Stagecoach North West Discussion

[mbonwick]

Perhaps just sensible rostering though? I'm sure the service can't be overly busy at that time of night, and it'll give the Solo a run out (never a bad thing) while the bigger buses can get attention.

 

[Dave The Bus]

Also just noticed this comment on a fotopic comment page:

"Apparently both 16664 and 16665 were supposed to be going to Chorley and two ex Yorkshire traction Volvo Olympians were to be transferred to Morecambe to replace them, however, as 16877 is only a 72 seater, there was a rumor floating round that Morecambe had said ''no'' they didn't want them as they need high capacity deckers, so weather 16877 and the other one, which has yet to arrive, stay at Morecambe, remains to be seen. 16665 is also still present at Morecambe."

Sourced from http://susannahmorrish.fotopic.net/comments_show.php

Was wondering what was going on, seeing as nothing had come back from Morecambe, too busy trying to keep tabs on the new Scanias to be honest, i know theres 5 around the depot and another 3 to be picked up, and according to a source, theres been some mooting of the 'urban connect' branding that will be applied to 15 of them, i dont think 15563/4/5/6 will have it, being tacho buses, with the other three to be blank probably 15581/2/3..

Monday is looking favourite for roll-out, but i think it will be a while before a significant number of Scanias will be seen in service

 

[Dallamlad]

Yeah the solo passed me at the underpass last night Its a regular thing. I mentioned it last month or so and Gez informed me this slot is booked for a solo.

Hand full of Tridents and Volvo Olys on private hires last night till the early hours.

In other news:

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6894856.ece

 

[Dave The Bus]

ooops

 

[cainebj]

24122 has lost its nearside mirror.
a fitter was at the bus station this morning, fitting a new bracket to it, and took the mirror off 24116 to put on it. 24122 was later on 179.
20904 on 554.
16651/2/3/4 on 300 this morning. 16651 later replaced by 16447, which i have to say was pretty knackered (it was struggling like hell on the slightest of hills).
20944 on 75.

47060 on 50.
20752 on 51.
33169, 47024 and 47617 on Harrington & Seaton.

PX59 CVC (53337) was on annexe for driver familiarisation today whilst i was at uni. forum member rosswatson has some pics on his flickr. i wish they updated tha branding like!

 

[Dallamlad]

B7's look great!

20544 on 3/4

Had 18382 on the 2a last night after its repaint. Looks very smart. I was also thinking how many Tridents, if any, were repainted when they moved from Manchester. I thought it was a few of Lancaster's but then if they had been repainted they wouldn't have their fleet numbers in red they would be in white.

14204 16661 and 16665 on 2/2a.

 

[Gez.SCNW]

I cannot remember any of then getting repainted I recall they went straight into service from Manchester

 

[mbonwick]

I was told 18375 and 18380 were painted just before leaving Manchester so don't need painting this time round.

 

[Dallamlad]

I think I told you that and I was wrong on reflection. If they had been repainted they would not have their fleet numbers in red they would be in white. So nothing was been done, meaning all of the 2005 Tridents should be done gradually from now into the new year depending on what else they have on.

 

[mbonwick]

No, it wasn't you who told me. It was a fellow enthusiast at school.

We'll just have to see what gets painted.

 

[themaster985]

A bit off topic, but interesting.

Stagecoach might not have got National Express, but it looks like they are getting Islwyn Borough Transport at Caerphilly. They have come to an agreement with the Council - all they need now an agreement with OFT and it goes ahead.

The fleet is about 30 mid life vehicles, quite a few of which are MAN's

 

[mbonwick]

OFT being nice to Stagecoach - that's not going to happen!

I also read about that - it'd certainly be a good thing for Stagecoach.

 

[KendalKing]

Just seen a few minsutes ago a UID Solo (YN04 ---) shown 81A Kirkby Lonsdale in Carnforth, as i approached its display changed to Sorry Not in Service.
20735 on service 5, and UID B10M on 55A, normally a Solo.

 

[mbonwick]

The Solo would have been one of the 4724x ones

 

[cainebj]

20779 done the Whitehaven - Cockermouth - Whitehaven 600 last night.
CE's 20966 done the Carlisle - Cockermouth - Carlisle 600's.
20436, 20768, 52626 and 52629 on X services yesterday.
47616 done the Workington - Keswick X5.

 

[Dallamlad]

Not seen much yet today. A handful of Olys wandering around the bus station area this morning out of service.16659 circled around for about 5n min waiting for a space to open up.

47007 on the 89 branded for 113 Preston, Leyland, Wigan service.

Sat on 18363 for 17mins this morning. Engine cut out after 10mins. Can't believe how early we were and how long we just sat there!

 

[cainebj]

47007 on the 89 branded for 113 Preston, Leyland, Wigan service.

