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This past week has seen a number of fleet changes within Citybus / Go Cornwall with more planned for April.
A loss of tendered services to Stagecoach has also reduced bus requirements here.
A number of older Enviro 200 have been stood down including the last ex East Yorkshire example which far outlasted its sisters, in all fairness it put in a bloody good shift of 19 years!
164 is pictured heading up Molesworth Road towards the top of Stoke Village, this one had a nice raspy exhaust note, not something we will be experiencing when the new electrics start arriving!

Noticed for first time since last year that 37141 was tracking today now in the 'new' Stagecoach livery so no time to position myself anywhere scenic, more about bag the shot when the opportunity presents!
First time seeing it in person and it is fairly uninspiring (the colour!) although it contrasts nicely again the beautiful blossom tree in the background!
Slightly surprised its been repainted before others as it was in the newer Stagey livery was under the impression anything in the 'beachball' was being done first....
Noticed Stagecoach's new slogan 'we've got you' its more discreet on this bus than other repaints I have seen (some have it plastered on the side below the windows).
Wonder how long this livery will last, personally nothing wrong at all with the 'beachball' livery could have had minor tweaks if they wanted to freshen it up but this seems like the wrong direction it just doesn't look finished!

Sargeant Bros who operate out of Kington, have been operating buses in Herefordshire for nearly 70 yeas and their current fleet is impressive and immaculately presented.
Predominantly a Optare user the fleet mainly consists of Solos and the Metrocity of which this one was caught in the wonderfully quaint black & white trail village of Weobley.

Over the Summer Stagecoach operated the Summer 54 Bus from the City Centre to the Beach Car park at Bovisand.
Mostly operated by Solos to begin with but latterly this little Merc Sprinter was used being an ideal size to fit round the narrow roads leading to the beach.
This bus has since this service finished at the end of Summer returned to North Devon.
In the far distance across the water is Plymouth Hoe the red & white lighthouse just above visible through the slight haze.

Citybus suffering from a lack of available buses currently as there are 3 Wright Streetlite's and 1 Scania decker which have been loaned over from the Dartline operations (a number of the ex Oxford hybrids are laid up on the gravel currently, I've seen at least 4 in recent times being towed or broken down at the side of the road!
Managed to catch up with the one out on the 13 service to Saltash passage, this service in the past has been operated by Citybus, First, Target Travel, Jackett's and Stagecoach I have snapped all sorts of liveries and buses on this route now I can add a Dartline livery one!
Here 1224 departs from underneath Brunel's bridge with the Tamar bridge visible in the background. Whilst I am not a fan of the Streetlite it is nice to see something other than all ADLs!

It's still possible to regularly see Citaros out in Plymouth during week days, on training duties now of course but still nice to see.
Have heard the remaining ones are likely on borrowed time and probably will be replaced with some of the older E200s once they have been retired from frontline service.
Here in difficult lighting conditions (typical Winter!) 92 skirts the edge of the Southway council estate before heading back towards Derriford.

Both Stagey & Plymouth Citybus have been struggling with a shortage of available buses in recent months, this has meant that Stagecoach have made regular use of their open top E400 sometimes in less than favourable weather!
On this occasion dry but not exactly warm but needs must, here passing through Camels Head towards North Prospect on the 2 all the way out to Mount Batten.
Things have settled down a bit now but this one has still put in odd appearances in recent times, not that I'm complaining!

So the 54 Bovisand beach bus has returned for the late May half term for a week then runs 20th July to 1st September.
Not exactly the weather for a beach trip earlier this week!
In the rather murky background is Jennycliff Bay, its a lovely part of Devon just need the weather now!
Solos have been the regular performers this week while operative commenced, still looking good in the original 'beachball' livery this being one of the new batch in 2015 for 'ex-citi' local buses for Exeter.

Plymouth Citybus clearly suffering with a shortage of serviceable buses in Plymouth, not the first time a Streetlite has been used on the 59, RX12DZA was used for a couple of days last week before it developed a fault.
This Streetlite was tracking as RX12DZA but its clearly not it in real life!
Although I'm no fan of the Streetlite it was nice to see something unusual at work instead of the regular ADLs.
Note the paper route number and legals in the side window, an indication of being hurried into service.
This was taken on the edge of Bickleigh village by the barracks.

