Rosyth to Zeebrugge Ferry Service Axed

Ferry operator DFDS has axed its ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in Belgium following a fire on one of its ships.

The vessel is out of action following the blaze in an engine room and the ferry company said it had been unable to find a suitable replacement.

It was a loss-making route for DFDS and it said it had now "lost all hope" of reversing its fortunes.

The firm said it had "no alternative" but to close the route.

 Rosyth (pronounced Ross-sythe) (Scottish Gaelic: Ros Saoithe) is located on
the Firth of Forth on Scotland's east coast, a mile (1.6 km) south of
Dunfermline,, and approximately 12 miles (19 km) north west of Edinburgh.

The Scottish government said Humza Yousaf, the transport secretary, would seek to hold urgent discussions with the company following the announcement.

A spokesman added that the minister wanted to fully understand the situation and "explore all options for the route".

DFDS said the fire broke out on its ro-ro freight ship Finlandia Seaways on 16 April.

One crew member was injured in the blaze. He was airlifted to hospital where he is being treated for injuries caused by smoke inhalation.

The ship was towed to Immingham, Lincolnshire, where the cargo was removed and an inspection was carried out.

In a statement Kell Robdrup, of DFDS, said: "The inspection revealed substantial damage to the ship's engine room, and we estimate that it will be out of service for several months for repairs.

"Furthermore, our search for a replacement vessel was fruitless and revealed that there are no suitable ships available.

"Unfortunately, this will bring about further losses on the route, and it means that we have lost all hope of being able to turn around the route's loss-making situation.

"Therefore, we have no alternative but to close the route as we undoubtedly will lose clients who will be forced to seek alternative solutions for their transport."

'Reopening unrealistic'

He said DFDS was "extremely sorry" for the effect the decision would have in Scotland and Belgium.

The closure would affect a "very limited number of people" employed by the ferry company, he added.

"In cooperation with the Scottish government and the port, we have tried everything in our power to save the route," he said.

"This included going from a combined passenger and cargo ship to a freight ship, reducing costs by enabling double stacking of containers and reducing fuel costs by installing a scrubber to remove sulphur from the exhaust gas instead of using expensive, low-sulphur fuel.

"However, the route continued to make losses. And with the new situation with the ship out of service for months, the market, the customers and the financial situation will be negatively affected, and make a turnaround and a reopening unrealistic."

The freight service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge has been operating since 2002.

Charles Hammond, group chief executive of Forth Ports, which operates the Port of Rosyth, said they were "very disappointed" by the closure.

He added: "Scotland remains well connected with continental Europe through the range of multimodal services operating from the Port of Grangemouth.

"Grangemouth is Scotland's largest container terminal and provides connectivity to locations in the UK, mainland Europe and the rest of the world through its feeder network. We will work hard to ensure that as many affected customers as possible can be accommodated from Grangemouth.

"The Port of Rosyth is among Scotland's best connected ports, with a range of opportunities currently being explored for the port as a whole."

DATES FOR THE DIARY - Summer Bank Holiday Mondays 2018

Borismaster fleet now complete

During August 2017, the last 'Borismaster' rolled off the production line the Ballymena premises of Wrightbus. Fleet number LT 1000 was duly handed over to Transport for London (TfL). Along with LT 984-999 it was allocated to the Fulwell (FW) Garage of London United, where it now operates TfL contracted route 267 (Hammersmith & Fulwell Garage).

The introduction of this somewhat controversial vehicle, lay back in 2012 with TfL and the then Mayor of London Boris Johnson, hence the nickname 'Borismaster'. Initially dubbed the 'NBfL' New Bus for London and then 'NRM' New Routemaster' from LT 517 onwards, it is a 3-door, 11.3m long hybrid double-deck with H40/22T seating.

