Good evening,
As most of you are aware, Torbay Bus Routes was offline from Friday afternoon up until this afternoon (Sunday, 19th August).
The site was transferred to a new server, and a backup of the site was put online. We were assured this backup was from the day before the server went down. If this were the case, there would be no problem.
However, upon review of the new site, it became evidently clear that the site did not have the same content as the day before the server went down. In fact, it was showing content from some time back in March of this year.
It is unclear to us how this has happened, but it's completely out of hands. Having said that, we recognise that it is in no way acceptable for our web services to be offline for this period of time.
This evening, an attempt was made to upload a local backup copy to the server. However, the server is continuing to reject FTP (file transfer protocol) requests, and as such, it is with regret that the entire site has been password protected, as the information contained therein is several months of out date.
We cannot express enough how frustrating this is for both us and our users.
We must promise every user that if there were something we could do, we would be doing it. We realise we cannot keep simply apologising, but the website will be up and running as soon as humanly possible.
We understand and share all our users' disappointments, but look forward to welcoming you back to TBR once it is live again.
Check our Twitter for the latest updates - we'll still be doing our live bus updates, of course, too.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Saturday, 18 August 2012
Torbay Bus Routes: Our Current Server Outage
Dear Torbay Bus Routes User,
Yesterday (Friday, 17th August, 2012) afternoon, our website and e-mails went down. Our server is usually reliable, so it was unfortunate when the website went down in the afternoon. I, Allan Wagner, am responsible for the websites reliability and I must start by apologising.
Since I was made aware of the issue, I have been kept informed about what our data centre is doing to resolve the issue, and even though our main server won’t be up for the next few days, I have organised for a replacement server to be brought in within 24 hours (as of 22:00, Saturday 18th August).
Once again, I am deeply sorry about this outage, and as soon as normal service is restored, I will be looking at ways to avoid this from occurring again.
I also wanted to provide more detail for the more technically minded users, who might be interested in the suspected cause (not completely confirmed yet). Between 18:00 to 19:00 yesterday evening, I found out that the Torbay Bus Routes website was coming up with a 404 (Server Not Found) error. Straight away, I got in touch with our providers asking them to look into this issue. It turned out that our service had in fact been down since around 16:00, or possibly earlier.
Later that evening, I was updated that the motherboard in our server was being replaced due to a suspected faulty Ethernet port. However, upon the data centre testing the repair, they had the wrong motherboard, and the kernel would not boot up the server. The data centre are now trying to source the correct part. Unfortunately, with it being the weekend, this could delay the replacement hunt further!
Thankfully, backups are kept. So we are now setting up a replacement server and we are changing over the DNS (domain name server) settings to point to our new temporary server. The moral of the story is: always keep a back up!
Technology is fantastic, when it works. But all we can do is learn what went wrong here, and make sure this problem will not happen again.
We can’t wait to return to the World Wide Web tomorrow, and we thank you for your understanding and patience!
Yesterday (Friday, 17th August, 2012) afternoon, our website and e-mails went down. Our server is usually reliable, so it was unfortunate when the website went down in the afternoon. I, Allan Wagner, am responsible for the websites reliability and I must start by apologising.
Since I was made aware of the issue, I have been kept informed about what our data centre is doing to resolve the issue, and even though our main server won’t be up for the next few days, I have organised for a replacement server to be brought in within 24 hours (as of 22:00, Saturday 18th August).
Once again, I am deeply sorry about this outage, and as soon as normal service is restored, I will be looking at ways to avoid this from occurring again.
I also wanted to provide more detail for the more technically minded users, who might be interested in the suspected cause (not completely confirmed yet). Between 18:00 to 19:00 yesterday evening, I found out that the Torbay Bus Routes website was coming up with a 404 (Server Not Found) error. Straight away, I got in touch with our providers asking them to look into this issue. It turned out that our service had in fact been down since around 16:00, or possibly earlier.
Later that evening, I was updated that the motherboard in our server was being replaced due to a suspected faulty Ethernet port. However, upon the data centre testing the repair, they had the wrong motherboard, and the kernel would not boot up the server. The data centre are now trying to source the correct part. Unfortunately, with it being the weekend, this could delay the replacement hunt further!
Thankfully, backups are kept. So we are now setting up a replacement server and we are changing over the DNS (domain name server) settings to point to our new temporary server. The moral of the story is: always keep a back up!
Technology is fantastic, when it works. But all we can do is learn what went wrong here, and make sure this problem will not happen again.
We can’t wait to return to the World Wide Web tomorrow, and we thank you for your understanding and patience!
From the Director, Elliot Massey:
I'd also like to apologise for this outage. We understand just how frustrating it is for our users, and it's even more frustrating for us knowing we can't do anything about it.
This has also delayed our development of MyRoute, our latest innovation, but we are just thankful that the server did not go down before uploading our new bus map (although no one can see it now!). I personally initiated the DNS change, and I can assure our users that it is working its way through the system.
This has also delayed our development of MyRoute, our latest innovation, but we are just thankful that the server did not go down before uploading our new bus map (although no one can see it now!). I personally initiated the DNS change, and I can assure our users that it is working its way through the system.
We're all hoping for it to be back up soon, and everything's crossed for a quick and painless DNS change.
With very best wishes from Allan and I.
If anyone requires bus times or information, please tweet us (@torbaybuses), or write on our Facebook wall.
