Stagecoach South & South East

[alex397]

While the £2 fare may attract some passengers, I’ve noticed there are still issues with cancelled journeys, often unpublicised. I tried to use their Triangle route on Thursday evening but three buses in a row were cancelled. Well, they didn’t turn up anyway. Waiting for buses on wet dark evenings hardly brings much confidence if people are considering using the bus more frequently.

EDIT: I should add, my travels with Stagecoach over the last few months have largely been trouble free. I perhaps was just unlucky on that evening.

 

[LUYMun]

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.

ServiceUpdatesArticle

www.stagecoachbus.com

Further to this, Stagecoach have uploaded a new map of the departures where buses will call at Aldershot town centre while the new bus stands outside the rail station are being constructed. Oddly enough, the Kite is reverted back to its traditional number 20.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Service changes taking place in Aldershot, coinciding with the closure of the bus station on Saturday 6th May:

Gold 1 will run earlier in the morning, more frequently in the evening and every 12 minutes on Saturdays

Kite will return to being numbered service 20, and run earlier in the morning, more frequently in the evening and every 20 minutes on Sundays

Service 15 will be extended to run beyond Aldershot to North Town (replacing service 14), with both Tices Meadow and North Town every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays

Services 4 & 5 will still run every 30 minutes, but have extra peak running time and new evening times to meet Farnham trains. We'll run every hour on Sundays.

This compares to current timetables as follows:

1 - Saturdays increased from every 15 to every 12 minutes
4/5 - Sundays increased from every 120 to every 60 minutes
14 (as revised 15) - Mon-Sat/Sun increased from every 30/120 to every 20/60 minutes respectively
15 - Mon-Sat/Sun reduced from every 15/30 to every 20/60 minutes respectively
20 - Sundays increased from every 30 to every 20 minutes

Above quote sourced from: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/servi...rticle?SituationId=ID-27/03/2023-13:01:51:210

 

[Kite159]

Well, I don’t think anyone was expecting this!

https://twitter.com/stagecoachsouth/status/1641319424249536512?s=46&t=Uj1PminkMk5uLaRpDQX48Q

The Tweet has photos of a bus with Hampshire Bus fleet names.

Certainly took me by surprise when it popped up on an Activ8 working to Andover this evening. Shame, I was pointing towards the sun and didn't have time to dash across the road for a better angle in Ludgershall

 

[RDP]

Changes to bus services in the Canterbury north and east Kent areas from 30 April 2023

www.stagecoachbus.com

Changes to Canterbury area services from 30th April are now on the Stagecoach website.

 

[nw1]

Looking at some of the Guildford area patterns on bustimes, as Guildford was (a long while ago now - basically Alder Valley days, both late NBC and privatisation) somewhere I was very familiar with.

Interesting to see evidence of interworking between "classic Stagecoach" services on the Godalming axis with ex-Arriva routes such as the 53/63.

For example:

36036 - GX57 BHZ

ADL Enviro200

bustimes.org

and

36036 - GX57 BHZ

ADL Enviro200

bustimes.org

suggests a working which starts out doing a 70 to Midhurst, before doing a couple of 53 return trips to Ewhurst, then back onto the Godalming routes with a 72.

Is this a consistent working, I wonder? I've noticed on bustimes that Stagecoach workings from Guildford can sometimes be a bit inconsistent day-to-day, but can see this on two separate days suggesting it might be normal.

 

[gka472l]

Does anyone know when the new batch of MMC's for Chichester (11581-11602) are due please??? The Lakes ones are all delivered and in service so I would expect these to be next....

Thanks

 

[cnjb8]

Does anyone know when the new batch of MMC's for Chichester (11581-11602) are due please??? The Lakes ones are all delivered and in service so I would expect these to be next....

Thanks

They've already been allocated reg plates according to Bus Lists on the Web

 

[Surreyman]

Looking at some of the Guildford area patterns on bustimes, as Guildford was (a long while ago now - basically Alder Valley days, both late NBC and privatisation) somewhere I was very familiar with.

