First Group: General Discussion

[Lrd]

Does anyone know where the 'Beeline' Citaros from Bracknell are going?

Rumour has it that it's Hoeford.

 

[South Westerly]

It was rumoured in the same arrival that is the source for this that the B7Ls will be heading to Bristol? Any truth in that?

It's a possibility

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It's a possibility

I guess there's logic in concentrating them in a number of OpCo's. We'll see what gives.

I have to admit I'm not a great fan of the B7L as a punter, given their rather utilitarian seating when employed on the 21/28 in Somerset. However, depends on what they're used on and if they get a refurb. The 5 in Bath, which is home to some of the former Somerset ones, is perhaps indicative of the type of route that they might be suited to.

 

[South Westerly]

I guess there's logic in concentrating them in a number of OpCo's. We'll see what gives.

I have to admit I'm not a great fan of the B7L as a punter, given their rather utilitarian seating when employed on the 21/28 in Somerset. However, depends on what they're used on and if they get a refurb. The 5 in Bath, which is home to some of the former Somerset ones, is perhaps indicative of the type of route that they might be suited to.

They are a mixture in Plymouth. Some refurb'd for PR, some not. The main issue is that Kernow cannot accommodate any more 12m single decks

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They are a mixture in Plymouth. Some refurb'd for PR, some not. The main issue is that Kernow cannot accommodate any more 12m single decks

Sorry - think we're slightly at crossed purposes. I was referring to reports of some Norwich B7Ls being rumoured for Bristol.

I know you'd said the Plymouth ones might as the opportunities for using them in Cornwall are understandably limited. Unconfirmed reports of more heading from the east got me wondering if the rumour mill had slightly over extended!!

Was it the case with the Plymouth examples that if they'd got painted, then they'd also been refurbed or was it not as straight forward as that?

 

[South Westerly]

Sorry - think we're slightly at crossed purposes. I was referring to reports of some Norwich B7Ls being rumoured for Bristol.

I know you'd said the Plymouth ones might as the opportunities for using them in Cornwall are understandably limited. Unconfirmed reports of more heading from the east got me wondering if the rumour mill had slightly over extended!!

Was it the case with the Plymouth examples that if they'd got painted, then they'd also been refurbed or was it not as straight forward as that?

Can't recall if all those painted were refurbished. The sole Kernow ex Glasgow one is likely to move with them.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Can't recall if all those painted were refurbished. The sole Kernow ex Glasgow one is likely to move with them.

Thanks. I'd expected 61594 to move (as an oddball in the Kernow fleet). Where they might end up..... well, we'll see

 

[d1672]

HI,

First have deregistered the X5 from Cumbernauld to Glasgow from the 17/10/2015. This means that since 2012 we will have lost the 36, X4 and X80 all of which operated from Cumbernauld to Glasgow. They also closed the depot at Cumbernauld.

We will still have route X3 from Cumbernauld to Glasgow, and X37 from Falkirk to Glasgow and X39 from Stirling to Glasgow.

However, the depot will re-open in mid October operated by Stagecoach, rumoured to be for Megabus fleet.

Thomas

 

[overthewater]

Keep up, your behide

Service 36 still operates but as an early morning worker services.

Pitch of salt with that Mega-bus fleet rumor....

 

[d1672]

Hi,

I forgot about that.

However Stagecoach are moving into the Cumbernauld Depot, as I have seen work going on inside the depot in preparation.

Anyway, hopefully there should be some announcements soon.

Thomas

 

[overthewater]

However Stagecoach are moving into the Cumbernauld Depot, as I have seen work going on inside the depot in preparation.

Anyway, hopefully there should be some announcements soon.

Thomas

Are you sure its for Stagecoach? and not for someone else?

 

[d1672]

Hi,

It is definitely Stagecoach who are moving into the Cumbernauld Depot from mid October. There appears to be work at the depot to extend the pits to take 15m coaches at present. The depot at Blochairn is full to capacity with the X19 being extended to operate from Easterhouse to Braehead Shopping Centre via the new hospital, and the "wee G1 and G2" solos all operating on a 10 minute frequency during the day.

The current rumour is that the megabus and possibly Citylink work will move to Cumbernauld leaving the City routes (X19,X25,X25A,X28, G1 and G2) at Blochairn.

