First South West (Kernow & Buses of Somerset)

[Murray J]

It was nice to see former First 43906 (SK52 OKF) now converted to a camper in South Molton. Sounding great but was driving so couldnt get a pic

Glad to see it's gone on to a new home. Briefly operated in Sussex (my local area) with Crawley Luxury on rail replacements although I only saw it once and it doesn't appear that it was used much.

 

[83G/84D]

Having finally got around to looking at the First Kernow timetable from 31 October I see that on the Atlantic Coaster timetables there is a note on the bottom of the page that says “buses between Perranporth and St Ives will be back in Summer 2023”.

I hope this is just an error and that they return next summer?!

Also regarding the open top services, lately even in fair weather the L1 seems to be mostly closed top buses rather than open top whilst the Falmouth Coaster seems to be frequently an open top bus. Anyone able to shed any light on this?

It’s not a criticism by the way, just based on my observations!

Finally the winter network map still shows the Atlantic Coaster route between St Ives and Perranporth.

 

[Busaholic]

Having finally got around to looking at the First Kernow timetable from 31 October I see that on the Atlantic Coaster timetables there is a note on the bottom of the page that says “buses between Perranporth and St Ives will be back in Summer 2023”.

I hope this is just an error and that they return next summer?!

Also regarding the open top services, lately even in fair weather the L1 seems to be mostly closed top buses rather than open top whilst the Falmouth Coaster seems to be frequently an open top bus. Anyone able to shed any light on this?

It’s not a criticism by the way, just based on my observations!

Finally the winter network map still shows the Atlantic Coaster route between St Ives and Perranporth.

I suspect the bottom of the timetable note is a 'stop press' to the realisation that the St Ives to Perranporth route has been inadvertently left on the winter network map. I'm sure that 2023 is the sort of error made when someone's in a hurry!

 

[vla50]

If you don't mind me asking, does anyone know what will replace the White ALXs? Because the ELCs are noted as moving to Buses of Somerset, are more Geminis moving into Kernow perhaps?

 

[charlie1284]

If you don't mind me asking, does anyone know what will replace the White ALXs? Because the ELCs are noted as moving to Buses of Somerset, are more Geminis moving into Kernow perhaps?

The white ALXs aren't going anywhere.

 

[vla50]

The white ALXs aren't going anywhere.

There were mentions of them being replaced at the start of 2022

 

[Goldfish62]

The white ALXs aren't going anywhere.

Yes they are. They're only temporary.

 

[Trainfan061193]

If you don't mind me asking, does anyone know what will replace the White ALXs? Because the ELCs are noted as moving to Buses of Somerset, are more Geminis moving into Kernow perhaps?

@On the Buses said fairly recently 32759/763-8 will be going to Somerset in April from HDB.

I don’t believe Kernow’s ELCs are leaving as far as I’m aware.

 

[vla50]

@On the Buses said fairly recently 32759/763-8 will be going to Somerset in April from HDB.

I don’t believe Kernow’s ELCs are leaving as far as I’m aware.

I meant the ALXs were leaving.

 

[Trainfan061193]

I meant the ALXs were leaving.

Oh I see! Yes we will have to see if anything will replace the ALXs.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes they are. They're only temporary.

If you cast your mind back, it was stated that because of the length of time they’d been on loan, the ownership would pass to First. However, they are non-standard in many ways so they’ll be kept depending on ongoing or upcoming requirements. This has been mentioned many times.

Moreover, (and not directed at you, I stress) I’m struggling to understand the fascination about some white, ex London deckers. Not as if there haven’t been loads before.

 

[richw]

If you cast your mind back, it was stated that because of the length of time they’d been on loan, the ownership would pass to First. However, they are non-standard in many ways so they’ll be kept depending on ongoing or upcoming requirements. This has been mentioned many times.

Moreover, (and not directed at you, I stress) I’m struggling to understand the fascination about some white, ex London deckers. Not as if there haven’t been loads before.

They seem popular with the local enthusiast community because they are different to anything else in Kernow. As you say non standard!

 

[vla50]

If you cast your mind back, it was stated that because of the length of time they’d been on loan, the ownership would pass to First. However, they are non-standard in many ways so they’ll be kept depending on ongoing or upcoming requirements. This has been mentioned many times.

Moreover, (and not directed at you, I stress) I’m struggling to understand the fascination about some white, ex London deckers. Not as if there haven’t been loads before.

Absolutely no problem with using the ALXs I agree, especially the younger examples. They are quite similar to other Geminis/ELCs transferred in from other First provisions.

 

[Goldfish62]

If you cast your mind back, it was stated that because of the length of time they’d been on loan, the ownership would pass to First. However, they are non-standard in many ways so they’ll be kept depending on ongoing or upcoming requirements. This has been mentioned many times.

Moreover, (and not directed at you, I stress) I’m struggling to understand the fascination about some white, ex London deckers. Not as if there haven’t been loads before.

Yes, I know they've gone into First ownership. I could have sworn the plan was to move them on next year, depending on any unforseen additional vehicle requirements.

