Stagecoach East Scotland

[VioletEclipse]

Am I right that the dark blue is due to replace the yellow of the fife coaches? as most are still in yellow currently.

 

[scosutsut]

Am I right that the dark blue is due to replace the yellow of the fife coaches? as most are still in yellow currently.

It appears to be yes.

 

[Butts]

Waited for the 747 bus to the Airport on Monday morning - 4.30am bus from Queensferry which I thought would be quiet. ‘Bus Full’ on the screen and drove straight past. Not ideal at that time as it’s only every 30mins. There was one other person waiting at the stop so we had to get my partner up to drive us. If a bus is full during the day it’s not as bad as every 20 mins but at that time it’s every 30 mins so if you miss one it’s a long wait. Has completely put me off using the service now as I can’t rely on it. Makes me think that they should have ordered deckers instead of the new electric single deckers they recently bought.

Yesterday Afternoon at Edinburgh Airport I saw a 787 Old Style Double Decker going out with a Full Sign in the window - yikes that is busy for St Andrews.

 

[overthewater]

Again? Crumbs, I do know some time last week they had to send out a duplicate out, it seems this service is really taking off...

 

[Butts]

Again? Crumbs, I do know some time last week they had to send out a duplicate out, it seems this service is really taking off...

At least more people would have got on the traditional Double Decker - if it had been one of those new fangled ones ???

Problem is its only every 2 Hours not like the 747.

 

[overthewater]

I believe it was a B8 coach that was sent out to dup, at this rate it might go up to every hour at times.

 

[318266]

Me and another enthusiast passed a northbound 787 at Halbeath, roughly 1735 on Sunday. It was entirely full and I think exchanged at most 5 passengers at the top stance before flying off again. Was an Enviro400 MMC.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Me and another enthusiast passed a northbound 787 at Halbeath, roughly 1735 on Sunday. It was entirely full and I think exchanged at most 5 passengers at the top stance before flying off again. Was an Enviro400 MMC.

I wonder if Panoramas are an option for the route? Certainly looks as if it could manage an hourly service though.

Or, do you just bring the route in as an extension of the 747 and run normal buses all the way to St Andrews, granted not every 20 minutes.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I wonder if Panoramas are an option for the route? Certainly looks as if it could manage an hourly service though.

I don't think using Panoramas would be any more risky than using them on the X59, but do they have any at the depot the 787 is ran from?

 

[overthewater]

The Dunfermline depot does not have any Panoramas at this moment in time. Going how busy the 747 can be a times I double they will merge the routes and there is more chance 787 will become hourly at times. It also picking up passengers in Auchtermuchty, so there is other people out with the Airport using this route.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

The Dunfermline depot does not have any Panoramas at this moment in time. Going how busy the 747 can be a times I double they will merge the routes and there is more chance 787 will become hourly at times. It also picking up passengers in Auchtermuchty, so there is other people out with the Airport using this route.

I find the service to be hit or miss, At night it's absolutely dead, I used it last week to Ingliston Road stop and I was the only person the whole way

 

[318266]

I wonder if Panoramas are an option for the route? Certainly looks as if it could manage an hourly service though.

Or, do you just bring the route in as an extension of the 747 and run normal buses all the way to St Andrews, granted not every 20 minutes.

I think it will be more of a matter of frequency and keeping to the allocated interdecks. With some fleet manoeuvring I doubt it would be difficult to make 6 coaches run it, even if they aren't all interdecks.

A good way of freeing up more coaches would be to apply to whenever the next ScotZEB round is for electric coaches for the Kilmarnock/Ayr expresses (utilising Kilmarnock's express charging capability, and given that Ayr Bus Station is operated by Stagecoach I doubt they will have much difficulty adding the reverse pantograph system if wished), and cascade the interdecks to the more demanding 787 runs. The double decks that are often drafted in at short notice to cover could then be returned to improve frequency where applicable on other routes, or transferred out to improve GB-wide fleet age.

