Snowbus

[randyrippley]

After the overnight snow Stagecoach Kendal sent out an open topper on the 555 which arrived in Lancaster around 08:00 today

No idea if this was due to a positioning move, disruption - or whether someone in management thought it was a one-off attraction.
The thought of riding it in the snow to Keswick does appeal............however work takes priority

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've had that happen when it was freezing cold a while back. I guess it's done when it's that or a cancellation.

 

[RELL6L]

If BusTimes is to be believed, 13801 is currently at Grasmere on its way from Keswick (dep 11.30) to Lancaster, while 13805 ran from Grasmere to Lancaster at 9.00 and is about to leave Lancaster for Keswick.
Others are out on the 599 as normal. 13806 also ran the 8.00 from Kendal to Ambleside and back, but that seems less unusual. Is this all true?
Jolly cold I would think!

 

[driver9000]

Open toppers seem to appear semi regularly on the 555 to/from Lancaster standing in for the usual closed top buses. I believe it's a case of better to send out an open top than cancel services. There was at least one out last week too.

 

[Geordie driver]

It will be the driver shortages, that's why there's snow bus. I will get my coat......

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I will get my coat......

You'll certainly need it, if you're on the top deck of the open topped bus that's being discussed.

 

[Ploughman]

Back in about Feb 1976 a friend of mine bought an ex Portsmouth Double Deck Open Topper from Glasgow.
About 8 of us met him at Carlisle and then trundled down the M6 to get home to Southport.
As I recall, it was a bit cold with some snow, but we found the warmest seats were actually the 2 front seats upstairs.
Everybody passing must have thought correctly that we were mad.

 

[quarella]

My school bus was whatever was left so we occasionally had an open top. Not all drivers would let us upstairs. I have also had an open top to myself on Rail Replacement from Ealing Broadway direct to Paddington some years ago. I assume the other passengers used the Underground.

 

[randyrippley]

looks like 13801 & 13805 are on the 555 today

is this the longest UK open top ride?

 

[43055]

looks like 13801 & 13805 are on the 555 today

is this the longest UK open top ride?

13807 is also tracking on the 555 on bustimes.org

 

[darloscott]

I wonder if this is related to the new 555 fleet coming and they’ve taken the old ones off to redistribute and using some otherwise redundant open tops in the meantime? Are some generally parked up out of season or are they rotated on the 599?

 

[mangyiscute]

I've done an open top 508 during april snow before, was certainly a unique experience. this was a scheduled open top, tho