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Help Keep TBR Going & Make It Better
Did you know that Torbay Bus Routes recieves no commercial funding, nor do any of our Team take a wage? We're all volunteers, and do what we do because we are so passionate about making public transport information accessible and high quality in Torbay.
Torbay Bus Routes has grown to become Torbay's source of bus information when at home and when out and about. But in order to keep the service that thousands know and love going, we need your help.
We're not asking for a lot. But anything you give will mean a lot to us. It means we can keep this service going without interruption, helping it to become Torbay's name for public transport information.
If you'd like to get behind TBR and support the service, consider giving any amount you can.
Any donations will be used in a variety of places, actually. It will help cover the costs of the web server and hosting. It'll help us do more marketing to make TBR a further success. And it will go towards things such as mobile internet to enable our live bus updates to flow and other future initiatives that we haven't even thought of yet!
Sunday, 29 April 2012
A Wet and Windy Day, But a Ride on a Merc!
Today was the Exmouth Vintage Bus Running Day, by the Devon General Society, at Exmouth Bus Station.
Stagecoach kindly let the society have the bus station between 10:00 and 17:00 for running a variety of services on vintage vehicles.
There was a great turn out of people - probably, at a guess, in their hundreds, all enjoying the great, free bus trips on offer.
Despite it thrashing it down with rain for the whole day, it was all worth it for a ride on M245 UTM, a Marshall-bodied Mercedes 709, which replaced Ford Transits, and is in the grey-green-purple "Exeter Minibus" livery. But why was that bus so special?
Well, for many, many people who catch (or used to catch) services 5, 5E, 17, 17A, 22, or 24, they'd know all about the buses that used to be on there before Optare Solos: Mercedes 709D's. They were loud and bumpy, and those gears really crunched, but they got around. And that nostalgic, classic noise as it goes into reverse, along with that ever-so distinctive gear change, really did provide a trip back to just a few years ago when many enjoyed the old Mercs on Brixham and Paignton town services.
Here she is below:
Also whilst there, some bus maps from 1993 up to 2011 by Devon County Council provided a good look back into how services have changed: when the 12B used to go from Bovey Tracey to Brixham; the 22 was every minutes; the 7 was every 20 minutes; there were night buses into Torquay and Newton Abbot; and it was the 100 that came into Brixham, not the 12.
The good old days?
Stagecoach kindly let the society have the bus station between 10:00 and 17:00 for running a variety of services on vintage vehicles.
There was a great turn out of people - probably, at a guess, in their hundreds, all enjoying the great, free bus trips on offer.
Despite it thrashing it down with rain for the whole day, it was all worth it for a ride on M245 UTM, a Marshall-bodied Mercedes 709, which replaced Ford Transits, and is in the grey-green-purple "Exeter Minibus" livery. But why was that bus so special?
Well, for many, many people who catch (or used to catch) services 5, 5E, 17, 17A, 22, or 24, they'd know all about the buses that used to be on there before Optare Solos: Mercedes 709D's. They were loud and bumpy, and those gears really crunched, but they got around. And that nostalgic, classic noise as it goes into reverse, along with that ever-so distinctive gear change, really did provide a trip back to just a few years ago when many enjoyed the old Mercs on Brixham and Paignton town services.
Here she is below:
Also whilst there, some bus maps from 1993 up to 2011 by Devon County Council provided a good look back into how services have changed: when the 12B used to go from Bovey Tracey to Brixham; the 22 was every minutes; the 7 was every 20 minutes; there were night buses into Torquay and Newton Abbot; and it was the 100 that came into Brixham, not the 12.
The good old days?
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Happy 15th Birthday, 701! :-)
It's been 15 years since the first Volvo B6LE was introduced as a low floor bus onto service 12 in Torbay. 701 (P701 BTA) was one of those, and has been withdrawn from public service since 2011.
But with the help of Stagecoach South West, the Devon & Dorset Group, who put on the Torbay Vintage Bus Running Day in September, managed to buy and restore 701 to its original livery, complete with interior signs and down to the very last detail. It really is a great restoration, and it can be seen at the rallies put on by the Devon & Dorset Group.
This week marks its 15th year since entering service in 1997, and to celebrate, she was taken out on the 12 route from Newton Abbot to Brixham and back. In addition, the original 12A route was done from Torquay Strand up to St.Marychurch and back down again.The TBR Team as well as local blogger David Banks (Bus Driving blog) and other local bus enthusiasts were all aboard the bus, and the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Here are some pictures below:
Sunday, 1 April 2012
Breakdowns aren't always bad!
On Saturday, 31st March, 2012, I took the 16:12 Stagecoach X46 from Paignton up to Exeter. A lovely ride on 18303, a 2005 Trident, below:
She'd been driving smoothly right up to the Matford Roundabout, just outside of Countess Wear, where I noticed a strange, spitting-like sound coming from the engine. On we did plod, until the next roundabout at Bridge Road.
There, we gradually came to a gentle stop, and despite the best attempts of the driver, that engine was not going to start again without assistance.
Luckily, not too far from Exeter Depot, a bus was with us within 15 minutes. Here's the replacement below:
There, we gradually came to a gentle stop, and despite the best attempts of the driver, that engine was not going to start again without assistance.
Luckily, not too far from Exeter Depot, a bus was with us within 15 minutes. Here's the replacement below:
How nice of Stagecoach to send us 19106, Cockwood, to rescue us! I didn't expect to be on an Enviro for all or part of that journey! And finally, we wave good bye to 18303, who is hopefully making a full recovery...