But we all know about rumours.

Thomas

 

[Strathclyder]

First Glasgow have recently announced that several services will be withdrawn after 17th October. These services are the X5 (Glasgow - Abronhill Express) (as already posted by d1672), M6 (Silverburn - Paisley), 6B (Duntocher - Glasgow) & the X81 (Charing Cross - Auchinairn Express). Changes will be made to the X3 (will no longer serve Seafar), M3 (reduced to a hourly frequency) & the 36 (two early morning journeys withdrawn).

Outrage as transport giant plans major shake up of buses in Glasgow

A MAJOR shake-up of bus services in the Glasgow area will result in routes being scrapped and changed.

First Glasgow is slashing services and making more than a dozen changes to their current timetable.

The move comes just over a year after more than 30 changes were were made, which included scrapping journeys between Paisley and Linwood and getting rid of the M8 service between Silverburn and North Pollok.

Among the services being withdrawn from October 19 is the X81 route between Auchinairn and Glasgow. It is used by residents in the north of the city, including Bishopbriggs and Robroyston.

The 6B Duntocher-Glasgow route is being scrapped, along with the M6 which operates between Paisley and Silverburn.

Meanwhile, the X5 Abronhill-Glasgow service is also being cut.

First bosses say they are withdrawing from “low useage” services.

Alterations include the X3 Seafar - Glasgow which will now operate between Cumbernauld Town Centre and Glasgow and no longer serve Seafar.

Two early morning journeys will be withdrawn from service 36 Abronhill - Glasgow service, while the M3 route between Milton and the City Centre will be cut back to an hourly service.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/...ant_plans_major_shake_up_of_buses_in_Glasgow/

 

[the101]

What an over-sensational report from the local rag.

 

[83G/84D]

Thanks. I'd expected 61594 to move (as an oddball in the Kernow fleet). Where they might end up..... well, we'll see

61594 has been branded for Kernow so why would they apply Kernow titles etc if the bus is planned for a move elsewhere?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

61594 has been branded for Kernow so why would they apply Kernow titles etc if the bus is planned for a move elsewhere?

It wouldn't be the first time that it's happened. Plans change etc.

You could also ask why 3 Solos were painted Somerset green when Urban looks the order of the day?

Was it a prelude to that livery being adopted for Kernow? An abortive move to Somerset? A promo livery? Heard so many theories - no idea if I've heard the truth!

 

[South Westerly]

61594 has been branded for Kernow so why would they apply Kernow titles etc if the bus is planned for a move elsewhere?

It was the test run for the full Kernow branding. It was already in Olympia. it's only the vinyl which First South West produce in house anyway.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It wouldn't be the first time that it's happened. Plans change etc.

You could also ask why 3 Solos were painted Somerset green when Urban looks the order of the day?

Was it a prelude to that livery being adopted for Kernow? An abortive move to Somerset? A promo livery? Heard so many theories - no idea if I've heard the truth!

They were intended for the EDF contract at BoS.

 

[Volvodart]

HI,

First have deregistered the X5 from Cumbernauld to Glasgow from the 17/10/2015. This means that since 2012 we will have lost the 36, X4 and X80 all of which operated from Cumbernauld to Glasgow. They also closed the depot at Cumbernauld.

We will still have route X3 from Cumbernauld to Glasgow, and X37 from Falkirk to Glasgow and X39 from Stirling to Glasgow.

However, the depot will re-open in mid October operated by Stagecoach, rumoured to be for Megabus fleet.

Thomas

http://www.cumbernauld-news.co.uk/news/local-news/investment-boost-as-stagecoach-snaps-up-depot-in-cumbernauld-1-3881807

Investment boost as Stagecoach snaps up depot in Cumbernauld

editorial image
11:27Wednesday 09 September 2015

The Scottish bus giant has bought the former First depot in Carbrain as part of an expanding operation into Cumbernauld.

The Perth-based firm has told us that it will move into the disused headquarters as First admits that the days of its X5 and X3 services in the town are numbered.

A Stagecoach spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have taken ownership of Cumbernauld bus depot which has been empty for a number of months.

