Stagecoach East Scotland

[RomeoCharlie71]

No—5 buses lay over at the Seagate every night.

And it is scheduled to be 8, but obviously not enough space at Seagate for them

 

[aaronspence]

There must be quite a few empty runs to get the buses back to St Andrews currently, since the duties will be finishing at Dundee. Passed three YY18s not in service between St Andrews and Guardbridge this week.

Theres been a lot of disruption due to roadworks in Guardbridge (again), possibly they were resetting to try make up time.

 

[CSB0241]

Asked about 2 months back but my post got quickly buried so I might as well try again - does anyone have any good sources regarding the origins of Express/Experience City Connect services aside from skimming through route registrations? I’m mainly looking for information about the routes though if anyone would know what happened to all the buses used on ECC routes post-Stagecoach work, that’d also be great.

 

[route101]

I used the X61 from Ansruther yesterday and was surprised when a new Volvo double deck showed up. It did swapped over for a normal Elite for some reason.

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

I used the X61 from Ansruther yesterday and was surprised when a new Volvo double deck showed up. It did swapped over for a normal Elite for some reason.

It’s just the one in use at the moment. 54289 has been in use at Aberhill for a few weeks as a paint float. This will allow all the current Elite’s to be painted.

 

[DJ_9SZ]

Asked about 2 months back but my post got quickly buried so I might as well try again - does anyone have any good sources regarding the origins of Express/Experience City Connect services aside from skimming through route registrations? I’m mainly looking for information about the routes though if anyone would know what happened to all the buses used on ECC routes post-Stagecoach work, that’d also be great.

I remember the tri axle Scania Omnilinks on the X55/55 Dunfermline to Edinburgh and as a passenger they were quite nice. I'm sure they were on the X57 Kirkcaldy-Burntisland-Edinburgh and X53 Dalgety Bay-Edinburgh as well. Think they were 07 or 57 plates.

I am pretty sure the routes have not changed all that much recently, the Glasgow ones I'm sure have been talked about in the forum before, have been mainly the same.

They did try to send coaches from Glasgow to Glenrothes on through Markinch to Leven as an X4 but they struggled to fit through Markinch.

The X26 (similar to current X27) used to pass through Auchtertool on its way from Kirkcaldy to Glasgow.

Edinburgh is roughly the same recently, I remember the former X54 used to be Dundee direct to Ladybank, Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath, into Dunfermline bus station then down to Edinburgh, then it got cut from Dunfermline, then routed via Balmullo, Cupar and Pitlessie, then it got cut from Cowdenbeath, and replaced entirely by X59A and 40.

There have been various changes in the East Neuk but the main routes have stayed the same recently, 97/X58 St Andrews>Largoward>Leven on to Edinburgh and X60 via Elie, now X61

I know quite a few coaches, i.e. SP07 HHO, SP57 AAV, SP06 FVB were bought by Moffat and Williamson and used for school and the odd service work.

I have seen pictures of bendy coaches in Fife however I am not sure if that was pre-ECC.

 

[Ohnolookwho]

I remember the tri axle Scania Omnilinks on the X55/55 Dunfermline to Edinburgh and as a passenger they were quite nice. I'm sure they were on the X57 Kirkcaldy-Burntisland-Edinburgh and X53 Dalgety Bay-Edinburgh as well. Think they were 07 or 57 plates.

I am pretty sure the routes have not changed all that much recently, the Glasgow ones I'm sure have been talked about in the forum before, have been mainly the same.

They did try to send coaches from Glasgow to Glenrothes on through Markinch to Leven as an X4 but they struggled to fit through Markinch.

The X26 (similar to current X27) used to pass through Auchtertool on its way from Kirkcaldy to Glasgow.

Edinburgh is roughly the same recently, I remember the former X54 used to be Dundee direct to Ladybank, Glenrothes, Cowdenbeath, into Dunfermline bus station then down to Edinburgh, then it got cut from Dunfermline, then routed via Balmullo, Cupar and Pitlessie, then it got cut from Cowdenbeath, and replaced entirely by X59A and 40.

