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{{about-distinguish-text|the bus operation|[[South Western Railway (train operating company)|South Western Railway]], a rail service that is also operated by FirstGroup}}
{{Cleanup|date=January 2007}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
|name = First South West
|logo = File:FirstBus 2024.svg
|logo_size = 150
|image = Taunton Garage - First 33380 (OIG1790) and 33318 (WK18CHD).JPG
|image_size =
|image_caption = An [[Alexander ALX400|ALX400]] in [[The Buses of Somerset]] livery (left) and an [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC|Enviro400 MMC]] in [[Kernow (bus company)|Kernow]] livery at [[Taunton, Somerset|Taunton]] in 2020
|company_slogan =
|parent = [[FirstGroup]]
|founded =
|headquarters = [[Camborne]]
|locale =
|service_area = [[Cornwall]]<br />[[Somerset]]<br />[[Devon]]
|service_type = Bus services
|hubs =
|stations =
|routes = 82<ref>http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/journey_planning/timetables/index.php?operator=6&page=1&redirect=no {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>
|depots = 7
|fleet =
|ridership =
|fuel_type =
|operator =
|ceo =Simon Goff
|website = [http://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall firstbus.co.uk/cornwall], [http://www.firstbus.co.uk/somerset firstbus.co.uk/somerset]}}


'''First South West'''<ref>[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/01669417 Companies House extract company no 1669417] First South West Limited</ref> is a bus company operating services in the English counties of [[Somerset]] and [[Cornwall]]. It is a subsidiary of [[FirstGroup]].
'''First Devon and Cornwall''' is a bus operating company providing services within the English counties of [[Devon]] and [[Cornwall]]. It is a subsidiary of [[First Group]] which operates public transport throughout the UK. It was formed from two previous operators: Western National (in Cornwall and South Devon) and Red Bus (in North Devon). First Devon and Cornwall routes stretch as far north as [[Ilfracombe]], [[Tiverton, Devon|Tiverton]] and [[Exeter]] in the east and to [[Land's End]] in the west of Cornwall. However, some parts of the region are not served by First buses.


First South West includes the [[First Kernow|Kernow]], [[Truronian]], Adventures by Bus and [[Buses of Somerset]] brands.
First Devon and Cornwall was known by bus enthusiasts for it large fleet of [[Bristol VRT]] double-deck buses, but the last examples of this type were withdrawn from ordinary service on [[9th December]] [[2006]]. A small number are retained for open top tourist services and special events.

==History==
[[File:Penzance - First 34754 (A754VAF).jpg|thumb|Preserved [[Eastern Coach Works|ECW]] bodied [[Leyland Olympian]] in the original First Bus livery at Penzance Bus Station in April 2012]]
First South West was known as 'First Devon & Cornwall' until 2015. This had been formed from two previous [[FirstGroup]] companies: [[Western National]] in Cornwall and south Devon, and Red Bus in north Devon. FirstGroup purchased independent Cornish operator [[Truronian]] in April 2008 and merged it into First Devon & Cornwall.<ref>[http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1810&categoryid=0 First to buy Truronian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112910/http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=1810&categoryid=0 |date=24 December 2013 }} ''busandcoach.com'' 15 February 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/mergers_ea02/2008/FirstGroup.pdf Anticipated acquisition by Firstgroup plc of Truronian Limited] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103321/http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/mergers_ea02/2008/FirstGroup.pdf |date=24 December 2013 }} Office of Fair Trading 11 April 2008</ref> [[First West of England|First Somerset & Avon]] routes around [[Taunton, Somerset|Taunton]] and [[Bridgwater]] were transferred to First Devon & Cornwall in 2014 and rebranded as [[The Buses of Somerset]].

