Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[embers25]

The 43 will likely need a Solo as nothing bigger will fit in the car park at Pinhoe. The idea of extending to the station makes sense at Okehampton and it should fit and fits with the goal of making the station a hub. Also, there already are through tickets long distance to Bude so not sure what will happen to those after the change. With the change at Oke the through bus as now would still be virtually the same time and a lot more convenient. This change just feels a really odd one all round for which I can't see a logical reason.

 

[150249]

The 43 will likely need a solo as nothing bigger will fit in the car park at Pinhoe. The idea of extending to the station makes sense at Oke and it should fit and fits with the goal of making the station a hub. Also, there already are through tickets long distance to Bude so not sure what will happen to those after the change. With the change at Oke the through bus as now would still be virtually the same time and a lot more convenient. This change just feels a really odd one all round for which I can't see a logical reason.

I thought that it could be to replace some 04 plates. Such as 47091/47103 in Exmouth

 

[padbus]

The new 43 is also added from Pinhoe Station to Airport (the new rail link they built the car park at Pinhoe Station for)

I thought that Cranbrook was supposed to be the railhead for the Airport. There has been a bus stop there ever since the station opened in 2015.

 

[embers25]

I thought that Cranbrook was supposed to be the railhead for the Airport. There has been a bus stop there ever since the station opened in 2015.

Cranbrook was only originally planned as that when the passing loop was t be there. Once that got canned the link moved to Pinhoe as the trains cross there so it makes much more sense operationally. It also gives a bus to the science park and Amazon/DPD/Lidl from the station. Can't see Cranbrook station bus stop ever being used as the station is too far from the main road due to its stupid curvy layout. It adds too much time for minimal passengers.
That being said can't see the 43 being well used as every time the train is late you'll miss the bus and if you miss the last morning bus due to train delays then you have to walk to Honiton Road and so that's not exactly gonna be popular with workers or plane passengers.

 

[150249]

Where will 44010 be used? The new 351 in Tiverton?

 

[DaveHarries]

Someone on a Facebook group has posted the info from Stagecoach South West in relation to the Exeter and North Devon changes. To that end there are updates on these changes.

- Stagecoach advise in their bulletin that the 6 and 6A will "both operate every 3 hours with the route extended to Okehampton Station." I had said that I would hope that the rail link would be there so I am glad there will be at least some means of onward transport. However the new TravelineSW timetables for both routes do not include Okehampton Station. The Launceston - Okehampton link is also saved (see Service 306 below).

- Services 5A, 5B & 5C are to be replaced by a Devon County Council (DCC hereafter) contracted service. Operator and route number yet to be confirmed but it is mentioned that the new route will link "Exeter / Crediton with Okehampton, Barnstaple and Chulmleigh". Sounds like rather a long route to me and I don't see much point in including Okehampton given the presence of the hourly rail service which covers both Exeter and Crediton.

- Service 56 (Exeter - Exmouth) will be partly replaced between Exmouth and Lympstone by a new Service 96, This will be a DCC contract but Stagecoach do not specify the operator. Hourly service.

- Service 75 (Londonderry Farm - Great Torrington) will follow the route of Service 75A and not therefore serve Weare Gifford.

- Service 155 (Exeter - Barnstaple, via. Tiverton) to be hourly Barnstaple to South Molton only, with one journey each way serving North Molton, and extended to Pottington Industrial Estate, via. Barnstaple Station.

- Service 306 (Launceston - Okehampton) will replace Service 6A between these towns. This is to be a DCC contract which will be provided by another operator (I guess Transport for Cornwall: I think they have a base at Launceston - they certainly operate a few routes there - and I cannot think of any other operators in the area) but no TT as yet on TravelineSW.

- Service 319 (Bude - Barnstaple, via. Bideford) is being withdrawn between Hartland and Bude only.

- Service 346 (South Molton - Tiverton) will be a new route run by Stagecoach under contract to DCC: the end-to-end route will be the same as the present 155. Frequency every 2hrs giving 7 journeys per day and designed to connect at Tiverton for onward travel.

- Service 355 (Exeter - Tiverton, via. Thorverton and Silverton) will be a new route operated by Stagecoach under contract to DCC, replacing Service 55B.

