Stagecoach North West Discussion

[TheHovisKid]

Why does 22754 have a different emergency door from the rest of the batch? It seems to have one with a curve to the bottom of the window (like the window to the rear of it) wheras all the others i saw today have a straight bottom. (Pics not mine)

 

[cainebj]

Door off a MAN E300, where the emergency exits are where the curved window is on them ADL ones.
ADL don't body MAN's anymore, so could probably have just been using leftover stock, ran out of emergency exits with a flat window line and needed to get build completion finished, or they just made a cock-up when putting the emergency exit on.

 

[Dallamlad]

Freshly painted 22814 out on the 2a this afternoon.

 

[darrenw29]

Off topic
Have Reays cut some services in Carlisle?? As two Primo 2s have been on the Park N Ride at Sellafield this week YX60DXC & DXH. No branding just City Hopper. Strange????

 

[rosswatson]

Off topic
Have Reays cut some services in Carlisle?? As two Primo 2s have been on the Park N Ride at Sellafield this week YX60DXC & DXH. No branding just City Hopper. Strange????

These are the two which have just had their 75 branding removed, been replaced on the service by two of the ex Bu-Val mini pointers.
Also, Reays have just acquired three 07plate E200's from Hendersons...

 

[cainebj]

These are the two which have just had their 75 branding removed, been replaced on the service by two of the ex Bu-Val mini pointers.
Also, Reays have just acquired three 07plate E200's from Hendersons...

MP03 CYF
MB04 DVJ
Nice that the route started off with 2 709D's, then got 2 nicely branded PX10 reg Primo's, then up again to 60 reg Primo's after he got the MCV's in March/April, now it has gone down to an 03 and 04 reg mini Dart. I think 63/63A starting with Primo's, then going up to MCV Evolutions, now going down to second hand mini Enviro 200's shows how well the cityhopper is doing.....

Was nice to see an 08 reg Solo in Workington yet again today, in the form of 47616, this time on short 302's. It was on Moorclose 50 yesterday, and 47617 was on Workington Town's earlier this week as well. Makes a change with 1 usually being on route 1 in Whitehaven, and the other on either Maryport town services or 58.

 

[Mattdw92]

These are the two which have just had their 75 branding removed, been replaced on the service by two of the ex Bu-Val mini pointers.
Also, Reays have just acquired three 07plate E200's from Hendersons...

I'm assuming that these ones Reays have got recently arn't too bad........
One of Hendersons other E200 Darts which have also been pushed out by their newer buses, SF57FZK, has been aquired by Gateshead Taxis as I found out a few weeks ago at Blaydon. It was still in its Hendersons livery. Rather rough around the edges and had rather a bit of dart vibration....

 

[KendalKing]

Saw Chorley depot 20897 heading over Greyhound Bridge early.

 

[stagecoachuk]

I'm assuming that these ones Reays have got recently arn't too bad........
One of Hendersons other E200 Darts which have also been pushed out by their newer buses, SF57FZK, has been aquired by Gateshead Taxis as I found out a few weeks ago at Blaydon. It was still in its Hendersons livery. Rather rough around the edges and had rather a bit of dart vibration....

Replaced a Solo they had on loan from Hendersons Travel.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

MP03 CYF
MB04 DVJ
Nice that the route started off with 2 709D's, then got 2 nicely branded PX10 reg Primo's, then up again to 60 reg Primo's after he got the MCV's in March/April, now it has gone down to an 03 and 04 reg mini Dart. I think 63/63A starting with Primo's, then going up to MCV Evolutions, now going down to second hand mini Enviro 200's shows how well the cityhopper is doing.....

Was nice to see an 08 reg Solo in Workington yet again today, in the form of 47616, this time on short 302's. It was on Moorclose 50 yesterday, and 47617 was on Workington Town's earlier this week as well. Makes a change with 1 usually being on route 1 in Whitehaven, and the other on either Maryport town services or 58.

You seem to like saying that the cityhopper is constantly picking no one up and not doing well when this just is not the case. Compared to when they first started up Reays are doing a lot better. They are never going to be able to beat Stagecoach but they are certainly not doing bad. All of there routes are steady now. The 63 in peak times are no different to Stagecoach 67/68 services and are full. The 64/64A/70 are not setting the worls alight but are doing very well with the older generation.

Fair enough they are not likely to be around for ever but fair play to them for having ago and trying.

