Stagecoach East Scotland

[Ohnolookwho]

As people may or may not know Scotrail are planning to close parts of Main line between Dalmeny and Haymarket thus affecting the Fife circular line for a one week period in the middle of January. As part of this Stagecoach plans to introduce an extra service to help passengers.

will be interesting to see where they manage to source vehicles for that, given the already chronic shortages at Glenrothes and now also Aberhill for coaches, that are seeing Single Deckers getting put on the X58 and X59s, and Double Deckers ending up on the X61. Even on Boxing Day & 2nd January when PVR is lower.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

will be interesting to see where they manage to source vehicles for that, given the already chronic shortages at Glenrothes and now also Aberhill for coaches, that are seeing Single Deckers getting put on the X58 and X59s, and Double Deckers ending up on the X61. Even on Boxing Day & 2nd January when PVR is lower.

Aren't there now a batch of Volvo 9700DDs now spare from the withdrawn Megabus London-Scotland work?

 

[overthewater]

Aren't there now a batch of Volvo 9700DDs now spare from the withdrawn Megabus London-Scotland work?

I suspect they will end up with Citylink to help replace older coaches, however those older coaches? Maybe Fife will get those for one week before heading else where? We still don't know if new coaches are on order for up here or even the Oxford tube?

 

[Highland050261]

Aren't there now a batch of Volvo 9700DDs now spare from the withdrawn Megabus London-Scotland work?

Cumbernauld is using them to replace the oldest Interdecks.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Noticed the E400MMCs Dunfermline have are hardly ever on the 19 after them saying the service would be converted to newer double deckers, the odd one or 2 is on it but it's mostly the Scania E400s on the service and even still the odd single decker

 

[Ohnolookwho]

Noticed the E400MMCs Dunfermline have are hardly ever on the 19 after them saying the service would be converted to newer double deckers, the odd one or 2 is on it but it's mostly the Scania E400s on the service and even still the odd single decker

Outside of Express Services and Airport services, and those restricted by low bridges, stagecoach doesn't really tend to use the specified vehicle type on any particular service, but what is availiable at the start of the day.
So MMCs might be in for inspections, MOTs, or repairs, and a Scania will be allocated in their place, or an MMC might have been found defective in the morning, so whatever was ready went out in its place and whatever that bus that went out on the 19 was supposed to be doing, the MMC will now be doing if the fault is an easy fix.
Also if a B8 isn't availiable for express work, they have to then put on a Euro 6 vehicle, and usually they will put an MMC on over a scania for that.

I wouldn't be believing what stagecoach say about anything really, Glenrothes are supposed to be using only 9700s on the X24, but often theres 1 or 2 Elites on it and the 9700s appear on the X59s instead. The E100EVs are only supposed to be on the Kirkcaldy Town Services but quite often they also appear on the 32 and 37s. Aberhill atleast have managed to keep there 9700s only on the X27s but thats only because not all express drivers have been given training on them so far, otherwise you would see them appear on the X61.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

(from the Scottish Citylink thread)

Thank you, Going by that Perth is losing its work aswell.

If this is the case, then that does not bode well for Perth & Blairgowrie given they have lost a hefty number of school contracts from April as well! https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/54775/...1_Oct_2025_to_31_Dec_2025.pdf?m=1768483667647

Their bids must've been well out of the park if an operator from Leven has been successful!

 

[Stan Drews]

(from the Scottish Citylink thread)

If this is the case, then that does not bode well for Perth & Blairgowrie given they have lost a hefty number of school contracts from April as well! https://www.pkc.gov.uk/media/54775/...1_Oct_2025_to_31_Dec_2025.pdf?m=1768483667647

Their bids must've been well out of the park if an operator from Leven has been successful!

@overthewater jumped to his own conclusion on the Citylink thread, so I wouldn’t read too much into it.

 

[route101]

A few weeks ago I seen a mixture of buses on the 747 service. New Electric single deckers, E200MMCs, E400MMC and newer E400EV.

 

[overthewater]

@overthewater jumped to his own conclusion on the Citylink thread, so I wouldn’t read too much into it.

To be fair you can't come to your own conclusion if you asking questions. However It seems I've gotten confused at answers being provide.

