Stagecoach Group (Group-wide matters)

[Blindtraveler]

I certainly welcome the variety and suspect that this year's relatively small coach order by some previous standards is very much a testing of the waters exercise, I hope so anyway as as others have commented the business as a whole is going to need a significant upgrade to the coach fleet in the next couple of years so they obviously want to get it right, anyone remember the disaster area that was the profiles 10 or 15 years ago? Certainly not an exercise to be repeated

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I certainly welcome the variety and suspect that this year's relatively small coach order by some previous standards is very much a testing of the waters exercise, I hope so anyway as as others have commented the business as a whole is going to need a significant upgrade to the coach fleet in the next couple of years so they obviously want to get it right, anyone remember the disaster area that was the profiles 10 or 15 years ago? Certainly not an exercise to be repeated

How were the Plaxton Profiles a disaster? With them being Volvos, I thought they would have been reliable.

 

[Jordan Adam]

How were the Plaxton Profiles a disaster? With them being Volvos, I thought they would have been reliable.

A large number of them caught fire particularly the earlier 55 plate examples, albeit the argument can be made that this was more down to them being used on work they weren't designed and therefor overworked rather than a design flaw with the vehicle itself.

 

[richw]

They’re basically a B7RLE bus with a coach body.
I found them useful psvar coaches at First Truronian, and were suitable for the work they were doing

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'm sure they were fine for some applications but stagecoach bought loads of them and they were replaced pretty quickly on a lot of frontline work and cascaded off into the province's. The Express City connect batch and the five bought for the Cumbrian X4 X5 were notably unsuccessful

 

[computerSaysNo]

More details about the new buses across Stagecoach Group scheduled for this year, confirming more E400s, what the E100 EVs are destined as, and many other new vehicles.

New Stagecoach Vehicles | The Bus Forum

Really shocked at this bus just seen in their Inverness operations Stagecoach has just bought two large batches of new single deckers, 12 Volvo/MCV Evoras and 25 Yutongs Is Stagecoach’s loyal

tangytango.proboards.com

Since the Enviro (classic) range was modernised into the MMC range, I understand it that Stagecoach has been buying 11.8m E200MMCs as pretty much a direct alternative to E300s.
What have they been buying as an alternative to the E200s though? I haven't seen any short E200MMCs in either of the areas that I occasionally visit (Bluebird and Fife); have they just consolidated all new (non-electric) single-decks to the 11.8m E200MMC?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Since the Enviro (classic) range was modernised into the MMC range, I understand it that Stagecoach has been buying 11.8m E200MMCs as pretty much a direct alternative to E300s.
What have they been buying as an alternative to the E200s though? I haven't seen any short E200MMCs in either of the areas that I occasionally visit (Bluebird and Fife); have they just consolidated all new (non-electric) single-decks to the 11.8m E200MMC?

There have been limited numbers of shorter e200mmc to South West, South, Wales and East Midlands.

 

[Cesarcollie]

Since the Enviro (classic) range was modernised into the MMC range, I understand it that Stagecoach has been buying 11.8m E200MMCs as pretty much a direct alternative to E300s.
What have they been buying as an alternative to the E200s though? I haven't seen any short E200MMCs in either of the areas that I occasionally visit (Bluebird and Fife); have they just consolidated all new (non-electric) single-decks to the 11.8m E200MMC?

As operating costs rise, I guess there are fewer and fewer routes where the smallest E200s can be commercially viable. Many tenders will of course continue to specify small buses, but they aren’t a huge proportion of the total fleet for Stagecoach, and unless there are age restriction, older buses with lower depreciation will often suffice. Plus of course there is a batch of Solos due which will Meet this size requirement.

 

[mbonwick]

There have been limited numbers of shorter e200mmc to South West, South, Wales and East Midlands.

There's over 150 10.8m E200MMCs around the group, as the obvious and direct successor to the E200.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There's over 150 10.8m E200MMCs around the group, as the obvious and direct successor to the E200.

