Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[computerSaysNo]

Heritage bus hits the road in Aberdeenshire​

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/...l/heritage-bus-hits-the-road-in-aberdeenshire

I can't be the only person to instantly think "this looks so much better than the new Stagecoach livery"...?

 

[cnjb8]

Heritage bus hits the road in Aberdeenshire​

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/...l/heritage-bus-hits-the-road-in-aberdeenshire

'The bus now looks exactly as the Leopard and Tiger buses used locally in the mid 1980s'
I didn't realise that Bluebird operated E300s

 

[Jordan Adam]

'The bus now looks exactly as the Leopard and Tiger buses used locally in the mid 1980s'
I didn't realise that Bluebird operated E300s

They've also been saying in other publicity that the bus to commemorate 40 years of "Bluebird Northern".

However if i'm not mistaken it was still Alexanders (Northern) until March 1985, then Northern Scottish until 1992, the Bluebird Northern brand name and blue/yellow liveries didn't come about until well after deregulation post 1986, the legal name "Bluebird Northern Ltd" came about in early 1992 and was replaced by "Bluebird Buses Ltd" by the end of the same year.

 

[GusB]

They've also been saying in other publicity that the bus to commemorate 40 years of "Bluebird Northern".

However if i'm not mistaken it was still Alexanders (Northern) until March 1985, then Northern Scottish until 1992, the Bluebird Northern brand name and blue/yellow liveries didn't come about until well after deregulation post 1986, the legal name "Bluebird Northern Ltd" came about in early 1992 and was replaced by "Bluebird Buses Ltd" by the end of the same year.

The 40 years is certainly confusing. It's just over 30 years since the acquisition of Northern Scottish by Stagecoach. The "Bluebird Northern" brand was actually introduced in April 1989. It can't be the anniversary of Northern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd., as that was created in 1985 after re-naming W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Ltd. 40 years would take us back to 1981 when things were very much yellow/ivory for the main fleet (the London express fleet was in the blue/white Saltire scheme).

Regarding the livery, it was introduced in the mid 80s, although I'm unsure of the exact date. The C-SSO Metroliners and C-SSO Olympians with coach seats were delivered new in this livery and carried Northern Scottish fleetnames and the Bluebird logo. This would pre-date de-regulation by a few months. Other vehicles so treated were the ASA-Y Leyland Tigers and the HSA-V and ORS-W registered Leopards. They would probably have received their TSV/CSU index marks at around the same time.

Before this, Northern had two versions of an "Express and Tours" livery which was blue/yellow on white, neither of which carried the Bluebird emblem! Unfortunately I'm struggling to find a photo of the second version, but I know it was in use from 1983.

Link is to a photograph by Peter Findlay

https://flickr.com/photos/94327181@N03/49731020082/in/album-72157713750224648/

 

[overthewater]

Isn't it linked to the 60th Annvevsaity of W. Alexander & Sons being spilt up?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Isn't it linked to the 60th Annvevsaity of W. Alexander & Sons being spilt up?

No as it says "Proud To Serve For 40 Years" above the cab window and doors. I had at first assumed it was relating to 40 years of Stagecoach (1980-2020), but other publicity and articles seems to allude to it being the 40th anniversary of "Bluebird Northern".

The 40 years is certainly confusing. It's just over 30 years since the acquisition of Northern Scottish by Stagecoach. The "Bluebird Northern" brand was actually introduced in April 1989. It can't be the anniversary of Northern Scottish Omnibuses Ltd., as that was created in 1985 after re-naming W. Alexander & Sons (Northern) Ltd. 40 years would take us back to 1981 when things were very much yellow/ivory for the main fleet (the London express fleet was in the blue/white Saltire scheme).

Regarding the livery, it was introduced in the mid 80s, although I'm unsure of the exact date. The C-SSO Metroliners and C-SSO Olympians with coach seats were delivered new in this livery and carried Northern Scottish fleetnames and the Bluebird logo. This would pre-date de-regulation by a few months. Other vehicles so treated were the ASA-Y Leyland Tigers and the HSA-V and ORS-W registered Leopards. They would probably have received their TSV/CSU index marks at around the same time.

Before this, Northern had two versions of an "Express and Tours" livery which was blue/yellow on white, neither of which carried the Bluebird emblem! Unfortunately I'm struggling to find a photo of the second version, but I know it was in use from 1983.

Link is to a photograph by Peter Findlay

https://flickr.com/photos/94327181@N03/49731020082/in/album-72157713750224648/

Thanks for that.

