West Coast Motors & Borders Buses

[WestieBus]

I have noticed a Merc Sprinter type of Bus on the 398 in Glasgow.

Thats RO72 DWJ. Its one of 10 batch of Sprinters that are due to arrive, which 4 have. It came to Oban first in February fully white, which it then moved south to Ardrishaig and then Campbeltown. I'd assume it would have went to Gala to get repainted, and then upon coming back has landed in Scotstoun, mainly on the 398.

https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/131 https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/130 West Coast Motors are also scheduled to take over route 11 from First and route M4 from McColls in July, and route 477 is scheduled to return in June along with rotue 471 and 473. https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/610811/

M4 - ANNIESLAND, BEARSDEN ROAD to PARTICK BUS STATION via ANNIESLAND CROSS, HYNDLAND​

Registration numberPM0000019/130TypeNormal StoppingSupported by subsidy?Yes, STRATHCLYDE PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSPORTAuthoritiesStrathclyde Partnership for Transport

Variation history​

1. • Received17 May 23
   • Effective16 Jul 23
   • End11 Jul 26
   • Registered
   • Monday to Saturday
   From: ANNIESLAND, BEARSDEN ROAD
   To: PARTICK BUS STATION
   Via: ANNIESLAND CROSS, HYNDLAND
   Name or No.: M4
   Service type: Normal Stopping
   Effective date: 16 July 2023
   End date: 11 July 2026
   Other details: Monday to Saturday

11 - GARTNAVEL HOSPITAL to CLYDEBANK, CHALMERS STREET via ANNIESLAND, CLEVEDEN​

Registration numberPM0000019/131TypeNormal StoppingSupported by subsidy?Yes, STRATHCLYDE PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSPORTAuthoritiesStrathclyde Partnership for Transport

Variation history​

1. • Received18 May 23
   • Effective16 Jul 23
   • End11 Jul 26
   • Registered
     Monday - Saturday Service
     Sunday Service
   From: GARTNAVEL HOSPITAL
   To: CLYDEBANK, CHALMERS STREET
   Via: ANNIESLAND, CLEVEDEN
   Name or No.: 11
   Service type: Normal Stopping
   Effective date: 16 July 2023
   End date: 11 July 2026
   Other details: Monday - Saturday Service
   Sunday Service

Bus registration details​

• Registration numberPM0000019/134
• Licence NumberPM0000019
• Variation number0
• StatusNew
• Service number.477
• Service typeNormal Stopping
• Limited Stop
• Start pointKames Tank Slips
• Finish pointRothesay Guildford Square
• ViaTighnabruaich, Colintraive, Port Bannatyne
• Date received31 May 2023
• Effective date12 Jun 2023
• End date
• Supported by subsidies?Yes
• Local authorities covered by routeArgyll & Bute Council
• TAOs covered by routeScotland

Registration history

Reg No.	Var No.	Status	Application type	Date received	Date effective	End date	Action
PM0000019/134	0	New	Manual	31 May 2023	12 Jun 2023

 

[voidwxrranty]

Thats RO72 DWJ. Its one of 10 batch of Sprinters that are due to arrive, which 4 have. It came to Oban first in February fully white, which it then moved south to Ardrishaig and then Campbeltown. I'd assume it would have went to Gala to get repainted, and then upon coming back has landed in Scotstoun, mainly on the 398.

https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/131 https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/130 West Coast Motors are also scheduled to take over route 11 from First and route M4 from McColls in July, and route 477 is scheduled to return in June along with rotue 471 and 473. https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/610811/

The Sprinter is likely to be covering for the other 200MMC (SN65 ZGZ), which is currently off the road, and the KX59 Enviro 200 can’t be used now due to the LEZ.

 

[WestieBus]

The Sprinter is likely to be covering for the other 200MMC (SN65 ZGZ), which is currently off the road, and the KX59 Enviro 200 can’t be used now due to the LEZ.

So what would be happening to KX59 then, would it be going for scrap/preservation or transferred and repainted?

