College Chaos & Cornwall Competition (2)

Cornwall Competition

We know now that the "support" for the new Truro and Penwith colleges network is to come from Go Cornwall Bus (GoAhead) competing against First Bus' commercial services.

The first to be revealed could be described as an improved service - very much improved!.

Hitherto GoAhead has run some school journeys which used to be tendered to First as part of their route 2 between Penzance, Helston and Falmouth.

First's route was renumbered U4 as it served Penryn Campus at Falmouth, but GoAhead retained the number 2. 

The U4 is hourly ...

... usually operated by smart branded double deckers ...

... although doubtless First will be going from brand to bland in a concerted attempt to lose passengers.

GoAhead is throwing plenty of resources at the U4 but only between Penzance and Helston.

The previous school journeys remain as 2A but a half hour headway between Penzance and Goldsithney  enhances the hourly service 2 to Helston. 

The autumn Cornwall network map shows both ...

... with the 2 in DARK BLUE and the U4 in LIGHT BLUE.

The next, geographically moving from west to east, is GoAhead's 41 from Truro to Camborne.

This runs every 20 minutes and includes tendered journeys again. It competes against First' prestigious and branded "Tinner" ...

... which is running every 15 minutes over the same section of route.

On the map ...

Tinner is RED. 41 is BROWN.

This onslaught will need a significant "investment" in staff and vehicles. It is going to cost First in lost revenue but there is insufficient business along that road to satisfy the grasping claws of two operators.

Two more competitive services start in Truro.

GoAhead's 32 is not so impressive at an hourly frequency ...

... against First's U1 with half hourly through trips between Falmouth and Truro.

The U1 was part of a massive tranche of services to the Uni campus at Penryn, but the academic authorities have cut contracts to cut costs, increased fares and lost a lot of passengers to motor cars! Saving the planet is a bit too expensive!

Branded buses were the mainstay of the U1. On the map ...

... First is DARK BLUE and GoAhead is DARK BROWN.

The other service from Truro is a little different. We had better look at the map first.

First's 87 (in GREEN) takes a very circuitous route between Truro and Newquay.  Its timetable is not "clock face" ...

... and does have some school day narration.

But it is a mighty long way round,

Gohead's offering is numbered 86 (PUCE) ...

... but is ten minutes quicker. Both serve the popular coastal areas south of Newquay.

So who will blink first? First's policies have been very negative of late, notably with the stupidity if the blanket withdrawal of its open top network.

In the other hand, GoAhead has reputedly quoted low for their big Cornwall business, and may well have done the same for the Truro college account. Is this burst of competition, between two who have been persuaded, so far, to work together by the Council, a sign of financial desperation from GoAhead?

You would not be overjoyed to have the role of Chief Finance Officer at either company. There will, undoubtedly, be far fewer beans for both  to count.

It will, of course, all end in tears. That much is inevitable.

Will these skirmishes persuade Cornwall Council to re-examine its currently "parked" desire to own and run the lot?

   WILL TELL   

 Next Variety blog : Sunday 21 Sept