Stagecoach North West Discussion

[cainebj]

i'd spray Febreeze or something in it if i could!
there is a very similar smell on upper deck of 16733 and 16734!

hopefully we'll see them all sorted out, but i'd guess that nothing would really start to happen until summer when the temporary services finish and the PVR goes back down!

 

[mbonwick]

Bit of Manchester news:

All of the E200s have made it to Stockport (they were all delivered by New Year but were stuck at Hyde Rd. because of the snow)
All bar 2 E400s have arrived, though the allocations are yet to settle down.

All of the step entrance Darts, and Varios have been sold, along with fire damaged 33087 which has gone to PVS.
The remaining 4 ex-Maynes SLFs have also been withdrawn, with Dart SLF/ALX200s being withdrawn when the E200s settle down.
The Darts will be sent to Yorkshire.

Currently the closed depot at Charles St is being used for storing OOU vehicles, I've heard it's nearly full!

Once all these changes have happened, there will be no more than 7 B10Ms left in normal service, plus the driver training ones.

 

[cainebj]

The remaining 4 ex-Maynes SLFs have also been withdrawn

Manchester will be pleased about that then! bloody Marshalls!!!

 

[mbonwick]

They're a mix AFAIK of Marshall and (old) Pointer bodies...

 

[Dallamlad]

Bit of Manchester news:

All of the E200s have made it to Stockport (they were all delivered by New Year but were stuck at Hyde Rd. because of the snow)
All bar 2 E400s have arrived, though the allocations are yet to settle down.

All of the step entrance Darts, and Varios have been sold, along with fire damaged 33087 which has gone to PVS.
The remaining 4 ex-Maynes SLFs have also been withdrawn, with Dart SLF/ALX200s being withdrawn when the E200s settle down.
The Darts will be sent to Yorkshire.

Currently the closed depot at Charles St is being used for storing OOU vehicles, I've heard it's nearly full!

Once all these changes have happened, there will be no more than 7 B10Ms left in normal service, plus the driver training ones.

Very impressive. Seems Manchester are doing very well. Manchester and Oxford seem to be hubs of activity and investment at the moment.

 

[mbonwick]

More Manchester inffo:

Of the 7 B10Ms, 6 are at Stockport for schools and 1 at Ashton for regular services.

This month, 6 ex-MagicBus Olympians are due to move to Stockport to replace the 6 B10Ms. This will leave just 20938 in service, even though it is officially listed as reserve.

So basically, Manchester is almost "regular" B10M free, a far cry from the 200+ that once operated in the city.

 

[cainebj]

33169, 47005, 47006 and 47061 all had a go on Harrington and 101.
47060 on 50.
47023 on 51.
20777, 20923, 35247 and 35249 on Footbridge - Maryport 30.
16651 and 16734 on Whitehaven - Workington 300.
20943 and 20944 on Carlisle - Footbridge 300. didn't see other time slot.
20435 on 100, however, it seems the displays aren't programmed for 100 anymore. they were running from Seaton to the footbridge with "Workington 47" on, and were going from the footbridge to Seaton with "Seaton 47".
40028, 20757, 20759, 20768 and Info bus have been on annexe throughout the day.

from Monday, buses will do Workington - Workington Rail Station, operating as 30S.
30 / 31 will run to the footbridge from Thornhill / Frizington after Workington. they seem to be running at a 10 minute frequency, but not too sure on that (if its the buses from Harrington that run it, it can only be 20 minute frequency really).
displays are programmed as "Workington Footbridge 30", as seen on 20923 today whilst on Maryport side.

the removal of the 101 is due to Cumbria CC withdrawing the funding for it, with the funding going to the extended school services, which will run free of charge up until Easter holidays, after they were supposed to terminate yesterday (friday 15th jan).
the 30S from Workington Bus Station to Workington Rail Station is being operated on a commercial basis.
passengers going to the footbridge on 30 / 31 will leave Bus Station Stand A, and not Stand D where the 101 has been leaving. Stand D will now cater for 30S.

passengers have been complaining again, with some apparently shouting at the operations manager. passengers got off the 101 at the footbridge, and the 30 on the other side drove off as they were walking over the bridge. we will see this problem rectified from monday with there being a 15 minute frequency on both sides of the river, meaning they should link up better!

