Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[richw]

While at Barnstaple station today I saw a Filers Streetlite at Barnstaple station this afternoon while I was waiting for the 1657 Barnstaple Station to Landkey (ScSW Service 155): I failed to note the registration but if the bustimes info speaks true it would have been SK16 GXV.

Also seen at Barnstaple station was a Service 303 for Woolacombe in the hands of new ScSW Optare 48162 (YJ74 DFA).

Dave

309/310 move to stagecoach on 14th October

 

[DaveHarries]

The new 309/310 timetables for the Stagecoach takeover are now on Traveline SW. A few timetable tweeks in store which include earlier journeys, presumably for positioning, from Barnstaple at 0600, 0625 (which starts from the rail station and connects with the first train from Exeter), and 0705. The 0810 from Barnstaple starts from the railway station at 0800 and works off the 0655 (currently 0705) from Lynton to Barnstaple. The 309 also has slightly revised timings by a minute or two.

Dave

 

[MarkC]

The new timetables for Plymouth service 1/1a from November are on Traveline, I am not sure I can see difference except they seem to have the wrong stop on Royal Parade, A11 not A20? It looks a right mess..
Lol

 

[richw]

The new timetables for Plymouth service 1/1a from November are on Traveline, I am not sure I can see difference except they seem to have the wrong stop on Royal Parade, A11 not A20? It looks a right mess..
Lol

The 1a goes from a11 towards plymstock and sherford

 

[MarkC]

Yeah I know but the new timetable seems to have all 1 and 1a in all directions from A11 except before 7am which are A20. I assume it is an error. ALSO looks same as current timetable, timings wise.

 

[DaveHarries]

The new timetables for Plymouth service 1/1a from November are on Traveline, I am not sure I can see difference except they seem to have the wrong stop on Royal Parade, A11 not A20? It looks a right mess.

the bustimes website says that the change for the 1 in Plymouth is a route change to better serve the eye informary and the new Derriford Business Park.

1A service route change to now serve the new Derriford Business Park [...] This will better serve the Eye Infirmary and the new Business Park.

(Source: https://bustimes.org/registrations/PH1020951/249)

There is also a change to Service 2 which will increase in frequency and also replace Service 2A:

Monday to Saturday daytime Service 2A withdrawn. Monday to Friday frequency on Service 2 increased to every 15 minutes. No change to Saturday or Sunday frequency on Service 2. Route of Service 2 amended in Saltash to additionally cover Service 2A section of route. Some changes to level of service during shoulder periods of day. Mon – Fri Additional 0627 Mount Batten to Saltash Sat A more uniform 20min frequency service Sun First service is now 0745 from Eighteen87 to Saltash.

(Source: https://bustimes.org/registrations/PH1020951/236)

Other changes for Services 12, 30, 89, 343, DY1 and GOLD (loss of some journeys and the route "to be operated by a fleet of dedicated vehicles with no interworking to/from other routes" - bustimes).

Dave

 

[MarkC]

Brilliant thank you for info

 

[embers25]

Common sense seems to have finally set in with the splitting of Gold back into a dedicated service. It struggled enough stand-alone without adding the fun of interworking with a Tamar Bridge service! The 303 on Traveline is mad as it only shows Woolacombe on the return trip and is down as Barnstaple to Willingcott both ways! It also says the last stop on the outbound trip is set down only! Luckily Stagecoach have the proper timetable on their website now. Interesting that they don't seem to want to publicise any of these changes, even the ones hat have already happened. They are normally good at that but not this time.

 

[richw]

Yeah I know but the new timetable seems to have all 1 and 1a in all directions from A11 except before 7am which are A20. I assume it is an error. ALSO looks same as current timetable, timings wise.

Theres signs on A20 directing passengers to stand A14 before 7am from the city council due to using the top bays as loading bays for the shops in new George street as the long term road works prevent vehicles accessing the previous loading car park

So it appears the weekday and Saturday 2 is going to do the same as has happened on Sundays since the April/ May timetable change.

 

[M0LE]

I just found this out and I’m not surprised they had to get a major operator to run this as they’ve had problems getting drivers for years with a fairly attractive accommodation package too I’ve been tempted myself now maybe not so much though and as it’s stagecoach south west they have loads of spare drivers mainly Torquay

Stagecoach to Take Over Bus Operations in Guernsey

Stagecoach has secured a 5-year contract to take over public transport operations in Guernsey from 1 April 2025.

bus-news.com

Stagecoach has secured a 5-year contract to take over public transport operations in Guernsey from 1 April 2025.

Under this contract, the company will to manage the island’s transport network, supporting approximately 1.5 million passenger journeys each year.

Stagecoach South West will run 20 core public bus routes and 24 school service routes, enhancing connectivity for both residents and visitors...

Sorry if there is already a discussion on this I couldn’t find one

 

[150249]

The first 2 new solos have entered service in Exeter this week. 48177 and 48178. 6 more to go

 

[geoffk]

There are eight new Solos in Exeter now, used mainly on city services E, F1/F2 and K, from my observation. Have eight older vehicles been displaced? I'm noticing more Solos on city routes, including routes where they're not normally used, also on service 4 (Cranbrook) and 5 (Crediton) which are normally double-deckers. I assumed this was because Stagecoach had buses on rail replacement for SWR but this has finished now.

 

[Russel]

Are there any plans for new buses for the South Devon coastal routes that go via Dawlish and Teignmouth, I noticed over the summer how tired the first gen E400's are starting to look...