 

[PaulMc7]

Thats RO72 DWJ. Its one of 10 batch of Sprinters that are due to arrive, which 4 have. It came to Oban first in February fully white, which it then moved south to Ardrishaig and then Campbeltown. I'd assume it would have went to Gala to get repainted, and then upon coming back has landed in Scotstoun, mainly on the 398.

https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/131 https://bustimes.org/registrations/PM0000019/130 West Coast Motors are also scheduled to take over route 11 from First and route M4 from McColls in July, and route 477 is scheduled to return in June along with rotue 471 and 473. https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/610811/

I'm glad it's West Coast Motors who got the 11 and M4 as it might actually entice people to use them given the connections to the 15 and 17 they now have as well as the 94 too. The 6B 118 would also be handy for them when that's available too in my opinion if resources allowed them to take them.

 

[WestieBus]

West Coast Motors just announced the acquisition of services 471 and 473 on Facebook.

West Coast Motors

We are delighted to announce that we will commence operation of the following services in the Tighnabruaich area from Monday 12 June. Services 471 and 473 are presently being operated by...

www.facebook.com

We are delighted to announce that we will commence operation of the following services in the Tighnabruaich area from Monday 12 June. Services 471 and 473 are presently being operated by Tighnabruaich Service Station who are retiring from this date.
Service 471 – Tighnabruaich, Kames and Portavadie
Local service which operates on Tuesday and Thursday only.
Service 473 - Tighnabruaich to Otter Ferry
Operates on schooldays and all Thursdays.
From the same date, there is a minor adjustment to Service 478, the 06.55 departure from Dunoon will operate earlier at 06.27.

 

[DunsBus]

Service X62 between Edinburgh, Peebles and Galashiels is to go up to every 30 mins on Saturdays, matching the Monday to Friday daytime frequency, from July 3rd.

X62 Service Improvements

From Monday 03 July, we will increase the service from hourly to half-hourly on Saturdays.

www.bordersbuses.co.uk

We’re making improvements to service X62, Galashiels to Edinburgh, via Innerleithen, Peebles, and Penicuik.

From Monday 03 July, we will increase the service from hourly to half-hourly on Saturdays. It currently operates every 30 minutes Monday to Friday.

The improved service X62 will operate every 30 minutes from Galashiels, Peebles to Edinburgh at 0800 until 1635.

The service will then operate hourly from 1735 to 1935. Journeys from 2035 to 2235 will not serve Edinburgh and will terminate at Peebles.

Improvements to other routes are expected to be introduced later in the summer, meeting a steady demand from pockets of our bus network. More details will follow shortly.

We will also launch a customer survey later in June to better understand the new travel requirements of our leisure and commuting customers. The survey will be promoted on social media and available from this website.

For all bus time info and to plan journeys, please use our journey planner.

The article also mentions that improvements are to be made to various other services later in the summer and that details will be announced soon. I very much suspect, though, that these improvements will be merely timetable tweaks and that anyone expecting to see Sunday buses reinstated on the 253, later buses from Edinburgh and Carlisle reinstated on the X95 and later buses from Berwick reinstated on the 60 is going to be in for a disappointment.

 

[WestieBus]

I saw one of the new sprinters at Dunoon depot. Guessing that its for the Tighnabruaich services. Don't know the registration

 

[Strathclyder]

I'm glad it's West Coast Motors who got the 11 and M4 as it might actually entice people to use them given the connections to the 15 and 17 they now have as well as the 94 too. The 6B 118 would also be handy for them when that's available too in my opinion if resources allowed them to take them.

West Coast have operated the 6B and 118 in the past prior to the contracts moving to other operators. I have at least two photos of E200s on the former leaving Faifley. I would've taken more, but it would have required getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning (even though it's one of my local routes).

So what would be happening to KX59 then, would it be going for scrap/preservation or transferred and repainted?

Transferred/repainted or sold like the 06-reg Dart was back in 2019 I'd wager.

I've noticed an Optare MetroCity in use in Glasgow this week. I think it was a 17 reg with Borders Buses lettering removed.

One of the 11725-8 batch, if I'm correct.

At least 3 of this batch have moved across to Glasgow - they first appeared in early May as noted - and at least 2 of them have had West Coast Motors lettering applied in the intervening period (bear in mind the Glasgow Citybus name/brand is gradually being phased out). Regulars on the 15 and 17, the latter being another of my local routes.

