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Staffordshire Bus News

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Baxenden Bank

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Does seem a bit odd when you look at the registration on Bustimes as there is two entries for the 24th April. One has withdrawn and another has a comment of 'Service temporarily suspended'.

Also appeared on the fleet list on Bustimes are First Solent Eclipse branded E200 MMC's 67173 and 67174.
Interesting.

The bus registration search only brings up amendments 42 and 44

PD0000003/1344RegisteredManual18 Mar 202224 Apr 202231 Dec 2022
PD0000003/1342RegisteredManual09 Feb 202213 Feb 202231 Dec 2022

Whilst, as you say, but times brings up amendments 42, 43 and 44
#ReceivedEffective dateStatusDetailsPublication text
4418 Mar 2224 Apr 22VariationService temporarily suspended.
4318 Mar 2224 Apr 22Withdrawn
429 Feb 2213 Feb 22RegisteredVary timetableOperating between Hanley, Bus Station and Abbey Hulton given service number 5 effective from 13 February 2022. To amend Timetable.

I feel some backtracking going on to add to my totally un-evidenced theory:
Oh, D & G have registered a service, we can't blackmail the council into giving us oodles of dosh. Sorry TC we didn't mean cancel we meant temporarily suspend due to [insert reason such as administrative error, cretinous incompetence, covid absence, driver shortage, bus shortage].

In the case of a temporary suspension, just what were the passengers expected to do during that suspension! Sit at home and await Red Cross parcels?
 
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davehsug

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Interesting.

The bus registration search only brings up amendments 42 and 44

PD0000003/1344RegisteredManual18 Mar 202224 Apr 202231 Dec 2022
PD0000003/1342RegisteredManual09 Feb 202213 Feb 202231 Dec 2022

Whilst, as you say, but times brings up amendments 42, 43 and 44
#ReceivedEffective dateStatusDetailsPublication text
4418 Mar 2224 Apr 22VariationService temporarily suspended.
4318 Mar 2224 Apr 22Withdrawn
429 Feb 2213 Feb 22RegisteredVary timetableOperating between Hanley, Bus Station and Abbey Hulton given service number 5 effective from 13 February 2022. To amend Timetable.

I feel some backtracking going on to add to my totally un-evidenced theory:
Oh, D & G have registered a service, we can't blackmail the council into giving us oodles of dosh. Sorry TC we didn't mean cancel we meant temporarily suspend due to [insert reason such as administrative error, cretinous incompetence, covid absence, driver shortage, bus shortage].

In the case of a temporary suspension, just what were the passengers expected to do during that suspension! Sit at home and await Red Cross parcels?
A bit confused, so the 43 Hanley-Baddeley Green is being withdrawn by D & G, as well as the Scraggs 44? That will leave Milton without a bus service at all. I also assume that D & G registered the Abbey Hulton service as 42 (the old Hanley-Ball Green via Milton no), and are now changing it to 5?
Following the bit about timetables ablove, I grew up on the Crematorium side of Abbey Hulton, We had the choice of a 10 minute service from Abbey Hulton Shops (Abbots Square), alternating 20 minute service via Eaves Lane & Newhouse Road (39 & 40). Then there was a 10 minute service via Leek Road (41,42,43,44). We usually chose Leek Road as it was only 4d as opposed to 6d from the shops!
 

mjc

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So much for the bus service improvements were being promised this week thanks to the recent funding announcement…
Unless part of the funding of the deal is expected to come from the operators so they need to cut any services that are already marginal?
 

Baxenden Bank

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A bit confused, so the 43 Hanley-Baddeley Green is being withdrawn by D & G, as well as the Scraggs 44? That will leave Milton without a bus service at all. I also assume that D & G registered the Abbey Hulton service as 42 (the old Hanley-Ball Green via Milton no), and are now changing it to 5?
Following the bit about timetables ablove, I grew up on the Crematorium side of Abbey Hulton, We had the choice of a 10 minute service from Abbey Hulton Shops (Abbots Square), alternating 20 minute service via Eaves Lane & Newhouse Road (39 & 40). Then there was a 10 minute service via Leek Road (41,42,43,44). We usually chose Leek Road as it was only 4d as opposed to 6d from the shops!
No, no no!