 

[j@r]

I've heard from someone at reays that they are looking at expanding their bus services to areas outside of carlisle so they can't be doing that bad, good luck to them there's no reason why stagecoach should be the only bus company in cumbria

 

[07andrew]

47005, 47006 and 47023 on Harrington/Seaton.
47754 on 50.
47061 on 51.
47007 short 302.
20473 and 20918 on extra X5.
20910 replaced 15685 302-300.
22108 and 35248 on 30/31.
16447 and 16734 done 48's

 

[cainebj]

15685 was sounding more like a road sweeper than a bus, the fan was louder than the bloody engine, but saying that, the fan is probably more powerful than the engine, underpowered pieces of crap. Shocking build quality as well, roof panels rattling and lifting up on bumpy roads, front upper deck structure creaking, didn't get that on the old Olympians!

Admittedly, I don't see many peak time runs of Reays anymore, but day time runs with passenger numbers in single figures doesn't make them look good, even one of my lecturers used City Hopper as an example of poor financial planning (much to the annoyance of a student from Wigton, who thinks Reays are God), with Reays saying passengers had asked for the services, but quite a few buses were running around completely empty. Chris Reay even admitted in local press that the services were loss making, and passenger numbers needed to increase by a third for them to continue long term.
They've been saying for a year now that they would do services outside of Carlisle, but the only thing that has came of it so far has been the revival of 2 routes into Carlisle that were cut by the council as loss-making services, both of them being extended to ASDA, they seem to have quite the obcession with ASDA, there's only 63/63A, 74 and 75 that don't go there (but 75 goes to Tesco, which is on the destination blinds as "Tescos"). If they do ever do anything, I can see it just being a copy of what Stagecoach already done, rather than a new idea that could potentially gain more passengers and earn them a decent profit. I still say they should have looked at problematic areas rather than just start in Carlisle, back at the time, Workington would have been a good one, with low floor availability at the time being very poor. He could have won a lot of passengers over from Stagecoach with his guaranteed accessibility Primo's. He still could maybe win over some passengers, but Stagecoach have improved low floor availability slightly in West Cumbria now, so it is kinda a lost opportunity.
Eventually, it'll be added to his list of failed ventures, along with the luxury party cruiser that lasted a few weeks, the removals company that didn't last long (may have been related to his haulage firm which was ripped off him by VOSA), the Keswick school buses from West Cumbria that never took off, and also the luxury Sellafield staff buses that never took off.
Quite a few of these buses these days are starting to look a bit scruffy, staff are becoming increasingly rude, and are demonstrating poor driving skills. Last week, one driver accelerated up to and through a red light in city centre, which Reays didn't want to know anything about, and a driver on 75 accelerated up to Stagecoach 554 when it was trying to get out of the bus station (partially blocked by a van on double yellow lines), started blasting his horn and waving his arms around. At least the driver who used to listen to his ipod, and play games on his ipod whilst driving, has since left Reays.

 

[Blindtraveler]

sorry to but in on this slightly O/T discussion but when holidaying with mates in Carlisle recently we caught a city hopper at ASDA after an early evening beer stock up and driver was like 'Oh I was hoping to just not run and go home and now you lot turn up*. He then drove all the way into town picking nobody up and grumbling to himself under his breath!
Stuck to stagecoach with no problems after that

 

[KendalKing]

Good Morning Chaps, Just about set off upto the Highlands to do a bit Nessie Hunting (and Bus spotting)

 

[Blindtraveler]

enjoy it. Think youl be in luck if ya like B10Ms.

 

[rosswatson]

Good Morning Chaps, Just about set off upto the Highlands to do a bit Nessie Hunting (and Bus spotting)

Enjoy! 17017 has just gone down into Workington, we are not worthy.

 

[Dallamlad]

Enjoy! 17017 has just gone down into Workington, we are not worthy.

Let's hope it last a bit longer this time lol.

14196 and 16877 on short 3 at the moment.
21007 had a turn on the 2 this morning with a dead LED
22818 and 18624 on 40/41

Part of me wishes we could go back to the days of Uni Sprint!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ewood_eddie1968/4655906218/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_simpson/2965113056/

Pics not mine

Also just seen Prestons wrecker pulling 18360 past the Boot and Shoe in Lancaster.

