Just seen on someone's flickr that the 20 remaining mmcs for 14/18 Penzance/St Ives to Truro are arriving and they look pretty nice in red. I remember when I lived in Camborne 10 years ago that 14/18 had darts then got upgraded to Wright Eclipse Urban B7RLE which were branded.
Nice to see First Kernow investing in its fleet, now it's near enough the sole provider of bus services in the west of Cornwall. Remember there used to be Truroian (purchased by first) and Western Greyhound (sadly defunct)
First Kernow "The Tinner"
https://flic.kr/p/QaX96J
Whats the best way of getting from Newquay Airport to Portreath on a Sunday at the end of August at about midday, the time i'll be travelling is after the A4 leaves Newquay? Or would I be better of getting a taxi?
Also, what bus type is usually found on the A4 and are there any nice scenic routes down in Cornwall?
Is L637SEU still in use down there?
I think the A5 will be the best bet and get a bus to Truro change there for a direct link to Portreath.
Portreath is a lovely place
https://www.firstgroup.com/cornwall/plan-journey/timetables/?operator=6&service=A5&page=1&redirect=no
Also on route maps will show all routes in Kernow
Thanks, most apreciated
@Chris
Saw a picture of L637 SEU in use recently in First group on Facebook but not entirely sure if it is still in use now though.
Quote from: P419 EJW on July 31, 2017, 08:34:03 AM
Saw a picture of L637 SEU in use recently in First group on Facebook but not entirely sure if it is still in use now though.
It was in use during Late May, I was lucky enough to travel on it, but I haven't been to Cornwall since then.
The A1/A2/A3 are mostly open top, with and double decker also appearing on there.
The A4, I only saw one open top decker while down there on the A4 which spent the day on the A1/A2/A3 and operated the 18:15 A4 from St Ives to Portreath. There are two buses on there daily, one does the (09:35) Quintrell Downs to (12:02) St Ives, (12:15) St Ives to (13:05) Portreath, parks up the road from Portreath for abit and then does the, (15:03) Portreath to (16:02) St Ives and (16:15) St Ives to (18:35) Quintrell Downs. The other bus spends the day on the A1/A2/A3 comes of an A2 at St Ives and operates thes, (18:15) St Ives - (19:05) Portreath, I think it also does the (09:13) Portreath - (10:02) St Ives. Its been just about any decker and even 67651 today, open tops are not usually found on the A4 due to low trees somewere along the route.
67651 is on the Newquay A4 board today.
T1/T2 were E400 MMC, 46/47 were Solo/Dart and Newquay - Truro routes Trident bodied Presidents.
Also, the A17 is Scania operated with any decker also appearing on there
The most scenic routes down there are the A routes, personally me favourite route that I went on was the A4. The route with the most variety down there is the A4.
Quote from: 2206 on August 13, 2017, 07:31:09 PM
The A1/A2/A3 are mostly open top, with and double decker also appearing on there.
The A4, I only saw one open top decker while down there on the A4 which spent the day on the A1/A2/A3 and operated the 18:15 A4 from St Ives to Portreath. There are two buses on there daily, one does the (09:35) Quintrell Downs to (12:02) St Ives, (12:15) St Ives to (13:05) Portreath, parks up the road from Portreath for abit and then does the, (15:03) Portreath to (16:02) St Ives and (16:15) St Ives to (18:35) Quintrell Downs. The other bus spends the day on the A1/A2/A3 comes of an A2 at St Ives and operates thes, (18:15) St Ives - (19:05) Portreath, I think it also does the (09:13) Portreath - (10:02) St Ives. Its been just about any decker and even 67651 today, open tops are not usually found on the A4 due to low trees somewere along the route.
67651 is on the Newquay A4 board today.
T1/T2 were E400 MMC, 46/47 were Solo/Dart and Newquay - Truro routes Trident bodied Presidents.