The vehicles were delivered from 2012 as follows:
2012 LT 1-8
2013 LT 9-119
2014 LT 120-313, 317-356
2015 LT 314-316, 357-662 and a shortened version as ST 812
2016 LT 664-860, 862, 865-878
2017 LT 861,863, 864, 879-1000

All were registered in Northern Ireland with respective registrations as follows:
LT 1-900 LTZ 1001-1900
LT 901-1000 LTZ 2101-2200

Although that said the first eight models LT 1-8, were initially to be registered respectively as shown below along with four others with LK prefixes.

Fleet Number	Original reg
LT1	LT61AHT
LT2	LT61BHT
LT3	LT61CHT
LT4	LT61DHT
LT5	LT12EHT
LT6	LT12FHT
LT7	LT12GHT
LT8	LT12HHT
LT10	LK13FJE
LT11	LK13FJJ
LT12	LK13FJF
LT16	LK13FJN

ST 812 produced in 2015 was the sole model built to the shorter 10.2m length, with H36/18T seating but retained the 3-door configuration.

Initially the intention was to operate this type on routes with a crew of two a driver and a Customer Assistant, that operated in the Central London area, although since then routes 267 in the south west and routes ELT1-3 on the East London Transit network, have been home to the type. Also the Customer Assistants have since been phased out, the buses now only one-person-operated.

One or two of the initial batch of eight have ventured out of London to be evaluated by other operators including Ipswich and Leeds, and even further afield to the Far East (and we are not talking Romford).

Of course the NBfL or NRM would perhaps not be around were it not for one of its predecessors in the shape of the real AEC Routemaster. The 2760 London versions ran numerically from the standard length RM-class through to the 30-foot long RML type as RM1-RML2760, these two as illustrated below.

And finally, a small selection of the LT-class with all-over advertising when in revenue-earning operation.

Want more information on the full London bus scene, then why not have a look at the London Omnibus Traction Society's website at  http://www.lots.org.uk/
Better still why not join and gain the benefits of the regular monthly newsletter along with other useful publications

Class 769 Flex bi-mode Trains Update

Great Western Railway has announced an agreement to lease 19 Class 769 Flex electro-diesel multiple-units from Porterbrook Leasing.

The four-car Class 769 units are to be produced from refurbished Class 319 dual-system EMUs displaced from 769's from Porterbrook

Thameslink services by the delivery of new Siemens Desiro Class 700 EMUs. They will be fitted with two  diesel engines in addition to their existing 750 V DC third rail and 25 kV 50 Hz overhead electric capability, and will be refurbished and equipped with wi-fi, at-seat power sockets, air-cooling, more space for luggage and new seat covers.

Details of where the fleet will operate are to be finalised later this year. GWR said they would initially be used on London and Thames Valley services from spring 2019, enabling the current Turbo DMUs to be redeployed to add capacity in the Bristol area, and also facilitating the deployment of 'refreshed' Bombardier Electrostar EMUs on the Heathrow Express service which GWR is to manage on behalf of Heathrow Airport Ltd.

The Class 769s would then be ‘predominantly’ used on routes between Oxford, Reading and Gatwick Airport, where their trimode capability could be used to its fullest. However, GWR said it would have ‘maximum flexibility to use them in other areas of the network should they be required’.

‘These trains will offer GWR greater operational flexibility with reduced operating costs; at the same time their conversion and upgrade will see skilled engineering jobs secured in the UK supply chain’, said Porterbrook CEO Mary Grant when the deal was announced on April 19.

Northern is planning to operate Class 319 Flex bi-mode trains on the line between Oxenholme and Windermere following the government’s decision not to electrify the route as planned.

The Flex units, which will be re-designated as Class 769s, were planned to be operational on the line from mid 2018. From 2019, Northern will operate new DMUs being built by CAF on the branch line as well.

Class 769 bi-mode trains are also heading to Wales. They have been funded with £1.9m investment from the Welsh government, supported by £1m of extra funding from Arriva Trains Wales.

The new trains mean capacity will be doubled on some of the busiest routes into Cardiff, with an additional 600 seats per day and 1,500 extra seats for the whole of Wales.