There have been various changes in the East Neuk but the main routes have stayed the same recently, 97/X58 St Andrews>Largoward>Leven on to Edinburgh and X60 via Elie, now X61

I know quite a few coaches, i.e. SP07 HHO, SP57 AAV, SP06 FVB were bought by Moffat and Williamson and used for school and the odd service work.

I have seen pictures of bendy coaches in Fife however I am not sure if that was pre-ECC.

Sending coaches from Leven - Edinburgh via Markinch and Glenrothes was the original start route of the X61.
The X61 eventually got cut back to just Glenrothes, operating via Thornton & North Kirkcaldy, then eventually from Thornton. and the X26 extended to Leven from Glenrothes at peak time.
Then eventually that got cut and replaced with the X4 which interworked with the old 46 that went Leven - Kennoway - Star - Glenrothes (Not sure if it went via markinch)
The 46 was then axed, but the X4 stayed, I velieve providing a 20 minute service bwetween Leven - Glenrothes alongside the 43/44s, they were jointly run by Aberhill & Glenrothes.

In 2022 the X4 was withdrawn but that was more to do with reassessing passenger demand, and to deal with the driver shortages that were plaguing the industry post covid.
Atleast thats how it was if i remember correctly.

 

[overthewater]

The old 46 ended up with Moffat and Williamson as thier M4.

The original X61 was from 2003 and was peak time service from North Glenrothes - Chapel Level Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh. Then when Halbeath P&R open the service was cut back to Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh.

Edit:
it was early 2015 changes when the X61 started doing Thornton - North Kirkcaldy - Edinburgh, it was then Extend to Glenrothes later in the year. It was then axed in Awful Aug 2016 cuts.

Then in 2017 X26 come back as mentioned Leven - Glenrothes - Glasgow service, in May 2018 the X4 come back and X26 went to Dundee.
Then in 2019, X4 was axed again and X61 Leven – Markinch – Glenrothes – Cowdenbeath - Halbeath – Ferrytoll – Edinburgh, replacing X54 on this section.

Rather interesting times, I still wonder what would have happened if Covid has not happened

 

[Volvodart]

Arbroath depot is awarded SCOTZEB3 funding.

Stagecoach secures £4.5 million to deliver fully electric bus depots

Stagecoach secures £4.5 million to deliver fully electric bus depots and more. We support the business community in Edinburgh to grow success.

www.edinburghchamber.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

So the whole Angus fleet will be Electric? Rather surprised Glenrothes never got a look in with this lot. I would wager it's 15 buses and 7 coaches for Arbroath? I can see the X7 getting them but it might be too little too late if ember starts its new coast route?

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

So the whole Angus fleet will be Electric?

Yes, so makes you wonder what'll happen with Forfar outstation. You are correct that it is 7 coaches and 16 buses for Arbroath

 

[overthewater]

Is the 7 coaches going to be deckers? It means now Fife fleet will be staying with Diesel for the next few year then. Hopefully those 65plate get sold off.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Is the 7 coaches going to be deckers?

Do Yutong offer an electric double deck coach?

 

[Spsf3232]

Do Yutong offer an electric double deck coach?

There was rumours of one in development when I was talking with Yutong and Ember engineering team last year.

The ScotZeb3 funding also had options for double decker coaches

 

[overthewater]

So is the rumours true? could stagecoach be the first to get the new deckers coaches?

