Plymouth buses at war
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• A bus war has erupted in Plymouth following the introduction of 28 directly competing routes by two of the city's bus operators. When Western National set up 18 new routes, Plymouth City Bus immediately retaliated by running 10 routes alongside them.
This is the latest skirmish in a battle which began as part of a labour dispute at City Bus earlier this year. This resulted in an all-out stoppage which prompted recruitment of new employees. Western launched emergency operations on some City Bus services by transferring vehicles and 40 drivers from its depots in Cornwall.
By the time City Bus staff had returned to work Western National had registered a number of competing routes. In a bid to win back some of its business, City Bus has brought a number of Leyland AtIan teans out of retirement and now offers a half-hour "country" service to Tavistock.
Western's approach has been more aggressive. As well as a large number of existing buses and coaches variously liveried in Western National, Cornish Busways, Ferrybus and Royal Blue colours, it is using several new Leyland Lynx single-deckers and some new coach-seated Alexanderbodied Volvo underfloorengined double-deckers.
Both operators are determined to win, and both appear to be surviving the city service war, but the more rural nature of the established Western Routes — for example to Tavistock — may be less rewarding to City Bus.
Special fares are on offer from the two operators and Western passengers can buy 12 weeks' adult travel for the price of nine (256.25 instead of 275), or four weeks for the price of three.
Unusually, no photograph is required of the ticket holder and ticket buyers can have the ticket sent to them by phone by quoting either their Access or Visa numbers.
Plymouth City bus offers include a week's unlimited travel tickets for 27.50 or four weeks for 227.50, both available from the driver.
A leaflet issued by Western National appeals to its passengers for "your loyalty" in supporting the Tavistock services which have run since 1930.