Stagecoach East Scotland

[robertclark125]

Hopefully Stagecoach will make a better fist of the Livingston service than what First did. In fairness, when First ran the 651, I never saw an empty bus in Dunfermline.

 

[overthewater]

It will require a bit of work, but if Stagecoach puts in some effect it will be rewarded.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It would appear a number of swaps have taken place for the open, mainly 99 branded e300 with deckers at aberhill.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/tis-service-update-details.aspx?id=6220

Stagecoach East Scotland would like to advise passengers of bus service changes effective from Monday 17th August 2015. These changes are mainly as a result of Fife Council tendered service changes in West Fife, with most of the service changes being in the Dunfermline and West Fife area, as well as small number of changes across other parts of our network.

Below is a summary of the changes. There will also be significant changes to school bus services in West Fife from the start of the new term, and full details of these services can be obtained from Fife Council.

Service 1/1A: Dunfermline – Duloch Park – Rosyth – Ferrytoll P&R – North Queensferry
There will be some changes to this service, primarily to improve peak time links to/from Ferrytoll. We have also been able to accommodate requests for better journeys to suit staff working at Sky, with a morning peak journey from Dunfermline to Pitreavie for 0819, and the 2235 1A journey from North Queensferry to Dunfermline now running 15 minutes later (passing Sky at 2309) to suit staff finishing at 2300.

Service 2/2A: Halbeath P&R – Duloch Park – Rosyth – Ferrytoll P&R
There will be some timetable changes to this service during Monday to Friday peak periods, and the service will now use Stance 2 at Halbeath Park & Ride instead of Stance 5. There are no changes to the main daytime service.

Service 3/3A: Townhill – Dunfermline – Abbeyview – Duloch Park – Fife Leisure Park/Halbeath P&R
On Mon to Fri the 1446 Townhill to Abbeyview journey will be extended to Halbeath P&R and on Mon to Sat the 1831 Townhill to Dunfermline bus station journey will be extended to Duloch Park. The hourly evening and Sunday journeys operating on behalf of Fife Council will now run between Dunfermline bus station and Fife Leisure Park, with journeys towards the bus station running 10 minutes earlier than at present. This service will now use Stance 2 at Halbeath Park & Ride instead of Stance 5.

Service 4/4A/4B/4C: Duloch Park – Dunfermline – Oakley – Blairhall
There will be some minor changes to the evening and Sunday timetable, operating on behalf of Fife Council, with most journeys between Blairhall and Dunfermline bus station now operating across town (as service 3) to provide direct links to/from Fife Leisure Park. There are no changes to the main Mon to Sat daytime service.

Service 5/5A: Dunfermline – Garvock Bank – Abbeyview circular
On Sunday mornings the 0910 service 5A journey from Hospital Hill will be revised to commence from Dunfermline bus station at 0900.

Service 6: Steelend – Dunfermline – Limekilns – Crombie
A revised timetable will be introduced incorporating changes to the morning and afternoon peak periods. The evening and Sunday timetable operating on behalf of Fife Council will be revised and will be operated by First Scotland East, as service F6.

Service 7/7A: Dunfermline – Dalgety Bay – Burntisland – Kirkcaldy – Leven
There will be some timetable changes around morning and afternoon school start and finish times, including some new journeys to enhance the frequency in the late afternoon. In addition a revised evening and Sunday timetable will be introduced resulting in journeys running around 15 minutes later than at present.

Service 7B/7C: Kirkcaldy – Leven
On weekdays, most journeys after 1600 will be retimed to run up to 15 minutes later than at present. The evening and Sunday journeys will also run around 15 minutes later than at present.

Service 8/8A: Dunfermline – High Valleyfield – Kincardine – Alloa – Stirling
On Monday to Friday the 0906 journey from High Valleyfield to Dunfermline will run 5 minutes earlier. Service 8A journeys at 2255 from Alloa to Dunfermline Monday to Saturday, and at 0822 Dunfermline to Alloa Sunday only, will be withdrawn.

Service 9: Kelty – QMH – Dunfermline – High Valleyfield
There will be some minor retiming to help improve reliability, with most journeys running a few minutes earlier than at present.

