Stagecoach East Scotland

[computerSaysNo]

Is there any news on changes in Fife at all aside from the article from LevenmouthReconnected or the recent 34/34A & 42/42A changes? It feels like ages since the August changes & I feel that they need to increase waiting times at Edinburgh Bus Station for the Edinburgh expresses & the 1 in Dunfermline needs some improvements reliability-wise.

Any improvements to the express network have been set back, largely due to the delay in the new 9700 DDs arriving.

Great.
I tried taking the X54 from Dundee to Edinburgh recently, it departed Dundee 75 minutes late, was a bus (E300) instead of a coach, and the people coming off of it at Dundee commented that felt like the longest bus journey they had ever been on.

I don't mind coaches being substituted with buses, to be honest that was the only reason I travelled with Stagecoach that day (managed to get an E300 southwards on the X7 and then an E300 on the X54 as well), but it would be nice if they could use buses that were a bit more suited mechanically (50mph on a 4-speed gearbox is very loud) and a bit better in passenger facilities (device chargers or mid/high back seats would be my preference). Do Glenrothes not have any of the Scania E300s they could send out?
Arbroath might be a bit harder, do they have anything other than Elite i's and integral/low back-seated E300s?

 

[Bowie]

Great.
I tried taking the X54 from Dundee to Edinburgh recently, it departed Dundee 75 minutes late, was a bus (E300) instead of a coach, and the people coming off of it at Dundee commented that felt like the longest bus journey they had ever been on.

I don't mind coaches being substituted with buses, to be honest that was the only reason I travelled with Stagecoach that day (managed to get an E300 southwards on the X7 and then an E300 on the X54 as well), but it would be nice if they could use buses that were a bit more suited mechanically (50mph on a 4-speed gearbox is very loud) and a bit better in passenger facilities (device chargers or mid/high back seats would be my preference). Do Glenrothes not have any of the Scania E300s they could send out?
Arbroath might be a bit harder, do they have anything other than Elite i's and integral/low back-seated E300s?

I believe most of the Scania E300’s are based at Aberhill depot, i know all the former Inverness ones are (SV61 CXZ/CYA/CYE/CYC, SV12 AYW/AZG/AAK/AYZ and AYK). Not sure about 28661/62

 

[Ohnolookwho]

I believe most of the Scania E300’s are based at Aberhill depot, i know all the former Inverness ones are (SV61 CXZ/CYA/CYE/CYC, SV12 AYW/AZG/AAK/AYZ and AYK). Not sure about 28661/62

Both 661 and 662 are at aberhill. The Scania E300s arent really any better suited to express work than ADL E300s. Extremely rattley and numerous faults that could result in breakdowns.

 

[Bowie]

Both 661 and 662 are at aberhill. The Scania E300s arent really any better suited to express work than ADL E300s. Extremely rattley and numerous faults that could result in breakdowns.

Thats true yeah, have SV12 AZG/AAK/AYW been out in service at all?

 

[Ohnolookwho]

Thats true yeah, have SV12 AZG/AAK/AYW been out in service at all?

Not yet, only 603/5/46/49 so far. We've got 11 of them, but PVR is only for 4 (perhaps 6) so not sure why we have so many given that only 4 are needed for the 41/42/46s and ideally we want to use 2 on the 49s to curb anti-social behavior. Rather concerning having so many knowing they will be used to cover for coaches if we can't meet PVR for Express work.

They aren't the most fun to drive.

 

[Bowie]

Not yet, only 603/5/46/49 so far. We've got 11 of them, but PVR is only for 4 (perhaps 6) so not sure why we have so many given that only 4 are needed for the 41/42/46s and ideally we want to use 2 on the 49s to curb anti-social behavior. Rather concerning having so many knowing they will be used to cover for coaches if we can't meet PVR for Express work.

They aren't the most fun to drive.

Wait so you’re an East Scotland driver? Fair enough, thank you for the information though

 

[Blindtraveler]

In my own personal experience, purely as a passenger, the scania perform better. Mechanically on more intensive dual carriageway or motorway work but interesting to hear a driver's viewpoint. What sort of faults do they have and why are they not the best to drive?

 

[computerSaysNo]

Oops I forgot to reply.

Both 661 and 662 are at aberhill. The Scania E300s arent really any better suited to express work than ADL E300s. Extremely rattley and numerous faults that could result in breakdowns.

Oh right, fair enough.
The one I was on has a panel at the front which had rattled so much it had snapped the metal hinges which attached it directly to the bodyshell, and was bouncing around attached only to the door mechanism cover, slapping the four pieces of bare metal against each other. I managed to dampen it somewhat by stuffing a spare napkin in between the bits of metal!