Interesting to see evidence of interworking between "classic Stagecoach" services on the Godalming axis with ex-Arriva routes such as the 53/63.

For example:

36036 - GX57 BHZ

ADL Enviro200

bustimes.org

and

36036 - GX57 BHZ

ADL Enviro200

bustimes.org

suggests a working which starts out doing a 70 to Midhurst, before doing a couple of 53 return trips to Ewhurst, then back onto the Godalming routes with a 72.

Is this a consistent working, I wonder? I've noticed on bustimes that Stagecoach workings from Guildford can sometimes be a bit inconsistent day-to-day, but can see this on two separate days suggesting it might be normal.

I haven't bothered to check timetables for interworking but thinking about it, it would be surprising if they didn't rework the combined operations for a more efficient outcome, it's complicated even more by the fact that they now have 2 depots in Guildford.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Does anyone know when the new batch of MMC's for Chichester (11581-11602) are due please??? The Lakes ones are all delivered and in service so I would expect these to be next....

Thanks

I'm not sure of any exact date, but the Promos & Offers section of the Stagecoach website's South area has a page advertising the revised Coastliner timetables which also makes mention of new buses being seen "throughout May". Therefore I guess not long to go! The 700 had of course started seeing branding on the new corporate yellow livery, but the news article also makes it clear that is (in my opinion, thankfully!) being ditched too. Do we know of any sneaky pics that have emerged of the new design?

700 New Buses 2023

www.stagecoachbus.com

New buses more often!​

Good news, throughout May you'll see brand new buses running on our Coastliner 700 route between Portsmouth, Chichester and Littlehampton. They'll not be yellow anymore either, they will come with a striking new look. When your onboard there's even some of our iconic seagulls hidden onboard for you to spot on your travels!
We were also delighted to announce timetable enhancements to Coastliner 700 in April too. We'll be running extra buses throughout the week, as well as earlier journeys in the morning and later into the evening.
Between Portsmouth & Chichester...
Buses will run every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sundays.
We'll run later in the evening too, with last weekdays buses leaving Portsmouth at 2225 and Chichester at 2340.
Between Chichester, Bognor Regis, Flansham Park, Yapton & Littlehampton...
We'll run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime between Chichester, Bognor Regis and Flansham Park. Some buses will continue every 20 minutes beyond Flansham Park to Yapton and Littlehampton.
We're doubling the number of Sunday buses running every 15 minutes between Chichester, Bognor Regis and Flansham Park and every 30 minutes onwards to Littlehampton.
Customers making longer-distance trips across Chichester will need to change buses either at the Bus Station or Cathedral. We're making this change to add more time between trips on each half of the route and reduce the risk of buses running late.

Why you'll love the Coastliner 700​

• Pay no more than £2 for a single journey until the end of June!*
• Connect to some of the souths biggest attractions like Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, Chichester Cathedral, Butlins at Bognor Regis and more!
• Staying out late? Later evening buses throughout the week.
• No parking stress, catch the bus straight into the heart of the city (or town)!
• USB charging at your seat.
• Low emission buses.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply click here for more

 

[nw1]

I haven't bothered to check timetables for interworking but thinking about it, it would be surprising if they didn't rework the combined operations for a more efficient outcome, it's complicated even more by the fact that they now have 2 depots in Guildford.

Indeed. When Alder Valley were the dominant operator back in the 80s, all the Guildford garage routes tended to interwork, so little surprise that it would happen now.

The quoted vehicle above appears to be based in Peasmarsh, but I guess that makes little difference.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 May 2023 ==

Service changes taking place in Aldershot, coinciding with the closure of the bus station on Saturday 6th May:

20 - Sundays increased from every 30 to every 20 minutes

Above quote sourced from: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/servi...rticle?SituationId=ID-27/03/2023-13:01:51:210

So, since the 60s, it's been 20 to 452 to 20 to Kite and now back to 20 again!