Service 10/11: Parkneuk / Izatt Avenue – Dunfermline – Queen Margaret Hospital circular
Due to low passenger numbers these services will be withdrawn. However revised service 81 will provide an alternative to service 10 between Parkneuk and Queen Margaret Hospital, and revised service 87 will now provide an alternative to service 11 between Dunfermline bus station and Izatt Avenue.

Service 17/17A/17B: Halbeath P&R – Crossgates – Cowdenbeath - Kelty
A revised timetable will be introduced on service 17 to complement service 18 and provide buses between Kelty and Cowdenbeath approximately every 30 minutes during Monday to Saturday daytime. Fife Council tendered services 17A and 17B will no longer be operated by Stagecoach and will transfer to another operator.

Service 18: Kelty – Cowdenbeath – Kirkcaldy
There will be some alterations to the timetable primarily affecting journeys at the morning and afternoon peak periods. The late evening journey at 2207 from Kirkcaldy will be extended from Cowdenbeath and now continue to Kelty.

Service 19/19A: Rosyth – Dunfermline – Cowdenbeath - Ballingry
There will be some alterations to the timetable particularly affecting early morning journeys, early evening journeys and late evening journeys. There are no changes to the main daytime timetable.

Service 20A: Lochgelly - Ballingry
This Fife Council tendered service will no longer be operated by Stagecoach and will transfer to another operator.

Service 28: Dunfermline – Saline – High Valleyfield – Falkirk
The 2012 Queen Margaret Hospital to Kincardine journey will run 2 minutes later. The 2127 Kincardine to Dunfermline journey will run 3 minutes later.
Service 33/33A: Kirkcaldy – Lochgelly – Cowdenbeath – QMH – Dunfermline
Due to a number of passenger requests, the route of this service will be revised to operate via Halbeath Park & Ride to improve connections to/from Queen Margaret Hospital. In order to achieve this, the route will also be revised to run direct between Cowdenbeath Broad Street and Crossgates. Hill of Beath will continue to be served by the frequent 19/19A service. There will also be some minor changes to the timetable, incorporating more journeys running to/from Dunfermline bus station in the early morning and early evening.

Service 34/34A: Kirkcaldy – Lochgelly – Ballingry
The 0800 Cardenden to Lochgelly school holidays only journey will be withdrawn. The 1452 Ballingry to Kirkcaldy journey will run 10 minutes earlier and will now also operate on schooldays, although it will run non-stop between Chapel Level retail park and Bennochy Bridge on schooldays. The journeys between the Cardenden area and Lochgelly High School will no longer run as service 34.

Service 39B: Glenrothes (Queensway) – Glenrothes Bus Station – Newcastle
The 1548 bus station to Newcastle journey will be revised to operate on school holidays only.

Service 51: Dunfermline – Ferrytoll – Kirkliston – Livingston
This service currently operating on weekends only will be significantly enhanced to provide a full daytime service, 7 days a week, offering new commuting and leisure travel opportunities between Dunfermline, Ferrytoll and Livingston throughout the week. The Saturday timetable will be improved to include additional journeys in the morning and evening providing new journey opportunities between Dunfermline and Livingston at these times. There will be no change to the Sunday timetable.
Service 56/56A/56B: Halbeath P&R – Kelty – Kinross – Bridge of Earn – Perth
The two weekday journeys currently starting at Cowdenbeath bus depot will be amended to commence from Cowdenbeath High Street instead. The 1405 Mon to Fri journey from Perth will no longer require through passengers to change buses at Kintillo, with subsequent timings from Kintillo to Kelty now 2 minutes earlier as a result. Saturday journeys currently starting and finishing at Cowdenbeath bus depot will operate to and from Halbeath Park & Ride. The 2210 Monday to Saturday journey from Perth will be revised to operate to Halbeath Park & Ride.

Service 81: Parkneuk - Dunfermline – QM Hospital – Cowdenbeath – Lochgelly – Glenrothes
The route of this service will be extended to serve Dunfermline bus station and Parkneuk via Alderston Drive and Robertson Road, providing an alternative to withdrawn services 10/11. The route between Kingseat and Queen Margaret Hospital will also be revised to operate via Kingseat Road and Halbeath Road. Sunday journeys will continue to operate direct between Kingseat and Queen Margaret Hospital only, and these direct journeys will be numbered 81A.

