Stagecoach Manchester fleet availability issues?

[py_megapixel]

According to a friend living in the area, Stagecoach Manchester have lately been putting out all kinds of unusual vehicles on routes which usually just see bog standard ADL E400s. I'm told these have included Magic Bus branded vehicles, old ALX400 Tridents, withdrawn from Manchester several years ago, and even on one occasion a Megabus coach on the 42...

Does anyone know if Stagecoach are experiencing issues with having enough vehicles available for service, and if so, what's causing this?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Would this be more likely to be added capacity for Christmas shopping traffic?

 

[Andyh82]

According to a friend living in the area, Stagecoach Manchester have lately been putting out all kinds of unusual vehicles on routes which usually just see bog standard ADL E400s. I'm told these have included Magic Bus branded vehicles, old ALX400 Tridents, withdrawn from Manchester several years ago, and even on one occasion a Megabus coach on the 42...

Does anyone know if Stagecoach are experiencing issues with having enough vehicles available for service, and if so, what's causing this?

Probably duplicates at busy times for social distancing

 

[RHolmes]

The megabus coach is a school service duplicate on behalf of TfGM, it previously spend some time on the Middleton routes such as the 118

The alx400s here have NOT been withdrawn from service years ago, they’re 06 plates that usually get used on school routes that have found there way back into public service. The withdrawn alx400’s were all T and W reg withdrawn a few years ago (some via Kent)

 

[Mwanesh]

They have lots of spare buses.With the way things are going.No point keeping taxed vehicles lying about.Might as well use them.The megabus coaches only do school duplicates .