Stagecoach North West Discussion

[pickles]

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[Dallamlad]

Lancaster your joking! Surely not is that from a reliable source?

 

[cainebj]

the ALX400 thing is pretty unknown. everything is unconfirmed. a lot of them are supposed to be off to Preston, displacing Volvo Olympian's to replace Leylands across the region that still run public service routes most of the time (if the PB thing quietens down by then, they could be replacing the PB leylands). Lillyhall's Volvo's on 300 are thought to be replaced at some point, but are saved for at least another year, possibly 2. this is apparently down to nothing being available to replace them. the route not being used enough to support the reason for brand new vehicles, so we're stuck with them sh*tty Volvo's. the 300 is supposed to be mainly operated by the 4 R reg ones (obviously, 16653 isnt here at minute, so a short N reg has to be used), but when 2 short N reg's and a B10M appear on the same day, surely that shows that something needs to be done lol.
it could be that they go to Lancaster, but i don't see why they'd be repanelling the oly's over the side and rear displays and fitting LED to them if they were moving on. 52626 was apparently only repainted now so it could have a quick tidy up inside and go straight onto 685 when it leaves Lillyhall later this year (little reliability problem on one of the 685 branded interurbans apparently).

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I know this goes slightly off topic but is still very much relevant

Lancaster is quite likely from what i've been told but would depend on the Prestonbus Situation to and any possible Stagecoach Takeovers of First Wigan and Bolton depots as it has become apparent over the past month or so First seems not very interested in its Wigan/Bolton operations even after the introduction of so many Gemini's/B7RLE's in the past 4 1/2 years and Highly Likely disposal of Bury depot to and Arriva Transdev and Stagecoach are supposedly interested in the western Gm Ops but only time will tell. One would Imagine Arriva would be More interested in the Wigan depot than the Bolton depot as the Bolton depot would probably get the Competition commission involved in Bolton as there only competition would be Maytree where as Stagecoach's involvement in Bolton is Minimal 22/125/6 plus Stagecoach still own the Garage that Arriva's Bolton depot is on.

 

[Dallamlad]

That is interesting. Stagecoach really are taking over the transport world aren't they lol.

They fact that Lancaster's Volvo Olys are been redone doesn't mean they will stay with us. Regardless of where they are going or staying they have reached a point where they needed tarting up so it was/is being done.

 

[cainebj]

its difficult to tell where anything would go. before the Preston Bus takeover, there was talk of moving them to Preston to make their DD operations all low floor. after takeover happened, it was apparently planned to either move them to Deepdale, or send them to Frenchwood sending the Volvo's to Deepdale. either way, its supposed to remove Volvo's from Frenchwood.
just a thought really, but could it be possible that Morecambe get the S reg tridents replaced, of which would then go to Frenchwood to be used on schools or something. surely the older low floors would be better for school work on a fully LF DD operation than 04 reg stuff.

 

[Dallamlad]

To be honest seeing as the Tridents are been tarted up they still have a lot of years in them and I don't see Lancaster getting rid of them any time soon. Would be a sad day if they ever did leave!

This posted on a fotopic:

"Well, from what ive been told regarding fleet movements/changes a few things will be happening at Lancaster. Firstly, as they are 10 years old next year, the MAN loliners will probably be replaced, as Lancashire County Council requires vehicles under 10 years old to operate on council contracted runs, and 14195/196 and 14208 will also be moving on to pastures new. As will the B10s, and in fact Lancaster's fleet will soon be very different to what it is now, as all vehicles operating in service will have to be lo floor types, meaning the end for types such as B10S, Leylands and Volvo Olympians on service routes. The r reg Volvo deckers (and 14204 is also to be retained im told) are to be kept for use on school routes, and these are being repainted, having their chassis welded and being given new LED blinds and new seat cushions in the new style seating muquette. As with rumors, we shall have to wait and see what happens."

I don't think this is going to materialise but I thought I'd put it out there.

 

[cainebj]

33167 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and 35249 on 31A.
35247 and 35248 with 4 Enviro 300's on 31.
22610 vibrating very badly at the back whilst on 30. driver was getting annoyed with it so he pulled up, opened emergency door, and was pushing all the panels to make sure they were on properly. the vibration problem has affected the buzzer at the back. sometimes it doesnt go off at all, and some it will go off a few seconds after the bell in drivers cab.
20752 on Northside 48 with a now working Bright Tech.
47060 replaced 47617 on 1. 42566 also on 1.
47023 and 47024 on Moorclose.
47059 and 47616 on Mirehouse.
20753 on 30A.
20764 on 22.
35246 on 2.
33168, 33169, 34079 and 47061 all had a go on Harrington & Seaton.
20765 used as staff shuttle.
16447 and 16654 on 300, havnt saw the other 2 slots yet.

 

[K768 DAO]

........

 

[Dallamlad]

What are your guys doing to them MANS lol.

17018,17020,22824 and 20133 on the 40/41.

16664 heading dead toward Garstang not sure where it was off to.

17021 and the usual stuff on the 2/2a.

 

[cainebj]

i've always found them a little dodgey haha. 22611 used to be really bad for vibrating at the back, but it was sorted out, and now 22610 is starting with it...again! a few others have done it as well.
managed to get stuck with 33168 earlier, and gearbox was just as bad as always. brakes were extremely squeaky as well.
got stuck with 47024 just then going back into town, and it was much smoother than the darts. i still prefer the 04's and 08's for ride though!

 

[Dallamlad]

Its such a shame that they get so neglected!

In Lancaster our R reg Olys are so well maintained that their ride is often better then most of the Tridents!