Also, the A17 is Volvo B7RlE operated with any decker also appearing on there
The most scenic routes down there are the A routes, personally me favourite route that I went on was the A4. The route with the most variety down there is the A4.
First Kernow doesn't have any B7RLE's, they were cascaded out when the E400MMC's arrived.
The full size Wright single deckers they do have are Scania L94's
Quote from: 2206 on August 13, 2017, 07:31:09 PM
67651 is on the Newquay A4 board today.
Are you sure it was 67651 as that was an Enviro 300 we had at Worcester that moved recently to Stoke??
Quote from: j789 on August 13, 2017, 08:01:04 PM
Are you sure it was 67651 as that was an Enviro 300 we had at Worcester that moved recently to Stoke??
It was more likely 65761.
As kernow only have Scania's 65759-64
Quote from: Winston on August 13, 2017, 08:02:53 PM
It was more likely 65761.
As kernow only have Scania's 65759-64
Atlantic Coaster Branded 65761.
Quote from: Winston on August 13, 2017, 07:56:29 PM
First Kernow doesn't have any B7RLE's, they were cascaded out when the E400MMC's arrived.
The full size Wright single deckers they do have are Scania L94's
Sorry, yes.
This is what confused me, as it says they are B7RLE -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149635926@N06/35972301281/in/photolist-W1RSMs-W5WpFP-UExcfn-V7SnC2-W5Wri6-VFbCzr-Uwzrx4-WNKrV4-WNKrGZ
Quote from: 2206 on August 13, 2017, 08:08:37 PM
Atlantic Coaster Branded 65761.
Haha makes sense, otherwise 67651 had got very lost!
Quote from: 2206 on August 13, 2017, 08:10:47 PM
Sorry, yes.
This is what confused me, as it says they are B7RLE -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149635926@N06/35972301281/in/photolist-W1RSMs-W5WpFP-UExcfn-V7SnC2-W5Wri6-VFbCzr-Uwzrx4-WNKrV4-WNKrGZ
Did the Scania badge on the front not give it away??
First Group fleet numbering is 65--- series for Scania's, 66--- & 69--- series for Volvo's
Quote from: Winston on August 13, 2017, 08:19:34 PM
Did the Scania badge on the front not give it away??
It was this morning I saw it, so I forgot what they were after a long day, so I just did a quick search to see what they are and thats were I quickly saw B7RLE.
Does anyone know how many E200 MMC and E400 MMC they're due and what they're for?
It's understood that there are no longer any E20D MMC coming this year, and if there are any E40D MMC now coming to Kernow, there are no more than 10. First have changed and reduced their orders this year and it looks like Kernow rather lost out.
It is still being recently reported elsewhere that 21 E400MMCs and 5 E200MMCs are coming.
Quote from: volvodart on January 22, 2018, 04:48:37 PM
It is still being recently reported elsewhere that 21 E400MMCs and 5 E200MMCs are coming.
Cornwall is one of the areas where the Council are working with First Kernow, therefore, previously announced capital investment should be fairly safe
It was probably a case of them being delayed rather than cancelled!
Someone has announced new Scania E400 MMC are comming from March 1st in the First Kernow thread on the Rail UK forum,
they're potentially for the 27 according to a comment bellow.
"Big news guys!
Do you remember first bus announcing new buses for the east of Cornwall? Scania E400 MMCs are the double deckers coming in. The plates are in --18 --- format.
368-- is the fleetnumber format at the moment, they will all be in the two-tone universal green colours and are all going to Camborne. The other two I don't know about yet, and there is no news on the E200 MMCs either yet.
You should see some starting from the 1st of march, as that's when the 18 plates come along."
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-179
Quote from: 2206 on January 28, 2018, 11:25:40 AM
Someone has announced new Scania E400 MMC are comming from March 1st in the First Kernow thread on the Rail UK forum,
they're potentially for the 27 according to a comment bellow.
"Big news guys!
Do you remember first bus announcing new buses for the east of Cornwall? Scania E400 MMCs are the double deckers coming in. The plates are in --18 --- format.
