All Change [4] Back to Square One

Falmouth Unibus Changes

Did "Back to Square One" originate in an attempt to make BBC footy commentaries on the wireless more understandable; or was it simply derived from well-known board games?

As First Bus climbs the ladder of service improvement and then slides down the snake of contraction (see Buses of Somerset), the change to the Falmouth University services from last Sunday is a bit of both. Having merged the Uni-exclusive U1 with renumbered 41 and 88 in 2014, the services are now split again; back to square one. Here's a chunk of the timetable. (click on the panel for a larger view)

We can see that the U1 (Truro) and U2 (Redruth) revert to NOT running via the Wood Lane Campus (or maybe the Woodlane campus). These routes could, theoretically, revert to their old non-U numbers. A new U3 links the two sites, but unlike the 2013 version (then numbered U1 - confusing isn't it?) the U3 only runs every 30 minutes.

Substitue U1 for 88, U2 for 41 and U3 for U1 (the original and best!) and the 2013 map is now conceptually correct. Back to square one.

There is now an hourly U3 on Saturdays replacing the hourly diversions on U1/U2. But, just to add to the fun/confusion, Wood Lane is served by a diversion of an hourly U1. All these "facilities" are tagged "during University terms only". We do not know (yet!) whether there will be an hourly U3 or U1 to Wood Lane during Uni vacations. 

It is worth noting that the new U3 runs, not via the U1/U2 route and Penryn town centre, but whizzes up the by-pass ...

... the "red" A39.

But is this the best way to show these services in a printed timetable? Surely it would be better to have separate tables and maps for each (U1, U2 and U3) with a summary table of all journeys between Falmouth and Penryn? Cut the clutter and help the passenger, says fbb!

And another thing. The tardy update of the First Kernow web site (possibly provoked by this blog?) is less than helpful. In the timetable list, the heading is as expected ...

... but the listed routes maintain a fearful secrecy about the U3. What is it?

Truro (U1) or Redruth (U2)
Penryn Campus | Penryn | Falmouth
via Carnon Downs and Playing Place (U1),
or Ponsanooth and Lanner (U2)

But the biggest fun of all is to attempt to use the stunning First Bus journey planner to travel between the two Uni sites.

[From] Sorry, we can't find that place, did you type it in correctly? Alternatively try the postcode. If you need help contact us.

[To] Sorry, we can't find that place, did you type it in correctly? Alternatively try the postcode. If you need help contact us.

Try the names from the printed timetable?

[From] Sorry, we can't find that place, did you type it in correctly? Alternatively try the postcode. If you need help contact us.

[To] Sorry, we can't find that place, did you type it in correctly? Alternatively try the postcode. If you need help contact us.

This could be a long and tedious process. Why not, as advised, try the postcode? One reason why not is that fbb doesn't know the postcodes of either. The huge Penryn campus gives its address on the Uni home page.

Penryn Campus, Treliever Road,
Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE

The Woodlane campus is listed under "Falmouth Svhool of Art"; obvious you fool, fbb; everybody knows that!

Falmouth Campus Woodlane,
Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4RH

So try again.

Woodlane (Wood Lane) Campus is not listed and ...

... the Penryn Campus has moved to Kent!

So no luck there. In fact the Woodlane (Wood Lane) stop is called ...

corawagj
Falmouth, King Charles School (NE-bound)
Wood lane
0800COC30770

... and the Penryn Campus stop is called:-

corgajwj
Tremough, Stand A (S-bound)
0800COZ06428

So now we can try again.

fbb's ancient heart is going pitter-patter in anticipation.

[From] Sorry, we can't find that place, did you type it in correctly? Alternatively try the postcode. If you need help contact us.

One last try ...

... noting that neither postcode is the one quoted by the University; BUT ...

... we are offered ALL THREE U routes. All three answers invited the weary student to walk 13 minutes ...

... eschewing the Woodlane Campus stop, wherever it might be.

Readers will remember that this awful national journey planner is merely the Traveline awful national journey planner wrapped in a pink and purple Barbie skin.

But is it Woodlane or Wood Lane?

There is a shiny First Unibus at the stop for the Woodlane (one word!) campus.

And King Charles School does exist. It is hidden in the trees behind the bus with its entrance on Western Terrace (turn right at the end of Woodlane).

Public Transport is so easy to use. It's all on-line and accessible on the go.

Whippee!

 Next ovine omnibus blog : Friday 18th September