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Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

GusB

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16954 was finally moved from Aberdeen this week after about 2 years there. Its currently at east Scotland's arbroath depot for storage along with 22869/70. No idea why there are at arbroath.
Historically, Arbroath was where Northern buses went to die. I haven't been past the place in years, and I couldn't even say if the depot is in the same location, but I assumed that vehicles were moved there because it had extra storage space.
 
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Jordan Adam

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Presumably 16954 is not now need as Bluebird lost the 9U contract to First Aberdeen. I can only think that was what Aberdeen repainted it for and it then spent a lot of time inside Aberdeen depot.

Until recently they were still aiming to have it back on the road soon. I do find it stupid however that they repainted it before the mechanical side of things had been sorted out.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Historically, Arbroath was where Northern buses went to die. I haven't been past the place in years, and I couldn't even say if the depot is in the same location, but I assumed that vehicles were moved there because it had extra storage space.

They used to use Insch more recently as there was a lot of space there.

Every firm usually has a graveyard.... the depot with a big yard! The one time I went to Arbroath (c.1999), think it had a few Y type Leopards being robbed for parts.

Seem to recall Bluebird had a place in Buckie that had a number of withdrawn vehicles.... that now gone? If so, when and what replaced it?
 

GusB

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Every firm usually has a graveyard.... the depot with a big yard! The one time I went to Arbroath (c.1999), think it had a few Y type Leopards being robbed for parts.

Seem to recall Bluebird had a place in Buckie that had a number of withdrawn vehicles.... that now gone? If so, when and what replaced it?
There was a depot in Buckie on East Cathcart Street, but it was closed and redeveloped fairly soon after Stagecoach took over. There was a time when Elgin became a bit of a graveyard too - from memory it was mainly Fords, but there was a sad-looking M-type Leopard sitting there for a good while too. I might actually have a photo of that somewhere, come to think of it.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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There was a depot in Buckie on East Cathcart Street, but it was closed and redeveloped fairly soon after Stagecoach took over. There was a time when Elgin became a bit of a graveyard too - from memory it was mainly Fords, but there was a sad-looking M-type Leopard sitting there for a good while too. I might actually have a photo of that somewhere, come to think of it.

The place I recall probably replaced it. Have it down as March Road East and was open storage with a hut and a fuel pump (?). However, plenty of space where various withdrawn vehicles lay.
 

Pat1105

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The place I recall probably replaced it. Have it down as March Road East and was open storage with a hut and a fuel pump (?). However, plenty of space where various withdrawn vehicles lay.
Yes, they did have a unit down March Road. However, it was being used for storing offshore pipes and BABS dial a bus were using it as their depot.
 

Volvodart

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Aarons of Wick are going to be putting in the paperwork to cancel the service, as it is loss making due to insufficient passenger numbers.

The Traffic Commissioner has accepted the cancellation as of today's date.
 

Jordan Adam

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Every firm usually has a graveyard.... the depot with a big yard! The one time I went to Arbroath (c.1999), think it had a few Y type Leopards being robbed for parts.

Seem to recall Bluebird had a place in Buckie that had a number of withdrawn vehicles.... that now gone? If so, when and what replaced it?
There was a depot in Buckie on East Cathcart Street, but it was closed and redeveloped fairly soon after Stagecoach took over. There was a time when Elgin became a bit of a graveyard too - from memory it was mainly Fords, but there was a sad-looking M-type Leopard sitting there for a good while too. I might actually have a photo of that somewhere, come to think of it.

Currently it's normally Insch that's used, despite only having a allocation of 15-20 buses the depot has room for at least 50-60 vehicles. In the past Buckie Depot (as mentioned already) and Banchory outstation (Former JW Coaches yard) were used.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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Currently it's normally Insch that's used, despite only having a allocation of 15-20 buses the depot has room for at least 50-60 vehicles. In the past Buckie Depot (as mentioned already) and Banchory outstation (Former JW Coaches yard) were used.

Insch opened mid 2000s and replaced Huntly and Inverurie??? It is surprisingly substantial given its location.

