Stagecoach Group (Group-wide matters)

[TheGrandWazoo]

The airport place must be what I'm thinking of. About a year ago on an 81 (Wick-Thurso via Castletown) I was on we took a detour up there because we needed fuel.

I’d say that’s an outstation rather than a depot. Shows that you can’t always trust the O license details!

 

[Jordan Adam]

Stagecoach North Scotland Weather Disruption
28th Febuary 2018, 14:02

Spoiler: Full post...

Stagecoach North Scotland would like to advise customers of disruption to bus services due to the severe weather conditions. All services are in operation, with the below noted exceptions.

We recommend to allow additional time for travel as we are expecting services to be delayed due to road conditions.

Aberdeenshire

Service 421 and X20 unable to serve Monymusk.

Service 230 and 219 will not operate.

Service 273 to Gamrie will not operate.

Service 258 unable to serve Dalgety Castle.

Service 290 and 291 will not operate.

Service 405 will not operate.

Service 38 - unable to serve Portessie or Station Road until further notice.

Service 35 - unable to serve stops on Duff Street due to snow and ice. Severe delays due to white out conditions around Oldmeldrum area.

Deeside

We are unable to serve Braemar for the rest of today. Services will terminate at Ballater.

201/202 Service to Lumphanan will terminate in Banchory. 203 unable to serve Tarland, Lumphanan and Torphins. Area will be unable to be served until further notice. Service will operate on A93.

Please be aware that major delays on Deeside services are to be expected as the weather and road visibility continues to worsen.

In Banchory Raemoir Road and Arbeadie Road are unable to be served.

Buchan

Services between Peterhead and Aberdeen are on diversion via Mintlaw due to A90 closure at Toll of Birness. Fraserburgh - Aberdeen services are operating to the scheduled route.

We are currently unable to serve Boddam and Tortorston. In Ellon we are unable to serve Meiklemill, Esslemont, Ness Circle and Castle Park. Service 54 will serve Esslemont.

Cruden Bay, Fetterangus and Newburgh are unable to be served until further notice due to dangerous road conditions.

290/291 services will be unable to serve Udny Station, Udny Green and Belhelvie until further notice.

Service 51 P&R to New Pitsligo is unable to operate.

Moray

Service 308 will not operate.

Service 36 is unable to serve Dufftown. All other parts of route will be served.

Service 38 unable to serve Portessie onto Station Road.

Service 273 will not operate.

Service 51 departing Ellon at 1215 and 1424 will not operate.

Highlands

Caithness - all services are operating on main roads only.

62 1303 Tain - Lairg and 1400 Lairg - Tain will not operate.

Orkney

School services will be operating on main roads only. All services in operation but subject to delay due to ice.



Remember you can follow us on Twitter for live service updates @StagecoachNScot. Our customer service team will be available on Twitter with extended hours of 0600 - 1800 this week to help answer any queries.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/servi...rticle?SituationId=ID-27/02/2018-06:08:03:130

 

[317 forever]

I've said for quite a while now if Stagecoach were to sell off a whole division it would be Highlands (Or North Scotland for that matter) . Yes while the bluebird side does have some profit making routes, it also has many which make little to no profit. In addition most of the routes in the Caithness area are loss making.

I wonder whether McGills or West Coast Motors would buy it?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I wonder whether McGills or West Coast Motors would buy it?

I'm not all that sure if Craig Group (WCM) would be allowed to. McGills would be interesting.

 

[GusB]

I'm not all that sure if Craig Group (WCM) would be allowed to. McGills would be interesting.

I can't see why WCM wouldn't be allowed to. Are you concerned about giving one operator control over services in a large part of the country? Stagecoach manages to get away with that today, having the operations of four former SBG companies in contiguous areas.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I can't see why WCM wouldn't be allowed to. Are you concerned about giving one operator control over services in a large part of the country?