368-- is the fleetnumber format at the moment, they will all be in the two-tone universal green colours and are all going to Camborne. The other two I don't know about yet, and there is no news on the E200 MMCs either yet.
You should see some starting from the 1st of march, as that's when the 18 plates come along."
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-179
A large upgrade and improvement if this is correct.
"A post on a firstbus enthusiast Facebook group says the drivers have been told the MMCs are around 12 weeks away. A driver has commented 21 E400mmcs and 20 E200mmcs are coming. The single deck figure being considerably more than previous mentions?"
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-180
If it's of any help Bristol are taking Scanias up to 36836. Presumably the Cornwall buses are to follow on from there.
Kernows new MMCs are now in build. Looks like there are going to be 2 blue ones for Unibus services and 19 green ones for Newquay Bodmin Wadebridge Bude St Austell Truro routes looking at the comments. The green one pictured certainly looks like a regular MMC to me so they aren't going to be Scanias after all...
https://www.facebook.com/firstkernowbus/posts/1747026522026730
All of the ex Jersey mini darts are headed for Glasgow reportedly, with some for scrap. Some of these previously operated from Worcester depot for First.
New E200 MMC for First Kernow have been spotted.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-193
Quote from: 2206 on April 01, 2018, 11:00:14 AM
New E200 MMC for First Kernow have been spotted.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-193
There are photos on Flickr of the e400 mmc for the U4 Falmouth to Penzance and Kernow Green ones for probably the Newquay to Truro services
Looking for some advice. Off to St Ives for a week at the start of September on holiday and am looking to have a day out to get photos of the buses around Cornwall, I've never been before so don't know the county.
Anyone know the best places to go, especially for the open top services and the ex-London buses, but also most other services.
I have read that the older London buses )T, V reg) are to shortly be withdrawn but also does anyone know if the newer ex-London (51, 02 and 52 reg) buses have more time left in service
Thanks
Quote from: John on April 29, 2018, 12:06:31 PM
Looking for some advice. Off to St Ives for a week at the start of September on holiday and am looking to have a day out to get photos of the buses around Cornwall, I've never been before so don't know the county.
Anyone know the best places to go, especially for the open top services and the ex-London buses, but also most other services.
I have read that the older London buses )T, V reg) are to shortly be withdrawn but also does anyone know if the newer ex-London (51, 02 and 52 reg) buses have more time left in service
Thanks
The Summer Only services will still be operating at the Start of September, so if its similar to last year, ST Ives is the best place to find the Open Tops:
Last year the A1, A2, A3 and A4 should have all been open top operated.
A1, A2 and A3 all interworked last year so if they do again St Ives would be best on the A2 (Penzance to St Ives) and A3 (St Ives to Lands End.)
A4 - Newquay - Portreath - St Ives. A4 should also have been open tops last year saw one on there, but it was a variety closed top vehicles (E400, E400 MMC, President Bodied Tridents and East Lancs bodied Tridents) and even a Coastal branded Single Decker Scania got on there, something to do with low hanging trees somewhere. I did see one on there though on the evening departure that went from St Ives to Portreath.
Quote from: John on April 29, 2018, 12:06:31 PM
Looking for some advice. Off to St Ives for a week at the start of September on holiday and am looking to have a day out to get photos of the buses around Cornwall, I've never been before so don't know the county.
Anyone know the best places to go, especially for the open top services and the ex-London buses, but also most other services.
