Stagecoach West Scotland

[Robbie01]

From what I remember the frequency was always designed to meet the ferry when it arrived in Brodick, so if the frequency of ferry has gone down or the passenger numbers on ferry have gone down recently then the service would too sadly.

 

[oldman]

I took the 101A to Moffat the other day. Going down we took the B7076 over Beattock summit, coming back we went up the M74. Is there an official route or is it left to the driver to choose? There are no advertised stops between Moffat and Crawford but I've known them pick people up on request in Lanarkshire. Mind you it's pretty much all trees over Beattock.
.

 

[route101]

Took the 101A to Moffat the other day. Going down we took the B7076 over Beattock summit, coming back we went up the M74. Is there an official route or is it left to the driver to choose? There are no advertised stops between Moffat and Crawford but I've known them pick people up on request in Lanarkshire. Mind you it's pretty much all trees over Beattock.
.

Last time I took it northbound, it went on the Motorway.

I remember the 101 going to Moffat via the B719 and A701.

 

[GusB]

Coach and Bus Week has an article about the new electric buses today. It's interesting to note that they're to use opportunity charging at Kilmarnock bus station.

Stagecoach West Scotland and SP Energy introduce UK’s first electric buses serving rural communities - CBW

Six Volvo 7900 electric buses fitted with pantograph charging have been launched to serve rural communities in the Kilmarnock area. Said to be the UK’s first fleet of fully-electric buses serving rural communities, the six [...]

cbwmagazine.com

Six Volvo 7900 electric buses fitted with pantograph charging have been launched to serve rural communities in the Kilmarnock area.

Said to be the UK’s first fleet of fully-electric buses serving rural communities, the six new Volvo 7900 single-deckers were unveiled in Ayrshire on Tuesday 27 July by SP Energy Networks in partnership with Stagecoach West Scotland, with the aim of supporting a reduction in Scotland’s overall CO2 emissions, contributing to the country’s Net Zero strategy and improving air quality in the towns and villages served.

Five of the six new battery-electric buses were funded by £2 million from SP Energy Networks’ £20million Green Economy Fund and will operate on a Stagecoach West Scotland route connecting villages along the Irvine Valley with Kilmarnock town centre. Due to the length of the rural route, this project will be the first in Scotland to introduce opportunity charging where buses benefit from rapid and intense charges of power on route, rather than the traditional technique that sees buses charging overnight for hours at a time.

The introduction of Scotland’s first ‘pantograph’ charging point at Kilmarnock bus station will provide on-route charging for the new vehicles. The new buses are expected to save around 680 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually and provide bus passengers with a smoother and quieter experience as well as improving the air quality in Kilmarnock and the rural areas served.

Stagecoach said the launch of its electric fleet will play a big role in Kilmarnock’s green transport infrastructure, with each bus said to be able to travel up to 100 zero-emission miles on a full charge. Using opportunity charging, a full day’s service with a daily distance of up to 270 miles will be covered per vehicle.

 

[GALLANTON]

Has any work been carried out at the bus station to accomodate opertunity charing?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Has any work been carried out at the bus station to accomodate opertunity charing?

Not seen any work as of late. Perhaps charging them overnight means that there should be enough juice to last the entire day? The Kilmarnock local services really don't go far at all.

 

[cnjb8]

Has any work been carried out at the bus station to accomodate opertunity charing?

Not seen any work as of late. Perhaps charging them overnight means that there should be enough juice to last the entire day? The Kilmarnock local services really don't go far at all.

It says a pantograph charging station is being installed at Kilmarnock Bus Station. It’ll be like they have at Harrogate Bus Station that gets similar buses. This is an example

Taking Charge

Volvo's first right-hand drive fully electric 7900e has been undertaking a tour of Britain, having so far spent time with First Manchester and Arriva Southern Counties. She has now moved on to Wales and is spending a period with Cardiff Bus. She features 'OppCharge' charging via an inverted...

www.flickr.com

Not my photo - also note that on the photo, there is a comment that this technology wouldn’t be used in West Scotland

 

[Scotrail314209]

It says a pantograph charging station is being installed at Kilmarnock Bus Station. It’ll be like they have at Harrogate Bus Station that gets similar buses. This is an example

Taking Charge

Volvo's first right-hand drive fully electric 7900e has been undertaking a tour of Britain, having so far spent time with First Manchester and Arriva Southern Counties. She has now moved on to Wales and is spending a period with Cardiff Bus. She features 'OppCharge' charging via an inverted...

www.flickr.com

Not my photo - also note that on the photo, there is a comment that this technology wouldn’t be used in West Scotland

Ah, so it looks like they'll be able to install something similar with minimal disruption to bus services?

 

[cnjb8]

Ah, so it looks like they'll be able to install something similar with minimal disruption to bus services?

In terms of disruption I’m not too sure, for Harrogate they had to bring in a diesel generator for a while because the pantographs were not fully set up, but that was two years ago, so I imagine the process has been simplified.

 

[GALLANTON]

How long does it take to charge one of these buses?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

In terms of disruption I’m not too sure, for Harrogate they had to bring in a diesel generator for a while because the pantographs were not fully set up, but that was two years ago, so I imagine the process has been simplified.

That was an unfortunate issue with the electricity provider rather than Transdev. All sorted now though, in my limited experience of them, I was a bit disappointed with the build quality of the 7900e

 

[Scotrail314209]

Does anyone know if 28708 (YN64 AJX) has moved to Ardrossan? Bustimes has it registered as being moved there from Ayr.

