Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[Jordan Adam]

Aberdeen Depot are due to be getting some E200MMCs between March and May of next year for the X17.

These will replace the Hydrogen Powered Vanhool A330s owned by Aberdeen City Council which are on lease to Stagecoach, the lease was due to expire later this month, but i suspect Stagecoach have extended it on a 6 month basis up to June 2019.

 

[mbonwick]

Aberdeen Depot are due to be getting some E200MMCs between March and May of next year for the X17.

A very definitive statement when the 2019/20 order hasn't even been finalised yet!

 

[Jordan Adam]

A very definitive statement when the 2019/20 order hasn't even been finalised yet!

It came from one of the directors if that helps...

 

[mbonwick]

Not saying it's wrong, but it has happened before that 'definite' orders get knocked back at group level late on in the tendering process.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Not saying it's wrong, but it has happened before that 'definite' orders get knocked back at group level late on in the tendering process.

Indeed, although given the circumstances it's unlikely to not get knocked back, we'll have to see how it pans out in the end. I perhaps should have worded my original post slightly better!

 

[Jordan Adam]

It would appear a bus has caught fire in Portlethen. Given the location it's most probably a Stagecoach vehicle.

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/fire-crews-called-to-bus-on-fire-on-north-east-road/

Crews have been called to a blaze on a bus on a north-east road.

Two appliances from Altens were sent to the incident, on the A90 near Homebase at Portlethen.

The incident was described as “fairly minor” by a spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as the crews were called off shortly after their arrival.

She said: “We were stood down just after we got there, because it was clear that there was nothing that we needed to do.”

It is believed that there is no one onboard the bus.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Service registrations have went through today for a minor service change on the 21st January 2019.

The new 747 from Peterhead to Montrose via AWPR will start, with the 107 & current 747 axed.

There are also minor timetable changes to the 54 to comply with contract specifications, along with 1 AM run on the 81 to allow connections to the 66.

Registration number: PM0000005/391
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 9
Status: Cancelled
Service number: 107
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Stonehaven
Finish point: Montrose Rail Station
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council & Angus Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/449
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 6
Status: Registered
Service number: 81
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Peterhead, Chapel Street
Finish point: Boddam, Manse Terrace
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/538
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 7
Status: Registered
Service number: 54,X54,54A,N54
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Aberdeen, Union Square
Finish point: Ellon, Park & Ride
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeen City Council & Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/541
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 3
Status: Cancelled
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Peterhead, Interchange
Finish point: Ellon, Park & Ride
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/542
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 4
Status: Cancelled
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Ellon, Park & Ride
Finish point: Dyce
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeen City Council & Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/622
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Peterhead, Interchange
Finish point: Ellon, Park & Ride
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/624
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Aberdeen, Airport
Finish point: Stonehaven, Barclay Street
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeen City Council & Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/625
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Stonehaven, Barclay Street
Finish point: Montrose, Rail Station
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council & Angus Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Note that the registration for the Airport - Ellon section of the new 747 has not went through yet, i suspect this is because a date for part of AWPR opening on that section has not been confirmed yet.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Further changes accepted today, these include:

• Final Section of the 747 between the Airport and Ellon
• Increase in the number of journeys on the 50 to cover for the loss of the 747 between Ellon and Newburgh.
• NEW Service 757 from Chapleton Of Elsick to Aberdeen Airport.

Registration number: PM0000005/547
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 4
Status: Registered
Service number: 50
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Ellon, Market Street Interchange
Finish point: Newburgh, Eider Road
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/623
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 747
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Ellon, Park & Ride
Finish point: Aberdeen, Airport
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeen City Council & Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/626
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 757
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Aberdeen, Airport
Finish point: Chapelton Of Elsick
Via:
Date received: 07 Dec 2018
Effective date: 21 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeen City Council & Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/627
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 0
Status: Registered
Service number: 50
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Ellon, Market Street
Finish point: Newburgh, Eider Road
Via:
Date received: 10 Dec 2018
Effective date: 26 Jan 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

 

[Jordan Adam]

Stagecoach have finally at long last announced the changes for later this month. Massive improvements including the highly anticipated new services 747/757. It's particularity impressive that there will now be a half hourly frequency between Kingswell's P&R and the Airport, currently this section of route just has the once per day 777 operated by Bain's Coaches.

The only downside is that the Stonehaven & Buchan Guides are not ready yet - due the 4th of January.

The New Aberdeen Airport Guide is well laid out with smart detailed maps. This makes a change as Stagecoach are normally rather awful when it comes to maps.

Service changes from 21st January
From Monday 21st January the Buchan and Stonehaven timetables will be updated.