I have read that the older London buses )T, V reg) are to shortly be withdrawn but also does anyone know if the newer ex-London (51, 02 and 52 reg) buses have more time left in service
Thanks
St Ives can provide some stunning pictures as the Bus Station backs onto the sea and most of the open top services go there. I recommend Truro and Penzance as they will provide you with the most services and most of the new E400MMCs can be seen (not sure on the E200MMCs as they haven't entered service yet) along with a good variety of other types. Truro and Penzance both have Bus Stations so it's easy to photograph everything
Quote from: Dylanbusboy45 on April 29, 2018, 12:50:07 PM
St Ives can provide some stunning pictures as the Bus Station backs onto the sea and most of the open top services go there. I recommend Truro and Penzance as they will provide you with the most services and most of the new E400MMCs can be seen (not sure on the E200MMCs as they haven't entered service yet) along with a good variety of other types. Truro and Penzance both have Bus Stations so it's easy to photograph everything
Agree Truro is a good location for observing buses. Last time I went Western greyhound were operating Merc varios and some very elderly deckers too!!
Thanks all. That's great
Quote from: John on April 29, 2018, 01:16:38 PM
Thanks all. That's great
Also, if you're going in term time, Truro College will produce 20-30 deckers all in one location at the same time for PM return trips. They take students all over Cornwall from the college. First Kernow service 211 onwards. The forecourt of Cambourne depot is also fairly open & viewable.
As already said, Truro & Penzance Bus Stations are your best bet for deckers.
I would agree Penzance and Truro bus stations are the best places - Camborne is also good because you can see many vehicles in the main depot, particularly early evening when services start to dwindle. Easy viewing from the road at the front.
St Austell bus station provides a good variety at times too, with one or two buses parked up used as staff buses, etc.
Newer vehicles are concentrated around Falmouth, Truro, St Austell and Bodmin including the U4 and T1/T2 services. That said, any bus turns up anywhere from what I've seen over the years.
Best places for older deckers:
Falmouth open top/ park and ride services
Routes around Helston
Penzance area
Truro college services mentioned by Winston
Truro to Newquay services such as 87/90/91 were a staple for old deckers last year but I haven't been to Cornwall since February. New buses have arrived since then.
A visit to Eden on the 101 can be interesting to see the bendy buses.
Quote from: StourportSam on May 02, 2018, 10:11:24 AM
I would agree Penzance and Truro bus stations are the best places - Camborne is also good because you can see many vehicles in the main depot, particularly early evening when services start to dwindle. Easy viewing from the road at the front.
St Austell bus station provides a good variety at times too, with one or two buses parked up used as staff buses, etc.
Newer vehicles are concentrated around Falmouth, Truro, St Austell and Bodmin including the U4 and T1/T2 services. That said, any bus turns up anywhere from what I've seen over the years.
Best places for older deckers:
Falmouth open top/ park and ride services
Routes around Helston
Penzance area
Truro college services mentioned by Winston
Truro to Newquay services such as 87/90/91 were a staple for old deckers last year but I haven't been to Cornwall since February. New buses have arrived since then.
A visit to Eden on the 101 can be interesting to see the bendy buses.
The Falmouth open top service has been scrapped, I believe.
QuoteKernow said in response to a comment on Facebook that all open top routes will be running except the 400 service around Falmouth which has been scrapped
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-197#post-3417161
Quote from: 2206 on May 02, 2018, 05:00:28 PM
The Falmouth open top service has been scrapped, I believe.https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-197#post-3417161
That's a shame but no surprise. It never seemed to be marketed much in the form it was for the past few years. The times I used or saw it, it was late and empty. The V reg open top used was very noisy too.
Vamooz -
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/16264051.First_Kernow_sign_a_deal_with_an_app_that_allows_people_to_choose_their_own_bus_routes/
There are more new buses coming to Cornwall apparently.
QuoteYes Helston Area does look a little Neglected for now but it will see new buses as more are coming .
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-226#post-3567012
I've just read on the kernow thread on rail forum.
Kernow are due 14 new Optares in January and they are additionally getting 5 mid- life Gemini.
"Stated on the First Kernow behind the scenes FB page that they're being signed off at the factory on 10 January. They're Optare, not ADL.