 

[KendalKing]

Didn't see that much today.
Only saw two of the four buses on X35's, there were 14266, & 16339.
20774 running around with a dead destination display, think it was on 564 service as per normal for this bus.
14253 was on the 567 Kendal - QES this morning, and 18360 was on the afternoon 567 QES - Kendal.
20712 did a couple of trips on Town service, before going on the afternoon D3.

 

[Gez.SCNW]

What are your guys doing to them MANS lol.

17018,17020,22824 and 20133 on the 40/41.

16664 heading dead toward Garstang not sure where it was off to.

17021 and the usual stuff on the 2/2a.

16664 was heading to Garstang High School to work the private 46X service to Lancaster
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

To be honest seeing as the Tridents are been tarted up they still have a lot of years in them and I don't see Lancaster getting rid of them any time soon. Would be a sad day if they ever did leave!

This posted on a fotopic:

"Well, from what ive been told regarding fleet movements/changes a few things will be happening at Lancaster. Firstly, as they are 10 years old next year, the MAN loliners will probably be replaced, as Lancashire County Council requires vehicles under 10 years old to operate on council contracted runs, and 14195/196 and 14208 will also be moving on to pastures new. As will the B10s, and in fact Lancaster's fleet will soon be very different to what it is now, as all vehicles operating in service will have to be lo floor types, meaning the end for types such as B10S, Leylands and Volvo Olympians on service routes. The r reg Volvo deckers (and 14204 is also to be retained im told) are to be kept for use on school routes, and these are being repainted, having their chassis welded and being given new LED blinds and new seat cushions in the new style seating muquette. As with rumors, we shall have to wait and see what happens."

I don't think this is going to materialise but I thought I'd put it out there.

Hmmm, dont know who has been saying all that????
The only Council contract the MANs run on is the 3A at night and Sundays
3s and 4s during the day are commercial
Low floor vehicles aren't needed until 2016

We loose two B10Ms on the pvr from July 26th

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh yes of course it was completely forgot about that lol.

Yes I thought all that was mostly rubbish and didn't make any sense. I'm not sure whether we will see anything new this year but who knows. Which B10's are we loosing?

 

[Dave The Bus]

Lancaster your joking! Surely not is that from a reliable source?

I think that was me on another forum/yahoo group, i was saying how 18156 was staying because it has a Tacho and was mooted as a replacement for 16635, but this may not happen now as 16635 is returning some time in the future.


18157/8/9 have CCTV which is why Chorley are keeping them

and not all Olympians would be going straight away

The number being kept is still subject to what tenders Chorley win with regards to GMPTE School tenders

I dont know where the others are going but had heard something about Lancaster so merely mooted it as a possibility..

As for Arriva, yes it is the 362, as mentioned.

J107 i think was the one with LED, twas departing on a 68 to Blackpool

and 47753 is an example of a Stagecoach liveried bus with a vault

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh I see right good stuff well we shall see what happens but I'm not getting my hopes up lol.

Anything new your end?

Also quick question. Why is it that in places such as Manchester they right the fleet names in big red number on the vehicles but in most other places they are just small and white numbers?

 

[Dave The Bus]

Oh I see right good stuff well we shall see what happens but I'm not getting my hopes up lol.

Anything new your end?

Also quick question. Why is it that in places such as Manchester they right the fleet names in big red number on the vehicles but in most other places they are just small and white numbers?

The numbers thing, no idea.

Anything new... Well apart from the big changes on 19th July and some internal issues arising from that, nothing to report atm.

 

[Dallamlad]

Whats happening on the 19th?

Found out where the rest of the 2005 Tridents from Man went:

http://www.davebalme.fotopic.net/p40544515.html

nice branding:

http://www.davebalme.fotopic.net/p33385063.html

 

[cainebj]

timetable changes in Chorley on 19th :-P
government funding has stopped for Network Chorley, so changes are being made to make the network viable.

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh dear how come the funding has dried up?

 

[driver9000]

Network Chorley was part of the Kick-Start initiative where funding was provided to get a network running it was a finite amount for x years, I think Chorley was 5years by the end it should be able to support itself. Kick-start began in Scotland - Perth rings a bell for some reason.

Thanks for answering my Arriva query, and Hello Gez!!

 

[Dallamlad]

Ahhh I see

16667 and 17021 on the 2a. Don't know how the Oly ended up on an evening duty.

 

[cainebj]

if its the same as LL, then buses on evening services will depend on a time slot on the daytime route. Workington Town Evening Services are always operated by whatever vehicle is on a certain time slot on Harrington & Seaton routes (i think its whichever lands on the 46A). evening services consist of a run of 47, a run of 46B, then a run of 50B (destination display often shows "Moorclose Circular 50" though), then it repeats that 4 or 5 times.

 

[K768 DAO]

..........

 

[cainebj]

its typical how the solo's were totally destroyed, but the 709D wasnt fully destroyed!
maybe shows how long the solo's will last in comparison to 709D's!

 

[pickles]

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[driver9000]

I found an Alexander-Dennis press release on the web and in it states that an Enviro 400 variant with the MAN D08.36 engine has been developed and that Stagecoach has ordered 20 of them. The article is dated 19/06/09 and states that the first of them is nearing completion. I would put the link in, but I can't make it work.

I wonder who is due to get them, Id imagine all 20 will go to the same 'company' probably not the NW either

 

[pickles]

~~~~~

 

[cainebj]

47062 on 50.
47059 on 51.
33167, 33168 and 33169 on Harrington & Seaton.
16447 and 16734 both on 300.
14233 was in Workington earlier with "Woodend 33D" on display. this is a school route in Whitehaven.
havn't saw anything else really, just the usual mixture of Enviro 300's on 30 and 31.