When they first appeared last month, I initially thought it was to cover for other buses (the motley selection of E200s, the 3 65-reg B8s/Evolutions that came across from Dunoon in 2020 plus that solitary 12-plate Eclipse/B7RLE) off the road for routine work, but it's far more likely they are long-term/permanent transfers to Scotstoun related to the Glasgow LEZ and/or the new contracts they've recently gained.

 

[DunsBus]

West Coast have operated the 6B and 118 in the past prior to the contracts moving to other operators. I have at least two photos of E200s on the former leaving Faifley. I would've taken more, but it would have required getting up at stupid o'clock in the morning (even though it's one of my local routes).


Transferred/repainted or sold like the 06-reg Dart was back in 2019 I'd wager.



At least 3 of this batch have moved across to Glasgow - they first appeared in early May as noted - and at least 2 of them have had West Coast Motors lettering applied in the intervening period (bear in mind the Glasgow Citybus name/brand is gradually being phased out). Regulars on the 15 and 17, the latter being another of my local routes.

When they first appeared last month, I initially thought it was to cover for other buses (the motley selection of E200s, the 3 65-reg B8s/Evolutions that came across from Dunoon in 2020 plus that solitary 12-plate Eclipse/B7RLE) off the road for routine work, but it's far more likely they are long-term/permanent transfers to Scotstoun related to the Glasgow LEZ and/or the new contracts they've recently gained.

11725/7/8 are the ones which have moved west. Incidentally I see that Versa 11303 has returned east and currently retains West Coast Motors fleetnames.

 

[Strathclyder]

11725/7/8 are the ones which have moved west. Incidentally I see that Versa 11303 has returned east and currently retains West Coast Motors fleetnames.

Yep, those are indeed the ones. Couldn't remember the fleetnumbers off the top of my head.

 

[JKP]

Bus timetables for the X95 on www.dumgal.gov.uk are showing a revised timetable from 24th July. The Edinburgh end frequency increases to hourly on Mondays to Saturdays and through journeys between Edinburgh and Carlisle reinstated. The Carlisle end remains two hourly.

There has been nothing in Notices and Proceedings nor on the operator’s website. Does anyone know anything further?

 

[DunsBus]

Bus timetables for the X95 on www.dumgal.gov.uk are showing a revised timetable from 24th July. The Edinburgh end frequency increases to hourly on Mondays to Saturdays and through journeys between Edinburgh and Carlisle reinstated. The Carlisle end remains two hourly.

There has been nothing in Notices and Proceedings nor on the operator’s website. Does anyone know anything further?

It's part of a package of service changes due to take place towards the end of July, I believe. I see from the timetable there's now a later last X95 from Galashiels to Edinburgh.with the last one south now being at 2015 (currently 1925). Obviously there will be grumbles of there still being no later last buses to/from Edinburgh, but that particular ship sailed long ago. The new X95 timetable is definitely an improvement on the current one.

Further changes to Borders Buses services from July 24th are the extension of Berwick town service B1 to serve Loaning Meadows retail park and timing changes on services 267 and 464 between Berwick and Wooler.

Another customer consultation has also been issued.

 

[Stan Drews]

It looks like someone else has won the new tender from Scotrail to provide the inter-station link in Glasgow.

https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.service.gov.uk/search/find-registered-local-bus-services/browse/results/?fields%5Bstatus%5D=&fields%5BacceptedDate%5D=2023-7-27&fields%5BtrafficAreas%5D%5B0%5D=M&security=8103eecae70f700217fd266f3c7d8cab-b08620e16f0178b418fa281b135afa0a&form-actions%5Bsubmit%5D=

• PM0000019/106 Cancelled​

  CRAIG OF CAMPBELTOWN LTD
  Route: Central Station Glasgow to Central Station Glasgow via Buchanan Bus Station
  Service number: 398
  Service type: Normal Stopping
  Effective date: 01 Oct 2023

 

[WestieBus]

WCM now has Evoras. Two have gone to Glasgow while another has gone to Mull.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

WCM now has Evoras. Two have went to Glasgow while another has went to Mull.

Yep, SJ23 HRL, HRN and HRR
HRL and HRN are in South Street and HRR is in Mull

 

[Strathclyder]

WCM now has Evoras. Two have gone to Glasgow while another has gone to Mull.