I knew the Bluebird Northern name came about at some point after 1988 but wasn't sure exactly when, at that point it was just a trading name, looking at companies house it wasn't used as the legal name until 1992, presumably as part of the process of transferring the company in to the Stagecoach empire, it seems as if 'Souter & Co' wanted rid of all traces of the Northern brand and by the end of the year it became Bluebird Buses Ltd.

For the liveries the earliest photos i can find are from April 1986. It's hard to read what the boards say on SSA 3X but there seems to have been some sort of launch event at Elgin with one bus in each livery present, i would guess the liveries were launched in anticipation of deregulation, obviously by that point management were already hoping to expand further within Aberdeen and grow a network with the 51/52, 53/54, 57 & 60 being launched and the 9/10 & 21 being renumbered to the 59, 58 & 55 respectively by the following year, hence the two separate liveries, albeit in the grand scheme of things their ambitions proved short-lived. (See below)

Northern Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in the 1980's and early 1990's - Victoryguy

Ah well now. Scanning my collection of Northern Scottish slides through the 1980's will take some time simply because of the huge number of slides I have of the fleet. I studied at Aberdeen University 1981 - 1985 and for most of that time, had my camera with me. Consequently, there's well over...

victoryguy.smugmug.com

Northern Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in the 1980's and early 1990's - Victoryguy

Ah well now. Scanning my collection of Northern Scottish slides through the 1980's will take some time simply because of the huge number of slides I have of the fleet. I studied at Aberdeen University 1981 - 1985 and for most of that time, had my camera with me. Consequently, there's well over...

victoryguy.smugmug.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2021 ==

Stagecoach have been re-awarded the bus service contract on Orkney for another 8 years (plus a potential 2 year extension). There will be major changes to the fleet over the coming months with every vehicle being replaced, a full press release regarding this is expected shortly...

Just to come back to this since the news is somewhat out there... the new vehicle order is for 34 buses (28 B8RLE/Evoras & 8 Solo SRs) they will all carry a unique white/green/blue livery.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2021 ==

Edit: Small correction to the post above above... There will be 25 Evoras, 5 short 10.8M examples (39501-5) and 20 longer examples (21371-90).

 

[83G/84D]

No as it says "Proud To Serve For 40 Years" above the cab window and doors. I had at first assumed it was relating to 40 years of Stagecoach (1980-2020), but other publicity and articles seems to allude to it being the 40th anniversary of "Bluebird Northern".

Thanks for that.

I knew the Bluebird Northern name came about at some point after 1988 but wasn't sure exactly when, at that point it was just a trading name, looking at companies house it wasn't used as the legal name until 1992, presumably as part of the process of transferring the company in to the Stagecoach empire, it seems as if 'Souter & Co' wanted rid of all traces of the Northern brand and by the end of the year it became Bluebird Buses Ltd.

For the liveries the earliest photos i can find are from April 1986. It's hard to read what the boards say on SSA 3X but there seems to have been some sort of launch event at Elgin with one bus in each livery present, i would guess the liveries were launched in anticipation of deregulation, obviously by that point management were already hoping to expand further within Aberdeen and grow a network with the 51/52, 53/54, 57 & 60 being launched and the 9/10 & 21 being renumbered to the 59, 58 & 55 respectively by the following year, hence the two separate liveries, albeit in the grand scheme of things their ambitions proved short-lived. (See below)

Northern Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in the 1980's and early 1990's - Victoryguy

Ah well now. Scanning my collection of Northern Scottish slides through the 1980's will take some time simply because of the huge number of slides I have of the fleet. I studied at Aberdeen University 1981 - 1985 and for most of that time, had my camera with me. Consequently, there's well over...

victoryguy.smugmug.com

Northern Scottish Omnibuses Buses and Coaches in the 1980's and early 1990's - Victoryguy

Ah well now. Scanning my collection of Northern Scottish slides through the 1980's will take some time simply because of the huge number of slides I have of the fleet. I studied at Aberdeen University 1981 - 1985 and for most of that time, had my camera with me. Consequently, there's well over...

victoryguy.smugmug.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2021 ==



Just to come back to this since the news is somewhat out there... the new vehicle order is for 34 buses (28 B8RLE/Evoras & 8 Solo SRs) they will all carry a unique white/green/blue livery.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Apr 2021 ==

Edit: Small correction to the post above above... There will be 25 Evoras, 5 short 10.8M examples (39501-5) and 20 longer examples (21371-90).

I had better get to Orkney this year as I need some of the based Solo's. Any idea on a timescale for vehicle replacement please?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I had better get to Orkney this year as I need some of the based Solo's. Any idea on a timescale for vehicle replacement please?

Not sure exactly but they're expected in the new few "months", the Solos are due to arrive first then the Evoras.

