Stagecoach East Scotland

[Fifescottish]

Problem with the X55 is it goes via Dunfermline and Rosyth to get to Edinburgh, unless you mean the X56 which runs direct to Ferrytoll?

Re the contactless I queries this and was told it was a mistake on the website but it is something they are looking into!

 

[overthewater]

Problem with the X55 is it goes via Dunfermline and Rosyth to get to Edinburgh, unless you mean the X56 which runs direct to Ferrytoll?

Re the contactless I queries this and was told it was a mistake on the website but it is something they are looking into!

Yes it is the X56, I thought that was getting renumber.
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And still most of the new timetables are still yet to appear, and even some of the one which have, have mistakes in them. What on earth is going on? Also You have to wonder who such losses have been allowed to be racked up over the past couple of years to demand such cuts, IE someone clearly to blame. You cant clam, there is a reduction in demand in certain location, crappy town centres, brexit etc..... and saying there been all this trouble, yet over the same period increase services and resources.

It really does real like there have thrown the baby out with the bath water. I think there will be further changes down the line because some of them are a real mess...

 

[Liam]

I'd always thought the 23 could have gone hourly between St Andrews and Kinross. It always seemed reasonably busy on the Cupar-Kinross section whenever I used the service. I guess Muchty folk aren't going to Cupar and St Andrews so much these days.

 

[overthewater]

I'd always thought the 23 could have gone hourly between St Andrews and Kinross. It always seemed reasonably busy on the Cupar-Kinross section whenever I used the service. I guess Muchty folk aren't going to Cupar and St Andrews so much these days.

There is no way the 23 could have even become hourly nowadays since the X24 and X59 covers the St Andrews - cupar section every 30mins. The other section Cupar - muchty is covered by 64 and 94.with 2 per hour, thank you Fife council. Its the same reason why the No36 is not in good health since the council routes 64/66 has destroyed the old no36 especial in evenings and Sundays.

In other news: half of the new timetables have failed to turn up :roll::roll::roll: That is just dire and has rounded off these shambolic service changes in prefect fashion.

 

[Fifescottish]

Add to that the confusion caused by the council changing the boards at the bus stops 2 weeks early and the whole things a fine mess!

Presumably there is a shift around of vehicles this weekend? I saw mention elsewhere that the X55 Scanias may be getting replaced?

 

[overthewater]

Add to that the confusion caused by the council changing the boards at the bus stops 2 weeks early and the whole things a fine mess!

Presumably there is a shift around of vehicles this weekend? I saw mention elsewhere that the X55 Scanias may be getting replaced?

I doubt are nice three wheeled scanias are going, with the cut backs in the number of jounreys and Edinburgh Fringe there need all the room there can get.

Something clearly is going wrong because for years there used to be Dups running on two morning X58 and X59, which no longer the case and people being left behide........

 

[Stan Drews]

Add to that the confusion caused by the council changing the boards at the bus stops 2 weeks early and the whole things a fine mess!

Presumably there is a shift around of vehicles this weekend? I saw mention elsewhere that the X55 Scanias may be getting replaced?

It's funny that when the bus stop info boards aren't changed until after the changes, everyone complains it's out of date afterwards. Do it in advance, and everyone complains it's wrong beforehand.
It just proves that in some cases, you simply can't win!!

I believe the remaining tri-axle Scania's will all become surplus after this weekend, with both the Dunfermline shorts and the full Perth journeys being operated by coaches.
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Something clearly is going wrong because for years there used to be Dups running on two morning X58 and X59, which no longer the case and people being left behide........

Don't forget that for many weeks in the run up to Christmas last year, buses were unable to cross the FRB, and bus passengers faced lengthy detours.
The company must have lost a significant amount of its normal revenue, as well as facing an increase in operating costs. Thousands of people had to find other ways of travelling during this period of disruption, and many will have continued with these alternative options, which will sadly have had a negative impact on the financial performance of many of their cross-Forth services.

 

[overthewater]

I believe the remaining tri-axle Scania's will all become surplus after this weekend, with both the Dunfermline shorts and the full Perth journeys being operated by coaches..