Personally I think they present a poor image and the sooner they go the better. Anonymous white with no identification apart from school bus signs and tired Arriva interior.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes, I know they've gone into First ownership. I could have sworn the plan was to move them on next year, depending on any unforseen additional vehicle requirements

Which is what I saying. Depending on “events, dear boy, events”, they are expected to go next year.

Personally I think they present a poor image and the sooner they go the better. Anonymous white with no identification apart from school bus signs and tired Arriva interior.

As @On the Buses stated, they’re non standard and have been worked hard. Fine enough for the moment but should get offloaded when they can, dependant on their success or otherwise.

I can’t quite see the fascination. I know @richw is right but still - they’re not groundbreakingly non-standard. It’s not like they’re DB250s, or have dual doors, or some obscure bodywork or whatever. They’re just some dealer white ALX B7TLs and yet seem to generate disproportionate numbers of queries.

 

[Busaholic]

Personally I think they present a poor image and the sooner they go the better. Anonymous white with no identification apart from school bus signs and tired Arriva interior.

I don't think the bus has yet been invented that looks good in white, but some look even worse than others. particularly those missing a daily allover wash.

 

[Goldfish62]

I can’t quite see the fascination. I know @richw is right but still - they’re not groundbreakingly non-standard. It’s not like they’re DB250s, or have dual doors, or some obscure bodywork or whatever. They’re just some dealer white ALX B7TLs and yet seem to generate disproportionate numbers of queries.

I know!

 

[cnjb8]

Absolutely no problem with using the ALXs I agree, especially the younger examples. They are quite similar to other Geminis/ELCs transferred in from other First provisions.

As On The Buses mentioned a few pages back, they are ex-London so they aren’t the most ideal buses in the fleet

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

As On The Buses mentioned a few pages back, they are ex-London so they aren’t the most ideal buses in the fleet

That and, being ex London, have had longer working days and that aside from various other differences “under the bonnet” mean they’re not ideal.

 

[S.Jacket]

Noted what looked like a First Wessex B7RLE with L plates circling the bus station at Truro this afternoon, only caught the end of the registration, TZC I think it was. Didn't see any fleet numbers to identify it. I assume this is a loan vehicle?

 

[KendalKing]

Noted what looked like a First Wessex B7RLE with L plates circling the bus station at Truro this afternoon, only caught the end of the registration, TZC I think it was. Didn't see any fleet numbers to identify it. I assume this is a loan vehicle?

66941 which is registered WX55 TZC

 

[CornwallBus]

Noted what looked like a First Wessex B7RLE with L plates circling the bus station at Truro this afternoon, only caught the end of the registration, TZC I think it was. Didn't see any fleet numbers to identify it. I assume this is a loan vehicle?

Dont think they are loan vehicles. I think they are the new Driver Trainers

 

[Callum15632]

Noted what looked like a First Wessex B7RLE with L plates circling the bus station at Truro this afternoon, only caught the end of the registration, TZC I think it was. Didn't see any fleet numbers to identify it. I assume this is a loan vehicle?

Not a ex Wessex B7RLE it's ex First Bristol.

 

[vla50]

As On The Buses mentioned a few pages back, they are ex-London so they aren’t the most ideal buses in the fleet

Oh right. Being from London myself I agree TBH, we certainly knacker some buses lol.

 

[Busaholic]

Oh right. Being from London myself I agree TBH, we certainly knacker some buses lol.

So many more buses in London see evening and Sunday service, not forgetting all-night jobs. No hanging round collecting fares either!

 

[Goldfish62]

So many more buses in London see evening and Sunday service, not forgetting all-night jobs. No hanging round collecting fares either!

Buses are worked hard in London, with them typically being out in service for 18-20 hours a day, plus there's generally a low spares ratio of less than 10%. There very little cruising at constant speed - buses are either accelerating or braking. And then there's the highly variable driving standards...

Also the TfL vehicle spec places limits on noise and emissions so engines tend to be derated. There are few significant hills in London anyway.

 

[83G/84D]

May I ask what E400’s you’re referring to? Are 33420-2 destined for Somerset now instead of West of England?

33420 & 33421 are now reported as having moved to Somerset, 33422 at Weston awaiting a move south.

 

[Busaholic]

There are few significant hills in London anyway.

That may be true of many parts of London, but not the South East, due South and due North areas in particular. Even a few of the declining number of routes in what I would call Central London traverse one or two significant inclines in the course of their journey.

 

[Goldfish62]

That may be true of many parts of London, but not the South East, due South and due North areas in particular. Even a few of the declining number of routes in what I would call Central London traverse one or two significant inclines in the course of their journey.

That's why I said "few".

 

[Busaholic]

That's why I said "few".

I realise that, but it'll depend on a bus's operating history and territory to an extent how 'knackered' it is before leaving London (to use a technical term .) It's a great shame how the standard of London bus driving is so variable now, another factor as you say, but outside the scope of this thread.