Route changes at A-Line

For many many years A-Line travel have been operating the 270 between Cawsand and Cremyll and the 270 Cawsand to Trago Mills. Bus recently major route changes have happened and expantion has taken place on school buses so here is all the up to date news!

Starting with the school buses! When the new contracts came up A-Line jumped at the chance of taking over 2 of the routes currently run by FDC. These were taken over because the contract prefers seat belt fitted vechicals which A-Line have on all of there buses. Therefore 2 extra contracts were signed. A-Line will now operate:

Cawsand-Torpoint-Cawsand school bus

Cremyll/Anderton-Torpoint-Cremyll/Anderton school bus

Narkus-Torpoint-Narkus

Now to the services! There has been a lovely new timetable produced. very smart and very imformative. It even includes the times of the ferries that each bus to Cremyll links up to. I great help for ferry users! So the bus to cremyll is now called the 80 and now runs from 6am till 9am and then again from 3pm till 7am a brillient coverage of the day and a very good oposition to FDC. Then there is 80A which is once daily Cawsand to Torpoint and back. Then 80B Torpoint to St Germans and back once daily and then 80C St Germans to Trago Mills and back twice daily! though all are only operated Monday to Friday!

The R reg Vario has now had its new electric blind fitted and is working very well!

And with the new routes this will see the re-intrduction of our good old friend M152 LPL will be glad to have her back!

So well done A-Line keep up the good work !

B7s visit Plymouth

A Volvo B7 has been spotted in Plymouth depot by driver Paul Revell! This apeared late last week though with only a very shakey picture. I then did some research to find out that it is ex First Somerset and Avon 69350 registration YJ08 CFE! With further infestigation (reading the FDC employee newsletter) I found out that these would now be being transerfered from them to Cornwall to replace aging Darts on routes 14 and 18 in Cornwall. Definately something out of the ordinary then for Cornwall and probably most of the south west! Will be interesting to see how these fair in the coming months! Picture in service with Somerset and Avon can be found on the link below

http://buspicssouth.fotopic.net/p52156470.html

And its goodnight from her

C344 FTT has served A-Line Travel for many years.

She started life when new to Seawards Coaches in 1986. Thought after this very little is known about her history so if anyone could help with news or maybe even an old photo of her that would be much apericiated.

I don't know when she joined A-Line travel all I know is that she replaced the older bedfords that used to operate there.

She was in frontline service but was mainly used in her life for the Cawsand-Torpoint school bus. But don't think she was mis-treated. Even after many years operating this she is in very good condition. Always has been a very strong and reliable bus. But shortly (i.e. within days) after this photo was taken she was driven away for......scrap!

I was to be honested shocked and dismayied that this desistion was taken as she was still such a good little runner and was in very nice condition. I'm sure someone would have taken her on for use in service, as a camper or maybe even preservation. I was even tempted to buy her but the scrap dealer wanted over £1000 for her which I wasn't prepared to pay. So sadly she is just a memory broken up into many pieces.

What a waste of a brillient bus. And now she's in that big bus depot in the sky. R.I.P C344 FTT

A167 VFM is alive!

Ex Torpoint Leyland Olympian A167 VFM has been recently sighted working in Truro!!! Famous man of youtube Simon aka Video47. She as reported by Derrick Cuff has been transfered to the newly taken over Truronian routes. He had a ride on her while operating a T1 service so maybe it'll be worth a trip down there on my local community bus to go and find her!

Reported by Simon she has been making knocking noises though is looking very smart as has had a minor overhaul of the interior and as said before the grill and other minor touch ups.

Will post more on her as it comes to me!

Driver to leave the depot

On Sunday 24th August Derrick Cuff will drive his bus out of the depot at Torpoint for the last time. This comes after months of needing change from his daily routine for many years with First and living in the area.

Told to me last week by his new employeer Jim Goodard, that he will be coming to him on September 1st to start at his company, A-Line travel. He will run his routes and school services in place of the other drivers to give them a well earned rest after the resent expantion of rotues which I will write about in a further post.

Though this is a tempory move. Soon he will be house hunting in Bristol, his home city, where he will work the Airport Shuttle buses from Bristol airport. These will be the bendy and non bendy near new Mercedes Citaros which get people around the airport. With only two stops on route he says " At least I won't be being asked do you go to plymouth!"

So it will be sad to see him go but I'm sure he'll have a far better time up there. Even though he won't be driving our Olympians, and seeing many of the friends he has built up in his time down here.

So farewell Derrick. We'll miss you!!

A-Line travel's new buses!

It was only around this time last year I was writing about local company A-Line travel getting a new Mercedes 709 to run the routes.

Since then big things have happened and a grant for £40'000 was aproved earlier in the year.

Soon after this Jim got to work bus hunting. He was after a Mercedes Vario with wheelchair capeabilities. I low floor Dart was not an option because of the route into St John on the way to Torpoint where it gets very narrow. And of course running costs would be higher!