Not that many when you think it's 8 years or more...

 

[Blindtraveler]

And I don't suppose this will be the last batch of solos in diesel form that come along either, something big had to be responsible for them restarting a diesel production line and I suspect a commitment to another several years worth of orders of them from someone like stagecoach had to be part of that incentive

To be honest if we can get the build quality that we were getting for the last handful of diesel buses from Optare again with this new order plus a stepping up in terms of delivery time and after sales then they could be a serious piece of competition for a d l who are clearly focusing more on the electric market now and despite their claims otherwise are still suffering from the usual cheap nasty build quality ifsues time and again

Stagecoach group strategy with regards to fleet in the coming couple of years is going to be a very interesting to watch I think

 

[Edvid]

Barcode readers are now being rolled out on buses, starting with the Oxfordshire / Merseyside and South Lancashire operations.

QR Ticket Readers

www.stagecoachbus.com

I'm not sure what the above model is, but on East buses - those on the MK1 at least - they're going for the HID (not Vix) TripTick Halo 200.

 

[Silver Cobra]

Barcode readers have been on the buses here in the East region (Bedford for definite, but possibly the whole of East) for a good 6-7 weeks now, and I also encountered them in Hull when I was up that way in late March as well. Most of the time they work fine, but I did encounter one bus on my way to Bedford on Thursday where the scanner wouldn't read anything (the driver knew, so simply waved me on almost immediately). Ironically, I landed up on the exact same bus nearly 7 hours later on my way back home.

 

[goldisgood]

Barcode readers are now being rolled out on buses, starting with the Oxfordshire / Merseyside and South Lancashire operations.

QR Ticket Readers

www.stagecoachbus.com

I'm not sure what the above model is, but on East buses - those on the MK1 at least - they're going for the HID (not Vix) TripTick Halo 200.

These have been in Oxfordshire for a good year or two now - certainly since before the 853 was merged with the S2. They work very well from my experience, a much better design for the passenger than Ticketer.

 

[MasterSpenny]

I don’t remember this being posted on here, but it would appear that the existing 60 Switch Solos SRs on order across the group has been increased from 60 to 118. More areas, such as East Scotland are due to be receiving some.

More Solos for Stagecoach - CBW

The Stagecoach Group has almost doubled the number of slimline Solo SRs that it is taking this year from Switch Mobility, reports Steven Knight. Switch Mobility restarted its Solo production line last year, with Stagecoach [...]

cbwmagazine.com

The Stagecoach Group has almost doubled the number of slimline Solo SRs that it is taking this year from Switch Mobility, reports Steven Knight.

Switch Mobility restarted its Solo production line last year, with Stagecoach initially placing an order for 60 8.5-metre slimline Euro VI versions of the Solo SR in October. The order has since been increased to 118.

The Euro VI diesel version of the Solo SR continues to be sold under the Optare name, and has seating for 28 passengers. The buses will be operated by various Stagecoach operating companies. Stagecoach Cumbria said recently that the seven buses it recently received represent investment of £1 million, giving a total figure of £16.85m for the 118 vehicles.

The first 14 buses delivered were diverted to the Manchester fleet for Transport for Greater Manchester tranche 2 franchised operations. They carry the distinctive ‘Bee Network’ yellow livery.

Other examples of the new Solo SR buses are already in service with West Scotland and South Wales, with the latest deliveries being made to Stagecoach Cumbria and Stagecoach South. Further examples are due for Stagecoach’s South, Cumbria and South Wales areas with operations in Gloucestershire, the South East, the South West, Merseyside and East Scotland also due to add them to their fleets.

Delivery of the buses is enabling Stagecoach to take its oldest Solos out of service.

When the initial contract was placed in October last year Mahesh Babu, Chief Executive Officer of Switch Mobility, said: “We are excited to continue to expand our relationship with Stagecoach. We have taken the decision to restart production of our renowned Solo product and support Stagecoach in replacing its existing Solo fleet.”