Nottingham City Transport

World’s Largest Fleet of Bio-Gas Double Deck Buses Now Running in Nottingham

The world’s largest fleet of Bio-Gas double deck buses is now fully operational after Nottingham City Transport’s 53rd Bio-Gas bus entered service this week, completing a £16.8m investment in greener transport for the city.
A £4.4m grant from the government’s OLEV Low Emission Bus Scheme, alongside a significant £12.4m investment by NCT has seen gas fuelling facilities installed at NCT’s main Parliament Street Bus Garage and the first 53 Bio-Gas double deck buses enter service on seven routes – 6, 10, 24, 25, 36, 44 and 45.
With all 53 Bio-Gas double deck buses from this initial order now in use, over 3,500 tonnes less CO2, 35 tonnes less NOX and ¾ tonne less particulate matter will be emitted each and every year from the NCT fleet, delivering significant improvements to air quality in Nottingham.
Bio-gas is produced naturally through anaerobic digestion, using food waste, farm waste and sewage. The methane emitted from the digestion process is captured, treated and turned into fuel.
With plans for further Bio-Gas double deck buses to be ordered (subject to funding) and the £3m funding announcement in February from DEFRAs Clean Vehicle Technology Fund to convert 185 existing buses to the latest Euro VI emission standards, Nottingham City Transport is on track to reduce emissions by 90% by 2020 and be compliant with the forthcoming Clean Air Zone in the City.
Mark Fowles, NCT Managing Director commented, “Our Bio-Gas double deck buses are the greenest buses on the road, with significantly lower emissions throughout the entire ‘well to wheel’ process of fuel generation, transportation and use. With Nottingham City Transport now operating 53 of these super environmentally friendly buses, we’re delivering cleaner air for Nottingham with the largest fleet of Bio-Gas double deck buses in the world.”

The engines and chassis of the sleek new Enviro400CBG City Bio-Gas buses have been developed by Swedish giant Scania and are bodied in Britain by the country’s largest bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL).
Mark Oliver, Scania UK Bus & Coach Fleet Sales General Manager said, “With emissions of carbon dioxide reduced by up to 84 percent, the introduction of this gas-powered double-deck bus fleet – the world’s largest fleet of its type – represents an important milestone for Nottingham City Transport and Scania as together we look to drive the shift towards a more sustainable transport future.  We are delighted to be involved in this important environmental programme, and are sure many other public transport operators around the country will now look to follow Nottingham’s lead.”
Frank McGhee, ADL Regional Sales Manager, commented: “Bio-Gas is a key technology in our low emission bus portfolio, particularly suited to the conversion of large fleets of high capacity vehicles in demanding operations. We’re delighted to support NCT’s investment in greener transport, and to help improve passengers’ journeys with our state of the art buses.”
As well as being the greenest buses on the road, customers travelling on the new Bio-Gas buses enjoy a smoother, quieter ride in comfy high specification seats and are able to keep their devices fully charged with USB charging points on board and free 4G Wi-Fi.

ADL SmartSeat Launched

Bus passengers are faced with sitting on a wide range of bus seats that vary from nothing more than a padded board to more traditional seats found in older vehicles. Passengers travelling on ADL's latest vehicles will now be sitting on ADL'sSmartSeat™.  

According to the recent press release the new seat, which will be fitted on Enviro200 and Enviro400's, has been developed to the manufacturer’s demanding brief by a market-leading supplier. Operators will benefit from direct aftermarket support for the SmartSeat through ADL’s own organisation.

The new ADL SmartSeat features a contemporary design with ergonomically formed backrests and seat upholstery as part of a robust and durable construction with a low total weight. 

Passenger amenities will be accommodated by a seatback console, and USB power sockets can be integrated into the back shells or mounted on the seat frame to suit operators’ preferences. Care has been taken to ensure the easy replacement of parts, maximising vehicle uptime.

