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Stagecoach South & South East

PTR 444

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I would assume the E2 diversion is to maintain a bus service along Twyford Road after Xelabus withdraw the X9, with the E1 remaining as-is to retain links to the Royal Hants County Hospital and Winchester.
Boyatt Wood is already served by Bluestar 5, so I would have thought there’d be no need for the E1 to serve the estate, unless of course there is a need for a direct bus from there to the RHCH.
 
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Flange Squeal

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Boyatt Wood is already served by Bluestar 5, so I would have thought there’d be no need for the E1 to serve the estate, unless of course there is a need for a direct bus from there to the RHCH.
Yes, that's why I said to the hospital and Winchester rather than Eastleigh... The E routes offer the only link to the communities due south. Yes it means Boyatt Wood will have half the frequency to Winchester and the Hospital due to the E2's diversion, but this at least maintains some sort of link with the E1 still serving Boyatt Wood, while also covering Twyford Road with the E2.
 
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PTR 444

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Yes, that's why I said to the hospital and Winchester rather than Eastleigh... The E routes offer a link to the communities to the south. Yes it means Boyatt Wood will have half the frequency due to the E2's diversion, but this at least maintains some sort of link with the E1, while also covering Twyford Road with the E2.
Frequency isn’t an issue for Boyatt Wood though as it already has the half-hourly Bluestar 5. I’d argue that the E1 should also be diverted via Twyford Road as that road will have a much worse frequency when the X9 goes.
 

Flange Squeal

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Frequency isn’t an issue for Boyatt Wood though as it already has the half-hourly Bluestar 5. I’d argue that the E1 should also be diverted via Twyford Road as that road will have a much worse frequency when the X9 goes.
As already said twice, the Bluestar 5 only shadows the southern most last 10 minutes of the near-hour long E1/2 routes down into central Eastleigh. The E1/E2 provide a link north to the hospital and Winchester. With the Boyatt Wood area being about the most populous place along the E-routes between Eastleigh town centre and the hospital/Winchester, removing the link between that more populous area and the hospital/Winchester would remove a key point in the route's existence. Removing a couple of journeys from it is bad enough for hospital users, but the timetable does at least retain some link to the hospital plus the link to Winchester for commuters and shoppers. Your plan of completely removing both routes from possibly the most populous intermediate point along them would probably see those routes next on the chopping board. A bus route taken away from a key area it serves doesn't generally end well. Boyatt Wood residents probably wouldn't enjoy having to pay Bluestar one fare to head in completely in the wrong direction into Eastleigh, to then faff around with a connecting bus and have to pay Stagecoach another fare to return north, when they can currently jump on a direct bus northwards. Not everyone in Boyatt Wood only wants to go to Eastleigh.
 

LUYMun

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It was mentioned in a discussion on the Stagecoach in Guildford Facebook group that the Scanias were to head to Cheltenham for the racing and would not be returning from Stagecoach West, with them sending some more youthful Enviro 400MMCs in return. I can’t verify that beyond potential depot/enthusiast gossip though!
Scania Enviro400s 15982-6 have transferred to Cheltenham, with a few Tridents being placed on loan to Guildford from Portsmouth (18064), Chichester (18517) and Andover (18522) in the meantime. The Scanias aren't expected to return as Stagecoach West have won a number of P&R contracts in Bristol, so they'll be used there.
 
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RDP

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An interesting item from Folkestone.

Since last Monday route 91, previously booked for one of Folkestone's E200s, has been operated by an E400. One can understand this on schooldays when the 91A, which prior to the October changes, was usually one of Dover's E400s but is now operated by the same bus as the 91 although even today an E400 is being used.
 

