Stagecoach Group (Group-wide matters)

[DunsBus]

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.

One of the Golds - at least - regularly appears on the 20 between Aldershot and Guildford, and this was also the case in the last few years of the Kite era. The Kite and the 1 left from adjacent stands in the old Aldershot bus station so you can imagine the confusion that this caused.

 

[mk1979]

@mk1979 might be able to clarify.

The Gold X17 vehicles are from 2019 and the brand is still relevant to the route so had no reason to consider replacing it.
Ultimately the older Gold buses will be repainted but probably on cascade to other depots in the next 12-months. If any stay in Yorkshire then they’ll probably receive an internal refurb.

 

[GusB]

The discussion concerning the new livery has been moved here:

New Stagecoach bus livery

According to Trident the Bear on Twitter/X, the ‘local’ livery is being ditched less than 5 years after it was launched due to it’s complexity and challenging nature to repaint and match damaged panels Link to tweet here Less than five years after it was launched, Stagecoach is ditching the...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[317 forever]

With the role of Stagecoach as a contractor for Megabus (which they launched themselves prior to merger with Citylink) and National Express, it seems that their new owners DWS merely want them as a bus operator, not a coach contractor.

 

[jammy36]

It has been announced that Stagecoach have won the contract to provide bus services on the island of Guernsey. The BBC News report suggests the operation will be managed by Stagecoach South West.

Stagecoach to replace CT Plus to run buses in Guernsey - BBC News

Stagecoach wins a five-year contract to operate Guernsey's buses from April.

www.bbc.co.uk

Guernsey's bus services will be run by a different company from next April.
UK-based Stagecoach has won a five-year contract to operate the island's scheduled bus routes and integrated school bus routes, after which it can opt to continue for a further two years.
The States of Guernsey said Stagecoach would be seeking to take on the staff employed by the current provider, CT Plus, which has run the service since 2012.
There will be no change to the buses' appearance, the States added.

'Key services'​

Deputy Adrian Gabriel, Vice-President of the Committee for the Environment and Infrastructure, said: “As part of the tender process they [Stagecoach] have already identified some areas for improvement in our network, especially around school bus provision, so we look forward to working with them to see how we can continue to improve our bus service and increase bus use."
He thanked CT Plus for providing the bus service for the past 12 years in which time passenger numbers have risen, new ticketing systems have been introduced, routes updated and an app set up, he said.
"We would also like to thank in particular the staff and drivers for their efforts in maintaining key services for islanders during the Covid pandemic,” he added.

'Immensely proud'​

Kevin Hart, of Tower Transit Group, which took over the ownership of CT Plus in 2022, said the decision "reflects the States of Guernsey’s desire to take the bus service in a different direction".
He said the firm was "disappointed" by the outcome but "immensely proud of all we have accomplished".
He added that the group had upgraded the IT infrastructure and launched the Buses.gg app which had been downloaded by 35,000 users.
Mr Hart said: "It is unfortunate that we did not have the opportunity to continue with the ambitious improvement plans we had in place."
He thanked the team for its hard work and the public for its support.
Peter Knight, managing director of Stagecoach South West, said his team was looking forward to "keeping these communities connected to the people and places that matter most".

 

[Edvid]

Are Vix TP5800s capable of printing tickets with QR codes on them? I bought a Luton HipHop day ticket recently and it didn't have one,* but I'd like to know if that's specific to the product or a general limitation of the Vix model(s) used by Stagecoach.

[* When printed by Ticketer machines (not on Stagecoach, of course), they do]

 

[Joshua_Harman]

Are Vix TP5800s capable of printing tickets with QR codes on them? I bought a Luton HipHop day ticket recently and it didn't have one,* but I'd like to know if that's specific to the product or a general limitation of the Vix model(s) used by Stagecoach.

