Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[150249]

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?

Most likely elsewhere in the SSW fleet

 

[FlybeDash8Q400]

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?

I would imagine the intention is to see off the remaining ALX400’s (excluding Open Tops) and also any Trident E400’s (again excluding Open Tops), so internally cascaded for the Scania’s on the 12.

I could see a scenario where Matford’s longer runs (including the buses kept at Tiverton) switch to the displaced Scania’s, with the E40D mmc’s kept on runs in Exeter City or moved to Plymouth and Torquay.

 

[Bornin1980s]

Looks like a new Solo has failed at Exwick Kinnerton Way Bottom. At least, that's where it fell off the Bustimes.org radar. What happened?

 

[DaveHarries]

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.

I have used the Falcon a few times: I agree about the customer service and prefer the ride despite the longer trip time. The 24hr operation is indeed a strongpoint of the Falcon as is the fact that there is no need to book. my boss once sent me on a late afternoon job into east Cornwall which, after I had delivered the vehicle I drove down, saw me having to get a bus from Launceston to Plymouth. When I told my boss that the last train was the 21:25 from Plymouth he told me not to bother with it and to get the 21:00 Falcon to Bristol instead which I did and it was fairly busy. Although I didn't get to Bristol until 00:20 (and home at 01:00 which wasn't my latest finish ever) I wasn't too bothered. I hope the Falcon will continue to do well.

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

Sounds good. I doubt they will have space for those E400 EVs when you consider all the charging equipment which is going to have to go in as well for the single-deckers (3x E100 EV and 12x E200 EV) which are listed at https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...rom-alexander-dennis-and-yutong.269919/page-4 and which I presume will be for the Torquay (and Paignton?) town routes: anyone know for sure?

The list available on that link also says that Barnstaple are getting 7x E100 in addition to the 14x E400 EV: I presume the E100s will displace the Solos and E200s from the town services onto other routes.

Dave

 

[Bornin1980s]

Sounds good. I doubt they will have space for those E400 EVs when you consider all the charging equipment which is going to have to go in as well for the single-deckers (3x E100 EV and 12x E200 EV) which are listed at https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...rom-alexander-dennis-and-yutong.269919/page-4 and which I presume will be for the Torquay (and Paignton?) town routes: anyone know for sure?

The list available on that link also says that Barnstaple are getting 7x E100 in addition to the 14x E400 EV: I presume the E100s will displace the Solos and E200s from the town services onto other routes.

Dave

The same list also says that Exeter is getting Volvo 'midis.' Now, one route allocated ZEBRA funding (C) requires single deckers of 10'6" (3.2m) or lower. The large ADLs and Yutongs won't fit, the Volvos would, but only just.

What Exeter doesn't need right now, however, is more midibuses. The other two routes allocated funding (4 and A) need large buses, preferably double deckers. The C currently uses Enviro 300s, but all 3 keep having to substitute midibuses.

True, the E route (not allocated finding) could do with electric midibuses of about 10m (the Solos are too small, and the old 10.8m Enviro 200s really struggle with the steep, winding roads). I wouldn't choose Volvos for that Route, however, as they are quite wide.

 

[150249]

Looks like a new Solo has failed at Exwick Kinnerton Way Bottom. At least, that's where it fell off the Bustimes.org radar. What happened?

No it didn't. There's a few select services which track on bustimes as Kinnerton Way to Kinnerton Way. If its 48178 you were on about it didn't break down.

 

[Bornin1980s]

No it didn't. There's a few select services which track on bustimes as Kinnerton Way to Kinnerton Way. If its 48178 you were on about it didn't break down.

Well, it didn't come for my father and brother, who were waiting on Winchester Avenue.

 

[150249]

Well, it didn't come for my father and brother, who were waiting on Winchester Avenue.

Yeah its annoying they do it like that. Off the top of my head it's the 1814 and 1918 that just go round farm hill before going dead to matford

 

[Bornin1980s]

The same list also says that Exeter is getting Volvo 'midis.' Now, one route allocated ZEBRA funding (C) requires single deckers of 10'6" (3.2m) or lower. The large ADLs and Yutongs won't fit, the Volvos would, but only just.