 

[gka472l]

I'm not sure of any exact date, but the Promos & Offers section of the Stagecoach website's South area has a page advertising the revised Coastliner timetables which also makes mention of new buses being seen "throughout May". Therefore I guess not long to go! The 700 had of course started seeing branding on the new corporate yellow livery, but the news article also makes it clear that is (in my opinion, thankfully!) being ditched too. Do we know of any sneaky pics that have emerged of the new design?

700 New Buses 2023

www.stagecoachbus.com

Thanks, as noted above, the registrations are already on bus lists on the web so it seems they are Scarborough built (YX23***). Since posting, I've seen a pic of an unfinished one at Scarborough although I have no idea which one apart from body number N435/02 in the front windscreen on a piece of paper. I'm not sure when it was taken though.

 

[gka472l]

Would anyone happen to know when the new E400MMC's for Chichester are due to enter service at all, or even have any been delivered??? Intended for the western part of the 700. Have seen a shot of a near complete one at ADL Scarborough a few weeks back but they seem to have stayed very much under the radar so to speak.

Thanks in advance

 

[aswilliamsuk]

Would anyone happen to know when the new E400MMC's for Chichester are due to enter service at all, or even have any been delivered??? Intended for the western part of the 700. Have seen a shot of a near complete one at ADL Scarborough a few weeks back but they seem to have stayed very much under the radar so to speak.

Thanks in advance

11598/11600 were photographed by Tony Hunter on delivery (http://wmbusphotos.com/Stagecoach/10000/11598.html) this week.

They carry a white/blue variant of the current corporate scheme - continuing the tradition of Stagecoach South being rather different with their livery and branding choices!

Presumably entry into service now they are being delivered can't be too far away.

 

[gka472l]

11598/11600 were photographed by Tony Hunter on delivery (http://wmbusphotos.com/Stagecoach/10000/11598.html) this week.

They carry a white/blue variant of the current corporate scheme - continuing the tradition of Stagecoach South being rather different with their livery and branding choices!

Presumably entry into service now they are being delivered can't be too far away.

Many thanks. I'm down there in a month's time so was hoping to get a few of these amongst other stuff. Hopefully in service by them with those two pictured being towards the end of the batch numerically.

Thanks

 

[Volvodart]

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

www.stagecoachbus.com

06 Jun 2023



Operations in Folkestone set to be transferred to Dover and Ashford
Folkestone garage site at Cheriton expected to close in September
Most employees and bus services expected to be retained as part of re-organisation
Measures to minimise impact on bus services in the local area
Depot viability impacted by rising costs and falling passenger numbers
Company working with employees and trade union to protect maximum number of jobs

Stagecoach has today (6 June) announced planned changes to its bus operations in the Folkestone area.

The re-organisation will see the proposed closure of the Stagecoach site at Kent Road in Cheriton in early September, with operations transferred to the company’s other depots at Dover and Ashford.

Most employees and bus services are expected to be retained as part of the re-organisation which is designed to secure the long-term sustainability of bus services in the area. Stagecoach has confirmed that it will be talking with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local bus routes that fail to recover their running costs.

The viability of the company’s Folkestone operations has declined over recent years, accelerated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stagecoach says that rising costs, a downward shift in passenger numbers and the impact of traffic congestion have combined to force changes to its bus operation in the area.

The company is in discussions with employees and the trade union about the options for staff, with the vast majority of the 160 people employed at its Folkestone base eligible for relocation to another depot.

Joel Mitchell, Managing Director of Stagecoach South East said: “We have been forced to consider some very difficult options, which we know will have a significant impact on a number of our colleagues in Folkestone and potentially affect some parts of the communities we serve in the area.

“Before and during the pandemic, we did everything we could to protect jobs and bus services, but the impact of such a challenging environment over a number of years means we have reached the point where we have no alternative but to make changes.

“It’s vital for us that we adapt and find alternatives to passing on costs to our passengers in the form of raising fares. By taking this action I am confident we can start to build a strong base for the future, from which we can expand when circumstances allow.”

“Our priority now is to support our colleagues who are affected, provide as many options as we can for them, and work hard to ensure that the impact on our services is minimal.

