Stagecoach X5 Oxford-Cambridge

[Thomas31]

Yesterday in Oxford I spotted an X5 being operated by a Cambridge busway vehicle, have Stagecoach withdrawn their coaches?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yesterday in Oxford I spotted an X5 being operated by a Cambridge busway vehicle, have Stagecoach withdrawn their coaches?

Yes, it's because it isn't practical to fit screens to protect the driver, so they're using a mixed bag of buses for the moment. "Fat Bus Bloke" alludes to it in his blog.

 

[Robertj21a]

I think the whole allocation on the X5 is off the Busway.

 

[embers25]

Yes, it's because it isn't practical to fit screens to protect the driver, so they're using a mixed bag of buses for the moment. "Fat Bus Bloke" alludes to it in his blog.

Falcon have managed screens, how come X5 can't?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Falcon have managed screens, how come X5 can't?

It's probably just that the cost can't be justified. All their buses already had them in some form, they've just required some tweaking. The coaches don't even have the frames.

 

[Mwanesh]

The X5 coaches are having screens fitted. It was easier to use buses while the coaches are being done. Buses already had the screens. No point taxing the coaches when they have vehicles ready.

 

[embers25]

Falcon ones look very professional, considering they were an emergency add-on, particularly when compared with the awful plastic sheets Plymouth City Bus and Transport for Cornwall are using that barely cover half the cab.

 

[route101]

How is the X5 , i fancy a spin on it ?

 

[Bletchleyite]

How is the X5 , i fancy a spin on it ?

It's a well-run route though as mentioned at the moment it's being run with buses not coaches, so in particular make sure you "have a try" before boarding, it's a long route! You may want to break it up, though if on time it sits at Bedford for about 20 minutes so you can go to the loo then.

Between Oxford and MK is pleasant Chilterns rolling hills, past Bedford it's flat and boring Cambridgeshire, scenery wise.

Fares very low indeed for longer journeys.

 

[M60lad]

Just watch out for the traffic, not to sure what its like normally but I did a trip last year from Milton Keynes-Oxford and got stuck in a major traffic jam that started just before Bicester and went all the way through the centre and upto the Motorway at the other side.

I gather with the normal X5 timetable though that there are times when the frequency goes out the window due to traffic problems and people can be waiting ages in Oxford for one to turn up.

 

[Ianno87]

Just watch out for the traffic, not to sure what its like normally but I did a trip last year from Milton Keynes-Oxford and got stuck in a major traffic jam that started just before Bicester and went all the way through the centre and upto the Motorway at the other side.

I gather with the normal X5 timetable though that there are times when the frequency goes out the window due to traffic problems and people can be waiting ages in Oxford for one to turn up.

Yes, that was my experience - weekday mid/late afternoons in particular, the timetable can often go out of the window (mornings tend to allow for traffic, albeit with some long running times scheduled in the timetable, such as 3-odd hours Cambridge to MK)

Not sure what the live timetable info is like these days...

 

[CBlue]

As reported by https://www.stevenknightmedia.com/fleet-news-ramblings/

"We are now able to confirm that Volvo B11R/Plaxton elite 54304 is the vehicle that is with an external contractor in Eastleigh for the manufacture and trial fitment of a driver protection screen. If the fitment gets approval the remainder of the X5 coach fleet will be retro fitted."

I understand that the screen is subject to Union and management approval.

 

[PeterC]

It's a well-run route though as mentioned at the moment it's being run with buses not coaches, so in particular make sure you "have a try" before boarding, it's a long route! You may want to break it up, though if on time it sits at Bedford for about 20 minutes so you can go to the loo then.

Between Oxford and MK is pleasant Chilterns rolling hills, past Bedford it's flat and boring Cambridgeshire, scenery wise.

Fares very low indeed for longer journeys.

The Bedford break is scheduled for 10 minutes eastbound and 11 westbound in the current emergency timetable. MK Coachway is only 3 minutes compared with the 5 in the normal schedule.

 

[Jordan Adam]

How strange, the Elites and Interdecks up here had screens fitted about two months ago! Even the Panthers and Profiles off the road all have screens already.

 

[CBlue]

How strange, the Elites and Interdecks up here had screens fitted about two months ago! Even the Panthers and Profiles off the road all have screens already.

No idea why it's been the case for Bedford in taking so long to get screens fabricated and fitted. I can only assume either local management or union reps weren't happy with the solutions used in Scotland and elsewhere on Elites.