 

[Blindtraveler]

The 8 solo SR do not surprised me as it's a vehicle type well-known to Orkney but the complete absence of anything from ADL does surprise me, 4 qualities sake I think they've made a good choice but I'm still rather amazed

 

[Volvodart]

I had better get to Orkney this year as I need some of the based Solo's. Any idea on a timescale for vehicle replacement please?

With Optare/Switch you are probably looking at a year away anyway!

 

[computerSaysNo]

The 8 solo SR do not surprised me as it's a vehicle type well-known to Orkney but the complete absence of anything from ADL does surprise me, 4 qualities sake I think they've made a good choice but I'm still rather amazed

I thought it was a bit surprising too, I guess it could depend on where the funding for them is coming from; if Stagecoach aren't providing 100% of the funding then whoever is providing the remaining % would probably have a say in which vehicles to buy.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The 8 solo SR do not surprised me as it's a vehicle type well-known to Orkney but the complete absence of anything from ADL does surprise me, 4 qualities sake I think they've made a good choice but I'm still rather amazed

I thought it was a bit surprising too, I guess it could depend on where the funding for them is coming from; if Stagecoach aren't providing 100% of the funding then whoever is providing the remaining % would probably have a say in which vehicles to buy.

With Souter no longer being involved with the day to day at Stagecoach there's less influence to buy only ADL. From my understanding the vehicles are fully funded by Stagecoach.

21371-90 will be 13.2M examples (same as Lothians) likely because they can fit 49 seats in allowing them to be used on all the school contracts that coaches at present work. ADL don't currently offer a 49 seater 2 axle single decker.

 

[83G/84D]

Not sure exactly but they're expected in the new few "months", the Solos are due to arrive first then the Evoras.

The 8 solo SR do not surprised me as it's a vehicle type well-known to Orkney but the complete absence of anything from ADL does surprise me, 4 qualities sake I think they've made a good choice but I'm still rather amazed

Thanks, yes the waiting time for Solos is quite long I gather so it may be a while before they are replaced.

 

[cnjb8]

So the new order is totally true? Is there a source for it yet?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Thanks, yes the waiting time for Solos is quite long I gather so it may be a while before they are replaced.

The internal press release did state that the vehicles will "start to filter in onto the island over the next few months", which would imply it'll be sooner rather than later. WScot have just received at least two Solos SRs.

So the new order is totally true? Is there a source for it yet?

Yes there was a press release put out at the depot last week by the assistant operations manager.

Part of it showing one of the 10.8M Evoras in the new livery has since been posted on Flickr by a driver based there.

Brand new buses for Orkney

It was confirmed last week Stagecoach in Orkney are due to receive 34 brand new buses to replace the current 34 vehicles that are already in the fleet. This is part of the new contracts that come in this year having been delayed for a year with COVID and the investment is being made by...

www.flickr.com

 

[Volvodart]

I presume this is why Orkney Council did not take up the electric buses funding which it had been allocated. Update - it was because Stagecoach did not tender for electric buses, although there was an option in the tender specification for electric buses.

https://www.orkney.gov.uk/OIC-News/Bus-contracts-awarded.htm

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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Apr 2021 ==

A double decker bus has been donated to Grampian Autustic Society. 16976 pictured is still in service so might have just been used for the photo call, but it was said elsewhere that "Stagecoach will continue to use the bus for service for the next couple of months before handing it over", presumably at the end of the school year:-

https://planetradio.co.uk/northsound/local/news/stagecoach-donate-bus/

WATCH: North East autism charity boosted by bus donation​

Stagecoach Bluebird have donated the double decker to The Grampian Autistic Society who will turn it into a travelling sensory unit.

NorthsoundNews
Author: Lewis MichiePublished 4 hours ago
Last updated 4 hours ago
North East Autism charity Grampian Autistic Society have been boosted after Stagecoach donated a double decker bus to the group.

They'll be transforming the unit into a travelling sensory unit to travel across the region.



The charity will be looking to fundraise throughout the summer to fully kit out the bus - with hopes it can hit the road by October.

Video - https://twitter.com/i/status/1387746806172372996

 

[Red Onion]

Hadn’t seen this in the news but I see that the Aberdeenshire Council supported 747 Peterhead to Aberdeen service is being withdrawn. I don’t think there’s been any real usage of the service since it was reintroduced but shame to see it go. It’s never been much use to me since the hourly service which continued south along the AWPR was withdrawn sadly (that service was of good use for me).

Are there any other council supported services being withdrawn at the same time?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Hadn’t seen this in the news but I see that the Aberdeenshire Council supported 747 Peterhead to Aberdeen service is being withdrawn. I don’t think there’s been any real usage of the service since it was reintroduced but shame to see it go. It’s never been much use to me since the hourly service which continued south along the AWPR was withdrawn sadly (that service was of good use for me).