“We are also in discussions with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local services in the area that don’t generate enough revenue to cover their operating costs.”

The company confirmed that the proposed closure would not affect the current bus station and its services would continue to operate from the site at Bouverie Square

 

[Typhoon]

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

www.stagecoachbus.com

Quote from story:

“We are also in discussions with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local services in the area that don’t generate enough revenue to cover their operating costs.”

In the last few years they have already been cutting back operations in the Folkestone area - not that much left, I suppose the vulnerable must be the Alkham Valley route, the 18* (Canterbury to Hythe) and locals. They could trim the 17 to two hourly and drop Sunday I suppose, although there would still be a need for buses at school times.

The problem with having discussions with Kent CC is that the council is skint and I am struggling to think of any independent in the area who could pick any routes up at lower cost. I think Stagecoach virtually have a monopoly (with the exception of school buses).

* - any route that serves a place with a name like Wheelbarrow Town must be worth saving!! (There many be wheelbarrows but they should be done for 'town' under the trades descriptions).

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

Stagecoach announces planned changes to Folkestone bus operations

www.stagecoachbus.com

In a way, I'm not surprised that it's going. There's been a retrenchment across Kent and spare capacity in depots created so expected something might shut.

Cheriton is an old site and will have higher business rates and utility costs and is tucked away behind houses so the site is probably worth a bit for redevelopment. It's really the last former East Kent depot (Westwood is still going but extensively modified) but with others being modern sites on industrial estates (Herne Bay, Ashford, Dover), you can see why it was the unlucky one despite Ashford being smaller.

 

[Typhoon]

In a way, I'm not surprised that it's going. There's been a retrenchment across Kent and spare capacity in depots created so expected something might shut.

Cheriton is an old site and will have higher business rates and utility costs and is tucked away behind houses so the site is probably worth a bit for redevelopment. It's really the last former East Kent depot (Westwood is still going but extensively modified) but with others being modern sites on industrial estates (Herne Bay, Ashford, Dover), you can see why it was the unlucky one despite Ashford being smaller.

You are right there - 'much needed housing' - and, speaking as a resident of Kent, I would prefer it to be on a brownfield site.

No mention of Old Romney.

 

[SeveerYeliab]

No mention of Old RoRomney.

I feel Old Romney will stay, as it has its own pool of drivers, plus Ashford has some work out of there for the 11.

It would be logical for 102 to transfer to Dover, with the runs which start and end at Romney / Lydd / Rye to be run out of Old Romney - some buses do run dead down that way in the morning, but from Dover this is a lot of milage, maybe they'll actually stable more boards there overnight?

 

[E-Rail]

They're taking a gamble that enough Folkestone staff will choose to transfer in order to provide the levels of service they are planning. From experience, it's almost always the case that many decide that a depot closure is a natural end and choose to either move on or retire early. Even in 2000, when Stagecoach East Kent closed the then New Romney outstation, only one driver transferred to Folkestone, the rest (around 12) left.

Just been told that Park and Ride will return to Herne Bay operation (again impacting drivers on that rota who may choose not to go with it) to free up capacity for Dover to take up the 16 and 102.

 

[duncombec]

In the last few years they have already been cutting back operations in the Folkestone area - not that much left, I suppose the vulnerable must be the Alkham Valley route, the 18* (Canterbury to Hythe) and locals. They could trim the 17 to two hourly and drop Sunday I suppose, although there would still be a need for buses at school times.

I think the 18 is already tendered (at least it used to be), and parts of other routes such as the 17 may be on de minimis terms. As with all cases such as this, it'll be wait and see - as we've seen on the Arriva thread, routes that have been up for withdrawal haven't always been those that we'd expect as observers.

The problem with having discussions with Kent CC is that the council is skint and I am struggling to think of any independent in the area who could pick any routes up at lower cost. I think Stagecoach virtually have a monopoly (with the exception of school buses).

