Western Greyhound Fire and subsequent WG general discussion.

[cainebj]

It depends how they're licensed. If it has a COIF to carry standing passengers then it is classed as a bus regardless of interior specification etc, if it is seated capacity only then it is classed as a coach. A number of Stagecoach's "interurban" spec coaches were licensed to carry standees when new but had been re-licensed to be seated only so they'd be classed as coaches rather than single deck buses.

 

[Goldfish62]

It depends how they're licensed. If it has a COIF to carry standing passengers then it is classed as a bus regardless of interior specification etc, if it is seated capacity only then it is classed as a coach. A number of Stagecoach's "interurban" spec coaches were licensed to carry standees when new but had been re-licensed to be seated only so they'd be classed as coaches rather than single deck buses.

Yes, you're absolutely right. If WGL wanted to carry on using them beyond next year they'd have to get them recertified and ban standing. Not ideal.

 

[83G/84D]

I got the impression that the coach seated Western Greyhound Vario's will stay on longer than next year although certainly not for 5 years.

Anyone know what loan vehicles are still in use with the company and if there have been any recent changes such as arrivals and departures? I haven't seen the Anglian buses optare / Vario recently for example.

Can SWTH provide an update please?

 

[richw]

There are a couple more stagecoach vehicles not previously mentioned that I have spotted about. I seem to only be spotting the blackpool buses, and the Pink Norfolk bus lately, along with the 2 demo's on the P+R

 

[83G/84D]

There are a couple more stagecoach vehicles not previously mentioned that I have spotted about. I seem to only be spotting the blackpool buses, and the Pink Norfolk bus lately, along with the 2 demo's on the P+R

I have seen 2 Stagecoach Dart's and a Optare which have all been in use for a few weeks now, both Dart's were in Newquay on Saturday, some of the Norfolk Green and Anglian vehicles seem to have possibly gone?

 

[richw]

I have seen 2 Stagecoach Dart's and a Optare which have all been in use for a few weeks now, both Dart's were in Newquay on Saturday, some of the Norfolk Green and Anglian vehicles seem to have possibly gone?

Not sure, There are also a few S reg Varios back on the road that were previously withdrawn, that belong to greyhound.

 

[MCR247]

Do they still have some of the exNottingham city transport green solos that they were using?

 

[richw]

Do they still have some of the exNottingham city transport green solos that they were using?

I believe so, there was at least one on anti clockwise Truro-Newquay circular last week, haven't seen them this week as my shift start/ end time don't coincide with passing them on the way out to Chiverton.

 

[SWTH]

Current loan vehicles:

2x Carmel Vario
3x Stagecoach Dart (33783, 33801 & 33942)
1x Stagecoach Solo (47121)
2x Arriva/Wardle Vario (1905/6)
4x Nottingham Solo
3x Blackpool Solo (240/1/7)
3x Norfolk Green Solo (601/4/10)
1x Summercourt Lance

With Truro P&R are:
1x Citaro demonstrator
1x Solo SR demonstrator

The 3 Anglian Varios are not in use.

The lack of double deck loans is very surprising, as passenger numbers very much warrant high capacity vehicles on certain duties.

 

[83G/84D]

Current loan vehicles:

2x Carmel Vario
3x Stagecoach Dart (33783, 33801 & 33942)
1x Stagecoach Solo (47121)
2x Arriva/Wardle Vario (1905/6)
4x Nottingham Solo
3x Blackpool Solo (240/1/7)
3x Norfolk Green Solo (601/4/10)
1x Summercourt Lance

With Truro P&R are:
1x Citaro demonstrator
1x Solo SR demonstrator

The 3 Anglian Varios are not in use.

The lack of double deck loans is very surprising, as passenger numbers very much warrant high capacity vehicles on certain duties.

Thanks for the update - much appreciated.

 

[richw]

The 3 Anglian Varios are not in use.

The lack of double deck loans is very surprising, as passenger numbers very much warrant high capacity vehicles on certain duties.

Seems a waste of the varios being loaned, any particular reason?

Regarding double deckers, why is one of the few you have left of your own being wasted on the P+R?

 

[SWTH]

I'm a humble steering wheel attendant so I'm not considered worthy of knowing the exact reasons why. I suspect 441 is on P&R because a Citaro is off for servicing, and the Anglian Varios are not currently fit for service.

 

[Goldfish62]

I got the impression that the coach seated Western Greyhound Vario's will stay on longer than next year although certainly not for 5 years.

I'd be interested to know how - the regulations are perfectly clear and have been around since 2000.

 

[83G/84D]

I'd be interested to know how - the regulations are perfectly clear and have been around since 2000.

See post numbers 118, 121 & 122.

 

[Goldfish62]

See post numbers 118, 121 & 122.

What about them? The legislation is perfectly clear.