 

[CSB0241]

Yesterday Afternoon at Edinburgh Airport I saw a 787 Old Style Double Decker going out with a Full Sign in the window - yikes that is busy for St Andrews.

Seems to be doing extremely well then, compare that to when I got one back in July from St. Andrews to Edinburgh Airport & there were at most about 12 people on board.

I wonder if Panoramas are an option for the route? Certainly looks as if it could manage an hourly service though.

I don't think using Panoramas would be any more risky than using them on the X59, but do they have any at the depot the 787 is ran from?

A good way of freeing up more coaches would be to apply to whenever the next ScotZEB round is for electric coaches for the Kilmarnock/Ayr expresses (utilising Kilmarnock's express charging capability, and given that Ayr Bus Station is operated by Stagecoach I doubt they will have much difficulty adding the reverse pantograph system if wished), and cascade the interdecks to the more demanding 787 runs. The double decks that are often drafted in at short notice to cover could then be returned to improve frequency where applicable on other routes, or transferred out to improve GB-wide fleet age.

I do think Panoramas would work really well on the 787, since correct me if I’m wrong but don’t the Panos hold 91 people compared to the Elite i’s 72? I think @318266’s idea would probably be the best course of action (what with Kilmarnock - & I guess Ayr to a degree aswell - more or less functioning as a testing ground for Stagecoach’s EVs ), though if not, I do suppose they could always buy more 9700DDs to accompany the ones already at Glenrothes & Aberhill.

Or, do you just bring the route in as an extension of the 747 and run normal buses all the way to St Andrews, granted not every 20 minutes.

The problem with that is the 747 is margainally slower than the 787 between Edinburgh Airport & Halbeath (41min on the 747 compared to 25min on the 787), so I do doubt that Stagecoach would take that approach.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Panoramas only hold 79 don't know where 91 is coming from, 9700DDs only hold 81 too, interdecks are only about 60 odd

Seems to be doing extremely well then, compare that to when I got one back in July from St. Andrews to Edinburgh Airport & there were at most about 12 people on board.




I do think Panoramas would work really well on the 787, since correct me if I’m wrong but don’t the Panos hold 91 people compared to the Elite i’s 72? I think @318266’s idea would probably be the best course of action (what with Kilmarnock - & I guess Ayr to a degree aswell - more or less functioning as a testing ground for Stagecoach’s EVs ), though if not, I do suppose they could always buy more 9700DDs to accompany the ones already at Glenrothes & Aberhill.


The problem with that is the 747 is margainally slower than the 787 between Edinburgh Airport & Halbeath (41min on the 747 compared to 25min on the 787), so I do doubt that Stagecoach would take that approach.

 

[overthewater]

The rumour is Glenrothes is due new Panoramas to covert the X59 to decker coach route, ( it could still be a year away at this rate) So maybe they could ship some of the B11 to Dunfermline for the 787. We have to wait and see...

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

The rumour is Glenrothes is due new Panoramas to covert the X59 to decker coach route, So maybe they could ship some of the B11 to Dunfermline for the 787, that happens. We have to wait and see...

Doubt they'll be new Panoramas they don't make them anymore

 

[overthewater]

Doubt they'll be new Panoramas they don't make them anymore

What do they make now?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

What do they make now?

Where have you been recently lol, Plaxton haven't made any coaches the past 3 years hence why the Volvo 9700DDs where bought, The B11R engine has been discontinued as well it's now the B13R, whatever rumours you've heard I'd take them with a pinch of salt

 

[overthewater]

Where have you been recently lol, Plaxton haven't made any coaches the past 3 years hence why the Volvo 9700DDs where bought, The B11R engine has been discontinued as well it's now the B13R, whatever rumours you've heard I'd take them with a pinch of salt

I blame Covid, I didn't release Plaxton is out of the game, what happened there. I know B13 were merged into B11 but again never released that also been stopped. Maybe I'm getting mixed up between Volvo 9700DDs and Panoramas. Crumbs the coach market has become dire of late....