@43055 was commenting on the fact that, for First Potteries, they have an amended timetable, a suspended service, and a cancellation. All coming into effect on the same day!

42, 43 and 44 are the sequential variations to the First Potteries registration at VOSA/the Traffic Commissioners. As in:
PD0000003 which is First Potteries Operator Licence number,
/13 which is the registration for the Hanley - Abbey Hulton service
Variation number 1, 2, 3 and so on.
Bus registration details
Registration numberPD0000003/13
Licence NumberPD0000003
Variation number44
StatusRegistered
Service number.5
Service typeNormal Stopping
Start pointHanley, Bus Station
Finish pointAbbey Hulton
Via
Date received18-Mar-22
Effective date24-Apr-22
End date31-Dec-22
Supported by subsidies?In Part
Local authorities covered by routeStaffordshire County Council
Local authorities covered by routeCity of Stoke-on-Trent Council
TAOs covered by routeWest Midlands

It's just a coincidence that they are at variation 43 and that D & G service 43 runs in the vicinity.


The replacement D & G service Hanley to Abbey Hulton is registered as service 5:
Bus registration details
Registration numberPD1128125/142
Licence NumberPD1128125
Variation number0
StatusRegistered
Service number.5
Service typeNormal Stopping
Start pointHanley Bus Station
Finish pointAbbotts Square, Abbey Hulton, Stoke on Trent
Via
Date received29-Mar-22
Effective date25-Apr-22
End date
Supported by subsidies?No
Local authorities covered by routeCity of Stoke-on-Trent Council
TAOs covered by routeWest Midlands

There appears to be a deregistration for route 50 dated 21 February to take effect from 3 April....

Makes sense.

Shame they haven’t updated their website with the 50’s cancellation, just the 40 & 24 changes.

All of the Pool Dole, Saxonfields & Meir Hay area to have no service is a vast urban bus desert.
The 50 has been re-registered and retained.
 

James101

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The 50 has been re-registered and retained.

At the same times, duplicating the 40 from Longton to Newstead. When one or the other is inevitably withdrawn, let’s not say D&G did all they could to make it work. Can’t help but think that the bus on the 50 would be better utilised completing a Longton - Saxonfields - Meir Hay circular rather than extending down to Newstead.


In other news, the effort to make a united approach to ticketing across Chaserider, Select & Midland Classic should be applauded - as should the all-Staffs network map (link to PDF):

http://www.chaserider.co.uk/assets/chaserider-fares-from-11-april-2022.pdf


If the rumours that D&G are taking over the full 32 to Uttoxeter come true it would be good to see this scheme extend to D&G.

If D&G could find a way to effectively link their network to Chaserider they could be quite the formidable force for regional travel.
 

G760XRE

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Does seem a bit odd when you look at the registration on Bustimes as there is two entries for the 24th April. One has withdrawn and another has a comment of 'Service temporarily suspended'.

Also appeared on the fleet list on Bustimes are First Solent Eclipse branded E200 MMC's 67173 and 67174.
Can confirm 67173/4 are parked up at Adderley Green today,still in Eclipse livery with branding.
 

Baxenden Bank

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At the same times, duplicating the 40 from Longton to Newstead. When one or the other is inevitably withdrawn, let’s not say D&G did all they could to make it work. Can’t help but think that the bus on the 50 would be better utilised completing a Longton - Saxonfields - Meir Hay circular rather than extending down to Newstead.


In other news, the effort to make a united approach to ticketing across Chaserider, Select & Midland Classic should be applauded - as should the all-Staffs network map (link to PDF):

http://www.chaserider.co.uk/assets/chaserider-fares-from-11-april-2022.pdf


If the rumours that D&G are taking over the full 32 to Uttoxeter come true it would be good to see this scheme extend to D&G.

