PLYMOUTH Citybus has taken over Western Greyhound routes in South East Cornwall.

The acquisition of part of Western Greyhound's operations by Citybus, part of the national group Go-Ahead, has brought greater certainty to passengers and has secured the jobs of 31 local drivers.

Services taken on by Citybus include the 572 between Looe and Plymouth, the 573 between Looe and Liskeard, the 574 between Looe and Callington, the 576 which connects Plymouth and Bude via Callington, and the section of the 593 service which runs between Plymouth and Liskeard.

While routes and timetables will remain the same, red Citybus vehicles will run alongside green buses for a transition period. Plymouth Citybus says it intends to take over the lease of the Liskeard depot, and will acquire nine low-floor buses which will be branded under the new name of Go Cornwall Bus.

The managing director of Plymouth Citybus, Richard Stephens, said: 'We are delighted to be able to come to an agreement with Western Greyhound to take over these routes and safeguard not only 31 local jobs, but secure vital services.'

The takeover has been welcomed by South West regional officer for the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Peter Murnaghan, and Bus Users UK South West representative Derek Potts.

'It brings to an end a degree of uncertainty and hopefully it will be the beginning of a new era for bus passengers here. Liskeard now has a more modern fleet of buses serving the South East Cornwall area,' said Mr Potts.

'I am aware that there have been some issues relating to fares being different on some journeys compared with Western Greyhound. I have raised these with Citybus who are investigating. I think overall Citybus and the drivers at Liskeard have done an exceedingly good job of maintaining services over this period of change.'

While on Monday in Liskeard there was a certain amount of confusion among passengers as the changeover began, service quality manager for Citybus Dave Bateman was on hand all day to advise travellers and provide reassurance.

The company had put 10 extra drivers on the buses that day to help new drivers learn the routes and how to use machines, said commercial marketing manager Mark Collins.

'We believe that within a very short space of time people will see a big improvement in the service,' he added.

Meanwhile Western Greyhound's remaining operations in other parts of Cornwall have been purchased by bus and coach industry entrepreneur Michael Bishop, it was announced this week.

The sale of the remaining part of the business has safeguarded 133 jobs. Western Greyhound will continue to operate out of its Summercourt and Wadebridge depots. Mr Bishop said: 'The company has a very exciting future ahead of it. We have identified areas of the business that would benefit from further development and investment.'

Meanwhile, rival operator First has stepped up its presence in South East Cornwall. The company has announced a new service for those in the Torpoint area who work at Derriford Hospital, which will start in January 2015. New routes will also be introduced by First to include Fowey, Par and St Blazey.