Buses and previous owners

[Bayum]

Currently on Connexionsbuses' T562 BSS to Harrogate.

Was quite shocked to note that unlike most of their stock I've been on over the past 18 months, that this bus is practically still First Bus on the inside!

Same upholstery, seating, signage and alighting bells.

Had a quick google of the above registration number to check that it was indeed a registration number and note it's been across the UK with First, Stagecoach and now Connexionsbuses

Is this common practice in the bus industry? Particularly more so for family wonder operators like Connexionsbuses?

 

[mbonwick]

The bus industry can fairly logically be split down into two sections;
1. The large national operators that buy new
2. Smaller companies that buy second hand.

It's not unusual for a vehicle to have several owners during its lifetime, however it is rare to see one that has been owned by both First and Stagecoach. (Although, given that T562BSS was withdrawn on takeover of Chester & the Wirral by Stagecoach, I'm not sure they can really properly count as an owner).

 

[BurtonM]

I've been on a bus owned by a former small Manchester operator that had come from Go-Ahead London, that had had absolutely nothing done to it except it had been given a new destination blind and some white paint. There was a full compliment of TfL stickers and whatnot on the inside and it still claimed to be registered to Go-Ahead!

 

[ECML180]

It's much more common to see second hand buses from Stagecoach rather than First, who seem to prefer storing and scrapping them. Many companies take ex-lease second hand vehicles too which are usually to London Specifications but have lost all notices. Having said that where I work we have an ex London bus covered in mid 2000s notices and Arriva logo'd notices despite calling it a Vintage Routemaster!

 

[34D]

Of the connexions buses fleet, only 5 midibuses were brand new (1 57 plate solo, 3 solo SR, one Enviro 200).

The rest have come from dealers, with therefore a mix of interiors.

This is indeed common with virtually all the smaller operators in the country.

 

[mbonwick]

It's much more common to see second hand buses from Stagecoach rather than First

First policy (at the moment) is to only sell vehicles for scrap, with no further resale permitted. This came about when First tried selling vehicles supposedly for preservation....and in actual fact the vehicles were used in competition with them, still in First livery!

 

[ECML180]

First policy (at the moment) is to only sell vehicles for scrap, with no further resale permitted. This came about when First tried selling vehicles supposedly for preservation....and in actual fact the vehicles were used in competition with them, still in First livery!

I thought it was! I daren't say in case I got it wrong. You'd love to see the look on 'Blakey's face when he's convinced the bosses above him to sell a bus for preservation only to see it come around the corner in service!

 

[90019]

Lothian recently sold off a load of the old Y reg Pointers (not sure if they all sold), and some of the older Tridents. The majority of them still have the Lothian interiors.
Some are even still in Lothian's livery - I'm looking at you, Kingsley's.

 

[northwichcat]

Is there any connection (excuse the pun) between the Connexions name that appears on some GHA Coaches buses and the Connexionsbuses name or is just coincide?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABn-ravPkHA/TGRyOcge9RI/AAAAAAAAB6c/ScQvmz1EN1U/s1600/47097.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2826/10824637843_a30ae8b95c.jpg

 

[Deerfold]

Is there any connection (excuse the pun) between the Connexions name that appears on some GHA Coaches buses and the Connexionsbuses name or is just coincide?
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ABn-ravPkHA/TGRyOcge9RI/AAAAAAAAB6c/ScQvmz1EN1U/s1600/47097.JPG
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2826/10824637843_a30ae8b95c.jpg

I think that's complete coincidence - even down to them both having fancy Xs.

 

[richw]

First policy (at the moment) is to only sell vehicles for scrap, with no further resale permitted. This came about when First tried selling vehicles supposedly for preservation....and in actual fact the vehicles were used in competition with them, still in First livery!

I'm guessing the above mentioned was sold on as passed to Stagecoach ownership along with the depot?

As a car owner I buy my cars second hand with intention of running it for many years, probably until it's good for scrap, my current car I bought at 3 years old, and is my intention to run for 10+ years. Can't see why any problem with bus operators doing the same.