Arthur Whiteside, ADL’s Managing Director UK Sales, explains: “We’re constantly working to enhance the customer experience for bus operators and the ADL SmartSeat takes this to a new level by providing a fully integrated, quality seating solution that gives our customers a single point of contact during vehicle specification, and ensures direct and reliable support through our best-in-class aftermarket network.”

The ADL SmartSeat is available for immediate delivery on Enviro200 stock, as well as to order on all Enviro200 and Enviro400 models. Seat-belted versions will follow from the third quarter of this year to complete the range.

DATE FOR THE DIARY - Saturday/Sunday 28/29th April - Nene Valley Railway

Ever wanted to be part of the 'Night Mail'? Now you can. The NVR is one of the few locations in the UK where non-stop mailbag exchanges can take place using our specially designed coaches. This year both the Travelling Post Office (TPO) train and main line trains will be hauled by both steam locomotive 34081 and Class 31. To make it even better, standard fares apply! 
For all details see their web page www.nvr.org.uk/events/mail-rail-weekend

Rail ticketing news

Rail passengers who make 'honest' ticket mistakes can now challenge penalties via an independent body

Rail passengers issued with a penalty fare after making an "honest mistake" will have greater protection under rules which come into force recently.
Anyone with a genuine reason for not having a valid ticket will be able to challenge a penalty through an independent committee unconnected to train companies.
Once an appeal is received the clock will stop on the 21-day deadline for payment until the outcome of the dispute is decided.

The new system will give greater consideration to the circumstances of how and why penalties are issued in a bid to ensure people are treated fairly, according to the Department for Transport.
Rail minister Jo Johnson said: "Rail users should make every effort to get the right ticket for their journey, but if you make an honest mistake you should feel confident that the appeals system will recognise this and treat you fairly.
"We are simplifying the rules around penalty fares and introducing an independent appeals process to help those who make a genuine error when using the railway."

Penalty fares can be issued when someone travels without a ticket, is unable to produce a railcard on a discounted ticket, travels in first class with a standard ticket or stays on a train beyond the destination they paid for.
Passengers receive a charge of either £20 or twice the cost of a full single fare, whichever is greater. That can lead to penalties reaching hundreds of pounds for long distance trips.
Jacqueline Starr, managing director of customer experience at the Rail Delivery Group, representing train companies, said: "Customers sometimes make genuine mistakes and the changes to the penalty fares system, which is meant to deter fare dodgers, will help those who feel they have been mistreated and ensure there is enough time to deal with their appeal.
"Fare dodgers deprive the railway of about £200 million every year, money which would otherwise be invested to improve Britain's railway for customers, communities and the economy."
Alex Hayman, managing director of public markets at consumer group Which?, said: "Some people will occasionally make a genuine mistake when travelling by train - that could include a commuter accidentally leaving their season ticket at home, or a passenger choosing the wrong option because of a complex and confusing ticketing system.
"It's encouraging that these passengers will now have an independent body to turn to if they decide to appeal their penalty, so that they can be confident that the issue will be resolved fairly.

P2 Motion Gear Appeal

The P2 Steam Locomotive Company, who are building the most powerful express passenger steam locomotive, has announced their new £210,000 appeal to manufacture the motion gear for the P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, who already operate and maintain A1 No. 60163 – the newest mainline steam locomotive, have set themselves the target of raising the £210,000 through ‘The Motion Club’ with 175 supporters donating £1,000, plus gift aid, in 8 payments of £125 by standing order.

The Mikados’2-4-2's were the most powerful express locomotive in the UK. Designed in the 1930s by Sir Nigel Gresley, they were designed to haul 600-ton trains. The build of 2007 is at an estimated cost of £5 million and will use modern construction techiniques, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD)

For the project to remain on schedule to complete No. 2007 by 2021, the motion needs to be ordered in 2018. The trust has already has had success with The Founders Club (getting the project to the point of cutting the frames), The Boiler Club (funding the construction of the boiler), The Mikado Club (to wheel the locomotive), and The Cylinder Club (to make the cylinder block), the trust has established The Motion Club to manufacture the motion.