So there will at least be some replacement services. Good to see a couple of heritage route numbers being revived too with the 346 and 355.

Dave

 

[SJ21]

- Service 56 (Exeter - Exmouth) will be partly replaced between Exmouth and Lympstone by a new Service 96, This will be a DCC contract but Stagecoach do not specify the operator. Hourly service.

This one is to be Stagecoach. Its in the PSV registrations already. https://bustimes.org/licences/PH1020951

It does look like though the number of routes requiring Solos will be increasing. With the 04's being 18 years old now and the YJ15's not being brilliantly reliable with at least two long term stopped at a time this could get interesting

 

[150249]

This one is to be Stagecoach. Its in the PSV registrations already. https://bustimes.org/licences/PH1020951

It does look like though the number of routes requiring Solos will be increasing. With the 04's being 18 years old now and the YJ15's not being brilliantly reliable with at least two long term stopped at a time this could get interesting

48003 has been out since 13th September. 48010 and 48008 have been out since 10th and 3rd August respectively.

 

[SJ21]

48003 has been out since 13th September. 48010 and 48008 have been out since 10th and 3rd August respectively.

It is poor. Seems to always be the same few offenders as well. I don't know if 3 extra solos from the Southeast will make a lot of difference

 

[150249]

It is poor. Seems to always be the same few offenders as well. I don't know if 3 extra solos from the Southeast will make a lot of difference

48010 and 48012 are the repeat offenders. Difference is I think that 48012 is mostly down to the engineers messing up its engine after it got into an accident in 2015. Apart from that, it is a good bus along with 48004 and 48014 which both seem very reliable. 48003 has had a patchy record recently and 48007 sounds absolutely horrible.

And I'm pretty sure that 48032/4/5 never see service.

 

[SJ21]

48010 and 48012 are the repeat offenders. Difference is I think that 48012 is mostly down to the engineers messing up its engine after it got into an accident in 2015. Apart from that, it is a good bus along with 48004 and 48014 which both seem very reliable. 48003 has had a patchy record recently and 48007 sounds absolutely horrible.

I do agree about 12. 7 Does sound quite nasty, cooling fans stuck on full whack. Hasnt packed up yet though fingers crossed. I do believe the echo's (e1 and 2) should be enviro 200 routes, it's honestly a right crush trying to squeeze into a solo sometimes

 

[150249]

I do agree about 12. 7 Does sound quite nasty, cooling fans stuck on full whack. Hasnt packed up yet though fingers crossed. I do believe the echo's (e1 and 2) should be enviro 200 routes, it's honestly a right crush trying to squeeze into a solo sometimes

The e200's can't fit through Higher Barley Mount or Farm Hill.

48007 will be out soon enough. I hope they fix it. It sounded louder than ever when I saw it on Saturday. They fixed 48005 so they can fix 48007.

 

[SJ21]

48007 will be out soon enough. I hope they fix it. It sounded louder than ever when I saw it on Saturday. They fixed 48005 so they can fix 48007.

Was out on 360's today screaming for dear life. It will be nice if 48032,34,35 end up here. Believe they are slightly higher spec as well

 

[150249]

Was out on 360's today screaming for dear life. It will be nice if 48032,34,35 end up here. Believe they are slightly higher spec as well

Apparently they are spares for Torquay (according to a Facebook post)

 

[SJ21]

Apparently they are spares for Torquay (according to a Facebook post)

Ah thats a shame

 

[150249]

Already a Solo on the Uni. 48004 is the culprit. Probably the most reliable solo to be fair.

 

[RELL6L]

Someone on a Facebook group has posted the info from Stagecoach South West in relation to the Exeter and North Devon changes. To that end there are updates on these changes.

- Stagecoach advise in their bulletin that the 6 and 6A will "both operate every 3 hours with the route extended to Okehampton Station." I had said that I would hope that the rail link would be there so I am glad there will be at least some means of onward transport. However the new TravelineSW timetables for both routes do not include Okehampton Station. The Launceston - Okehampton link is also saved (see Service 306 below).