 

[cainebj]

17017 is short 302's, it has lost its rear advert for ASDA, and had the red re-painted. The logo on rear is now to the right of Stagecoach rather to the left.
It was late running, so got replaced on 1404 by 20923, and it worked the 1415 48 instead, but went back out on 1504 short 302 on time.

20918, 22104, 22108, 34616 and 35248 all 30/31, so I'd assume a MAN E300 is maybe on 31A's, or its all Darts on 2 and 31A meaning a few dead MAN E300's.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Workington Bus Stn and Workington Bus Stn given service number 50B/50/51 effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Timetable.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Kendal and Cartmel given service number 530/531/735 effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Route and Timetable.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Bransty Greenbank Cleator and Whitehaven Schools given service number 33A/33C/33D effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Route.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Hensinghan St Benidicts HS and Frizington given service number 32 effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Route.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Whitehaven Meadow Rd and Whitehaven School given service number 33E effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Route.

STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Variation Accepted: Operating between Cockermouth and Whitehaven given service number 600 effective from 04-Jan-2012. To amend Timetable.


STAGECOACH (NORTH WEST) LTD T/A CUMBERLAND MOTOR SERVICES, SECOND FLOOR, BROADACRE HOUSE, 16 - 20 LOWTHER STREET, CARLISLE, CA3 8DA
Registration Accepted
Starting Point: Newby Bridge
Finish Point: Barrow
Via:
Service Number: 735
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 04-JAN-2012
Other Details: College bus, was on the 530 reg (split service)

 

[07andrew]

15685 was sounding more like a road sweeper than a bus, the fan was louder than the bloody engine, but saying that, the fan is probably more powerful than the engine, underpowered pieces of crap. Shocking build quality as well, roof panels rattling and lifting up on bumpy roads, front upper deck structure creaking, didn't get that on the old Olympians!

Admittedly, I don't see many peak time runs of Reays anymore, but day time runs with passenger numbers in single figures doesn't make them look good, even one of my lecturers used City Hopper as an example of poor financial planning (much to the annoyance of a student from Wigton, who thinks Reays are God), with Reays saying passengers had asked for the services, but quite a few buses were running around completely empty. Chris Reay even admitted in local press that the services were loss making, and passenger numbers needed to increase by a third for them to continue long term.
They've been saying for a year now that they would do services outside of Carlisle, but the only thing that has came of it so far has been the revival of 2 routes into Carlisle that were cut by the council as loss-making services, both of them being extended to ASDA, they seem to have quite the obcession with ASDA, there's only 63/63A, 74 and 75 that don't go there (but 75 goes to Tesco, which is on the destination blinds as "Tescos"). If they do ever do anything, I can see it just being a copy of what Stagecoach already done, rather than a new idea that could potentially gain more passengers and earn them a decent profit. I still say they should have looked at problematic areas rather than just start in Carlisle, back at the time, Workington would have been a good one, with low floor availability at the time being very poor. He could have won a lot of passengers over from Stagecoach with his guaranteed accessibility Primo's. He still could maybe win over some passengers, but Stagecoach have improved low floor availability slightly in West Cumbria now, so it is kinda a lost opportunity.
Eventually, it'll be added to his list of failed ventures, along with the luxury party cruiser that lasted a few weeks, the removals company that didn't last long (may have been related to his haulage firm which was ripped off him by VOSA), the Keswick school buses from West Cumbria that never took off, and also the luxury Sellafield staff buses that never took off.
Quite a few of these buses these days are starting to look a bit scruffy, staff are becoming increasingly rude, and are demonstrating poor driving skills. Last week, one driver accelerated up to and through a red light in city centre, which Reays didn't want to know anything about, and a driver on 75 accelerated up to Stagecoach 554 when it was trying to get out of the bus station (partially blocked by a van on double yellow lines), started blasting his horn and waving his arms around. At least the driver who used to listen to his ipod, and play games on his ipod whilst driving, has since left Reays.

Aye, at the front upstairs on 15686, it sounded like some screws came loose on the piece of wood that shuts the front display

 

[j@r]

Had a trip on 302 to whitehaven today on top deck of 17017 and noticed builders working on whitehaven bus station, looks like they are putting a new roof on the offices at the back there is scaffold around aswel, there was also some people at the entrance to the main bus station but don't know who they were but they were wearing suits there was a couple of builders aswel talking to them, I wonder what's happening with it?

