Stagecoach Gold/Arriva Sapphire?

[LM 170]

Hi dose anyone know what new routes/services are being introduce for Stagecoach Gold and Arriva Sapphire this year?

 

[starrymarkb]

I've heard rumours of the X46 in Devon going Gold, but I think they'd need some extra vehicles for it as the current 'Gold' timetable is pretty tight .

 

[Qwerty133]

38 in Derby (sapphire)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hi dose anyone know what new routes/services are being introduce for Stagecoach Gold and Arriva Sapphire this year?

Sapphire is going to X21/22 Ashington to Newcastle, plus Teesside 4 and 5, for the North East. A number in Mids (Detby/Tamworth) - sure someone will confirm.

There's some dispute about X46 in Devon going Gold! Additional 3 vehicles were originally said to enhance the existing route which goes half hourly to Plymouth. Clues to other Gold routes in new vehicle allocations (MBonwick is the expert) but some are off to Swindon so possibly the 55 to Chippenham?

 

[TheWalrus]

The Gold vehicles for Swindon are to increase the 66 frequency.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The Gold vehicles for Swindon are to increase the 66 frequency.

I thought they were due 10 Scanias? That would more than double the 66 and it doesn't overload now

 

[Kuyoyo]

Sapphire is going to X21/22 Ashington to Newcastle, plus Teesside 4 and 5, for the North East. A number in Mids (Detby/Tamworth) - sure someone will confirm.

There's some dispute about X46 in Devon going Gold! Additional 3 vehicles were originally said to enhance the existing route which goes half hourly to Plymouth. Clues to other Gold routes in new vehicle allocations (MBonwick is the expert) but some are off to Swindon so possibly the 55 to Chippenham?

Sapphire
Arriva North East: X21/X22 (July, 16 E400 - 9 refurbished and 7 new), 5/5a (early autumn, 10 new Streetlites), X4/4 and X3/X3a (early Autumn, 14 new Streetlites)
Arriva North West: 362/575 (refurbished Pulsars)
Arriva Buses Wales: Rhyl service 12 (20 new E400s)
Arriva Midlands: Derby service 38 (6 new E400s), Cannock service 1 (6 new Streetlites) and Tamsworth service 110 (10 new E400s)
Arriva Southern Counties: Service 480 (10 new Streetlites)

Gold
Cambridge service 13 is finally converted on Sunday (1st June), while Folkestone and Chesterfield are also getting GOLD Scanias this year (Chesterfield's might be for the X17)
The 3 extra for Oxford and 3 extra for Swindon are for PVR increases on the current GOLD services (S1/S3 and 66).

There's also the new Arriva MAX coming in the next few months. The brand is being launched in the North East although the livery has already hit the roads in Yorkshire as the new E200s for Wakefield are in the same livery and specification, which is basically Sapphire minus the plug sockets.

The routes going MAX in the North East are:

Darlington services X26/X27 and X66 (refurbished Scania OmniCitys, late autumn/early winter)
Ashington services X14/14 (3 refurbished E400s) X15 (at present, rumoured to be the 55-reg DB4000s from Green Line but nothing is confirmed) and X18 (5 new E400s (for a PVR of 6 - go figure!)
Blyth services X10/X11 (refurbished DB300/Geminis once refurbishment program finishes, first 2 supposed to have departed this weekend)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I thought they were due 10 Scanias? That would more than double the 66 and it doesn't overload now

Swindon are due 3 Gold Scanias for the 66 and 7 normal Scanias.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Apparently the Folkestone 16 might be going Gold

 

[TheWalrus]

The normal Scanias are for the 51.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The normal Scanias are for the 51.

Thanks for that (and Kuyoyo). Really can't believe the 66 is now going to 20 mins; it's not so busy! New kit on 51 makes sense though

 

[TheWalrus]

66 is busy all day!

 

[MK Tom]

Weren't the X5 and X7 supposed to be going Gold, with new Plaxton Elite-i and Enviro 300s respectively?

 

[Volvo142]

Sapphire
Arriva Midlands: Derby service 38 (6 new E400s), Cannock service 1 (6 new Streetlites) and Tamsworth service 110 (10 new E400s)
Arriva Southern Counties: Service 480 (10 new Streetlites)

Derby Service 38 is actually 7 new E400's, rather than six as it's a 10 minute frequency route and a seventy minute round trip. Think the start date is Sunday 29th June, as VOSA has reported changes to the timetable from this date.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

66 is busy all day!

Not saying it's not busy but I spend half my life on the A420 and I never see them close to full (even in peaks) though I confess I don't see them past Cumnor into Oxford.

Certainly changed from an hourly PS in 2007, to half hourly e300s in 2008, then to half hourly e400s and now every 20 mins! That is one hell of a change.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Weren't the X5 and X7 supposed to be going Gold, with new Plaxton Elite-i and Enviro 300s respectively?

I think the X7 was spotter speculation and nothing official. Bit like the 280 having Sapphire status removed!

 

[TheWalrus]

The 66 is a high growth and very profitable route! With housing developments in Faringdon and Southmoor Stagecoach and Oxfordshire Council need to improve transport links to cater for projected demand.