I'm not no, I'd quite like to see them take it over. But i'm not sure they'd be allowed. With Stagecoach quite a number of those areas have competition. On top of that a few of the areas that don't have competition really don't have the demand for 2 companies.

 

[GusB]

I'm not no, I'd quite like to see them take it over. But i'm not sure they'd be allowed. With Stagecoach quite a number of those areas have competition. On top of that a few of the areas that don't have competition really don't have the demand for 2 companies.

I just wondered who would prevent WCM from taking over any of Stagecoach North Scotland's operations. I don't recall the Competition Commission making much of a fuss when Stagecoach took over the former Highland operations, nor when they finally bagged Strathtay. These were companies that Stagecoach were initially prevented from buying under the rules of the SBG privatisation, and both found themselves subject to bus wars, with Stagecoach playing the part of the aggressor.
There are still small pockets of competition. DE Coaches in Inverness and other Highland routes, Deveron competes for tendered routes in Moray, and in Aberdeen there is the First presence. I don't have sufficient local knowledge about other areas.

I really don't see what barriers there are to a company like WCM taking over the Highland operations - if nothing else you're simply replacing one large operator with another.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I just wondered who would prevent WCM from taking over any of Stagecoach North Scotland's operations. I don't recall the Competition Commission making much of a fuss when Stagecoach took over the former Highland operations, nor when they finally bagged Strathtay. These were companies that Stagecoach were initially prevented from buying under the rules of the SBG privatisation, and both found themselves subject to bus wars, with Stagecoach playing the part of the aggressor.
There are still small pockets of competition. DE Coaches in Inverness and other Highland routes, Deveron competes for tendered routes in Moray, and in Aberdeen there is the First presence. I don't have sufficient local knowledge about other areas.

I really don't see what barriers there are to a company like WCM taking over the Highland operations - if nothing else you're simply replacing one large operator with another.

Not least as this conversation has been prompted by the Stagecoach withdrawal from Fort William, undermined fatally by Shiel Buses.

 

[cactustwirly]

The new 'gold' E200MMCs have entered service on the 48 (between Coventry & Atherstone/Leicester)

 

[route101]

Was on the 500 between Stranraer and Dumfries yesterday and wondering where the AE 10 reg plaxtons came from ? They had a nat ex like interior .

 

[overthewater]

Was on the 500 between Stranraer and Dumfries yesterday and wondering where the AE 10 reg plaxtons came from ? They had a nat ex like interior .

Yes there Ex National express stock, used by Stagecoach on Nat Express work. Last year there were shipped off to Scotland, 8 to Fife and 8 to West Scotland.

 

[Mwanesh]

Yes there Ex National express stock, used by Stagecoach on Nat Express work. Last year there were shipped off to Scotland, 8 to Fife and 8 to West Scotland.

The AE10 ones were originally in Peterborough ,OU10 ones from Oxford and YN60 ones were from Chesterfield.They all ended up in Dover when Oxford, Peterborough lost the National Express contracts .The Chesterfields were replaced.When Dover lost the National Express contract they were all shipped to Scotland.

 

[Surreyman]

Yes there Ex National express stock, used by Stagecoach on Nat Express work. Last year there were shipped off to Scotland, 8 to Fife and 8 to West Scotland.

With 4 LEZs planned for Scotland: - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Stagecoach are going to need to make plans for their Coach fleets to be Euro 6 compliant by (whatever date) in 2020.
Bluebird, Fife, West Scotland plus Citylink & Megabus. They already have a sizeable fleet of Euro 6 coaches but also a sizeable fleet of modern Euro 5 coaches - Volvo B13R, B9R, B11R & Van Hool Astromega,
I wonder if they might look to upgrade many of these Euro5 vehicles? (I suspect we will see some more new coaches ordered for Scotland when the 2018/19 orders are announced).
England is providing lots of cash for upgrades via the Green Bus Fund, It seems likely that Holyrood will need to do the same.

