Stagecoach North West Discussion

[Gez.SCNW]

A huge Classic tri-axle Volvo/Neoplan (I think) on the Blackpool - Newcastle....Gez will confirm I'm sure![/QUOTE]

6963MW a Van Hool Astrobel on a Volvo chassis, not the first time its been on, but John was saying there wasn't a lot else in the yard when it left, only about 20 pax on board so plenty of room for them.

 

[mbonwick]

Thanks for that Gez.

I would've attempted to get a snap of 16185, but the arrival of the 556 put paid to that!

 

[rosswatson]

More improvements to Workington Bus Station started today, meaning all solo/dart operated services are running off the annexe again, and all big stuff is running from one side of the station, the improvements include new seating, introduction of litter bins and better lighting.
Also 20195 is back from repaint.

New seating.... I like The lighting does need sorted How long is the work going to take?

 

[Dallamlad]

Hello all!

I've been away in London since Friday so have been surrounded by all kinds of buses and all kind of operators! Also noticed that East London ( Ex Stagecoach) have purchased some new Scanias and still using Stagecoaches fleet numbering system to number them for example 15126. Don't know if SC will avoid using these numbers or what. Pics will be up on my fotopic sometime soon.

I assume 16185 had an LED Mbonwick?

 

[mbonwick]

Yes, 16185 has been LED on front, side and (I think) rear.

Ie. unusually for SCNW it's been fitted with all round LEDs.


How was London?

 

[Dallamlad]

Oh fantastic that is impressive!!

Yeah London was great was nice to see London buses with SC seats etc even if they are not SC any more! Can someone remind me why they pulled out of London? The train journey also gave me a chance to read part one of the transcript from the PB inquiry...

 

[mbonwick]

London is run on a franchise system. SC felt that the terms weren't long enough to secure good long term investment, and decided that more profit could be made from "grass roots" operations.

 

[K777DAO]

Also 20195 is back from repaint.

Hell's Teeth! That was painted fast!!!

I'm guessing 777 won't be far behind!

 

[Dallamlad]

London is run on a franchise system. SC felt that the terms weren't long enough to secure good long term investment, and decided that more profit could be made from "grass roots" operations.

Very wise I think. Most of the stuff I saw was either 52/53/54 or 55 plate. Very few 08/58/09/59 and 10 plates which surprised me actually.

 

[cainebj]

Hell's Teeth! That was painted fast!!!

it was fully rubbed down last tuesday when i was down at CE depot. it was going through the bus wash at the time, before being sprayed.
777 shouldn't be too long really now! i can't wait to see her! hopefully she comes back with a nice shiny LED too!

 

[K777DAO]

777 shouldn't be too long really now! i can't wait to see her! hopefully she comes back with a nice shiny LED too!

Now that would be awesome! two weeks ago i thought she was destination Death Row!!!

 

[driver9000]

London is run on a franchise system. SC felt that the terms weren't long enough to secure good long term investment, and decided that more profit could be made from "grass roots" operations.

Also at the time of Stagecoach pulling out of London TfL had a maximum age limit of 5yrs for buses when routes were renewed, it was costing companies a fortune and ending up lumbered with perfectly good young buses banned from TfL routes! Operators such as London General got away with running older buses such as the G reg VC class buses as their routes were yet to be converted to low floor although they since have been converted.


Dallamlad - I see why Stagecoach would avoid using the numbers in use by SelKent/East London as they are separate companies with no ties whatsoever, First and Stagecoach have clashing numbers too.

 

[Dallamlad]

Indeed I think they will use the numbers anyway. I wonder how long it the old Stagecoach seat covers will stay around London lol they don't seem to be in any rush to replace them haha.

Also some nice pics year of another ex Manc Magic bus bus that has been given a new job...

Before: http://donaldstirling.fotopic.net/p63293017.html

After: http://donaldstirling.fotopic.net/p63809830.html

Back end: http://donaldstirling.fotopic.net/p63809836.html

(Obviously not my pics)

Also does Travellers Choice have a new 55 plate solo? I saw one today and it looked a lot longer then the other solos (the 52 plate) and I could have sworn they were the same...I saw both solos on town services today and noticed that neither had red seats and a thought one of them did...

 

[Paul Mcgill]

Also does Travellers Choice have a new 55 plate solo? I saw one today and it looked a lot longer then the other solos (the 52 plate) and I could have sworn they were the same...I saw both solos on town services today and noticed that neither had red seats and a thought one of them did...[/QUOTE]

The 55 plate one is usally based at the Dalton depot and used on the 618 service from barrow to ambleside.

 

[Dallamlad]

Thanks Paul I thought something was up! Guessing the other solo is off the road or have they been swapped?

16877 on layover at the bus station later going on the 55
14196 on layover at the bus station as well
20463 on the 50
20131 and 20544 on X1's
22806,22815 and one other MAN on 2/2a along with 18326/28/62/75/80 and others.
16657 on 42
16661 (I think) on 80

 

[rosswatson]

Today's allocation of the day goes to 16733 on the short Cockermouth X5 this morning!

At least one of Carlisle's Solo Slimlines has been delivered, I managed to snap it on route testing this afternoon There were two reps from Optare on the bus.

Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/transliner/4457017771/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/transliner/4457792982/

 

[Dallamlad]

I think Cainebj will have something to say about those solos....

 

[rosswatson]

I wasn't amused by the severe lack of green paintwork!

 

[Dallamlad]

Green paintwork?

 

[rosswatson]

They should of had the green Lakes Link type livery... but no... plain old corporate!

 

[K768 DAO]

.........

 

[cainebj]

He'll find some fault with them, Lol.

well, if the T reg Vario's are too big for the route (they were brought up here for Buttermere Circulars, but can't work it), then what is an 8.8 metre long Solo gonna be like ...

 

[Dallamlad]

They should of had the green Lakes Link type livery... but no... plain old corporate!

Lol I think half the fleet could technically be in Lakeslink green lol.

Glad to hear that the bus station work is going well, the University should be starting work on the underpass soon thank god lol.

well, if the T reg Vario's are too big for the route (they were brought up here for Buttermere Circulars, but can't work it), then what is an 8.8 metre long Solo gonna be like ...

How long are the Vario's?

 

[K768 DAO]

...........

 

[mbonwick]

You'll have seen 33173 - T611 JBA

20711 on 552

I suspect that the Solo SLs are in normal corporate colours as they will be used on regular services in winter months.

In none-SCNW news, ex-Princess Coaches Solo Mx09 HJD is now with Lecks Travel of Haverthwaite.

 

[jonesy3001]

16666 has gone up to newcastle for chassis repairs(again) letting 16665 to go to carlisle for repaint.
I seen another aquired solo for travellers choice CX55 outside the hospital at 3pm, is that 3 solo`s that they have??
Does anybody know if brian souter did visit morecambe depot today??

 

[Gez.SCNW]

16666 has gone up to newcastle for chassis repairs(again) letting 16665 to go to carlisle for repaint.
I seen another aquired solo for travellers choice CX55 outside the hospital at 3pm, is that 3 solo's that they have??
Does anybody know if brian souter did visit morecambe depot today??

He went straight to Lancaster House, CX55 has been with them for several months now, came from Silver Star.

 

[Dallamlad]

Why is he up here?

21007 operating the 4! I assume both 21005/7 are in service because there's a few deckers missing atm?

 

[jonesy3001]

He went straight to Lancaster House, CX55 has been with them for several months now, came from Silver Star.

Wonder if he`ll call in tomorrow before he heads back to scotland.

 

[andy 37]

Carlisle paint shop

20777 - 34712 - 47143 - 47149

Body shop

18359 - 47486