 

[richw]

Interdecks to replace the elites on falcon.
So far the following have arrived in Plymouth:

Wheely wonka
Basil bus
Jenson busson
Darcy bussell
Megatron
Lord bussington
Isla smiler
Manchester Bee
Plain blue 67 plate
54211 and 54220

The following are due to be collected at the weekend:
Bertie bus
Bus light year
Mega McMegaface

Not sure on fleet numbers etc, but got a list of the names

 

[embers25]

There are eight new Solos in Exeter now, used mainly on city services E, F1/F2 and K, from my observation. Have eight older vehicles been displaced? I'm noticing more Solos on city routes, including routes where they're not normally used, also on service 4 (Cranbrook) and 5 (Crediton) which are normally double-deckers. I assumed this was because Stagecoach had buses on rail replacement for SWR but this has finished now.

The appearances on 5 and 4 are regularly leading to people standing for long periods as these appearances are also in peak. Is there any truth to claims that the new solos don't have big enough disabled spaces to get in to?

 

[Bornin1980s]

Interdecks to replace the elites on falcon.
So far the following have arrived in Plymouth:

Wheely wonka
Basil bus
Jenson busson
Darcy bussell
Megatron
Lord bussington
Isla smiler
Manchester Bee
Plain blue 67 plate
54211 and 54220

The following are due to be collected at the weekend:
Bertie bus
Bus light year
Mega McMegaface

Not sure on fleet numbers etc, but got a list of the names

Is that a joke?

 

[Cesarcollie]

The appearances on 5 and 4 are regularly leading to people standing for long periods as these appearances are also in peak. Is there any truth to claims that the new solos don't have big enough disabled spaces to get in to?

The spaces will have to meet the legal dimensions in order for the buses to have been certified by DVSA.

 

[embers25]

The spaces will have to meet the legal dimensions in order for the buses to have been certified by DVSA.

Devonlive picked up the story...though obviously Devonlive is not known as a beacon of truth lol

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/disabled-bus-user-accuses-stagecoach-9741767

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Is that a joke?

It isn’t a joke from @richw. Megabus applies names like these to its coaches.

 

[embers25]

Interdecks to replace the elites on falcon.
So far the following have arrived in Plymouth:

Wheely wonka
Basil bus
Jenson busson
Darcy bussell
Megatron
Lord bussington
Isla smiler
Manchester Bee
Plain blue 67 plate
54211 and 54220

The following are due to be collected at the weekend:
Bertie bus
Bus light year
Mega McMegaface

Not sure on fleet numbers etc, but got a list of the names

Wonder if Manchester Bee will be renamed given it's not very appropriate for Falcon. I guess 'Why is it always raining at Bristol Airport?' would be too long. Maybe 'Wellington...Hell reimagined'.

 

[richw]

Is that a joke?

Which part? Either way no.
Falcon is going to interdecks for greater capacity both in seats and luggage space. The retiring Elites have mega mileage now, and the interdecks arriving have much lower mileage.

 

[embers25]

Which part? Either way no.
Falcon is going to interdecks for greater capacity both in seats and luggage space. The retiring Elites have mega mileage now, and the interdecks arriving have much lower mileage.

The success of Falcon does make you wonder if other similar 24hr hourly long distance services could work? Has to be said that one of the biggest selling points for Falcon is its drivers which I have generally found to be absolutely outstanding in customer service and are a credit to Stagecoach SW. They deal with everything the Nat Express drivers deal with plus taking fares and are light years ahead in service levels. Generally you are made to feel like cattle on Flix and Nat Exp from Devon to Bristol but a valued passenger on Falcon.

 

[gka472l]

Are there any plans for new buses for the South Devon coastal routes that go via Dawlish and Teignmouth, I noticed over the summer how tired the first gen E400's are starting to look...

34 E400EV expected for Torquay, for the 12 and 22 (which goes as far as Dawlish Warren).....fleet numbers expected as 80260-80293, not sure about the 2 from Exeter though

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

Which part? Either way no.
Falcon is going to interdecks for greater capacity both in seats and luggage space. The retiring Elites have mega mileage now, and the interdecks arriving have much lower mileage.

Makes you wonder where the Elites will go. Can see them heading up to Scotland to be honest.

 

[richw]

Makes you wonder where the Elites will go. Can see them heading up to Scotland to be honest.

54306/8 have gone to chesterfield as reserve vehicles for rail replacement and one of them covered a break down on national express a few days ago! I’m led to believe the majority are going for resale leaving stagecoach.

 

[geoffk]

54306/8 have gone to chesterfield as reserve vehicles for rail replacement and one of them covered a break down on national express a few days ago! I’m led to believe the majority are going for resale leaving stagecoach.

Any info on vehicles which have left Exeter?

 

[richw]

Any info on vehicles which have left Exeter?

Sorry know nothing about Exeter.

 

[Bornin1980s]

The spaces will have to meet the legal dimensions in order for the buses to have been certified by DVSA.

Well, the new buses are not electric, there are currently no electrics in the SW fleet. Seems to be referring to the Solo SRs. The I and J routes should really be run with bigger buses, of which there seems to be a shortage in Exeter.

Just because they meet the regulations on paper doesn't in in itself mean that they are good enough! I would suggest removing one front seat, like in the older Solos. I also think Stagecoach should have ordered a fleet of longer Solos.

 

[150249]

New optares are operating the B, P, I and J routes as there is a shortage of longer single decks in Exeter as far as I know. As far as older solos go, 48003-011 are still around exeter for Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot routes. Although 48004 hasn't been out for a few weeks. 48032 is currently long term VOR and 48034-035 operate sporadically. 47088-093, 47100-101 and 47103 remain in the Exeter fleet as well.

 

[Russel]

34 E400EV expected for Torquay, for the 12 and 22 (which goes as far as Dawlish Warren).....fleet numbers expected as 80260-80293, not sure about the 2 from Exeter though

That's a bit of good news, it may have already been covered in this thread already, but is it known where the MMC's displaced from the 12 will end up?