Service Updates Tuesday 24 January 2012 To better match resources against demand for services in Cornwall and simplify the timetable in certain places First is making a number of changes to its commercial bus network from Sunday 19 February 2012.
The changes will affect a number of services in Truro, Falmouth and Penzance, specifically services 2/2A, 68/68A, 82/82A, 83/84 and 88/88A.
Talking about the changes, Simon Newport, Regional Network Manager, First South West and Wales, says: "We have reviewed the local network and are making a number of changes to both simplify the current timetables and better match our limited resources against the actual demand for our services. In some places the frequency of buses is being reduced slightly, while where we have seen an increased demand for our services the frequency of some buses is being improved to cope with the higher numbers of people travelling.
"While we understand that some people may be concerned about the reduction in frequency of some buses, these changes are necessary as it has become increasingly more difficult for us to operate underused journeys, as the costs of operating buses in the current climate have escalated in recent years.
"The economic climate for operators like us remains tough, particularly where support for tendered bus services has been reduced and where our business remains under pressure from cuts to the level of concessionary fare reimbursement that operators like us receive, but in making these latest changes we have done what we can to ensure the long term sustainability of the commercial routes we operate.
"For more information about the changes to the local bus network customers can log onto www.firsgroup.com/cornwall or they can call customer services on 0845 600 1420. Complete timetable information for the services affected by these changes is available online already.'
Specific changes from 19 February 2012
Service 2 (Penzance " Falmouth via Goldsithey, Perranuthnoe, Helston) / 2A (Penzance " Truro via Goldsithey, Perran Downs, Praa Sands and Helston) / 2B (Penzance " Praa Sands via Marazion " Goldsithey): To compensate for the withdrawal of Service 82 /82A (see below) and ensure that resources best meet levels of customer demand for services, the timetable for Service 2 / 2A is being changed. From 19 February buses will operate hourly between Penzance and Helston, and two hourly between both Helston and Falmouth and Helston and Truro.
In addition, Service 2B, which operates between Penzance and Praa Sands, is being withdrawn for the reminder of the winter. The service will return in the summer months, when buses will operate every hour. This, combined with Service 2/2A, will provide a 30 minute timetable along that section of coastline during the summer months.
Service 68 (Tremough " Longfield via Mabe Burnthouse, Penryn, Falmouth & Trescobeas) / Service 68A (Tremough " Longfield via Penryn, Falmouth & Golden Bank): The timetable of this service is being tweaked slightly. The change affects the 0700 hours Monday " Friday early morning journey from the depot " which will run five minutes earlier throughout - and the 1810 hours Monday " Saturday departure from Falmouth Moor - which will run 10 minutes later throughout.
Service 82 (Penzance " Helston " Truro via Marazion, Goldsithney, Mabe, Tremough) / Service 82A (Helston " Truro via Porkellis, Stithians): In order to better match resources against demand for services, this service is being withdrawn from 19 February. Customers who wish to travel between Penzance, Helston and Truro should be able to use Service 2 / 2A instead. Services 982 and 983, which provide journeys between Mullion and Truro College, and Porthleven and Truro College, are unaffected and will remain as they are.
Service 83 (Truro " Malpas) / Service 84 (Truro " Rosedale): In order to better match resources against demand for services, the timetable of this service is being altered slightly. From 19 February the 1728 hours Monday " Friday Service 84 departure from Truro, Lemon Quay to Rosedale, is being removed from the timetable. As a result of this change the last Service 84 bus from Truro town centre to Rosedale will leave at 1628 hours. The last Service 83 bus, to Malpas Road Estate, Tregothnan Road, is unaffected and will continue to depart at 1720 hours.
Service 88 (Falmouth " Truro via Penryn, UCF Tremough) 88A (Falmouth " Truro via Penryn, UCF Tremough and Trispen): The timetable of this service is being changed with the frequency of Monday " Friday daytime services between Falmouth and UCF Tremough increased slightly to accommodate increased demand for buses. From 19 February buses will operate every 10 minutes (compared to every 15 minutes now) along this section of route, while on Saturdays buses will run every 15 minutes (compared to every 20 minutes now). At the same time that this change is being implemented the frequency of buses between UCF Tremough and Truro will also be amended. From the 19 February buses running between these two points will operate every 30 minutes (compared to every 20 minutes now), with most buses terminating at Truro Bus Station, rather than RCH Trelawney Wing. Customers wishing to travel to the hospital after 19 February will need to change buses at Truro Bus Station, using Services 14/18 (St Ives / Penzance " Truro), Service 27 (St Austell " Royal Cornwall Hospital) or 85/85A (Truro " St Agnes) to complete their journeys instead.
Finally, the route of journeys operating during the evening and on Sundays will be altered slightly from 19 February. Specifically buses between Falmouth town centre and the Falmouth Hotel will operate via Gyllingvase Beach and The Falmouth Hotel to avoid the low bridge. This change allows the company to use larger, double deck, vehicles on the route, improving the capacity on the service.
For more information about First, or to view the new timetables for the affected services, customers are advised to log onto www.firstgroup.com/cornwall. New timetables are available to view, download and personalise already.
Those wanting independent help and advice planning journeys by bus are advised to contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or www.travelinesw.com. |