 

[Megafuss]

I note that post-Lockdown the Busway is operating every 20 minutes on each route as opposed to every 15 mins. I imagine East will want those coaches back sooner rather than later so they can ramp up the Busway again

 

[markymark2000]

I think the main point is why do up the coaches when there were buses available to use. Deckers also have a higher capacity than the coaches accommodating better social distancing. While not as comfy, the message was quite strong to leave buses for those who have to use them. Finally, no one knew how long the situation would go on for and also how long it would take people to go back to intercity travel.

When you look at those facts, the coaches were not the best idea to keep running and even more so when there is cost involved in retrofitting all the screens and stuff. Now however, some routes may need the deckers back for social distancing and so it's a case of, the buses have to go back and coaches need sorting if they want the X5 to keep going. The only way around it would be to source some other buses from outside the division. I'm sure that until September at least, there will be plenty of available deckers for them to use. (This would buy them time to see if rules get further relaxed. Unlikely but possible.)

 

[johnw]

I was in Cambridge last week and the horrid overall green looks so poor. Why mess with a brilliant x5 livery?

 

[Robertj21a]

I think the main point is why do up the coaches when there were buses available to use. Deckers also have a higher capacity than the coaches accommodating better social distancing. While not as comfy, the message was quite strong to leave buses for those who have to use them. Finally, no one knew how long the situation would go on for and also how long it would take people to go back to intercity travel.

When you look at those facts, the coaches were not the best idea to keep running and even more so when there is cost involved in retrofitting all the screens and stuff. Now however, some routes may need the deckers back for social distancing and so it's a case of, the buses have to go back and coaches need sorting if they want the X5 to keep going. The only way around it would be to source some other buses from outside the division. I'm sure that until September at least, there will be plenty of available deckers for them to use. (This would buy them time to see if rules get further relaxed. Unlikely but possible.)

They are not usually the deckers off the Busway, they are the single decks.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They are not usually the deckers off the Busway, they are the single decks.

The busway deckers are on the busway. It was the MCV Evora B8RLEs on the X5 https://flic.kr/p/2jfMh3x

 

[jay38a]

I was in Cambridge last week and the horrid overall green looks so poor. Why mess with a brilliant x5 livery?

They are only on the X5 temporarily while the coaches get screens. You are not going to paint temporary buses are you?

 

[Bletchleyite]

They are only on the X5 temporarily while the coaches get screens. You are not going to paint temporary buses are you?

Just wait until the X5s get that awful school bus yellow, though. I hope they rethink before that, and make the standard coach livery more like the current, really well-designed X5 livery.

 

[cnjb8]

Just wait until the X5s get that awful school bus yellow, though. I hope they rethink before that, and make the standard coach livery more like the current, really well-designed X5 livery.

I thought they were retaining the X5 livery.

 

[CBlue]

As far as I'm aware the X5 coaches will be retaining their livery. Believe it's much the same case as the special liveries used in the Lake District which also seem to be staying.

 

[Sprinter150]

Just to add to this now, Stagecoach have confirmed the coaches will be returning BUT only on the section between Oxford-Bedford (still the X5). It will be split at Bedford from 30th August and the eastern section operated by double deckers - this appears to be a permanent change as the new 905 (Bedford-Cambridge) will serve North Cambridge (for the CPCA it seems). Understandable for such a long route to split it for punctuality, but I wonder how it will impact what seems to be a predominantly leisure market on this corridor, who may be averse to changing buses. Obviously very few passengers going the whole way, but I would think quite a few crossing Bedford. Either way, the days of the Oxford-Cambridge X5 are numbered.

 

[overthewater]

Hasn't the Eastern section always been trouble with having enough seats for passengers between Bedford and Cambridge? Also how is the new train service, which stagecoach will have to compete with, effecting the X5?

 

[Ianno87]

Just to add to this now, Stagecoach have confirmed the coaches will be returning BUT only on the section between Oxford-Bedford (still the X5). It will be split at Bedford from 30th August and the eastern section operated by double deckers - this appears to be a permanent change as the new 905 (Bedford-Cambridge) will serve North Cambridge (for the CPCA it seems). Understandable for such a long route to split it for punctuality, but I wonder how it will impact what seems to be a predominantly leisure market on this corridor, who may be averse to changing buses. Obviously very few passengers going the whole way, but I would think quite a few crossing Bedford. Either way, the days of the Oxford-Cambridge X5 are numbered.

