This has been discussed in the Stagecoach West Scotland thread already. One reply has been moved to that thread.
The only difference between Park's and Stagecoach 900s were that Park's have private number plates on their coaches. I'm not sure about now as it's been a while since I've been on the 900.Random questions and apologies if they’ve been asked before but have tried to look throughout and couldn’t find anything.
Does anyone know the best place to find which 900’s are run by Parks and which 900’s are run by Stagecoach? I know with the Stagecoach 900 ops moving to Kilmarnock it’s meant there’s a whole bunch of unusual stuff on it these days. I haven’t done the 900 since the Elites and Panther2’s were on it so I’m keen to get a proper 900 spec Panorama if I can.
Also see with the AIR is it basically just a branded route? Ie no different when it’s outside of Edinburgh Airport to the 900, but has the relevant increased fare for within the Airport. It shouldn’t matter to myself anyway as I have the NEC card, but just a thing I wanted to know for reference.
Finally what exactly is the issue that has led to Stagecoach’s chunk of the 900 move to Kilmarnock? I’ve heard maintenance related issues but it just feels a bit vague.
Cheers
Parks 900s also have Xenon dipped beam headlights fitted, a cost option that Stagecoaches 900s don’t have.
Are the ex sleeper double decks still on the go? I wasn't a great fan of the the bay seating arrangement on them.
No, they've been replaced by the ex-Dumfries Interdecks (54258-54262)
Just out of curiosity, would the same apply on a B12 Panther or is it only the Interdeck?
The Panthers are a walk in the park compared to the Interdecks.
The Panoramas do have the same issue, particularly on the upper deck when full. The low height really does make you feel cramped in.
Thanks for clarifying, I'm not particularly tall so maybe why I've not registered the low head height.
A mechanical point of view? Are you being serious? They constantly broke down!
The ex sleeper Astromegas were generally knackered too after being used on very intense work. Internally, they were fine with the exception of plug sockets. I got full sleep on a journey back from Inverness, and I never sleep on coaches.
It probably wasn't cost effective running the Ex-Gold Astromegas either. They're TDX29 variants of the Astromega which are an extra metre longer than your "standard" TDX27 Astromega like those used elsewhere on Citylink/Megabus, yet despite the length only seat the same as a short Panther or Elite, I cannot see how the running costs of such large vehicles can be justified with such poor capacity, add to that the fact around half the seats are rear facing it just makes them even more unpopular.
As much as i think the Interdecks are completely unsuited to the type of work Stagecoach use them on i can't really say i've noticed that issue.
You are always better prior booking as it guarantees you a seat. You can pay on the bus but if its fully booked you will be left behind.
Seen a Panorama on M92 on Saturday. Would much prefer a panorama over an Interdeck.
Yes, coaches sell out as I have found out. Sometimes with weather and work I would try and go a short notice day trip.
I was on a recent Megabus Interdeck and I believe they have rejigged the seats on them, to offer more legroom.
As far as I can see as a very occasional passenger (without looking into the technicals) the Interdecks seem to be exactly the same as the Panoramas, just without the downstairs seating.
Seating is better on the panoramas, not the sticky stagecoach leather.
Panoramas are slightly taller than the Interdecks as well.
The 913 was last operated by Stagecoach East Scotland using a Volvo B13Rt Plaxton Panther 2.