Stagecoach bought its first Solo from Optare back in 2001 and that vehicle remains in daily service in Cumbria, although it is technically now part of the company’s heritage fleet.

 

[Simon75]

Do Stagecoach still use the 'Gold' brand ?

 

[150249]

No that was stopped with the introduction of the new liveries but the long distance brand is quite similar

 

[Hyebone]

Do Stagecoach still use the 'Gold' brand ?

Sort of? No new vehicles have worn Gold livery in a good few years. However Yorkshire's 11125 was painted out of "Platinum Jubilee" livery and back into Gold just over a year ago

Yorkshire's 11124 also received a repaint around 4 months ago. (No livery was changed, it just received a fresh coat + Branding)

 

[johnw]

Midlands seem to largely keep the X4 and X46 / X47 Gold allocated. However at Oxford - where several have been painted into local livery, it seems that anything goes with Gold buses appearing in city routes and ‘normal’ buses allocated to Gold routes. A lazy and stupid idea as surely they should be encouraging people to travel into Oxford by using higher speced buses.

 

[Hyebone]

Midlands seem to largely keep the X4 and X46 / X47 Gold allocated. However at Oxford - where several have been painted into local livery, it seems that anything goes with Gold buses appearing in city routes and ‘normal’ buses allocated to Gold routes. A lazy and stupid idea as surely they should be encouraging people to travel into Oxford by using higher speced buses.

Often times, vehicles can me marked as "Keep local" due to various reasons. This is the case with Yorkshire's gold E400 MMCs; they keep appearing on local Chesterfield routes instead of working the X17 long distance route (for which they're branded for).

Having a vehicle break down in Wirksworth would not be ideal! It's better to keep vehicles more likely to break down, closer to home.

NB: I realise I've used a really poor example considering all eight of our Gold spec Enviro400 MMCs are currently operating on the X17 route they're branded for. I promise this doesn't happen all the time!

 

[Megafuss]

Do Stagecoach still use the 'Gold' brand ?

Yorkshire "get away" with it on the X17. Very latest printed timetable is still in the original Gold branding (dark blue)!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Do Stagecoach still use the 'Gold' brand ?

Save the X17 in Derbyshire, it seems to have largely been abandoned as a brand though a number of vehicles delivered in the years before 2020 still retain the livery.

In some places, the Gold identity has been replaced by the yellow long distance livery, notably with Stagecoach West and Stagecoach South West. Routes like the 57 (Exmouth) and 10 (Gloucester) retain vehicles in the yellow (odd as the 10 is hardly a long distance route) as does, of course, the Gold between Plymouth and Paignton. Even here, some routes that did latterly get Gold branding by virtue of receiving cascaded vehicles (63 Stroud) are now operated by Gold spec vehicles but in standard livery. What you do see, after service reductions, are some routes being regular operated by yellow vehicles even though they never were Gold like the 33 (Gloucester) or 49 (Swindon).

In other places, such as South Wales where there were several routes (26, 132, 151), nothing is in the yellow with vehicles being repainted in standard colours.

Midlands seem to largely keep the X4 and X46 / X47 Gold allocated. However at Oxford - where several have been painted into local livery, it seems that anything goes with Gold buses appearing in city routes and ‘normal’ buses allocated to Gold routes. A lazy and stupid idea as surely they should be encouraging people to travel into Oxford by using higher speced buses.

That is mainly the 12 plates and might be a reflection that they're suffering mechanically. The thing is that the newer standard vehicles like the 16 and 69 plates have high backed seats and USB chargers anyway so they're not that less highly specced.

 

[Russel]

What is the reason the Gold branding is still hanging on, on the X17?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What is the reason the Gold branding is still hanging on, on the X17?

@mk1979 might be able to clarify.

 

[GoneSouth]

Replacing the very smart looking Gold branding with that tatty abomination with childish colouring is such a shame and certainly wouldn’t make anyone think it’s a professional high spec experience

 

[fgwrich]

Save the X17 in Derbyshire, it seems to have largely been abandoned as a brand though a number of vehicles delivered in the years before 2020 still retain the livery.