What Exeter doesn't need right now, however, is more midibuses. The other two routes allocated funding (4 and A) need large buses, preferably double deckers. The C currently uses Enviro 300s, but all 3 keep having to substitute midibuses.

True, the E route (not allocated finding) could do with electric midibuses of about 10m (the Solos are too small, and the old 10.8m Enviro 200s really struggle with the steep, winding roads). I wouldn't choose Volvos for that Route, however, as they are quite wide.

Further to this comment, I admit I have only been on the A few times, the C less, and I don't think I've ever been on the 4. How is crowding on these routes when they use smaller buses?

 

[henryb]

Further to this comment, I admit I have only been on the A few times, the C less, and I don't think I've ever been on the 4. How is crowding on these routes when they use smaller buses?

As of today - can’t comment on the A or C but was on the 4A from hospital/livery dole to St David’s and it was full and standing for the whole journey. Was running on time initially so wasn’t a case of a few running late. It was a solo being used that had too little size, particularly after a pushchair boarded

 

[embers25]

4 and 4a are often full and standing from honiton road p and r to town when single, let alone solo

 

[DaveHarries]

The same list also says that Exeter is getting Volvo 'midis.' Now, one route allocated ZEBRA funding (C) requires single deckers of 10'6" (3.2m) or lower. The large ADLs and Yutongs won't fit, the Volvos would, but only just.

What Exeter doesn't need right now, however, is more midibuses. The other two routes allocated funding (4 and A) need large buses, preferably double deckers. The C currently uses Enviro 300s, but all 3 keep having to substitute midibuses.

True, the E route (not allocated finding) could do with electric midibuses of about 10m (the Solos are too small, and the old 10.8m Enviro 200s really struggle with the steep, winding roads). I wouldn't choose Volvos for that Route, however, as they are quite wide.

Interesting. I presume the Volvos would be the BZL type such as 31002 (SN72 HPA):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/km_edinburgh/52794085248/

Dave

 

[Bornin1980s]

Interesting. I presume the Volvos would be the BZL type such as 31002 (SN72 HPA):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/km_edinburgh/52794085248/

Dave

That would be 66002 (SJ72 HPA). Stagecoach uses 6xxxxx numbering for electric midibuses (and also 'Boris Buses'). Exeter's batch will apparently be numbered 66101-120. Unless there has been a mixup in the reporting, and Exeter is actually getting the mysterious Volvo BZLs 76101-120 (7xxxxx is for full size electric single deckers).

 

[150249]

Stagecoach are set to acquire route 20, 118 and 369 from Dartline in the coming weeks

 

[DaveHarries]

Stagecoach are set to acquire route 20, 118 and 369 from Dartline in the coming weeks

Devonbus says from 05-Jan-2025. I presume this comes from a tendering exercise by DCC.

Minor TT revisions to the 20 (although comparing the timetables on TravelineSW I can't immediately spot any), 118 and 369 in addition to one journey each day on Mondays to Fridays additionally operating between Morchard Bishop and Witheridge on the 369. Minor TT revisions also to the 309 and 310. Details can be found by going to https://www.traveldevon.info/bus/latest-news-service-updates/ and then clicking on "Changes in January 2025" but here is a quote window as required by the mods:

20: Seaton – Taunton (Dartline)
Operated by Stagecoach, and minor revisions to timetable.

118: Okehampton – Tavistock (Dartline)
Operated by Stagecoach, and minor revisions to timetable.

309 / 310: Barnstaple – Lynton & Lynmouth (Stagecoach)
Minor revisions to timetable.

369: Exeter – Morchard Bishop (Dartline)
Operated by Stagecoach, and minor revisions to timetable. Weekday morning journey starts from Witheridge and evening journey continues to Witheridge.

The new TT for the 118 on TravelineSW suggests that Tavistock will operate the 118 with a new journey Mon - Sat at 0530 from Tavistock to Okehampton. Another revision, among any others, is that the 1830 Okehampton - Tavistock will start back from Okehampton Hospital at 1836 and thus depart Okehampton station at 1845. Lastly the Leaholes Avenue timing point used by Dartline in their TT does not appear in the Stagecoach timetable. On Sundays the journeys are every 3 hours with the Gunnislake extension not included on the new Stagecoach TT.