If D&G could find a way to effectively link their network to Chaserider they could be quite the formidable force for regional travel.
I can't imagine there are many passengers wanting to do cross Longton journeys on the 50. As it takes 24 minutes to run from Hanley to Longton via Pool Dole an hourly service could be provided with the same level of resources. It might just be that little bit more attractive than the current 'take it or leave it' two-hourly, three/four buses per day option. The present service ticks that box to say 'yes, a bus service is provided to Pool Dole' but little else.

People Longton - Dresden - Newstead would not lose out, except at the margins because, as you say, the buses on the 40 and 50 play doggie and sniff each others backsides on the current timetable. If nothing else the times could be adjusted to offer a better spread of departures. Heaven forbid a combined 40 and 50 offering a south potteries loop!
 

43055

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Omnicity 65031 has returned to service today with 'tap on tap off' branding.
 

davehsug

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No, no no!

@43055 was commenting on the fact that, for First Potteries, they have an amended timetable, a suspended service, and a cancellation. All coming into effect on the same day!

42, 43 and 44 are the sequential variations to the First Potteries registration at VOSA/the Traffic Commissioners. As in:
PD0000003 which is First Potteries Operator Licence number,
/13 which is the registration for the Hanley - Abbey Hulton service
Variation number 1, 2, 3 and so on.
Bus registration details
Registration numberPD0000003/13
Licence NumberPD0000003
Variation number44
StatusRegistered
Service number.5
Service typeNormal Stopping
Start pointHanley, Bus Station
Finish pointAbbey Hulton
Via
Date received18-Mar-22
Effective date24-Apr-22
End date31-Dec-22
Supported by subsidies?In Part
Local authorities covered by routeStaffordshire County Council
Local authorities covered by routeCity of Stoke-on-Trent Council
TAOs covered by routeWest Midlands

It's just a coincidence that they are at variation 43 and that D & G service 43 runs in the vicinity.


The replacement D & G service Hanley to Abbey Hulton is registered as service 5:
Bus registration details
Registration numberPD1128125/142
Licence NumberPD1128125
Variation number0
StatusRegistered
Service number.5
Service typeNormal Stopping
Start pointHanley Bus Station
Finish pointAbbotts Square, Abbey Hulton, Stoke on Trent
Via
Date received29-Mar-22
Effective date25-Apr-22
End date
Supported by subsidies?No
Local authorities covered by routeCity of Stoke-on-Trent Council
TAOs covered by routeWest Midlands




The 50 has been re-registered and retained.
My apologies. Obviously the coicidence of numbers confused me! Not that it's difficult!
 

Baxenden Bank

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A timetable for service 5 is now available on the D & G website. [sarcasm alert] Excellent News!!!!!!!!! everyone gets to have a lie in, first bus departs at 0720. Service is joint with Scraggs and runs every 15 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes Saturdays [no Scraggs] - with the usual gaps when they want to wander off and do something else with the bus, like at peak times.

Also some additional journeys on service 64 to sort of replace some of the journeys, over part of the route, about to be withdrawn by Arriva. Timetable also on the D & G website.

A revision to the 32X is mentioned on the Staffordshire County Council service alterations page. School time journeys extended to Checkley. No timetable as yet.

And finally, apparently you can download the 'my trip app' to track D & G buses - I haven't tried it. Does anyone have any experience of the app and whether that too is failing to track D & G since 10 April?
 

station_road

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A timetable for service 5 is now available on the D & G website. [sarcasm alert] Excellent News!!!!!!!!! everyone gets to have a lie in, first bus departs at 0720. Service is joint with Scraggs and runs every 15 minutes weekdays, every 30 minutes Saturdays [no Scraggs] - with the usual gaps when they want to wander off and do something else with the bus, like at peak times.

Also some additional journeys on service 64 to sort of replace some of the journeys, over part of the route, about to be withdrawn by Arriva. Timetable also on the D & G website.

A revision to the 32X is mentioned on the Staffordshire County Council service alterations page. School time journeys extended to Checkley. No timetable as yet.

And finally, apparently you can download the 'my trip app' to track D & G buses - I haven't tried it. Does anyone have any experience of the app and whether that too is failing to track D & G since 10 April?
The app is still tracking buses okay, and you can buy mobile tickets (day or weekly) on it - screenshot of a random D&G bus from the app attsched
 

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Baxenden Bank

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Tracking for D & G services has reappeared on bustimes.org, as has the map tab which had disappeared.
 

