yet?
32084 definitely hasn't, just had it on the U1
If they’re the ones with red fronts they’re all still with us.
Is it? Would all of the current ventures have been possible if the business was committed to the tenders?
cnjb8
Established Member
teggers419
Member
- Joined
- 18 Nov 2016
- Messages
- 42
Agree mate and as well with current staff levels already short, as proven by the temporary suspension of Daytripper and S1/2/3 services from Saturday!!
Oh dear, I planned to use some of those when I come down for a holiday next week
I’ll have to drive instead
Are any of the other ‘Adventures’ at risk. Such as the Dartmoor Explorer or the Lizards?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Yes - otherwise would they have bothered to tender?
Goldfish62
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Feb 2010
- Messages
- 10,340
Of course it's a downside! It would be foolish to pretend otherwise. 50% of the local bus network up for grabs and nothing won. The various new commercial ventures are a brave and hopefully successful attempt to fill that void.
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On the Buses
Member
No they’re staying until Sept at least
vla50
Member
So that and the Tridents are school extras I assume?
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cnjb8
Established Member
Thank you
On the Buses
Member
What’s the question?
vla50
Member
I was just wondering whether those were the school extras along with the Tridents if they are staying until at least September.
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If that was the case, schools finish in the next 10 days, so safe to conclude not.
On the Buses
Member
What’s going now is replaced by the first 20 returning MMCs.
The balance will replace whatever we deem we most want gone. Any remaining duplicates are balanced by Uni returning.
We haven’t fixed what goes next not least because we’re waiting on tender results and managing failures
The balance will replace whatever we deem we most want gone. Any remaining duplicates are balanced by Uni returning.
We haven’t fixed what goes next not least because we’re waiting on tender results and managing failures