Other news is that 5 mid-life Volvo Gemini double decks are due. No idea where from. "
Looking at the facebook page it looks like they've branded some of the East Lancs Tridents for the L1/L2 -
https://www.facebook.com/199649664262360/photos/a.201544657406194/203149123912414/?type=3&theater
And these will be joined by 3 new Optare Solo SR -
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10215658938378049&set=p.10215658938378049&type=3&theater
The new buses will be 6 new short optare Solo SR for East Cornwall and 8 long Optare Solo SR for West Cornwall.
According to a post on Facebook :- Behind the scenes at first kernow, they have adopted two ex Coventry beni buses
Just got sent this by a friend, they also appear to have an ex-Uno one too.
(https://i.imgur.com/FKNcnU3.png)
Edit: One of them is apparently BJ03ETL, not sure on the other right now.
Quote from: 2206 on December 25, 2018, 08:56:15 PM
Other news is that 5 mid-life Volvo Gemini double decks are due. No idea where from. "
They are coming from Glasgow.
Quote from: markcf83 on March 02, 2019, 03:02:55 PM
They are coming from Glasgow.
Two, 37178 and 37179 should have arrived by now. One was parked in Taunton Bus Station yesterday or Thursday on the trip down from Scotland
That's two of them. I wonder what the others are going to be given Glasgow is getting a lot of new Enviros currently.
Quote from: markcf83 on March 02, 2019, 06:22:37 PM
That's two of them. I wonder what the others are going to be given Glasgow is getting a lot of new Enviros currently.
2 more are open toppers, both damaged service buses I believe. Think one is from Huddersfield and the other Essex?
Quote from: John on March 02, 2019, 06:44:37 PM
2 more are open toppers, both damaged service buses I believe. Think one is from Huddersfield and the other Essex?
@John It would be 37058, YJ06 XMK, from Bradford. Not sure which is the second one though, sorry.
A mate who works at Companies House says First Kernow has lost the entire Cormwall Council tenders to Plymouth Citybus & 130 buses worth of work from April 2020
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 01:05:36 PM
A mate who works at Companies House says First Kernow has lost the entire Cormwall Council tenders to Plymouth Citybus & 130 buses worth of work from April 2020
That's not quite correct, Go-Ahead have won 130 buses worth of tendered work. However, there's talk on Railway Forums that approx. 75-80% of Kernow's routes are commercial, the losses to First Kernow are thought to equate to the following routes only:
" It says in First's timetable that services L1/L2, 5, 16/16A, 35/35A, 38 39/39A, 46/47, 55, 58, 68, 69/69A, & 95/96 are tenders
So all that First are left with besides the double deck routes is the M6, the 20s in the St Austell area and the 50/51? "Helston run the L1 L2 , 35/35A jointly with Falmouth , the 38 39 39A Jointly with Camborne
In terms of Penwith they only lose the 5 and 16/A. Total PVR 4.It sounds as though is will damage First Kernow's network coverage & may leave depots like Helston & Falmouth with not a lot of work. It may impact smaller tendered route operators more.
I guess there's always a chnace that Kernow may opt to take some of the tendered routes commercial in light of tender awards. Not sure how many of Travel Cornwall's routes are tendered etc
Quote from: Winston on January 07, 2020, 01:20:58 PM
That's not quite correct, Go-Ahead have won 130 buses worth of tendered work. However, there's talk on Railway Forums that approx. 75-80% of Kernow's routes are commercial, the losses to First Kernow are thought to equate to the following routes only:
" It says in First's timetable that services L1/L2, 5, 16/16A, 35/35A, 38 39/39A, 46/47, 55, 58, 68, 69/69A, & 95/96 are tenders
So all that First are left with besides the double deck routes is the M6, the 20s in the St Austell area and the 50/51? "
It may impact smaller tendered route operators more.