Service 83: Dalgety Bay – Duloch Park – Fife Leisure Park – QM Hospital – Townhill - Dunfermline
On Monday to Saturday the 1844 journey from Dalgety Bay will now run 15 minutes later and also commence from Inverkeithing rail station. On Sundays a new journey will operate at 0941 from Townhill to Dunfermline.

Service 87: Dunfermline – Duloch Park – Dalgety Bay – North Queensferry
The route of this service will be revised, with most journeys now serving Izatt Avenue, and the timetable will therefore be revised to take account of this route change.

Service 88: Rosyth Europarc – Inverkeithing circular
There will be some amendments to the timetable in the middle of the afternoon, particularly on schooldays.

Service 89/89A: Crossford – Dunfermline – Duloch Park – North Queensferry
This Fife Council tendered service will no longer be operated by Stagecoach and will pass to another operator.

Service 107 & 150: Aberhill & Methilhill – Diageo
To offer workers additional time to catch these buses, the afternoon journeys on both services will be retimed to leave Diageo five minutes later, at 1655 on Monday to Thursday and at 1305 on Friday (service 107 only).
Service 173: Wellwood – Rosyth Dockyard
This service will be extended to serve the bus stops at the former Wellwood Primary School. The 1759 journey from Wellwood to Dunfermline will be withdrawn.
Service K4: Kirkcaldy – Dunnikier Estate
On weekdays the 1448 journey from the bus station will be revised to run 5 minutes earlier, and the timetable will also be revised between 1700 and 1830, with buses now departing from the bus station at 1713, 1743 and 1807.

Service K7: Kirkcaldy – Dysart – Boreland circular
The 1710 journey from Kirkcaldy bus station will be withdrawn, and the 1740 journey from the bus station will be revised to run 10 minutes earlier.

Service X4: Glenrothes – Markinch – Leven
The 2340 Leven to Glenrothes journey will be withdrawn. A new 2350 Glenrothes to Leven journey will be introduced.

Service X24: St Andrews – Glenrothes – Halbeath P&R – Dunfermline – Kincardine – Glasgow
Service X26/X27: Leven – Kirkcaldy – Halbeath P&R – Dunfermline – Kincardine – Glasgow
A number of timetable amendments will be introduced mainly affected early morning and evening journeys, which will incorporate a number of new journeys from Leven/Glenrothes towards Dunfermline/Glasgow in the early morning, but the withdrawal of some late evening journeys from Glenrothes to Dunfermline. The last journey to/from Glasgow will also be an hour later on Mondays to Saturdays, resulting in a new 2305 journey from Glasgow to Glenrothes.

Service X60: St Andrews – Anstruther – Leven – Kirkcaldy – Ferrytoll P&R – Edinburgh
As a result of passenger requests, the 1640 and 1740 Edinburgh to Leven journeys will be extended to operate through to Cellardyke on Monday to Friday.

 

[overthewater]

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Its been report in the local papers, the job loses which were claimed are no where near the hundred's. Its much much lower, with nearly everything moving to other depots, with only a "FEW" going with hopes other will be able to move to the other companies.

 

[Stan Drews]

#####

Its been report in the local papers, the job loses which were claimed are no where near the hundred's. Its much much lower, with nearly everything moving to other depots, with only a "FEW" going with hopes other will be able to move to the other companies.

I heard the Dunfermline depot manager took early retirement, but apart from that there aren't any job losses at all. Not that the local media would ever let facts ruin a sensational story!!

 

[jamieintercity]

In case anyone on this forum missed this, it was strathtay Scottish 30th birthday last weekend using heritage buses at dundee bus station on the Sunday. Stagecoach strathtay 16930 was repainted back into strathtay Scottish colours for the anniversary as it's orginal ID 710 and it'll stay in the strathtay Scottish livery for about a year

 

[overthewater]

In a very clever move, most of the weekday journeys on the 51 will be operate by the Rennies depot with branded coaches, which should help raise the profile of the route, Peak times still need some work but its a start.

