Stagecoach Gold/Arriva Sapphire?

[W-on-Sea]

A new Gold development from next weekend - usual gold buses, but with seatbelts: route SW1, two journeys a day in each direction, Saturday and Sundays:
Carterton - Witney - Oxford Thornhill Park and Ride (not city centre: no local travel permitted in Oxfordshire) - London (Victoria, Embankment, Tower Hill).

Seems a bit odd to me - convenient for people in Witney (especially families) wanting a day out in London, maybe, but without the comfort levels of an Oxford Tube....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
(Also, the Witney services were revamped/enhanced earlier in the summer, with the S2 being sped up between Witney and Carterton, and a new S7, daytimes to mid-afternoons only, offering a service to Headington and the JR Hospital in Oxford from Carterton/Witney via the old S2 route)

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

A new Gold development from next weekend - usual gold buses, but with seatbelts: route SW1, two journeys a day in each direction, Saturday and Sundays:
Carterton - Witney - Oxford Thornhill Park and Ride (not city centre: no local travel permitted in Oxfordshire) - London (Victoria, Embankment, Tower Hill).

Seems a bit odd to me - convenient for people in Witney (especially families) wanting a day out in London, maybe, but without the comfort levels of an Oxford Tube....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
(Also, the Witney services were revamped/enhanced earlier in the summer, with the S2 being sped up between Witney and Carterton, and a new S7, daytimes to mid-afternoons only, offering a service to Headington and the JR Hospital in Oxford from Carterton/Witney via the old S2 route)

Gold has been rolled out in quite a measured way with a dozen routes in 5/6 years whilst Sapphire is nearly at the same point in 18 months.

Done quite a few of the Gold routes (X4, S5, 66, G1) but only the Sapphire 7 in Durham but based on that, I prefer Arriva's offering.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Gold has been rolled out in quite a measured way with a dozen routes in 5/6 years whilst Sapphire is nearly at the same point in 18 months.

Sapphire, I note, has had its original concept diluted somewhat by more recent implementations not using 2+1 seating, which, provided it was wider seating and not just a wider aisle, would be a *big* selling point for the many people for whom a disadvantage of public transport is being squashed up (bus seats are never wide enough, unlike 2+2 rail) against another member of the public.

FWIW, if Nat Ex introduced 2+1 coaches, and it was possible to reserve a guaranteed single seat, I might even convert from rail for some long distance stuff. (Sadly Megabus Gold does not serve MK).

Neil

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sapphire, I note, has had its original concept diluted somewhat by more recent implementations not using 2+1 seating, which, provided it was wider seating and not just a wider aisle, would be a *big* selling point for the many people for whom a disadvantage of public transport is being squashed up (bus seats are never wide enough, unlike 2+2 rail) against another member of the public.

FWIW, if Nat Ex introduced 2+1 coaches, and it was possible to reserve a guaranteed single seat, I might even convert from rail for some long distance stuff. (Sadly Megabus Gold does not serve MK).

Neil

Guess it comes down to economics - number of passengers per coach and income vs fixed and variable costs. First Greyhound couldn't make it pay but then again, that might not be down to just that!

Not had chance to travel on new Sapphires or the MAX. To do when it comes back to visiting the homeland.....

 

[Bletchleyite]

First Greyhound was a botch from start to finish, though.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

First Greyhound was a botch from start to finish, though.

There were some decent elements but the usual First malaise hit. No attention to detail, loss of interest etc!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Indeed. It was doomed from day one.

 

[radamfi]

FWIW, if Nat Ex introduced 2+1 coaches, and it was possible to reserve a guaranteed single seat, I might even convert from rail for some long distance stuff. (Sadly Megabus Gold does not serve MK).

Not quite as good as 2+1 seating, but many coach services outside the UK (including iDBus coaches between London and Paris/Amsterdam) have adjustable width seats. That means you can move the seats apart by about 80 mm, giving a decent level of privacy. That surely doesn't cost that much?

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's a very interesting idea... Is the mechanism robust enough, though?

 

[Qwerty133]

Ariva 31/a May as well not be sapphire, very rarely has a full set of sapphire buses on.

