Some photos of the new coach station

Good evening everyone

Here are some of my photos of the new Coach station in Plymouth

(These photos have been used on other Buses around Plymouth posts)

What do you think of the blog so far?

Good evening everyone

Today, whilst there is no significant news, I would like to mention that if anyone has anything to say on the blog, please let me know. I do appreciate any feedback from you, the readers of this blog. You can do this by leaving a comment below (subject to moderation) or on the Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/busesaroundplymouth/?fref=ts

Plymouth Citybus' new We Care We Share competition

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Here is a competition on the Plymouth Citybus website

https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/wecareweshare/

Bus News Around Plymouth 025

Good evening everyone

No real bus news as such today, but here is headlines over the past week on this website

Service 48 timetable change next month
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/vosa-notice-regarding-stagecoach-route.html

As is National Express route 501
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/vosa-notice-regarding-national-express.html

And also next month, Stagecoach South West route 89
http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/vosa-notice-regarding-stagecoach-south.html

Bus Spotting on the 26th September 2016

Good evening everyone

It's that time of week again, it's a Monday so can only mean one thing ... Bus Spotting

A 42B just outside the Armada Centre

A National Express coach and a South West Falcon (background)

A Dennis Trident near Theatre Royal

A Plymouth Citycoach coach pulls in

As does the Taw & Torridge coach

And later on the Green Flash

VOSA notice regarding Stagecoach route 48

Good evening everyone

Here is a VOSA notice regarding Stagecoach route 48 for late October

PH1020951/242
STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
Variation Accepted:
Operating between Princetown/Burrator/Plymouth
and Wembury
given service number 48
effective from 30-Oct-2016.
To amend Timetable.

VOSA notice regarding National Express route 501

Good evening everyone

Here is a VOSA notice regarding the National Express route 501

PD0000738/216 NATIONAL EXPRESS LTD, BIRMINGHAM COACH STATION, DIGBETH , BIRMINGHAM B5 6DD Operating between PLYMOUTH and LONDON VICTORIA given service number 501 effective from 17-Oct-2016. To amend Timetable.

Info regarding the South West Falcon in Bristol

Good evening everyone

Here is some information affecting the South Weat Falcon

Source - Stagecoach SouthWest

The Bristol half marathon is happening this Sunday 25 September. For the duration of the event Falcon will not be able to serve Bristol Waterfront in either direction from approx. 0300 to 1700.

There will be a temporary drop off point in-bound only at the bottom of Jacobs Wells Road.

Out-bound customers can board at Cabot Circus, we will not be serving Ashton Gate. The next pick up point will be Bridgewater Road, A38.

VOSA notice regarding Stagecoach South West 89

Good evening everyone

Here is a VOSA notice regarding service Stagecoach South West 89 in Tavistock

PH1020951/240 STAGECOACH DEVON LTD T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST, BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB Variation Accepted: Operating between Tavistock Bus Station and Bishopsmead/Courtlands Road given service number 89 effective from 10-Oct-2016. To amend Timetable.

Stagecoach South West news 21/09/16

Good evening everyone

Here is news info from Stagecoach South West

Following this morning's serious RTA on the M5 between J28-29, we expect delays to our services to continue into the evening.

Emergency services are still working to reopen the motorway fully with latest estimates expected this to happen around 8pm this evening.

Motorway traffic has therefore been trying to find alternate routes, creating further delays east of Exeter and to services around Pinhoe, Sowton and Honiton Road.

The South West Falcon has also been severely delayed with coaches currently unable to run to timetable.

We would advise customers to allow as much time as possible for their journeys and to check travel news websites for latest updates.

Source: Stagecoach South West
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-21/09/2016-16:37:17:369

Bus News Around Plymouth 024

Good evening everyone

Although there is no new bus news, there is one headline from the past week which is still relevant

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-16/09/2016-09:03:50:364

It's back, it's bus spotting on the 19th September 2016

Good evening everyone

Here are some photos of buses and coaches I took earlier today

A 42B near the Armada Centre

33 in the same place


A National Express coach at the new coach station


A Stagecoach ADL Enviro 400MMC doing the Park & Ride


And here is a Dennis Trident


A Red Flash to Plympton


A Dennis Dart on the 61


An ADL Enviro 200 on the 9

And lastly a Dennis Dart is on the 41

Guess what's back tomorrow on Buses around Plymouth

Good evening everyone

Tomorrow, I will be reintroducing something that hasn't been on Buses around Plymouth in a while

The photos tomorrow should give you a clue

PCTPG Update August 2016

Good evening everyone

Here is an update from the PCTPG

August after the joys of the rally, we have seen a fair amount of minor tinkering and touching up work done on a number of vehicles. Dart 42 has seen seats swapped from withdrawn sister vehicles due to be scrapped, while 178 has had the seats removed and the roof fixed/sealed ready to be painted.