 

[overthewater]

With 4 LEZs planned for Scotland: - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Stagecoach are going to need to make plans for their Coach fleets to be Euro 6 compliant by (whatever date) in 2020.
Bluebird, Fife, West Scotland plus Citylink & Megabus. They already have a sizeable fleet of Euro 6 coaches but also a sizeable fleet of modern Euro 5 coaches - Volvo B13R, B9R, B11R & Van Hool Astromega,
I wonder if they might look to upgrade many of these Euro5 vehicles? (I suspect we will see some more new coaches ordered for Scotland when the 2018/19 orders are announced).
England is providing lots of cash for upgrades via the Green Bus Fund, It seems likely that Holyrood will need to do the same.

We still dont know if this will included coaches running in and out of Jct 15/16, in Glasgow the devil will be in the details. ( Start with Glasgow as its first to become Lez.)

Until that is sorted out no one can move forward, the only new coaches I believe on order is for East scotland for the X55, there is a rumor going around the X77 to Ayr might get new stock. Anyways by 2020 I dare say there will start to replace the original B13 coaches... I can see the 63 plate getting retrofitted.

 

[route101]

The AE10 ones were originally in Peterborough ,OU10 ones from Oxford and YN60 ones were from Chesterfield.They all ended up in Dover when Oxford, Peterborough lost the National Express contracts .The Chesterfields were replaced.When Dover lost the National Express contract they were all shipped to Scotland.

Thanks , i thought they were ex Nat Express with seats .

 

[Volvodart]

England is providing lots of cash for upgrades via the Green Bus Fund, It seems likely that Holyrood will need to do the same.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/businesses-organisations/transport/scottish-bus-emissions-abatement-retrofit-programme

 

[Surreyman]

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/businesses-organisations/transport/scottish-bus-emissions-abatement-retrofit-programme

Thanks Volvodart, was not aware of this.
55 vehicles in first phase. (Suggests more to come in following phases).
"Vehicles must not be more than 13 years old" - surprisingly old, 2005, includes Euro 3 vehicles.

 

[OwlMan]

The new 'gold' E200MMCs have entered service on the 48 (between Coventry & Atherstone/Leicester)

One of them has run into the back of a National Express service at Longford, Coventry

Coventry Telegraph https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/emergency-services-called-two-bus-14405012
Emergency services were called to a crash involving two buses in Coventry this morning.

Two people were treated by ambulance staff after a number 48 Stagecoach bus collided with the back of a number 20 National Express bus at a stop on Longford Road opposite Longford Square just before 10am.
A passenger on one of the buses said she had just sat down when she heard a loud bang.
“I was on the bus in front, the number 20, I was just sitting down and the next minute I heard a loud bang and the bus behind had gone straight into the back window,” she told the Telegraph.
“The glass had smashed and landed on a girl sitting on the back seats. The whole back window had come out.
“I hope she was okay, she said to the driver that she was pregnant.
“The bus was probably about half full. Everyone got off and went into the next bus.
“I’m just glad I didn’t have my daughter with me.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance said: “We were called to an incident at Longford Square at 10am today.
“One ambulance attended, and assessed two patients. One was a young girl, who required no hospital treatment. The second was a man in his 60s. He was treated at the scene for muscular pain, and required no hospital treatment.
“The call was in response to an RTC involving a single decker bus.”
West Midlands Police said they were called to the incident just after 10am. A spokesperson confirmed the incident had caused damage only and no-one was injured.

 

[overthewater]

If you are reading First group thread you may think its all roses for Stagecoach in Aberdeenshire now, well maybe not:

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...33736/aberdeenshire-council-cuts-bus-funding/

Bus services across the north-east could be axed as council chiefs attempt to save £200,000 a year.

Aberdeenshire Council provide funding towards some of the region’s bus services, but agreed earlier this year to reduce their transport subsidy budget.