 

[radamfi]

That's a very interesting idea... Is the mechanism robust enough, though?

It's not an original idea. I've actually been on such coaches run by UK coach operators, but only ones used primarily for private hire use, not ones used for scheduled operations. I've occasionally had such vehicles on rail replacement services. I can only assume that the additional cost of this is too much for the likes of Nat Ex.

 

[Busaholic]

Stagecoach have Gold plated service 16 Canterbury - Hythe.

It apparently runs up to four times an hour, which is incredible considering thirty years ago it was only hourly: you have the added bonus in the summer on a match day of hopping off at St Lawrence's ground and watching Kent County Cricket Club at play - you might even see Cowdrey play, but not Dexter as he's now at Lords.

 

[Kuyoyo]

Gold has been rolled out in quite a measured way with a dozen routes in 5/6 years whilst Sapphire is nearly at the same point in 18 months.

Done quite a few of the Gold routes (X4, S5, 66, G1) but only the Sapphire 7 in Durham but based on that, I prefer Arriva's offering.

Ah, the success story - which is why 5 new E400s are on order for the 7 next year along with 2 for the Durham 6. 5 freed up Pulsars from the 7 join those E400s as well as more new Streetlites on the 6.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

So the Durham 7 will have a mix of e400s and some of the existing Pulsars?

The other Pulsars get displaced onto the 6 where two e400s will also appear along with new Streetlites? One route, 3 vehicle types? Looks like I'll have a few to sample next time I'm up anyway but next year.....

 

[Kuyoyo]

So the Durham 7 will have a mix of e400s and some of the existing Pulsars?

The other Pulsars get displaced onto the 6 where two e400s will also appear along with new Streetlites? One route, 3 vehicle types? Looks like I'll have a few to sample next time I'm up anyway but next year.....

Yes, Darlington are getting 5 E400s to enable half the PVR to be decker operated (Darlington operate 8 boards, Durham operate 2). The 6 is only really getting 2 E400s due to school contracts that are worked into the rota (one running board does both an AM and a PM school run then also at present does an evening X1 to Middlesbrough and return, however by the time the 6 goes Sapphire that will be the X12 instead).

The confirmed MAX/Sapphire list for 2015 in terms of the North East are:
Sapphire
6 Durham - West Auckland/Cockfield

MAX
X2 Durham - Newcastle
X12 Durham - Middlesbrough (renumbered from X1)
In effect, the other X1 (Darlington to Crook or Tow Law) is also now going MAX in the early part of 2015 as the Streetlites for the service aren't due until January.
Also rumored to be going MAX are the remaining Blyth Express X4/X5 and X13.

 

[duncombec]

It's not an original idea. I've actually been on such coaches run by UK coach operators, but only ones used primarily for private hire use, not ones used for scheduled operations. I've occasionally had such vehicles on rail replacement services. I can only assume that the additional cost of this is too much for the likes of Nat Ex.

Kings Ferry (a NatEx group company) have this "side shift" facility on the majority of their coaches, as they use them for combined commuter/private hire work. They have recently cascaded some coaches from NatEx Luton - I'll have to check whether they have it fitted on those, as the seats are different (Fainsa instead of Vogel). It does indeed make travelling a lot more comfortable!

 

[PeterC]

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.

Which probably explains why I often see Saphhire spec vehicles on other routes on the same day as seeing non Saphhire vehicles on the 280

IIRC the original Sapphire spec was for a minimum daytime service of 4 per hour but the frequency on the 280 was never increased.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Sapphire, I note, has had its original concept diluted somewhat by more recent implementations not using 2+1 seating, which, provided it was wider seating and not just a wider aisle, would be a *big* selling point for the many people for whom a disadvantage of public transport is being squashed up (bus seats are never wide enough, unlike 2+2 rail) against another member of the public.

The original Sapphire publicity showed what appeared to be larger seats in 2 + 1 layout. The ones actually used in the 280 are still a great improvement on the standard type but not the step change that the brand was supposed to deliver.