Service update regarding the South West Falcon 16/09/16

Good evening everyone

Here is some info regarding the South West Falcon

Road works are currently in place at Honiton Road until further notice. During these works;

UPDATED: Falcon coaches unable to serve Honiton Road in both directions, please wait for the coach at Sowton Park and Ride until further notice. 

We apologise for the short notice, we were unfortunately not notified of this closure. 

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-16/09/2016-09:03:50:364

Passengers delighted with new coach station - The Herald reports more

Good evening everyone

Here is a story from the Herald website regarding the coach station

One week after senior councillors ushered in a "new era" of public transport with the opening of Plymouth Coach Station, passengers say they are delighted with the new-look service.

It has been an eventful first seven days in operation for the Mayflower Street facility, after technical hitches disrupted coach timetables and layout issues with the station office resulted in both toilets being closed for maintenance.

She told The Herald: "I think it's great. I don't want to have to pay 30p to go to the toilet, but this is much easier to get to than Bretonside.

"My mum came down from Shrewsbury and she came in on her coach early and we were able to walk straight into the town centre and get on our bus home.

"It's brilliant."

The pair, originally from the north east, are travelling to Gibraltar to meet their son - who rescued a girl from a vicious dog attack in Plymouth earlier this week - for his wedding tomorrow.

The station, run by National Express, features seven coach bays, real-time passenger information systems, a booking office and cycle stands.

There is also an 89-space car park to the west end of the site.

All services, including the Megabus and the Falcon, are now required to drop their passengers at the new station as opposed to Bretonside - something some visitors are still getting used to.

Student Tobin Stonelake, from Taunton, said he had to rush to the Mayflower Street site this morning to board his coach in time after turning up at a deserted Bretonside.

The 24-year-old explained: "This is my first time using the new station. It was a bit of a surprise when we got down to Bretonside because we didn't realise it had moved.

"It was a little bit of a shock but it wasn't too far to walk. The only thing I worry about [with the new station] is it seems a lot more in the centre of town so maybe, during rush hour, it might take longer to get out.

"But aside from that, as long as it works like the other station, I'll be pretty happy."

Passengers can enter the site via car, bus, taxi and on foot, with entrances via Mayflower Street, Cornwall Street and Armada Way.

Linda Pettitt, who uses a mobility scooter to get around town, popped into the new station office today "out of curiosity" after the new signage caught her eye.

Although she wasn't travelling anywhere, the 66-year-old said the station was "perfect" for those with access concerns.

"I just popped in today to see what it was like," she said.

"I've seen all the other bits outside but I haven't been in the office before. I think it's perfect."

She added: "You've got more space in here than what you did in the other one.

"There's much better access here for those in wheelchairs."

Earlier this week, taxi drivers rounded on the new station, questioning why Plymouth City Council had decided against installing an on site taxi rank

Black cabbie, John Fielding, said the closest rank - in front of Iceland on Mayflower Street - was too far away for elderly passengers or those who are new to the city to walk, especially late at night.

Fellow taxi driver Michael Roach, however, said he was pleased with the new-look station and the impression it gave of the city.

The 59-year-old, who has been driving his black cab in Plymouth for the past 37 years, said: "I've drove in and around there and looking at it, it looks a lot cleaner and it looks a lot better for the city.

"If you look at Bretonside, that's a little shabby so it needed a revamp. The station is going to bring a lot more cabs to this rank."

