Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[Red Onion]

I wasn’t aware a replacement had been organised already. I am assuming Stagecoach found the service to be financially unviable despite the subsidy.

 

[Volvodart]

I wasn’t aware a replacement had been organised already. I am assuming Stagecoach found the service to be financially unviable despite the subsidy.

Just their shortage of drivers led to them giving up the contract.

 

[Red Onion]

That’s a sad state of affairs for them. Hopefully they can resolve the shortage soon.

 

[Highland050261]

Inverness first Volvo 9700DD has arrived.

50518 SF74YNB Volvo B13RLET 9700DD

 

[Volvodart]

From 6 January 2025, Bluebird has registered the Orkney services that were still registered with Highland, so everything will be together again.

 

[jamieintercity]

I pretty sure I saw a trident parked at Aberdeen depot yesterday morning

 

[Highland050261]

I pretty sure I saw a trident parked at Aberdeen depot yesterday momorning.

It's withdrawn Stagecoach 18196 KN54ZXL.

Stagecoach 18196 KN54ZXL

Stagecoach East Scotland 18196 KN54ZXL Dennis Trident Alexander ALX400

flic.kr

 

[GusB]

Where are the Volvo/Evora buses allocated these days?

When I first saw one running on the 32 I assumed it that it was filling in for something else that had broken down, but it seems to be a fairly regular occurrence these days.

 

[Highland050261]

Where are the Volvo/Evora buses allocated these days?

When I first saw one running on the 32 I assumed it that it was filling in for something else that had broken down, but it seems to be a fairly regular occurrence these days.

There Normally Allocated to

1. Orkney
2. Skye
3. Inverness
4. Aviemore
5. Elgin

 

[fraser158]

I notice that the Inverness and Nairn area timetables are changing on the 6th.

The timetables don’t seem to have been uploaded as PDFs or onto the app yet.

Really annoying when there’s a vague “evening services withdrawn” comment for my route…

 

[Volvodart]

I notice that the Inverness and Nairn area timetables are changing on the 6th.

The timetables don’t seem to have been uploaded as PDFs or onto the app yet.

Really annoying when there’s a vague “evening services withdrawn” comment for my route…

If you are me meaning the Orkney services, I assume they are continuing as before under the Bluebird name.

 

[Highland050261]

If you are me meaning the Orkney services, I assume they are continuing as before under the Bluebird name.

All Orkney Routes are being moved to The Bluebird License Inverness also had several time table changes.

16 is also returning to the Highland Council Buses.

 

[Bedford OB]

There are also changes across Caithness for which timetables have now been posted on the website and are error strewn as usual. The amalgamation with Bluebird has done nothing to sort out the shambolic service information provided by this operator.

 

[Highland050261]

They have Transferred 21416 & 21398 up to caithness to help with the timetable changes.

 

[Highland050261]

21416 was seen on the 82 today.

21416 BRIDGE STREET, WICK, CAITHNESS 30/13/2024

Stagecoach Bluebird Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora number 21416 (SJ73HUY) pictured at the Bridge Street stop in Wick on Monday 30/12/2024 working the 1025 82 Thurso via Halkirk service.

flic.kr

 

[fraser158]

There are also changes across Caithness for which timetables have now been posted on the website and are error strewn as usual. The amalgamation with Bluebird has done nothing to sort out the shambolic service information provided by this operator.

Correct.

The Inverness bus times change tomorrow and they still haven’t uploaded them either as a PDF or onto their journey planner.

 

[PG]

Correct.

The Inverness bus times change tomorrow and they still haven’t uploaded them either as a PDF or onto their journey planner.

Obviously following that old Alexanders tradition of only making the timetables available  after they've come into effect!

 

[Highland050261]

The first three TCe12 units from the ScotZEB funding arrived in Inverness last night. The vehicle registrations are SJ74UPB, SJ74UPH, and SJ74UPF.

I've attached one of my photos showing SJ74UPB.

Stagecoach 57001 SJ74UPB

Stagecoach North Scotland 57001 SJ74UPB Yutong TCe12

flic.kr

 

[Haribolover06]

The first three TCe12 units from the ScotZEB funding arrived in Inverness last night. The vehicle registrations are SJ74UPB, SJ74UPH, and SJ74UPF.

I've attached one of my photos showing SJ74UPB.

Stagecoach 57001 SJ74UPB

Stagecoach North Scotland 57001 SJ74UPB Yutong TCe12

flic.kr

are they for the M96? or has it been allocated for another route?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

are they for the M96? or has it been allocated for another route?