[* When printed by Ticketer machines (not on Stagecoach, of course), they do]

As a driver on the MK1 we’ve often asked this question as we’ve had passengers complain that Arriva drivers don’t take our hip-hop tickets because they don’t have QR Codes. I’ve asked the managers before and they’ve told me that they can’t print barcodes on the tickets and even if they could it couldn’t be read by the other companies machines because our machines are a different make, (their QR Codes won’t scan on our QR Reader as well(doesn’t stop people from trying though ))

 

[DoubleLemon]

As a driver on the MK1 we’ve often asked this question as we’ve had passengers complain that Arriva drivers don’t take our hip-hop tickets because they don’t have QR Codes. I’ve asked the managers before and they’ve told me that they can’t print barcodes on the tickets and even if they could it couldn’t be read by the other companies machines because our machines are a different make, (their QR Codes won’t scan on our QR Reader as well(doesn’t stop people from trying though ))

But QR codes are not unique to a printer or company- as long as the other company has an entry for the number then its fine.

 

[Russel]

I'm surprised Stagecoach have stuck with Vix TP5800, as Ticketer seems to have become the industry standard now.

 

[citybus2500]

But QR codes are not unique to a printer or company- as long as the other company has an entry for the number then its fine.

Indeed. It depends on how the different back offices can talk to each other. I'm trying to remember where I travelled recently and QR codes were read by the other operators buses. Was it Cornwall?

That said, it is probably a problem with Vix. They aren't the best "tech" company to deal with. And aren't there only a small number of Stagecoach OpCos currently fitted with readers?

 

[Edvid]

I'm surprised Stagecoach have stuck with Vix TP5800, as Ticketer seems to have become the industry standard now.

It's been said at least one of their OpCos (specifically Cumbria & North Lancashire) is contracted with Vix until 2026. No idea if that applies to the rest of them.

 

[citybus2500]

It's been said at least one of their OpCos (specifically Cumbria & North Lancashire) is contracted with Vix until 2026. No idea if that applies to the rest of them.

It's a group deal. 2026 sounds about right for when they last replaced the machines.

 

[goldisgood]

Indeed. It depends on how the different back offices can talk to each other. I'm trying to remember where I travelled recently and QR codes were read by the other operators buses. Was it Cornwall?

That said, it is probably a problem with Vix. They aren't the best "tech" company to deal with. And aren't there only a small number of Stagecoach OpCos currently fitted with readers?

In Oxford the mobile QR codes can work across both companies (Go Ahead and Stagecoach) at the very least, so I'd assume there is the possibility of setting up communication between Ticketer and Vix.

 

[Volvodart]

In Oxford the mobile QR codes can work across both companies (Go Ahead and Stagecoach) at the very least, so I'd assume there is the possibility of setting up communication between Ticketer and Vix.

Is the problem not likely to be the cost and logistics of fitting a separate reader for the QR code?

 

[richw]

Indeed. It depends on how the different back offices can talk to each other. I'm trying to remember where I travelled recently and QR codes were read by the other operators buses. Was it Cornwall?

That said, it is probably a problem with Vix. They aren't the best "tech" company to deal with. And aren't there only a small number of Stagecoach OpCos currently fitted with readers?

All the operators in Cornwall use ticketer and scan each others codes. As part of the enhanced partnership all ticketing in Cornwall is set by the council so I wonder if they’re all using a shared set up.

We don’t have readers at stagecoach in Devon

 

[computerSaysNo]

How did Stagecoach new vehicle orders work in the years roughly 2007-2017? As there is a fair amount of standardisation but I've seen some E300s with low back seats, some with mid back seats with seatbelts and some with coach-type seating. And some E300s are integral, some are on the Scania chassis and some on the MAN chassis.

Were routes fully decided by local management or fully by central management or somewhere in between? How was/is it decided which vehicle types each garage has and, for example, whether a route has a lower frequency with larger buses or a higher frequency with smaller ones?

 

[Stan Drews]

Each operating company would effectively submit a bid for new vehicles each financial year which would always be route specific. Therefore they would include things like standard or dual purpose type seats and if seatbelts were required, based on the route they were going to be running on. The actual chassis/body type would be more centrally done at Group level although it was often based on the experience/opinions of senior Engineering Directors around the business.

