Stagecoach Cymru 20392

[DaveHarries]

Hi all,

Was at the bus station in Cwmbran this lunchtime when, to my surprise, Volvo B10M / Alexander PS 20392 (R792 DHB) drew in. It is now in allover white with Red, Orange & Blue stripes as well as Stagecoach Red & White fleetnames! It has also now reverted to its previous fleetnumber which was 792 and this was painted on the vehicle.

An enthusiast in the Blackwood (Gwent) area informs me it was repainted at the depot in Blackwood about 3 weeks ago. It looks great. Those of you with cameras get a photo if you get a chance: it looked great in the sunlight today.

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[anthony263]

Yes it was done a few weeks ago.

The seats came from anther vehicle.

In fact this bus has recently done some trips on service 14/X14 between Newport & Chepstow/Bristol

 

[90sWereBetter]

I believe said vehicle was the last Alexander PS built, back in March 1998.

 

[transportphoto]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/iantherev/8615894777/

 

[anthony263]

I believe said vehicle was the last Alexander PS built, back in March 1998.

This is confirmed.

The bus hasnt entered preservation at the moment as Stagecoach are still using it on school services as well as covering for other vehicles.

Normally you can expect to see it on the following routes:

X3/X33 Cardiiff - Pontypool/Abergavenny
14/X14 Newport - Chepstow - Abergavenny.

It does appear on some of Stagecoachs local services around Newport as well as on the Newport - Chepstow services 73/74

 

[anthony263]

Sadly this bus has now suffered an engine failure and was spotted recently leaking a large amount of oil at Cardiff bus station.

Stagecoach have not made a decision on what to do with this bus especially since it was the last built so some in the company are very keen to preserve it being part fo Stagecoach's heritage.

Hopefully a donor engine can be found from one of the companys other Volvo B10m's that said a community group in the Rhondda valley have a volvo b10m which they are keen to get rid of so maybe that could be a good source of spares.

I certainly do hope it is not the end for this bus

 

[mbonwick]

There are plenty of engines and gearboxs sat around in various withdrawn B10Ms in Wales and elsewhere - given the importance of this bus I can only see it being preserved when it leaves revenue earning service.