- Services 5A, 5B & 5C are to be replaced by a Devon County Council (DCC hereafter) contracted service. Operator and route number yet to be confirmed but it is mentioned that the new route will link "Exeter / Crediton with Okehampton, Barnstaple and Chulmleigh". Sounds like rather a long route to me and I don't see much point in including Okehampton given the presence of the hourly rail service which covers both Exeter and Crediton.

- Service 56 (Exeter - Exmouth) will be partly replaced between Exmouth and Lympstone by a new Service 96, This will be a DCC contract but Stagecoach do not specify the operator. Hourly service.

- Service 75 (Londonderry Farm - Great Torrington) will follow the route of Service 75A and not therefore serve Weare Gifford.

- Service 155 (Exeter - Barnstaple, via. Tiverton) to be hourly Barnstaple to South Molton only, with one journey each way serving North Molton, and extended to Pottington Industrial Estate, via. Barnstaple Station.

- Service 306 (Launceston - Okehampton) will replace Service 6A between these towns. This is to be a DCC contract which will be provided by another operator (I guess Transport for Cornwall: I think they have a base at Launceston - they certainly operate a few routes there - and I cannot think of any other operators in the area) but no TT as yet on TravelineSW.

- Service 319 (Bude - Barnstaple, via. Bideford) is being withdrawn between Hartland and Bude only.

- Service 346 (South Molton - Tiverton) will be a new route run by Stagecoach under contract to DCC: the end-to-end route will be the same as the present 155. Frequency every 2hrs giving 7 journeys per day and designed to connect at Tiverton for onward travel.

- Service 355 (Exeter - Tiverton, via. Thorverton and Silverton) will be a new route operated by Stagecoach under contract to DCC, replacing Service 55B.

So there will at least be some replacement services. Good to see a couple of heritage route numbers being revived too with the 346 and 355.

Dave

This is encouraging.

I suggested above that the timings of the 6 and 6A allowed time for them to go to the station and the timings fitted with the trains, good to see I was on the right lines.

The trouble is with the replacements, welcome though they are, is that they will take more resources and be less useful than before. I suspect the 5A/5B/5C will only start at Crediton, otherwise they would duplicate the 5. Okehampton maybe not necessary on the 5A but Hatherleigh is. Equally Bideford / Barnstaple maybe not required on the 5B but it does need to reach Great Torrington - there are connections on from there and the 75 to Bideford is improved presumably because the 5B goes. So either you have duplication or have to change twice for lengthy through journeys. Same with the 346 replacing the 155 - unless it is run by Stagecoach as a through service with the 155 at the north end and the 55 at the south - ie as now!

The 1 / 373 is horribly inefficient as the 377 needs three buses, 2 Stagecoach and 1 Dartline, with 57 minutes at Tiverton. And a change to get to Exeter, whereas extending a 1 from Cullompton every hour would only need two buses. The 4s and 44s are almost worse with duplication between Exeter and Cranbrook so using more resources but providing a worse service to Honiton and Axminster.

Surprised at the 319, if it is surviving east of Hartland it makes sense to base one bus at Bude (and provides a college link for some passengers). And surprised to see the 306, as a cross-boundary service I'm not sure what flows it supports. Not college students at Launceston as the timings aren't right, and Okehampton people wouldn't go to Launceston. Commuters to Exeter perhaps but can't be many.

 

[richard13]

Timetable changes 30th October

Stagecoach has the description of the changes now on its website. It is under Promos & Offers, South West timetables, and keep scrolling down and down.
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/south-west-timetables

The changes are substantial and complex. They do give the Devon contracts where they run them or at least hint at them. The timetables are not there yet, but TravelineSW has some although some seem to be preliminary versions. The changes are still a month away.

I have timetable books for the eastern half of Devon dated summer 1998 when Red Bus (First) was the main operator. The rural service changes seem to be returning to similar routes, route numbers and frequencies that existed then before Stagecoach's enthusiastic expansion and take over.

 

[mbonwick]

Was out on 360's today screaming for dear life. It will be nice if 48032,34,35 end up here. Believe they are slightly higher spec as well

Hopefully South West are aware that 48032/4/5 are long 9.9m Solos and all the issues that causes....Cumbria weren't when they swapped 48033 for 44008!!