If all the X55 will be operated by coaches I can see another storm brewing, especial since those single deckers can carry standing passengers.

Don't forget that for many weeks in the run up to Christmas last year, buses were unable to cross the FRB, and bus passengers faced lengthy detours.
The company must have lost a significant amount of its normal revenue, as well as facing an increase in operating costs. Thousands of people had to find other ways of travelling during this period of disruption, and many will have continued with these alternative options, which will sadly have had a negative impact on the financial performance of many of their cross-Forth services.

I did ask about that, and the reply was "??? " I was told, the services were operated in connection with Transport Scotland etc. Personnel Stagecoach should have put its foot right down when it become pretty clear by Tuesday morning the demand wasn't there, and it cut it right back to a 30min Shuttle Halbeath - Dunfermline - Ingilston - Edinburgh. I think Stagecoach would have had a good chance of making TS and TC back down over this issues, instead of wasting a hell of alot of money.

Of course some of the routes which are getting the cut have been in very fine mess for years, and its surprising its taken this long to cut the dead wood.

 

[Fifescottish]

That would make sense regarding coaches on all X55 journeys as the new timetable doesnt say which are coach operated, like the present timetable.

Seems to suggest all will have toilets and plug sockets. Are there enough spare coaches with these features?

 

[overthewater]

Seems to suggest all will have toilets and plug sockets. Are there enough spare coaches with these features?

In short: No

 

[Fifescottish]

Courtesy of Dougie King on another forum...

Hold Tight….!

With significant service changes due to commence from this coming Monday (15th), which produces a reduced Peak Vehicle Requirement of 29, many fleet moves are planned.

Firstly, at the beginning of the school holidays in July, the X7 fleet of 53717 and 54231-4 moved from Dundee to Arbroath, as the run down of Dundee depot began.
During the holidays the recently acquired Versa’s were due to be allocated to Glenrothes (25225), Dunfermline (25265-7), and Dundee (25261-4). Which in turn should have allowed 27530/40/1 to move from Dunfermline to Aberhill, 27547-50 from Dundee to Aberhill, and 34367 from Glenrothes to Disposal. That influx of E300s into Aberhill was due to see Darts 34480/1/4-6 go for Disposal, and 34691 & 34738 to Reserve.

So, to the main event, planned to take place by the end of this weekend, which I’ve shown as vehicles out by depot.

From Aberhill to:
Arbroath - 27530
Dunfermline - 27540/1, 53286/92/6
Glenrothes - 47867/8
Perth - 19544-6
Rennies - 17444/69, 17512/79/84
Reserve - 47167
St.Andrews - 47168

From Arbroath to:
Blairgowrie - 53255
Perth - 17705
Reserve - 16922/3, 47212/5

From Blairgowrie to:
Aberhill - 17702
Arbroath - 47250/3, 47301
Perth - 16771, 22572
Reserve - 16779

From Dundee to:
Arbroath - 16931, 34694/5, 47362
Glenrothes - 25261-4, 47251
Perth - 22564-70
Reserve - 16921, 22350/67/9/72, 34568/9/606
St.Andrews - 34735-7/9
(Dundee depot closes after service on Sunday night)

From Dunfermline to:
Blairgowrie - 34603
Disposal - 17652, 34371/5
Glenrothes - 47218
Reserve - 34586/7
Reserve (for group transfer) - 22579-81, 24001-3/5/6/8/9

From Glenrothes to:
Aberhill - 27612/3
Dunfermline - 27532, 54073-5
Perth - 18001/5/7/8, 18195-7, 18332/3, 47150
Reserve - 53259

From Perth to:
Arbroath - 27524
Disposal - 16778, 17061, 17653/5
Dunfermline - 53718
Glenrothes - 47183
Reserve - 16229, 22349, 53248/53
Reserve (for group transfer) - 22501-4/6

From Rennies to:
Dunfermline - 53250/91
Disposal - 17332-4, 17388, 59643
Reserve - 17378

From Reserve to:
Aberhill - 17708
Arbroath - 34691, 35242
Blairgowrie - 34738
Dunfermline - 17707, 35240/1, 53260/88/90
Group transfer - 24007

…and that’s your lot!