So within months the first new Vario arrived. An extremely smart looking X891 YGU was sitting in the depot as I came down to it on a proper summer's day in April! Not like the weather we have now. This bus had the wheelchair lift, had just 30'000km on the clock I think it was, was amazingly clean and tidy inside and out, very comfortable, with a very strong engine! This waited in the depot along with the old Bedford which I will post about in the near future!

Then later on came another Vario. This time with different bodywork. R651 YCR was a elderly person's transport vechical in Bristol. One of a large fleet being sold off. X891 YGU was also used for that kind of thing though not in Bristol.

There is very little known to my knowledge about the 2 buses and if anyone could help with some history that would be much apericated. But who would have taken a photo of an old folk's bus!

Both have also now been painted in A-Line's brand new livery, much more of a corperate image has now been built up.

He's back!

Yes friends I am going to try and restart this silly old thing I used to do. I know I know I never told you I was even going to stop sorry about that. but time just wasn't on my side! Now I'm a bit more organised so hopefully we'll get some nice constant blogging in the near future!

So Lets kick things off!

A trip to come on LFJ 862W

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News has come to me that preserved ex Devon Genaral Bristol VR LFJ 862W owned by James Pratt will soon be doing a trip from Exeter around Devon.

I received news from a friend that James was inviting fellow enfusiasts like ourselves to to come up to Exeter on the 24th of this month to come and have a long distance trip around the country roads of Devon for a Sunday afternoon with a difference. The bus will depart Exeter at 10:00 and will not return for another 7hours and 30 minutes pulling in at approximately 17:30. So a very good trip to look forward to and might turn out very popular. Contact James for further details.

She's away and she can stay away

The Dart of Torpoint 40002 (S764 RNE) is currently away from the depot having her MOT. She has been away since Wednesday meaning that my Thursday evening bus I get was my favourite Leyland Olympian 34812, my favourite bus at Torpoint. She will stay away probably until Wednesday but well in my opinion she can stay away as long as she wants. She is seen here with her new blind and a new driver (well back then he was) in Cremyll on 81B

LFJ 844W replaces OTA 290G

Torpoint's last Bristol VR LFJ 844W/1200/38844 has now replaced OTA 290G/1056 as the main show bus for the Western National Preservation Group. She will now take over many of her duties and shows that she would have gone to and has been doing for many years. This is done as OTA 290G is currently going throught refurbishment and repaint so may become the main bus again when this has been completed. But I would be much happier to see LFJ 844W ay as the main showbus.

Do we need a big yellow bus?

For some time now First have run a scheme trying to get big yellow school buses like seen in America onto the roads of Britain in a campaign to make it safer for children. But I want to pose the question do we really need them? First say that they are much safer and that they are more efficient than a normal school bus while trying to campaign to the government for money to buy them therefore making more money. But I think in this area we don’t need them. They are much bigger than a normal bus like a Volvo Citybus or Leyland Olympian but only carry around half of the people that those buses would. For example the Olympian will take 76 and these will only take around 40 at the most 60 for a bigger one which won’t even fir on the country roads around here which is the whole point of the school bus. To get people who can’t use a bus service or live close to the school they are trying to get too. To extend if they do happen to fit on the roads they use a lot more fuel than a standard bus. It will cost a lot on money to get the buses over to England in the first place which is also very un-environmentally friendly. I have also filled out a questionnaire (which I’m not supposed to do as I am a student) in a manor which goes very against what First are trying to campaign for. I have said that it will force the other companies out of business as school routes play a key part to the success of the companies. I have also put down that the children are always very good which they are on my bus but I know are not on all buses thought around my part they are always well behaved. So hopefully other people in the area have also put them off putting them here but who knows. The campaign bus has already been? So will it come for good.

How hard can it be?

Stagecoach has been asking the nation recently “How do you use a bus?”

They have been surveying the nation about if they know how they should travel on the bus. Their research shows the many members of the UK have no idea on how to use the bus. Therefore with their research they have launched advertising campaign to try and educate the public on how to use a bus service. They say that them not knowing how to use a bus service puts many people off getting the bus and forces them into they’re cars simply because they don’t know when to ding the bell or how to ask to get somewhere. So they have produced the idiots guide to catching a bus to get them onto a bus. But that’s not all they have also had T.V adverts on that you may have seen advertising them as “The bus of Britain”. This advert is there to advertise there new buses (Dennis Enviro 400s) what they can be used for, who uses them and how cheap it is to get the bus. So Stagecoach are pulling all the stops out but will it work?

How hard can it be?

Stagecoach has been asking the nation recently “How do you use a bus?”

They have been surveying the nation about if they know how they should travel on the bus. Their research shows the many members of the UK have no idea on how to use the bus. Therefore with their research they have launched advertising campaign to try and educate the public on how to use a bus service. They say that them not knowing how to use a bus service puts many people off getting the bus and forces them into they’re cars simply because they don’t know when to ding the bell or how to ask to get somewhere. So they have produced the idiots guide to catching a bus to get them onto a bus. But that’s not all they have also had T.V adverts on that you may have seen advertising them as “The bus of Britain”. This advert is there to advertise there new buses (Dennis Enviro 400s) what they can be used for, who uses them and how cheap it is to get the bus. So Stagecoach are pulling all the stops out but will it work?