47005/6/7 just been replaced on the 113 by 3 of the 07 reg solos, of which have just been branded up for 113.
47005/6 have came to Lillyhall to replace the last 2 709D's (40013 already gone now after being operated off disposal), complete with their 113 branding (as usual for Preston stuff). not sure what is happening to 47007, but i'd guess it'd end up being sent somewhere else.

 

[Dallamlad]

47005/6/7 just been replaced on the 113 by 3 of the 07 reg solos, of which have just been branded up for 113.
47005/6 have came to Lillyhall to replace the last 2 709D's (40013 already gone now after being operated off disposal), complete with their 113 branding (as usual for Preston stuff). not sure what is happening to 47007, but i'd guess it'd end up being sent somewhere else.

Aces! 47007 looked very tired indeed, don't know where it will end up, Barrow maybe? They still have 709d's don't they?

 

[jonesy3001]

7 B10`s have turned up for storage these past two days;
From Barrow; N/C B10M 20994 R994 XVM
From Gilmoss;
Magic bus liveried 20731,20744 and 20748 (K7?? DAO)(20744 and 20748 ex morecambe buses)
Swoop liveried 20802 (N802 DNE) and 20858 (P858 GND)
and 709D 40401 (N201 LFV) Possible replacement for Info bus 40269 (G269 TSL)
and finally 16877 is up for MOT next week.

 

[Dallamlad]

Interesting they are replacing our Info bus but I suppose it is G reg lol. Saying that its still running so good for whats its used for lol. Will it be gutted and re-branded or will they just leave it? I guess the whole Info bus branding is wasted really as its not really used for that, just sits at the underpass all day haha.

Is 16877 still at the back of the yard?

Loads of B10's there they all been sold?

 

[jonesy3001]

Interesting they are replacing our Info bus but I suppose it is G reg lol. Saying that its still running so good for whats its used for lol. Will it be gutted and re-branded or will they just leave it? I guess the whole Info bus branding is wasted really as its not really used for that, just sits at the underpass all day haha.

Is 16877 still at the back of the yard?

Loads of B10's there they all been sold?

The merc that turned up was the shuttle bus for gilmoss depot and was in better nick then the info bus and it is getting on.
The K reg B10M`S have been sold to wigleys not sure about the others.

 

[Dallamlad]

Ahhh I see that makes perfect sense then What reg is the Merc?

 

[jonesy3001]

Ahhh I see that makes perfect sense then What reg is the Merc?

N reg

 

[Dallamlad]

Ahhhh cool shall look out for it in the coming weeks

Be interesting to see what the hells going on with these Olys.

 

[mbonwick]

What are Barrow shedding B10Ms for? It makes the rumour that I heard about them getting ex-Chorley Tridents for the 6/6A sound more likely!

I'd expect the Merseyside P reg B10M to see further service, with the rest being sold.

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh yeah Tridents to Barrow could be a idea. Then one could be used to make the X35 low floor all the time rather then using Olys However like you told me MBonwick the Council may have to buy another vehicle.

 

[KendalKing]

What are Barrow shedding B10Ms for? It makes the rumour that I heard about them getting ex-Chorley Tridents for the 6/6A sound more likely!

The Ex Lakes Link Olympians, were supposed to been getting used on the 6/6A.
As we all know they have been used on the X35's, covering for the Tridents.

 

[mbonwick]

I don't think any of the 1633x Olys have been branded for the 6/6A - but there are several branded B10Ms.

Actually, it's unusual these days to see a route branded B10M anywhere...how times change

 

[jonesy3001]

I was told 18375 and 18380 were painted just before leaving Manchester so don't need painting this time round.

18324/5/6 and 18330 had a recent repaint before they left princess road, some had allover adverts on the rear or had london red on the backs when they came to morecambe.
The recent repaints so far are 18363 and 18382 and 2 have had there backs repainted 18327 and 18364.

 

[cainebj]

47024 on 50.
34616 on 51.
33168, 33169 and 47617 on Harrington & Seaton.
47617 currently on Workington Town Evening Services.
33168 on Cockermouth X5.
20759, 20768 and 52626 on X services. didnt see the other vehicle.
16447, 16651, 16652 and 16654 on full 300.
20962 on 300. i was on it and have to say it rides pretty well!
20763 and 35248 on 31, with the usual Enviro 300's.
35246 on 2.
35247 and 35249 on 31A.
47059 was on 1.
47062 on 3.

53336 had been on Time Check this morning along one of the X routes. it later went onto the annexe, and i managed to get a few pictures.
found out today that the wheelchair space on the new Profile's has to be booked! i assume this is so the vehicle can be prepared at the bus station before it sets off out. the capacity's on them are 51 seated, or 49 seated + 1 wheelchair, No Standee's.
to get the wheelchair in place, 2 seats have to be removed from the coach, and either kept in the lockers underneath, or at the bus station. the divider between the front 2 seats and the steps has to be removed, then the wheelchair lift can be folded out. it apparently takes quite a bit of time.
it's nice to know that there is working kneeling suspension on them! as i saw on 53336 when one of the drivers was having a little play on the annexe.