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/passengers-delighted-with-perfect-coach-station-after-first-full-week-in-service/story-29719750-detail/story.html#JmQIYCOzHxPik7g4.99

270KTA update from 13 September 2016

Good evening everyone

Here is a link to yesterday's 270KTA post

http://270kta.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/notice-anything.html

Bus News Around Plymouth 023

Good evening everyone

Whilst there is no news, there has certainly been plenty of other news. Here are the news that has been on Buses around Plymouth in the past week

Opening of new coach station: http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/the-new-coach-station-is-now-open.html
Temporary traffic lights at Powisland Drive (affecting the X1): http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/stagecoach-south-west-information.html
Plymouth Citybus diverted 11A around Bodmin: http://www.busesaroundplymouth.co.uk/2016/09/a-notice-regarding-plymouth-citybus.html

September 2016 update on 270KTA

Good evening everyone

Here is a link to the 270KTA latest blog post:
http://270kta.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/inner-hope.html

A notice regarding the Plymouth Citybus service 11A around Bodmin

Good evening everyone

Here is some info regarding Plymouth Citybus around Bodmin (https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/news-service-updates/service-11a-bodmin-diversion-route/)

'Due to the Bodmin Cycle and Pedestrian improvement works, the service 11A cannot serve Priory Road including the Morrisons Bus Stop and will have to be diverted as highlighted below in the route discription (Bold underlined section).

There will also be one way restrictions placed on Beacon Road Rail Bridge and Harleigh Road.

This diversion will take effect from 12th September 2016 and the closure notice is in place for 80 days.

11A

LISKEARD, Barras Street, Dean Street, New Road, A38, unclassified road through Dobwalls, Twelvewoods roundabout, A38, unclassified road to Trago Mills, A38, unclassified Road to Bodmin Parkway Station, A38, Carminnow Cross, [BODMIN DIVERSION CARMINOW ROAD, NORMANDY WAY, LOSTWITHIEL ROAD, ST NICHOLAS STREET, TURF STREET, TURNS AROUND IN PRIORY CAR PARK, TURF STREET, ST NICHOLAS STREET, LOSTWITHIEL ROAD, BEACON ROAD RAIL BRIDGE] Beacon Road, Barn Lane, Westheath Avenue, Boundary Road, Dunmere Hill , A389, Washaway, Sladesbridge, WADEBRIDGE, Egloshayle Road, Molesworth Street, The Platt, Jubilee Road, Southern Way, Wadebridge Bus Station, Southern Way, Jubilee Road, The Platt, Eddystone Road, ,Goldsworthy Way, Molesworth Street, West Hill, A39, A389, St Issey, Little Petherick, A389, and New Street to PADSTOW, Station Road

From PADSTOW, Station Road via New Street, A389, Little Petherick, St Issey, A389, A39, WADEBRIDGE, West Hill, Molesworth Street, Goldsworthy Way, Eddystone Road, The Platt, Jubilee Road, Southern Way, Wadebridge Bus Station, Southern Way, Jubilee Road, The Platt, Molesworth Street, Egloshayle Road, A389, Sladesbridge, Washaway, Dunmere Hill, Boundary Road, Westheath Avenue, Barn Lane, Beacon Road, Harleigh Road, St Nicholas Street, Turf Street, [BODMIN DIVERSION TURNS AROUND IN PRIORY CAR PARK, TURF STREET, ST NICHOLAS STREET, LOSTWITHIEL ROAD, NORMANDY WAY, CARMINOW ROAD] Carminnow Cross Roundabout, A38, unclassified road to Bodmin Parkway station, A38, unclassified road to Trago Mills, A38, Twelvewoods roundabout, unclassified road through Dobwalls, A38 to LISKEARD, Barras Street.'

Stagecoach South West information regarding temporary traffic lights at Powisland Drive

Good evening everyone

Here is some info from Stagecoach South West:

From the 12th September 2016 there will be temporary lights at Powisland Drive, when these lights are in use we will not be able to serve this stop. The next available stops are: The George Hotel or opposite the Mercedes Benz garage.



Please accept our sincere apology for any inconvenience caused.

Photos from the new coach station

Good evening everyone

Here are some photos from the new coach station

A National Express coach in Bay 1

Arrival and departure boards

Who fancies a game of chess?

And more buses later on at Bus Bays 1 & 2

That is that. Just a reminder the following services below use the coach station:

National Express

Megabus

South West Falcon

All other coaches use either the coach bays on the Hoe or new coach bays at the end of Royal Parade

Buses around Plymouth at Bretonside

Good evening everyone

Here are some photos that I have taken at Bretonside whilst it was still open

The new coach station is now open

Good evening everyone

Carrying on with the story of the new coach station in Plymouth, here is some info from the Plymouth Herald (http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/new-coach-station-now-open-as-councillors-hail-new-era-for-plymouth-travel/story-29693219-detail/story.html)

'Plymouth's new £4million coach station is now open, with councillors heralding "a new era for the travelling public and the city centre".