 

[DJ_9SZ]

A few weeks ago I seen a mixture of buses on the 747 service. New Electric single deckers, E200MMCs, E400MMC and newer E400EV.

There has been a mixture of buses on the 787 too, the branded interdecks, as well as the ex-airport still branded E200MMC, E400MMC with luggage racks, and B8RLE Panthers.

Operated from Dunfermline so I suppose anything can do the 787 and the same with the 747, as long as it can fit through Inverkeithing station turning circle.

 

[overthewater]

There has been some dups running on the 787, and some of the E400MMC have had "Bus Full" on them, so its a busy busy service. Yes.. sometimes there run empty.

 

[CSB0241]

Not sure what to expect results-wise but does anyone have any good sources regarding the origins of Express/Experience City Connect services aside from skimming through route registrations? I’m primarily looking for fleet/route history though I’ll gladly take any sort of information I can get.

 

[739678]

Nearly 20 Short Notice Registrations on VOSA for the Perth area from Monday.
Think they must have been input in a hurry though, as the 65 is running from Perth to Newburgh via Anstruther, and services 12, 17, 51 and X56 are all apparently running via Lochgilphead, Bridgend, Kilmichael Glassary, and Slochavullin in Argyll....

Pardon Our Interruption

 

[scottf99]

Nearly 20 Short Notice Registrations on VOSA for the Perth area from Monday.
Think they must have been input in a hurry though, as the 65 is running from Perth to Newburgh via Anstruther, and services 12, 17, 51 and X56 are all apparently running via Lochgilphead, Bridgend, Kilmichael Glassary, and Slochavullin in Argyll....

Pardon Our Interruption

Will be due to the reopening of South street/Scott street which have been closed since last summer. The reopening has been posted by the council on Facebook with all routes back to normal from Monday afternoon.

 

[Ohnolookwho]

Nearly 20 Short Notice Registrations on VOSA for the Perth area from Monday.
Think they must have been input in a hurry though, as the 65 is running from Perth to Newburgh via Anstruther, and services 12, 17, 51 and X56 are all apparently running via Lochgilphead, Bridgend, Kilmichael Glassary, and Slochavullin in Argyll....

Pardon Our Interruption

I'm really interested to know if that 65 registration is a mistake, because Anstruther is hardly enroute between either Newburgh or Perth.

 

[ChrisC]

I thought this thread could be a good place to get an answer to my question.

In a few weeks time I am staying in Dundee for a week and want to travel fairly widely around the area using the Stagecoach East Scotland Megarider ticket priced at £42. Is it still possible to buy this ticket from the driver on the first bus I board and have it loaded onto my Stagecoach smartcard? I’d much rather do this than have a mobile ticket on my phone as I will be spending whole days out visiting locations and walking and don’t want to be worrying about my phone battery. Another alternative would be a paper ticket if they are still available although I would prefer to use my smart-card.

 

[RELL6L]

I'm really interested to know if that 65 registration is a mistake, because Anstruther is hardly enroute between either Newburgh or Perth.

Typo for Abernethy?

 

[scottishtrains]

I thought this thread could be a good place to get an answer to my question.

In a few weeks time I am staying in Dundee for a week and want to travel fairly widely around the area using the Stagecoach East Scotland Megarider ticket priced at £42. Is it still possible to buy this ticket from the driver on the first bus I board and have it loaded onto my Stagecoach smartcard? I’d much rather do this than have a mobile ticket on my phone as I will be spending whole days out visiting locations and walking and don’t want to be worrying about my phone battery. Another alternative would be a paper ticket if they are still available although I would prefer to use my smart-card.

If someone isn’t able to help here, you’d be best emailing Stagecoach themself to ask (apologies I don’t know)

 

[GusB]

I thought this thread could be a good place to get an answer to my question.

In a few weeks time I am staying in Dundee for a week and want to travel fairly widely around the area using the Stagecoach East Scotland Megarider ticket priced at £42. Is it still possible to buy this ticket from the driver on the first bus I board and have it loaded onto my Stagecoach smartcard? I’d much rather do this than have a mobile ticket on my phone as I will be spending whole days out visiting locations and walking and don’t want to be worrying about my phone battery. Another alternative would be a paper ticket if they are still available although I would prefer to use my smart-card.