Don't fancy sitting on that from Inverness to Aberdeen without a toilet

 

[overthewater]

Service changes are coming: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle

Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Buchan area service changes from Monday 3rd February 202507 Jan 2025​

Here is a summary of what is changing from Monday the 3rd of February 2025

Service	Comments
4A/4C	Additional Saturday journeys.
5/6/X6	Minor timetable revision, additional service X6 trips. Service X6 will operate all stops between Aberdeen Union Square and Albyn Place, then Aberdeen Queens Gardens, Woodend Hospital, then all stops within Westhill and Elrick.
8/8A/X7	Slight tidy up of running times. Journey 0700 Service 8A withdrawn and replaced with service X7 at 06:36. Additional connection on service X9 to Newtonhill PnC at 06:58 from Guild Street that serves Badentoy Park.
9/9A/X9	Revised morning and evening peak timetable. Service 9A will operate as per the Service 9 route between Aberdeen and Inverurie but will divert into Teca. Slight reduction in the evening peak between Aberdeen and Inverurie to meet current demand. An additional evening trip between Aberdeen and Portlethen. Additional journeys on service 9A and X9 will start / end in Stonehaven to improve connections from Aberdeen.
107	Revised Saturday morning journeys departure times.
59	Slight tidy up of running times and revised evening timetable.
201/202	06:56 from Braemar will operate via Raemoir Road in Banchory. 1435 from Braemar to Aberdeen to operate 10 minutes later to make better connection with Aboyne Academy School Pupils.
218 / X18	Revised running time to improve punctuality, 12:40 and 15:40 journeys to depart 5 minutes earlier from Alford. Additional X18 weekday placement journey departs Aberdeen at 0520.
220	Additional morning run to provide a better link with morning shift Care Home Staff, 0747 to operate Schooldays only. Revised running time on couple of journeys to improve punctuality.
290/1/2	Revised timetable to position positional journeys from Buchan rather than Aberdeen.
727	Tidy up of running times and longer layover in the afternoons from the Airport. Slight reduction in frequency mid evening.
X67/X68	Saturday journeys at 14:58 and 15:58 will operate via Foveran.
62	0715 From the Interchange will now start at Grange Road at 0700. 1635 from Aberdeen on weekdays to extend to Peterhead with return trip withdrawn from Ellon to Aberdeen. 1730 weekday trip will operate only to Ellon Park and Ride. Saturday trip at 15:24 trip withdrawn and replaced with service X68 (14:58 and 15:58 departing Fraserburgh) which will serve Foveran. Service 83.
83	First trip to operate 10 mins earlier to make better connection with Service 81.

 

[Haribolover06]

Don't fancy sitting on that from Inverness to Aberdeen without a toilet

dont the gte12's have toilets in back? the ember vehicles do but it might be an option when order is placed?

 

[mbonwick]

Toilets are an option, but not fitted to the Stagecoach examples. Believe these seat 46, not exactly a great capacity for the length given that 49+toilet has been the standard for years...

 

[Highland050261]

are they for the M96? or has it been allocated for another route?

They are for the M96. There was one going back and forth between Inverness and Aberdeen this morning doing driver training.

 

[GusB]

Don't fancy sitting on that from Inverness to Aberdeen without a toilet

Toilets only really became a regular feature when the 67-plate Elites came along; the Inverness to Aberdeen route ran for years without them. I agree that it's a bit of a backward step, though.

 

[Morayshire]

Service changes are coming: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle

Thanks for spotting and posting this. Now I just need to work out what they have changed on my bus route.

 

[Red Onion]

Thanks for spotting and posting this. Now I just need to work out what they have changed on my bus route.

Likewise, some timetables would have been handy. There is the personalised timetable generator but it is hideous to use and read. I don’t understand why Stagecoach make it so hard to view timetables!

 

[Volvodart]

Likewise, some timetables would have been handy. There is the personalised timetable generator but it is hideous to use and read. I don’t understand why Stagecoach make it so hard to view timetables!

The information is there but not readily available unless it is a new service number or new destination, when you can find it in Timetables. If you Google search "stagecoach bluebird timetable 3 february 2025 amazon web services" with the service number you should see it for download.

 

[Kevpbus]

Likewise, some timetables would have been handy. There is the personalised timetable generator but it is hideous to use and read. I don’t understand why Stagecoach make it so hard to view timetables!

The link to the timetables is now at the top of the service update page.

 

[computerSaysNo]

The first three TCe12 units from the ScotZEB funding arrived in Inverness last night. The vehicle registrations are SJ74UPB, SJ74UPH, and SJ74UPF.

I've attached one of my photos showing SJ74UPB.

Stagecoach 57001 SJ74UPB

Stagecoach North Scotland 57001 SJ74UPB Yutong TCe12

flic.kr

How many are coming in total?

They are for the M96. There was one going back and forth between Inverness and Aberdeen this morning doing driver training.

Is this to try and dissuade Ember or Flixbus from running express services?

To be honest the way the M96 timetable meshes with the 10 timetable means I've never used the M96 before; I wouldn't really arrive any earlier if I took the M96 but I would have to do more walking.

Toilets only really became a regular feature when the 67-plate Elites came along; the Inverness to Aberdeen route ran for years without them. I agree that it's a bit of a backward step, though.

Didn't the Panthers have toilets?