Saturday, 3 March 2012
Please bid farewell to...
Torbay Bus Routes' timetable library currently covers all timetables for buses in the Torbay, Totnes, Dartmouth, and Newton Abbot areas.
However, in order to keep our timetable library to the highest standard and hold a manageable amount of files, we must unfortunately hereby give notice that timetables for services that do not enter Torbay will be removed from Torbay Bus Routes with effect from Monday, 12th March, 2012.
As such, the following timetables will not be available for download from the above date from Torbay Bus Routes:
The timetables will always be available from the operators of the services, as well as in Devon County Council produced bus timetable guides.
We are sorry to have to inform users of this, and we hope you will continue to enjoy Torbay Bus Routes.
If you do like the work we do, please consider donating to make sure the service continues.
However, in order to keep our timetable library to the highest standard and hold a manageable amount of files, we must unfortunately hereby give notice that timetables for services that do not enter Torbay will be removed from Torbay Bus Routes with effect from Monday, 12th March, 2012.
As such, the following timetables will not be available for download from the above date from Torbay Bus Routes:
2, 39, 70, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79A, 79C, 90A/B/C, 91, 93, 164, 165, 167, 175, 176, 177, 178, 182, 184, 193, 361, 671, 672, 886, 888The only exception is service Stagecoach X64, for which a timetable will still be available. This is because Torbay Megarider tickets are valid on this service between Totnes & Newton Abbot, whereas they're not on service Stagecoach 88.
The timetables will always be available from the operators of the services, as well as in Devon County Council produced bus timetable guides.
We are sorry to have to inform users of this, and we hope you will continue to enjoy Torbay Bus Routes.
If you do like the work we do, please consider donating to make sure the service continues.
Sunday, 5 February 2012
Say Hi to a New TBR Tweeter!
Starting tomorrow, Monday, 6th February, Kameron from Paignton will be a new TBR Tweeter on Torbay Bus Routes' Twitter.
Just like the others, he'll be providing live bus updates throughout the day, further improving the success and reach of TBR's Live Bus Updates!
Please say "Hi" to Kameron and welcome him aboard the Torbay Bus Routes Team!
Our regular TBR Tweeters are Allan [A], Ben [B], Elliot [E], and Kameron, who will now be [K]. The letter - [x] - in the square brackets can be seen at the end of our tweets, and they denote who did the update.
Here's to 2012 being a further successful year for Torbay Bus Routes.
Just like the others, he'll be providing live bus updates throughout the day, further improving the success and reach of TBR's Live Bus Updates!
Please say "Hi" to Kameron and welcome him aboard the Torbay Bus Routes Team!
Our regular TBR Tweeters are Allan [A], Ben [B], Elliot [E], and Kameron, who will now be [K]. The letter - [x] - in the square brackets can be seen at the end of our tweets, and they denote who did the update.
Here's to 2012 being a further successful year for Torbay Bus Routes.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
New Mobile Friendly Site!
Well, as you can see, we're back on Blogger! We agree it's much better than Tumblr, as it allows anyone to comment and follow it.
But that's not the exciting bit: oh, no!
Torbay Bus Routes has launched a brand new mobile site at m.torbaybusroutes.co.uk, which allows users to access key information from TBR when they're out and about - from their mobile phone.
You can view timetables, maps, the Ticket Guide, MyStop, and more in the palm of your hand.
So add m.torbaybusroutes.co.uk to your phone's favourites, which will allow to always grab a timetable when away from a computer!
Of course, you can always access the full site from an Internet-enabled mobile phone, but the new site has been designed for a mobile phone screen to make browsing a breeze.
We're working now to automatically redirect mobile phones from torbaybusroutes.co.uk to its mobile counterpart. However, at present, users just simply have to add "m." at the beginning.
As ever, feedback is greatly appreciated, and so you can send any to info@torbaybusroutes.co.uk, which will be received with great pleasure.
In other news, we have released a new Policies & Practices, which covers how we operate and the policies in place to ensure a maintained quality of service. You can read these here.
Over and out. Until next time.
But that's not the exciting bit: oh, no!
Torbay Bus Routes has launched a brand new mobile site at m.torbaybusroutes.co.uk, which allows users to access key information from TBR when they're out and about - from their mobile phone.
You can view timetables, maps, the Ticket Guide, MyStop, and more in the palm of your hand.
So add m.torbaybusroutes.co.uk to your phone's favourites, which will allow to always grab a timetable when away from a computer!
Of course, you can always access the full site from an Internet-enabled mobile phone, but the new site has been designed for a mobile phone screen to make browsing a breeze.
We're working now to automatically redirect mobile phones from torbaybusroutes.co.uk to its mobile counterpart. However, at present, users just simply have to add "m." at the beginning.
As ever, feedback is greatly appreciated, and so you can send any to info@torbaybusroutes.co.uk, which will be received with great pleasure.
In other news, we have released a new Policies & Practices, which covers how we operate and the policies in place to ensure a maintained quality of service. You can read these here.
Over and out. Until next time.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
MyStop Adverts and Website Revamp
Many of you may have seen the MyStop adverts at Brixham Bank Lane and Torquay Harbourside. We think they're great - and by the by, MyStop has seen a definite increase in web traffic. So "ADVERTISING REALLY DOES WORK! PEOPLE ARE READING THIS!"
