Plymouth City Bus (45) V First Group (88)

Plymouth City Bus has just released a new bus service covering the Ivybridge area. They have numbered it as the 45. It has been running for 3 weeks now and has already created a whirl pool with the Devon bus spotters association. Below is a map which shows all of the locations covered by Plymouth City bus before they grew out to Ivybridge. City Bus  are currently charging a very cheap fair of £1 single and £2 return to attract first hand trade. This has made a lot of people use the service because it is so cheap. However as soon as they put the prices up to £3.75 single and £4.10 people fear they will move back to being First customers.

The First group have been operating from Ivybridge for years they currently run 3 services through Ivybridge. The X80, 180 and the newest addition on the 8th Oct 2012 the 88 bus service. The 88 is a direct route from Plymouth to Ivybridge and Ivybridge back to Plymouth the same as the 45. 

The first group have already been battling against stagecoach for trade through Ivybridge. Where to be honest Stagecoach were normally the cheapest. First Group is the biggest of the companies and at one time where the main bus service in Devon and Cornwall. They are now in a difficult competition with 2 other companies.    

In my opinion i would chose the First group bus service over the newer City Bus link. Although City Bus have newer more comfortable buses they still only take the direct rout through Ivybridge. However the 180 and 88 take a relaxed route all the way around the houses of Ivybridge dropping you directly outside your house.