Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[158 fan]

supposedly the bzl's have been reallocated?

 

[aswilliamsuk]

How does the charging work, because 48 chargers to charge 110 buses doesn't add up.

Most chargers are double headed, in other words are capable of charging two vehicles at a time. And in many cases now, not all vehicles will be charged at the same time.

 

[Russel]

Most chargers are double headed, in other words are capable of charging two vehicles at a time. And in many cases now, not all vehicles will be charged at the same time.

Ah that makes sense, when I read 48 chargers, I took it at face value.

Presumably most will need charging on a nightly basis, assuming they've been in use during the day.

 

[-Colly405-]

I see that the Megabus Facebook page has posted a photo of a new Falcon livery...

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[embers25]

How much did they spend on basically bringing back the old livery.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

How much did they spend on basically bringing back the old livery.

Except it isn't that similar to the old livery. That said, it is a vast improvement on the yellow school bus/express livery.

 

[padbus]

Except it isn't that similar to the old livery. That said, it is a vast improvement on the yellow school bus/express livery.

View attachment 190202

Agreed, a vast improvement and arguably better than the original Falcon livery which had too much dark grey on it for my liking.

 

[embers25]

Id agree its better. Interesting they are dropping the megabus back to small font given everyone knows it as Falcon and not Megabus. So much better with interdecks too.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Stagecoach have announced to staff the loss of various tendered routes in Devon from early next year.

Tender Changes from 4 January 2026

Following a recent tender round by Devon County Council, a number of services will transfer to new operators from 4 January 2026 and will therefore no longer be operated by Stagecoach South West.

Barnstaple Depot
• Services 660/663S/855/856/859 - South Molton Town Services

Exeter Depot
• Service 6A - Exeter to Okehampton (majority of journeys)
• Service 96 - Exmouth Town Service
• Service 97 - Exmouth Town Service
• Service 173 - Exeter to Chagford and Moretonhampstead
• Service 348/349 - Tiverton Town Service
• Service 352/352 - Tiverton Town Service
• Service 360 - Exeter to Bridford and Christow
• Service 369 - Exeter to Morchard Bishop and Witheridge

Plymouth Depot
• Service 6A/6B - Exeter to Okehampton / Tavistock to
Okehampton

While it can be disappointing when services transfer to other operators, these changes will benefit the business in a number of ways.

The loss of these services is no reflection of our delivery of these services, some of which we have operated for a number of years.
As a result of these changes, there will be some changes to duties and rosters at Exeter Depot from 4 January 2026, with minimal changes at Barnstaple and Plymouth Depots.

We will be communicating these changes, as well as a small number of other services changes to our customers over the coming weeks.

Please contact a member of your depot management team should you have any questions regarding these changes.

Source: Attached image

 

[geoffk]

Several of these routes have only been operated by Stagecoach for a short time. I've not seen any information on who is taking over.

 

[thameslink2000]

Stagecoach have announced to staff the loss of various tendered routes in Devon from early next year.


Source: Attached image

View attachment 192464

Travel Devon website now updated with the January changes and new operators

Latest news and service updates - Travel Devon

Please see below a feed of latest news for bus services in Devon. If you require information on operational issues, such as delays and diversions, please

www.traveldevon.info

From 4 January 2026​

• 6A Okehampton – Whiddon Down – Tedburn St Mary – Exeter (Stagecoach)
  • Stagecoach will only operate the 0730 Okehampton to Exeter and 1635 Exeter to Okehampton on Exeter College Days.
  • All other Monday – Saturday journeys will now be operated by Dartline as service 66. The new timetable includes a two-hourly off-peak frequency and a new earlier arrival in Okehampton. The Sunday service will continue to be operated by Stagecoach.
• 6B Tavistock – Okehampton(Stagecoach)
  • Service withdrawn. Alternative journeys available on service 118.
• 96: Lympstone – Brixington – Exmouth (Stagecoach)
  • Service 96 will now be operated by Dartline with an unchanged timetable.
• 97: The Marles – Exmouth – Masey Road (Stagecoach)
  • Service 97 will now be operated by Dartline with an unchanged timetable.
• 173: Moretonhampstead – Chagford – Exeter (Stagecoach)
  • Service 173 will now be operated by Country Bus with an unchanged timetable.
• 348 and 349: Tiverton – Cowley Moor – Higher Moor Circulars (Stagecoach)
  • Service 348 and 349 will now be operated by Dartline with an unchanged timetable.
• 352 and 353: Tiverton – Wilcombe – Tidcombe Circular (Stagecoach)
  • Details coming soon.
• 360: Bridford – Christow – Ide – Exeter (Stagecoach)
  • Service 360 will now be operated by Dartline with an unchanged timetable.
• 369: Morchard Bishop – Sandford – Crediton – Exeter (Stagecoach)
  • Service 369 will now be operated by Dartline with an unchanged timetable.
• 660, 855, 856 and 859: South Molton – Bishops Nympton / North Molton / Town Service / Chittlehampton (Stagecoach)
  • These services will be operated by MD Buses with an unchanged timetable.

