Stagecoach Megabus expansion

[anthony263]

Just found out that Megabus are once again running services west of cardiff.


This includes a service which connects with and offers through ticketing on the ferry to ireland.

From Monday 23rd May:

London Victoria Coach Station 18:30
Bristol UWE 20:50
Bristol Colston Hall 21:45
Cardiff 22:15
Swansea Quadrant Bus Station 23:20 (their description, not mine!)
Carmarthen Blue Street 00:05
Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal 01:00
Rosslare Europort 06:46

From Tuesday 24th May
Rosslare Europort 20:15
Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal 02:45
Carmarthen 03:40
Swansea Quadrant Bus Station 04:30
Cardiff 05:30
Newport 06:00
Bristol Colston Hall 06:45
Bristol UWE 06:55
London Victoria Coach Station 09:30

These will require a crew change somewhere, probably either Newport or
Cardiff.

Newport gains an additional service to London at 07:25 (which starts at
Cwmbran 07:05) and a 19:30 return from Victoria (terminates Cwmbran 23:15).

The 04:30 Newport to London now calls at Swindon Stratton Park (05:45),
with a return available from Swindon at 00:35 (23:00 off Victoria).

The service between Cardiff and Newcastle is continuing, so I imagine
Cwmbran will be gaining yet more coaches (and will require more drivers)!

The extension to Swansea and Carmarthen will unsettle First - I wonder
if this might prompt an extension of Greyhound beyond Cardiff to London?



Speaking to someone working for megabus there is expected to be further expansion across the megabus network

 

[Blindtraveler]

Just found out that Megabus are once again running services west of cardiff.


This includes a service which connects with and offers through ticketing on the ferry to ireland.

From Monday 23rd May:

London Victoria Coach Station 18:30
Bristol UWE 20:50
Bristol Colston Hall 21:45
Cardiff 22:15
Swansea Quadrant Bus Station 23:20 (their description, not mine!)
Carmarthen Blue Street 00:05
Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal 01:00
Rosslare Europort 06:46

From Tuesday 24th May
Rosslare Europort 20:15
Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal 02:45
Carmarthen 03:40
Swansea Quadrant Bus Station 04:30
Cardiff 05:30
Newport 06:00
Bristol Colston Hall 06:45
Bristol UWE 06:55
London Victoria Coach Station 09:30

These will require a crew change somewhere, probably either Newport or
Cardiff.

Newport gains an additional service to London at 07:25 (which starts at
Cwmbran 07:05) and a 19:30 return from Victoria (terminates Cwmbran 23:15).

The 04:30 Newport to London now calls at Swindon Stratton Park (05:45),
with a return available from Swindon at 00:35 (23:00 off Victoria).

The service between Cardiff and Newcastle is continuing, so I imagine
Cwmbran will be gaining yet more coaches (and will require more drivers)!

The extension to Swansea and Carmarthen will unsettle First - I wonder
if this might prompt an extension of Greyhound beyond Cardiff to London?



Speaking to someone working for megabus there is expected to be further expansion across the megabus network

good on them. Now a few more seats from Edinburgh south for the purpose of getting prices down and they have a good network!

 

[rail-britain]

These will require a crew change somewhere, probably either Newport or Cardiff.

The coach only operates between London and Pembroke, then returns 1 hour 45 minutes later
However the 12 hour gap in London suggests a link in and replacement of an existing service

Who is the current coach provider between Cardiff and London?
It is probably Stagecoach in South Wales, so the crew change is more likely in Cardiff (as wetsbound there is no stop at Newport)
Equally, it could be linked in with the existing provisions from Oxfordshire, so a crew change at the Motorway Services is also possible

 

[mbonwick]

Stagecoach Red & White (So yes, South Wales) run said services.

They have the first B13R in Stagecoach - 54101.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Stagecoach Red & White (So yes, South Wales) run said services.

They have the first B13R in Stagecoach - 54101.

much difference on this compared to older moddles or is it purely a minor update?

 

[anthony263]

The coach only operates between London and Pembroke, then returns 1 hour 45 minutes later
However the 12 hour gap in London suggests a link in and replacement of an existing service

Who is the current coach provider between Cardiff and London?
It is probably Stagecoach in South Wales, so the crew change is more likely in Cardiff (as wetsbound there is no stop at Newport)
Equally, it could be linked in with the existing provisions from Oxfordshire, so a crew change at the Motorway Services is also possible

Most of the Megabus services in south wales are provided by Stagecoach south wales (cwmbran depot) however there is one diagram where the coach and driver workes to Cardiff on the service from Newcastle & Birmingham. Also as for the coach having 12 hours in London it may be used on the London - Swindon/Cheltenham route.


Edwards coaches were contracted to provide 1 coach & driver to work a certain diagram on behalf of megabus not sure if they still do this.

 

[rail-britain]

Also as for the coach having 12 hours in London it may be used on the London - Swindon/Cheltenham route

As above, I mentioned this suggests a linked in or replacement of an existing service
You might notice a realignment of other services, typically one has been dumped, which has released this coach for this new service

 

[anthony263]

Word is that Cwmbran is getting more coaches (hopefully some neoplan skyliners) to cope with additional megabus work.

 

[starrymarkb]

much difference on this compared to older moddles or is it purely a minor update?

Facelifted front and rear and 13L Engine

 

[mbonwick]

Unlikely to be Neoplan - they aren't the 'standard' Megabus vehicle....

 

[rail-britain]

Unlikely to be Neoplan - they aren't the 'standard' Megabus vehicle

Possibly downgraded from other companies and swapped duties

 

[mbonwick]

Unlikely.
Only neoplans in Stagecoach are in various regions in Scotland, all new in 2005. There are no plans to replace them this financial year.

Besides, Megabus has evolved and now always gets new vehicles.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Unlikely.
Only neoplans in Stagecoach are in various regions in Scotland, all new in 2005. There are no plans to replace them this financial year.

Besides, Megabus has evolved and now always gets new vehicles.

probs more panthers my bet, nout wrong with them iether. Not keen on the deckers they use on glasgow - london though.

 

[route101]

probs more panthers my bet, nout wrong with them iether. Not keen on the deckers they use on glasgow - london though.

The Van hool astromegas ! Up top is far smoother than a plaxton panther i can tell ou.

 

[anthony263]

Havent been on nor driven the van hool's yet.