Stagecoach East Scotland

[overthewater]

It seems over the past few days a higher number of Non coaches are being used on the route. I sure there still a few B10 P/R reg coaches still in use on the X25. It might kill off the remaining B10 coaches at Glenrothes.

 

[Blindtraveler]

are we sure the B7s are definately going?

 

[overthewater]

are we sure the B7s are definately going?

We know following

* Nine B7 ( 56 plates) will be freed up come 12th Nov once the new B13 coaches come into use on the New X24/X26 service. The X27 will continue to used B7 ( I think five)

* At this moment it seems Dunfermline Runs which using Non coaches on the duties.

* There is alot of talk where these Nine B7 will be going. as said some could stay in the kingdom, some could be moving to Glasgow depot. There could will end up other places. I doubt Fife need all nine as Im sure there only 5 B10 coaches left in the fleet??
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http://www.busandcoach.com/newspage.aspx?id=7195&categoryid=0

Stagecoach twittering to success

Stagecoach’s UK Bus Twitter pilot has been nominated for two awards at the 2012 Social Buzz Awards. The company launched three trial Twitter accounts at its Oxfordshire, Oxford Tube and East Scotland bus businesses last year as part of a pilot aimed at using the micro-blogging site to improve customer service.

The pilot has now been named as a finalist in the Best Use of Insight/Monitoring category and has also been shortlisted for the Best Social Media Customer Service Strategy award at the Social Buzz Awards. The winners will be announced at the end of November.

Stagecoach’s Elaine Rosscraig, says: “This pilot has helped us explore the use of social media as a way of communicating more effectively with our customers. We are delighted with the success of our Twitter schemes which have enabled us to ingrain social media within the business DNA locally in these pilot areas. As a result, we are now able to provide improved service information and customer service delivery in real time to our passengers.”

 

[Blindtraveler]

next stage link it with a facebook account?
Thanks Overthewater for B7 info. Would like to see a cupple go to Wick for X97 as currently pax for the far north get an accessible journey on modern Panthers from Inverness which generally continue to Thurso and Scrabster but those for Wick and Gills Bay dont have this luxury.

 

[robertclark125]

In an unexpected development, former gold liveried 27530/1 are to be transfered to St Andrews, to replace the B10M-62s which do the 23 to Stirling. With St Andrews having no other need for coaches, this move makes sense. However, they'll likely cover for Scanias getting branding for the 99 group, before being unleashed on the 23.

Incidentally, they retain their leather seats.

 

[overthewater]

In an unexpected development, former gold liveried 27530/1 are to be transfered to St Andrews, to replace the B10M-62s which do the 23 to Stirling. With St Andrews having no other need for coaches, this move makes sense. However, they'll likely cover for Scanias getting branding for the 99 group, before being unleashed on the 23.

Incidentally, they retain their leather seats.

That only leaves the need for about 3 Coaches for use at Glenrothes. So Where could 6 other end up? Any ideas where the 9 old 55plate from the 99 will be send?

Still not proper details about the changes
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http://www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdatedetails.aspx?Id=5898

Changes are up, and the 747 is going to every 30mins off peak, Nov - March demand does go down, I bet it will return in the spring...Hopeful.

It will also no longer via Kirkliston, again it does pick up passengers and does not need any more time to via this route.

 

[Jamester]

Ah, I wondered why 27530/31 were at Aberhill for repaint!

I imagine the 9 B7s that will go will be the 9 06 plates 53248-53256. They will be replaced by 54109-54117, all going to Dunfermline. I have heard a rumour that Aberhill are losing 2 coaches to reflect their decrease in express work. 53256 could be one.

I don't think any B7s have yet started to disappear, certainly not from Aberhill. The reason for MANs/Enviro 300/ etc. being used for express work is most likely due to B7s being off road. Aberhill has two off long term at the moment (53289 & 53304). Indeed Aberhill have had to resort to using 20339/341 on X58 & X60. The fact that Aberhill should have 4 spare B7s yet still very rarely have enough to cover tells you all you need to know about the reliability of these vehicles. And as for B13s going on most of the X26 service - Auchtertool road? And turning tight left in Crossgates at the traffic lights? Good luck to those who drive them!!

There are no longer any B10s used on the X25 Cumbernauld service so I would doubt whether they will get any Fife B7s. Most of the coaches used are 55 plates, some even newer.

 

[robertclark125]

Ah, I wondered why 27530/31 were at Aberhill for repaint!

I imagine the 9 B7s that will go will be the 9 06 plates 53248-53256. They will be replaced by 54109-54117, all going to Dunfermline. I have heard a rumour that Aberhill are losing 2 coaches to reflect their decrease in express work. 53256 could be one.

I don't think any B7s have yet started to disappear, certainly not from Aberhill. The reason for MANs/Enviro 300/ etc. being used for express work is most likely due to B7s being off road. Aberhill has two off long term at the moment (53289 & 53304). Indeed Aberhill have had to resort to using 20339/341 on X58 & X60. The fact that Aberhill should have 4 spare B7s yet still very rarely have enough to cover tells you all you need to know about the reliability of these vehicles. And as for B13s going on most of the X26 service - Auchtertool road? And turning tight left in Crossgates at the traffic lights? Good luck to those who drive them!!

There are no longer any B10s used on the X25 Cumbernauld service so I would doubt whether they will get any Fife B7s. Most of the coaches used are 55 plates, some even newer.