Class450/4DES

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Scania Enviro400s 15982-6 have transferred to Cheltenham, with a few Tridents being placed on loan to Guildford from Portsmouth (18064), Chichester (18517) and Andover (18522) in the meantime. The Scanias aren't expected to return as Stagecoach West have won a number of P&R contracts in Bristol, so they'll be used there.
It seems an Enviro 200 has been transferred from Bristol, so it seems these are going to be replacing the Scanias at Guildford, I was also told there are Enviro 400MMC's being transferred from Stagecoach West too. Am I correct?
image.png
 

LUYMun

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It seems an Enviro 200 has been transferred from Bristol, so it seems these are going to be replacing the Scanias at Guildford, I was also told there are Enviro 400MMC's being transferred from Stagecoach West too. Am I correct?
image.png
You're certainly right about the MMCs, but five E200s, including this one, would be on loan for a while, or at least what the depot gossip tells me. I estimate that the E400MMCs should arrive in time of the Guildford network changes, if not by the time Uni courses return (16 April).
 

aswilliamsuk

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It's also worth noting that - at least the last time I saw - Stagecoach South are due the first of the upcoming order for 200 E400 MMCs (the nine arriving at the moment for Kendal - 11571-79 - are a separate order ahead of them), so presumably these Scanias have been released ahead of them arriving.

Interestingly, my notes suggest the number of closed-top Tridents (i.e. ALX400 and Presidents) remaining in use in the group is 207 (give or take a few), with 209 E400 MMCs due to arrive across the year. Certainly I'd be surprised if there are any closed-top Tridents left by the end of the year.
 

fgwrich

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Interestingly, Bus times appears to have been updated this afternoon indicating that another 3 Enviro 200 MMCs are due to transfer south - from the same batch previously delivered to Portsmouth back in 2017 (these 3 are at Stockport). It also appears that at least one of the new 23 plate E400 MMCs (11585) has made it into service in Chichester last week too.


484 hours ago26145 - SN67 WVOoperator from SCMN to SCPY
484 hours ago26144 - SN67 WVMoperator from SCMN to SCPY
484 hours ago26142 - SN67 WVKoperator from SCMN to SCPY
 
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Class450/4DES

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Interestingly, Bus times appears to have been updated this afternoon indicating that another 3 Enviro 200 MMCs are due to transfer south - from the same batch previously delivered to Portsmouth back in 2017 (these 3 are at Stockport). It also appears that at least one of the new 23 plate E400 MMCs (11585) has made it into service in Chichester last week too.


484 hours ago26145 - SN67 WVOoperator from SCMN to SCPY
484 hours ago26144 - SN67 WVMoperator from SCMN to SCPY
484 hours ago26142 - SN67 WVKoperator from SCMN to SCPY
I have a feeling these are going to either Guildford or Portsmouth, it does seem the 20/21 and 23 are having more buses put onto it. It maybe a glitch though. Or it could be due to the new 49/49h. With Guildford due to the new routes and the loss of the Scanias.
 

Flange Squeal

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There's been an E400MMC in 'Kite' colours running on Guildford route 1 the last week, on loan from Aldershot presumably.
Might you possibly be thinking of an Aldershot route 1 Gold branded one being on loan to Guildford and working their route 1, rather than KITE-branded? The KITE has only ever had branded single decks, the most recent being a batch of Enviro 200s which were rebranded for - funnily enough - the University of Surrey routes 1/2.
 

Surreyman

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Might you possibly be thinking of an Aldershot route 1 Gold branded one being on loan to Guildford and working their route 1, rather than KITE-branded? The KITE has only ever had branded single decks, the most recent being a batch of Enviro 200s which were rebranded for - funnily enough - the University of Surrey routes 1/2.
Yeah, sorry you're right - I am guilty of mixing my brands/liveries/routes oh and typing too fast!
Probably don't need to tell you that despite the 'Kite' being officially converted to single deck a while back it seems to see 'deckers on it daily basis and particularly on Saturdays, same applies to the 65, guess it is a case from both Aldershot & Guildford that 'If you have a spare 'decker, stick it on a route without a height restriction!'
 

fgwrich

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I have a feeling these are going to either Guildford or Portsmouth, it does seem the 20/21 and 23 are having more buses put onto it. It maybe a glitch though. Or it could be due to the new 49/49h. With Guildford due to the new routes and the loss of the Scanias.
I reckon the MMCs will join the Portsmouth fleet, as they're from the same batch and will probably meet the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone better than the older Enviros - or at least look better for stagecoach!

Talking of which, 4 more Enviro 200s have been added to the list to transfer from West to South, with 3 of them already at Guildford (36381, 36175, 36139) while another E200MMC - same batch as Portsmouth - from Manchester has also been added to the list today as well.