 

[geoffk]

Travel Devon website now updated with the January changes and new operators

Latest news and service updates - Travel Devon

Please see below a feed of latest news for bus services in Devon. If you require information on operational issues, such as delays and diversions, please

www.traveldevon.info

Thanks. I checked less than an hour ago so it's just been updated.

 

[henryb]

Massive wins for Dartline here, after their recent decline

 

[embers25]

Maybe the 6A win is the reason for the Enviro 200s running on the PR3 as they may as well use them until the 6A starts. Maybe they also enable the usual Solos to be maintained. Wonder if Exeter will see even more TfC buses lol.

 

[DaveHarries]

Maybe the 6A win is the reason for the Enviro 200s running on the PR3 as they may as well use them until the 6A starts.

I doubt that putting Enviro200s on the 66 will be a terribly popular move, particularly at peak times and may, in fact, encourage use of the trains. E200s might be good for getting people to Okehampton Station (and Okehampton Interchange when that opens) by using the earlier arrival into Okehampton.

Dave

 

[embers25]

I doubt that putting Enviro200s on the 66 will be a terribly popular move, particularly at peak times and may, in fact, encourage use of the trains. E200s might be good for getting people to Okehampton Station (and Okehampton Interchange when that opens) by using the earlier arrival into Okehampton.

Dave

True but Dartline dont have a wealth of reliable deckers or long singles. I guess PCB will probably supply them.

The 66 going to Dartline also finally breaks properly the Exeter to Bude service, although the split at Oke already did too. Be interesting to see if the 6 will wait for the often late 66 now....

 

[YorkRailFan]

Not surprised regarding 6B going, that was just Stagecoach testing the waters I imagine.

If tickets between 66 and 6 are accepted, with buses waiting for each other at Okehampton Station, I see no issues. If not, it's a big loss for passengers. Despite needing to change buses, the through service is still popular with tourists so it would be a shame to lose this.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I doubt that putting Enviro200s on the 66 will be a terribly popular move, particularly at peak times and may, in fact, encourage use of the trains. E200s might be good for getting people to Okehampton Station (and Okehampton Interchange when that opens) by using the earlier arrival into Okehampton.

Dave

The people who can use the train will already be using the train - it's hourly and takes 35 (ish) mins, or you have a two hourly run taking 1h 10. The 66 is now largely for people in Tedburn and those other intermediate spots or any twirly pass holder who doesn't want to fork out for the train.

 

[Rapidash]

Stagecoach has been using single-deckers on the 5 recently as well. When I was on it yesterday around 1630, it was full and standing by the time it left Paris Street.

I get the impression they are currently using whatever is left in the depot ahead of the changeover to EVs in the new year.

 

[embers25]

Stagecoach have a shortage of deckers due to all the college and school contracts they won. The 1 to Cullompton has gone mostly single with overcrowding as a result.

On Dartline, this morning the Coly9, normally one of their three white scania omnideckers, was an 09 plate ex-Metrobus omnidecker, compete in full route 400 livery, not quite providing the direct link to Gatwick advertised! The bus doesn't show on their Bustimes fleet list, so I assume is 'new' and possibly for the 66?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Stagecoach have a shortage of deckers due to all the college and school contracts they won. The 1 to Cullompton has gone mostly single with overcrowding as a result.

On Dartline, this morning the Coly9, normally one of their three white scania omnideckers, was an 09 plate ex-Metrobus omnidecker, compete in full route 400 livery, not quite providing the direct link to Gatwick advertised! The bus doesn't show on their Bustimes fleet list, so I assume is 'new' and possibly for the 66?

It does sound like Stagecoach were rather overkeen with their wins. They were looking to get rid of the older ALXs across the empire and instead, Devon got some more and they're even out on trunk routes. I was in Barnstaple recently and despite the new Solos there, I did think that the fleet generally (and esp on the main 21) was looking pretty peachy.

That said, the press release in Sep stated that the EV fleet was due early 2026 so perhaps they've decided that they have to muddle through in the meantime.

GSC got a load of Metrobus Omnidekkas in August for the work that they won off First. Remember seeing them in Milehouse.

 

[markymark2000]

Not surprised regarding 6B going, that was just Stagecoach testing the waters I imagine.

If tickets between 66 and 6 are accepted, with buses waiting for each other at Okehampton Station, I see no issues. If not, it's a big loss for passengers. Despite needing to change buses, the through service is still popular with tourists so it would be a shame to lose this.

I thought the 6B was more of a dead mileage trip rather than 'testing the waters' as the bus does an 1S to Tavistock anyway, so it looked like the 6B is just a way to save dead mileage from the Tavistock up to Okehampton.