Yep, SJ23 HRL, HRN and HRR
HRL and HRN are in South Street and HRR is in Mull

I assume these have replaced or supplemented the B8 Evolutions? Strangely enough I was wondering recently whether or not WCM would actually buy any Evoras and lo and behold.

West Coast Motors SJ23 HRN (25/07/2023)

West Coast Motors new MCV Evora SJ23 HRN is seen sat outside the depot right after being repainted. Soon to be transferred over to Glasgow Citybus. (25/07/2023)

www.flickr.com

(SJ23 HRN at Galashiels on 24th July before delivery to South St, minus fleetnames. From Logan Newell's Flickr stream)

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

I assume these have replaced or supplemented the B8 Evolutions? Strangely enough I was wondering recently whether or not WCM would actually buy any Evoras and lo and behold.

West Coast Motors SJ23 HRN (25/07/2023)

West Coast Motors new MCV Evora SJ23 HRN is seen sat outside the depot right after being repainted. Soon to be transferred over to Glasgow Citybus. (25/07/2023)

www.flickr.com

(SJ23 HRN at Galashiels on 24th July before delivery to South St, minus fleetnames. From Logan Newell's Flickr stream)

I see no reason why they would “replace” the evolutions, those are still Euro6 and easily up to the daily slug along Maryhill or Anniesland.

 

[Strathclyder]

I see no reason why they would “replace” the evolutions, those are still Euro6 and easily up to the daily slug along Maryhill or Anniesland.

Well, maybe not outright replace, hence why I also said supplemented. For context, the 17 has been one of my local routes for over 20 years and have seen all manner of types used, the 3 'Evos' were a welcome change from the predominating E200s when they arrived in 2020 - primarily for social distancing purposes IIRC - and were more than up for the task.

Given the amount of new work South St has taken on since the New Year, these 2 Evoras, apart from giving the 15 and 17 brand-new heavyweights for the first time, will bolster the normal bus allocation there. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens, I suppose.

 

[DunsBus]

From Monday last, 24th July, Borders Buses ' Berwick depot now runs all Monday-Saturday journeys on service 60 (Berwick - Duns - Galashiels). Vehicles run dead to Galashiels to run the first eastbound journey, and from Galashiels off the last westbound journey.

Galashiels depot continues to run the 60's Sunday service.

 

[JKP]

From Monday last, 24th July, Borders Buses ' Berwick depot now runs all Monday-Saturday journeys on service 60 (Berwick - Duns - Galashiels). Vehicles run dead to Galashiels to run the first eastbound journey, and from Galashiels off the last westbound journey.

Galashiels depot continues to run the 60's Sunday service.

Madness.

 

[DunsBus]

Madness.

I think this has come about as a result of the changes to the X95. Previously Berwick and Galashiels ran three roundtrips from each end, with Galashiels running all Sunday journeys.

That said, I'm hoping that the lengthy dead running is only temporary. I certainly wouldn't relish taking a vehicle empty from Berwick to Galashiels first thing in the morning, and likewise from Galashiels to Berwick last thing at night, come the darker days and poorer weather.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Madness.

I think this has come about as a result of the changes to the X95. Previously Berwick and Galashiels ran three roundtrips from each end, with Galashiels running all Sunday journeys.

That said, I'm hoping that the lengthy dead running is only temporary. I certainly wouldn't relish taking a vehicle empty from Berwick to Galashiels first thing in the morning, and likewise from Galashiels to Berwick last thing at night, come the darker days and poorer weather.

You're suggesting that it's a reflection that with the uplifted X95 and driver availability, they've decided that there's not sufficient staff for Galashiels so run it from Berwick?

Would seem to make some sense but not a thing you'd like to do on a long term basis.

 

[DunsBus]

You're suggesting that it's a reflection that with the uplifted X95 and driver availability, they've decided that there's not sufficient staff for Gala so run it from Berwick?

Would seem to make some sense but not a thing you'd like to do on a long term basis

It's certainly a lot of dead mileage, at 40 miles each way. The first departure from Galashiels is currently at 6am so requires the bus to leave the depot at Berwick around an hour earlier to get across.