485 hours ago26143 - SN67 WVLoperator from SCMN to SCPY
485 hours ago36176 - KX60 DUHoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36175 - KX60 DUAoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36139 - SF10 BZRoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36381 - VU11 BUOoperator from SCGL to SCPY

 

Class450/4DES

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I reckon the MMCs will join the Portsmouth fleet, as they're from the same batch and will probably meet the Portsmouth Clean Air Zone better than the older Enviros - or at least look better for stagecoach!

Talking of which, 4 more Enviro 200s have been added to the list to transfer from West to South, with 3 of them already at Guildford (36381, 36175, 36139) while another E200MMC - same batch as Portsmouth - from Manchester has also been added to the list today as well.

485 hours ago26143 - SN67 WVLoperator from SCMN to SCPY
485 hours ago36176 - KX60 DUHoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36175 - KX60 DUAoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36139 - SF10 BZRoperator from SCGL to SCPY
485 hours ago36381 - VU11 BUOoperator from SCGL to SCPY

I won't be surprised if the MMC's do go to Pompey.
The ex Stagecoach West Enviro 200's have now entered service at Guildford.
 

Flange Squeal

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Stagecoach operated Surrey Country Council tendered Collingwood College - near Camberley - bus routes 83 (Bagshot), 84 (Knaphill) and 87 (Chobham) until the 2022-2023 academic year started last September. The 84 was won by Cardinal Buses, with the 83/87 going to Rotala Diamond South East. Just several months in, Diamond cancelled the registrations with Simon Dunn (CEO) citing on the WM Bus Forum that the income wasn’t as expected. After the Easter break, Stagecoach will resume operation of the 87 Chobham via Lightwater run judging by a route registration they’ve submitted. The 83’s replacement has yet to show up or be announced. The following is from the gov.uk bus registration search website.

Registration number PK0002571/103

Licence Number РК0002571

Variation number 0

Status New

Service number. 6087, 87

Service type Normal Stopping

Start point Chobham

Finish point Collingwood College

Via Lightwater

Date received 23 Mar 2023

Effective date 16 Apr 2023

End date

Supported by subsidies? Yes
 

fgwrich

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I won't be surprised if the MMC's do go to Pompey.
The ex Stagecoach West Enviro 200's have now entered service at Guildford.
Andover, surprisingly. Chichester has 26143 for now, but the other 3 have temporarily moved to Andover from Stockport. Final depot yet to be decided apparently.
 

LUYMun

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Aldershot Bus Station is expected to close after the last bus departs on Saturday 6 May 2023 (even if the service update says 5 May, which falls on a Friday?). Construction starts on the new forecourt next month.

Bus stop changes around Aldershot - Sunday 6th May 2023

We're moving out of Aldershot Bus Station in May, with services instead using new bus stops in the town centre. Our last day in the bus station will be Saturday 5th May.

You'll see construction work for the new bus stops taking place during April. We'll confirm which buses use each new stop towards the end of next month. We're really excited that the new stops will be a big improvement for bus customers, with all buses picking up and dropping off closer to the shops.

At the same time, we're planning timetable improvements to some of our busiest routes. Look out for more details in April!

The new bus stops are provided with support from Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council.
 

RDP

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Section 3.2 – Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0000098/413 EAST KENT ROAD CAR COMPANY LIMITED, THE BUS STATION, ST. GEORGES LANE,
CANTERBURY, CT1 2SY From: Herne Bay To: Margate Via: Name or No.: 36 / 36 Service type: Normal Stopping Effective date: 02 April 2023 Other details: Monday to Saturday

Section 3.6 – Cancellations of Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0001274/22 KERRY JANE REGENT & PARTNERS, UNIT 16, ST. AUGUSTINES BUSINESS PARK, ESTUARY CLOSE, WHITSTABLE, CT5 2QJ Operating between Tankerton, Graystone Road and Margate, QEQM given service number 36 effective from 02 April 2023

A interesting development from Kent.

It will be interesting to see what Stagecoach use on this route as when they operated it previously it appeared to be a case of anything goes.
 