I suspect much will depend on what Stagecoach (or another operator) needs to make a service viable. There is quite a difference between "economic basket case" and "only just misses the mark, we're within de minimis guidelines, let's go for that". Don't forget Regent are already operate a local service in Dover, and it isn't *that* far from Ashford, were anyone so inclined. Whilst Kent County Council may not be rolling in cash, they do keep in touch with operators, and I'd be surprised if they don't already have talks scheduled (if not already had

In a way, I'm not surprised that it's going. There's been a retrenchment across Kent and spare capacity in depots created so expected something might shut.

Cheriton is an old site and will have higher business rates and utility costs and is tucked away behind houses so the site is probably worth a bit for redevelopment. It's really the last former East Kent depot (Westwood is still going but extensively modified) but with others being modern sites on industrial estates (Herne Bay, Ashford, Dover), you can see why it was the unlucky one despite Ashford being smaller.

As far as I can make out, Cheriton is the last depot that predates the founding of East Kent in 1916. (Westwood dates from 1927). It's a cramped site, with difficult access (Kent Road, should anyone care to Streetview it), and I imagine modern parking (and neighbours?) don't make it any easier. I don't know off-hand how they handle recovery of local vehicles if anything needs to be towed back. I know it gets there, but how quickly or easily, I wouldn't like to guess!

The Peak Vehicle Requirements during term time across all depots don't vary that much - as at February, the smallest (Ashford) was 41, the largest (Hastings) 55. Folkestone's was 47, but of that 6 'deckers are outstationed at Old Romney. (For the record, 41, 44, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55 - all of the data in this paragraph sourced from an M&D and East Kent Bus Club publication summarizing official sources).

I feel Old Romney will stay, as it has its own pool of drivers, plus Ashford has some work out of there for the 11.

It would be logical for 102 to transfer to Dover, with the runs which start and end at Romney / Lydd / Rye to be run out of Old Romney - some buses do run dead down that way in the morning, but from Dover this is a lot of milage, maybe they'll actually stable more boards there overnight?

The only thing that could affect more vehicles at Old Romney is that it's only really "overnight parking" on a leased site, so there may not be an option to increase very much, even if they had additional drivers willing to work out of there.

I'm sure Facebook and the like is already awash with comments and "confident suggestions", but I suspect Stagecoach will handle this rather better than their west Kent counterparts (note the three months notice for starters).

 

[SeveerYeliab]

Kent online reports the following Stagecoach plans to close its Folkestone depot while considering the future of routes in the area.

The bus operator is set to shut its site in Kent Road, Cheriton, in September, with operations transferred to its bases in Dover and Ashford.

Stagecoach is set to shut its bus depot in Kent Road, Cheriton, Folkestone. Picture: Google Street View
The company has also confirmed it will be talking with Kent County Council about the future of a “small number” of bus routes that “fail to recover their running costs”.

The firm says the viability of its operations in Folkestone has declined over recent years, accelerated by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Rising costs, less passengers and traffic congestion have also forced Stagecoach to make changes.



It is currently in discussion with Kent County Council about the future of these loss-making services:

*Route 70 (Shorncliffe – Golden Valley – town centre)

*Route 73 (Hawkinge – Park Farm – town centre)

*Route 74/74A (East Cliff – town centre – Broadmead)

*Route 75 (Holywell – Downs Road – town centre)

*Route 16A (Hythe Grebe Crescent to Folkestone) morning only journey

*Route 16B (Hythe Prince of Wales to Folkestone and Hawkinge) afternoon only journey

*105 (Lydd to Folkestone) morning only journey

Stagecoach has announced changes to the way it operates in Folkestone. Picture: Martin Smith/Stagecoach
Route 16 will become a Folkestone to Canterbury route and no longer operate between Folkestone and Hythe.

There will be additional buses on route 102 to provide connections at Folkestone bus station for passengers who use the 16 service to or from Hythe, Seabrook or Sandgate,


Joel Mitchell, managing director of Stagecoach south east, said: “We have been forced to consider some very difficult options, which we know will have a significant impact on a number of our colleagues in Folkestone and potentially affect some parts of the communities we serve in the area.

