Vintage bus cavalcade marks closure of bus stations in Plymouth and Exeter

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

A video news report, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Vintage bus cavalcade marks closure of stations

A convoy of vintage coaches has made its way through Devon to mark the imminent closure of both Exeter and Plymouth's bus stations.

The parade of vehicles from the golden age of travel set off from Paris Street in Exeter on Saturday and made their way along to Bretonside in Plymouth.

It marks the closure of both city bus stations this summer to make way for modernised facilities.

[trainer]

It marks the closure of both city bus stations this summer to make way for modernised facilities.

I hope that doesn't mean a row of on-street bus stops with a few inadequate shelters (as in Weston-super-Mare). I'm sure that won't be the case for such prestigious cities.

Always nice to see the Royal Blue coach in its natural habitat. 

[LiskeardRich]

It marks the closure of both city bus stations this summer to make way for modernised facilities.

I hope that doesn't mean a row of on-street bus stops with a few inadequate shelters (as in Weston-super-Mare). I'm sure that won't be the case for such prestigious cities.

Always nice to see the Royal Blue coach in its natural habitat. 

Not sure of Exeter but plymouths new bus station is on the site of a condemned Multi-storey  car park I believe that was demolished. 2-3 minute walk from the train for mixing transport miles.

[TaplowGreen]

Rather unfortunate    http://m.plymouthherald.co.uk/two-in-hospital-after-collision-at-vintage-bus-event/story-29522062-detail/story.html

[plymothian]

Plymouth's new bus station is only a COACH station for SCHEDULED services, with bays for 7 coaches only.

In addition, there will be 2 drop off/pick up bays for TOURIST coaches on a roundabout at the bottom of Royal Parade; all scheduled BUS services will depart from the "inadequate shelters on a street".

There will be NO parking available at the coach station - and no alternatives yet available for the HGVs that currently use Bretonside.

Exeter's plans - that I've read about - are broadly the same.

[eightf48544]

"inadequate shelters on a street"

Makes Slough Bus Station seem luxurious!

Although it's too small with lots of street stops around it.

[SandTEngineer]

Well I can certainly tell you that I'd rather stand in one of the (quite adequate) bus shelters in Royal Parade (Plymouth) than the dingy Bretonside bus station which had seen better days

[LiskeardRich]

Well I can certainly tell you that I'd rather stand in one of the (quite adequate) bus shelters in Royal Parade (Plymouth) than the dingy Bretonside bus station which had seen better days

Me too, Royal parade is a great terminal, albeit I tend to get lost working out where the bus goes from and ended up on the slow bus to Liskeard (via torpoint etc instead of Saltash)

[Chris from Nailsea]

... the dingy Bretonside bus station which had seen better days

When we have left Europe, could we invite the Luftwaffe back to finish their demolition job? 

[TaplowGreen]

Well I can certainly tell you that I'd rather stand in one of the (quite adequate) bus shelters in Royal Parade (Plymouth) than the dingy Bretonside bus station which had seen better days

The new bus/coach station is in a really stupid location which has been universally acknowledged by all concerned, it will be a complete nightmare during busy times.

I agree though the bus shelters in Royal Parade etc are perfectly adequate - the bus service in and around Plymouth is pretty good on the whole.

Bretonside is the subject of much affection and nostalgia for those of us who grew up in God's own city, however in recent years it has become a urine soaked dump, inhabited by undesirables (especially since all the shops closed down)

The plans for it going forward however (more cinemas and hotels) are not needed and largely unwanted - we'll see what transpires.

[SandTEngineer]

I agree though the bus shelters in Royal Parade etc are perfectly adequate - the bus service in and around Plymouth is pretty good on the whole.

Yes.  Our estate has just had an hourly service instigated on a Sunday for the first time in many years.  Good old Citybus

[LiskeardRich]

Even out in Liskeard we have a good citybus service.  3 buses per hour to Plymouth, 1 p/h to callington, 1ph to polperro, 1ph to Padstow. Not bad for a town with less than 10,000 people.