Interesting. By "for the CPCA" do you mean "at the request of the CPCA"?

I presume "North Cambridge" means the Cambridge North / Science Park / Regional College area? A plus of such a change might be a proper rail connection at Cambridge North?


From observation, the end-to-end traffic tends to be heavily concentrated on Fridays/Sundays with students. Most "real" day to day traffic tends to be much shorter distance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2020 ==



Edit:
Details available at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/August-30th-service-changes#tab2

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August 30th Service Changes
From Sunday 30th August, we will be making changes to some of our services' timetables and routes in order to ensure that we're providing sufficient capacity across our network, ready for the return of schools and colleges and in anticipation for increasing numbers returning to work.

Find out more about service changes in your area by clicking the tabs below.

Click here for answers to FAQs


Busway and New Connecting Services
From Sunday 30th August 2020, we will be altering the X5 route and introducing a new 905 service between Bedford and Cambridge, in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

The new X5 and 905 timetables will be available soon.

What are the route changes?

• The old route will be split into two parts: the X5 will operate as normal between Oxford and Bedford and a new 905 Service will be introduced between Bedford and Cambridge.
• Passengers wishing to travel through to Cambridge will need to change to the 905 service at Bedford Bus Station.
• Coaches will operate on the X5 service and double deck buses will operate on the new 905 service. Bikes must be folded and bagged and kept with you at all times when travelling on the 905.

Customers travelling on services x5 and 905 can buy a transfer ticket which allows them to travel between the two services without paying twice.

Locations served as follows:

Bedford
Roxton
Eaton Socon
St Neots
Cambourne*
Cambridge Regional College*
Cambridge Science Park*
Cambridge

*Newly served locations.

 

[Sprinter150]

Hasn't the Eastern section always been trouble with having enough seats for passengers between Bedford and Cambridge? Also how is the new train service, which stagecoach will have to compete with, effecting the X5?

I don't know the route particularly well, but I did use it Cambridge-St Neots earlier this week, and it was relatively busy by social distancing standards (the one into Cambridge in the other direction looked very busy - this was the morning). If by the new train service, you mean East West Rail, it will have to be seen when it is introduced in the future whether the frequencies of the X5 need to be optimised. Of course, Oxford to Bicester is now in competition (if that is what you mean), but I wouldn't have though it is a major impact (happy to be corrected, as stated I don't know the route well).

Interesting. By "for the CPCA" do you mean "at the request of the CPCA"?

I presume "North Cambridge" means the Cambridge North / Science Park / Regional College area? A plus of such a change might be a proper rail connection at Cambridge North?


From observation, the end-to-end traffic tends to be heavily concentrated on Fridays/Sundays with students. Most "real" day to day traffic tends to be much shorter distance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2020 ==



Edit:
Details available at https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/August-30th-service-changes#tab2



Locations served as follows:

Bedford
Roxton
Eaton Socon
St Neots
Cambourne*
Cambridge Regional College*
Cambridge Science Park*
Canbridge

*Newly served locations.

Yes, that's it. You've found the page now - I probably should have attached it before. It says on there "in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority", probably another one of Mayor Palmer's ideas (when ever will they allow the Cambourne busway )

 

[Ianno87]

I don't know the route particularly well, but I did use it Cambridge-St Neots earlier this week, and it was relatively busy by social distancing standards (the one into Cambridge in the other direction looked very busy - this was the morning).

Pre-Covid, morning peak buses leaving St Neots for Cambridge were pretty much fully loaded for 2 or 3 hours...wouldn't be surprised if the busiest buses occasionally left folk behind.

Other busy time from Cambridge would be the last couple of direct Oxford buses on a Sunday evening. Driver would usually ask passengers not going beyond Bedford to wait for the next bus (a short working)

 

[Sprinter150]

Pre-Covid, morning peak buses leaving St Neots for Cambridge were pretty much fully loaded for 2 or 3 hours...wouldn't be surprised if the busiest buses occasionally left folk behind.

Other busy time from Cambridge would be the last couple of direct Oxford buses on a Sunday evening. Driver would usually ask passengers not going beyond Bedford to wait for the next bus (a short working)

Interesting - thanks for that insight. Hopefully patronage will climb back up to that level post-COVID