“Before and during the pandemic, we did everything we could to protect jobs and bus services, but the impact of such a challenging environment over a number of years means we have reached the point where we have no alternative but to make changes.


“It’s vital for us that we adapt and find alternatives to passing on costs to our passengers in the form of raising fares. By taking this action I am confident we can start to build a strong base for the future, from which we can expand when circumstances allow.

Folkestone bus station in Middelburg Square will remain open
“Our priority now is to support our colleagues who are affected, provide as many options as we can for them, and work hard to ensure that the impact on our services is minimal.”


He added: “We are also in discussions with Kent County Council about the future of a small number of local services in the area that don’t generate enough revenue to cover their operating costs.”

Stagecoach says most employees and bus services are expected to be retained as part of the reorganisation.

The company is in discussions with employees and the trade union about the options for staff, with the vast majority of the 160 people employed at its Folkestone base eligible for relocation to another depot.

It has confirmed the proposed closure would not affect the bus station in Folkestone town centre.

The changes will take effect from September 3.

Link to article

Also worth noting that the article confirms the services that Stagecoach are "in discussions with KCC" about.

These are:

-70 (Folkestone - Shorncliffe), I can see this one going completely, as the hourly 10 also provides a service along this route.

-73 (Hawkinge - Park Farm - Hawkinge), this is relatively important town service, as its the only route to Park Farm and certain roads in Hawkinge, however I foresee a reduction to hourly (also to note is the presence of certain schools flows on this route to the Folkestone academy), unless one 16 per hour is diverted?

-74, 74A,75 (East Cliff and Broadmead), these are marginal routes at best, and very likely to have some severe cuts I would say, could a new routing be found to combine the Broadmead section with 73, and then the East Cliff be subsumed by KCC contract route 91?.

Then also schools routes 16A, 16B and 105. 16A is incredibly busy, and it's reduction would leave many school children stranded so I imagine it will be the council's best interest to preserve this one at least somewhat - 16B and 105 less so.

The article also confirms that the 16 will drop down to operating Folkestone to Canterbury only, with the 102 offering enhanced numbers of journeys to Hythe - no indication of whether these will start from Dover or continue to the Marsh.

All in all, a lot more professional and less chaotic than a certain turquoise operator to the west...

 

[M803UYA]

I think the 18 is already tendered (at least it used to be), and parts of other routes such as the 17 may be on de minimis terms. As with all cases such as this, it'll be wait and see - as we've seen on the Arriva thread, routes that have been up for withdrawal haven't always been those that we'd expect as observers.


I suspect much will depend on what Stagecoach (or another operator) needs to make a service viable. There is quite a difference between "economic basket case" and "only just misses the mark, we're within de minimis guidelines, let's go for that". Don't forget Regent are already operate a local service in Dover, and it isn't *that* far from Ashford, were anyone so inclined. Whilst Kent County Council may not be rolling in cash, they do keep in touch with operators, and I'd be surprised if they don't already have talks scheduled (if not already had


As far as I can make out, Cheriton is the last depot that predates the founding of East Kent in 1916. (Westwood dates from 1927). It's a cramped site, with difficult access (Kent Road, should anyone care to Streetview it), and I imagine modern parking (and neighbours?) don't make it any easier. I don't know off-hand how they handle recovery of local vehicles if anything needs to be towed back. I know it gets there, but how quickly or easily, I wouldn't like to guess!

The Peak Vehicle Requirements during term time across all depots don't vary that much - as at February, the smallest (Ashford) was 41, the largest (Hastings) 55. Folkestone's was 47, but of that 6 'deckers are outstationed at Old Romney. (For the record, 41, 44, 46, 47, 53, 54, 55 - all of the data in this paragraph sourced from an M&D and East Kent Bus Club publication summarizing official sources).


The only thing that could affect more vehicles at Old Romney is that it's only really "overnight parking" on a leased site, so there may not be an option to increase very much, even if they had additional drivers willing to work out of there.