Are there any other council supported services being withdrawn at the same time?

The 747 was never that heavily used but the extension to Montrose in 2019 is arguably what killed it as before the main passenger base was between Ellon, Newburgh, Potterton and Dyce Asda. The increase in frequency of the 50 much replaced the service between Ellon and Newburgh, while there's no alternatives for Potteron or Asda Dyce. Ideally for the 747 to have worked it should've operated Ellon - Foveran - Balmedie - Bridge Of Don - Airport

Here's a full summary of the reductions for the 2021/22 financial year, just to note some of these reduction (for example the Echt service) took place last year but have been counted towards this years cuts.

X17 (5A): Echt variations withdrawn. These would've became the 5A under the proposed March 2020 timetable.

64: Service withdrawn

66/66A: 18:25 and 20:15 ex Peterhead (Monday to Friday), 19:02 ex Stuartfield (Monday to Friday), 16:42 and 19:02 ex Peterhead (Saturday) are withdrawn.

69: 22:25 St Combs - Fraserburgh (Saturday) is withdrawn.

76/77: 18:20, 18:50 and 21:15 ex Broad Street (Monday to Friday) are withdrawn.

81: 05:18 ex Peterhead and 23:23 ex Boddam (Monday to Friday) are withdrawn.

201: Sunday service between Ballater and Braemar will be withdrawn.

240: The 3 return journeys between Oldmeldrum and Inverurie on Saturdays are withdrawn

248: Service Withdrawn

270: Saturday service is withdrawn

273: Saturday service is withdrawn

405: Friday service withdrawn, operates Wednesday only.

452: Service withdrawn

473: Service withdrawn

747: Service withdrawn

Full council press release from last month - http://publications.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/dataset/proposed-bus-service-revisions

Supported bus services cut​

A number of supported bus services in Aberdeenshire will be withdrawn or reduced. Some of the services that will be affected have been suspended since the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were imposed in January 2021 and these will not be reinstated. The remainder will be withdrawn with effect from week commencing Monday 31st May 2021.
The money available for supported services was reduced by around £250,000 when the council set its budget in mid March 2021.
To stay within budget for 2021/22, the council's Transportation service is reducing those supported bus routes and services which provide least value for money.
In view of the overall reduction in usage of bus services in 2020, due to government guidance to only use public transport for essential travel, it was considered that the 12 month period to November 2019 would allow a fairer assessment, this including the usage of each service, primary trip purpose and average subsidy per passenger, which in some cases amounts to over £20 per passenger journey.
However, factors within the catchment area of each service were also taken into account, such as the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) ranking, car ownership levels, and the percentage of population with restricted mobility.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Updated list of vehicles in the 2020 liveries.

Stagecoach Bluebird
Enviro400MMC: 11566/67
Enviro400: 19374/541
Enviro300: 27112/538/601/602/804
Enviro350H: 29001/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09/10/11/14/17/20/21/22
Enviro200: 36046/47/49/50/68/959
Optare Solo: 47161/214/233/235/257/484/486/489/490/601/602/605/875
B12B Panther: 53107/110/112
B9R Elite: 53715
B11R Elitei: 54241/42/43/44/46/47/48/49/50/52/53/54/56

Stagecoach In the Highlands
Enviro300 (Transbus Style): 27587/88/91
Scania Enviro300: 28601/02/03/04/44/46/49
B9R Panther: 53612/613/615/616/617/618
B13Rt Panther: 54120/121/123/130/131/132/133/134/135/136/137

Key: Local Livery, Long Distance Livery, Training Livery

_____________________________________

There's some pretty major services changes in the Highlands from this weekend, with much of the Inverness Network seeing it's biyearly complete redraw... The Inverness changes are completely different to those proposed 5 months ago.

ServiceUpdatesArticle

www.stagecoachbus.com

Services in Highlands adjusted in response to COVID-1925 Jun 2020​

All of our timetables for bus services across the Highlands can be downloaded from the links below.
To keep everyone safe, please remember the guidance is to stay local. For more information visit www.gov.scot

We would like to remind you that it’s still compulsory to wear a face covering throughout your journey when travelling by public transport.
If you need to travel, you can get there safely with us. Find out more about how to stay safe when travelling by bus and make sure you're up-to-date with what's happening in your area.