I visited c.2009 and Alford was still going then as was Banchory. Was Alford absorbed into Insch?
 

GusB

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Insch opened mid 2000s and replaced Huntly and Inverurie??? It is surprisingly substantial given its location.

I visited c.2009 and Alford was still going then as was Banchory. Was Alford absorbed into Insch?
I don't recall Inverurie having a depot previously, and I'd hazard a guess that due to the amount of housing that has been built there over the last couple of decades, land is either scarce or expensive. Insch isn't that far out, really. There was a small garage at Fyvie, but I don't think it would have had many vehicles allocated.
 

Jordan Adam

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Insch opened mid 2000s and replaced Huntly and Inverurie??? It is surprisingly substantial given its location.

I visited c.2009 and Alford was still going then as was Banchory. Was Alford absorbed into Insch?
I don't recall Inverurie having a depot previously, and I'd hazard a guess that due to the amount of housing that has been built there over the last couple of decades, land is either scarce or expensive. Insch isn't that far out, really. There was a small garage at Fyvie, but I don't think it would have had many vehicles allocated.

I think Insch opened in the early 00s, not long after Tullos. i can't even recall where Inverurie depot was. Alford closed about the decade ago with all services moving to Insch. At the time services in Aberdeenshire were getting lots of funding through different partnerships, so the PVR for the Inverurie area would've drastically increased (hence why Insch is so "overbuilt").

Buses get from Alford to Insch via the Service 422. - https://bustimes.org/services/422-insch-alford-or-whitehouse

Part of the land at Banchory was fenced off for taxation purposes with only the area between the entrance and the front of the garage still used for parking, however part of the is still owned by Stagecoach and was in use up until last August with a allocation of 1 coach and 2 Solos. However currently these are just being worked out of Stonehaven and Aberdeen instead.

Both Banchory and Alford are visible on Google Streetview back when they were still in more active use.
Alford - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.233...4!1svSysxh-haU1RlxqXMjSQsw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Banchory - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.047...4!1sHWS4gzW0Jw02_PMDWo7sAg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Currently 3-4 Aberdeen based buses are out stationed in a yard just south of Fyvie for the 290/291, until around a year ago they used a Farm to the west of a village, however as the vehicle allocation has increased they've moved again.
Current Fyvie outstation - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.420...4!1sM-7jRR8zu_SgS6-neLtcUQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Former Fyvie Outstation - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/57....206,-2.3648324,422m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

Lastly Macduff outstation is another that closed a few years ago, although in reality it was just additional parking for the depot that was down the road. Stagecoach now park 3 coaches in the carpark to the south west of Annies Cakery on Station Brae.
Former Macduff "overspill" yard - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.668...4!1ssCxL2iMksimM_QSHrVh2yQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

On paper Fraserburgh and Ballater despite being proper sites with refuel/wash facilities etc are only regarded as outstations, The Ballater fleet being Aberdeen vehicles while Fraserburgh is Peterhead vehicles. The Bluebird opco is split in to 3 separate divisions (Aberdeenshire, Buchan and Moray) with each having their own controllers, supervisors and engineering managers, as such it's very common for vehicles to rotate between depots within each of those areas. Currently around 10-15 Aberdeen vehicles are being docked overnight at Peterhead for maintenance purposes while the Buchan Engineering manager has been helping out at Aberdeenshire (this is part of the reason why reliability has been improving).
 

GusB

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The three separate sub-divisions isn't a recent thing. I can't remember exactly when it was that they stopped allocating individual depot codes, but it was around the mid 80s. There was a fourth "area" code too - C (Aberdeen Citybus), although these would all have been based at the former depot in Gairn Terrace.

As for Inverurie, I'm not convinced there was a depot there at all. If there was, it was short-lived.
 

Jordan Adam

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The three separate sub-divisions isn't a recent thing. I can't remember exactly when it was that they stopped allocating individual depot codes, but it was around the mid 80s. There was a fourth "area" code too - C (Aberdeen Citybus), although these would all have been based at the former depot in Gairn Terrace.

As for Inverurie, I'm not convinced there was a depot there at all. If there was, it was short-lived.