Thankful, weekends journeys will stay the same and be operated by low floor Scania, or double deckers.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Has anyone any ideas which workings on the 36 Perth to Glenrothes are deckers on weekdays these days?

 

[overthewater]

Has anyone any ideas which workings on the 36 Perth to Glenrothes are deckers on weekdays these days?

IF I remember correctly, 0920 from Perth is dart, the next two should be decekrs. I think the 10.55 and 13.55 is single decker, can anyone confirm this is still the case since last week?


In other news the smaller ex X7 coaches have made it on the Glasgow runs, along with the 57 plate coaches. Hopeful this is just for the Edinburgh festival.

No51 seems to be doing alright for itself, during its first week of weekday operation since 2009.

 

[J Burns]

On Monday one of the Dart MPD LV52 reg was on the 36 Glenrothes to Perth run circa 10am.

 

[mbonwick]

34367 has transferred to Glenrothes from Dunfermline, so probably that one?

 

[jamieintercity]

There are no Olympians allocated to any of the strathtay depots (expect 16771/79/80/81 at Blairgowrie for the schools) as 16228 has moved north to inverness over the weekend which means vyking 16922 (which has been off the road for over year) is probably back In service.

 

[robertclark125]

One of the Scania tri axles is currently working out of Inveruie Bluebird depot. Whether this is a loan, or transfer is not known. Also, whether it leads to an order for similar vehicles is also unknown.

 

[overthewater]

One of the Scania tri axles is currently working out of Inveruie Bluebird depot. Whether this is a loan, or transfer is not known. Also, whether it leads to an order for similar vehicles is also unknown.

I would expect this to be a trail. I doubt the company can afford to lose this type of bus, especial when the changes comes to the 55 in November. Mind you there nearly 8 years old, and one would assume plans are afoot to have new buses sooner rather than later.

There has been talk for years that the current MD ( ex fife) wanted these to try out up north.

 

[mbonwick]

What's happening to the 55 that the Omnilinks will no longer be required?

 

[robertclark125]

Becoming X55. The vehicles will still be required, just that there will also end up being a need for replacements at some point.

 

[overthewater]

Someone is going to have to start discussion about what could replace the Omnilinks, I don't think there any current proper 51 seat single deckers on the market.

Also the current Omnilinks could do with some TLC.

 

[KendalKing]

Someone is going to have to start discussion about what could replace the Omnilinks, I don't think there any current proper 51 seat single deckers on the market.

Also the current Omnilinks could do with some TLC.

Does the service have to be operated by single decks?, or could double decks work the route?

 

[Stan Drews]

Does the service have to be operated by single decks?, or could double decks work the route?

There are two main issues that currently preclude the use of DDs. The low bridge in Inverkeithing, and the high frequency of high-sided vehicle closures on the Forth Road Bridge.
The new Queensferry Crossing is expected to resolve the latter, and a change of route could avoid the former, although may not necessarily be popular with bus users in Inverkeithing - but other services could provide alternative options.

 

[mbonwick]

Probably worth noting that 24004, the Omnilink on loan, has been at Ferrymill for accident repairs for a while. Don't think it's re-entered service with East Scotland before its loan either - presumably it was collected by Bluebird from Ferrymill?

Megabus are expecting to cascade their 10 61 plate B9Rs to Scotland when further B11RT/Eliteis are delivered. Could they be possible Omnilink replacements?

 

[Jamester]

Not sure what changes are in the pipeline for November but I think they will want to keep a low floor vehicle on the 55 route (The Omnilinks may not be replaced yet anyway). All other services between Fife and Edinburgh are step entrance with a wheelchair ramp.

27101 is in use at Dunfermline while 24004 is away.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Coaches on the 55/X55 wouldnt work IMO due to the more frequent stopping nature of the route. Which bridge in Inverkeithing prevents use of DDs? Id have thought gold Spec Hybrids, maybe another load of B5? Would be good on this run once the new crossing opens.