On 6 September 2015, the [[Plymouth]], [[Dartmouth, Devon|Dartmouth]] and [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]] garages were taken over by [[Stagecoach South West]].<ref>[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/travel_news/news_initiatives/?item=28531&conf=0 First agrees sale of South Devon business to Stagecoach]{{Dead link|date=November 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} FirstGroup 10 July 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Bus-agrees-sell-Plymouth-operations-Stagecoach/story-26891359-detail/story.html FirstBus agrees to sell Plymouth operations to Stagecoach] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721095304/http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Bus-agrees-sell-Plymouth-operations-Stagecoach/story-26891359-detail/story.html |date=21 July 2015 }} ''Plymouth Herald'' 13 July 2015</ref> Torpoint depot is being used{{clarify|reason=Still?|date=October 2015}} to store the unused members of the fleet. At the same time, First Devon & Cornwall changed their name to First South West to reflect their new area of operation which is only in Cornwall and south Somerset.

In January 2020, [[Cornwall Council]] awarded the entire tendered bus network within the county to [[Plymouth Citybus]], consisting of 73 routes. [[Kernow (bus company)|Kernow]] continues to operate their entire commercial network across Cornwall, including Tinner, University, Lizard and Coaster branded routes, as well as the 24, 27, 87 and 91.

Commencing from May 2021, First South West launched a number of services under the 'Adventures by Bus' brand across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. These services are operated commercially and include a number of services that were previously operated by Kernow under different circumstances.


==Routes==
==Routes==
First South West routes cover much of Cornwall. It operates the [[Park & Ride]] service in [[Truro]].<ref>Cornwall Council, http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/park-and-ride/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028115027/http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/park-and-ride/ |date=28 October 2014 }}</ref> In March 2015, First Kernow commenced operating some of [[Western Greyhound]] following its sudden closure.
===Mid & West Cornwall===
*1/1A '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Newlyn]] - [[St Buryan]] - '''[[Land's End]]'''
*2/2B '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Marazion]] - [[Porthleven]] - '''[[Helston]]'''
*2A '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Porthleven]] - [[Helston]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - '''[[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]'''
*5 '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Newlyn]] - '''[[Gwavas]]'''
*6 '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Newlyn]] - '''[[Mousehole]]'''
*14 '''[[St Ives, Cornwall|St Ives]]''' - [[Hayle]] - [[Camborne]] - [[Redruth]] - '''[[Truro]]'''
*17/A/B '''[[St Just in Penwith|St Just]]''' - [[Penzance]] - [[Carbis Bay]] - '''[[St Ives]]'''
*17C '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Heamoor]] - '''[[Madron]]'''
*18 '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Hayle]] - [[Camborne]] - [[Redruth]] - '''[[Truro]]'''
*X18 '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Hayle]] - '''[[Truro]]'''
*22 '''[[Truro]]''' - [[St Stephen-in-Brannel|St Stephen]] - [[St Dennis, Cornwall|St Dennis]] - '''[[St Austell]]'''
*25 '''[[St Dennis, Cornwall|St Dennis]]''' - [[St Austell]] - [[Par, Cornwall|Par]] - '''[[Fowey]]'''
*25B '''[[Mevagissey]]''' - [[St Austell]] - [[Par, Cornwall|Par]] - '''[[Fowey]]'''
*26 '''[[St Blazey]]''' - [[St Austell]] - [[Mevagissey]] - '''[[Lost Gardens of Heligan]]'''
*27/B '''[[St Austell]]''' - [[Grampound]] - [[Truro]] - '''[[Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske)]]'''
*40/B '''[[Camborne]]''' - [[Redruth]] - [[St Day]] - [[Truro]] - '''Trelander'''
*41/B '''Troon''' - [[Camborne]] - [[Redruth]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] - '''[[Gyllyngvase]] Beach'''
*45 '''Troon''' - Mount Pleasant - '''[[Camborne]]'''
*68 '''Longfield''' - [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - [[Mabe]] Burnthouse - '''[[Tremough]]'''
*68A '''Trescobeas''' - [[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - [[Tremough]] - '''[[Mabe]] Burnthouse'''
*88/B '''[[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]''' - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - Perranwell - [[Truro]] - Malabar Estate - '''[[Toyal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske)]]'''
*89 '''[[Newquay]]''' - Treloggan - Trispen - [[Truro]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - '''[[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]'''
*90 '''[[Newquay]]''' - [[St Columb Minor]] - Trispen - [[Truro]] - [[Penryn, Cornwall|Penryn]] - '''[[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]'''
*101 '''[[Penzance]]''' - [[Porthcurno]] - '''[[Land's End]]'''
*201 '''[[Land's End]]''' - [[St Just in Penwith|St Just]] - [[Zennor]] - '''[[St Ives, Cornwall|St Ives]]'''
*301 '''[[St Ives]]''' - [[Hayle]] - [[Marazion]] - '''[[Penzance]]'''