Last night council chiefs apologised for the shake-up, but stressed the 10 routes – which could be withdrawn or reduced – had been selected due to a drop in passenger numbers.

Stagecoach is now in talks with Aberdeenshire Council about how the proposed changes which will be made.

Funding could be pulled from eight routes – including the peak-time 220 Kirkton of Skene/Elrick to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, 103 Cookney-Aberdeen and 252 New Deer-Mintlaw-Fraserburgh services, which run Monday to Friday.

Greg Mackay, from campaign group Bus Users Scotland, said the withdrawing funding for a link to ARI was “disappointing”.

He said: “We understand the financial constraints the council faces, but it disappointing to see key services like the one to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary being cut.

“Any service that connects people to a key site is going to have an impact on people.

“I would ask whether other avenues were explored before this decision was taken.”

Other services under threat include the 210 Tarland to Aboyne inter-peak run, which run on Mondays and Wednesdays; the Sunday night route between Aberdeen-Westhill (the X17) and the Friday and Saturday evening run from Laurencekirk-Montrose Railway Station (9).

The two routes earmarked for a reduction are the 204 Strachan/Banchory-Aberdeen – with the Tuesday and Friday inter-peak return journey withdrawn but weekday peak return retained – and the 41A Inverurie-Huntly, which will be impacted for Monday to Friday non-schoolday returns.

Council chiefs said last night they cannot “justify” spending the money when so few people are using the buses.

It is expected the changes – which are expected to come into force on May 7 – will save around £200,000 a year.

Aberdeenshire Council’s head of transportation, Ewan Wallace, said: “We keep the performance of the services we support under review and the funding that is being withdrawn is based on this work.

“The journeys and services being withdrawn simply weren’t being used often enough to justify the money being spent on them.

“Other services will see under-used elements reduced, while retaining those parts of the service which continue to be popular and well used.”

A spokeswoman for Stagecoach North Scotland said: “Some of the services and journeys that we operate on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council have been included in their review and are being changed.

“We are still discussing with Aberdeenshire Council how these changes may impact on services we provide at our own commercial risk.

“We are working with the council to ensure Aberdeenshire remains well served by bus. Any revisions to our network will be announced in due course.”

Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping admitted the shake-up would be “very disappointing” for people who rely on the bus for getting to work, or to the doctors.

But he said: “The council has to make a decision based on whether it is a lifeline or are only a few people using it.

“Bus companies are private enterprises and they run services for profit and it is pointless for the council to pay out thousands of pounds on buses where hardly anybody is using them.

“Sadly that is the way it works.”

 

[overthewater]

Stagecoach has drafted in 21 extra buses because of the First Aberdeen strike. One of the member on here Jordan Adam has flickr account with pics ;0) https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanadam44/ Stagecoach must be making a mint.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Stagecoach has drafted in 21 extra buses because of the First Aberdeen strike. One of the member on here Jordan Adam has flickr account with pics ;0) https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanadam44/ Stagecoach must be making a mint.

Many thanks for linking. I'll be out and about on Monday so more photos will be up.

In the morning there was a few issues with where the extra buses were and when, but at lunch time they adjusted the timings of the extra buses to provide a better split service so there wasn't 1 bus running full with another empty not far behind it. The idea now being that Geminis do the ARI - Victoria Bridge Short workings a few minutes before the full length Northfield - Balnagask runs which will use a mix of E350Hs and other deckers.

I don't think a number of the buses on loan being defective helped! 2 Geminis broke down (One at Northfield and another at the bus station), while 16929 had to be pulled out of service to be checked over as the alarm buzzers were going, it was making grinding noises and the fan was stuck on full pelt. They checked it over and couldn't find any faults other than the fan being stuck on so it was sent back out. 22861 was also off for the whole day getting work to it's engine!

