Vandals Attack First Buses At Portsmouth Depot

[whole diary]

[Lee]

There was disruption this morning after vandals attacked buses at the depot in Hilsea (link below.)
http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Delays-after-buses-damaged.3966981.jp

Thirteen First buses had their windows smashed between 1am and 4am and now replacement buses have been called in.

It is thought that vandals used the emergency hammer kept inside the buses to smash the five windows on each bus - the damage is expected to run into thousands of pounds.

Mark Turner, Commercial Director for First said:

'Our buses were delayed this morning, some didn't run at all, others ran late, and some had mini bus replacements - our main priority was just getting buses out as quickly as possible.'

Engineers were called to the depot to fix the broken windows and now some of those are back on the road.

Only five of the buses that are kept overnight in the Hilsea depot were left intact.

Andy Barr, a spokesman for First, said:

'Everything is back to normal now. There will be no delays and we are back up and running.

'In the space of three hours we have managed to get it under control. It's thanks to the tremendous efforts of our staff.'

[Btline]

I know that I shouldn't, but I find this quite amusing! First buses must be pretty unpopular for this to happen!

Now- who will set fire to the Pacers?

[Lee]

I know that I shouldn't, but I find this quite amusing! First buses must be pretty unpopular for this to happen!

Now- who will set fire to the Pacers?

It would be fair to say that First Bus isnt that popular in Portsmouth, having cut back frequencies and services in recent years. Their fares are also expensive compared to Stagecoach, which only runs services into Portsmouth from the Havant/Farlington direction, leaving First with a virtual monopoly in the rest of the city.

However, the Hilsea depot backs onto the Lido, which is a known hang-out for groups late at night. It is likely that this was simply an act of mindless vandalism.

Set fire to the Pacers? - Bit harsh.......

We'll gladly give one a home on an appropriate Warminster/Frome-Westbury-Swindon service 

[Conner]

Btline, ahve you actually travveled on one of the 142's in Devon?
They are actually pretty good. They aren't that unreliable, door faults are the main problem, and provide alot more capacity when in 4 car which alot our. Devon are going to suffer if some of the short term lease 142's do go back to be replaced by 153's/150's.

[Jim]

The 142's are actually getting quite popular in Devon!

[devon_metro]

I know that I shouldn't, but I find this quite amusing! First buses must be pretty unpopular for this to happen!

Now- who will set fire to the Pacers?

It would be fair to say that First Bus isnt that popular in Portsmouth, having cut back frequencies and services in recent years. Their fares are also expensive compared to Stagecoach, which only runs services into Portsmouth from the Havant/Farlington direction, leaving First with a virtual monopoly in the rest of the city.

The reverse of Stagecoach in Torbay then...

First Bus started running 15 minutes frequency cheaper buses Paignton - Torquay, rivalling the 12 route and It seemed that there wasn't much success. Perhaps because Stagecoach tried to bar them from the bus station.

[Conner]

I know that I shouldn't, but I find this quite amusing! First buses must be pretty unpopular for this to happen!

Now- who will set fire to the Pacers?

It would be fair to say that First Bus isnt that popular in Portsmouth, having cut back frequencies and services in recent years. Their fares are also expensive compared to Stagecoach, which only runs services into Portsmouth from the Havant/Farlington direction, leaving First with a virtual monopoly in the rest of the city.

Perhaps because Stagecoach tried to bar them from the bus station.

First did that to Truronian down here.

[Btline]

I'll admit. My only experience of Pacers is on the Cumbrian Coast Line, and the Lancaster to Leeds line.

My back was never the same again!

On smooth track they could be ok...?