Friday, 6 January 2012

Continued fleet investment

Further to my post at the end of last year Target Travel are continuing to invest in their fleet to bring it up to date ready for the low floor DDA regulations looming ever closer. Many of you will have already noticed the 4 Ex-Dublin Volvo Olympians that are now seen at work on the 46/47, but have also more recently been escaping onto the 14. 


Another addition was this somewhat rare Man 14.220 with MCV Sterling bodywork, rather than the more common MCV Evolution. This has been out on 53s and 14s in recent weeks. Its now pretty rare to see the '02' reg Optare Solos operating on the 14. Photo thanks to Derrick Cuff


The latest additions though are two T reg Dennis Darts which have been arriving from Central Buses. Only one has been spotted out on the road so far, this being T102 KCC, spotted in place of the usual Optare Solo or Mercedes Vario. These will most likely be seeing off the last of the awful P reg Marshall Midibus'. Photo thanks to Tom Pearce
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20 comments:

  1. Anonymous6 January 2012 at 22:37

    Why? Sorry but no one uses Target services, sad but true.

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  2. Anonymous6 January 2012 at 23:04

    We are getting more and more passengers on a daily basis, We are lot cheaper than the other firms in Plymouth and lots of changes happening with our fleet. We are updating and I'm here to help the company to get more people on the buses as I have started a facebook page now!!

    Derrick Cuff

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  3. Anonymous6 January 2012 at 23:36

    I didn't mean to put it so blunty, so I apologise for that.

    I simply never see people on Target service, it is quite sad when I see them run past me in the morning.

    Passengers seem difficult to budge and are often stuck in their ways as its un-familiar territory. I've personally never been on one of your buses, but perhaps I should aupport the private firms more.

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  4. Rob7 January 2012 at 00:07

    You only have to wait a few more months before they snap the N-reg citybus darts!

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  5. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 06:12

    Target and other small bus firms will always struggle with getting passengers from First & Citybus

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  6. Tom7 January 2012 at 10:00

    I Think *Anonymous* You Are Forgetting That Most Of Targets Routes Are Tenderd Services *Paid For By PCC*

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  7. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 10:15

    I was doing the route 39 and route 60 yesterday, I was very busy at some-times. I'm trying to work with the company to get more people on our buses and let them know, that we are family business. We keep our fares low to get more on our services and the same with A-Line coaches. Cheaper the fare, more will ride!

    Derrick Cuff

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  8. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 17:32

    To the anonymous person who seems to think Target Travel dont carry many passengers needs to get out more and perhaps start looking in the right places! The George Park and ride service to Derriford Hosp that carries good loads, the 53 to Plympton Langage and St.Budeaux does well too!
    Lets be honest, if they carried no passengers would PCC keep subsidising services that carried nobody!!! The answer would be NO.
    I do feel however that they need to market their new 46 service as most people arent aware of it.
    I drive ambulances for a living all over Plymouth and I can knowledgably state that their buses do carry fare paying passengers.

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  9. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 19:17

    The 46 needs to go to City center and the timetable is weird to say the least. I'd use it but its simply not easy to use. Sorry.

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  10. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 21:36

    Hi Derrick, you with Target now and not the great A-Line??

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  11. Anonymous7 January 2012 at 23:01

    Derrick can we have a link to your Facebook page, keep up the good work.

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  12. Laurence Mayhew8 January 2012 at 01:22

    Investment - The action or process of investing money for profit or material result.
    My title is therefore correct hence the comment was deleted.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jared8 January 2012 at 09:48

    Laurence is correct... The mini darts will be perfect for Target Travel when they get re painted up.

    The ex Dublin deckers may seem old, But if they have been well maintained and serviced, what does it matter?

    Target Travel is an expanding company and could never afford to go out and by a fleet of new or nearly new buses just like that. Remember the bulk of the fleet is Optare Solo's. They are not really old either.

    Laurence has said and shown that Target Travel is one of the 4 main operators in Plymouth now.

    I say, well done to them, and keep it up.

    Jared

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  14. Anonymous8 January 2012 at 09:53

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Target-Travel/214590621949324

    This link will take you to our facebook page and yes I have to leave A-Line Coaches, to return with Target Travel due to personal Problems and living in Plympton

    Derrick Cuff

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  15. Anonymous8 January 2012 at 10:23

    Thanks Derrrick, all the best in your new employ.

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  16. Anonymous8 January 2012 at 19:51

    Derrick, Great idea, could make you millions, publish your Autobiography, would be great reading.

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  17. Anonymous8 January 2012 at 21:50

    Don't Target Just operate ex PCB Services?! If they couldn't make it work, Why Persue Them!

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  18. Cornish Observer8 January 2012 at 22:00

    Clearly Target are doing 'something' right to Provoke Such a Heated Debate.

    I take it that you have some Marketing Pedigree Derrick to be Bought in by Target? Do your comments/opinions reflect the Viewpoint of the Company, or are you simply a Driver with a 'Bit' more to Say?

    'Cheaper the fare, (the..?) more will ride!' - No. People are Creatures of Habit, Greater the Advertising; the More Will Ride.

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  19. Anonymous9 January 2012 at 13:38

    Believe Derrick was "Headhunted" by Target!!!!

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  20. Anonymous9 January 2012 at 19:42

    Laurence, Can we have a seperate page for Target and Derrick, as there is some great reading here, best for a long time.

    ReplyDelete