Stagecoach North Scotland have lots of challenges coming for them so i can be pretty confident we will see more cuts. Most notably on the Aberdeen - Inverurie services which at present have seen a massive passenger number drop and frequency slashed (on some parts by 75%) with buses often only carrying a handful of people. To make matters worse a new railway station is to open next year at Kintore and the frequency of rail services will be increased to half hourly!

 

[Volvodart]

Corby depot to become an outstation:-

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.u...s-will-benefit-from-service-changes-1-8425291

Corby bus users will benefit from service changes

Bus users travelling from Corby to Oundle and Peterborough will soon benefit from an increased timetable.

Stagecoach’s major X4 is effectively being combined with the 24 service (Thrapston-Oundle-Peterborough) to create an improved half-hourly service from Corby to Peterborough via Oundle and Lynchwood.

There is currently only one bus an hour between Corby and Peterborough and the existing westbound links on service X4 to Kettering, Wellingborough and Northampton will be retained.

Steve Burd, managing director of Stagecoach Midlands, said: “The changes are designed to reduce costs in a difficult operating environment without resulting in any service withdrawals in Corby.

“Some timetables will alter, but overall our Corby customers will benefit from these revisions, particularly in respect of the improvement in service between Corby and Peterborough.

“Details of the proposed timetable changes will be available to the public in early April.”

As part of the revision and restructure, Corby’s bus depot will reduce to a sub-station of the Kettering depot in late May.

Corby town services 1 and 3, as well as some school work, will be retained at the sub-station.

Routes X1, 14 and 24 will transfer to Kettering.

Just under half of the Corby depot’s existing drivers will remain at the sub-station and the other drivers will transfer to Kettering.

Mr Burd said: “Very constructive discussions are currently ongoing with the local Unite trade union representatives to agree the method of selecting those drivers who will transfer.

“A depot meeting has also been held with all staff at Corby to explain the proposals.

“No driver or engineering redundancies are required as vacancies exist at Kettering and Northampton.

“Discussions are also taking place regarding possible suitable alternative employment for the supervisory staff based at Corby.”

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Corby depot to become an outstation:-

https://www.northantstelegraph.co.u...s-will-benefit-from-service-changes-1-8425291

Not an entire surprise when you consider a) the relative proximity of the two depots and b) Corby depot nearly closed in 2002/3 (I think) before the Corby Star initiative. In these straitened times, it is only to be expected and arguably it was a bit of an anomaly having two not massive depots so close to each other.

 

[overthewater]

I take it Route 2 and 4 are staying?

 

[overthewater]

What is happening to Fort William? It seems to have gone all quiet on that front?

 

[route101]

Noticed the East Kilbride to SIlverburn route has quietly been stopped .

 

[ChathillMan]

Looks like the "Mega" brand is coming to the London sightseeing market - an interesting concept.

https://uk.megabus.com/products/london-bus-tour

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Looks like the "Mega" brand is coming to the London sightseeing market - an interesting concept.

https://uk.megabus.com/products/london-bus-tour

not exactly a new concept... it's a product that's 30 years behind the times. a 2 hr tour trapped on the vehicle with nothing but a recorded commentary. That's how tours were conducted years ago... then came London Pride and Culturebus... live fully trained guides, hop on hop off so you can actually VISIT the attractions... even LT had to admit defeat and turn to the new way of doing things... somehow I don't see this being a successful venture!

 

[Robertj21a]

not exactly a new concept... it's a product that's 30 years behind the times. a 2 hr tour trapped on the vehicle with nothing but a recorded commentary. That's how tours were conducted years ago... then came London Pride and Culturebus... live fully trained guides, hop on hop off so you can actually VISIT the attractions... even LT had to admit defeat and turn to the new way of doing things... somehow I don't see this being a successful venture!

Not even at just £1 ???

 

[Teflon Lettuce]

Not even at just £1 ???

but we all know how megabus works... only the first 1 or maybe 2 seats will be £1 {actually £1.50 with booking fee} I'm sure that most seats will cost more than a fiver... as is usual with megabus