Changes in the Citybus fleet this past week has seen a number of older Enviro 200s retired from service and the emergence of newer replacements from Go North West.
Indeed there are 2 currently circulating this one in 'Orbits' livery and one repainted into Citybus red but without any vinyls.
Being a 66 plate it must have been one of the latter of the 'original' Enviro 200 style produced as the MMC type was already in production.
This particular one was new to Southern National, Weston-Super-Mare so is a relative local!

Taken just before Christmas just gone usual grey laden skies but brightened but the exceptionally smart Tamar Coaches Volvo B8RLE which was operating on the Royal William Yard shuttle to and from Royal Parade (there was a Christmas market on at RWY).
The naughty blue car parked in the bus stop is ours I drove round and there was nowhere else to park so nipped out for a quick pic!

One of 2 ex Oxford Enviro 400s in use today in blue with Transport for Cornwall logos applied both were on the 50 circular Plymouth City Centre to Derriford Hospital although one only lasted a couple of runs before being replaced.
A third one was seen at the depot repainted in red.

One of the many elderly Enviro 400s in service with GCB this being one of only two to carry a 07 plate.
Looking exceptionally smart as it rounds the Citadel on Plymouth Hoe, these look so much better without the awful advertisement boards which have appeared on a number of the Citybus fleet spoiling the livery and appearance.

The last of the original first batch of Enviro 200s hangs on in service delivered new in 2006 but when there was still the odd VR in service!
It has served very well and dare I say it probably would deserve a place in preservation for posterity for future generations if nothing else!
While sisters 133 & 135 have been withdrawn in recent times 134 is a regular performer appearing on just about any route.
Seen here passing through Plymouth Barbican on a typically dull and wet day, note the 'Beryl' electric bike docking station to the right, many have appeared throughout the city in the past year to help encourage clean travel.

Have to say for a modern bus the E200mmc is probably one of my favourite in terms of looks and the Stagecoach 'beachball' livery sits so well on this type.
The 4/4A/4B/4C are all Plymouth City Council tendered services which Stagecoach operate normally with E200s but also Solos do appear.
37470 heads through Dunstone in Plymstock on the 4B to Elburton village.

Been after this one for a while, looking exceptionally smart as do all of Tom's fleet.
Pictured following drop off at Devonport High School for Boys, there is a good mix of school buses from Citybus, Stagecoach and Tamar which serve the school.

Changes back in early Dec 2023 saw the 77 transfer from Buses of Somerset to First West of England thus a mixture of buses now appear on the route, one of which is this very pink Streetlite showing off 'm Tickets' livery.
It is certainly very eye catching!
Again typical low Winter sun just found enough space to get a full length shot in.

Although they might not look the most pleasing looking buses ever produced the MAN EcoCity at least adds something different to a scene often dominated by ADL.
Unfortunately it appears their days could be numbered as one (706) has reported as being withdrawn being uneconomical to repair and likely the rest will follow over time.
Sister 704 is seen here at work on the hourly 41 service to the Southway estate climbing Dunnet Road the bottom of which starts very steeply which in its day was a challenge for buses of yesteryear such at the Atlanteans and Nationals but for modern buses its dealt with ease.
In the far backdrop is Cann woods a local nature reserve.

Back to a pre Christmas shot of one of the ex EYMS Enviro 200s operating the 25 of course in the Summer its meant to run as open top while Winter sees a mix of double decker and singles operating.
Its been mentioned elsewhere that all Enviros 200s 56 to 57 plate will be withdrawn in the next few months with more E400s taking their place.
166 still looking quite presentable for its age negates a quiet Hoe Road next to the Royal Citadel, I like the bareness of the tree trunks showing off their shapes and sizes, the lone woman dressed very much for the colder weather!

Happy New Year to all my followers!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas break best wishes for 2024.
My first posting from the new year, not many buses out in Plymouth on NYD in fact only the Falcon and National Express running services.
One bus which was out was the Plymouth 'Safe Bus' one time Citybus number 94 which has taken over this duty from the now very elderly step Dart L125YOD.
More about the safe bus initiative here for anyone interested -
www.plymouth.gov.uk/new-look-plymouth-safe-bus-0