 

[83G/84D]

What about them? The legislation is perfectly clear.

Read your own post #122 - if it is a Vario classed as a coach with no standees it can be used beyond next year if necessary - no arguments. WG have coach seated Vario's that could meet these requirements if they wanted them to.

 

[richw]

The Arriva Beaver operating the 591 today looked rough for a 55 plate. Odd colour panels on the rear. YM55 was the start of the reg.

 

[83G/84D]

The Arriva Beaver operating the 591 today looked rough for a 55 plate. Odd colour panels on the rear. YM55 was the start of the reg.

What colour was it? Sounds like one of the loaned Wardle buses.

 

[richw]

What colour was it? Sounds like one of the loaned Wardle buses.

It was Arriva turquoise colour, with Arriva across the bonnet, the corner of the bumper was bright green, almost possibly WG green!
Possibly YM55RRX
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

the Anglian Varios are not currently fit for service.

I've read on another forum WG have now purchased the Anglian Varios to keep. Not sure on the accuracy being a forum,

 

[83G/84D]

Not the Wardle one I have seen then as it was white, I'll keep a look out over the next few days.

 

[SWTH]

It was Arriva turquoise colour, with Arriva across the bonnet, the corner of the bumper was bright green, almost possibly WG green!
Possibly YM55RRX
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I've read on another forum WG have now purchased the Anglian Varios to keep. Not sure on the accuracy being a forum,

Yes, it's WGL green. Proper professional repair job....

Can you provide the link to the info about the Anglian Varios? All I can say is that I dearly hope that info is totally wrong. The Anglian machines are life-expired.

 

[richw]

Not the Wardle one I have seen then as it was white, I'll keep a look out over the next few days.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...219947.-2207520000.1373138740.&type=3&theater

This is the one.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Yes, it's WGL green. Proper professional repair job....

Can you provide the link to the info about the Anglian Varios? All I can say is that I dearly hope that info is totally wrong. The Anglian machines are life-expired.

I cant find or recall which forum I read it on, but as I said there is no guarantee of the accuracy of the info on forums. If I come across it again I will provide the link. There's also comment on Facebook referring to it as well, on the WG Facebook page, "You're keeping this, I've been told" or something along those lines.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...219947.-2207520000.1373138740.&type=3&theater

 

[SWTH]

Sadly it seems to be true. Will get confirmation next week when I'm back in work.

 

[83G/84D]

Two men aged 18 & 43 from Bristol arrested in connection with fire at Western Greyhound garage and released on bail until December.

 

[richw]

A source for 83G/84D's comment

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/new...d_over_huge_Newquay_bus_depot_inferno_in_May/

Two men from Bristol have been arrested on suspicion of arson at the Western Greyhound depot in Newquay in May

The men, aged 43 and 18, were arrested in Bristol yesterday (22 July) by Devon and Cornwall officers.

They were interviewed at Launceston police station and have been released on police bail until 16 December 2013 pending further enquires.

The huge fire at a Western Greyhound bus depot at Summercourt near Newquay on May 13 destroyed 37 buses.

Crews from St Columb, St Dennis, Newquay, St Austell, Perranporth, Truro and Mevagissey called in to fight the fire, with the assistance of the Water carrier from Wadebridge and the control unit from Launceston.

The scale of the fire meant that bus services across Mid Cornwall were affected.

 

[SWTH]

Interesting. I know of an 18 yr old from Bristol who has had run-ins with the company before.

In other news, the Summercourt Travel Dennis Lance has been returned to its owners, and one Anglian Vario makes sporadic appearances in service, usually soon followed by an appearance from a Cornwall Commercials recovery truck. No news on replacement vehicles as yet.

 

[richw]

Interesting. I know of an 18 yr old from Bristol who has had run-ins with the company before.

In other news, the Summercourt Travel Dennis Lance has been returned to its owners, and one Anglian Vario makes sporadic appearances in service, usually soon followed by an appearance from a Cornwall Commercials recovery truck. No news on replacement vehicles as yet.

I always thought WG had their own recovery truck. Used to see solos hooked up behind it on regular occurrences

 

[SWTH]

WGL did have their own but to the best of my knowledge it is VOR.

 

[richw]

A source for 83G/84D's comment

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/new...d_over_huge_Newquay_bus_depot_inferno_in_May/

Apologies for quoting myself. the above report has been updated to say

UPDATE: A third suspect - a 26-year-old man - was arrested in Bristol yesterday, Tuesday, July 23.

He has also been released on police bail until December 16

 

[Goldfish62]

A post on another blog claims that Western Greyhound have lost the Truro Park and Ride to First Devon & Cornwall. Bad news if true - WG have operated it very well with those fine Citaros.

Considering that First replaced the bendy Citaros on the Eden Project P&R with older, rattly Volvo/Wrights cast-offs from Bath it doesn't bode well.