 

[150249]

Hopefully South West are aware that 48032/4/5 are long 9.9m Solos and all the issues that causes....Cumbria weren't when they swapped 48033 for 44008!!

Aren't this lot quite unreliable?

 

[mbonwick]

Aren't this lot quite unreliable?

No worse really than other Solo SRs of a similar age...the major factor is that East have never been a big Solo region, so have never really got used to them.
Once South West get on top of them they'll be no worse (or better) than the other SRs they have.

 

[SJ21]

No worse really than other Solo SRs of a similar age...the major factor is that East have never been a big Solo region, so have never really got used to them.
Once South West get on top of them they'll be no worse (or better) than the other SRs they have.

Be interesting to see how the perform against the current lot. It will also be interesting to see how many drivers forget about the length...

 

[150249]

Be interesting to see how the perform against the current lot. It will also be interesting to see how many drivers forget about the length...

It would also be interesting if they ever find their way on the E1/E2. Do they have a higher capacity?

 

[RELL6L]

Timetable changes 30th October

Stagecoach has the description of the changes now on its website. It is under Promos & Offers, South West timetables, and keep scrolling down and down.
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/south-west/south-west-timetables

The changes are substantial and complex. They do give the Devon contracts where they run them or at least hint at them. The timetables are not there yet, but TravelineSW has some although some seem to be preliminary versions. The changes are still a month away.

I have timetable books for the eastern half of Devon dated summer 1998 when Red Bus (First) was the main operator. The rural service changes seem to be returning to similar routes, route numbers and frequencies that existed then before Stagecoach's enthusiastic expansion and take over.

Some of the times are on Traveline SW but others are not yet.

One item in here is the splitting of the 3 (Plymouth to Dartmouth) into the 3 and 93, breaking at Kingsbridge. The information states clearly that the buses will run through. Under the old timetable the round trip Plymouth to Dartmouth was within 5 hours so 5 buses run between the peaks. Now it takes longer with more time at Kingsbridge and at each terminus and needs 6 buses. But both ways the buses are at Kingsbridge from 15 to 25 past the hour, so maybe the buses run through but the drivers don't?

I wonder whether this is in response to the Traffic Commissioner case (on this thread) making a further superficial distinction of a through journey by changing the route number. There is another quiet example of that where the 85 journeys that extend beyond Holsworthy to Bude are renumbered 185, but the timings are exactly the same. Can't think of any other reason for doing this.

Traveline SW is confused on the 155 because if you click on the 30.10.22 timetable you get the 55, not the 155, so we can't tell what is happening. The new 346 is shown though and it is quite possible that this is one bus shuttling between Tiverton and South Molton. Equally it might not be, it might run 'through' at South Molton and/or Tiverton, we don't know yet.

There are new times for the 373 but it still spends 57 minutes at Tiverton each hour, which must be madness. There's a new 351 in Tiverton which just seems to be out running each hour between 40 and 00, which also seems odd as I can't see what else it could run off.

 

[embers25]

The new split timetables I agree are almost certainly a response to the Traffic Commissioner and are not an improvement at all and are actually ridiculous and will likely drive off passengers. Also be interesting to see if pensioners are made to rescan passes. I get the split of the 6 to serve the station but again could run through via the station. Given most buses run late tight connections unless through buses are not doable, as the 373 is showing. If they can leave the 3 and 93 effectively still joined surely they can/will do with the Barnstaple ones. What is even more nuts is most of the splits are in services already part funded so part of me is wondering whether either Devon County Ccuncil insisted on the splits to show how much they fund of the network more clearly or Stagecoach have requested all the splits to ensure they get the revenue from their commercial sections and it doesn't somehow get diluted by the unprofitable tendered bits (though I can't see how that would happen?).

 

[richard13]

Quite a few of the TravelineSW timetables for November are wrong in one way or another - some are actually the current ones. They will get sorted in the next month.