 

[Scotrail88]

If going to Abroath for the X7, I would imagine that these will be tri axle yutongs and be charged during the layover at Dundee to keep them all day.
7 for a requirement (currently) of 6 might allow some swapping or will we see Dundee based workings also introduced since the recent licence increase for Seagate

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

If going to Abroath for the X7, I would imagine that these will be tri axle yutongs and be charged during the layover at Dundee to keep them all day.
7 for a requirement (currently) of 6 might allow some swapping or will we see Dundee based workings also introduced since the recent licence increase for Seagate

X7 can also use the chargers at Union Square like the M96 does

If I had to bet on it, some of the Tayway and Forfar work would move to Dundee then the remainder to work out of Arbroath

 

[Volvodart]

X7 can also use the chargers at Union Square like the M96 does

If I had to bet on it, some of the Tayway and Forfar work would move to Dundee then the remainder to work out of Arbroath

If they are triaxle, during the working day the only way to charge them is in the management car park. Not sure if there is room elsewhere on site where they could park instead.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

If they are triaxle, during the working day the only way to charge them is in the management car park. Not sure if there is room elsewhere on site where they could park instead.

Fair point, hadn’t thought of that

 

[CSB0241]

Do Yutong offer an electric double deck coach?

I’ve heard from 3 Ember drivers at this point that management approached Yutong asking about this & they apparently said that they had no interest in entering the double decker coach market. Obviously doesn’t mean it’s definitely not double decker electric coaches but I wouldn’t get your hopes up about them.

 

[alan25]

Does anyone know is St Andrews bus station has timetable racks?

 

[overthewater]

Does anyone know is St Andrews bus station has timetable racks?

I believe it has now been taken down, To be fair there were never the best at getting the stock in.

Glenrothes has not had it's rack out since before xmas. Leven is out of stock, Dunfermline/Kirkcaldy still has small amount of timetables. The Perth depot still has timetables, you might have to go to the depot to get them. The Two Fife park n rides still have plenty for the time being.

Once there gone that its. I dread to think what going to happen in the August Service changes.

 

[route101]

Does anyone know is St Andrews bus station has timetable racks?

I noticed this last weekend. The racks are away. The same is the case at Aberdeen Bus Station. I wonder if they have any behind the counters when they are staffed.

Dundee still has racks with timetables along with Halbeath.

Dunfermline have took the racks away too.

 

[scottishtrains]

I noticed this last weekend. The racks are away. The same is the case at Aberdeen Bus Station. I wonder if they have any behind the counters when they are staffed.

Dundee still has racks with timetables along with Halbeath.

Dunfermline have took the racks away too.

You can find timetables if you ask at Aberdeen at the customer service desk

 

[route101]

You can find timetables if you ask at Aberdeen at the customer service desk

What do they still print?

 

[scottishtrains]

What do they still print?

last time i was down, it was just normal paper timetables on A4 paper (no route maps or anything) but yes. they had proper X7 and citylink leaflets though, and the 14/Aberdeen Adventurer by mcgills did have too, not sure if they still do

 

[overthewater]

Stagecoach North has been handing out paper copies of the online PDF since 2021, but they Stagecoach north Scotland No longer prints timetables. The X7 come from East Scotland but from the Dec 2025 no longer print timetables.

 

[alan25]

I should have spent 2 mins checking on my post….
Oh well
Still had a nice day out in St Andrews.
Thanks for the information guys!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2026 ==

Stagecoach North has been handing out paper copies of the online PDF since 2021, but they Stagecoach north Scotland No longer prints timetables. The X7 come from East Scotland but from the Dec 2025 no longer print timetables.

Do you reckon if enough pressure was out on stagecoach they would print???

 

[overthewater]

Do you reckon if enough pressure was out on stagecoach they would print???

First is not printing the timetables and Lothian are not printing City timetables, I doubt unless there is change of leadership at the top (finger cross) I doubt it would make any difference right now.

 

[DJ_9SZ]

Do you reckon if enough pressure was put on stagecoach they would print???

I feel like anyone who requires paper copies of the timetables, the council office at bus stations and park and rides should all be equipped with a printer & funding to do this.

Would save money on mass publishing and printing of glossy timetable booklets and just print what is needed at the bus stations, if anyone isn't able to print themselves / would rather printed than digital.

I haven't used a paper timetable for several years now, mainly use Google Maps journey planner, or click on the bus stop I want to get on at to see all departures, or occasionally the bus operator apps / bustimes.

I do have a print out of my local bus times in my kitchen for quick reference.