 

[Ohnolookwho]

In my own personal experience, purely as a passenger, the scania perform better. Mechanically on more intensive dual carriageway or motorway work but interesting to hear a driver's viewpoint. What sort of faults do they have and why are they not the best to drive?

A lot of the time the emissions light is on, which results in the engine power being reduced. Their suspension isn't great either; you feel every single little bump in the road, probably not helped that like the 200MMCs they have small wheels and relatively long wheelbases so there's a lot of pitching movement when you do hit bumps. They are also up in the 600k miles range, so everything rattles, and its not quiet.

Their horns are good though, no complaints there. But I definitely prefer a Euro 5 E400 bodied Scania, much better suspension, much fewer rattles.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Thanks. Good to see some observations. I think it's such a pity that this chassis and body combination is no longer available or that Stagecoach didn't go the route of buying a load of more recent Scania integrals. Again, purely from a passenger point of view, if you take away the rattles, these products are just so much better to travel on, especially on longer journeys or at higher speeds whereas the standard integral Enviro is just not much fun belting down a dual carriageway with the great big lump of an engine screaming.

 

[computerSaysNo]

the standard integral Enviro is just not much fun belting down a dual carriageway with the great big lump of an engine screaming.

Again though, the engine is only at high rpm because Stagecoach have bought the 4-speed gearbox instead of the 6-speed.

 

[Legomaster1]

Does anybody know anything about the rumoured changes to Edinburgh express services?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Speculating wildly but I suspect it's probably little more than increased running times and maybe the odd extra service here and there to cope with the high peak tourist demand. And extra stuff for the festival would have to go in around now for approval also
So glad that that's no longer part of my regular daily life anymore, stressful place to be in the high summer

 

[overthewater]

There are other changes planned. One such area is the Leven area from early June:

Following information was from https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...ch/find-registered-local-bus-services/browse/ using the Search function for the 22nd May 2024:

• PM0000004/809 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Leven bus station to Leven bus station via Kennoway, Cameron Bridge
  Service number: 49 (48)
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/412 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Anstruther harbour to St Andrews bus station
  Service number: 95
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/411 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Leven bus station to Anstruther harbour
  Service number: 95 (395)
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/1080 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Leven bus station to Muiredge roundabout via Cameron Bridge
  Service number: 47A
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/973 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Leven bus station to Glenrothes bus station
  Service number: 44 (44A, 44B)
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/379 Cancelled (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Glenrothes bus station to Markinch railway station
  Service number: F045 (45)
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

• PM0000004/144 Registered (Short notice)​

  FIFE SCOTTISH OMNIBUSES LTD
  Route: Kirkcaldy bus station to Leven bus station
  Service number: F007L (7A, 7)
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 03 Jun 2024

 

[Fifescottish]

Presumably connected to the new rail station?

 

[overthewater]

Presumably connected to the new rail station?

Yes details were postage on Page 133: https://levenmouthreconnected.fife....-for-new-and-improved-levenmouth-bus-services

I would expect further changes for July.

 

[Bowie]

Probably a mistake but it seems East Scotland has lost some buses to Bluebird and Highland

 

[Jordan Adam]

Probably a mistake but it seems East Scotland has lost some buses to Bluebird and Highland

Its not, the moves took place today, mostly related to LEZ.

 

[Bowie]

Its not, the moves took place today, mostly related to LEZ.

Wait so a bus has actually transferred to Inverness?? I thought they didn’t like using older buses

 

[Jordan Adam]

Wait so a bus has actually transferred to Inverness?? I thought they didn’t like using older buses

Replied in the Stagecoach North Scotland thread:

Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

Flying machines too helped by the fact they're ZF autos Most of the time when I travel on the 10 I get one of the iShift 2010 Elites (which, honestly I prefer as they have non-leather seats) but on the occasion I get one of the ZF 2017 B11s I'm always amazed at how rapidly they accelerate...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[overthewater]

Yes details were postage on Page 133: https://levenmouthreconnected.fife....-for-new-and-improved-levenmouth-bus-services

Details are now out and it seems Stagecoach didn't win all the contracts, No47 went to Moffat and Williamson. One other point, it was suggested ( in the above press release) a new Monday to Saturday early morning journeys would operate on the 95, it seems that has not happened, which is a bit of a surprise? unless X60 is getting an extra run when the express changes come in?