 Picture - Mandy Grant

In return for supporting the appeal, the following special benefits are included:

• Opportunity to buy a ticket (seat already reserved) on one of the first trains hauled by No. 2007 Prince of Wales
• Reasonable access to No. 2007 at all times
• Opportunity to buy exclusive Motion Club badge
• Opportunity to join one of the teams building No. 2007
• First choice of other components to sponsor
• Special Motion Club day with Tornado
• Special limited-edition version (signed/numbered) of Stuart Black’s drawing of No. 2007 Prince of Wales.

The following work is involved in the manufacturing of the motion:

• Redesigning of the coupling and connecting roads to use modern materials.
• Incorporate the late-pattern BR-type continuous white metal lined crank pin bearing bushes
• Use of the late-A1 design of inside connecting rod which overcame the tendency for the original design of inside connecting rods on LNER ‘Pacifics’ to big-end failure
• Open die forging of six coupling rods, two outside connecting rods and the inside connecting rod and strap
• CNC machining of all rods
• Manufacture of oil box lids, coupling rod knuckle pins, nuts and washers and bearing bush keys
• The casting of leaded gunmetal and phosphor bronze castings of the crank pin bearing bushes
• Machining and white metalling of bearing bushes
• Fitting oil box tops
• Assembly of bearing bushes to rods
• Polishing rods.

Mark Allatt, P2 Project Director and Trustee, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, commented:

“We are delighted with the level of support that the project to build Britain’s most powerful steam locomotive has received since its launch. Thanks to our supporters’ continued generosity, over £2.9m has now been donated or pledged. Recently we have been focused on preparing to wheel No. 2007.

“We now want to turn our attention to the motion which is our next major design and manufacturing challenge. If we can raise £210,000 through The Motion Club over the next few months we are confident that we will be able to place order for the motion on No. 2007 Prince of Wales by the end of 2018 and remain on-track for completion of the new locomotive in 2021.

“I would encourage all steam enthusiasts who haven’t yet contributed to this exciting project to help us to meet these deadlines by becoming a member of The Motion Club or a monthly ‘P2 for the price of a pint of beer a week’ covenantor. It’s time to get on board! This year will see further major announcements as the construction of new Gresley class P2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales gathers pace.”

The P2s were conceived to haul heavy trains over the Edinburgh to Aberdeen route. The original scheme combined the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement with an A3 boiler but this was subsequently worked up into a design with a longer firebox and double chimney. The 2-8-2s were the most powerful express passenger locomotives to run in Great Britain and their mechanical innovations were matched by their bold outward appearance. The doyen of the class, No. 2001 Cock o’ the North, was radically equipped with Lenz rotary valve gear, an ACFI feed water heater in place of injectors, a 50 sq. ft. fire-grate and streamlined steam passages to three cylinders which exhausted via a double Kylchap chimney. Gresley was greatly influenced by the work of the French engineer Andre Chapelon who had pioneered the use of these features and was determined to incorporate them in the P2s. Externally the design hid the tapered boiler in a parallel, elliptical cladding running from a V-fronted cab to a muscular, streamlined smoke-box (which incorporated integrated smoke deflectors), the whole affair sitting on a high running board which exposed the 6’2″ drivers entirely. The 220lb/sq in boiler fed three 21″ x 26″ cylinders and the locomotive developed a nominal tractive effort of 43,460lb. As a final touch Cock o’ the North was the first L.N.E.R. loco to carry a chime whistle.