The first buses are due to leave the Mayflower Street facility at midnight tonight, bringing an end to the run-down Bretonside depot and paving the way for the £40million Drake Circus Leisure complex.

Ian Bowyer, leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "This is a big day for Plymouth, a big day for the council who made this happen, and a big day for all the operators who will be running their services out of here.

"These are smart, modern facilities that provide a much more fitting welcome to Britain's Ocean City and we hope it heralds a new era for the travelling public and the city centre.

"Its location in the west end means thousands more people will visit this part of the city centre, which can only be good news for local for businesses."

Cllr Bowyer says he is "genuinely bowled over" by what the city has achieved.

"We set out to deliver a new coach facility suited to 21st Century coach travel to and from Plymouth, and we have done it," he said.

The £4.85million station, run by National Express, features seven coach bays; real-time passenger information systems; a waiting room; booking office; toilets; and cycle stands.

There is also an 89-space car park to the west end of the site.

Kevin Gale, National Express service delivery director, said: "It's a great day for us, a great day for the city. Some might say it's been a long time coming but these things don't happen overnight.

"We've worked in true partnership – we've been part of the design process, this station looks very similar to our home station in Birmingham. It's been a great project to work on.

"We're looking at new destinations from the city, it's an important place for us and the relationship is continuing to grow and our presence will become every stronger down here."

Tom Stables, managing director of National Express Coach, said: "I'm hugely proud, it's wonderful to be here at the launch of this new coach station.

"This new development is a real tribute to how teams can work together.

The leadership from the council has been fantastic to bring this into the heart of the city."We're always proud to be part of the community we serve."'

Bus News Around Plymouth 022

Good evening everyone

Welcome to Bus News again.

The main headline this week is the new coach station in Plymouth opening later this week in the City Centre. This coach station will be used by Megabus, National Express and the South West Falcon.

Stay tuned for more information as the week goes on

Service update for Plymouth Citybus/Go Cornwall route 72

Good evening everyone

Here is some information from Plymouth Citybus regarding the 72

https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/news-service-updates/service-72-additional-journey-added/

'Due to unexpected passenger demand we have added an additional journey to the service 72.

From Tuesday 6th September 2016 we will be introducing a 07:10 departure from East Looe Bridge which will provide passengers an additional link into Plymouth.'

4 days to go and a new coach station will be opening in Plymouth

Good evening everyone

Here is some information from Stagecoach South West and National Express regarding the new coach station

Stagecoach South West website (https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-01/09/2016-18:48:16:098)
Next week sees the opening of the new coach station in Plymouth city centre and the closure of Bretonside. From early morning on Thursday 8 September Falcon coaches will be departing and arriving from the coach station. The current timetabled arrival/departure times will not change and first journey to depart will be at 0130.

National Express website (http://www.nationalexpress.com/Help-and-advice/coach-stations/stops.aspx?stop=Plymouth):
New Plymouth Coach Station
We're pleased to announce that on Thursday 8 September 2016 we're moving from Bretonside Bus Station to Plymouth Coach Station, right in the heart of the city.
What's new? As well as the many improvements to customer facilities, we'll also be much closer to the city's main attractions and shopping centre.

Address
Armada Way, Plymouth, PL1 1HZ

Opening hours
Station: 24 hours

Ticket office:
Sun-Sat 0900-1900

Ticket machines available: 24 hours

Further information
It's always important to arrive early before travelling, so be sure to arrive 10 minutes before your coach is due to depart.

Please check your ticket is valid only for the coach you want to travel on.

Just one week to go and Plymouth will get a new coach station

Good evening everyone

Here is a news article from Plymouth Herald

Plymouth's new £4.85million coach hub it set to be officially opened next week – but workers are still on site completing the finishing touches. Herald reporter SARAH WADDINGTON takes a look back to see how the station has taken shape

It has been over two years in the planning and has taken just nine months to construct, and now the city's long-awaited coach station is nearly ready to welcome its first passengers.

On Wednesday a ribbon will be cut by council leader Ian Bowyer, before it officially opens the following day for services.