Our enhanced cleaning regime remains in place and we have also fitted protective screens to all of our buses between the driver and customer. As an additional protection measure we would also appreciate if you can pay for your journey using contactless payment or purchase your ticket in advance on our mobile app.
All of our buses have social distancing guidance on board, this means there is a reduced maximum capacity on board. This is in place to help you comply with current social distancing advice while on your journey. To help you plan in advance, we introduced a busy bus indicator available on our app, find out more here.

From Monday 28th June some of our timetables will be revised. Following the completion of the infrastructure improvements in Inverness a number of revisions are to be made to the bus services in the city offering better links to the Raigmore, UHI and the Retail Park. From the same date an enhanced summer timetable will commence on the Isle of Skye. All of the new timetables can be downloaded below.

Timetables
Inverness City Timetable *until Sunday 27th June*
Inverness City Timetable *from Monday 28th June*
Inverness City Route Map *from Monday 28th June*
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Nairn Service 13 and 20 *from Monday 28th June*
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Service 10 Inverness - Aberdeen Timetable

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Dingwall, Black Isle and Easter Ross Timetable *until Sunday 27th June*
Dingwall, Black Isle and Easter Ross *from Monday 28th June*
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Loch Ness Area Timetable *until Sunday 27th June*
Loch Ness Area Timetable *from Monday 28th June*
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Badenoch and Strathspey Timetable

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https://tiscon-maps-stagecoachbus.s...otland/Highlands/Caithness Guide-25.01.21.pdf
Caithness and Sutherland Timetable *until Sunday 27th June*
Caithness and Sutherland Timetable *from Monday 28th June
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Skye Timetable *until Sunday 27th June*
Skye Timetable *from Monday 28th June*

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Orkney Timetable


If you have any questions remember you can get in touch on Twitter @StagecoachHLand or via email on [email protected].

A quick summary of the main changes:

Service 1: Revised to operate Balloch to Dalneigh instead of Hilton (replaced by 5/6)

Service 2: Extended to Tornagrain

Service 3: Route in Culloden revised

Service 4A/4C: New circular service operating City - Holm Park - Culduthel - Milton of Leys - Raigmore Hospital - Kingsmill - City - South Kessock. Operates hourly in each direction replacing the current 4 and parts of the existing 6.

Service 5/5A/5C/6/6A/6C: New circular service operating City - Hilton - Milton - Raigmore Hospital (5/6) or Shopping Park (5A/6A) - City. Operates half hourly each direction, 5C/6C are Sunday variations of the 5A/6A that operate via Milton Of Leys when the 4A/4C doesn't operate

Service 7: Minor changes.

Service 8: Revised to operate City Centre - Raigmore Estate only. Dalneigh section replaced by the 1.

Service 9: Existing Service 13 Shopper Service renumbered.

Service 11/11A/11B: 11 to Nairn withdrawn with the 11A to Ardersier renumbered to 11. Frequency reduced to hourly.

Service X12: New service operating Inverness - Raigmore Hospital - Shopping Park - Balloch then direct to Nairn. Replaces the 11.

Service 25A: Existing service 25 renumbered, most journeys operate between Dingwall and Alness only.

Service 25/X25: New services operating half hourly replacing the 25X/X98 allowing for a more consistent timetable. Additionally it now operates via Tore.

Service 27: Increased from hourly to half hourly between Inverness and Dingwall replacing the 25.

Service X28: New variant of the 28 operating direct from Inverness to Muir Of Ord.

Bluebird are expecting to have their next changes at some point in August.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I wonder when will get our first glimpse of the new timetable at cetera for Orkney due for August? And have vehicle deliveries started yet

 

[Jordan Adam]

I wonder when will get our first glimpse of the new timetable at cetera for Orkney due for August? And have vehicle deliveries started yet

Vehicle deliveries are due to commence any day now. Vehicles will be arriving in roughly groups of six every three days. The Optares are due first then the Evoras.

I'm not sure if there will be a new timetable for Orkney, you'd have thought if there was it would be in place ahead of the 2021 Summer season like with the launch of the new T54/T56/T57 on Skye.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Following the requirement for Aberdeen City School Contract services to be operated by seat belt fitted vehicles Stagecoach have won the tenders for the Lochside Academy 21 and 22 off First. The 31 to Victoria Bridge and 181/182/183 to Kincorth are unaffected by these changes as First operate them commercially.

Registration number: PM0000005/672
Licence Number: PM0000005 (Bluebird Buses Ltd)
Status: NEW
Service number: A21A (21A)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Cove, Earns Heugh Road
Finish point: Lochside Academy
Effective date: 16 Aug 2021

Registration number: PM0000005/671
Licence Number: PM0000005 (Bluebird Buses Ltd)
Status: NEW
Service number: A22A (22A & 22B)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Start point: Balnagask or Torry
Finish point: Lochside Academy
Effective date: 16 Aug 2021

Both contracts combined require five vehicles, however as Stagecoach have lost a significant amount of North Aberdeenshire Contracts additional vehicles will likely not be needed.