Yes, it can be bought on board. I believe the only options are app and smart card when buying 7 day tickets.

MegaRider Bus Tickets and Prices for Dundee

Buy Bus Tickets for Dundee Online Today! Find All The Latest MegaRider Bus Ticket Information for Dundee at Stagecoach Online Today

www.stagecoachbus.com

With unlimited travel in your area, the more you travel, the more you save with a MegaRider! Our 7 and 28 day MegaRiders offer great everyday value. Buy your 7 day MegaRider on our app or onboard from your driver. You can buy 28 day tickets online and add them to your Smartcard or even set up a monthly recurring payment. These convenient cash-free options are the easiest way to buy!

Smart Ticket - on bus​

Available to buy for your smart card on the bus

 

[ChrisC]

Yes, it can be bought on board. I believe the only options are app and smart card when buying 7 day tickets.

MegaRider Bus Tickets and Prices for Dundee

Buy Bus Tickets for Dundee Online Today! Find All The Latest MegaRider Bus Ticket Information for Dundee at Stagecoach Online Today

www.stagecoachbus.com

Thanks for that information. I haven’t used my smart card since I was up in Aberdeen 2 years ago so I wanted to check. Now that I have an ENCTS bus pass I don’t use my smart card anymore when at home in England.

 

[DJ_9SZ]

YSV 318 (54238) seen on A92 Ladybank this afternoon, heading southbound, it has lost its pride branding apart from the brown swirl logo towards the rear, I wonder if this was preparation for painting into steel blue or preparation for being sold? I know M+W now have three 62 plate former Bluebird interdecks. Not sure if Stagecoach will start to sell their 64 plates just yet.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

YSV 318 (54238) seen on A92 Ladybank this afternoon, heading southbound, it has lost its pride branding apart from the brown swirl logo towards the rear, I wonder if this was preparation for painting into steel blue or preparation for being sold? I know M+W now have three 62 plate former Bluebird interdecks. Not sure if they will start to sell their 64 plates just yet.

It’s away for repaint to Aberhill

 

[Highland050261]

YSV 318 (54238) seen on A92 Ladybank this afternoon, heading southbound, it has lost its pride branding apart from the brown swirl logo towards the rear, I wonder if this was preparation for painting into steel blue or preparation for being sold? I know M+W now have three 62 plate former Bluebird interdecks. Not sure if they will start to sell their 64 plates just yet.

Which ones have they got? I know they have ex-Rennies 54204 (SP62 CPU), ex-Bluebird 54253 (YX65 ZKO), and ex-West Van Hool 50240 (CN61 FBB) and 54242 (CN61 FBD).

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Anyone know the latest on the situation with St Andrews’ BZL’s? I’m guessing the charging equipment is still not ready?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Anyone know the latest on the situation with St Andrews’ BZL’s? I’m guessing the charging equipment is still not ready?

Most of them are still sat in Aberhill and there's one tucked up the back of St Andrews Depot, bit of a shambles the situation with the charging infrastructure

 

[scosutsut]

Most of them are still sat in Aberhill and there's one tucked up the back of St Andrews Depot, bit of a shambles the situation with the charging infrastructure

It seems like a recurring problem literally everywhere, like the incompetence is on the side of the charging infrastructure installation side, not the receiving operator.

Based on this, if I were an operator looking to migrate to electric, I'd get the estimated end of installation date and order my buses to arrive six months after that, to reduce the amount of time they sit around when the seemingly inevitable delays then occur.

 

[ajrm]

Anyone know the latest on the situation with St Andrews’ BZL’s? I’m guessing the charging equipment is still not ready?

Work on the charging site at Dundee looks to be nearing completion: chargers and bus wash in place, concrete surface more or less finished. I imagine it won't be too long now.
That's a year since the 99 timetable was adapted for the introduction of electric buses!

 

[DJ_9SZ]

Work on the charging site at Dundee looks to be nearing completion: chargers and bus wash in place, concrete surface more or less finished. I imagine it won't be too long now.
That's a year since the 99 timetable was adapted for the introduction of electric buses!

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.

 

[ajrm]

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.

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