Also, does anyone know the whereabouts of 15817 (SF12 HWP)? Hasn't been out since July 23rd.

 

[cnjb8]

Does anyone know if 28708 (YN64 AJX) has moved to Ardrossan? Bustimes has it registered as being moved there from Ayr.

Also, does anyone know the whereabouts of 15817 (SF12 HWP)? Hasn't been out since July 23rd.

Bustimes fleet lists are edited by enthusiasts so may not be accurate. Check what service it worked.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Bustimes fleet lists are edited by enthusiasts so may not be accurate. Check what service it worked

708 looks to have came out to replace 15996 on the 1520 from Ayr to Ardrossan, with 996 going off to Ayr depot. Both were allocated to the 15:20 so perhaps 996 broke down in Ayr.

I think it's probably inaccurate, but it's still a mystery as to where 15817 is gone.

 

[cnjb8]

708 looks to have came out to replace 15996 on the 1520 from Ayr to Ardrossan, with 996 going off to Ayr depot. Both were allocated to the 15:20 so perhaps 996 broke down in Ayr.

I think it's probably inaccurate, but it's still a mystery as to where 15817 is gone.

Its probably under repair.
I’m not familiar with West Scotland services, can anyone help?

 

[Scotrail314209]

The new 7900E's are out in service today, albeit only two of them.

29302 was out this morning, but 303 is only out now. They are on the 1 service.

EDIT: 29301 and 303 are both out.

 

[GusB]

The new 7900E's are out in service today, albeit only two of them.

29302 was out this morning, but 303 is only out now. They are on the 1 service.

EDIT: 29301 and 303 are both out.

Final answer?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Final answer?

Turns out, 29303 has gone into the depot.

Would honestly put my money on both of them going back in.

Only 29301 is out

 

[scosutsut]

6 in the photo
For once the livery looks decent!

Shame it tears the "we've got too many liveries, we're cutting it down to three" defence of the rebrand to shreds!

 

[Blindtraveler]

If I were to go down to Kilmarnock for around 11 this morning would I find any of the electrics in service and on what routes? Any help appreciated.

 

[Volvodart]

From bustimes.org they only seem to work Monday to Friday.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Thanks

 

[jamieintercity]

Any news when 29305/6 and 48900-5 will enter service at kilmarnock and when the remaining electric buses will be delivered?

EDIT - 29305/6 appear to be in service this morning.
Also seen a photo of 19046 now converted to a open top, what is the plan for 19046?

 

[Tom Gallacher]

One of their electrics was being recovered into Volvo's Cardonald workshops this evening.

 

[GusB]

I've moved the discussion about industrial action to this thread:

Stagecoach industrial action across the UK

Bus workers are to go on strike in several parts of England in a dispute over pay, a union has confirmed. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said members working for Stagecoach in the South West, Yorkshire and the East Midlands would strike on 18 October. The RMT union said it was making...

www.railforums.co.uk

The thread title has been amended.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Looks like some West Scotland MMCs are being temporarily shifted to Glasgow for COP26 work, resulting in buses from other divisions being drafted in.

Stagecoach Manchester's 11533 is currently operating on the 11 service between Kilmarnock and Ardrossan, with another one being sighted in Ayr. Unsure how many are actually being drafted in, but more might be expected.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Looks like some West Scotland MMCs are being temporarily shifted to Glasgow for COP26 work, resulting in buses from other divisions being drafted in.

Stagecoach Manchester's 11533 is currently operating on the 11 service between Kilmarnock and Ardrossan, with another one being sighted in Ayr. Unsure how many are actually being drafted in, but more might be expected.

SK20 AWO & SN69 ZGD are the 2 in Ayrshire, noticed 10911 SN67 XAC, 10923 SN67 XAR & 27225 SK15 HCG are in Cumbernauld at the moment as well

 

[Scotrail314209]

I wonder if the 585 should receive a fleet of double deckers, maybe do a swap with the E400s from the X36?

This service is very busy now and it always has been, single deckers are sometimes inadequate for the run.

Double Deckers get used on occasion so there’s no issue with clearance. Can be awful when an E200 shows up.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Have Cumbernauld got a Versa on loan?

Sure I saw one on the X19 over the course of the weekend.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Have Cumbernauld got a Versa on loan?

Sure I saw one on the X19 over the course of the weekend.

Yes, one of several buses on loan to assist with COP work. It'll allow the deckers to go for contract and other service work.

List according to bustimes: https://bustimes.org/operators/stagecoach-west-scotland/vehicles

SL64 JBO (10420) - On loan from Stagecoach Manchester
SN66 WAU (10806) - On loan from Stagecoach East
SN66 WBD (10807) - On loan from Stagecoach East
SK19 EWH (11215) - On loan from Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs
SN69 ZGB (11266), SN69 ZGC (11267), SN69 ZGD (11268), SN69 ZGE (11269), SK20 AWO (11533), SK20 AWZ (11541) - On loan from Stagecoach Manchester
SF08 GOC (25219) - On loan from Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs
SF13 FMZ (25265) - On loan from Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs

All of the above are Enviro 400 MMCs, with the exception of 25219 and 25265 which are Optare Versas.

It may have been 25219 you seen as that has been running services out of Cumbernauld.

Ironic how 25219 and 25265 have returned home in a sense, with the SF plates indicating they were new to Western.