Bye bye Stagecoach Wales Volvo B10Ms

[CardiffBus362]

With the Stagecoach in Manchester farwell event on the 14th, it has to be raised that the last of Stagecoach's many Volvo B10Ms have been withdrawn . A B10M with a significant amount of importance is R792 DHB, the last step-entrance bus delivered to Stagecoach in the Uk as well as the last PS bodied B10M. It now resides in preservation in the Original Stagecoach livery. Also preserved from South Wales is M759 LAX, M760 LAX is up or sale on ebay for those who fancy a B10M! Here is a link to a picture of R792 DHB on 27 October 2014 at the old Cardiff Bus Station. It is a shame to see these withdrawn but those who fancy one last trip on a B10M go to Scotland as they have a few left. Catch them while you can!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125111819@N06/16011311632/

J.S.

 

[mbonwick]

Still a pair in service with Stagecoach Wales, with a B10B as well!

Just because Manchester are ditching theirs, doesn't mean everywhere else is too!

 

[Stan Drews]

I suspect the many S reg step-entrance buses which Stagecoach bought might challenge the assertion that R792DHB was "the last step-entrance bus delivered to Stagecoach in the UK".
Last PS perhaps, but that's not quite the same thing!

 

[richw]

I suspect the many S reg step-entrance buses which Stagecoach bought might challenge the assertion that R792DHB was "the last step-entrance bus delivered to Stagecoach in the UK".
Last PS perhaps, but that's not quite the same thing!

The S***RLE deckers immediately spring to mind as being newer than R792DHB

 

[mbonwick]

R792DHB was the last PS built for anyone, though as has been said, that's definitely not the same as "last step entrance".

 

[ChrisPJ]

Was it the last step single decker for SC?

 

[CardiffBus362]

Thanks for the corrections

 

[mbonwick]

Was it the last step single decker for SC?

Yes. ex-20392 actually has quite a lot of lasts when you think about it:
Last B10M-55 delivered to Stagecoach
Last step entrance single deck for Stagecoach
Last PS built
Last B10M-55 chassis (I think? And excluding the tri-axle coach chassis)

 

[Stan Drews]

Yes. ex-20392 actually has quite a lot of lasts when you think about it:
Last B10M delivered to Stagecoach
Last step entrance single deck for Stagecoach
Last PS built
Last B10M-55 chassis (I think? And excluding the tri-axle coach chassis)

You can rule out the first one, as they had several S reg B10Ms with Jonckheere bodies, but think the rest are likely to be correct.

 

[mbonwick]

Have edited my post to clarify that I was meaning on the bus side of things, I know they took several B10M coaches on S plates.

 

[greenline727]

Step Entrance saloons must finish on registered bus services by 31/12/15 . . . after that date all saloons must be fully accessible.
Step Entrance deckers will follow by 31/12/16 . . . after that date any vehicle used on registered bus services must be fully accessible, unless the vehicle has less than 22 seats. This means that a vehicle downseated to less than 22 seats is still usable, so some Mercedes minibuses may yet be found on lightly used bus routes or in Paisley.

 

[richw]

Step Entrance saloons must finish on registered bus services by 31/12/15 . . . after that date all saloons must be fully accessible.
Step Entrance deckers will follow by 31/12/16 . . . after that date any vehicle used on registered bus services must be fully accessible, unless the vehicle has less than 22 seats. This means that a vehicle downseated to less than 22 seats is still usable, so some Mercedes minibuses may yet be found on lightly used bus routes or in Paisley.

Non DDA coaches can still be used on service work until 31.12.19. We see the occasion coach down here on service work.

 

[mbonwick]

Step Entrance deckers will follow by 31/12/16 . . . after that date any vehicle used on registered bus services must be fully accessible, unless the vehicle has less than 22 seats.

Incorrect - coaches do not have to comply until 1st Jan 2020 - so not all services will necessarily be DDA-compliant after 2016.

Add to this that a coach is defined as "a vehicle on which standing is not permitted" and you can see how a good number of step-entrance vehicles could survive.

 

[ChrisPJ]

Something like a PS would have to be properly recertified to obtain "coach" status though, no?

 

[overthewater]

Something like a PS would have to be properly recertified to obtain "coach" status though, no?

That would be rather easy to do, and remember back in the 70s and 80s a number of high spec coaches had Bus doors to get the grant money.

 

[carlberry]

Something like a PS would have to be properly recertified to obtain "coach" status though, no?

It's not something that the big groups like Stagecoach would do, however it would be easy enough. There are loads of minibuses that are still used on bus serices that are legal because they're now 'coaches'.

 

[mbonwick]

Generally the big groups would avoid such a loophole, but there are a good number of upseated B10Ms, mainly intended for schools due to 3+2 seating, that do fall into the "coach" category.

 

[pemma]

Funny thing is when this thread shows on the homepage the title is shortened to "Bye bye Stagecoach Wales"

 

[BestWestern]

You can rule out the first one, as they had several S reg B10Ms with Jonckheere bodies, but think the rest are likely to be correct.

As they were coach bodied, were they definitely B10M-55s and not -62s?

 

[ChrisPJ]

Did the last Northern Counties example predate the last Alexander?

 

[mbonwick]

As they were coach bodied, were they definitely B10M-55s and not -62s?

The coaches were/are B10M-62s, yes. Following Stan Drews' observation, I edited the initial post to clarify that I was referring to 20392 being the last B10M-55.

 

[Mr Manager]

Still a few in service with East Kent. saw one on the 89 this morning. Did note the reg number though

 

[anthony263]

M759 LAX is owned by myself and is currently in store in Barry over the winter undergoing restoration work.


Must say this is one expensive bus to own with the price of parts and fuel. Anyway here is a photo from September taken outside the Rhymney brewery.