Aberdeen Airport Guide from Monday 21st January - updated to include services 747 and 757 alongside the full 727 timetable.

Service 747 will be introduced on Monday 21st January offering a new link across Aberdeenshire and Angus. The new service will replace services 107 and current 747 and will operate an hourly frequency throughout most of the day between Montrose and Ellon using the AWPR. The service will operate from Montrose to Stonehaven before serving Kingswells Park and Ride and Aberdeen Airport. The service will then continue to Ellon and some journeys will also extend to Cruden Bay and Peterhead.

Service 757 will be introduced from the same date providing a direct link to the airport from Portlethen and Newtonhill. Residents in Portlethen and Newtonhill provided feedback in the timetable consultation requesting if a service could be introduced to the airport rather than connecting to 747 in Stonehaven. On reviewing the feedback Stagecoach has been able to introduce service 757 shaped by the feedback received from these communities. The 757 service will operate up to every hour 7 days a week to the airport and will also stop at Kingswells P&R.

Kingswells Park and Ride will benefit from both of the new bus services and as a result journeys from the popular Park and Ride site to the airport will be available by bus up to every 30 minutes, 7 days a week.

Buchan Travel Guide - minor changes to services 50, 54, 81 and 60. Timetable available to download here from Friday 4th January 2019.

Stonehaven Travel Guide - service 107 withdrawn and replaced with new 747 service. Introduction of service 757. Timetable available to download here from Friday 4th January 2019.

Remember you can tweet us @StagecoachNScot

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/servi...rticle?SituationId=ID-31/12/2018-14:59:54:268

 

[Jordan Adam]

The new Buchan & Stonhaven Travel Guides are now online.

 

[Megafuss]

Montrose to Peterhead looks quite epic journey. Not quite as epic as the 35, but still.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Montrose to Peterhead looks quite epic journey. Not quite as epic as the 35, but still.

I agree, it will actually be quite a fun route as AWPR is rather scenic. It's a shame the 35 no longer extends to Inverness.

 

[GusB]

Montrose to Peterhead looks quite epic journey. Not quite as epic as the 35, but still.

It's not a particularly expensive day out either - the Bluebird Explorer day ticket is £17.35 and extends to Inverness and Dundee, I believe.

I'm in Nairn for a few days, and I note that the former D&E town service (20) and dial-a-bus (T20) are now being operated by Stagecoach Mercedes minibuses instead of the Solo/Vario combination that D&E were running. The Solos were overkill for the 20 anyway, and a smaller vehicle is better for getting round the housing estates, and I'll bet whoever drives the T20 will be glad that they can board wheelchairs without having to deal with the lift any more.

 

[route101]

I agree, it will actually be quite a fun route as AWPR is rather scenic. It's a shame the 35 no longer extends to Inverness.

Think im gonna do this route , dont have a car so chance to ride the Aberdeen bypass. Anyone know what buses are going to be used?

 

[route101]

It's not a particularly expensive day out either - the Bluebird Explorer day ticket is £17.35 and extends to Inverness and Dundee, I believe.

I'm in Nairn for a few days, and I note that the former D&E town service (20) and dial-a-bus (T20) are now being operated by Stagecoach Mercedes minibuses instead of the Solo/Vario combination that D&E were running. The Solos were overkill for the 20 anyway, and a smaller vehicle is better for getting round the housing estates, and I'll bet whoever drives the T20 will be glad that they can board wheelchairs without having to deal with the lift any more.

East of Scotland Dayrider surely is valid too and you could start in Glasgow or Edinburgh? Or is it only valid on x7 north i wonder ?

 

[Jordan Adam]

East of Scotland Dayrider surely is valid too and you could start in Glasgow or Edinburgh? Or is it only valid on x7 north i wonder ?

It's only valid on East Scotland services (which the X7 is). The Bluebird Explorer how ever is accepted on the X7, however i think it's only as far south as Montrose(?).

 

[Jordan Adam]

Think im gonna do this route , dont have a car so chance to ride the Aberdeen bypass. Anyone know what buses are going to be used?

27601/2 are due to move to Stonehaven for the 747/757 upgrade. The PVR is 7 so i'm not sure what else will be used, although i think a pair of deckers may end up on it as there's a school duty on each route.

 

[route101]

It's only valid on East Scotland services (which the X7 is). The Bluebird Explorer how ever is accepted on the X7, however i think it's only as far south as Montrose(?).

I see , was thinking of getting train to Montrose and getting the 747 from there.

 

[route101]

27601/2 are due to move to Stonehaven for the 747/757 upgrade. The PVR is 7 so i'm not sure what else will be used, although i think a pair of deckers may end up on it as there's a school duty on each route.