 

[bussnapperwm]

The 110 of Arriva tamworth is due to go sapphire along with the Cannock 1

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The 66 is a high growth and very profitable route! With housing developments in Faringdon and Southmoor Stagecoach and Oxfordshire Council need to improve transport links to cater for projected demand.

It's a real success story, to be sure since the days of the PSs. Good to see Stagecoach really making a success of it (plus support from LAs)

The vehicles are never so full when I see/experience them but with the large area adjacent to the 420 at Faringdon that's zoned for development (and Southmoor as well) I take your point on future growth. Same as the S5 with burgeoning Bicester.

Interesting how Gold has focused more (though not exclusively) on middle class areas whilst Sapphire has some very working class areas in its sights!

 

[Rapidash]

I've heard rumours of the X46 in Devon going Gold, but I think they'd need some extra vehicles for it as the current 'Gold' timetable is pretty tight .

The drivers seem really uncertain. Several have said 'Going Gold' others saying 'Uh....only until one of the clapped out ones gets fixed'

Would be nice if they did go fully Gold. Its a pretty long route, and everyones been appreciative of the extra comfort. And mildly suspicious

Wait, the Sapphires have a side which is single seats only?! Good gods, you buggers live a life of riley.

 

[83G/84D]

First are launching a quality service called "TAT" using 20 year old Olympian's with mould in the windows and urine soaked seats.
New livery as well called black as the buses are so dirty and grime encrusted anyway the original Barbie or ex London Red won't be visible any more.Saves repainting costs.
Coming to Cornwall later this year.

 

[Rapidash]

Surely thats just a fine tradition which should be cherished? Underinvestment in Cornwall is part of it's charm!

 

[sonic2009]

I've heard that the 41/42 services in Cheltenham, might be going Stagecoach Gold. Single Decker specification.

 

[83G/84D]

Surely thats just a fine tradition which should be cherished? Underinvestment in Cornwall is part of it's charm!

Maybe in Western National days when the buses were built to last and looked after. Not now when everything is looking well past it's sell by date. Even some of the Volvo B7RLE's (only 7 - 8 years old) are looking shabby.

What ever happened to mid-life refurbishments? If some of the First Kernow fleet had received this (Trident's / Dart's) the experience of travelling on them would be much more enjoyable.

 

[Rapidash]

Torbay has been pretty lucky with Stagecoach. It's been pretty regular in switching to newer models as and when the majority are too knackered for the 12. Even the Solo's are doing okay!

 

[TheWalrus]

I've heard rumours of the X46 in Devon going Gold, but I think they'd need some extra vehicles for it as the current 'Gold' timetable is pretty tight .

The drivers seem really uncertain. Several have said 'Going Gold' others saying 'Uh....only until one of the clapped out ones gets fixed'

Would be nice if they did go fully Gold. Its a pretty long route, and everyones been appreciative of the extra comfort. And mildly suspicious

Wait, the Sapphires have a side which is single seats only?! Good gods, you buggers live a life of riley.

As a rule take driver's words with a pinch of salt until officially confirmed.

 

[Surreyman]

First are launching a quality service called "TAT" using 20 year old Olympian's with mould in the windows and urine soaked seats.
New livery as well called black as the buses are so dirty and grime encrusted anyway the original Barbie or ex London Red won't be visible any more.Saves repainting costs.
Coming to Cornwall later this year.

First are in danger of causing 'Brand Confusion' to the the public, 'Black' is too close to the new drab 'Grey'.
I would like to see them launch 'khaki' - not sure how you would describe that??

 

[glennds999]

Sapphire
Arriva North East: X21/X22 (July, 16 E400 - 9 refurbished and 7 new), 5/5a (early autumn, 10 new Streetlites), X4/4 and X3/X3a (early Autumn, 14 new Streetlites)
Arriva North West: 362/575 (refurbished Pulsars)
Arriva Buses Wales: Rhyl service 12 (20 new E400s)
Arriva Midlands: Derby service 38 (6 new E400s), Cannock service 1 (6 new Streetlites) and Tamsworth service 110 (10 new E400s)
Arriva Southern Counties: Service 480 (10 new Streetlites)

Arriva the Shires service 321, between Luton (possibly the Airport again, looking at VOSA registrations) and Watford, will also be to Sapphire spec soon with new Streetlite MAX's. I think that 10 are due at Garston.

In addition, two new Enviro 400's to Sapphire spec are due at Aylesbury to replace the non-LEZ (for Oxford) compliant duo currently operating as the spares on the service.

 

[dave55uk]

The 100/101/102 services between Stevenage and Luton are apparently going Sapphire, but date unknown.

 

[bussnapperwm]

MAX has appeared on ATS 150 service

 

[mbonwick]

Stagecoach have Gold plated service 16 Canterbury - Hythe.

 

[Busaholic]

First are launching a quality service called "TAT" using 20 year old Olympian's with mould in the windows and urine soaked seats.
New livery as well called black as the buses are so dirty and grime encrusted anyway the original Barbie or ex London Red won't be visible any more.Saves repainting costs.
Coming to Cornwall later this year.

How prescient of you. At least one ex-Reading vehicle in predominantly black livery has now appeared in Penzance. Time to get rid of the bus wash, or did that happen when Wherrytown closed?