ServiceUpdatesArticle

www.stagecoachbus.com

With the introduction of a railway service to Leven for the first time since 1969, some bus services will be altered to provide better connections with trains at Cameron Bridge and Leven from Monday the 3rd of June. Below is a detailed explanation of what is changing for each service as well as a link to the new timetable:


7 - New early morning journeys will run from Coaltown of Wemyss to Leven via Methilhill at 0456 & 0541, Monday to Saturday, 0641 on Saturdays and 0754 & 0854 on Sundays. New late night journeys will run from Leven to Coaltown of Wemyss via Methilhill at 2320 & 0020, Monday to Saturday and 2235, 2335 & 0035 on Sundays.

43/44A/45 - The timetable for evening and Sunday journeys will be revised with many journeys now serving Cameron Bridge railway station. The 43 will no longer extend beyond Tanshill to Whitehill industrial estate at these times. Service 44A will be diverted between Markinch and Glenrothes to run via Coaltown of Balgonie and Woodside, and this will replace the service 45.

47A - This is a new evening and Sunday service running between Leven bus station and Cameron Bridge railway station via Victoria Road, Mackie Avenue and Mountfleurie. It replaces the current service 49 on this section. Monday to Saturday journeys will extend from Leven to Muiredge via Methilhaven Road. Sunday journeys will extend from Cameron Bridge to Muiredge via Cameron Hospital and Methilhill.

48/49 - the current 49 will be revised to run in two circles, numbered 48 for clockwise trips and 49 for anticlockwise trips. Starting from Leven, service 48 will run via Buckhaven, Cameron Hospital, Cameron Bridge railway station, Kennoway, Bonnybank, Broom to Leven. Service 49 will run in the opposite direction, but serve Denhead rather than Bonnybank. The section of route between Leven and Mountfleurie will be covered by new service 47A. As well as evening and Sunday journeys, services 48 and 49 will run early morning journeys Monday to Saturday.

95 - Sunday daytime journeys from Leven to St Andrews will be retimed. The 2320 journey on Sunday will extend from Lower Largo to Cellardyke.

 

[Fifescottish]

Express changes would be good, buses are leaving Edinburgh full quite often and it will just get worse in the summer

 

[Blindtraveler]

I assume that making any changes depends partly on driver availability but also the availability of the new coaches for the Glasgow runs
I have no comprehension as to how many are off the road. Either temporarily or simply won't go anymore, but should you imagine it's quite a few given the age of the fleet and the work they are put to and have been for years

 

[CSB0241]

I have no comprehension as to how many are off the road. Either temporarily or simply won't go anymore, but should you imagine it's quite a few given the age of the fleet and the work they are put to and have been for years

I was on 54138 a week or so ago & one of the interior panels was shaking an awful lot, & I was on one of the B11R Elites (can’t remember which) a few weeks ago & one of the panels above the driver’s cabin had a screw missing & was just kind of very slightly dangling to the point where it wasn't going to fall, but you could see into the electrical work.

So yes, the Elites need replaced as soon as possible • maybe some 9700s for Aberhill & more 9700DDs for Glenrothes?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Given the sometimes high fares for what was formerly marketed as a premium service, this is just not good

 

[overthewater]

An internal source has said Express Changes should take place on 29th July 2024.

 

[Bowie]

An internal source has said Express Changes should take place on 29th July 2024.

Whos this “Internal source” ? Someone that works at Stagecoach or something??

 

[Gareth1980]

Whos this “Internal source” ? Someone that works at Stagecoach or something??

It is on Blink (Internal Comms App)

 

[Fifescottish]

Will details be announced soon?

 

[User17]

West Fife zone being extended to include Falkirk and Stirling. The stagecoach website states this is to cater for a new service between Dunfermline and Stirling starting this summer.

ServiceUpdatesArticle

www.stagecoachbus.com

Zone Changes
27 May 2024 to 31 Jul 2024
From Sunday 2nd June, we will be making changes to some zone boundaries, to cater for journeys from the East Neuk into Leven for access to the rail station as well as taking staff and customer feedback into consideration to improve travel options.

• North East Fife zone – extended to include Glenrothes and Leven and matches the current Dundee and East Fife, ABC Zone.
• Central Fife zone - extended to now include Cowdenbeath.
• West Fife zone - extended significantly to include Stirling and Falkirk to cater for a new service planned for the summer between Dunfermline and Stirling.
• Dunfermline zone boundary – extended to now include Kingseat.
• Angus zone boundary - extended to include Piperdam and Newtyle to match the Angus local authority boundaries.



We are also introducing a new Leven to Kirkcaldy day return, this will be valid all day - adult £4.70, child £2.40.