When the diggers moved onto the site in January, it was hard to imagine how the area would be transformed, but now the space – once home to a multi storey car park – is unrecognisable.

The final parts of the Mayflower Car Park were removed in the centre of Plymouth in October 2015, after The Herald revealed serious structural weaknesses in the site.

Two months later British Land served notice on the council to vacate Bretonside bus station, ready for that site to be redeveloped into a £40million leisure complex

The deal saw the development giant pump £2million into the building of the new coach station.

The Bretonside complex, which could include a 12-screen cinema and 18-metre-high Imax screen, was described at the time to be a "long-awaited development" for Plymouth.

"It is a huge statement of confidence in the future of Plymouth that British Land are making such a significant investment," said Tim Jones, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Business Council.

"I believe there has been a very significant shift in the market, in the culture of wanting to eat out and enjoy good food and social activity.

"This is being seen right across cities such as Plymouth. 

"The local operators have got a valuable role to play, but it's adding a significant amount to cities like Plymouth that bigger restaurant operators are opening.

"I don't think we need to be frightened of that."

Tenants within the former station at Bretonside were forced to leave and relocate, including White Rabbit – a music venue – and Last Shop Standing, one of Plymouth's most popular record shops.

Councillor Mark Lowry, who had special responsibility for finance at the time, said the new coach hub would provide "better facilities for passengers" and will "bring thousands more people to the West End".

"Our city centre supports over 14,000 jobs and we need to keep evolving to keep people coming in," he said. 

"These are exciting times for Plymouth and its retailers and I hope they are encouraged by the new levels of interest from significant investors who believe in Plymouth."

And the coach station isn't the only big change for Plymouth this year.

In March, the final books were placed on the shelves at the city centre's new library. 

The current library and museum will close on Saturday, September 3 before the incredible £34 million History Centre is opened in 2020.

Plymouth's tallest building, Beckley Court, is also under construction.

The £29.5million structure is already towering over the city centre and next year the public will be able to enjoy views from the top.

The whole of Plymouth is undergoing a major makeover, and deputy council leader Patrick Nicholson said the new station will change people's perceptions of Britain's Ocean City.

"For a long time people have felt that Bretonside did not give the welcome a modern city should give visitors," he said. 

"This new coach station will change that.

"We hope it will also mean more people spend money in and around this part of the city centre."

Giant canopies, which will provide cover for passengers getting on and off coaches, can be seen on the eastern end of the site, and the former Lloyds Bank building has been converted into a ticket office.

Former council leader Tudor Evans had declared: "It's huge and even bigger than Manchester's coach station."

Granite stones have been laid in what will be an outside waiting area, creating the "chequered board" look which features across the coach station.

The western side of the site has been turned into parking spaces for 97 cars.

Trees have also been planted alongside the edges of the site, bringing more colour to the area.

The new coach station has seven coach stands to serve National Express and Megabus, and a blue badge holder drop-off bay.

The entry from Mayflower Street will be for coaches and cars, but will have a signalling system to hold cars back from exiting while coaches are entering. Cars will also be able to use the Market Way entrance

Kevin Gale, service delivery director National Express UK Coach said: "We have worked closely with the council and their contractors from the outset and throughout the development of the scheme to deliver the best possible outcome for our customers.

"Coach travel is an important part of the public transport offer and Plymouth is a key location for National Express.

"It's great to see a city invest in facilities that will meet current demand and support a growing coach market."

Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/just-one-week-left-to-go-until-plymouth-s-new-4-85million-coach-hub-officially-opens/story-29677176-detail/story.html#00MIXOf0C7Ws2DQS.99

Photos of the new coach station will appear on Buses around Plymouth later this week

Bus Spotting on the 1st September - Part 2

Good evening everyone

Here is the second part of the bus spotting

Here is the 34 to Derriford

And here is the 42 to the City Centre, which is operated by a Blue Flash

Bus Spotting on the 1st September - Part 1

Good evening everyone

Here are some photos I took of buses today

Here is a Southway bound bus in the background 

A bus at Derriford Hospital

As you can see the Blue Flash is about to depart (the 42C to be precise)

And here is the Yellow Flash (this was actually operating a 50)

And the 'Bovisand Beach Bus' - the 54

And last but not least is a bus taking a tour of the Royal William Yard (the 34A goes through there)