And in other exciting news: the Torbay Bus Routes will be receiving a revamp very shortly. The content will be updated, as well as some content removed, but more added. There'll be a new design as well, so do look out for it some time in late December or early January.
Here they are, anyway:
And in other exciting news: the Torbay Bus Routes will be receiving a revamp very shortly. The content will be updated, as well as some content removed, but more added. There'll be a new design as well, so do look out for it some time in late December or early January.
Here they are, anyway:
 |
| Brixham Bank Lane. Copyright 2011, Allan Wagner. |
 |
| Torquay Strand Harbourside. Copyright 2011, Allan Wagner. |
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
MyStop has run into a problem
As some users may be aware, MyStop is currently down, that is, not available to the general public online.
The reason for this is quite simple, and is to do with a flaw in the way our admin panel handles new databases. When a new database file is uploaded in CSV (comma separated values) format to the database manager, it is routine to select "replace table data with file data", which should overwrite existing entries and replace them with an edited version of the database.
However, it has been brought to our attention that uploading a new file to the database and supposedly overwriting it does not overwrite the whole thing. Instead, it simply edits and adds new entires - but will not delete new entries.
Therefore, some services (and certainly not all) that have had timetable changes since launch and today have still been displaying withdrawn journeys that did once operate, but no longer do.
As a solution, we will now employ the method of completely flushing the database (deleting every entry but keeping column names and layout). This will mean it will now be impossible for deleted journeys to still appear on the departure board.
Rest assured that we are taking this extremely seriously, and will avoid a repeat in the future. As was routine before, random spot checks on the departure boards each day will occur, but more often.
We'd like to apologise for the inconvenience. We aim to have MyStop available again at latest tomorrow morning.
Right now, we are manually checking and verifying almost 2500 database entries, so please bear with us.
We hope you will all continue to enjoy using the service once it's back up and running.
The Torbay Bus Routes Team
***EDIT: as of Tuesday, 29th November, 2011, 20:26, MyStop is back online***
The reason for this is quite simple, and is to do with a flaw in the way our admin panel handles new databases. When a new database file is uploaded in CSV (comma separated values) format to the database manager, it is routine to select "replace table data with file data", which should overwrite existing entries and replace them with an edited version of the database.
However, it has been brought to our attention that uploading a new file to the database and supposedly overwriting it does not overwrite the whole thing. Instead, it simply edits and adds new entires - but will not delete new entries.
Therefore, some services (and certainly not all) that have had timetable changes since launch and today have still been displaying withdrawn journeys that did once operate, but no longer do.
As a solution, we will now employ the method of completely flushing the database (deleting every entry but keeping column names and layout). This will mean it will now be impossible for deleted journeys to still appear on the departure board.
Rest assured that we are taking this extremely seriously, and will avoid a repeat in the future. As was routine before, random spot checks on the departure boards each day will occur, but more often.
We'd like to apologise for the inconvenience. We aim to have MyStop available again at latest tomorrow morning.
Right now, we are manually checking and verifying almost 2500 database entries, so please bear with us.
We hope you will all continue to enjoy using the service once it's back up and running.
The Torbay Bus Routes Team
***EDIT: as of Tuesday, 29th November, 2011, 20:26, MyStop is back online***
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Changes to the Local Link Network
On Monday, 28th November, services 60, 61, 62, 64, and 65 - all operated by Local Link - are receiving a series of timetable and route changes, which may affect you.
The 60/61: these sister services don't really have much of a timetable change, except buses are scheduled to depart 5 minutes earlier from Torquay Strand. You're also not going to see them round Parkhill Road (see the 62) or Daddyhole Road. Instead, they will terminate at Torquay Strand and serve St.Luke's Road North & South. The inbound (61) and outbound (60) routes through Torquay will also be the same in both directions: through Fleet Street and Lucius Street to Chelston
The 62, or "Cockington Village Bus": Ring&Ride is being removed from this service for the current locations, and those stops will be served on a permanent basis. There will be new Ring&Ride stops, subject to availability only: Avenue Road, Cockington Court, and Widdecombe Farm. Therefore, the new route incorporates Hebert Road, Rawlyn Road, Croft Road, Fleet Street and Parkhill Road. The terminus and starting point is to be changed to Torquay Harbourside. The service will run Monday to Friday until March, and then Monday to Saturday throughout the summer.
The 64/65: these won't be in the same timetable together anymore. They'll also be every hour, increasing from every 2 hours! The routes will be the same, and will still run Monday to Saturday. The timetables are much improved.
Potential problems identified:
The 61 allows a seemingly excessive 12 minutes from St.Luke's Road, compared the the 60 in the other direction, which allows 5 minutes. There ought to be a lot of waiting time at The Strand, which could see buses waiting there for up to 12 minutes (arriving at timetabled time of xx:40 and leaving xx:45, but with 7 minutes extra added). For a fairly minor service, that seems quite a lot of time, especially when the 12's get just 10 minutes at Brixham.
The 62 will have Widdecombe Farm as a ring and ride stop. Not only is that way off the normal, scheduled route, but the waiting time at Torquay Strand the service gets is just 2 minutes. Considering the new rule for the Ring&Ride is it being "subject to availability", will the bus ever be available to add an extra 3.5 miles onto the route (14 minutes total there and back)? The park is already served by the 67 Flyer, but only The Willows bound, as it's off of a dual carriage way.
