Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[GusB]

Elgin Depot don't appear to be having a great day today if bustimes is to be believed. There are E200 (classics) on all of the 10, 35, and M96.

My question is what gearboxes do Elgin's current E200 allocation have? And can you tell from the fleet number? I assume they all have the 4.5L engine.

Apologies if already answered, I remember asking this a while ago but I searched and couldn't find an answer.

For reference, bustimes says Elgin currently has E200s:
36046 SV08 GUO
36048 SV08 GUW
36066 SY57 AXR
36953 YX63 LGZ
36955 YX63 LHB
36956 YX63 LHC
36957 YX63 LHD
37256 SL64 HWN
37257 SL64 HWP
37258 SL64 HWR
From https://bustimes.org/operators/stagecoach-north-scotland/vehicles. You need to view the desktop site in order to see the garages. Bustimes.org disclaimer:

The SV08 E200s have Allison transmissions; I'm not sure about the rest. They're actually decent buses, considering their age. I

 

[computerSaysNo]

36048 on the M96 actually being 54823 today.
36956 has been 21414 recently.

The 35 and X35 are more likely to be accurate, as single decker MMCs are usually on the 10 and M96 if need be.
36046/66 are non low emission zone compliant so would only go as far east as Elgin or Macduff.

Ah right, thanks. Do Elgin swap the ticket machines around quite often then?

The SV08 E200s have Allison transmissions; I'm not sure about the rest. They're actually decent buses, considering their age. I

Ah right, thanks. How many speeds do those model of transmissions have?

 

[Volvodart]

Ah right, thanks. Do Elgin swap the ticket machines around quite often then?

It is usually the Highland buses on loan that get these 2 and 27105, but 54823 must have used the spare ticket machine to get going on time.

 

[computerSaysNo]

It is usually the Highland buses on loan that get these 2 and 27105, but 54823 must have used the spare ticket machine to get going on time.

Thanks. Is it possible to attach a note to those trackers on bustimes to indicate that the vehicle they are being used on frequently changes?

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

Ah right, thanks. Do Elgin swap the ticket machines around quite often then?

Ah right, thanks. How many speeds do those model of transmissions have?

Newer E200s have Voith boxes

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

So basically the ex SL64 Highland E200’s and the YX63 ones ?

Yes, any E200s bought after 2010 where all Voith boxes

 

[computerSaysNo]

Newer E200s have Voith boxes

So basically the ex SL64 Highland E200’s and the YX63 ones ?

Yes, any E200s bought after 2010 where all Voith boxes

Thanks, and the Voith are all 4-speed, is that correct?

 

[Morayshire]

Aberdeenshire Council has a consultation out about their 2025 Passenger Transport Strategy - consultation closes on Sunday 1st September

Link to survey is below

Link to passenger transport strategy survey

The Council is reviewing its current Passenger Transport Strategy, published in 2014, which you can view in the link in the documents section of this page.


The updated Passenger Transport Strategy, which will apply from 2025 to 2035, aims to set out the Council’s objectives for Aberdeenshire passenger transport services and incorporates the Council’s general policies for public and other passenger transport. The document entitled Draft Passenger Transport Strategy 2025 will form the basis of the new strategy document.

We are seeking the views of individuals and organisations on the draft outcomes, general objectives and transport objectives proposed in the draft strategy document.

We are also seeking feedback on the proposed key high-level tasks to be undertaken during the lifetime of the new strategy, as explained in the Proposed Action Plan which you can view on this page.

Should you wish, you can also provide comments about any of the Policies which are included in the Draft Passenger Transport Strategy 2025 and which are also listed separately in the documents section of this page.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Paper copies of the survey can be printed for you at any public library within the Aberdeenshire Council area.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday 1st September 2024

 

[Jordan Adam]

Thanks, and the Voith are all 4-speed, is that correct?

The ones up to 63 plate are 3-speed, the 64 plates are 4 speed.

 

[Volvodart]

27800 has been given a repaint in Bluebird Northern livery with the wording on the branding slightly changed.

 

[voidwxrranty]

Why is there a random kid on bustimes moving Highland buses to Bluebirds fleetlist despite nothing transferring, this is why kids shouldn’t be allowed on Bustimes tbh

everything is moving back to being “North Scotland”. might be why?