I'm sure Facebook and the like is already awash with comments and "confident suggestions", but I suspect Stagecoach will handle this rather better than their west Kent counterparts (note the three months notice for starters).

The other issue East Kent will have with closing Folkestone is the compilation of drivers duties and rosters. This part of Stagecoach operated a 39 hour week for the driving staff, but it differed how it was achieved by depot. Many Folkestone shifts are 12 hours and 4 day working weeks, so extending the working hours is not an option when you're already at the maximum. Those drivers moving to Dover would either need to be paid the travelling time to do so from their 'home' depot, or Stagecoach assumes they won't move depots. In time it will be less of a problem for them as staff leave, but the union (from my distant memory) will stand their corner.

I guess you sign on/sign off shift at the Bus Station, but for how long will Stagecoach keep hold of a prime, town centre site such as this? The controllers did work from there during the daytime once the buses had run out, so theoretically possible for some of the driving staff. The coastal routes (100 group) do have workings from Hastings already so running that from Dover is fairly simple - this leaves the 16/17 group and the town services which account for 50% of the runout.

 

[duncombec]

I was going to link this, but you got there first! Thanks also for the local knowledge on loadings.

-70 (Folkestone - Shorncliffe), I can see this one going completely, as the hourly 10 also provides a service along this route.

Google suggest there are only three bus stops uniquely served by this route, and all are within 0.3 miles of stops served by the 10. I suspect the big question will be how many passengers are there on the rest of the route to justify the half-hourly service when combined with the 10. It is itself a relatively recent invention, which along with the diversion of the 10 replaced the 77 and 78.

-73 (Hawkinge - Park Farm - Hawkinge), this is relatively important town service, as its the only route to Park Farm and certain roads in Hawkinge, however I foresee a reduction to hourly (also to note is the presence of certain schools flows on this route to the Folkestone academy), unless one 16 per hour is diverted?

I know this route started as the 140 when the retail park was built at Park Farm, and then I think had developer funding at Hawkinge (or was extended commercially to replace diverting journeys on the 16, or a combination of both), so it's always been a bit "out on a limb" in comparison to other routes.

-74, 74A,75 (East Cliff and Broadmead), these are marginal routes at best, and very likely to have some severe cuts I would say, could a new routing be found to combine the Broadmead section with 73, and then the East Cliff be subsumed by KCC contract route 91?.

These were revised relatively recently as part of the shake up of the 91, and have their roots in the former Town & Around 127. I suspect ENCTS passes make up a good proportion of the passengers, and the question will be what's the drop in passenger numbers like. Like you, I suspect some form of lower frequency combined service will pop up to carry as many bits as don't fit elsewhere.

Then also schools routes 16A, 16B and 105. 16A is incredibly busy, and it's reduction would leave many school children stranded so I imagine it will be the council's best interest to preserve this one at least somewhat - 16B and 105 less so.

Loadings will be key on school buses, and whether other local operators can take them on (if indeed they don't remain with Stagecoach, or get subsumed elsewhere). It seems likely that a number of those services 'bought back' by Kent CC at the start of this academic year may not get another reprieve - Go Coach have already deregistered some in West Kent as passenger numbers have remained lower than pre-Covid and fewer buses are required.

All in all, a lot more professional and less chaotic than a certain turquoise operator to the west...

No comment!

I guess you sign on/sign off shift at the Bus Station, but for how long will Stagecoach keep hold of a prime, town centre site such as this?

The local council have published plans to evict the bus station from the site full stop and replace it with public gardens. Any change there won't be Stagecoach's doing. However, whether that will change following the recent change of control I don't think has yet been made known.

The coastal routes (100 group) do have workings from Hastings

Not any more. Hastings to Rye 100/101 are Hastings, 102 is Folkestone/Old Romney.

 

[M803UYA]

Not any more. Hastings to Rye 100/101 are Hastings, 102 is Folkestone/Old Romney.

Thanks, I sit corrected!