Dave

 

[markymark2000]

Stagecoach creeping further into Taunton. It may only be taking over contracts but still. First can't be happy with that.

 

[richw]

The new TT for the 118 on TravelineSW suggests that Tavistock will operate the 118 with a new journey Mon - Sat at 0530 from Tavistock to Okehampton

Tavistock outstation is at full capacity, so to accommodate this will require something to transfer to Plymouth.
It’s authorised for 15 and currently has 15 PVR. The yard is full with no further space with 15 vehicles parked.

 

[150249]

The new TT for the 118 on TravelineSW suggests that Tavistock will operate the 118 with a new journey Mon - Sat at 0530 from Tavistock to Okehampton. Another revision, among any others, is that the 1830 Okehampton - Tavistock will start back from Okehampton Hospital at 1836 and thus depart Okehampton station at 1845. Lastly the Leaholes Avenue timing point used by Dartline in their TT does not appear in the Stagecoach timetable. On Sundays the journeys are every 3 hours with the Gunnislake extension not included on the new Stagecoach TT.

Dave

Reported to be Plymouth's YJ15 solos operating the 118. I believe it has a PVR of 3

 

[LAIRA]

Reported to be Plymouth's YJ15 solos operating the 118. I believe it has a PVR of 3

Plymouth will still need 3 extra buses as they are always short as it is. 19571 still works the 2 some days!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Stagecoach creeping further into Taunton. It may only be taking over contracts but still. First can't be happy with that.

I don't think they're so bothered - the P&R was the bigger deal. Remember that this isn't the first time that Stagecoach has operated the 20, and it is very much a Devon service that happens to end up in Taunton.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Stagecoach are set to acquire route 20, 118 and 369 from Dartline in the coming weeks

Unsurprised about the 118, Stagecoach launching the 6B between Okehampton and Tavistock earlier this year was them testing the water.

 

[embers25]

There must be enough demand for a thru Tavy to Exeter bus you'd think.

 

[henryb]

I know that they’ve had the new solos, but the old ones are supposed to be on the way out! There’s no way they have enough to cover the at least additional 6 solos required for this?

 

[Bornin1980s]

I know that they’ve had the new solos, but the old ones are supposed to be on the way out! There’s no way they have enough to cover the at least additional 6 solos required for this?

Well, I've been told there is a low bridge somewhere in Devon so low that only the old Solos can pass under it, even the Solo SRs are too tall.

 

[richw]

I know that they’ve had the new solos, but the old ones are supposed to be on the way out! There’s no way they have enough to cover the at least additional 6 solos required for this?

Why 6 solos?

A 37*** has been route tested and risk assessed on the 20.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Why 6 solos?

A 37*** has been route tested and risk assessed on the 20.

I'm not certain why they even needed to do that (route change?) when they were running Darts and e200s on it until 2019. Photos from Flickr (Barney Staples) and (Axe Transport Photos).

 

[richw]

I'm not certain why they even needed to do that (route change?) when they were running Darts and e200s on it until 2019. Photos from Flickr (Barney Staples) and (Axe Transport Photos).

View attachment 171228
View attachment 171230

Stagecoach policy requires all routes to hold an up to date route risk assessment for all routes and vehicle types that can be used. All drivers have to sign to say they’ve read the assessments before driving a route without a mentor.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Stagecoach policy requires all routes to hold an up to date route risk assessment for all routes and vehicle types that can be used. All drivers have to sign to say they’ve read the assessments before driving a route without a mentor.

Fair enough - that is good practice and after a few years gap in operating it, it does make sense to review.

 

[henryb]

I didn’t realise that the 20 didn’t need them - was working on a PVR of 2 for the 20, 3 for 118 and 1 for the 369

 

[Rapidash]

There must be enough demand for a thru Tavy to Exeter bus you'd think.

Changing to the train at Okehampton is quicker, I'd have thought.

I've not seen the timetable for the 369 from the 5th. Have they moved it around a little in the morning to avoid getting to Crediton at exactly the same time as the 5A?