G760XRE

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Can confirm 67173/4 are parked up at Adderley Green today,still in Eclipse livery with branding.
These were no longer present in the yard yesterday, nor were 67178/9 that had been reported as heading to Potteries on the midlandred.net forum (see post at bottom of the page)


It is a possibility they've been parked in one of the sheds on site or have been taken elsewhere for painting out of Eclipse branding. Or has the plan changed now? Anyone know any more??

I would imagine they will be repainted before entering service with 3 being branded for the Kingfisher and 8 to 10 for the 25.

Ex Bristol E400's have started to arrive at Adderley Green. Seen today parked at the depot were 33547/54/65/66.
Also, has the plan changed regarding the E200MMC's from Sheffield? Originally the whole batch of 10 were to be moved to Potteries but only 5 ended up coming over.
Of the E400's I reported at the depot, 33547/65 were still there yesterday but 33554/66 had gone, replaced by 33569/71. Tending to suggest that they are indeed getting some form of repaint/refurb prior to entering service. Although I recall reading on other forum boards that the number coming from Bristol is reduced from the original plan, to send the majority of the displaced Excel E400s here. How many we get and in what livery remains to be seen I guess.
 
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Callum15632

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These were no longer present in the yard yesterday, nor were 67178/9 that had been reported as heading to Potteries on the midlandred.net forum (see post at bottom of the page)


It is a possibility they've been parked in one of the sheds on site or have been taken elsewhere for painting out of Eclipse branding. Or has the plan changed now? Anyone know any more??




Of the E400's I reported at the depot, 33547/65 were still there yesterday but 33554/66 had gone, replaced by 33569/71. Tending to suggest that they are indeed getting some form of repaint/refurb prior to entering service. Although I recall reading on other forum boards that the number coming from Bristol is reduced from the original plan, to send the majority of the displaced Excel E400s here. How many we get and in what livery remains to be seen I guess.
You won't get the Trident e400s. They are heading to Buses Of Somerset so you might get ADL Enviro 400s 33826-33830 instead because 33547, 33550, 33554, 33556,33560,33564, 33565, 33566, 33569 and 33571 are too high for the low bridge in the Potteries.
 

G760XRE

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You won't get the Trident e400s. They are heading to Buses Of Somerset so you might get ADL Enviro 400s 33826-33830 instead because 33547, 33550, 33554, 33556,33560,33564, 33565, 33566, 33569 and 33571 are too high for the low bridge in the Potteries.
I'm guessing they'd forgotten about the low bridge issue when the 6 seen here were driven North to Adderley Green. Can't imagine we're refurbishing them for Buses of Somerset?
 

43055

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These were no longer present in the yard yesterday, nor were 67178/9 that had been reported as heading to Potteries on the midlandred.net forum (see post at bottom of the page)


It is a possibility they've been parked in one of the sheds on site or have been taken elsewhere for painting out of Eclipse branding. Or has the plan changed now? Anyone know any more??
The midland red forum also reports that 10 E200 MMC's are heading to Worcester. Maybe they are heading there instead now?
 

TheGrandWazoo

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You won't get the Trident e400s. They are heading to Buses Of Somerset so you might get ADL Enviro 400s 33826-33830 instead because 33547, 33550, 33554, 33556,33560,33564, 33565, 33566, 33569 and 33571 are too high for the low bridge in the Potteries.

I'm guessing they'd forgotten about the low bridge issue when the 6 seen here were driven North to Adderley Green. Can't imagine we're refurbishing them for Buses of Somerset?
What height are the e400s in comparison to the Wright Geminis? Don't think that there's much difference, is there?

It's probably more that the newest B7TLs are staying but with the 63 plates still arriving (and a drop in the PVR), they don't really need as many deckers?
 

boyaloud

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Branded buses have been used on the 25 at least 2 days (with the amazing interior!)
 