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

I blame Covid, I didn't release Plaxton is out of the game, what happened there. I know B13 were merged into B11 but again never released that also been stopped. Maybe I'm getting mixed up between Volvo 9700DDs and Panoramas. Crumbs the coach market has become dire of late....

Nothing to do with Covid. They're not out of they game They're just not taking any orders for coaches and focusing in the bus building at the plant in Scarborough

 

[EnviroExplorer]

The rumour is Glenrothes is due new Panoramas to covert the X59 to decker coach route, ( it could still be a year away at this rate) So maybe they could ship some of the B11 to Dunfermline for the 787. We have to wait and see...

If this is true it may well be a home for some former Oxford Tube Panoramas. Stagecoach typically replace coaches on there every 5 years and rumours are suggesting a new intake are in the pipeline for next year, with so few options now on the market it should be fairly obvious what they will be…

 

[overthewater]

Either way that route AKA X59 is deffo due new stock, whether it's brand new and some younger cast off is anyone guess.

The other rumour is, that's partly why the X54 been given the chop, how often does the Tay bridge get shut to Decker's, so you get rid make everything X59 and it's make life easier.

X58-61 is the next route after that in a few years times and then somewhere between 2028 and 2031 those B8s, I dread to think how they going to replace those...

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Either way that route AKA X59 is deffo due new stock, whether it's brand new and some younger cast off is anyone guess.

The other rumour is, that's partly why the X54 been given the chop, how often does the Tay bridge get shut to Decker's, so you get rid make everything X59 and it's make life easier.

X58-61 is the next route after that in a few years times and then somewhere between 2028 and 2031 those B8s, I dread to think how they going to replace those...

I think suggesting the Oxford Tube Panoramas coming up to Scotland seems highly likely. Possibly some for West Scotland (X74/77 - if it can work), some for Glenrothes and then a good few for Citylink. The latter of which some were new for too, albeit cause of covid.

34 of these split across Scotland? Yes I could see that. 2 still with Citylink anyway.

X58/61 will likely need to be new stock. The only realistic way to replace the stock on the X55 I think will be to revert to standard deckers. Boring, but it’d work.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

I think suggesting the Oxford Tube Panoramas coming up to Scotland seems highly likely. Possibly some for West Scotland (X74/77 - if it can work), some for Glenrothes and then a good few for Citylink. The latter of which some were new for too, albeit cause of covid.

34 of these split across Scotland? Yes I could see that.

X58/61 will likely need to be new stock. The only realistic way to replace the stock on the X55 I think will be to revert to standard deckers. Boring, but it’d work.

I would think it's time for the Oxford Tube renewal again in the new year - they are usually every 5-6 years - so this makes sense.

Talking of new vehicles, only five each of the six BZLs for Arbroath and Dunfermline are tracking. Are 76125 and 76143 still awaited, or have they entered service but aren't tracking?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Talking of new vehicles, only five each of the six BZLs for Arbroath and Dunfermline are tracking. Are 76125 and 76143 still awaited, or have they entered service but aren't tracking?

76125 I doubt is as 27613 is soldiering on.

Not sure on 76143 as I haven’t identified what it’s displacing yet. Possibly 26353.

What appears to be happening is Dunfermline’s 13 E200mmc’s are moving to Glenrothes, with any repainted if required. This has then allowed for 27125-27130 to head down south to Devon. I suspect 27131 will also (if it hasn’t already) but it’s only those 6 that are confirmed. I suspect we’ll see the extra vehicles used to allow Glenrothes’ remaining single deckers to be repainted, as there’s not many. What 6 vehicles then depart Glenrothes after that, I’m not sure. It’s possible that 27131 may just be being repainted and 27211-27217 may be the last 7 that are surplus from Glenrothes.