“We will be carrying out some refurbishment work to the site and then plan to integrate it into our West of Scotland operation.’’

 

[overthewater]

Unlike last week the rumors were getting alot stronger with even normal passengers saying this had happen.

Will stagecoach try and take over the whole town?

 

[KendalKing]

Will stagecoach try and take over the whole town?

Knowing Stagecoach, Yes.

 

[Sandy Drew]

The whole town isn't worth having - just the trunk routes to Glasgow!?

 

[overthewater]

We don't know that, especial since First Glasgow managed to lose the kilsyth route to another operate who now operates its every 20mins. First also took a 30mins direct service from North Cumbernauld to Glasgow and completely destroy it.

Canavan also provide a bus every 7/8mins to some parts of Cumbernauld.

 

[DD12]

The first NEW double-decker for Worcester (Midland Red/M.R.West/First M.Red)
in 47 years, has been delivered.
StreetDeck 35156 has the same "purply-pink" fronted livery as the Bristol and Leicester examples.
We are expecting 35156-59.

(The last new DDs for WR were 6092-96 LHA592-596F delivered in November 1967 - Daimler Fleetlines with Alexander bodywork).

 

[KendalKing]

The first NEW double-decker for Worcester (Midland Red/M.R.West/First M.Red)
in 47 years, has been delivered.
StreetDeck 35156 has the same "purply-pink" fronted livery as the Bristol and Leicester examples.
We are expecting 35156-59.

(The last new DDs for WR were 6092-96 LHA592-596F delivered in November 1967 - Daimler Fleetlines with Alexander bodywork).

35156-35158 were noted yesterday carrying "Leicester Citybus" legal lettering.

 

[DD12]

35156-35158 were noted yesterday carrying "Leicester Citybus" legal lettering.

OMG !hock:

Thanks for the warning KendalKing !

- I did post on one of forums, my fear that they might only be long-term loans from Leicester (where they were ordered-for).

I will let you all know if they enter service with "on loan" notices

 

[KendalKing]

OMG !hock:

Thanks for the warning KendalKing !

- I did post on one of forums, my fear that they might only be long-term loans from Leicester (where they were ordered-for).

I will let you all know if they enter service with "on loan" notices

I believe that theres been a change of plans, but we will have to wait and see whats happens.

Same thing happen last year, with some StreetLites (47466-47481) which were delivered with "First Manchester" legals, but were changed to "Pennine Blue" legals, despite Pennine Blue being part-of First Manchester!

 

[swifty]

OMG !hock:

Thanks for the warning KendalKing !

- I did post on one of forums, my fear that they might only be long-term loans from Leicester (where they were ordered-for).

I will let you all know if they enter service with "on loan" notices

You can see the Leicester Citybus legals in this picture.


First Midland Red Worcester's very first Wright Bus StreetDeck numbered '35156' by ColstaXC Transport Photography, on Flickr

I was under the impression the new MRW buses were due with red fronts as well?

 

[Surreyman]

From Investec (Investment)
It focuses specifically on Stagecoach but most of the comments apply equally to First (& Arriva, Go Ahead & National Express).

"Expectations of Stagecoach’s future market share are “unrealistically high”, the City broker says
The market assumes UK bus and train firm Stagecoach (LONGC) will have an unrealistically high share of the future rail market says Investec, which today downgrades the FTSE 250 share to ‘sell’.

Analyst Alex Paterson, in a note on the UK public transport sector, highlighted the negative impact of delays in the rail network – the majority of which he says stem from state-owned Network Rail – as well as the potential impact of ‘the living wage’ on profits.

But, regulatory change is seen as the biggest potential impact for Stagecoach and the broader sector. Specifically, he highlights that the ‘Bus Bill’ and the regional devolution of controls over local bus services as the biggest threat to Stagecoach’s margins.

The comments on the "living wage" are particularly interesting, in a separately quoted piece, Investec highlight the potential impact on 'UK Regional bus operations".

 

[ChrisPJ]

I'm surprised at that. Do the big plc groups have any employees that are paid less than the living wage?

 

[overthewater]

I'm surprised at that. Do the big plc groups have any employees that are paid less than the living wage?

Maybe the cleaner, but many are on part time contracts etc