Stagecoach South West - Fleet News & Discussion

[Bornin1980s]

Yes, 19001 was quite an icon of the local scene in its retro Stagecoach striped livery (which was actually obsolete when it was new, it was only painted that way later in life). I saw it around a lot, though I don't remember if I ever photographed it. Only ever had one short ride aboard it, on the bottom deck. Apparently, it will be working in Manchester for a while before becoming a museum piece there. Curious, though, that Stagecoach got rid of some of the E400s at less than 20 years old, before they got rid of the last ALX400s. Having grown up riding 70s buses in the 90s, I've always had the impression that buses should really last longer than cars (though not as long as railway vehicles). Good thing it was been replaced, though I still think Exeter needs more double-deckers. Wouldn't some more Euro 6 diesel double-deckers become available from within the Stagecoach group in the next year once the latest batch of electric double-deckers are rolled out?

Speaking of electrics, I did manage to ask about the disappointingly short Volvos due to be allocated to Exeter next year. An actual driver replied, saying that the E300s on the C route are a pain to get through Tan Lane because they are so long. He also said they were poorly packaged, partly because of the coach seats. I wonder, might the Volvos (which, like all ZEBRA buses, have two wheelchair spaces) actually have a bit more capacity than the Enviro 300s thanks to more standing room? In any case, I hope the next generation of electric buses is somewhat lower height than this one, as the low bridge problem is not going to go away. Already, one route has been truncated in York just to fit the new Wright GB Kite Electroliners (seemingly Firstgroup's new standard single decker, height 3380 mm!). Ironically, that bridge is actually slightly higher than the one in Tan Lane!
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/24560274.leeman-road-residents-concern-buses-tall-bridge/

 

[geoffk]

19001 is featured in several photos on Facebook this weekend, taking part in the final changeover in Manchester. I remember I had one trip on it in Exeter.

 

[150249]

Transfers today are:

48008, 010, 011 Exeter - Plymouth
48018, 020 Torquay - Plymouth
47597, 598 Plymouth - Exeter

 

[LAIRA]

Transfers today are:

48008, 010, 011 Exeter - Plymouth
48018, 020 Torquay - Plymouth
47597, 598 Plymouth - Exeter

47597 has been working in Torquay for quite a while now so not transferred from Plymouth. Why do Plymouth need 5 more Solos when there is only 3 extra workings. More to put on the 2 presumably to run round the city packed most of the time.

 

[Bornin1980s]

According to Bustimes, 47598 has run the 4A. Is it one of the longer Solos?

Also, I have been told that there is another low bridge (in Plymouth, IIRC), so low that only the old type Solos fit under it. Is this true?

 

[MarkC]

47597 has been working in Torquay for quite a while now so not transferred from Plymouth. Why do Plymouth need 5 more Solos when there is only 3 extra workings. More to put on the 2 presumably to run round the city packed most of the time.

Plymouth city Council tendered services results are due in January I believe to start in April. Maybe they have gained some routes from this?

 

[150249]

47597 has been working in Torquay for quite a while now so not transferred from Plymouth. Why do Plymouth need 5 more Solos when there is only 3 extra workings. More to put on the 2 presumably to run round the city packed most of the time.

Plymouth gave 2 older solos to Exeter, 099 and 598. That balances out to 3 solos overall.

 

[embers25]

Plymouth gave 2 older solos to Exeter, 099 and 598. That balances out to 3 solos overall.

So no scope being allowed for breakdowns on the 118 then.

 

[LAIRA]

Does anyone know what the problem is with buses tracking on Bustimes from Plymouth depot. Service 2 has not shown the buses on the map since before Christmas and route 118 has not appeared at all, although the 2 Exeter routes have appeared. Of the new arrivals in Plymouth only 48010 is tracking. It is working the 87 from Tavistock which I understood should be an E200 for capacity issues.

 

[Bornin1980s]

Does anyone know what the problem is with buses tracking on Bustimes from Plymouth depot. Service 2 has not shown the buses on the map since before Christmas and route 118 has not appeared at all, although the 2 Exeter routes have appeared. Of the new arrivals in Plymouth only 48010 is tracking. It is working the 87 from Tavistock which I understood should be an E200 for capacity issues.

Bustimes tracks the ticket machines, which can be swapped between vehicles, so can't be used to positively identify vehicles. Yesterday, I saw a Greenslades Wright double decker which was tracking as an E200.

Also, Bustimes still sometimes fails to track. I once nearly missed a bus because it wasn't tracking.

 

[Rapidash]

I've been on the 0755 369 from Credition a few times this week following Stagecoach's takeover. The new Solo on it is nice. They did disable the PIS after a day, though, because everyone got annoyed with it.

The main thing I have noticed though is that because it is now obviously included in the Dayrider+ which a lot of people buy here, it has been full and standing every day so far.

They might need a bigger bus. Somehow.

 

[embers25]

Does anyone know if Falcon has been removed from BusTimes permanently as I note it's still on the stagecoach app.

 

[markymark2000]

Does anyone know if Falcon has been removed from BusTimes permanently as I note it's still on the stagecoach app.

For some reason the Falcon file is no longer in the Stagecoach South West open data and hence why it no longer appears on Bustimes.

 

[Bornin1980s]

I've been on the 0755 369 from Credition a few times this week following Stagecoach's takeover. The new Solo on it is nice. They did disable the PIS after a day, though, because everyone got annoyed with it.

The main thing I have noticed though is that because it is now obviously included in the Dayrider+ which a lot of people buy here, it has been full and standing every day so far.

They might need a bigger bus. Somehow.

I wouldn't disable the PIS. I find it can be a lifeline.

Also, what vehicles did the previous operator use?