 

[overthewater]

This is either a really BAD mistake, or very big oversight....

( I should just say the missing timetables finally turned up today on a couple of pallets)

It seems Dunfermline Day/Mega riders have been extended to cover all of Rosyth and Crossford.

 

[Robertj21a]

This is either a really BAD mistake, or very big oversight....

.

What is ? - the reduced pvr ?

 

[overthewater]

What I wrote...

This is either a really BAD mistake, or very big oversight....

( I should just say the missing timetables finally turned up today on a couple of pallets)

It seems Dunfermline Day/Mega riders have been extended to cover all of Rosyth and Crossford.

 

[Fifescottish]

In the case of Rosyth is this possibly connected to the change of route for the 19? Residents in Camdean can no longer use the 19 Megarider

 

[overthewater]

In the case of Rosyth is this possibly connected to the change of route for the 19? Residents in Camdean can no longer use the 19 Megarider

I doubt there will be many No19 Day/Megerides being sold now.

Also It seems X24 coaches are being repainted for the route being extended to Glasgow Airport. Do you think they're using the existing newer stock? NO there the eg. that is has been repainted is the older 59 plate stock.....

 

[Fifescottish]

Presumably the 3 '59' plates transferred to Dunfermline are for the X24 then. Seems to be branded express city connect airlink if the advert in the paper is anything to go by. Wonder why they are using older vehicles.

Taking the Scanias off the X55 will not be popular. Not only the reduction in capacity but loss of low floor.

 

[overthewater]

Taking the Scanias off the X55 will not be popular. Not only the reduction in capacity but loss of low floor.

There just keep on shooting themselves in the foot, during the busiest month of the year for those routes.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I seen one of the rebranded X24 coaches this morning on the way to work. It's now branded as the 'City Xpress Jet Connect.'

 

[overthewater]

It looks like some common sense has appear the X55 Scanias have not been taken out of service and are still running about. We shall see come September if there are kept longer term.

 

[Fifescottish]

Well that seems like a bit of a disaster.

Looking at twitter people are looking for the number 1 bus, eight buses going past full in Edinburgh tonight and most things running late!

 

[Stan Drews]

Well that seems like a bit of a disaster.

Looking at twitter people are looking for the number 1 bus, eight buses going past full in Edinburgh tonight and most things running late!

They're getting absolutely rinsed on their Facebook page!
I expect we will see further changes in a few months, when all the 'mistakes' are rectified.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Where do we think the Scanias will go once withdrawn?

 

[overthewater]

Well that seems like a bit of a disaster.

Looking at twitter people are looking for the number 1 bus, eight buses going past full in Edinburgh tonight and most things running late!

Again where are the dups? There never run empty, and still left people behide but at least you have a fighting chance. I will admint I have spotted a few dups but not enough. There really are clueless, the new people in that office know this was coming should have plans in place.

They're getting absolutely rinsed on their Facebook page!
I expect we will see further changes in a few months, when all the 'mistakes' are rectified.

Can you say what you think the mistakes are? Interesting to see what others think. There have let Bay travel in the back door.

 

[Fifescottish]

No link from Dunfermline Eastern Expansion to Ferrytoll / Inverkeithing Station. Its well known 90% of them work in Edinburgh so lets stop the Number 1 and have the last 2 at 0704 in the morning!! These services started after the yellow taxibus stopped, now they are lost.

Not enough buses to Edinburgh by the sound of it and a reduction in capacity.

Dunfermline - Leven via Camdean in Rosyth?

 

[overthewater]

No link from Dunfermline Eastern Expansion to Ferrytoll / Inverkeithing Station. Its well known 90% of them work in Edinburgh so lets stop the Number 1 and have the last 2 at 0704 in the morning!! These services started after the yellow taxibus stopped, now they are lost.

Not enough buses to Edinburgh by the sound of it and a reduction in capacity.

Dunfermline - Leven via Camdean in Rosyth?