Although the operator is named ‘First '''South West'''’, it only operates minor services in [[Devon]]. Most services are based in [[Cornwall]] and [[Somerset]].
===North & East Cornwall===
*X8 '''[[Bude]]''' - [[Launceston, Cornwall|Launceston]] - [[Callington]] - [[Saltash]] - '''[[Plymouth]]'''
*X9 '''[[Bude]]''' - [[Holsworthy, Devon|Holsworthy]] - [[Okehampton]] - '''[[Exeter]]'''
*76 '''[[Launceston, Cornwall|Launceston]]''' - [[Callington]] - [[Saltash]] - '''[[Plymouth]]'''
*80/81 '''[[Torpoint]]''' - '''[[Plymouth]]'''
*80A/81A '''[[Polperro]]''' - [[Looe]] - [[Torpoint]] - '''[[Plymouth]]'''
*80B/81B '''[[Cremyll]]''' - [[Torpoint]] - '''[[Plymouth]]'''
*128 '''[[Bude]]''' - '''[[Stratton, Cornwall|Stratton]]'''
*190 Tamar Valley Circular
*319 '''[[Bude]]''' - '''[[Hartland, Devon|Hartland]]'''


Many routes are operated commercially and not under any tender or subsidy by the local council. Many of these fall within Cornwall, yet many other services are also operated commercially rather than under tenders such as the Adventures By Bus routes.
===North Devon===
*1 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - '''[[Westward Ho!]]'''
*2 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - '''[[Appledore, North Devon|Appledore]]'''
*3/3A/3B '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - [[Ilfracombe]] - '''[[Combe Martin]](3)/[[Woolacombe]](3B)'''
*7 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - '''[[South Molton]]'''
*30 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - [[Ilfracombe]] - '''[[Combe Martin]]'''
*X85 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - '''[[Plymouth]]''' (Saturdays Only)
*86 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]] - [[Okehampton] - [[Great Torrington|Torrington]] - [[Bideford]] - '''[[Barnstaple]]'''
*303 '''[[Barnstaple]]''' - '''[[Woolacombe']]''
*319 '''[[Bude]]''' - '''[[Hartland, Devon|Hartland]]'''


First South West, trading as [[The Buses of Somerset]], operated the Taunton Park & Ride service under a contract with [[Somerset Council]] signed in 2021. This was due to last for five years,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bus company wins five-year contract to run Taunton's park and ride|url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/19423107.buses-somerset-secures-five-year-contract-taunton-park-ride/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Somerset County Gazette|language=en}}</ref> however, First South West informed Somerset Council it no longer finds the route to be viable and ended its commitment in February 2024. The service was taken over by Stagecoach South West.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Taunton park and ride service set for new management|url=https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/23975425.taunton-park-ride-service-set-new-management/|access-date=2023-12-28|website=Somerset County Gazette|language=en}}</ref>
===South Devon===
*48 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - '''[[Wembury]]'''
*83/4 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - '''[[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]]'''
*86 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - [[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]] - [[Okehampton]] - [[Great Torrington|Torrington]] - [[Bideford]] - '''[[Barnstaple]]'''
*87/87A '''[[Tavistock, Devon|Tavistock]]''' - '''[[Bere Alston]]''' / '''[[Bere Ferrers]]'''
*88 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - '''[[Ivybridge]]'''
*90/90A Dartmouth Town Service
*93 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - [[Kingsbridge]] - '''[[Dartmouth, Devon|Dartmouth]]'''
*94 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - '''[[Noss Mayo]]'''
*X80 '''[[Plymouth]]''' - [[Totnes]] - '''[[Torquay]]'''
*X81 '''[[Totnes]]''' - '''[[Torquay]]'''


