Stagecoach North West Discussion

[Mattdw92]

More buses on service X5 between Workington, Cockermouth and Keswick from 31st May - now to continue beyond September!

Stagecoach is pleased to announce that due to the success of the extra journeys that we introduced on the X5 service between Workington and Keswick for the summer, these journeys will now continue beyond the original end date of 3rd September.

The trial has been very successful and we want to make these extra journeys a more permanent feature of the timetable going forward. As a result, we are guaranteeing to run them until at least the end of October, after which we will introduce our winter timetable, where we hope to continue to provide two buses per hour between Workington and Keswick all year round.

It has been very successful! Every bus that I've seen running throughout the day, especially around noon and into the early afternoon have a substantial amount of people using it, more than I think anyone would have thought, and if not provided, I think the Profiles (when they want to be on!) would have struggled to accommodate this summers customers - who hopefully would have been encouraged to use the bus because of its extra frequency.

I'm glad they are extending its existence this year, I just hope that next year LL are able to get hold of some suitable low floor/easy access buses for the extra services. Its been a great success, but an extra service requiring two buses 6 days a week from the end of May to at least October with a high demand deserves better than tired B10M's - especially if it goes all year round after further review

 

[Dallamlad]

With such lovely weather today I've been thinking how it would be brilliant for the 755 between Heysham/Morecambe and Kendal to be a seasonal OT service. I for one would love to ride an open top down Morecambe prom and into the Lakes and it could even carry the Lakes Link livery! One can dream lol

 

[Gez.SCNW]

With such lovely weather today I've been thinking how it would be brilliant for the 755 between Heysham/Morecambe and Kendal to be a seasonal OT service. I for one would love to ride an open top down Morecambe prom and into the Lakes and it could even carry the Lakes Link livery! One can dream lol

Doubt you would think that belting up the A6 doing 50.
anyway look out for the 756 coming next year

 

[07andrew]

It has been very successful! Every bus that I've seen running throughout the day, especially around noon and into the early afternoon have a substantial amount of people using it, more than I think anyone would have thought, and if not provided, I think the Profiles (when they want to be on!) would have struggled to accommodate this summers customers - who hopefully would have been encouraged to use the bus because of its extra frequency.

I'm glad they are extending its existence this year, I just hope that next year LL are able to get hold of some suitable low floor/easy access buses for the extra services. Its been a great success, but an extra service requiring two buses 6 days a week from the end of May to at least October with a high demand deserves better than tired B10M's - especially if it goes all year round after further review

Yeah, I've put £23 towards the service when I've been using it.

 

[cainebj]

Noticed today that 52635 has had its rear servery removed, and had 3 old style DP seats fitted in its place. Looks odd having 44 coach seats, then a random little set of old style DP seats.

Around 20 passengers were left behind in Keswick this morning due to the X50 to Penrith being full to capacity. Left behind passengers were instructed to wait for the next one in an hours time.

Also wondered today, along with 2 other forum members, why Kendal's summer only runs of 555 do not run on a Saturday, as it did a few years ago. Saturday's are probably one of the busiest days, and the extra services aren't there to manage the increase in lakes visitors.

 

[Dallamlad]

Doubt you would think that belting up the A6 doing 50.
anyway look out for the 756 coming next year

Good point lol. 756 sounds interesting

 

[cainebj]

Good point lol. 756 sounds interesting

Wouldn't have thought doing 50 on the A6 would be any different to Carlisle's open toppers doing Keswick - Penrith X50 on A66 (including some dual carriageway), and Keswick - Carlisle 554/5 on A591, A595 and A596.


I've heard this is rather unlikely, but it is in the local newspaper, so I'll post it on here anyways.

"A DECISION on whether to extend Stagecoach's Honister Rambler summer service to Cockermouth will be made by the travel firm next month.
The town's chamber of trade asked Stagecoach earlier this month if it could include Cockermouth in the service to improve footfall.
The Honister Rambler runs from Keswick seven days a week between April and October and stops at Portinscale, Catbells, Grange Bridge, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter."
(Times and Star, Friday 29th June 2011).

On the off-chance it was extended to Cockermouth, possibly resulting in a PVR increase, I'd imagine it would use the Lorton - Cockermouth road, then link with Whinlatter via the A66, going through Thornthwaite and Braithwaite, then down into Portinscale (77A).

 

[stagecoachuk]

Wouldn't have thought doing 50 on the A6 would be any different to Carlisle's open toppers doing Keswick - Penrith X50 on A66 (including some dual carriageway), and Keswick - Carlisle 554/5 on A591, A595 and A596.


I've heard this is rather unlikely, but it is in the local newspaper, so I'll post it on here anyways.

"A DECISION on whether to extend Stagecoach's Honister Rambler summer service to Cockermouth will be made by the travel firm next month.
The town's chamber of trade asked Stagecoach earlier this month if it could include Cockermouth in the service to improve footfall.
The Honister Rambler runs from Keswick seven days a week between April and October and stops at Portinscale, Catbells, Grange Bridge, Seatoller, Honister Slate Mine, Buttermere, Lorton and Whinlatter."
(Times and Star, Friday 29th June 2011).

On the off-chance it was extended to Cockermouth, possibly resulting in a PVR increase, I'd imagine it would use the Lorton - Cockermouth road, then link with Whinlatter via the A66, going through Thornthwaite and Braithwaite, then down into Portinscale (77A).

Id suggest that if you ever get the chance to ride on the Open Tops on service 554 you do it as soon as you can as it will not be happening next year. It's a great ride and even better if the sun is out (Its gets a bit nipy though...)

