First is to introduce major changes to its numbering system in a bid to simplify journeys and increase passenger numbers by up to 10 per cent (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20115786The company is planning to change its numbering system so that there are seven main routes around the city with outlying routes such as Tavistock and Torpoint, park and ride services and school tenders remaining the same.
Managing director Marc Reddy said:
"We all want more people to use the bus and we have made this really simple and easy to understand. The watchword is simplicity because if it is simple, people are more likely to use it."
The changes will not have an impact on fares.
Mr Reddy said the changes will have a negative impact for a small number of people who may have to walk further to a bus stop, for example, in Morice Town and Reddicliff Close, Hooe.
But he said that this would mean more frequent services that would benefit the majority of customers.
For more information about the changes log onto
www.firstgroup.com/devonTimetables: The changes :
First services running in Plymouth itself will now be numbered 1 to 7.
Services to outlying locations will remain the same so Torpoint will still be served by the 81, Tavistock by the 83, 84 and 86, Callington by the 76 and Ivybridge, Totnes and Torquay by the X80.
Park and ride and council tender services will also remain the same.
Bus routes will remain much the same, although some may be tweaked a little.
Areas affected by the number changes include services to Saltash, Elburton, Woolwell and Jennycliff, Barne Barton and Mount Batten, Derriford via Devonport and Keyham, Mount Gould and Stoke and Keyham.
There will be a bus every 10 minutes during the day with more services on Sundays and evenings to Saltash, Mount Batten and Devonport.
There will be a bus every 15 minutes during the day and more buses at evenings and weekends to Keyham, Mount Gould and Elburton and Goosewell.
There will be a bus every 20 minutes during the day to Woolwell.
There will be an information bus about the changes on Royal Parade from March 31 to April 5 and from April 7 to April 12 between 10am and 6pm.
Information will also be available in First's travel shop, at Bretonside, from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 5.30pm and on Sundays between 9.30am until 3.30pm.
Leaflets will be handed out explaining the changes by drivers and staff from March 31.
Changes will mean a simplified timetable. For example, a bus to Saltash from the city centre every 10 minutes from 6.30am Monday to Friday and from 7am on Saturday. Then every 30 minutes from 6.30pm until 11pm.
Two supplementary services are being started, from Jennycliff, Stoke, Keyham and Ham to Derriford and a loop around Saltash every 30 minutes to close 'gaps' in the new timetable.