== Adventures by Bus ==
===Plymouth===
In May 2021, the 'Adventures by Bus' brand commenced operations across First South West's service area, with operations shared between the existing [[Kernow (bus company)|Kernow]] and [[The Buses of Somerset|Buses of Somerset]] divisions. The brand includes many seasonally operated routes. These include; The Dartmoor Explorer, Lands End Coaster, Falmouth Coaster, Atlantic Coaster, and Exmoor Coaster services. Many of these services operate using open-top vehicles across the summer season. The Atlantic Coaster, and Lands End Coaster services operate on routes previously operated by [[Kernow (bus company)|Kernow]]. Adventures by Bus services operate out of multiple depots and outstations across the service area, all of which are owned and operated by either [[Kernow (bus company)|Kernow]] or [[The Buses of Somerset|Buses of Somerset]]. Adventures by Bus brought [[FirstGroup|First]] services back to [[Devon]] for the first time since September 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adventures By Bus {{!}}|url=https://www.firstbus.co.uk/adventures-bus|access-date=2021-07-21|website=www.firstbus.co.uk}}</ref>
*1/2 '''City Centre''' - Milehouse - [[St Budeaux]] - '''[[Saltash]]'''
{| class="wikitable"
*5/6 '''[[Plymouth railway station]]''' - City Centre - Billacombe - Elburton - '''[[Plymstock]]'''
|+
*7 '''[[Woolwell]]''' - [[Derriford Hospital]] - City Centre - [[Plymstock]] - '''Jennycliff'''
!Typical vehicle
*7A '''[[Barne Barton]]''' - [[Devonport]] - City Centre - [[Plymstock]] - '''[[Mount Batten]]'''
!Service Name
*11 '''City Centre''' - [[Devonport]] - Ham - [[Crownhill]] - '''[[Derriford Hospital]]'''
!Start
*12 '''City Centre''' - [[Devonport]] - Milehouse - [[Crownhill]] - '''[[Derriford Hospital]]'''
!Terminus
*13 '''City Centre''' - [[Weston Mill, Plymouth|Weston Mill]] - '''[[Saltash Passage]]'''
!Locality
*14 '''City Centre''' - Keyham - '''Ford'''
!Notes
*15/15A '''Mount Gould''' - City Centre - '''Stoke'''
|-
*PR1 '''City Centre''' - '''George Junction Park & Ride'''
|[[File:Exeter St Davids - First 37155 (YN06URJ) Dartmoor Explorer.JPG|100px]]
*PR2 '''City Centre''' - '''Coypool Park & Ride'''
|Dartmoor Explorer
|[[Plymouth]]
|[[Exeter]]
|Devon
|Seasonal route via [[Yelverton, Devon|Yelverton]], [[Princetown]], [[Postbridge]], and [[Moretonhampstead]].
|-
|[[File:Taunton garage - First 37058 (YJ06XMK) Lands End Coaster.JPG|100px]]
|Lands End Coaster
|[[Land's End]]
|[[St Ives, Cornwall|St Ives]]
|Cornwall
|Seasonal circular route via [[Porthcurno]], [[Penzance]], [[Marazion]] and [[Sennen]] using open-top vehicles.
|-
|[[File:Falmouth Prince of Wales Pier - First 32179 (OIG1788).JPG|100px]]
|Falmouth Coaster
|{{Stnlnk|Falmouth Docks}}
|[[Swanpool, Cornwall|Swanpool]]
|Cornwall
|Seasonal circular around Falmouth. open-top vehicles.
|-
|[[File:Newquay Bus Station - First 33575 (SN09CDU).JPG|100px]]
|Atlantic Coaster
|[[Newquay, Cornwall|Newquay]]
|[[Padstow]]
|Cornwall
|Seasonal route along the coast between Newquay and Padstow.
|-
|[[File:Taunton garage - First 36081 (SN57DBY) Exmoor Coaster.JPG|100px]]
|Exmoor Coaster
|[[Minehead]]
|[[Ilfracombe]]
|Somerset & Devon
|Seasonal route via [[Blue Anchor]], [[Minehead]] and [[Exmoor National Park]].
|-
|
|Tin Coaster
|[[Penzance]]
|[[Lower Boscaswell]]
|Cornwall
|
|-
|
|Sunseeker
|[[Gwithian]]
|[[St Ives, Cornwall|St Ives]]
|Cornwall
|-
|[[File:Penzance Market Jew Street - First 53704 (HIG8433).JPG|100px]]
|The Mousehole
|[[Penzance]]
|[[Mousehole]]
|Cornwall
|Optare Solos and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters operate this
|}