SeveerYeliab

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Section 3.2 – Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0000098/413 EAST KENT ROAD CAR COMPANY LIMITED, THE BUS STATION, ST. GEORGES LANE,
CANTERBURY, CT1 2SY From: Herne Bay To: Margate Via: Name or No.: 36 / 36 Service type: Normal Stopping Effective date: 02 April 2023 Other details: Monday to Saturday

Section 3.6 – Cancellations of Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0001274/22 KERRY JANE REGENT & PARTNERS, UNIT 16, ST. AUGUSTINES BUSINESS PARK, ESTUARY CLOSE, WHITSTABLE, CT5 2QJ Operating between Tankerton, Graystone Road and Margate, QEQM given service number 36 effective from 02 April 2023

A interesting development from Kent.

It will be interesting to see what Stagecoach use on this route as when they operated it previously it appeared to be a case of anything goes.
It's been said on twitter that 36899 will be transferred after repaint to Herne Bay along with 36064 from Bedford, although I assume these two vehicles will just join the singles pool at Herne Bay and not be specifically used on the 36.
 

duncombec

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Section 3.2 – Registration of New Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0000098/413 EAST KENT ROAD CAR COMPANY LIMITED, THE BUS STATION, ST. GEORGES LANE,
CANTERBURY, CT1 2SY From: Herne Bay To: Margate Via: Name or No.: 36 / 36 Service type: Normal Stopping Effective date: 02 April 2023 Other details: Monday to Saturday

Section 3.6 – Cancellations of Existing Services Granted Under Short Notice PK0001274/22 KERRY JANE REGENT & PARTNERS, UNIT 16, ST. AUGUSTINES BUSINESS PARK, ESTUARY CLOSE, WHITSTABLE, CT5 2QJ Operating between Tankerton, Graystone Road and Margate, QEQM given service number 36 effective from 02 April 2023

A interesting development from Kent.

It will be interesting to see what Stagecoach use on this route as when they operated it previously it appeared to be a case of anything goes.
Just a regular council contract change.

@SeeverYeliab has just beaten me to the statement that two E200s are expected from Bedford as an at least nominal allocation!
 

Typhoon

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Just a regular council contract change.

@SeeverYeliab has just beaten me to the statement that two E200s are expected from Bedford as an at least nominal allocation!
They will also have some spare vehicles at the end of April when the 4 and 7 go. (Although, I gather, some timetable changes will happen at a similar time).

Timetable looks pretty much the same.

Both short notice - when did Kent CC let them know, it appears to be pretty short notice.
 

duncombec

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They will also have some spare vehicles at the end of April when the 4 and 7 go. (Although, I gather, some timetable changes will happen at a similar time).

Timetable looks pretty much the same.

Both short notice - when did Kent CC let them know, it appears to be pretty short notice.
The 36 changes next week, whereas the 4 and the 7 don't happen until the end of the month, so there isn't really any relation between the two (and indeed, no guarantee that any vehicles will be 'spare' as a result - the 7 operates between schools, so the vehicle could become an engineering return, for example). The 36 is also single deck operation, whilst the 4 and 7 are scheduled double-deck, although single-deckers can and often do appear on the 4 to free up 'deckers for elsewhere if required.

As I understand it, any service can be registered under short-notice with local authority approval. It would make no sense for the County to issue a tender on a reduced timeframe then decline to support the short-notice registration!
 

RDP

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The 36 changes next week, whereas the 4 and the 7 don't happen until the end of the month, so there isn't really any relation between the two (and indeed, no guarantee that any vehicles will be 'spare' as a result - the 7 operates between schools, so the vehicle could become an engineering return, for example). The 36 is also single deck operation, whilst the 4 and 7 are scheduled double-deck, although single-deckers can and often do appear on the 4 to free up 'deckers for elsewhere if required.

As I understand it, any service can be registered under short-notice with local authority approval. It would make no sense for the County to issue a tender on a reduced timeframe then decline to support the short-notice registration!

The 36 is a single deck operation only because Regents don't operate double deckers. When the route was previously operated by Stagecoach both single and double deck vehicles were used.
 

Typhoon

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The 36 changes next week, whereas the 4 and the 7 don't happen until the end of the month, so there isn't really any relation between the two (and indeed, no guarantee that any vehicles will be 'spare' as a result - the 7 operates between schools, so the vehicle could become an engineering return, for example). The 36 is also single deck operation, whilst the 4 and 7 are scheduled double-deck, although single-deckers can and often do appear on the 4 to free up 'deckers for elsewhere if required.