 

[jamieintercity]

Following the requirement for Aberdeen City School Contract services to be operated by seat belt fitted vehicles Stagecoach have won the tenders for the Lochside Academy 21 and 22 off First. The 31 to Victoria Bridge and 181/182/183 to Kincorth are unaffected by these changes as First operate them commercially.



Both contracts combined require five vehicles, however as Stagecoach have lost a significant amount of North Aberdeenshire Contracts additional vehicles will likely not be needed.

So what have Stagecoach lost and gained in terms of contracts that are due to start in about 2 weeks time?

 

[Jordan Adam]

So what have Stagecoach lost and gained in terms of contracts that are due to start in about 2 weeks time?

They've gained the those Lochside Academy runs listed above (PVR of 5) along with the Inverurie - Kingseat Shoppers Service 403 which is currently operated by JM Burns.

Stagecoach are yet to publish their new timetables however what we do know is that they've lost the 51 (M-F), 81 (Sun), 231 (Sat), 271/271A (M-F), 291 (Sun) and a number of non-registered school services in the Huntly/Insch area.

The new timetables for Bains Coaches, RS Coaches, Watermill Coaches and Deveron Coaches are already online on BusTimes.org and Traveline Scotland. Below is a summary of changes for those independents.

Watermill 51 (M-F): Change of operator from Stagecoach to Watermill.
Watermill now operate the 6:13 from Fraserburgh to Ellon, 9:25 New Pitsligo to Ellon, 13:25 Ellon to New Pitsligo & 18:25 Ellon to Fraserburgh.
It's unclear if the 12:25 Ex-Ellon / 13:25 Ex-New Pitsligo journeys will remain operated by Stagecoach or not.


Watermill 81 (Sun): Change of operator from Stagecoach to Watermill.
Watermill will operate the full service, timetable remains unchanged from the existing Sunday service.


RS Coaches, Sauchen 231 (Sat): Change of operator from Stagecoach to RS Coaches, Stagecoach continue to operate the M-F service


Watermill 271/271A (M-F): Change of operator from Stagecoach to Watermill.
Same as the current timetable but with two additional journeys. 6:38 Fraserburgh to Banff & 17:15 Banff to Fraserburgh.


Watermill 273 (M-F): Change of operator from Kineil Coaches to Watermill.
8:25 from Gardenstown now departs at 8:15.


Watermill 291 (Sun): Change of operator from Stagecoach to Watermill Sundays only.
Watermill now operate the 12:45/17:45/20:15 from Aberdeen & 10:53/13:55/18:55 from Methlick
Presumably Stagecoach will still operate the 15:15 from Aberdeen & 16:23 from Methlick.


Stagecoach Bluebird 403 (Tue): Change of operator from JM Burns to Stagecoach


Bains Coaches, Oldmeldrum 421 (M-F): Minor timetable changes
15:21 from Inverurie to Alford will now start from Inverurie Market Place at 14:59 and go round Inverurie first.
17:15 from Inverurie Market Place to Alford will now depart at 17:23
16:17 & 18:17 from Alford will now depart at 16:25 & 18:25


Deveron 405 (Wed): Change of operator from Watermill to Deveron


Deveron 895 (Sch): Service has been properly registered for the first time.

I'd expect the new Stagecoach timetables will appear online at some point this week.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Aug 2021 ==

*Separate post*

The new Stagecoach timetables are now online.

Details of changes - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/...monday-16th-august-in-aberdeenshire-and-moray

Changes to bus services from Monday 16th August in Aberdeenshire and Moray​

06 Aug 2021
· Update from Stagecoach Bluebird on changes to timetables
· Safety and well-being of customers and bus employees remains top priority

Stagecoach Bluebird has provided an update on changes being made to bus timetables with the majority of changes as a result of changes to services operated on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council.

Revised timetables will be in place from Monday 16th August and are now available to download at stagecoachbus.com.

Services affected –

41 – Insch – Inverurie – Reduction in daily journeys operated.
201 – Deeside – Sunday journeys will now operate as service 201.
231 – Huntly – Alford - Saturday service no longer operated by Stagecoach. Weekday journeys available to the general public from this date.
290/291 – Aberdeen – Tarves - Mon – Sat service continues with no changes to timetable. Sunday service no longer operated by Stagecoach.
301 - Macduff – Huntly – Saturday service withdrawn.
308 – Aberchirder – Inverurie – Service withdrawn.
403 – Kingseat – Inverurie – New service operates Tuesdays only.
416 – Inverurie – Rhynie - Service withdrawn.
422 – Insch – Alford – Revised journey times.
51 – Ellon – New Pitsligo – Service will not be operated by Stagecoach.
81 – Boddam – Peterhead - Mon – Sat service remains in place. Service on Sundays no longer operated by Stagecoach.
270 – Fraserburgh – New Pitsligo - Revised journey times.
271 – Banff – Fraserburgh - Service will not be operated by Stagecoach.
272 – Fraserburgh – Banff - Revised journey times.