==Fleet==
[[File:Redruth Station Hill - First 33463 (WK66CDF).JPG|thumb|An example of current route branding on an [[Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC]] in [[Redruth]] in 2018]]
As at April 2019 the fleet consisted of 296 buses and coaches.<ref>[http://www.swhite.org.uk/ FirstGroup Fleetlist] Steve White</ref>

First South West used to operate one of the older [[FirstGroup]] fleets with an average of 11.6 years, but investment in new buses has seen this figure decrease to 9.9 years.<ref>[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/about_us/ About us]{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} First Devon & Cornwall</ref>
New purchases were made in 2016 and 2018 for the Kernow division. These were [[ADL Enviro400 MMC]]s, [[ADL Enviro200 MMC]]s and [[Optare Solo]] SRs. Most buses are second hand from within the [[FirstGroup]] fleet, they are large fleets of [[Plaxton President]]s on [[Volvo B7TL]] and [[Dennis Trident 2]] chassis, [[Plaxton Pointer]] on [[Dennis Dart]] chassis, Optare Solo's and [[Mercedes-Benz Citaro]]s.<ref name=UKBuses>[http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/fdc.pdf First: Devon, Kernow, Somerset, Truronian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085228/http://www.ukbuses.co.uk/fleet/fdc.pdf |date=18 May 2015 }} UK Buses 1 September 2013</ref>

Until December 2006 First South West operated the last sizeable fleet of [[Bristol VRT]] double-deck buses in the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://sulzerpower.com/vr/websitearchive/first091206.html FDC VR running day, 09/12/06] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110230648/http://sulzerpower.com/vr/websitearchive/first091206.html |date=10 November 2013 }} sulzerpower.com</ref> Some of these Bristol VRTs were preserved.

As at May 2019, the oldest buses are Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton Presidents from 1998 operating out of Bridgwater depot. A [[Volvo Olympian]] has been preserved in the fleet.<ref name=UKBuses/><ref>[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/journey_planning/service_300/ Service 300 Cornwall Explorer]{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} First South West</ref>

==Depots==
*[[Camborne]]
*[[Newquay]]
*[[Penzance]]
*[[Taunton]]
*[[Truro]]
*[[Yeovil]]