 

[jimbob185]

Does anyone know the fleet numbers for the upcoming deliveries of the Enviro400EVs and where they will be going?

 

[brightonbususe]

Does anyone know the fleet numbers for the upcoming deliveries of the Enviro400EVs and where they will be going?

There is a table here which shows allocations but not fleet numbers

Stagecoach orders 402 electric buses from Alexander Dennis and Yutong

Not seen the book myself, although have been messaged a list of all the new vehicles and where they're intended for. However would assume TfGM owned 84201-50 would also be a similar arrangement..... If you are allowed would you mind posting that list please? :)

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[jimbob185]

There is a table here which shows allocations but not fleet numbers

Stagecoach orders 402 electric buses from Alexander Dennis and Yutong

Not seen the book myself, although have been messaged a list of all the new vehicles and where they're intended for. However would assume TfGM owned 84201-50 would also be a similar arrangement..... If you are allowed would you mind posting that list please? :)

www.railforums.co.uk

Thank you I had already seen this but was hoping someone knew the fleet numbers

 

[safcwebster]

Thank you I had already seen this but was hoping someone knew the fleet numbers

I think Sunderland's batch is 73057 to 73076.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Thank you I had already seen this but was hoping someone knew the fleet numbers

ADL e400City
11881-11930: Stockport

Wright Streetdeck
18922-18930: Stockport

Volvo B8RLE/MCV
21433-21440: Glenrothes

AD E100EV
46021-46024: Middleton
46025-46040: Lea Interchange
46041-46047: Barnstaple
46048-46050: Torquay
46051-46058: Bromley

Yutong TCe12
57001-57006: Inverness

Volvo BZL (DD)
66071-66082: Middleton
66090-66100: Lea Interchange
66101-66120: Exeter

AD E200EV
60001-60012: Torquay
60013-60022: Mansfield
70001-70025: Gloucester
70026-70032: Northampton

Yutong E12
73024-73052: Nuneaton
73053-73056: Kilmarnock (loan)
73057-73076: Sunderland
73077-73088: Chesterfield
73089-73106: Slatyford
73107-73111: Rugby
73112-73121: Leamington
73122-73131: Nuneaton
73132-73171: Stockton

Volvo BZL (SD)
76101-76120: "Midlands"
76121-76126: Arran
76127-76132: Dunfermline
76133-76148: St Andrews

AD E400EV
80156-80184: Chesterfield
80185-80196: Kilmarnock
80197-80210: Ardrossan
80211-80212: Dunfermline
80213-80228: Arbroath
80229-80245: Cheltenham
80246-80259: Barnstaple
80260-80293: Torquay
80294-80312: Hull
80313-80356: Northampton
80357-80369: Mansfield
80418-80426: Rainham

Wright Streetdeck
82083-82098: Barking
82099-82112: Romford

Volvo BZL (DD)
86031-86069: Middleton

 

[cnjb8]

ADL e400City
11881-11930: Stockport

Wright Streetdeck
18922-18930: Stockport

Volvo B8RLE/MCV
21433-21440: Glenrothes

AD E100EV
46021-46024: Middleton
46025-46040: Lea Interchange
46041-46047: Barnstaple
46048-46050: Torquay
46051-46058: Bromley

Yutong TCe12
57001-57006: Inverness

Volvo BZL (DD)
66071-66082: Middleton
66090-66100: Lea Interchange
66101-66120: Exeter

AD E200EV
60001-60012: Torquay
60013-60022: Mansfield
70001-70025: Gloucester
70026-70032: Northampton

Yutong E12
73024-73052: Nuneaton
73053-73056: Kilmarnock (loan)
73057-73076: Sunderland
73077-73088: Chesterfield
73089-73106: Slatyford
73107-73111: Rugby
73112-73121: Leamington
73122-73131: Nuneaton
73132-73171: Stockton

Volvo BZL (SD)
76101-76120: "Midlands"
76121-76126: Arran
76127-76132: Dunfermline
76133-76148: St Andrews

AD E400EV
80156-80184: Chesterfield
80185-80196: Kilmarnock
80197-80210: Ardrossan
80211-80212: Dunfermline
80213-80228: Arbroath
80229-80245: Cheltenham
80246-80259: Barnstaple
80260-80293: Torquay
80294-80312: Hull
80313-80356: Northampton
80357-80369: Mansfield
80418-80426: Rainham

Wright Streetdeck
82083-82098: Barking
82099-82112: Romford

Volvo BZL (DD)
86031-86069: Middleton

Thank you for posting this!