Other changes from the same date affect services –

22 – Inverurie Town Service – Revised timetable with 3 journeys withdrawn.
X67/X68 – Aberdeen – Fraserburgh – Minor timetable changes.
34 – Elgin Town – School holiday 1720 journey withdrawn.
V1 – Fiona Elcock Vaccination Shuttle – service withdrawn. Connections to the vaccine centre will still be available using service 33A/33C/36.
21A/22A/22B – Lochside Academy – Stagecoach will operate 3 services from Torry, Balnagask and Cove to Lochside Academy in Aberdeen, on behalf of Aberdeen City Council.

Peter Knight, managing director for Stagecoach Bluebird said: “While the changes from 16th August do not affect our most popular bus services, these timetable revisions will affect some of the smaller communities across Aberdeenshire.

“I’m extremely proud of the way our team across Aberdeenshire and Moray has worked together to ensure that we can continue to deliver services in the most challenging of times.”

Stagecoach has taken extensive action to protect the safety of its customers and staff with a number of additional measures in place including enhanced cleaning regimes. Social distancing measures remain in place on board all Stagecoach buses in Scotland and face coverings are encouraged for anyone making a journey by bus. A recent update to the Stagecoach mobile app also allows customers to see how busy their bus is likely to be before it arrives at their stop.

Customers can stay up to date with all the latest news from Stagecoach on Twitter @StagecoachBBird.

New timetables from 16th August can be downloaded here.

Aberdeenshire Council have also now launched a website for the Inverurie "Ready2Go" DRT (Demand Response Transport) which covers the Kintore/Kemnay/Inverurie/Insch/Oldmeldrum/Rothienorman areas thus replacing the 41 and 308. The Inverurie Town Service 22 was also due to be withdrawn but due to local opposition has been retained on a reduced basis. Watermill have 5 brand new Mercedes Sprinters branded for the service.

News centre - Aberdeenshire Council

online.aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Ready2Go Demand Responsive Transport to be launched in Inverurie area on August 16​

Aberdeenshire Council is preparing to launch its new Demand Responsive Transport pilot initiative in the Inverurie area to replace traditional fixed-route timetabled services.

Ready2Go Around Inverurie will begin operating on Monday, August 16 to provide better access to public transport.

Operated by Watermill Coaches using five brand new wheelchair-accessible minibuses, Ready2Go Around Inverurie will operate Monday to Friday between 6.30am and 7.30pm and on Saturdays from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

Unlike the council’s A2B dial-a-bus services, customers will be able to book at any time using the Ready2Go DRT app which will be available to download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store from August 9.

Passengers can request a bus at short notice or can ask for a future departure or arrival time. If they want to travel as soon as possible, they will be provided with their pick-up time and location or, if a bus is not free, they can look for a future time. If booking ahead they will receive an acknowledgement and then close to the time of travel the predicted pick-up time and location will be confirmed.

The app will enable passengers to plan their public transport journeys and track their Ready2Go bus on a map in real-time before it arrives. The system will also provide the times of any other alternative bus services operating in the area.

Ready2Go also incorporates accessibility features, helping people with disabilities to use public transport with more assurance.

It has been created in partnership with moovit.com, an Intel company and leading ‘Mobility as a Service’ (MaaS) solutions provider.

Passengers without a smartphone who are unable to use the Ready2Go DRT app can phone the council on 01467 535 333 to book their bus.

Bookings can be made by the individual who is travelling or on behalf of someone else and passengers who are travelling with others can book for everyone at the same time.

The service will also connect to some of the main transport hubs in the area including Inverurie, Insch and Kintore railway stations to help improve onward travel opportunities.

Cllr Peter Argyle, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, explains that even before the impact of the Covid pandemic, the use of bus services across the UK has been in decline for several years.

He says: “Since the Covid emergency, travel needs and travel demands have evolved with a massive increase in people working from home, a surge in online shopping and the development of tele-healthcare. Peak workers’ travel requirements - which formed the previous service delivery priority - have diminished significantly and currently all travel demand by bus remains suppressed and generally more local.