Route splits like, 3 to 3 & 93. My guess this is for accounting purposes either Stagecoach or Devon, but I might be wrong. I doubt that there are many through passengers - Dartmouth to Plymouth is 2 hours and 23 minutes on the 3 without a comfort stop. Go via the 92 to Totnes and then Gold and it is about 2 hours 10 with a short break or have a coffee break (or much quicker by Train), so that is what you do, if you really want to go to Plymouth. However Torquay (and Exeter) are quicker alternatives using the ferry and 120 to Paignton and onward. For paying passengers, often the quickest route is preferable rather than the cheapest, within cost limits. Totnes to Plymouth by train with an off peak railcard return is only £4.95 and takes 25 minutes each way - it is used (The Gold takes 1 hour each way and is likely to be more expensive, if paying)

Inter-working - only the drivers need to. The 346 starts and finishes at South Molton and so is a Barnstaple route - drivers may switch to the 155 to travel to Barnstaple. In the old days there was a shopping trip to Exeter from Lynton/South Molton on Fridays and Saturdays (Terraneous Tours X16), but it isn't a big market (too far) and a change is acceptable. The new 373 may also run the new 341 and drivers may be able to switch to the 55 or new 355. (The new 373 timetable is actually the current one with Dartline involved). Time will tell.

The Okehampton trains are carrying many more passengers (1000s) than expected, with Crediton to Exeter also up 40%. The 5 and 6 routes must have taken a big impact. There is unlikely to be many through passengers from 6 to 6a as the train is much quicker (and Okehampton to Exeter Central is £5.25 railcard return so not expensive. There is also a general Devon and Cornwall railcard available). The train also makes Okehampton to Crediton viable where as the 5A was really too slow for consideration; The new train changes practical destinations.

Without accurate timetables it is difficult to guess at how well it may work. Also whether bus passes will be valid pre 09:30 on certain journeys.

 

[DaveHarries]

Devon County Council's page on bus changes has announced the following replacements for Services 5A, 5B, 5C and, in part, 58 with details TBC as to timetable (not yet on TravelineSW):

Service 315 (Barnstaple - Exeter, via. Bideford, Torrington, Winkleigh, North Tawton and Crediton) to replace Service 5B. Operator & TT currently TBC.
Service 345 (Okehampton - Exeter, via. Hatherleigh, North Tawton and Crediton) to replace Service 5A. Operator & TT currently TBC.
Service 356 (Budleigh Salterton - Exeter, via. East Budleigh, Otterton and Aylesbere) to provide shopping journeys to & from Exeter. Operator to be Greenslades.
Service 377 (Chulmleigh - Exeter, via. Lapford and Crediton) will replace Service 5C. Operator & TT currently TBC.

Routes 315 & 345 to serve St. Davids Station and, on most journeys, Crediton station. So when we look at that list, along with the additions of Services 346, 355, we also have the reappearance of a few route numbers - Services 315, 346, 355 & 377 - which I think haven't been in existence for quite a while. Anyone able to confirm?

In addition, and following on from the rerouting of Service P (Crossmead - Pennsylvania) to no longer serve Okehampton Road, the DCC website advises that Service 173 (Moretonhampstead - Exeter) will be rerouted to cover Okehampton Road, Buller Road and Cowick Street in place of Service P.

If I was a betting man (which I am not) I would wonder if it is hoped that passengers who have provided the increase in the use of trains serving Crediton (reportedly up 40%) and Okehampton (23,516 journeys mid-August to mid-September, more than double the projected amount) will hop on the bus instead but frankly if I wanted to get from Okehampton to Exeter I would use the train. I know not everyone has that luxury though.

Dave

 

[Xavi]

If I was a betting man (which I am not) I would wonder if it is hoped that passengers who have provided the increase in the use of trains serving Crediton (reportedly up 40%) and Okehampton (23,516 journeys mid-August to mid-September, more than double the projected amount) will hop on the bus instead but frankly if I wanted to get from Okehampton to Exeter I would use the train. I know not everyone has that luxury though.

Or the opposite possibly since 6, 6A will now terminate at Okehampton station bringing in more rail passengers. The purpose of the 345 being to serve the mid-Devon villages.

 

[150249]

According to an employee at Stagecoach SW, the Solos from Stagecoach East are for new routes 355 and 377 and the P route.

 

[embers25]

The fact the 5A, 5B and 5C replacements will run to Exeter means an increase in buses between Exeter and Crediton which is nuts. The T running to Woodbury is an odd one.