Getting set for Plymouth Hoe 2009

The 2009 Plymouth Hoe bus rally is set to be one of the biggest and best ones there has ever been in the Southwest. The rally is already unusual by being done on a two day basis. One on the Saturday for running, and the Sunday for exhibits and short rides. There is also usually 50 buses attending on the exhibit day. This year will be pretty similar held at the start of August but the 2009 rally will be different. This rally will be special as it is celebrating the 80th year since the Western National Omnibus company started off in 1927. And it is the 10th anniversary from when the company moved from there old depot at Laira Bridge to there current depot at The Ride. Well for 2009 it will be either a two or three day event run by the Western National Preservation Group, West Country Historic Omnibus and Transport Trust and First Devon and Cornwall. There will be memorabilia on sale with many treasures from the past. Talks from WNPG and WHOTT. FDC will be copying Stagecoach and putting some of there modern vehicles into old liveries. Buses operating old routes with classic buses. And over 300 buses on display from all the groups and privateers. We all look forward to the 2009 rally.

My photos short listed?

I returned from school today where there was an e-mail for me saying:

Hi Laurence Mayhew

,I am writing to let you know that two of your photos have been short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of our Schmap Plymouth Guide, to be published early February2008.http://www.schmap.com/shortlist/p=11717981N02/c=SF1016153Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:i) See which of your photos have been short-listed.ii) Submit or withdraw your photos from our final selection phase.iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.iv) Browse online or download the second edition of our Schmap Plymouth Guide.While we offer no payment for publication, many photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.Our submission deadline is Wednesday, January 30. If you happen to be reading this message after this date, please still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are updated frequently - photos submitted after this deadline will be considered for later releases).

Best regards,Emma Williams,Managing Editor, Schmap Guides

I was obviously very excited about this having my own pictures put into a published guide. This was also helped as Luke Farley being onto me all day about his picture of the Plymouth sound being shortlisted as well. And how brilliant his was compared to my pictures. Well Luke have that I have 2 shortlisted. Pictures below are of my two photos short listed.

Bus driver saves life

News came to me on a morning earlier this week that a bus driver, from Torpoint had saved someone’s life. Bus driver Carl based at the depot was running the first 81C of the day to Cremyll. Well on his way there (is not known where this happened) he came across at first what he thought was a rabbit, them being common at that time of the day. But at a closer glance he found it to be a small baby only around 10 months old. He stopped and got them on board and all I have found out from there is that he did return it to its parents. He may have known the family or someone on the bus knew who it belonged to. I will try and find out more details on this in the coming week. All I can do now is congratulate Carl on this achievement.

"No sorry I'm not going any further."

On Tuesday of last week a Dennis Trident had to be taken out of service because of damaged caused by the severe gales on last week. The bus believed to be 32756 was driving around Whitsand Bay with a Southerly direction force 8 gale blowing on her. Some passengers were upstairs holding the windows closed but this after a while was considered too dangerous so this was abandoned. The wind ripped off the front panel and the rear engine door also came off its hinges. The driver took the decision to call her un-road worthy. Therefore he rang up the depot and asked for another bus to be brought out. That being 34813 as the Leylands are thought to be the most stable as they are just as wide or wider but are not as tall so has a smaller surface area. The mechanic stayed out at the Trident and made her as road worthy as possible so could be driven back to the depot so that full work could be done to her. So after 23 years of service the Olympian still actually stands over the Trident if you want a bus that works in all weathers even better than a Vario or a Dart, that very rarely breaks down if maintained well, can carry most passengers and that people enjoy being on.

More news on the Olympians

More news comes to me about the Leyland Olympians that were due to come to Torpoint. One of them has been transferred to Camborne depot but this is not been confirmed thought this would make sense as one of the six is missing from Plymouth. Derrick Cuff has now told me they should all be being transferred to Camborne thought some still think that the buses will be coming to Torpoint. As I have said these buses might be replacing the Mercedes Varios and/or our lovely Leyland Olympians with proper engines in them unlike these with there horrible Cummins engines the same as seen in the Dennis Darts and the ultra modern Enviros. We’ll just have to wait to see where they go thought. Many mixed opinions. There are still also rumours about them going to Callinton. Maybe Penzance. Who knows? All I know is I don’t want them here.

Partial repaint scheme

Just to start I apologise for the post the happened that was Luke Farley as he still has the details of my account from when he was posting on the site for those few days.

Anyway on with the post. Plymouth Citybus have recently been painting some of there Dennis Darts on what they are calling the partial repaint scheme. The things done are that the normal grey bottom line going round the bus is repainted into the red that is seen on the top half of the bus. This is being done before the full repaint to save time when they do the whole repaint and most say that the partial livery looks better than the normal livery anyway even when it is partial thought I do not personally agree.

Laurence is rubbish