 

[henryb]

I doubt that putting Enviro200s on the 66 will be a terribly popular move, particularly at peak times and may, in fact, encourage use of the trains. E200s might be good for getting people to Okehampton Station (and Okehampton Interchange when that opens) by using the earlier arrival into Okehampton.

Dave

Stagecoach are still running the 2 peak time college runs

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I thought the 6B was more of a dead mileage trip rather than 'testing the waters' as the bus does an 1S to Tavistock anyway, so it looked like the 6B is just a way to save dead mileage from the Tavistock up to Okehampton.

It's a bit of an odd one. It is a Tavy o/s board AFAIK so runs empty to the George P&R and runs into Tavistock. Then it runs to Okey and sits there all day. As the Exeter and Crediton runs can be covered from Exeter (and Bideford service is managed from that end), can only assume that it's a way of getting a Tavy driver to provide reliefs on the Bude service?

So yeah, I think it's a placement run more than "testing the waters" but to what end?

 

[markymark2000]

It's a bit of an odd one. It is a Tavy o/s board AFAIK so runs empty to the George P&R and runs into Tavistock. Then it runs to Okey and sits there all day. As the Exeter and Crediton runs can be covered from Exeter (and Bideford service is managed from that end), can only assume that it's a way of getting a Tavy driver to provide reliefs on the Bude service?

The 6B bus runs onto Exeter as a 6A. It does 1S to Tavistock, 6B to Okehampton, then 09:33 6A from Okehampton to Exeter. Sits in Exeter for a few hours, then does 13:05 6A Exeter to Okehampton, then 6B to Tavistock in time for the 1S school. For some reason the tracking hasn't been working on the 6A trips though.

On 1st September when the 6B started, the 6A had cuts made and so I think this was one way of providing an extra off peak bus on the 6A and do so at minimal cost.

 

[YorkRailFan]

It's a bit of an odd one. It is a Tavy o/s board AFAIK so runs empty to the George P&R and runs into Tavistock. Then it runs to Okey and sits there all day. As the Exeter and Crediton runs can be covered from Exeter (and Bideford service is managed from that end), can only assume that it's a way of getting a Tavy driver to provide reliefs on the Bude service?

So yeah, I think it's a placement run more than "testing the waters" but to what end?

The 6B vehicle runs a return journey to Exeter as the 6A. The 6A is largely a peak time service with the off-peak journeys being quiet.

I thought the 6B was more of a dead mileage trip rather than 'testing the waters' as the bus does an 1S to Tavistock anyway, so it looked like the 6B is just a way to save dead mileage from the Tavistock up to Okehampton.

Although it only did the one return journey on the 6A from Okehampton, which I doubt was too busy anyway. The 6B seems like a way of providing an additional off peak 6A journey and testing the waters before Stagecoach took over the 118 from Dartline.

The 6B bus runs onto Exeter as a 6A. It does 1S to Tavistock, 6B to Okehampton, then 09:33 6A from Okehampton to Exeter. Sits in Exeter for a few hours, then does 13:05 6A Exeter to Okehampton, then 6B to Tavistock in time for the 1S school. For some reason the tracking hasn't been working on the 6A trips though.

On 1st September when the 6B started, the 6A had cuts made and so I think this was one way of providing an extra off peak bus on the 6A and do so at minimal cost.

Yes. You can tell which 6A journeys are operated out of Tavistock as they start/end at Okehampton West Street instead of Okehampton Station.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The 6B vehicle runs a return journey to Exeter as the 6A. The 6A is largely a peak time service with the off-peak journeys being quiet.

I see - It's the 0933 and 1305 return. Just hasn't tracked for a couple of weeks but if you go far enough back, it's there.

Thanks for the pointer - not sure how I missed it as it's actually pretty obvious in the timetable

Although it only did the one return journey on the 6A from Okehampton, which I doubt was too busy anyway. The 6B seems like a way of providing an additional off peak 6A journey and testing the waters before Stagecoach took over the 118 from Dartline.

Hmmm.... I wonder if it was to placate the twirly pass holders by giving them an earlier departure otherwise they'd not get into Exeter til 1143?

 

[Temple Meads]

Maybe the 6A win is the reason for the Enviro 200s running on the PR3 as they may as well use them until the 6A starts. Maybe they also enable the usual Solos to be maintained. Wonder if Exeter will see even more TfC buses lol.

The E200s will be staying on the PR3 as it required newer buses.

Back on the topic of Stagecoach, these route losses may finally mean the end of the 04-plate Solos.

 

[Rapidash]

I've seen on various FB groups that Torquay depot is now sending out their EV's for driver training.

 

[150249]

I've seen on various FB groups that Torquay depot is now sending out their EV's for driver training.

80264 entered service this afternoon on the 30