===Outstations===
*[[Eden Project]]
*[[Falmouth, Cornwall|Falmouth]]
*[[Helston]]
*[[Minehead]]
*[[Padstow]]
*[[Plymouth Citybus]] [[Milehouse|(Milehouse Depot)]]
*[[Callington, Cornwall]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Cornwall}}
*[[List of bus operators of the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|First South West}}
*[http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/home/ First Devon and Cornwall website]
*[http://www.firstkernow.co.uk First Kernow website (Cornwall buses)]
*[http://www.busesofsomerset.co.uk Buses of Somerset website (Somerset buses)]

{{FirstGroup}}
{{FirstGroup}}
[[Category:Bus transport in England]]
{{Bus companies in South West England}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First in Devon and Cornwall}}
[[Category:FirstGroup bus operators in England]]
[[Category:Bus operators in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Bus operators in Somerset]]
[[Category:Transport in Cornwall]]
[[Category:Transport in Cornwall]]
[[Category:First Group Companies]]
[[Category:Transport in Somerset]]

Latest revision as of 07:52, 13 December 2024

This article is about the bus operation. Not to be confused with South Western Railway, a rail service that is also operated by FirstGroup.

First South West
An ALX400 in The Buses of Somerset livery (left) and an Enviro400 MMC in Kernow livery at Taunton in 2020
ParentFirstGroup
HeadquartersCamborne
Service areaCornwall
Somerset
Devon
Service typeBus services
Routes82[1]
Depots7
Chief executiveSimon Goff
Websitefirstbus.co.uk/cornwall, firstbus.co.uk/somerset

First South West[2] is a bus company operating services in the English counties of Somerset and Cornwall. It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup.

First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.

History

[edit]
Preserved ECW bodied Leyland Olympian in the original First Bus livery at Penzance Bus Station in April 2012

First South West was known as 'First Devon & Cornwall' until 2015. This had been formed from two previous FirstGroup companies: Western National in Cornwall and south Devon, and Red Bus in north Devon. FirstGroup purchased independent Cornish operator Truronian in April 2008 and merged it into First Devon & Cornwall.[3][4] First Somerset & Avon routes around Taunton and Bridgwater were transferred to First Devon & Cornwall in 2014 and rebranded as The Buses of Somerset.

On 6 September 2015, the Plymouth, Dartmouth and Tavistock garages were taken over by Stagecoach South West.[5][6] Torpoint depot is being used[clarification needed] to store the unused members of the fleet. At the same time, First Devon & Cornwall changed their name to First South West to reflect their new area of operation which is only in Cornwall and south Somerset.

In January 2020, Cornwall Council awarded the entire tendered bus network within the county to Plymouth Citybus, consisting of 73 routes. Kernow continues to operate their entire commercial network across Cornwall, including Tinner, University, Lizard and Coaster branded routes, as well as the 24, 27, 87 and 91.

Commencing from May 2021, First South West launched a number of services under the 'Adventures by Bus' brand across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. These services are operated commercially and include a number of services that were previously operated by Kernow under different circumstances.

Routes

[edit]

First South West routes cover much of Cornwall. It operates the Park & Ride service in Truro.[7] In March 2015, First Kernow commenced operating some of Western Greyhound following its sudden closure.

Although the operator is named ‘First South West’, it only operates minor services in Devon. Most services are based in Cornwall and Somerset.

Many routes are operated commercially and not under any tender or subsidy by the local council. Many of these fall within Cornwall, yet many other services are also operated commercially rather than under tenders such as the Adventures By Bus routes.

First South West, trading as The Buses of Somerset, operated the Taunton Park & Ride service under a contract with Somerset Council signed in 2021. This was due to last for five years,[8] however, First South West informed Somerset Council it no longer finds the route to be viable and ended its commitment in February 2024. The service was taken over by Stagecoach South West.[9]

Adventures by Bus

[edit]