Anyway, all in all, the changes are positive, and (only if well publicised with the timetables at stops updated) should prove further successful.
Over and out.
The 60/61: these sister services don't really have much of a timetable change, except buses are scheduled to depart 5 minutes earlier from Torquay Strand. You're also not going to see them round Parkhill Road (see the 62) or Daddyhole Road. Instead, they will terminate at Torquay Strand and serve St.Luke's Road North & South. The inbound (61) and outbound (60) routes through Torquay will also be the same in both directions: through Fleet Street and Lucius Street to Chelston
The 62, or "Cockington Village Bus": Ring&Ride is being removed from this service for the current locations, and those stops will be served on a permanent basis. There will be new Ring&Ride stops, subject to availability only: Avenue Road, Cockington Court, and Widdecombe Farm. Therefore, the new route incorporates Hebert Road, Rawlyn Road, Croft Road, Fleet Street and Parkhill Road. The terminus and starting point is to be changed to Torquay Harbourside. The service will run Monday to Friday until March, and then Monday to Saturday throughout the summer.
The 64/65: these won't be in the same timetable together anymore. They'll also be every hour, increasing from every 2 hours! The routes will be the same, and will still run Monday to Saturday. The timetables are much improved.
Potential problems identified:
The 61 allows a seemingly excessive 12 minutes from St.Luke's Road, compared the the 60 in the other direction, which allows 5 minutes. There ought to be a lot of waiting time at The Strand, which could see buses waiting there for up to 12 minutes (arriving at timetabled time of xx:40 and leaving xx:45, but with 7 minutes extra added). For a fairly minor service, that seems quite a lot of time, especially when the 12's get just 10 minutes at Brixham.
The 62 will have Widdecombe Farm as a ring and ride stop. Not only is that way off the normal, scheduled route, but the waiting time at Torquay Strand the service gets is just 2 minutes. Considering the new rule for the Ring&Ride is it being "subject to availability", will the bus ever be available to add an extra 3.5 miles onto the route (14 minutes total there and back)? The park is already served by the 67 Flyer, but only The Willows bound, as it's off of a dual carriage way.
Anyway, all in all, the changes are positive, and (only if well publicised with the timetables at stops updated) should prove further successful.
Over and out.
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
MyStop is being released soon.
MyStop is to be released soon. Our new service provides mobile friendly next bus departure information for selected bus stops in Torbay, South Devon.
The following stops are covered:
Along with ten likes on Facebook.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get following!
The following stops are covered:
- Brixham Bank Lane
- Brixham Bolton Cross
- Paignton Bus Station
- Paignton Torbay Road
- South Devon College
- Torquay Strand
- Torquay Cary Parade
- Torbay Hospital
Along with ten likes on Facebook.
Well, what are you waiting for? Get following!
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
We Have Some Bad News...
Dear Torbay Bus Routes User:
I'm afraid I have some bad news regarding the 111 service recreation.
The journey will unfortunately not be going ahead due to costs and another film crew being in the South West this week, thus being too costly to send another one down in October.
I can only apologise for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused due to circumstances outside of my and TBR's control.
But don't fear: the story will still be featured in the television programme, with a photograph. More information will be provided later about this.
Once again, I'm so sorry.
Elliot Massey,
Director of Torbay Bus Routes.
I'm afraid I have some bad news regarding the 111 service recreation.
The journey will unfortunately not be going ahead due to costs and another film crew being in the South West this week, thus being too costly to send another one down in October.
I can only apologise for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused due to circumstances outside of my and TBR's control.
But don't fear: the story will still be featured in the television programme, with a photograph. More information will be provided later about this.
Once again, I'm so sorry.
Elliot Massey,
Director of Torbay Bus Routes.
Friday, 12 August 2011
If You're Affected By The 111 Cut, then the BBC Wants To Know. Really.
As a very exciting development to getting the Stagecoach 111 bus service back, the BBC (in conjunction with Presentable) is creating new television programme about cuts to services in local areas.
As part of this - as you'll have guessed - will be the 111 right here in Torbay and the South Hams.
But this is where you may come in: they need people to come forward with their stories on how this has affected them.
I know from the 438 petition signatures and some of the very heartfelt comments within that there are a lot of people who have a lot to say about this. And quite rightly so.
So if you're one of the many who has a story to tell about how the cut to the Stagecoach 111 has affected you, then please contact Presentable media!
Telephone: 02920 575729
Email: postcodelottery@presentable.co.uk
I have to say it again - thank you to all 438 who signed! Every step gets us closer to seeing the 111 back on the road again.
Over and out.
As part of this - as you'll have guessed - will be the 111 right here in Torbay and the South Hams.
But this is where you may come in: they need people to come forward with their stories on how this has affected them.
I know from the 438 petition signatures and some of the very heartfelt comments within that there are a lot of people who have a lot to say about this. And quite rightly so.
So if you're one of the many who has a story to tell about how the cut to the Stagecoach 111 has affected you, then please contact Presentable media!
Telephone: 02920 575729
Email: postcodelottery@presentable.co.uk
I have to say it again - thank you to all 438 who signed! Every step gets us closer to seeing the 111 back on the road again.
Over and out.