G760XRE

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The midland red forum also reports that 10 E200 MMC's are heading to Worcester. Maybe they are heading there instead now

Possibly not, as 67178/9 have entered service at First Potteries today. Both on 11/11B services. Read elsewhere this week that First are purchasing some 2nd hand E200's to displace old stock. How many, and from what source I've no idea. Maybe some of those will head to Midland Red, or some of the other displaced eclipse examples...
Walked past the depot earlier and the other two I saw there a few weeks back (67173/4) have reappeared, complete with Potteries branding. Attached are 2 photos, apologies for the poor quality
 

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G760XRE

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Two further Eclipse branded E200MMCs have arrived at Adderley Green in the form of 67172 & 67181. Both were seen parked up at the depot today in the space left by the recently departed 335** E400s
 

Simon75

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Sourced through a First Group Facebook group, a manager at First Potteries says they might be getting new Streetdeck
 

43055

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Sourced through a First Group Facebook group, a manager at First Potteries says they might be getting new Streetdeck
interesting. Sounds like there is still a possibility of all the deckers being replaced then.
 
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G760XRE

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Attached is a picture of Withdrawal corner today at Adderley Green. Seen were (left to right) 65027, 69174, 65728, 65004 & 65733. All very recent withdrawals, with 65027 being in service yesterday (9th June). This sees off all the unrefurbished OmniCity's now, and all Cherry Routes branded Scania Wright Solars. 2 Solars remain in service (65729/32). The arrival of ex Southampton E200MMC's has started to also thin the number of ex Bolton B7RLE's down too in recent months. Can't see many/any will remain once the other arrivals due start to enter service.
 

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Attached is a picture of Withdrawal corner today at Adderley Green. Seen were (left to right) 65027, 69174, 65728, 65004 & 65733. All very recent withdrawals, with 65027 being in service yesterday (9th June). This sees off all the unrefurbished OmniCity's now, and all Cherry Routes branded Scania Wright Solars. 2 Solars remain in service (65729/32). The arrival of ex Southampton E200MMC's has started to also thin the number of ex Bolton B7RLE's down too in recent months. Can't see many/any will remain once the other arrivals due start to enter service.

Perhaps some cascades into South Yorkshire could allow the remaining 5 of their E200MMCs to move over to Adderley Green, which should then be enough to finish off the unrefurbished Scanias and B7RLEs. Omnicity 65040 may also end up being withdrawn as it never saw any treatment unlike the rest, though only time will tell really.
 

G760XRE

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Perhaps some cascades into South Yorkshire could allow the remaining 5 of their E200MMCs to move over to Adderley Green, which should then be enough to finish off the unrefurbished Scanias and B7RLEs. Omnicity 65040 may also end up being withdrawn as it never saw any treatment unlike the rest, though only time will tell really.
Completely forgot 65040 wasn't refurbished like the rest of the batch. You'd expect the 5 E200MMCs at Sheffield to be displaced here or another location with the same vehicle type at some point. If they do come here, just hope they prove to be more reliable than 67141 and 67144 have been.

Noted today (17th June) at Adderley Green depot that 67176 and 67177 have now arrived. Currently still have Eclipse branding applied.

65004,65728/33 have disappeared from withdrawal corner. In their place is 65729, 69160/9. Looks like some of the withdrawals have been removed from site as the garage where some get stored had started being emptied out. Not sure if those which have gone have been collected for scrap or further use, but I did see 2 of the 6500* lilac fronted Scanias being towed away by Geoff Ripleys wreckers earlier in the week. Still in the shed were 65026, 69161/70 and further Volvo B7RLE's which I couldn't identify.
 
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43055

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Looks like all 10 of the former Eclipse E200 MMC's are now in service.
 

davehsug

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I saw a First bus on Friday which had painted on it " sorry about the colour, I'm awaiting a repaint". It did seem a bit ironic that they found time to professionally signwrite it on, might as well have repainted it to start with!
 

Contains Nuts

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I saw a First bus on Friday which had painted on it " sorry about the colour, I'm awaiting a repaint". It did seem a bit ironic that they found time to professionally signwrite it on, might as well have repainted it to start with!
But those vinyls probably took 30 minutes to apply. A full repaint takes at least a week, and probably longer given First’s livery has three separate colours.
 
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