Visit the P2 website for more information about the project https://www.p2steam.com/category/news/

NOW SEE THE LATEST ON THE NEW FOCUS FLICKR SITE

A second set of artics and bendibuses has been added to an album on the Focus Flickr site, which can now be viewed by clicking   here

DATE FOR THE DIARY - Sunday 13th May - Dereham, Norfolk

xx

DATE FOR THE DIARY - Sunday 13th May - Minehead, Porlock & Lynmouth

From QUANTOCK HERITAGE comes the following message

 

Minehead Day 13th May

We are pleased to announce that vehicles from our heritage fleet will be running a frequent service on this spectacular route. Guest buses and coaches from the 1960’s and earlier will be very welcome; please contact us on sales@quantockheritage.com

Further details will be included here as our plans develop. KEEP WATCHING THIS SPACE!

Operates Sunday 13 May 2018 only

Minehead – Lynmouth via Porlock (Showing connections to / from Taunton)

TAUNTON, Castle Way (for Bus Station)			09:25	09:55	10:40
TAUNTON STATION (Station Rd, Stop S4)			09:30	10:00	10:45
BISHOPS LYDEARD, WSR Station			09:45	10:15	11:00
MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (arr)			10:40	11:10	11:55
			c	c	c
MINEHEAD, WSR Railway Stn (dep)	10:00	10:30	11:00	11:30	12:00	12:30	13:00	13:30	14:00	14:30	15:00
PORLOCK, Church	10:20	10:50	11:20	11:50	12:20	12:50	13:20	13:50	14:20	14:50	15:20
COUNTY GATE	10:40	11:10	11:40	12:15	12:40	13:10	13:40	14:15	14:40	15:10	15:40
LYNMOUTH, Lyndale Car Park (arr)	11:05	11:35	12:05	--	13:05	13:35	14:05	--	15:05	15:35	16:05
LYNMOUTH, Lyndale Car Park (dep)	11:15	11:45	12:15	--	13:15	13:45	14:15	--	15:15	15:45	16:15
COUNTY GATE	11:35	12:05	12:35	12:35	13:35	14:05	14:35	14:35	15:35	16:05	16:35
PORLOCK, Church	12:00	12:30	13:00	13:00	14:00	14:30	15:00	15:00	16:00	16:30	17:00
MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (arr)	12:25	12:55	13:25	13:25	14:25	14:55	15:25	15:25	16:25	16:55	17:25
									c	c
MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (dep)									16:30	17:00
BISHOPS LYDEARD, WSR Station									17:20 R	17:50 R
TAUNTON STATION (Railway Bridge)									16:40 R	18:10 R
TAUNTON, Castle Way (for Bus Station)									17:45 R	18:15 R

 c – change buses at Minehead for connection from / to Taunton
 R – Sets down only as required by passengers. Time is approximate
Additional Service – Taunton – Porlock Weir(Showing connections to / from Taunton)

TAUNTON, Castle Way (for Bus Station)

09:25

09:55

10:40

TAUNTON STATION (Station Rd, Stop S4)

09:30

10:00

10:45

BISHOPS LYDEARD, WSR Station

09:45

10:15

11:00

MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (arr)

10:40

11:10

11:55

v

v

v

MINEHEAD, WSR Railway Stn (dep)

10:15

10:45

11:15

11:45

12:15

12:45

13:15

13:45

14:15

14:45

15:00

15:30

PORLOCK, Church

10:35

11:05

11:35

12:05

12:35

13:05

13:35

14:05

14:35

15:05

15:20

15:50

PORLOCK WEIR, Ship Inn (arr)

10:45

11:15

11:45

12:15

12:45

13:15

13:45

14:15

14:45

15:15

15:30

16:00

PORLOCK WEIR, Ship Inn (dep)

10:50

11:20

11:50

12:20

12:50

13:20

13:50

14:20

14:50

15:20

15:35

16:05

PORLOCK, Church

10:55

11:25

11:55

12:25

12:55

13:25

13:55

14:25

14:55

15:25

15:40

16:10

MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (arr)

11:20

11:50

12:20

12:50

13:20

13:50

14:20

14:50

15:20

15:50

16:05

16:35

v

v

v

MINEHEAD, opp WSR Station (dep)

16:00

16:30

17:00

BISHOPS LYDEARD, WSR Station

16:50 R

17:20 R

17:50 R

TAUNTON STATION (Railway Bridge)

17:10 R

16:40 R

18:10 R

TAUNTON, Castle Way (for Bus Station)

17:15 R

17:45 R

18:15 R

v : Through journey from / to Taunton
 R – Sets down only as required by passengers. Time is approximate

Something for the weekend whilst you're here sir?