Yes fair point
@Winston but you & me both now how synergys of scale impact on commercial routes when tenders are lost my mate at Companies House reckons the tenders account for 12% of Income still a big hit but yes smaller operators will be hit hardest I am not sure I would be happy losing 12% of my clients though that would equate to 21 clients and about £16000 worth of business
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 01:27:52 PM
Yes fair point @Winston but you & me both now how synergys of scale impact on commercial routes when tenders are lost my mate at Companies House reckons the tenders account for 12% of Income still a big hit but yes smaller operators will be hit hardest I am not sure I would be happy losing 12% of my clients though that would equate to 21 clients and about £16000 worth of business
That's the way it goes with Contract Work, nothing is guaranteed & that's why you don't put all eggs in one basket. It's a bit of a stab in the back for Kernow given house they've turned about Kernow's fortunes & worked closely with the Council.
There's no guarantee's that Go-ahead will have got their numbers right, they'll need a number of new depots / outstations for starters well away from existing operations.
Quote from: Winston on January 07, 2020, 01:31:48 PM
That's the way it goes with Contract Work, nothing is guaranteed & that's why you don't put all eggs in one basket. It's a bit of a stab in the back for Kernow given house they've turned about Kernow's fortunes & worked closely with the Council.
There's no guarantee's that Go-ahead will have got their numbers right, they'll need a number of new depots / outstations for starters well away from existing operations.
Yes Go Ahead came a cropper with Damory didnt they against First Hampshire & Dorset & of course a certain bus company they bought in.the West Midlands. I use. I wonder if they will use the old Western.Greyhound outstations oh & talking of bus companies I use I have been asked over our breakfast by a certain elected offical very politely today to stop my constant nasty attacks on other bus companies in the west midlands on social media he is not a happy bunny!
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 01:58:31 PM
Yes Go Ahead came a cropper with Damory didnt they against First Hampshire & Dorset & of course a certain bus company they bought in.the West Midlands. I use. I wonder if they will use the old Western.Greyhound outstations oh & talking of bus companies I use I have been asked over our breakfast by a certain elected offical very politely today to stop my constant nasty attacks on other bus companies in the west midlands on social media he is not a happy bunny!
Not sure what's left of Western Greyhound outstations.
First have former WG depot at Summercourt + I think their Helston depot was also ex WG
I have been trying to tell you for a while re: the repetitive attacks...
Quote from: Winston on January 07, 2020, 02:20:12 PM
Not sure what's left of Western Greyhound outstations.
First have former WG depot at Summercourt + I think their Helston depot was also ex WG
I have been trying to tell you for a while re: the repetitive attacks...
Yes you have hopefully this might some sense into me!
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 02:54:03 PM
Yes you have hopefully this might some sense into me!
Doubt it...PMSL
Nothing I've said lasted for long...
Quote from: Winston on January 07, 2020, 02:55:17 PM
Doubt it...PMSL
Nothing I've said lasted for long...
Yes but I really dont want a contract put on my head by a former shop assistant to be honest.
Looks like First Kernow are planning to expand their commercial network over the coming months:
https://www.facebook.com/cornwallbykernow/photos/a.691199980942728/2895839393812098/?type=3&theater
Quote from: Winston on January 07, 2020, 04:23:45 PM
Looks like First Kernow are planning to expand their commercial network over the coming months:
https://www.facebook.com/cornwallbykernow/photos/a.691199980942728/2895839393812098/?type=3&theater
Very noticeable the tag line grow our commercial services I wonder if they will register some tenders commercially to be honest I always thought it a great mistake when West Midlands Travel withdrew the 120 140 & 241 at night & Sundays and the tender was picked up by Midland Red West instead of just pruning the 9 & 126 along Hagley Rd at night and have a fitted timetable.
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 04:37:45 PM
Very noticeable the tag line grow our commercial services I wonder if they will register some tenders commercially to be honest I always thought it a great mistake when West Midlands Travel withdrew the 120 140 & 241 at night & Sundays and the tender was picked up by Midland Red West instead of just pruning the 9 & 126 along Hagley Rd at night and have a fitted timetable.