 

[robertclark125]

The bridge that carries the Rosyth Dockyard branch, just after the Skoda garage, as you head to Ferrytoll.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'd forgotten about that one! Not much way round it iether although if a ticket to Inverkeithing were to be accepted for a connecting bus at the P and R for the final bit of the trip this would partly solve the issue, likewise tickets bought on an alternate bus for Edinburgh could be valid for transfer at Ferrytoll. Still not ideal though. Pitty the Omnilinks is no longer in production.


Bendies?!?

 

[overthewater]

Megabus are expecting to cascade their 10 61 plate B9Rs to Scotland when further B11RT/Eliteis are delivered. Could they be possible Omnilink replacements?

NO its the best answer, unless you want to have disagreements on the route with the passengers

Most likely is the B9Rs will go onto the X59/X60 route to bring all the coaches inline with the X54/59/61 route.

This does open up the question, where would the 57 plate B7R end up?

The bridge that carries the Rosyth Dockyard branch, just after the Skoda garage, as you head to Ferrytoll.

Right Location, wrong line Its the main Fife circular line that crosss the bridge. The dockyard branch line goes over Ferryhill road.

Not sure what changes are in the pipeline for November but I think they will want to keep a low floor vehicle on the 55 route (The Omnilinks may not be replaced yet anyway). All other services between Fife and Edinburgh are step entrance with a wheelchair ramp.

27101 is in use at Dunfermline while 24004 is away.

I would say 2017 would be good bet for any replacement, but the route will become limted stop after the bridge tolls come November.

The following is only what the company wants to tell us at the moment
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timet...x?hootPostID=20dc9a345ef49de727921d58a38888d5

Consultation IS NOW CLOSED.

 

[KendalKing]

I'd forgotten about that one! Not much way round it iether although if a ticket to Inverkeithing were to be accepted for a connecting bus at the P and R for the final bit of the trip this would partly solve the issue, likewise tickets bought on an alternate bus for Edinburgh could be valid for transfer at Ferrytoll. Still not ideal though. Pitty the Omnilinks is no longer in production.


Bendies?!?

So Double decks, can't be used due to a low bridge.
Coaches, would be unsuitable due to it being a frequent stopping service.

The alternatives would be either use Bendies, or increase the frequency.

 

[overthewater]

So Double decks, can't be used due to a low bridge.
Coaches, would be unsuitable due to it being a frequent stopping service.

The alternatives would be either use Bendies, or increase the frequency.

I can't see any of those ideas happening, more likely there just get the new 46 Seaters E200.

 

[mbonwick]

Except they won't be 46 seats as that's ADL "cram them in" spec. Stagecoach spec in the 11.5m E200MMC is still 41/42 seats.

There's no plans for new Omnilink replacements for at least another year however.

 

[overthewater]

Except they won't be 46 seats as that's ADL "cram them in" spec. Stagecoach spec in the 11.5m E200MMC is still 41/42 seats.

There's no plans for new Omnilink replacements for at least another year however.

Like I said there no plans for replacements yet, but discussions will need to start. This is the reason why the PS stayed on the 55 for so long. Maybe we might get some test runs.

Why have you mist out the 11.8 m spec? which are 46 seats. I believe theses are the ones planned for Stagecoach No19 route.

 

[mbonwick]

Typo, I meant 11.9m. Doesn't change the fact that Stagecoach seating layout in them is only 41 or 42, not 46.

Why is there a need for replacements? The Omnilinks are DDA compliant, and limited for use elsewhere. Let's not forget that the aim from December is decker DDA compliance as well....

 

[overthewater]

Typo, I meant 11.9m. Doesn't change the fact that Stagecoach seating layout in them is only 41 or 42, not 46.

Why is there a need for replacements? The Omnilinks are DDA compliant, and limited for use elsewhere. Let's not forget that the aim from December is decker DDA compliance as well....

Are we sure all the new Big E200 are not 46 seats? I was lead to believe there were the bigger sizes since the current fleet are also 46 seats.

East Scotland is DD complaint, to be fair most of stagecoach Scotland is that aswell. Omnilinks are awful buses in the summer due to the crap air con, I never understand why stagecoach never invested in replacing a couple of the windows.