Monday, 25 July 2011
Normal Twitter Service To Resume Shortly
From Elliot, Director, Torbay Bus Routes:
For those of you who are unaware, I am currently at Bristol Royal Hospital after a collapse just over a week ago at Torquay Strand whilst on Stagecoach work experience.
Thank Lord, there was a paramedic and a nurse on a bike in the immediate vicinity.
After being rushed to Torbay Hospital intensive care, where I spent 4 days, I was then on the ward for a further 3 days.
I have now been at Bristol after being transferred on a very pleasant ambulance ride since last Wednesday (20th July).
The staff, nurses and doctors along the way have all been amazing.
So a normal Twitter service should reserve by the end of this week, if not by Thursday or Friday.
Over and out.
For those of you who are unaware, I am currently at Bristol Royal Hospital after a collapse just over a week ago at Torquay Strand whilst on Stagecoach work experience.
Thank Lord, there was a paramedic and a nurse on a bike in the immediate vicinity.
After being rushed to Torbay Hospital intensive care, where I spent 4 days, I was then on the ward for a further 3 days.
I have now been at Bristol after being transferred on a very pleasant ambulance ride since last Wednesday (20th July).
The staff, nurses and doctors along the way have all been amazing.
So a normal Twitter service should reserve by the end of this week, if not by Thursday or Friday.
Over and out.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Slight Reduction In TBR's Twitter Service & TBR - Live From London!
Dear Torbay Bus Routes Live Bus Update User,
Between Tuesday, 5th July and Sunday, 10th July, 2011, there will be a slight reduction in Torbay Bus Route's Twitter service, which provides live bus updates throughout the day, every day, frequently.
This is due to one out of two TBR Tweeters (Elliot) being away on holiday, meaning that he's unable to tweet for Torbay/South Devon.
However, Allan will still be here for this period, with updates for the Paignton and King's Ash area.
In addition, there will be a daily "TBR - Live From London" will be available daily for this period. We hope these will add some diversity and interest for bus enthusiasts, as London's bus network is simply huge and very interesting.
We can't wait to be live from London. However, please note that we won't be providing any live updates from London. We're just going to go with the flow!
We look forward to resuming a full service once again from Sunday this week.
Thank you for your continued support.
Many thanks,
Torbay Bus Routes.
Between Tuesday, 5th July and Sunday, 10th July, 2011, there will be a slight reduction in Torbay Bus Route's Twitter service, which provides live bus updates throughout the day, every day, frequently.
This is due to one out of two TBR Tweeters (Elliot) being away on holiday, meaning that he's unable to tweet for Torbay/South Devon.
However, Allan will still be here for this period, with updates for the Paignton and King's Ash area.
In addition, there will be a daily "TBR - Live From London" will be available daily for this period. We hope these will add some diversity and interest for bus enthusiasts, as London's bus network is simply huge and very interesting.
We can't wait to be live from London. However, please note that we won't be providing any live updates from London. We're just going to go with the flow!
We look forward to resuming a full service once again from Sunday this week.
Thank you for your continued support.
Many thanks,
Torbay Bus Routes.
Monday, 27 June 2011
Tweenaway Roadworks And Impacts On Buses
With the road works to improve Tweenaway and Claylands Cross in Paignton, there is a severe impact on all bus services travelling along King's Ash Road or in the Tweenaway area.
Below is a list of each bus service affected, the section of road where it becomes delayed, and which areas along the route are likely to be affected.
- Stagecoach 5
- The Paignton circular is affected between Ramshill Road and Fernicombe Road when traffic backs right up along King's Ash. This can cause delays in extreme circumstances of up to 30 minutes. However, delays are most likely to be between 5 and 10 minutes.
- Stagecoach 12A
- This service becomes delayed along Totnes Road and Brixham Road past Paignton Zoo and Bookers Cash & Carry. Delays are more severe towards Paignton and Torquay from South Devon College, as it travels down Brixham Road to Tweenaway Cross. Delays are less severe in the other direction because it operates via Borough Road. This has an impact on people travelling to/from college, so extra time should be allowed.
- Stagecoach 12C
- Although not directly affected, as services throughout the day commence from what was a 12A (continuing as a 12C from the College), it becomes delayed as a result of this. This has an impact on people travelling to/from college, so extra time should be allowed.
- Stagecoach 66
- This service gets caught in the traffic towards South Devon College from Newton Abbot as soon as it leaves Foxhole. It then crawls all the way to Great Parks, where it cuts up round the back. When it rejoins the main road, it then proceeds slowly past the Zoo until reaching the cross and turning left up Brixham Road. This is the same situation on the return journey. Delays to the 66 are around 10 minutes on average.
- First X80 and X81
- Both of these services crawl along from Collaton St.Mary to Paignton Zoo. Delays of up to 45 minutes have been reported towards Plymouth. It is probably best to decide on a service and then take the journey before that one.
- Stagecoach 88
- This service experiences delays from Paignton from as far back as Colley End. Journey times have exceeded 20 minutes from Colley End to the traffic lights - the average journey time being 3 minutes. Towards Paignton, delays have sometimes been up to 25 minutes from Newton Abbot. This has the knock on effect of services not connecting in Buckfastleigh for Plymouth and Exeter on the Stagecoach X38. There is no way round this, as the X38 is only every 2 hours. Advice would be to use Stagecoach X64 from Totnes to Exeter or First X80 from Totnes to Plymouth.