 

[K768 DAO]

.......

 

[cainebj]

from reading through that again, i've confused myself while typing it, so it doesn't make sense!!! will give it another go!

from Monday, buses will do Workington - Workington Rail Station, operating as 30S. they seem to be running at a 10 minute frequency, but not too sure on that (if its the buses from Harrington that run it, it can only be 20 minute frequency really).
30 / 31 will run to the footbridge from Thornhill / Frizington after Workington.

displays are programmed as "Workington Footbridge 30" for when 30 and 31 go down to the footbridge. the driver on 20923 on Maryport - Footbridge 30 had it set to "Workington Footbridge 30" today, whilst all the others had it on "Calva Brow 30" with "Footbridge Crossing for Workington" on scroll. might as well add that side display had scrolling on it "Calva Brow Footbridge".

 

[KendalKing]

Stagecoach has gained the former Princess diagram on Kendal Town services, from next month. While Lakes supertours has gained the Windermere Town service.

KLCH is using B33F Optare Solo YK04 KWG, in full KLCH livery on 564 Kendal - Kirkby Stephen - Brough service. It is reported elsewhere on the net, that it has just been acquired by Weardale of Stanhope!

 

[mbonwick]

I wonder what Stagecoach will be using on the ex-Princess working then? I can see them regretting removing 33166....

 

[cainebj]

most likely where 47157 from Morecambe is going to then!

 

[KendalKing]

Don't forget that last year when Kendal first got the solos, there were supposed to been seven, but only five ever turn up!

They were tried on a number of routes including 505 Coniston Rambler, 516 Langdale Rambler, 517 Bowness - Patterdale/Glenridding, and not forgetting the Last 555 from Lancaster, which has reverted back to a Trident.

 

[K768 DAO]

.........

 

[Dallamlad]

most likely where 47157 from Morecambe is going to then!

Bloody hope not lol.

Spotted Gez driving the 3 between the Uni and Lancaster last night. Think it was 16667.

 

[jonesy3001]

most likely where 47157 from Morecambe is going to then!

Depends when they get round to putting the engine back in! It`s been off the road for 3 months and the engine came back last week after repair.

 

[Dallamlad]

I thought I hadn't seen it lol. Have they done anything else to it?

18326 and 17017 on the 3.

21005, 20795,22817 and 22823 dead at the bus station.

Also just read this on a fotopic:

"16877 is 14204s replacement and 16648 is 14196s replacement ive been told. 16877 has had a lot of work carried out on it including a new lower deck floor and new framework around the rear lower deck window and new roof panels. It also had the seats re-trimmed, and finally a repaint. And the latest news is that Lancaster is loosing 6 b10s, 20451 and 20463, along with the four b10bs 21003, 21004, 21005 and 21007."

 

[rosswatson]

Myself and fellow forum member cainebj have just a had slight run in with a SC Lillyhall driver! In which the driver in question opened the window on 20765 and hurled abuse at us. Brett will fill you on the details!

 

[K768 DAO]

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[cainebj]

Services 30/31 will call at the footbridge on way to Workington Bus Station, then again on way back to Thornhill/Frizington.

hmm, interesting! different to what the timetable in the bus station says!
timetable shows it:
Lakes College - Beckstone Bridge - Annie Pit - Workington Bus Station - Curwen Park Bus Stop.
Lakes College - Beckstone Bridge - Moorclose Shops - Workington Bus Station - Curwen Park Bus Stop.
link to picture of timetable in the bus station (this is my picture, and is on my flickr).


40028 and 47061 used as Staff Shuttle.
47616 on 101.
47060 on Workington Town Services.
47062 on Workington - Whitehaven 30.
20765 on 301.


and as rosswatson mentioned, we had a bit of a run-in with a driver. he came out of the bus station on 20765, blocked the whole of Vulcans Lane with the bus, opened the window and shouted "If i see you's taking one more picture i'll take them camera's off you and ramm them up your backsides!". Stagecoach have been informed!