As I understand it, any service can be registered under short-notice with local authority approval. It would make no sense for the County to issue a tender on a reduced timeframe then decline to support the short-notice registration!
The problem with short notice is that it is not always possible to let prospective passengers know. There was nothing on the 36 when I travelled on it on Monday and, last time I looked, it wasn't obvious where the new 36 timetable was unless you were looking for it. Now it could be that both knew some time prior and did nothing to promote the change but, for some passengers, it may be an inconvenience, A chap, I am acquainted with lives on the 36, and catches it in preference to the 7(mainly because the drivers know him and know where he gets off). His eyesight is not good, he will be looking for a white bus with a friendly driver who will make sure he is seated before proceeding.

There was, a few minutes ago, a single decker on the 4 and another on the 6. Seems a pretty common arrangement. I am told it can be pretty tight if it is the first bus after 09:30 from Greenhill.

The 36 is a single deck operation only because Regents don't operate double deckers. When the route was previously operated by Stagecoach both single and double deck vehicles were used.
You are right, I had forgotten about that. They might be needed in the school peaks with all the building going on at Hillborough, and Herne Bay High is bursting at the seams I understand
 

duncombec

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The 36 is a single deck operation only because Regents don't operate double deckers. When the route was previously operated by Stagecoach both single and double deck vehicles were used.
Whilst there may be no physical restriction prohibiting the use of deckers on the route, the fact Regent have operated a compliant tender without any would suggest the route doesn't need a decker - therefore can be considered a single-deck route. That said, I haven't seen the tender documentation, but given there is a faster, more frequent rail service between Herne Bay and Margate, I'd be *very* surprised if the route had been tendered for double-deck operation. (If it needed a decker, would it even need to be tendered?...)

Last time Stagecoach operated the 36 it had a number of extensions, including to Estuary View, the University and Canterbury, which may have made a decker more useful.

The problem with short notice is that it is not always possible to let prospective passengers know. [...]
That's on the existing operator, surely? Arriva announced their changes from the same tender round as far back as 8th March...
Do you know your acquaintance hasn't been told by the driver? Or will be told at some point this week? How would he be told if it was the same operator but a revised timetable?

There was, a few minutes ago, a single decker on the 4 and another on the 6. Seems a pretty common arrangement. I am told it can be pretty tight if it is the first bus after 09:30 from Greenhill.
Day to day variations occur - and are indeed designed into the system to occur, but the formal prescription in the workings is for the 4 and 6 to be decker operated.

You are right, I had forgotten about that. They might be needed in the school peaks with all the building going on at Hillborough, and Herne Bay High is bursting at the seams I understand
... where passengers are presumably covered by the schoolday variation to the 6?
 

Typhoon

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That's on the existing operator, surely? Arriva announced their changes from the same tender round as far back as 8th March...
If they knew that long ago then, yes. Hence my question in #264. The only reason I knew is that I was planning a journey using the 36 using bustimes. I check Notices and Proceedings very regularly, and I knew it wasn't there
Do you know your acquaintance hasn't been told by the driver? Or will be told at some point this week? How would he be told if it was the same operator but a revised timetable?
He is an acquaintance as in he knew my mother, and I try to speak to him if I see him about. I haven't seen him for a month or two, but then I might see him one week, then again the next - I'm pretty certain he has no pattern but neither do I. He goes to Margate just for the ride, according to the drivers, comes back an hour later; other times to Herne Bay for shopping. I don't know exactly where he lives because the stops he gets on are not an obvious pair (I've seen him waiting and I was on a bus when he got on) but that could be down to the convenience of crossing the road. Drivers may well let him know, most of the Regent drivers are pretty helpful. If the times changed - Regent are pretty good in producing timetables and he can read using a magnifying glass.
... where passengers are presumably covered by the schoolday variation to the 6?
In the past overspill from Herne Bay High have been diverted to King Ethelbert in Birchington - hence the use of the 36, not so many in recent years (thankfully) but I would imagine that newcomers to Hillborough, no sibling preference, may well be sent the same way.
 
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fgwrich

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