 

[robertclark125]

Had a trip on 302 to whitehaven today on top deck of 17017 and noticed builders working on whitehaven bus station, looks like they are putting a new roof on the offices at the back there is scaffold around aswel, there was also some people at the entrance to the main bus station but don't know who they were but they were wearing suits there was a couple of builders aswel talking to them, I wonder what's happening with it?

Maybe getting reopened?

 

[cainebj]

Chorley reserve 20897 in CE bodyshop. A 55reg Trident is apparently also at CE for repainting, no idea which one.

16355, 34220 and another Dart were in dead lanes, I'm told 16355 is now withdrawn due to mechanical issues (to word it nicely).

 

[07andrew]

Whitehaven Bus Station? That's like asking the Pope if he can speak french!

 

[Class20]

I don't know if its been posted here already (sorry if it has) but does any one have a full list of which ALX400s have transferred to Preston from Kendal?

I've so far got 18354, 18356 & 18372.

It would make it easier to work out which I've seen already and which are new sightings.

David.c

 

[mbonwick]

All of the ones from Kendal bar 18359 (we think) and 18364 have gone to Preston.
Of course I could be wrong...

 

[j@r]

Whitehaven Bus Station? That's like asking the Pope if he can speak french!

Yeah whatever you say pal

 

[stagecoachuk]

All of the ones from Kendal bar 18359 (we think) and 18364 have gone to Preston.
Of course I could be wrong...

Fleetcard shows them all as Preston.

 

[cainebj]

14199 from Kendal to Disposal
15721 from KL/Res to Kendal
15722 from KL/Res to Kendal
15723 from KL/Res to Kendal
15724 from KL/Res to Kendal
15725 from KL/Res to Kendal
15726 from KL/Res to Kendal
15727 from KL/Res to Kendal
15728 from KL/Res to Kendal
15729 from KL/Res to Kendal
16185 from KL/Res to Kendal
16355 from Carlisle to CE/Res
16393 from Carlisle to CE/Res
17013 from Kendal to KL/Res
17014 from Kendal to KL/Res
17015 from Kendal to KL/Res
17016 from Kendal to KL/Res
17217 from London to LL/Refurb (Open top conversion)
18354 from Kendal to PR/Res
18355 from Kendal to PR/Res
18356 from Kendal to PR/Res
18358 from Kendal to PR/Res
18359 from Kendal to PR/Res
18360 from Kendal to PR/Res
18364 from Kendal to PR/Res
18366 from Kendal to PR/Res
18372 from Kendal to PR/Res
20544 from Carlisle to CE/Res
20436 from LL/Res to Disposal
20458 from Kendal to Disposal
20474 from Kendal to KL/Res
20913 from Lillyhall to LL/Res
20934 Sold
20966 from LL/Res to Disposal
20979 from LL/Res to Disposal
22108 from LL/Res to Lillyhall
33163 Sold
33171 from ME/Res to Disposal
33172 from ME/Res to Disposal
34218 from Lillyhall to LL/Res
34679 from CE/Res to Carlisle
47018 from Carlisle to CE/Res
91665 from Merseyside to Carlisle

20207 Sold
20208 Sold
20209 Sold
20210 Sold
20211 Sold
20212 Sold
20897 from CY/Res to Disposal (but is in CE bodyshop)
20899 from CY/Res to Disposal
33039 from GM/Res to Disposal
33131 from GM/Res to Disposal
33146 from GM/Res to Disposal
33147 from GM/Res to Disposal
33472 from Gillmoss to GM/Res
33473 from Gillmoss to GM/Res
33482 from Gillmoss to GM/Res

 

[Mattdw92]

20913 from Lillyhall to LL/Res
34218 from Lillyhall to LL/Res

Actually made my day muhaha!

 

[stagecoachuk]

34679 have a very rare outing on the 68 at the moment due to a failure earlier in the day. It was supposed to be on it's normal 38 duty but got nabbed and swapped with 20977 (IIRC).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Chorley reserve 20897 in CE bodyshop. A 55reg Trident is apparently also at CE for repainting, no idea which one.

16355, 34220 and another Dart were in dead lanes, I'm told 16355 is now withdrawn due to mechanical issues (to word it nicely).

16355 spent about 14 days off and then had 2 days back on the road before it finally come off. Not so sure it has anything to do with mechanical issues as was earlier thought but more because Carlisle do not need to have 2 spare deckers doing nothing.