- Rail River Link 100
- Even with already very tight timetabling, delays to this service aren't as much as you may think. They've been around 10 minutes late most of the time, but some have been up to 30 minutes late. However, due to the route that cuts through Penwill Way towards Paignton, it is likely to be the quickest journey for Totnes to Paignton.
- Local Link 108 and 109
- These two circular services have experienced delays of around 10 to 15 minutes. Some have been observed departing Paignton almost 30 minutes late. They usually get caught between Kings Ash between Luscombe Drive and Waterleat. Some journeys also hit traffic at Cotehele Drive and Spruce Way. However, that is only likely when the traffic is very bad. If you plan on getting a 108, then it may be a good idea to take the 109 timetabled 30 minutes before and vice versa.
As traffic seeks alternative routes, all services out of Paignton are liable to some delays due to traffic through Cecil Road, Victoria Park, Torquay Road, Hyde Road and Great Western Road.
Sunday, 26 June 2011
One Crazy Day On The Buses
So yesterday, a friend and I were planning on going to Plymouth from Totnes at around 13:30. "No problem", we thought, as there's a First Bus X80 at 13:45. Obviously, because of Tweenaway, it was going to be late, but not too late, we imagined.
Anyway, my friend had the bright idea of getting the train to Plymouth. So off we set from Coronation Road to the railway station. I texted National Rail on the way, only to discover that the next train wasn't for 50 minutes. End of that idea.
So we ran to the next bus stop up the road, where I said we'd get the 88 or X80, whichever came first. If the 88 came first, we'd go to Exeter (after just missing a 13:50 X64 to Exeter anyway). Or if the X80 came First, then Plymouth it was.
The 88 came first, and so we jumped on that, about 20 minutes late. We pulled out and were halfway across the road, when all of a sudden, a man came running up and banged on the doors. He said he'd given up after waiting for so long, and he got on. Journey wasn't off to the best of starts!
So I looked up the time of the X38 from Buckfastleigh to Exeter, which was 15:30. Oh. That was an hour and half to wait. So we had to scrap that idea and decided to take it all the way to Newton Abbot.
So we were sat there comfortably and in peace coming up to Dartington. Then a boulder decides to come down from the bank and smash into the side of the bus. We swerved and shook quite a bit. No one knew what it was at first, until the driver pulled in at Dartington to go and have a look. I wish I had had a chance to take a photo: half a side panel had been ripped up, leaving a very jagged point sticking out.
Anyway, off we went to Newton Abbot, where I thought we'd be able to get a 39 just in time. Nope. As soon as we pulled out of Ashburton Road, there was none other than the 39 itself, made worse by the fact that it was a brand new leather-seated Enviro 400! Of all the vehicle choices for a bus to miss!
So we had no other choice than to get the 2. There was one in, and it left promptly at 14:55. I checked the timetable to find that it arrived in Exeter at 16:37. Great. Scrap that idea.
We hadn't had lunch, so we jumped off at Tesco in Kingsteignton, grabbed a sandwich, and began to walk back to the train station, where we were going to catch a train on an 18 minute journey into Exeter.
"Okay," we thought, "we're on the way now." But of course, something else just had to happen, didn't it?
As we departed Teignmouth, an announcement came over: "I'm sorry to announce that due to a line equipment failure, we are having to proceed with extreme caution." So what was an 18 minute train journey landed us in Exeter at 5 miles per hour only 10 minutes before the 2 service would have done - without having to buy two train tickets! So 3 hours from Totnes to Exeter. Oh dear...
After getting the H into the centre (nothing happened on this journey!), we wanted to go down to St.Thomas. So we waiting for an A by South Street. When one came, what should it do other than crash into the shelter with its wing mirror, shattering a huge glass panel! Oh, the wing mirror fell off, too. So we waited for either an E or an F. That was without incident - finally!
So we got on the X46 back to Torquay on the 18:50 (last bus back), and then caught the 12 from Castle Circus, which was 13 minutes late.
As the 12 pulled round past the Pavilions and pulled into the shelter, it whacked straight into a tree. Okay, so a bus was now stuck in a tree. We managed to pull away fine, but the last time a bus did that, it was quite a struggle!
So in short, that was honestly the most ridiculous set of buses I have ever taken! And yes, I would do it all again. There's something strangely exciting about bus journeys going ridiculously wrong.
Anyway, my friend had the bright idea of getting the train to Plymouth. So off we set from Coronation Road to the railway station. I texted National Rail on the way, only to discover that the next train wasn't for 50 minutes. End of that idea.
So we ran to the next bus stop up the road, where I said we'd get the 88 or X80, whichever came first. If the 88 came first, we'd go to Exeter (after just missing a 13:50 X64 to Exeter anyway). Or if the X80 came First, then Plymouth it was.
The 88 came first, and so we jumped on that, about 20 minutes late. We pulled out and were halfway across the road, when all of a sudden, a man came running up and banged on the doors. He said he'd given up after waiting for so long, and he got on. Journey wasn't off to the best of starts!
So I looked up the time of the X38 from Buckfastleigh to Exeter, which was 15:30. Oh. That was an hour and half to wait. So we had to scrap that idea and decided to take it all the way to Newton Abbot.
So we were sat there comfortably and in peace coming up to Dartington. Then a boulder decides to come down from the bank and smash into the side of the bus. We swerved and shook quite a bit. No one knew what it was at first, until the driver pulled in at Dartington to go and have a look. I wish I had had a chance to take a photo: half a side panel had been ripped up, leaving a very jagged point sticking out.