The X26 will continue to use B7s. The X24 and X27 are going over to B13 operation, and these don't serve Auchtertool and Crossgates. The X27 will still serve Victoria Hospital and Chapel Level, but now in both directions.

 

[overthewater]

I suggest you double check this since the 24/26 swape over at Glasgow while x27 will become a stand alone route Glasgow - St Andrews. with a layover of 50mins at St Andrews from the 12 Nov.

 

[robertclark125]

It appears reports of 22263s demise are premature. It's returned to Aberhill!

 

[Jamester]

I suggest you double check this since the 24/26 swape over at Glasgow while x27 will become a stand alone route Glasgow - St Andrews. with a layover of 50mins at St Andrews from the 12 Nov.

This is correct.

 

[jamieintercity]

when is the timetable for stagecoach strathtay going to change again, particularly on the 73 'tayway' route?

 

[overthewater]

when is the timetable for stagecoach strathtay going to change again, particularly on the 73 'tayway' route?

I dont believe its changing any time soon
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as for B13s going on most of the X26 service - Auchtertool road? And turning tight left in Crossgates at the traffic lights? Good luck to those who drive them!! .

Most of the drivers have been given Training on the new coaches via this road, over the past two weeks, and will continue to do so for the rest of the this week.

 

[robertclark125]

It appears the new coaches have a few issues, with three seemingly off the road. Elsewhere, the six MAN 18.220s of 1999 vintage, transfered to South Lancs and Merseyside in 2009, are now all in reserve. The question is, will any find their way to Wigan? These six vehicles are not the most reliable around, so it poses the question, will Stagecoach risk putting six unreliable buses into Wigan, risking their reputation if something goes wrong early on, or does it wait for something better?

 

[overthewater]

When did 22276 get an overhaul? ie new engine and news seating? it has been put to operate the Express route during last week

 

[Blindtraveler]

whats the issues with the new coaches?

 

[robertclark125]

Apparently the doors aren't shutting properly.

 

[Blindtraveler]

and just what they dont need is more door issues - B7s anyone?

 

[overthewater]

Biggest trouble not the doors its not reversing..

 

[jamieintercity]

I was on one of the environ300 on 1625 73A arbroath bus station to ninewells hospital service and it broke down just off the A92 heading towards easthaven, forced to wait at least 15mins for another environ300 to pick us up.

Do buses stick to bus diagrams like trains or can they end up on any service throughtout the day?

 

[robertclark125]

It can depend on what work it's doing. I have known en route vehicle changes to take place before. In addition, if a service finishes at a depot or bus station where there's a depot nearby, it's not unknown for buses to be changed then as well.

 

[jamieintercity]

I was on one of the environ300 on 1625 73A arbroath bus station to ninewells hospital service and it broke down just off the A92 heading towards easthaven, forced to wait at least 15mins for another environ300 to pick us up.

Do buses stick to bus diagrams like trains or can they end up on any service throughtout the day?

Whoops, meant E400 not E300. I get really confused which ones are the E300s and E400s.

Other then the E400s which operate on the 73 'tayway' route, wht other type of buses operate the same route as well and how often do they operate the same route.

Before stagecoach took over the strathtay bus region, how many buses from the strathtay omimbus ltd still operate for stagecoach and what routes do they work?

 

[Jamester]

When did 22276 get an overhaul? ie new engine and news seating? it has been put to operate the Express route during last week

Quite a while back now. I saw it on the X26 the other week, it replaced 53255 at St.Andrews. Before this bus was re-engined it was pretty poor. Not bad now, but I still dislike the low driving position.
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Biggest trouble not the doors its not reversing..

I read 2 articles in papers today and the indication was gear selection problems. Stagecoach won't be too worried as they will be covered by warranty.

 

[overthewater]

Cheers for the details about 22276. I take it there will be getting sent back to the factory? I've also heard the fire doors leaks on some. So strange.

 

[robertclark125]

And Stagecoach also made sure the surplus B7Rs weren't delicensed, jsut in case of any teething troubles. Good common sense practice here.

Regards the new coaches, and indeed those five B13s at Glenrothes, I can tell you the toilet compartments are fitted as standard, and are not an operator spec. However, for health and safety reasons, the toilets are not in use on the coaches.

 

[overthewater]

Turns out the two of the non spec B7 have gone to Rennies.

 

[robertclark125]

As reported in more sell off from First, the 8 MAN 18.220s new to Fife in 2006, and recently ousted by the new Scanias, are moving to Wigan. 22401-3/6 were noted today crossing the Forth Road Bridge, with the rest to follow. Until the takeover is concluded in january, it's not known where they will be kept.

So, North west fans, keep your eyes peeled for sightings!

 

[cainebj]

Regards the new coaches, and indeed those five B13s at Glenrothes, I can tell you the toilet compartments are fitted as standard, and are not an operator spec. However, for health and safety reasons, the toilets are not in use on the coaches.

They can be ordered without toilets fitted, adding an extra 2 seats.

 

[overthewater]

They can be ordered without toilets fitted, adding an extra 2 seats.

Stagecoach claims there can't order them without the loos. It makes no since why there would order a non working toilet.

 

[KendalKing]

So, North west fans, keep your eyes peeled for sightings!

Thanks for tip-off Robert, I will let you know if I see anything.