Saturday 29 March 2008

Changes to Bus Routes For the Summer

A few comments on the above changes, first they don't happen until May 19th so don't expect to see 12A and 12C running up the Babacombe Road just yet and second they are only for the summer season which runs until mid September. The main difference for me as a 12 driver is the fact that the 12A will now no longer run to Brixham. What happened in the summer was the holiday makers would see Brixham on the front of a 12A and get on it to go to Brixham from Torquay or Paignton but it took 20 minutes longer than the 12. Also in Brixham the holiday makers would get on the 12A to go back to Paignton and Torquay and we would have to explain the extra 20 minute journey time. Most would wait for a 12 and the 12A would pull out with only a few passengers on leaving 50 people waiting for the 12, which only ran every 15 minutes. Now only the 12 will go to Brixham and run every 10 minutes. Will make life a bit easier for the drivers and the passengers. One problem that will occur is the 12A and the 12C will now go to the Harbour and not up Fleet Street to the top of town which the 12 will continue to do. From the Harbour they will go to Babacombe and St Marychurch replacing the 32. Passengers who board a 32 at the top of town and want to go to Babacombe will have to change on the Harbour. I hope through tickets will be introduced for the fare paying passengers doing this trip or lots of time will be spend selling tickets on the 12A and 12C on the Harbour.

One 12A and one 12C per hour will continue on from Babacombe to Teignmouth so passengers who would have used the 85 to go to Teignmouth will now get either a 12A or 12C but if they wish to go beyond Teignmouth to Dawlish or Dawlish Warren (where there are lots of caravan parks) will have to change to a number 2 (formally the 85A) in Teignmouth. The bus stop area in Teignmouth is not all that big so some congestion can be expected there.

The other change that will effect us driving the 12s will be the fact that the X46 Exeter Express will not go to Paignton as often as it used to so anyone in Paignton who wishes to go to Exeter will need to get a 12/12A/12C to the Harbour and change. Hopefully a notice will be put up in Paignton explaining this and tells the passengers to tell the 12 driver they wish to go to Exeter so we can sell them an Explorer Ticket (the cheapest way to get to Exeter) otherwise we will sell a return to Torquay and then the X46 driver will sell them an Explorer ticket.

Like I say, these changes are not till May 19th.

9 comments:

David said...

Sorry the text doesn't seem to have made to the page, I will have an other go this evening.

Anonymous said...

Some fairly substantial changes to the 12A there! Is this timetable going to be set for winter too as otherwise there are going to be some fairly substantial problems with school in Brixham feeding the Roselands and Hookhills area! Will the 12C and A use tridents like it currently does, if you know?

Anonymous said...

Good to see 85A back with its proper number 2.

Devon General was right all along.

Anonymous said...

Any news on open top services? No mention of service 200 if that's the final summer route map, or will it just run for the peak summer holidays again?

Anonymous said...

Re. Summer Timetable Changes:

What Service will Serve Foxlands Apartments and Babbacombe to the Strand. I use that route with my Power Chair as I reside nearby. if Route 32 is not to serve St. Marychurch. From Strand to Babbacombe.

While it makes good businees sense to withdraw 12B. How on earth does one get to Castle Circus from Babbacombe?

Anonymous said...

What no service to and from the top end of the town to Babbacombe?
WOW I really can see some problems there. I pity you poor drivers trying to do SD College through to Teignmouth
AND NO EXETER SERVICE via the coast.

OH BOY come back DG.

Anonymous said...

ugh that gave me brainache.
Never actually knew the 12B was still running to be honest. Only ever seen ONE bus displaying 12B. Thank god I only ever go from Newton town centre to Shiphay Lane and Torquay town centre haha

Anonymous said...

Shambles!!!! Glad I dont drive buses round the bay no more!!!!

Anonymous said...

Would be interested to know weather the 12a, 12C will be completely low floor buses. Is this a long term plan or is it summer only? No open top services this year? Gather it will use less buses so saving the company money.