Up until this week, the Monday-Saturday duties were as follows:

Berwick
0620 Berwick Golden Square-Gala
0845 Gala-Tweedmouth
1045 Tweedmouth-Gala*
1245 Gala-Tweedmouth*
1445 Tweedmouth-Gala
1710 Gala-Berwick Railway Station

" - these journeys run 30 minutes earlier on Fridays during Scottish Borders school terms.

Gala
0600 Gala-Tweedmouth
0800 Tweedmouth-Gala
1045 Gala-Tweedmouth
1245 Tweedmouth-Gala
1445 Gala-Tweedmouth
1705 Tweedmouth-Gala
- plus all Sunday journeys.

It's worth mentioning that the 60 is run under contract to to Scottish Borders Council, who also set the timetable.

The current timetable, with subsequent modifications, was introduced in June 2020 to allow operation from both ends of the route. Having Berwick now covering all Monday to Saturday duties surely cannot be sustainable in the long run given the dead running to Gala in the morning and from Gala at night.

 

[JKP]

It's certainly a lot of dead mileage, at 40 miles each way. The first departure from Galashiels is currently at 6am so requires the bus to leave the depot at Berwick around an hour earlier to get across.

Up until this week, the Monday-Saturday duties were as follows:

Berwick
0620 Berwick Golden Square-Gala
0845 Gala-Tweedmouth
1045 Tweedmouth-Gala*
1245 Gala-Tweedmouth*
1445 Tweedmouth-Gala
1710 Gala-Berwick Railway Station

" - these journeys run 30 minutes earlier on Fridays during Scottish Borders school terms.

Gala
0600 Gala-Tweedmouth
0800 Tweedmouth-Gala
1045 Gala-Tweedmouth
1245 Tweedmouth-Gala
1445 Gala-Tweedmouth
1705 Tweedmouth-Gala
- plus all Sunday journeys.

It's worth mentioning that the 60 is run under contract to to Scottish Borders Council, who also set the timetable.

The current timetable, with subsequent modifications, was introduced in June 2020 to allow operation from both ends of the route. Having Berwick now covering all Monday to Saturday duties surely cannot be sustainable in the long run given the dead running to Gala in the morning and from Gala at night.

Has this change also something to do with the non renewal of the lease for St Boswells depot? With larger buses and reductions in the number of Borders depots over the years, space at Duke Street must be at a premium.

 

[DunsBus]

Has this change also something to do with the non renewal of the lease for St Boswells depot? With larger buses and reductions in the number of Borders depots over the years, space at Duke Street must be at a premium.

I'd heard rumours about the lease for St Boswells depot not being renewed. That may explain the reason for the change.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Surely cheaper to stable a bus overnight either in the depot or in the bus station and put a driver in a hotel?

Moving further West I wonder if the 398 station shuttle in Glasgow has been discontinued from October altogether by the nationalized ScotRail saving money or if the tender has simply been won by another operator, perhaps one that is going to use electric buses?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Surely cheaper to stable a bus overnight either in the depot or in the bus station and put a driver in a hotel?

Moving further West I wonder if the 398 station shuttle in Glasgow has been discontinued from October altogether by the nationalized ScotRail saving money or if the tender has simply been won by another operator, perhaps one that is going to use electric buses?

I hope not, I did it today at around 12pm and it was actually rather busy.

 

[Stan Drews]

I hope not, I did it today at around 12pm and it was actually rather busy.

It isn’t, it was re-tendered earlier this year, so presumably been won by someone else.

 

[paul47B]

I think Borders Buses could have a look at the X62 and extend the service to Melrose via Borders General Hospital. This service went there years ago. Passengers in Peebles have to change at Galashiels. There was also a service running via Howgate, missing out Penicuik. That would be a faster bus for Peebles, Innerleithen and Walkerburn

 

[JKP]

I think Borders Buses could have a look at the X62 and extend the service to Melrose via Borders General Hospital. This service went there years ago. Passengers in Peebles have to change at Galashiels. There was also a service running via Howgate, missing out Penicuik. That would be a faster bus for Peebles, Innerleithen and Walkerburn

I doubt that the X62 will be restored to Melrose via Tweedbank and the BGH. That routing is now covered by the 67/68 and Melrose certainly does not require a frequency of 5 bph to Galashiels.

The 63 via Howgate has not run since 1986 or was it 1981, unless you are thinking about the X70 which was one peak journey each way until Covid struck.