“We have consulted with customers, stakeholders and suppliers to gain a far better understanding of travel needs and this has helped shape this excellent new flexible service which I am sure will be of real benefit to local residents.”

Vice-chair Cllr John Cox added: “This is an exciting time for travel in and around the Inverurie area and I am confident this enhanced transportation initiative will provide a better, more flexible type of service for many passengers and make getting around far more convenient.

“I would like to thank our officers and software partner for getting this progressed in a short space of time and I am looking forward to learning from the pilot scheme and seeing how it may be applied in other areas of Aberdeenshire in the fullness of time.”

More details on the DRT can be found here.

 

[alchemy]

The internal press release did state that the vehicles will "start to filter in onto the island over the next few months", which would imply it'll be sooner rather than later. WScot have just received at least two Solos SRs.

Yes there was a press release put out at the depot last week by the assistant operations manager.

Part of it showing one of the 10.8M Evoras in the new livery has since been posted on Flickr by a driver based there.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/peterspasovbuses/511448938201

There is a demonstrator in Orkney now with an open day at 10 am.
There's also an article and video on Radio Orkney's Facebook page.

11K views · 132 reactions | Stagecoach Orkney New Bus Event | Orkney is due to take delivery of the first of 34 new buses for school and public transport routes later this year. The public is being invited to come... | By BBC Radio Orkney | Facebook

Orkney is due to take delivery of the first of 34 new buses for school and public transport routes later this year. The public is being invited to come...

www.facebook.com

Orkney is due to take delivery of the first of 34 new buses for school and public transport routes later this year. The public is being invited to come and see a bus similar to one of the new vehicles on Saturday at the Kirkwall Travel Centre between 10am and 1PM. Stagecoach is also keen to hear from anyone interested in taking up a career as a bus driver, and will have drivers on site to talk about the role. The new buses are due to a new multi-million pound contract between Orkney Islands Council and Stagecoach. The new fleet will have an updated livery for Orkney, different from the bus on display this weekend. Hear more on Around Orkney at 7.30AM on Monday morning.

 

[cnjb8]

There is a demonstrator in Orkney now with an open day at 10 am.
There's also an article and video on Radio Orkney's Facebook page.

11K views · 132 reactions | Stagecoach Orkney New Bus Event | Orkney is due to take delivery of the first of 34 new buses for school and public transport routes later this year. The public is being invited to come... | By BBC Radio Orkney | Facebook

Orkney is due to take delivery of the first of 34 new buses for school and public transport routes later this year. The public is being invited to come...

www.facebook.com

If you mean the teal Evora, it’s on loan from Stagecoach East for demonstration purposes

 

[alchemy]

If you mean the teal Evora, it’s on loan from Stagecoach East for demonstration purposes

Yes, that's the one.

 

[alex397]

I wonder if anyone can tell me some information about route 10 between Aberdeen and Inverness.

I will potentially be travelling on this due to no trains on Sundays.
I notice on bustimes.org that double decker buses are usually on the first 12.30 departure from Aberdeen, with most other journeys using coaches. Is there a reason they use a double decker on such a long route, which is 4hr10 in total? Is it temporary for more capacity due to the Sunday rail strikes?
I will aim for the coach journeys as I would need a toilet onboard for such a long journey, and I will have a suitcase.
thanks

 

[Jordan Adam]

I wonder if anyone can tell me some information about route 10 between Aberdeen and Inverness.

I will potentially be travelling on this due to no trains on Sundays.
I notice on bustimes.org that double decker buses are usually on the first 12.30 departure from Aberdeen, with most other journeys using coaches. Is there a reason they use a double decker on such a long route, which is 4hr10 in total? Is it temporary for more capacity due to the Sunday rail strikes?
I will aim for the coach journeys as I would need a toilet onboard for such a long journey, and I will have a suitcase.
thanks

The double deckers are usually used on the 35 between Aberdeen and Elgin via Banff. Two of them are out stationed at Elgin overnight for the 35 Monday - Saturday, as such they're normally used on Elgin routes on Sundays. I'd imagine the reason for their use on the 10 is exactly as you say - for capacity, the 10 can be particularly busy at times between Aberdeen and Huntly.

When a non-toilet fitted vehicle or a vehicle with a defective toilet is allocated drivers should be able to wait at relief points if a passenger wishes to use a public toilet. Although of course this can be driver dependant and likely not possible if the bus is late.

 

[Martijn]

Is there a more detailed map available somewhere of the Stagecoach Inverness/Highlands coverage areas than the one pictured below?
(the original PDF was a bit more readable, but didn't provide any more information)

I'm trying to figure out if the stop Culloden Battlefield (line 2) is still within zone 1A or not…