Truro store becomes bus waiting room

A Cornwall store has been inundated with customers.................waiting for a bus.
The Wilko shop on Boscawen Street flung open its doors to bus users while the main bus station undergoes a major rennovation.
They are now being invited to sit inside the store, out of the rain, while a temporary bus stop is in place.
Paul Merret, store manager, said: "It started on the back of the bus station closing, while they regenerate it.
"One of the main bus stops they are using as an alternative is right in front of the store.
"It was evident after the first couple of days that it was going to be busy.
"Obviously with the bad weather, there were some people that were struggling.
"I just thought that I have some space in the store and that I might be able to help.
"So I moved a few fixtures around and got some authorisation from head office, and was able to place some seats inside the window."
The idea is being celebrated by shoppers, after Paul put up signs in the window inviting them to help themselves to seats while they wait.
Paul said: "The customer feedback just from the point of having somewhere warm to sit on the inside out of the rain while they wait has been very positive.
"They like having somewhere to come and are appreciative of that."
Paul says the shop has become incredibly busy with those waiting, and can have as many as 15 people sitting on the seats at one time during peak times of the day.
He tells Pirate FM the impact has been quite minimal to the store though - minus have to move a couple of chairs around.
He said: "The good thing is in terms of the people and the morale, within the store people like to have positive things to talk about.
"I think we've got a responsibility if you like.
"We're enticing people to come into all the stores in the city and anything we can do to make people's journeys more pleasant, we should be doing."

https://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-news/2557139/truro-store-becomes-bus-waiting-room/

Re-location for Blackpool's Rigby Road Depot?

Blackpool’s Rigby Road bus depot could be relocated because of the rising cost of maintaining the present buildings.

Blackpool Transport chiefs are looking at potential new sites for the depot with a move to land at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone among the options.

However the heritage trams would be likely to remain at Rigby Road.
If the bus move went ahead, the land could then be used for housing. The surrounding area is already being developed for 400 new homes at the Foxhall Village.The plans were revealed at a meeting of Blackpool Council’s Shareholder’s Advisory Board, which also heard proposals were in place to trial a park-and-ride scheme.

Jane Cole, managing director of Blackpool Transport, said: “Rigby Road is costing us a lot of money in terms of maintenance and renewals.
“And the sooner we can get a new bus depot, the sooner we can look at new technology for 2023 to 2028. “We may be using electric buses by then, for example, so we need to future-proof our depot.”

Antony Lockley, director of strategy and assistant chief executive at Blackpool Council, added: “As part of the Enterprise Zone masterplan there is provision for the moving of bus services.

“The existing Rigby Road site could then accommodate the extension of good quality housing in the area.

“That’s many years in the future, but it’s right that we are looking at this now.”
The Rigby Road depot was built in 1935. Ms Cole also told the meeting a park-and-ride scheme was being considered, based at Squires Gate during the summer and Illuminations. She said: “We want to see if we can entice people to park outside of the town centre to keep traffic to a minimum, and then use a shuttle service. “That will keep our revenue up and keep cars out of the town.”

Ms Cole added other initiatives included working more closely with other businesses such as coach companies and hotels to make it easier for visitors to buy tickets. The successful rail replacement service has also boosted revenue, with the company now set to run a service between Preston and Wigan.

NOW SEE THE LATEST ON THE NEW FOCUS FLICKR SITE

It is a welcome return (some might disagree), to the mini and midibus subject, with a further set from the UK Provinces. Now in an album on the site they can now be viewed by clicking  here