In May 2021, the 'Adventures by Bus' brand commenced operations across First South West's service area, with operations shared between the existing Kernow and Buses of Somerset divisions. The brand includes many seasonally operated routes. These include; The Dartmoor Explorer, Lands End Coaster, Falmouth Coaster, Atlantic Coaster, and Exmoor Coaster services. Many of these services operate using open-top vehicles across the summer season. The Atlantic Coaster, and Lands End Coaster services operate on routes previously operated by Kernow. Adventures by Bus services operate out of multiple depots and outstations across the service area, all of which are owned and operated by either Kernow or Buses of Somerset. Adventures by Bus brought First services back to Devon for the first time since September 2015.[10]

Typical vehicle Service Name Start Terminus Locality Notes
Dartmoor Explorer Plymouth Exeter Devon Seasonal route via Yelverton, Princetown, Postbridge, and Moretonhampstead.
Lands End Coaster Land's End St Ives Cornwall Seasonal circular route via Porthcurno, Penzance, Marazion and Sennen using open-top vehicles.
Falmouth Coaster Falmouth Docks Swanpool Cornwall Seasonal circular around Falmouth. open-top vehicles.
Atlantic Coaster Newquay Padstow Cornwall Seasonal route along the coast between Newquay and Padstow.
Exmoor Coaster Minehead Ilfracombe Somerset & Devon Seasonal route via Blue Anchor, Minehead and Exmoor National Park.
Tin Coaster Penzance Lower Boscaswell Cornwall
Sunseeker Gwithian St Ives Cornwall
The Mousehole Penzance Mousehole Cornwall Optare Solos and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters operate this

Fleet

[edit]
An example of current route branding on an Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC in Redruth in 2018

As at April 2019 the fleet consisted of 296 buses and coaches.[11]

First South West used to operate one of the older FirstGroup fleets with an average of 11.6 years, but investment in new buses has seen this figure decrease to 9.9 years.[12] New purchases were made in 2016 and 2018 for the Kernow division. These were ADL Enviro400 MMCs, ADL Enviro200 MMCs and Optare Solo SRs. Most buses are second hand from within the FirstGroup fleet, they are large fleets of Plaxton Presidents on Volvo B7TL and Dennis Trident 2 chassis, Plaxton Pointer on Dennis Dart chassis, Optare Solo's and Mercedes-Benz Citaros.[13]

Until December 2006 First South West operated the last sizeable fleet of Bristol VRT double-deck buses in the United Kingdom.[14] Some of these Bristol VRTs were preserved.

As at May 2019, the oldest buses are Dennis Trident 2/Plaxton Presidents from 1998 operating out of Bridgwater depot. A Volvo Olympian has been preserved in the fleet.[13][15]

Depots

[edit]

Outstations

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/devon_cornwall/journey_planning/timetables/index.php?operator=6&page=1&redirect=no [dead link‍]
  2. ^ Companies House extract company no 1669417 First South West Limited
  3. ^ First to buy Truronian Archived 24 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine busandcoach.com 15 February 2008
  4. ^ Anticipated acquisition by Firstgroup plc of Truronian Limited Archived 24 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Office of Fair Trading 11 April 2008
  5. ^ First agrees sale of South Devon business to Stagecoach[permanent dead link‍] FirstGroup 10 July 2015
  6. ^ FirstBus agrees to sell Plymouth operations to Stagecoach Archived 21 July 2015 at the Wayback Machine Plymouth Herald 13 July 2015
  7. ^ Cornwall Council, http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/public-transport/park-and-ride/ Archived 28 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Bus company wins five-year contract to run Taunton's park and ride". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Taunton park and ride service set for new management". Somerset County Gazette. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Adventures By Bus |". www.firstbus.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  11. ^ FirstGroup Fleetlist Steve White
  12. ^ About us[permanent dead link‍] First Devon & Cornwall
  13. ^ a b First: Devon, Kernow, Somerset, Truronian Archived 18 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine UK Buses 1 September 2013
  14. ^ FDC VR running day, 09/12/06 Archived 10 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine sulzerpower.com
  15. ^ Service 300 Cornwall Explorer[permanent dead link‍] First South West
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