There is still buses from Dunfermline Eastern Expansion to Ferrytoll / Inverkeithing Station. Operated by Bay travel No89 under contract the council: http://www.bay-travel.co.uk/timetables/89-89a crossford nth queens n Aug.pdf

Leave Tesco at 05.54, 06.44, 07.34, 08.54 then hourly after that.

No7 should have just been left along. It will get worse next spring and summer unless its changed. Never a day went by on twitter saying No7 delayed due to loading and thats on 20mins service.. ..

There can't claimed there no demand, just look at Queensferry road its nose to tail with cars.

 

[Fifescottish]

Number 89 aint no good if you have a Megarider though for onward travel from Ferrytoll

 

[Stan Drews]

Can you say what you think the mistakes are? Interesting to see what others think. There have let Bay travel in the back door.

Well let's take the 7.
It has run on a 4h20m cycle for a number of years, but has been struggling for time despite relatively generous recovery time. Now it has been diverted via Camdean and the cycle time has only been increased to 4h30m. It doesn't take an idiot to realise that 5 mins each way to serve Camdean, as well as buses being busier on the core route (cos the frequency has been reduced), will result in buses being even more unreliable. I gather 20-30 mins late was normal today.

The new regime doesn't seem to want to listen to the few experienced hands they have left, so can't see any positive changes unfortunately.

 

[overthewater]

Number 89 aint no good if you have a Megarider though for onward travel from Ferrytoll

Either way its a complete an utter mess. I will admit some of the cuts needed to happen but severe damage has been done just like in 2002 and its may never recover. Just Wait till Wednesday when the schools and Collages go back, there be a new wave of complaints......
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The new regime doesn't seem to want to listen to the few experienced hands they have left, so can't see any positive changes unfortunately.

Which is a shame, since as you say there are a few good people in there but there not being listed to and I hope there dont get ideas about leaving thus causing further trouble down the line.

Whats the bet the No7 gets changed in January. I think the other mistakes
are, X55, X51, the reductions in the X27s. Extending X24 to Glasgow Airport, that will never run to time because of that M8.

Some of the other changes still raise an eyebrow, like the 39 and X37, 33/34, while giving Glen Bruar Place lots more buses for no good reason. The no6: I dont understand how its claimed there no money on the saline section yet that Crombie is fine, especial when it carries fresh air most of the time.

 

[tbtc]

Dunfermline - Leven via Camdean in Rosyth?

There's the X27 for anyone making a direct journey from Dunfermline to Leven. Nobody is going to travel all that way on the 7.

I'm not suggesting that the diversion in Rosyth will make the service more reliable, but then the route has had various diversions in Dalgetty Bay/ Burntisland/ Kinghorn/ Kirkcaldy etc over the years - it's always been a balance between the "local" and the "longer distance".

No link from Dunfermline Eastern Expansion to Ferrytoll / Inverkeithing Station. Its well known 90% of them work in Edinburgh so lets stop the Number 1 and have the last 2 at 0704 in the morning!! These services started after the yellow taxibus stopped, now they are lost

There is still buses from Dunfermline Eastern Expansion to Ferrytoll / Inverkeithing Station. Operated by Bay travel No89 under contract the council: http://www.bay-travel.co.uk/timetables/89-89a crossford nth queens n Aug.pdf

Leave Tesco at 05.54, 06.44, 07.34, 08.54 then hourly after that

I think that Stagecoach have made a decent fist of trying to provide the new bits of Dunfermline with a decent bus service towards Inverkeithing/ Ferrytoll etc - but it's not worked.

The fact that only a council tendered service provides that link suggests it's not as big a market as we'd like. But that's the problem with what looks like "commuter" territory - a half hourly service from Dulloch Park (etc) to Ferrytoll (etc) isn't going to be busy during the daytime when much of that population spends office hours on the other side of the Forth.

Good luck to Bay Travel or anyone else if they can find a gap in the market for a commercial service but I think a lot of people will just drive to Halbeath/ Ferrytoll and board a frequent service to Edinburgh from there. Wish it weren't the case, but at least Stagecoach have tried to find a market for a commercial service.