Sorry dont know bus numbers . Hoping for a decker on the run.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Sorry dont know bus numbers . Hoping for a decker on the run.

27601/2 are 59 plate E300s which recently transferred from Highland, originally new for the JET11.

I see , was thinking of getting train to Montrose and getting the 747 from there.

Probably a good idea, the 747 will start right outside the rail station. Note though that only 2 runs per day extend to Peterhead, the rest only go to Ellon Park & Ride.

 

[GusB]

It's only valid on East Scotland services (which the X7 is). The Bluebird Explorer how ever is accepted on the X7, however i think it's only as far south as Montrose(?).

According to the T&Cs on the website, it's "valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach Bluebird services including services 10/11 to Inverness and Service X7 to Dundee". It's handy for me when I travel to Inverness from home as it covers my local journey as well. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to do a day trip to Dundee, though

 

[route101]

According to the T&Cs on the website, it's "valid for unlimited travel on all Stagecoach Bluebird services including services 10/11 to Inverness and Service X7 to Dundee". It's handy for me when I travel to Inverness from home as it covers my local journey as well. I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to do a day trip to Dundee, though

I done the East of Scotland one from Glasgow to Dundee via Fife and back . Been meaning to do the services between Inverness and Aberdeen aswell as the Peterhead/Fraserborough services . Never been up there before ha.

 

[route101]

27601/2 are 59 plate E300s which recently transferred from Highland, originally new for the JET11.


Probably a good idea, the 747 will start right outside the rail station. Note though that only 2 runs per day extend to Peterhead, the rest only go to Ellon Park & Ride.

I see only a few extend to Peterhead , ill probably just go to Ellon.

 

[Jordan Adam]

36954 was involved in a serious RTC this evening near Munlochy which involved the bus colliding with a bridge and landing on it's side. Seven are believed to be in hospital, although the extend of their injuries are not yet know. Hopefully all make a speedy recovery.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Quite a number of short notice changes have been accepted this week for services 10/10A/10B/10C/X10, 32, 33A/33C, 34, 36/136, 38 & 303 from the 11th of February. At a rough guess these could be to lower the PVR to help with the mass vehicle shortage at the moment, although i'm unsure.

Registration number: PM0000005/476
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 6
Status: Registered
Service number: 34
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Elgin, Bus Station
Finish point: Elgin, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/551
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 3
Status: Registered
Service number: 303
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Huntly
Finish point: Turriff
Via:
Date received: 09 Jan 2019
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Aberdeenshire Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/566
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 4
Status: Registered
Service number: 33A,33C
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Elgin, Bus Station
Finish point: Elgin, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/568
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 7
Status: Registered
Service number: 38
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Elgin, Bus Station
Finish point: Elgin, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/580
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 6
Status: Registered
Service number: 36,136
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Dufftown, Square
Finish point: Elgin, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/581
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 4
Status: Registered
Service number: 32
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Elgin, Bus Station
Finish point: Burghead, Bath Street
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/598
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 3
Status: Registered
Service number: 10,10A,10B,10C,X10
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Nairn, Bus Station
Finish point: Elgin, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Moray Council & Highland Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

Registration number: PM0000005/599
Licence Number: PM0000005
Variation number: 4
Status: Registered
Service number: 10,10A,10B,10C,X10
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Inverness, Bus Station
Finish point: Nairn, Bus Station
Via:
Date received: 21 Dec 2018
Effective date: 11 Feb 2019
End date
Supported by subsidies: No
Local authorities covered by route: Highland Council
TAOs covered by route: Scotland

 

[GusB]

36954 was involved in a serious RTC this evening near Munlochy which involved the bus colliding with a bridge and landing on it's side. Seven are believed to be in hospital, although the extend of their injuries are not yet know. Hopefully all make a speedy recovery.

Good grief, that's not too good to hear. Hopefully no-one is seriously hurt.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Good grief, that's not too good to hear. Hopefully no-one is seriously hurt.

To make matters worse 53335 came off the road near Turriff on Tuesday while on a School run, and a First vehicle rear ended a Stagecoach vehicle on Provost Fraser Drive yesterday. Thankfully no-one was seriously injured in either incident. However it's not been a good week!

 

[Volvodart]

Not the best week for Highland with all the problems they have had with the services taken over from D&E.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The driver of last nights accident has very sadly passed away. Thoughts go out to his friends and family. 3 other passengers remain in a serious but stable condition.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/one-dead-horror-highlands-crash-13844828

 

[Surreyman]

Not the best week for Highland with all the problems they have had with the services taken over from D&E.

Can you provide details?