In some places, the Gold identity has been replaced by the yellow long distance livery, notably with Stagecoach West and Stagecoach South West. Routes like the 57 (Exmouth) and 10 (Gloucester) retain vehicles in the yellow (odd as the 10 is hardly a long distance route) as does, of course, the Gold between Plymouth and Paignton. Even here, some routes that did latterly get Gold branding by virtue of receiving cascaded vehicles (63 Stroud) are now operated by Gold spec vehicles but in standard livery. What you do see, after service reductions, are some routes being regular operated by yellow vehicles even though they never were Gold like the 33 (Gloucester) or 49 (Swindon).

In other places, such as South Wales where there were several routes (26, 132, 151), nothing is in the yellow with vehicles being repainted in standard colours.


That is mainly the 12 plates and might be a reflection that they're suffering mechanically. The thing is that the newer standard vehicles like the 16 and 69 plates have high backed seats and USB chargers anyway so they're not that less highly specced.

Just to slightly counter that though, apart from any special repaints, none of the 66 plate Gold MMCs on the route 1 in Stagecoach South’s territory has been repainted yet. In fact it still surprises me that the 1 (Old Deane / Camberley / Farnborough / Aldershot) was South’s only Gold route, when there were other possible contenders - as well as being a rather high frequency urban route compared to some of the other Gold services.

 

[Lynford1976]

Just to slightly counter that though, apart from any special repaints, none of the 66 plate Gold MMCs on the route 1 in Stagecoach South’s territory has been repainted yet. In fact it still surprises me that the 1 (Old Deane / Camberley / Farnborough / Aldershot) was South’s only Gold route, when there were other possible contenders - as well as being a rather high frequency urban route compared to some of the other Gold services.

The 51 between Chichester and Selsey was also a Gold route for a while.

 

[LUYMun]

Stagecoach South's route 1 between Camberley and Aldershot is also a Gold route that in theory should've been repainted about 1-2 years ago, but management is undecided over whether the 1 should be in 'local' or a 'specialist' livery. There have also been discussions over retaining the Gold branding, or having an entirely new one for this route, due to its lucrative nature in this part of the country, but I have an uncertain feeling about that.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Just to slightly counter that though, apart from any special repaints, none of the 66 plate Gold MMCs on the route 1 in Stagecoach South’s territory has been repainted yet. In fact it still surprises me that the 1 (Old Deane / Camberley / Farnborough / Aldershot) was South’s only Gold route, when there were other possible contenders - as well as being a rather high frequency urban route compared to some of the other Gold services.

I'm not sure you are countering. I did say...

Save the X17 in Derbyshire, it seems to have largely been abandoned as a brand though a number of vehicles delivered in the years before 2020 still retain the livery.

I think most of the ones delivered to Gloucester and Swindon in 2017/8 still retain the livery too but assume that when they're due for repaint, the gold will go

 

[Flange Squeal]

Just to slightly counter that though, apart from any special repaints, none of the 66 plate Gold MMCs on the route 1 in Stagecoach South’s territory has been repainted yet. In fact it still surprises me that the 1 (Old Deane / Camberley / Farnborough / Aldershot) was South’s only Gold route, when there were other possible contenders - as well as being a rather high frequency urban route compared to some of the other Gold services.

Stagecoach South's route 1 between Camberley and Aldershot is also a Gold route that in theory should've been repainted about 1-2 years ago, but management is undecided over whether the 1 should be in 'local' or a 'specialist' livery. There have also been discussions over retaining the Gold branding, or having an entirely new one for this route, due to its lucrative nature in this part of the country, but I have an uncertain feeling about that.

And, as a result, the vehicles are still driving around boasting a frequency of every 10 mins some four and a quarter years since the Coronavirus outbreak saw services reduced, to date only being restored as far as every 12 mins.