Indeed, it's just with individual depots having less control now the sub-divisions have became more relevant, hence a Insch based bus could end up on the 201/202 during the day despite the fact it's not an Insch route as they often swap stuff round at the station, however it's unlikely that a Buchan or Moray based bus will end up on the 201/202 because those don't fall in to the Aberdeenshire subdivision (if that makes sense...). The only exceptions to this are the peak extra on the 35, rather than having it sit in the bus station all day they often put it on to the 202 and then PM 54 school duty, likewise the Buchan Peak Extra often gets put on the X17. But these are not shown on the vehicle duty boards and only done if required. Interestingly when it comes to the drivers Aberdeen's are split up with there being a "city" group who typically only drive the 14, 15A, X17, 44, 59, 94 & 727 and the separate "country" group who do rural routes, i'm sure this goes back to the 80s too. However it's interesting that the set up has survived all this years.

There wasn't a Inverurie depot and i'm pretty sure Huntly had been vacated by this point too, however there was a smaller depot in Insch prior to the current one which opened in 2006-7. Duties from Banchory, Fyvie and Alford moved to Insch between 2008 and 2010 with Banchory demoted to an outstation while Fyvie, Alford and Mintlaw were closed and sold off in 2010. Some Aberdeen operated Inverurie duties moved to Insch allowing for frequency increases on the X17, 59 and launch of the 727.

Former Insch depot - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.340...4!1sNVEt7w2UDv945ZfUEGekFw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Sadly not that great of a view on Streetview, however the depot is hidden in at the back down that lane where the blue shutters are.
 

PG

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Interestingly when it comes to the drivers Aberdeen's are split up with there being a "city" group who typically only drive the 14, 15A, X17, 44, 59, 94 & 727 and the separate "country" group who do rural routes, i'm sure this goes back to the 80s too. However it's interesting that the set up has survived all this years.
I'd hazard a guess that the reason why it survives is due to city routes commanding a higher pay rate than the country ones. I believe that this came about back in the Grampian Scottish era in the 80's.

I don't suppose you know the where abouts of the former Mintlaw outstation by any chance?
 

Jordan Adam

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I'd hazard a guess that the reason why it survives is due to city routes commanding a higher pay rate than the country ones. I believe that this came about back in the Grampian Scottish era in the 80's.

Actually i don't think that's the case anymore, It's more just the fact that Bluebird try where possible to keep drivers on the same routes. It should be noted that a decade ago the "city" duties only included the 59.
 

TheGrandWazoo

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I don't recall Inverurie having a depot previously, and I'd hazard a guess that due to the amount of housing that has been built there over the last couple of decades, land is either scarce or expensive. Insch isn't that far out, really. There was a small garage at Fyvie, but I don't think it would have had many vehicles allocated.

British Bus Depot Directory was last published in c.1993. Whilst I don't have it to hand, I think Inverurie was listed as a parking ground (not a shed).

I think Insch opened in the early 00s, not long after Tullos. i can't even recall where Inverurie depot was. Alford closed about the decade ago with all services moving to Insch. At the time services in Aberdeenshire were getting lots of funding through different partnerships, so the PVR for the Inverurie area would've drastically increased (hence why Insch is so "overbuilt").

Buses get from Alford to Insch via the Service 422. - https://bustimes.org/services/422-insch-alford-or-whitehouse

Part of the land at Banchory was fenced off for taxation purposes with only the area between the entrance and the front of the garage still used for parking, however part of the is still owned by Stagecoach and was in use up until last August with a allocation of 1 coach and 2 Solos. However currently these are just being worked out of Stonehaven and Aberdeen instead.

