First Bus struggled to get this route right, originally copying the Western National mix of routes and numbers; then going for every 15 minutes but ending up by cutting back to three an hour.
Stagecoach used the First routes but make the 86 (via Mutley and Derriford Hospital) every 30 as service 1 and left the 83 at every 30 minutes but numbered 1X. Last Saturday was the last day of CityBus' competitive 42, a clone of the old 86 and new 1.
Because fbb was ahead of schedule he was able to rejig his plans ...
... and provide for an extended snack stop at Tavistock running out via 1X and back via 1 rather than the planned vice versa. A competitive 42 with a three year old Volvo ...
... left Plymouth ahead of Stagecoach ...
... whose motor was X329 NNO a well travelled bus which began its life with Stagecoach London (the first time!) and then went north to Fife before emigrating back to England for Plymouth work. Despite its age, the vehicle provided a quiet and comfortable ride.
And, of course, a top deck view! The 1X passes the Citybus depot at Milehouse ...
... and the Argyle footy ground ...
... before joining the 1 route at Crownhill. Here fbb's steed overtook the 42 which had left ahead of the 1X.
The George Park and Ride (now Stagecoach) was doing good business with a home game for Argyle and an open day at the University.
"The George", by the way, was a roadside pub ...
... which is now refettled as Toby!
But soon the 1X is speeding through the borders of the glorious Dartmoor. The journey becomes very rural and the 15 minute frequency is surprisingly generous.
Yelverton has a minimalistic "bus interchange", one stop in a layby served by buses in both directions. Confusing or convenient?
And so to Tavistock where the snack tank was refilled with a cheese and onion roll and a mugga. Watching "our" 1X unload, followed by the 42 ditto and having a quick count of loading for the return run of both, it was clear that the business split 50/50. Again there was a preponderance of old crusties for whom operator is irrelevant.
But from this Monday it would all fill Uncle Brian's money box.
Tavistock has one of those bus stations where there are bursts of frenetic activity followed by periods of comparative peace. fbb's phone camera was having an off-day so a full photo survey would have included several unusable out-of-focus shots. In addition to 1s and 42s, the town service 89 (Devon county tender) ...
... pops in three times an hour; covered by a "local" bus from Exeter formerly branded ExCiti and named St Loyes after an Exeter charity
Some rural routes are covered by Jacketts ...
... with a posh(ish) coach on the last day of the Saturday only Barnstaple to Plymouth run.
Jacketts also run to Bere Alson and Bere Ferrers. Target Travel run rural other routes including the "Dartmoor Pony" ...
... off over the moors to Princtown, home of Dartmoor nick; ...
... with gorgeous views from the bedroom windows! fbb did take a picture of Target's well-presented "Pony" branded minibus, but the failed focus made it too awful for even fbb to publish.
So, after a second precautionary use of "the facilities", it was back to Pymouth on service 1 for the last scheduled chunk the day.
Which we will cover tomorrow.
And, of course, a top deck view! The 1X passes the Citybus depot at Milehouse ...
But from this Monday it would all fill Uncle Brian's money box.
Tavistock has one of those bus stations where there are bursts of frenetic activity followed by periods of comparative peace. fbb's phone camera was having an off-day so a full photo survey would have included several unusable out-of-focus shots. In addition to 1s and 42s, the town service 89 (Devon county tender) ...
So, after a second precautionary use of "the facilities", it was back to Pymouth on service 1 for the last scheduled chunk the day.
Which we will cover tomorrow.
Final Plymouth bus blog (for now!) : Wednesday 23rd Sept
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