Anyway, off we went to Newton Abbot, where I thought we'd be able to get a 39 just in time. Nope. As soon as we pulled out of Ashburton Road, there was none other than the 39 itself, made worse by the fact that it was a brand new leather-seated Enviro 400! Of all the vehicle choices for a bus to miss!
So we had no other choice than to get the 2. There was one in, and it left promptly at 14:55. I checked the timetable to find that it arrived in Exeter at 16:37. Great. Scrap that idea.
We hadn't had lunch, so we jumped off at Tesco in Kingsteignton, grabbed a sandwich, and began to walk back to the train station, where we were going to catch a train on an 18 minute journey into Exeter.
"Okay," we thought, "we're on the way now." But of course, something else just had to happen, didn't it?
As we departed Teignmouth, an announcement came over: "I'm sorry to announce that due to a line equipment failure, we are having to proceed with extreme caution." So what was an 18 minute train journey landed us in Exeter at 5 miles per hour only 10 minutes before the 2 service would have done - without having to buy two train tickets! So 3 hours from Totnes to Exeter. Oh dear...
After getting the H into the centre (nothing happened on this journey!), we wanted to go down to St.Thomas. So we waiting for an A by South Street. When one came, what should it do other than crash into the shelter with its wing mirror, shattering a huge glass panel! Oh, the wing mirror fell off, too. So we waited for either an E or an F. That was without incident - finally!
So we got on the X46 back to Torquay on the 18:50 (last bus back), and then caught the 12 from Castle Circus, which was 13 minutes late.
 |
| Oops! |
As the 12 pulled round past the Pavilions and pulled into the shelter, it whacked straight into a tree. Okay, so a bus was now stuck in a tree. We managed to pull away fine, but the last time a bus did that, it was quite a struggle!
So in short, that was honestly the most ridiculous set of buses I have ever taken! And yes, I would do it all again. There's something strangely exciting about bus journeys going ridiculously wrong.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Some Exciting News, A New TBR Tweeter, And Plans...
Well, it's certainly been a while since the last blog post, but never fear - we are still here.
It's just been so hectic lately, what with the 111 petition and organising TBR Tweeter applications.
First of all, I shall enlighten you with the exciting news surrounding the 111 petition. Not to be disheartened by to nos from Devon County Council and Stagecoach, after writing to Dr.Sarah Wollaston about the issue in a very detailed letter, we were pleased to learn that she was in support of the issues raised. In fact, a debate was managed to be secured for Tuesday, 28th June, at 13:30 - at Westminster! Westminster! Sorry, I'll have to say it again: Westminster!
Yes, that's right: the issue and serious effects of the 111's withdrawal will be raised among other issues with rural bus services in Devon on Tuesday at Westminster with the Transport Minister. This is just great news, and hopes are high that something will come of it.
Right, enough of that. There's a new TBR Tweeter with us, Mr Allan Wagner, who will be tweeting alongside me for the Paignton, King's Ash and Foxhole areas. You'll notice at the end of each tweet, there's now either an [A] or [E]. This stands for Allan and Elliot respectively. That's if we remember to put them on...
So a big welcome to Allan!
And lastly, there are some plans for the future of Torbay Bus Routes. We don't like to stand still, but we fear that nothing much has moved forward with the site for a while. So there are some things to watch out for in the near future:
So we want you to tell us what we can do to make Torbay Bus Routes better. Or what we could stop doing. Well, anything you'd like to say. Email: info@torbaybusroutes.co.uk.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
That's it. Over and out.
It's just been so hectic lately, what with the 111 petition and organising TBR Tweeter applications.
First of all, I shall enlighten you with the exciting news surrounding the 111 petition. Not to be disheartened by to nos from Devon County Council and Stagecoach, after writing to Dr.Sarah Wollaston about the issue in a very detailed letter, we were pleased to learn that she was in support of the issues raised. In fact, a debate was managed to be secured for Tuesday, 28th June, at 13:30 - at Westminster! Westminster! Sorry, I'll have to say it again: Westminster!
 |
| The 111 at Dartmouth Pontoon. Goodness, this picture sure has done the rounds... |
Right, enough of that. There's a new TBR Tweeter with us, Mr Allan Wagner, who will be tweeting alongside me for the Paignton, King's Ash and Foxhole areas. You'll notice at the end of each tweet, there's now either an [A] or [E]. This stands for Allan and Elliot respectively. That's if we remember to put them on...
 |
| TBR'S Twitter service, @torbaybuses on Twitter |
So a big welcome to Allan!
And lastly, there are some plans for the future of Torbay Bus Routes. We don't like to stand still, but we fear that nothing much has moved forward with the site for a while. So there are some things to watch out for in the near future:
- Timetables for Dartmouth and Totnes bus services included in the timetables available for download
- A consistent style of timetable produced by Torbay Bus Routes, which will enable faster download times and the same information across the board
- Continuing to provide personalised journey plans via email within 24 hours
- A link in future editions of the Torbay Transport Guide to the website, thus furthering traffic to the site
- An advert in the Torbay Vintage Bus Running Day programme this September
So we want you to tell us what we can do to make Torbay Bus Routes better. Or what we could stop doing. Well, anything you'd like to say. Email: info@torbaybusroutes.co.uk.
Thank you to everyone for your continued support.
That's it. Over and out.
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