Both Banchory and Alford are visible on Google Streetview back when they were still in more active use.
Alford - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.233...4!1svSysxh-haU1RlxqXMjSQsw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Banchory - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.047...4!1sHWS4gzW0Jw02_PMDWo7sAg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Currently 3-4 Aberdeen based buses are out stationed in a yard just south of Fyvie for the 290/291, until around a year ago they used a Farm to the west of a village, however as the vehicle allocation has increased they've moved again.
Current Fyvie outstation - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.420...4!1sM-7jRR8zu_SgS6-neLtcUQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Former Fyvie Outstation - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/57....206,-2.3648324,422m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!4m1!3e0

Lastly Macduff outstation is another that closed a few years ago, although in reality it was just additional parking for the depot that was down the road. Stagecoach now park 3 coaches in the carpark to the south west of Annies Cakery on Station Brae.
Former Macduff "overspill" yard - https://www.google.com/maps/@57.668...4!1ssCxL2iMksimM_QSHrVh2yQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

On paper Fraserburgh and Ballater despite being proper sites with refuel/wash facilities etc are only regarded as outstations, The Ballater fleet being Aberdeen vehicles while Fraserburgh is Peterhead vehicles. The Bluebird opco is split in to 3 separate divisions (Aberdeenshire, Buchan and Moray) with each having their own controllers, supervisors and engineering managers, as such it's very common for vehicles to rotate between depots within each of those areas. Currently around 10-15 Aberdeen vehicles are being docked overnight at Peterhead for maintenance purposes while the Buchan Engineering manager has been helping out at Aberdeenshire (this is part of the reason why reliability has been improving).

Thanks for that info. Never managed to get to the Buchan
 

PG

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Actually i don't think that's the case anymore, It's more just the fact that Bluebird try where possible to keep drivers on the same routes. It should be noted that a decade ago the "city" duties only included the 59.
Things may have changed but it was certainly the case back in 2016 that drivers on the 59 and 727 got paid a higher rate.

Back then they had Buchan drivers doing a stint on the 727 until they realised they were due them the higher rate so they soon altered the duties and had them covering an Alford run instead!
 

SouthEastBuses

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Alright, thanks.
Taking a look on bustimes it now has short frequent journeys up to, Tain, I believe. These short journeys are allocated with low floor buses, mainly Scania E300s!!!

I haven't been yet to North Scotland but I'm planning to as part as my Lands End to John O Groats on buses only, and to be fair I'm quite excited for this adventure.
Also noticed that 62 has now also become a 100% low floor bus route, but that still will be an issue because 66 is still using coaches lol

I really want to ride all the Stagecoach North Scotland routes there, I'll admit.
 

Pat1105

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Alright, thanks.
Taking a look on bustimes it now has short frequent journeys up to, Tain, I believe. These short journeys are allocated with low floor buses, mainly Scania E300s!!!

I haven't been yet to North Scotland but I'm planning to as part as my Lands End to John O Groats on buses only, and to be fair I'm quite excited for this adventure.
Also noticed that 62 has now also become a 100% low floor bus route, but that still will be an issue because 66 is still using coaches lol

I really want to ride all the Stagecoach North Scotland routes there, I'll admit.
If you’re up there and have time, the 919 Inverness to Fort William is nice. Goes down the A82 down Loch Ness and past Urquhart Castle.
 

Jordan Adam

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Alright, thanks.
Taking a look on bustimes it now has short frequent journeys up to, Tain, I believe. These short journeys are allocated with low floor buses, mainly Scania E300s!!!

I haven't been yet to North Scotland but I'm planning to as part as my Lands End to John O Groats on buses only, and to be fair I'm quite excited for this adventure.
Also noticed that 62 has now also become a 100% low floor bus route, but that still will be an issue because 66 is still using coaches lol

I really want to ride all the Stagecoach North Scotland routes there, I'll admit.

This is nothing new, those journeys have been using K230UBs for 8 years! The short working X98s in reality are just renumbered 25X journeys.

The 62 isn't 100% low floor either, it's allocation varies and is still on paper a coach duty. Last two days it's been coach operated.
 

SouthEastBuses

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This is nothing new, those journeys have been using K230UBs for 8 years! The short working X98s in reality are just renumbered 25X journeys.

The 62 isn't 100% low floor either, it's allocation varies and is still on paper a coach duty. Last two days it's been coach operated.

The reason why I thought the 62 was 100% low floor is because when I did research on bustimes, for the past few days they've been using Scania E300s a lot.
 

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