 

[alex397]

. They could trim the 17 to two hourly and drop Sunday I suppose, although there would still be a need for buses at school times.

I wouldn’t be shocked if that happened, but that would be a good way to reduce passengers even more. An hourly service is still what I would call regular, especially for a rural area. 2-hourly becomes a service largely just for those with no other option.
From my casual observations, the 17 is still a route that gets good passenger levels considering the rural nature of the route. But I certainly wouldn’t know what it’s like for all journeys.

The problem with having discussions with Kent CC is that the council is skint and I am struggling to think of any independent in the area who could pick any routes up at lower cost. I think Stagecoach virtually have a monopoly (with the exception of school buses

I’m not sure there are any independents who would take on more work as readily as they used to. Chalkwell for example have already taken on a lot from Arriva (and already made cutbacks).

 

[Simon75]

Would another operator be interested the Folkestone depot?

 

[LUYMun]

Stagecoach South have announced changes to its fares. While singles and returns remain the same thanks to the £2 single fare cap, the Dayrider Gold (unlimited travel throughout Stagecoach South's operating regions) will reduce from £9.10 to £8, as well as a decrease in price on the Flexi5 ticket. Furthermore in the Blackwater Valley area, the "Hawley MegaRider", only available to purchase on route 2 (Farnborough to Hawley Lane/Camberley), is being withdrawn in effect of the £2 single fare cap. Some new areas will also see new DayRider tickets introduced.

ServiceUpdatesArticle

www.stagecoachbus.com

New ticket prices to be introduced​

We’re making changes to fares from Sunday 18th June 2023
DayRider and Flexi 5 tickets are cheaper. If you make occasional journeys, these tickets are the best value. There are no changes to single and return tickets. Single fares remain capped at £2, under the Government’s national travel campaign. Some of our other prices will increase. When travelling every day, our MegaRider and Xtra period tickets still offer the best savings. The 7 day ticket for the Hawley area, on service 2, will no longer be available, as sales have dropped due to the £2 single fare scheme.
View more information here.

Fares Revision

New ticket prices will be introduced from 18th June 2023.

www.stagecoachbus.com

New ticket prices will be introduced from Sunday 18th June.​

06 Jun 2023
Whilst some tickets see a price increase to help cover higher bus running costs, others will become cheaper to help customers save money on their journey. This includes the popular DayRider Gold, covering Stagecoach travel across Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex, reducing by £1.10 to £8.
New tickets will also be introduced for young people, with Child Flexi5 Day bundles and 4-week MegaRider tickets available across the region.
James O'Neill, Commercial Director for Stagecoach South, is confident the improved ticket range will help encourage people try the bus for the first time.
He says of the changes "We’ve carefully reviewed our ticket offer this year, with so many new customers travelling under the Government’s £2 Single campaign. Our new ticket range will help support this promotion whilst offering a clearer choice for people travelling occasionally, frequently or together as a Group.
“We know people are thinking carefully about the cost and environmental impact of car driving. Bus travel remains fantastic value for money and it’s great to see so many residents coming out to support their local bus service.”


The main changes to Stagecoach tickets from 18th June are:

• Single and Return ticket prices are unchanged, with Single fares capped at £2 under the Government’s national travel campaign.

• DayRider tickets stay at similar or reduced prices. Day tickets will be available for the first time in Bognor Regis, Chichester, Hayling Island and Waterlooville.

• NightRider tickets, offering unlimited bus travel after 7pm, rise by 20p to £3.

• Flexi5 tickets offer best value to customers making occasional trips, saving 20% on the cost of each DayRider

• MegaRider week and period tickets will see a price increase. Xtra Direct Debit tickets remain best value for customers travelling every day.

• Group DayRider tickets are available for each travel zone, with any four people travelling together for the price of two.

• New Flexi5 and 4-week MegaRider tickets will be available for children under 16

• StudentRider tickets are available for school children and Student ID holders, for each Term or a full academic year.

 

[JD2168]

That is good news for Stagecoach South passengers with the reduction in price of a Gold DayRider & Flexi5 ticket.