 

[W-on-Sea]

In Oxford, the Sapphire buses on the 280 are some leagues short of the Stagecoach Gold offering there: what they are very similar to are the "semi-premium" buses operated by Oxford Bus Co (also high-backed, leather-padded seats, with free wifi onboard) on the "Heartbeat" services between Oxford and Abingdon (X3/13/X13). The main substantive difference is that the Sapphire buses have plug sockets and some information about stops displayed on screens downstairs.

 

[fgwrich]

As posted in the Eurobus thread but relevant to here. Presumably coming soon to Derby?

https://www.facebook.com/tnwbb/phot...0588765685317/723077611103094/?type=1&theater

 

[MCR247]

Derby already has 14 reg E400s on the 38 and has done since August so thats quite strange :?

EDIT: Only 7 E400s were ordered when the PVR for the 38 is 8, so maybe this will be the 8th Sapphire spec vehicle? It was originally thought that a gemini would be refurbished but maybe not?

 

[Antman]

Which probably explains why I often see Saphhire spec vehicles on other routes on the same day as seeing non Saphhire vehicles on the 280

IIRC the original Sapphire spec was for a minimum daytime service of 4 per hour but the frequency on the 280 was never increased.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The original Sapphire publicity showed what appeared to be larger seats in 2 + 1 layout. The ones actually used in the 280 are still a great improvement on the standard type but not the step change that the brand was supposed to deliver.

The two non compliant (for the Oxford LEZ) buses moved to Gillingham for the route 101 conversion to Sapphire

 

[PeterC]

In Oxford, the Sapphire buses on the 280 are some leagues short of the Stagecoach Gold offering there:

I have only had one ride on a Stagecoach Gold service but I recall far less legroom than on the 280.

 

[bussnapperwm]

As posted in the Eurobus thread but relevant to here. Presumably coming soon to Derby?

https://www.facebook.com/tnwbb/phot...0588765685317/723077611103094/?type=1&theater

I think it's to gain fleet number 4499 4600 (actually f/n confirmed on another forum).

Should be in service next month...

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I have only had one ride on a Stagecoach Gold service but I recall far less legroom than on the 280.

I guess it's subjective. I found Gold, whilst welcome, a little bit basic (if that's not a contradiction). Also, the seats are a bit hard but perhaps that the relatively newness of the seats; the seats on the G1 Solos are more comfortable.

I prefer Sapphire (albeit only a few journeys) with the charging points etc

 

[TRN481V]

All of Arriva Southport's '10' reg Pulsars are to be refurbished to MAX standard for the 47 Crossens - Southport - Liverpool route. Around £9k is ear-marked to be spent on each bus.

 

[Bwsbro]

Arriva Buses Wales Facebook page have confirmed that Service 10 Chester - Connah's Quay is to be upgraded to Sapphire standard in early 2015

 

[pompeyfan]

Supposedly the 23 in portsmouth will be going gold with new e300s to compete with firsts 'the star 7' service, which already provides many features that golf will deliver.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Arriva Buses Wales Facebook page have confirmed that Service 10 Chester - Connah's Quay is to be upgraded to Sapphire standard in early 2015

Interesting...why are there two standards I wonder, Sapphire and Max, when both seem quite similar? Is one for double deck and one single? If not, what is the benefit from spreading the branding quite thinly in that way?

(Max for some reason has a very German feel to it, probably because of names like that being used in Germany by Arriva - e.g. Alex, the Arriva Laenderbahn-eXpress, though it's been taken over by another operator now due to competition law).

Neil

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Interesting...why are there two standards I wonder, Sapphire and Max, when both seem quite similar? Is one for double deck and one single? If not, what is the benefit from spreading the branding quite thinly in that way?

(Max for some reason has a very German feel to it, probably because of names like that being used in Germany by Arriva - e.g. Alex, the Arriva Laenderbahn-eXpress, though it's been taken over by another operator now due to competition law).

Neil

There are single and double deck variants of both. Sapphire is higher spec with charging points etc. Max is more akin to standard First group spec

 

[AM9]

Arriva the Shires service 321, between Luton (possibly the Airport again, looking at VOSA registrations) and Watford, ....

Went past a 321 yesterday that was a Sapphire with all the branding on the front, but was a Citaro according to the rear.