 

[jimbob185]

ADL e400City
11881-11930: Stockport

Wright Streetdeck
18922-18930: Stockport

Volvo B8RLE/MCV
21433-21440: Glenrothes

AD E100EV
46021-46024: Middleton
46025-46040: Lea Interchange
46041-46047: Barnstaple
46048-46050: Torquay
46051-46058: Bromley

Yutong TCe12
57001-57006: Inverness

Volvo BZL (DD)
66071-66082: Middleton
66090-66100: Lea Interchange
66101-66120: Exeter

AD E200EV
60001-60012: Torquay
60013-60022: Mansfield
70001-70025: Gloucester
70026-70032: Northampton

Yutong E12
73024-73052: Nuneaton
73053-73056: Kilmarnock (loan)
73057-73076: Sunderland
73077-73088: Chesterfield
73089-73106: Slatyford
73107-73111: Rugby
73112-73121: Leamington
73122-73131: Nuneaton
73132-73171: Stockton

Volvo BZL (SD)
76101-76120: "Midlands"
76121-76126: Arran
76127-76132: Dunfermline
76133-76148: St Andrews

AD E400EV
80156-80184: Chesterfield
80185-80196: Kilmarnock
80197-80210: Ardrossan
80211-80212: Dunfermline
80213-80228: Arbroath
80229-80245: Cheltenham
80246-80259: Barnstaple
80260-80293: Torquay
80294-80312: Hull
80313-80356: Northampton
80357-80369: Mansfield
80418-80426: Rainham

Wright Streetdeck
82083-82098: Barking
82099-82112: Romford

Volvo BZL (DD)
86031-86069: Middleton

Thank you

 

[Edvid]

Volvo BZL (DD)
66071-66082: Middleton
66090-66100: Lea Interchange
66101-66120: Exeter

I presume "DD" is a typo and these are actually midis. Wouldn't want to be the driver that tries to pass under the bridge on Tan Lane (Exeter) with a 'decker!

Volvo BZL (SD)
76101-76120: "Midlands"

Interesting - no previous suggestion of these, and no specific depot either (for now, anyway). Could be another Coventry All-Electric Bus City batch.

 

[gka472l]

I presume "DD" is a typo and these are actually midis. Wouldn't want to be the driver that tries to pass under the bridge on Tan Lane (Exeter) with a 'decker!

Interesting - no previous suggestion of these, and no specific depot either (for now, anyway). Could be another Coventry All-Electric Bus City batch.

Numbers 76101-76120 were previously earmarked for Stockport as part of the large BZL order intended for there.....

 

[Edvid]

Yes, you're right. I forgot the fleetnumbers and assumed all 170 ZEBRA1-subsidised BZLs allocated to Greater Manchester would be redistributed from Stockport to other depots/operators within the Bee Network (after being sold to TfGM, possibly).

 

[47550]

Wright Streetdeck
18922-18930: Stockport

Is that correct that there are 9 Streetdecks for Stockport. I’ve seen 8 previously reported.

 

[Dfatcontroller]

Is that correct that there are 9 Streetdecks for Stockport. I’ve seen 8 previously reported.

I can only copy what I've been sent.

I presume "DD" is a typo and these are actually midis. Wouldn't want to be the driver that tries to pass under the bridge on Tan Lane (Exeter) with a 'decker!

Aploogies, incorrect assumption on my part.

 

[Busoccultation]

AD E100EV
46025-46040: Lea Interchange

Not aiming at you of course, but those E100EVs in question are intended for Walthamstow Avenue garage for the W12 route not Lea Interchange.