 

[Hophead]

The bus industry can fairly logically be split down into two sections;
1. The large national operators that buy new
2. Smaller companies that buy second hand.

3. Smaller companies that buy (or lease) new

 

[hassaanhc]

In London, Abellio got 8 second hand Mini Darts that had never been in London before! This was for Routes H20 and U9 between 04-reg and 56-reg. Mainly they've been ok, and they refurbished them. However, the three they picked for the U9 (all 2006 ones) seem to be dodgy and can disappear for weeks at a time, in fact they had to reinstate a V-reg bus as a spare for them once it became the only route in the garage to use single door buses, and has been in service there for over a year now!

 

[34D]

First policy (at the moment) is to only sell vehicles for scrap, with no further resale permitted. This came about when First tried selling vehicles supposedly for preservation....and in actual fact the vehicles were used in competition with them, still in First livery!

Was this long ago? Any particular preservationists at fault?

 

[mbonwick]

I'm guessing the above mentioned was sold on as passed to Stagecoach ownership along with the depot?

Yes, the aforementioned L94 was sold with Chester & Rock Ferry depots last year, but AFAIK didn't see Stagecoach service, being replaced immediately by E200s.

3. Smaller companies that buy (or lease) new

There are always exceptions to the rule, but generally what I posted holds true.

Was this long ago? Any particular preservationists at fault?

It was a few years ago and I can't remember any names offhand.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

McGill's of Greenock are prone to this. Some of the Wright Cadet's that they got from Bus Éireann still have dual language stickers on them and the old fleetnumber.

And their 51 plated Tridents from Stagecoach and 02 plated Tridents from Transdev still have their respective interiors and some of the 02 Tridents still have London Buses stickers on them.

 

[BurtonM]

First policy (at the moment) is to only sell vehicles for scrap, with no further resale permitted. This came about when First tried selling vehicles supposedly for preservation....and in actual fact the vehicles were used in competition with them, still in First livery!

What happened when Stagecoach bought First Wigan then?

 

[mbonwick]

With the First divestments to Stagecoach, the vehicles became subject to Stagecoach disposal policy, and as such could be sold on.

In the event though, I don't think anything from Wigan has seen further use, other than 3 darts donated to charity.

 

[Morgsie]

First Potteries are receiving stock from other First Bus Companies who are getting new stock

 

[Strathclyder]

One of Avondale Coaches' Solos, SH51 MHX, retains it's First Glasgow interior. It also has the First 'stars' on the destination blind.

 

[ECML180]

One of Avondale Coaches' Solos, SH51 MHX, retains it's First Glasgow interior. It also has the First 'stars' on the destination blind.

What are those for?

I've heard variously that they relate to being DDA compliant, EURO # standard and many other things but nothing convincing!

 

[Strathclyder]

What are those for?

I've heard variously that they relate to being DDA compliant, EURO # standard and many other things but nothing convincing!

No idea. I've always thought that it was something to do with a certain bus having outstanding reliability, but it possibly doesn't have anything to do with that.

 

[Tetchytyke]

What are those for?

It was branding when First started modernising their fleet in the late 90s.

Some routes with the new buses were branded as "gold service" or "sovereign", and had a star on the destination blind to advertise it. Most of the new buses were low floor, but not all of them were (the R-reg step Olympians in Bradford were branded "sovereign").

 

[ECML180]

That's quite interesting, thanks.

 

[northwichcat]

I think that's complete coincidence - even down to them both having fancy Xs.

I thought that would be the case. Although, the GHA Coaches bus that was in the photo I linked to was cascaded from Yorkshire which is why I asked if there could be a connection.

 

[BurtonM]

What are those for?

Purely aesthetic - around the turn of the century First North Western (pre-Northern Rail) had a navy livery with a gold star at each end, which would possibly have been related to the 'gold star service' theme. Something of a Dynamic Lines predecessor, perhaps.