 

[K768 DAO]

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[rosswatson]

hmm, interesting! different to what the timetable in the bus station says!
timetable shows it:
Lakes College - Beckstone Bridge - Annie Pit - Workington Bus Station - Curwen Park Bus Stop.
Lakes College - Beckstone Bridge - Moorclose Shops - Workington Bus Station - Curwen Park Bus Stop.
link to picture of timetable in the bus station (this is my picture, and is on my flickr).


40028 and 47061 used as Staff Shuttle.
47616 on 101.
47060 on Workington Town Services.
47062 on Workington - Whitehaven 30.
20765 on 301.


and as rosswatson mentioned, we had a bit of a run-in with a driver. he came out of the bus station on 20765, blocked the whole of Vulcans Lane with the bus, opened the window and shouted "If i see you's taking one more picture i'll take them camera's off you and ramm them up your backsides!". Stagecoach have been informed!

It wasn't "backsides" he went for the more classy... "arseholes". Needless to say that the matter will be pursued further. He also advised us to "take pictures of the buses when they've stopped" Rule one of driving, keep your eyes on the frigging road (IE not looking at my camera!), then there wouldn't be a problem. And finally there was the, "what are you taking pictures of?!" This guy has brains :roll: Managed to restrain myself, just! And I'm certainly not going to take abuse off ANY bus/coach drivers, I can take photos of whatever I dam well want, thank you very much! Rant over.

 

[K768 DAO]

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[rosswatson]

Indeed you can, but there are one or two drivers who don't like being in the photos, and because you two are out taking pics almost every day, you've probably taken a few too many of that particular driver for his liking.
No excuse for swearing at you of course.

I'd say more than one or two, to be honest. Oh well, He hasn't heard the last of this!

 

[Gez.SCNW]

Bloody hope not lol.

Spotted Gez driving the 3 between the Uni and Lancaster last night. Think it was 16667.

How could you tell it was me??? I try and and it undercover
First 16 hour day of the year, didn;t take long

It was 16657 I had until 2310 when 16660 threw its belt and I swapped over to limp 60 it back to White Lund, lucky I'd stopped at LBS for a mug of tea

 

[mbonwick]

Ouch. Bet it was a bit hairy (and time consuming!) limping 16660 back!

 

[cainebj]

just heard an E300 go to bus station from train station!
i hope the driver has forgot to go to the footbridge and went to the train station instead, and there isn't an E300 on 30S!
i'll find out later!

 

[Ex-Nat-Ex Mark]

J208 was seen heading to Preston empty this morning, ready to run the 942 back to Lancaster (already had the destination blind set)
J204 seen in Galgate heading south on a 40
X824 heading south past university on 42 to Blackpool with only 1 headlight working, the off side one was totally out. I would have thought this would have been fixed before leaving White Lund this morning?

When is the last day in service planned for J204 and J208 - would be great if Stagecoach planned a running day and got them to run over as many routes as possible on their last day in service - maybe Gez could look into sorting this??

 

[K768 DAO]

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[Dallamlad]

How could you tell it was me??? I try and and it undercover
First 16 hour day of the year, didn;t take long

It was 16657 I had until 2310 when 16660 threw its belt and I swapped over to limp 60 it back to White Lund, lucky I'd stopped at LBS for a mug of tea

Well I saw your face lol and even if I hadn't you had a white shirt on lol so I could have guessed!

18328 was late into the underpass at about 10 this morning running the 2. The driver of the 2a right behind it had a few words with the other driver and 18328 then ran dead to Bowerham, cutting out Hala, to get back on time.

Also more from one of the drivers in Lancaster:

"Well, that's what I've heard through the great vine that 14196 is to be replaced by 16648. I guess we will see sometime this next week as both the latest arrivals are due to enter service. According to the engineering log, 21004 and 21005 are officially withdrawn today (Sunday 17th Jan) but are still available for use if we are short of buses, which we probably will as 22721, 21003, and several other vehicles are off the road awaiting their turn in the garage for repairs etc, so all I'm going to say is watch this space....."