 

[henryb]

I wouldn't disable the PIS. I find it can be a lifeline.

Also, what vehicles did the previous operator use?

Dartline also used Optare Solo’s or a Wright Streetlite. The issue with overcrowding comes because the Stagecoach day ticket allows travel on this bus rather than just the 5’s as before and the 369 is well timed into Exeter and the hospital

 

[Bornin1980s]

Dartline also used Optare Solo’s or a Wright Streetlite. The issue with overcrowding comes because the Stagecoach day ticket allows travel on this bus rather than just the 5’s as before and the 369 is well timed into Exeter and the hospital

Is there any reason a bigger bus can't be used?

 

[Rapidash]

It goes through some villages that are very off-the-beaten track up past Crediton. The lanes are very, very narrow.

 

[Temple Meads]

It goes through some villages that are very off-the-beaten track up past Crediton. The lanes are very, very narrow.

If it's causing major overcrowding issues the easiest solution would probably be to retime the 5A slightly earlier - it's currently scheduled to run three minutes behind the 369.

 

[Rapidash]

Does anyone know when the first electric buses are due in Devon? Think I saw something saying the ones for Torbay are due later this year, not sure about Exeter or North Devon?

 

[Bornin1980s]

Does anyone know when the first electric buses are due in Devon? Think I saw something saying the ones for Torbay are due later this year, not sure about Exeter or North Devon?

I think all but the Exeter Volvos have now been ordered, but none would be able to enter service until the depots are equipped for charging.

 

[MarkC]

Stagecoach have won pretty much all of the Plymouth city Council services from April.

They will continue to run services 4,4a,4b,4c to Plymstock but the 4 will be extended to Plympton via Sherford and Chaddlewood.

They will also continue to run services 30/31 to Hartley Vale via Peverell and Mannamead plus an increased frequency 200 Plympton coypool park and ride service.

On top of this they will operate new service 19 citycentre to Plympton via Plymstock and Haye Rd crematorium and Merafield.

They also take over from citybus on service 13, Plymouth to Holly Park via Weston Mill and West Park. Service 14 city circular, service 27 Plymouth to Derriford via Lower Compton, eggbuckland, Mainstone and George Junction plus sumer beach bus to Bovisand (54).

This is in addition to several recently awarded Devon county Council tendered services including new 118 Tavistock to Okehampton.

New bus links between Plympton and Plymstock | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

www.plymouth.gov.uk

 

[Park47515]

Trident the bear is reporting that the open top E400s are being sent to the East Midlands. Are they being replaced with anything, or are there expected to be less open tops this season?

 

[Future]

Torquay Depot has taken delivery of ALX400 Trident GX06 DXL (in full original Beachball livery!) from Stagecoach South. Had its first run on the 28 on Friday as a shakedown and will now receive a SW ticket machine and adverts.

 

[fgwrich]

Torquay Depot has taken delivery of ALX400 Trident GX06 DXL (in full original Beachball livery!) from Stagecoach South. Had its first run on the 28 on Friday as a shakedown and will now receive a SW ticket machine and adverts.

Indeed, bit of a surprise move that one given the original plan to remove most if not all of the tridents across the group. Then again, here in South, our local depot seems to have lost most of the ex Manc E400s already and the 04 plate Tridents continue to solider on.

At least most (as long as they haven’t rotted out) of those ex Coastliner ALXs do seem to be fairly rapid machines.

 

[Rapidash]

Torquay Depot has taken delivery of ALX400 Trident GX06 DXL (in full original Beachball livery!) from Stagecoach South. Had its first run on the 28 on Friday as a shakedown and will now receive a SW ticket machine and adverts.

I was amazed when I saw so many of them running when I was visiting home recently. When I was at Paignton, you could see the full spectrum of doubledeckers used by Stagecoach since they took over Bayline in damn near chronological order at the stands.

 

[padbus]

MCV bodied Volvo BZL single decker demonstrator BV72 KPF was at Exeter bus garage this afternoon. According to Bus Lists on the Web it is a
31 seater.

 

[Bornin1980s]

MCV bodied Volvo BZL single decker demonstrator BV72 KPF was at Exeter bus garage this afternoon. According to Bus Lists on the Web it is a
31 seater.

Well, I guess they would have to test it before finalising the order. I hope the test is successful, it is dead on the height limit at Tan Lane. What is its length? And where will it be charged?

 

[citybus2500]

Well, I guess they would have to test it before finalising the order. I hope the test is successful, it is dead on the height limit at Tan Lane. What is its length? And where will it be charged?

What are you talking about? The batch for Exeter was ordered at the same time as the rest of the Group order.

 

[Bornin1980s]

What are you talking about? The batch for Exeter was ordered at the same time as the rest of the Group order.

I haven't found anything about the Exeter order online, the last major Stagecoach Group order was with ADL and Yutong only.

Also, when might I see the demonstrator out?

EDIT
I've just been to Tan Lane. The height restriction has been reduced, from 10'6" to 10'3"/3.1m. Unless the clearance can be increased again, the 3.2m high Volvos won't be allowed.

 

[DaveHarries]

Stagecoach have won pretty much all of the Plymouth city Council services from April.
[...]

New bus links between Plympton and Plymstock | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK

www.plymouth.gov.uk

Have they already got enough vehicles for these or will they be getting some from elsewhere? If they need extra vehicles I wonder what will be coming.

I've just been to Tan Lane. The height restriction has been reduced, from 10'6" to 10'3"/3.1m. Unless the clearance can be increased again, the 3.2m high Volvos won't be allowed.

Sounds like a route change will be needed then unless they put a bit of a dip in the road under the bridge to increase the clearence.

Dave