The 99’s current E200mmc’s I suspect will mostly end up at Aberhill. Theoretically this will allow Aberhill to lose all the Scania and ADL E300’s it’s got. There’s a few random other buses at St Andrews which may depart also.

There’s also bound to be a reduction in vehicles from these upcoming changes as well.

 

[computerSaysNo]

I think suggesting the Oxford Tube Panoramas coming up to Scotland seems highly likely. Possibly some for West Scotland (X74/77 - if it can work), some for Glenrothes and then a good few for Citylink. The latter of which some were new for too, albeit cause of covid.
34 of these split across Scotland? Yes I could see that. 2 still with Citylink anyway.

Isn't the interior spec different between the Citylink/Oxford Panorama and the Stagecoach Panorama? I'm not sure they'd want to send fairly new Citylink-spec vehicles to Stagecoach Fife as all the nice delicate interior fittings would just get broken.
Does Falcon need newer coaches? Other than that I'm not sure. If West Scotland doesn't have as many passengers who are inclined to break things, maybe the Oxford Panos to there and then the Stagecoach spec Panos from West Scotland to Fife?
Would Panoramas work on the X7 Dundee to Aberdeen?

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Isn't the interior spec different between the Citylink/Oxford Panorama and the Stagecoach Panorama? I'm not sure they'd want to send fairly new Citylink-spec vehicles to Stagecoach Fife as all the nice delicate interior fittings would just get broken.
Does Falcon need newer coaches? Other than that I'm not sure. If West Scotland doesn't have as many passengers who are inclined to break things, maybe the Oxford Panos to there and then the Stagecoach spec Panos from West Scotland to Fife?
Would Panoramas work on the X7 Dundee to Aberdeen?

The ones for the X76 have a different spec, but this is largely due to the fact these were built towards the end of the Beachball era when spec was maybe a bit simpler.

The X7 has seen a lot of cuts over the years, so I doubt they’re in a rush to replace the stock on it.

 

[computerSaysNo]

The ones for the X76 have a different spec, but this is largely due to the fact these were built towards the end of the Beachball era when spec was maybe a bit simpler.

Oh I see. Those are just the 2018 plate Panoramas? Do those have the standard blue and red flooring, leather seats, USB chargers? But no wireless chargers, footrests or seatback table trays?
I didn't know the standard spec had changed, I've not been on any coaches newer than the 2017 Elites.

The X7 has seen a lot of cuts over the years, so I doubt they’re in a rush to replace the stock on it.

Has it? It's always been busy when I've been on it but then I'm only on it very occasionally.

 

[318266]

Oh I see. Those are just the 2018 plate Panoramas? Do those have the standard blue and red flooring, leather seats, USB chargers? But no wireless chargers, footrests or seatback table trays?
I didn't know the standard spec had changed, I've not been on any coaches newer than the 2017 Elites.

Standard flooring, but Beachball moquette seats with leather headrests. No footrests, no wireless chargers, no table trays, but USB chargers are available where not obliterated by the local young teams.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

What appears to be happening is Dunfermline’s 13 E200mmc’s are moving to Glenrothes, with any repainted if required. This has then allowed for 27125-27130 to head down south to Devon. I suspect 27131 will also (if it hasn’t already) but it’s only those 6 that are confirmed. I suspect we’ll see the extra vehicles used to allow Glenrothes’ remaining single deckers to be repainted, as there’s not many. What 6 vehicles then depart Glenrothes after that, I’m not sure. It’s possible that 27131 may just be being repainted and 27211-27217 may be the last 7 that are surplus from Glenrothes.

The 99’s current E200mmc’s I suspect will mostly end up at Aberhill. Theoretically this will allow Aberhill to lose all the Scania and ADL E300’s it’s got. There’s a few random other buses at St Andrews which may depart also.

I think 27211-27217 are (or were) earmarked for going to Merseyside

Perth still have Euro 4 E300s with seatbelts so some of the StA MMCs may end up there