No chance of Buttermeres going to Cockermouth from what I understand. I have no idea how it could justifty 1 maybe even 2 extra buses being brought into play.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Noticed today that 52635 has had its rear servery removed, and had 3 old style DP seats fitted in its place. Looks odd having 44 coach seats, then a random little set of old style DP seats.

Around 20 passengers were left behind in Keswick this morning due to the X50 to Penrith being full to capacity. Left behind passengers were instructed to wait for the next one in an hours time.

Also wondered today, along with 2 other forum members, why Kendal's summer only runs of 555 do not run on a Saturday, as it did a few years ago. Saturday's are probably one of the busiest days, and the extra services aren't there to manage the increase in lakes visitors.

Complete madness that the extra 555's do not run on a Saturday. The service would easily pay for the extra buses!

 

[cainebj]

Seeing as its a boring old Sunday, decided to mess around with bus designs a little, so decided, what if Kendal's 516 service went open top with a B10M.....

 

[KendalKing]

Complete madness that the extra 555's do not run on a Saturday. The service would easily pay for the extra buses!

I could not agree more with you!

 

[Blindtraveler]

*a little OT*

53626 on X99 (not my picture).

THANKS FOR THE GEN ETC GUYS, USED THE NEW HIGHLAND FLEAT TODAY AND THERE GREAT! Few door problems apparently but otherwise all good!

 

[Whistler40145]

Which Bus was gutted in a fire whilst on Preston to Blackpool Service 68?

How old was this vehicle?

 

[Stagecoach NW]

Which Bus was gutted in a fire whilst on Preston to Blackpool Service 68?

How old was this vehicle?

N352MPM 16352 So quite an old bus.

 

[Whistler40145]

Would have been rather embarrassing had it been one of the 60 Plate Buses!

 

[Chris26584]

Would have been rather embarrassing had it been one of the 60 Plate Buses!

And odd, seeing Preston don't operate any 60 reg vehicles...

 

[cainebj]

For those interested, done a quick update of the fleet averages (from latest fleetcard).

Carlisle: average age 2003, 75% accessibility
Lillyhall: average age 2003, 67% accessibility
Kendal: average age 1998, 50% accessibility (Replacing the Leylands with R reg Oly's would give average age 1999).
Barrow: average age 2003, 80% accessibility
Morecambe: average age 2004, 84% accessibility
Preston: average age 2004, 85% accessibility.
Chorley: average age 2004, 70% accessibility. (withdrawal of B10M's leaves average age of 2005 with 76% accessibility).

Overall region: average age 2003, 73% accessibility.

Going a bit geographical...
Cumbria: average age 2002, 68% accessibility.
Lancashire: average age 2004, 80% accessibility.


ex Carlisle 42094 on ebay

 

[madannie77]

Optare Versa 25226 (PX08FMV) was seen heading into Carlisle on Botchergate this afternoon by my other half, who was on a bus so didn't get a photo

 

[Dallamlad]

Optare Versa 25226 (PX08FMV) was seen heading into Carlisle on Botchergate this afternoon by my other half, who was on a bus so didn't get a photo

Assume it's for repaint...

 

[stagecoachuk]

Assume it's for repaint...

Will take a look tommorow if I get time. I only got a photo of it last month and it was fine!

 

[cainebj]

Off topic, but here is a photo of one of the new Plaxton Elite's in standard livery for Bluebird (I think).
Link (Not my photo)

 

[Blindtraveler]

for the inverness - aberdeen by any
chance? if so wonder where the profiles would go to?

 

[cainebj]

for the inverness - aberdeen by any
chance? if so wonder where the profiles would go to?

Service X7, Aberdeen - Dundee

 

[Blindtraveler]

aha, one theyve got from citylink! nice to
see sumfin decent on there. Thanks

 

[Class20]

Olympian 16706 has been re-painted. Do hope that the rest of the 167xx batch Preston have are also painted, they really are a scruffy lot.

David.c

 

[stagecoachuk]

Olympian 16706 has been re-painted. Do hope that the rest of the 167xx batch Preston have are also painted, they really are a scruffy lot.

David.c

Spent around 3 weeks at Carlisle and got a complete overhaul. Just about every panel is brand new.

 

[Dallamlad]

Spent around 3 weeks at Carlisle and got a complete overhaul. Just about every panel is brand new.

Must be staying around for a good while longer yet then!

 

[cainebj]

Noticed 16734's back end has finally been repainted. Could have done with a full repanel and repaint, but never mind, its looking better without loads of faded paint on the back.

35246 been out on Roadworks Shuttle 53 today. 47023/4 both staff shuttles, while 20436 and 16447 done LF short 302's (20436 replaced by 16447 after getting caught up in traffic).

 

[robertclark125]

Off topic, but here is a photo of one of the new Plaxton Elite's in standard livery for Bluebird (I think).
Link (Not my photo)

It makes me think it's a coach version of an Optare Versa. with the hump at the front.

Looks different, but nice!

 

[Whistler40145]

A while back, I heard a rumour that the Blackpool to Preston 61 service was to receive new or newer buses. Does anyone have any news on this?

I cannot believe that the same clapped out ones are still in traffic & not off for scrap!

 

[Dallamlad]

A while back, I heard a rumour that the Blackpool to Preston 61 service was to receive new or newer buses. Does anyone have any news on this?

I cannot believe that the same clapped out ones are still in traffic & not off for scrap!

Yeah I've heard this and that about it. Some say some KL Tridents are going to PR for either the 59 or 61. Others say PR may be getting some London Tridents. I think it's a wait and see thing lol.

Also 16706 was mentioned earlier and here it is after repaint etc:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidsnwtransport/6002218448/in/contacts/

Pic not mine.