Here is the link to Cornwall County Council:
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news-room/media-releases/news-from-2020/news-from-january-2020/new-contract-award-means-new-bus-routes-more-frequent-services-and-greener-buses-in-cornwall-from-april-2020/
Quote from: richardjones210368 on January 07, 2020, 05:33:02 PM
Here is the link to Cornwall County Council:
https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-news-room/media-releases/news-from-2020/news-from-january-2020/new-contract-award-means-new-bus-routes-more-frequent-services-and-greener-buses-in-cornwall-from-april-2020/
New route from Newquay Airport to Truro sounds good. Was very poorly served by public transport when I went there from Birmingham, had to use a taxi. Should make it easier to get to Truro and to Penzance and ST Ives on public transport.
First's cancellations in this weeks Notices & Proceedings, but only a handful of presumed replacements by Summercourt Coaches.
With the start of Transport for Cornwall (TfC) by Go-Ahead ran on behalf of Cornwall County Council, First has lost a lot of presence only operating key routes now. TfC were supposedly going to take on the T1/2 and 90 but according to their site this is not happening now.
Just wondering if First will give up on Cornwall post Corvid-19 even though they have invested heavily in E400MMCs and E200MMC in recent times
Quote from: SL 16 YPN on April 07, 2020, 11:56:10 AM
With the start of Transport for Cornwall (TfC) by Go-Ahead ran on behalf of Cornwall County Council, First has lost a lot of presence only operating key routes now. TfC were supposedly going to take on the T1/2 and 90 but according to their site this is not happening now.
Just wondering if First will give up on Cornwall post Corvid-19 even though they have invested heavily in E400MMCs and E200MMC in recent times
The T1 & T2 (The Tinners) are commercial routes. It's only tendered routes that First have lost, the majority of their network is commercial.
First Kernow are loaning a load on E400MMC to Somerset for the Hinckley Power Station contract, the Pvr for that has been significantly increased to comply with the min 2m social distancing rule.
Only 20 x E200MMC were Cornwall County Council owned, most if not all were expected to move to Go-Ahead.
I think a handful of journeys at quiet times (the ones that are not commercial) on T1/T2 were going to pass to TfC, but with coronavirus reduced timetables have been introduced.
It has been reported that First Kernow management have been planning for the future, so I can't see them giving up. I was in the Penzance area in November and managed a day's bus riding with First Kernow. Loadings were impressive.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on April 07, 2020, 12:29:17 PM
I think a handful of journeys at quiet times (the ones that are not commercial) on T1/T2 were going to pass to TfC, but with coronavirus reduced timetables have been introduced.
It has been reported that First Kernow management have been planning for the future, so I can't see them giving up. I was in the Penzance area in November and managed a day's bus riding with First Kernow. Loadings were impressive.
First Kernow prior to the Covid-19 shutdown, had confirmed no not driving staff would be made redundant & they were intending to increase their commercial route offering, some was already confirmed which also duplicated tendered services lost - The Lizard routes were one IIRC.
Obviously things are all up in the air / on hold at present.
Quote from: Justin Tyme on April 07, 2020, 12:29:17 PM
I think a handful of journeys at quiet times (the ones that are not commercial) on T1/T2 were going to pass to TfC, but with coronavirus reduced timetables have been introduced.
It has been reported that First Kernow management have been planning for the future, so I can't see them giving up. I was in the Penzance area in November and managed a day's bus riding with First Kernow. Loadings were impressive.
Within FirstGroup there are no plans at present to dispose of First Kernow the current business strategy has shifted recently to retain most UK bus subsidiaries where possible and all sales have been halted to instead focus on this key business activity unless synergies of scale require the business position of a subsidiary to reviewed and and an course of action; eg disposal: decided upon by First UK Bus.
Post #10641 has a list of First Kernow disposals:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/first-kernow.103639/page-355
First are back in Devon with passenger services, from, what is expected to be, next month with a service from Exeter to Plymouth via Dartmoor called the Dartmoor Explorer.
https://twitter.com/MarcMorganHuws/status/1348974823192584192?s=20
Although it isn't technically in Cornwall, it has up until now been part of Kernow.