 

[Volvodart]

everything is moving back to being “North Scotland”. might be why?

Everything apart from Orkney, and it is not until the 19th

 

[GusB]

Could we have a source confirming that the two companies are being brought together?

 

[voidwxrranty]

Everything apart from Orkney, and it is not until the 19th

ahh. thanks for that. the 19th is when the service changes commence isn’t it?

 

[Bedford OB]

Could we have a source confirming that the two companies are being brought together?

All Highland Country local bus service registrations except Orkney (a total of 82 registrations) have been cancelled from 19 August and matching new service registrations have been made by Bluebird Buses Ltd from that date. All detail of that is in Traffic Commissioners Notices & Proceedings issues 2499, 2500. Far too much to try to extract and put on here but easy to see.

 

[Volvodart]

Is there actually a reason that Highland are now taking back their old E300’s from Peterhead, SL14 DCO/DBY/DBZ/DCE? I was under the impression that the 20 or so Evoras were bought specifically to replace them?

They would be a better size for the 12, if the 35 buses go back to the part of the route they were bought for.

 

[Jordan Adam]

36421 has replaced 27106 at Peterhead, a move that makes little sense as Buchan could do with less E200s not more. The E300s are better suited as they are vehicles which can both be used on the Buchan Locals and the Buchan Xpress when they're short of Interdecks - which they always are.

There are meant to be ex-Manchester Enviro400MMCs coming north to replace the older E400s. Until they arrive its likely that Buchan E200s will start appearing on the 35 as Buchan don't really have anything else suitable that's LEZ compliant that they can swap when the 19 plate E400MMCs go to Peterhead for servicing.

They would be a better size for the 12, if the 35 buses go back to the part of the route they were bought for.

They already have E200MMCs at Elgin which would be suited for the 12, some runs on the 12 are also going to be Inverness operated.

 

[AndrewTaylor95]

36421 has replaced 27106 at Peterhead, a move that makes little sense as Buchan could do with less E200s not more. The E300s are better suited as they are vehicles which can both be used on the Buchan Locals and the Buchan Xpress when they're short of Interdecks - which they always are.

There are meant to be ex-Manchester Enviro400MMCs coming north to replace the older E400s. Until they arrive its likely that Buchan E200s will start appearing on the 35 as Buchan don't really have anything else suitable that's LEZ compliant that they can swap when the 19 plate E400MMCs go to Peterhead for servicing.

They already have E200MMCs at Elgin which would be suited for the 12, some runs on the 12 are also going to be Inverness operated.

Wonder what E400MMCs they will get, Manchester have loads, Probably the oldest ones no doubt 64/15/65 plates I'm having a stab at. Won't find out till January no doubt once they finish up for Metroline taking over on the Bee Network

 

[GusB]

All Highland Country local bus service registrations except Orkney (a total of 82 registrations) have been cancelled from 19 August and matching new service registrations have been made by Bluebird Buses Ltd from that date. All detail of that is in Traffic Commissioners Notices & Proceedings issues 2499, 2500. Far too much to try to extract and put on here but easy to see.

It would help if you would at least provide links to the relevant entries in the Notices & Proceedings site in order that forum members may access those documents without having to search.

For reference, Notices and Proceedings for Scotland can be found here:

PSV notices and proceedings for Scotland

Notice of bus and coach operator licence applications to, and decisions made by, the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

www.gov.uk

If all the current Highland registrations are being cancelled and registered by Bluebird Buses Ltd., is it safe to assume that Highland Country Buses Ltd. is about to be wound up?

 

[Volvodart]

If all the current Highland registrations are being cancelled and registered by Bluebird Buses Ltd., is it safe to assume that Highland Country Buses Ltd. is about to be wound up?

No, it will be needed for the Orkney services, which have not been transferred to Bluebird's licence

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Peterhead have started to do routine inspections on Moray buses. They would normally operate a 35 or X35 then an Aberdeen to Peterhead service to get there and back.

Inverness are also doing maintenance on the Moray fleet and today, for instance, several Inverness based buses were on the 10, 35 and M96.

 

[Sealink]

Is there a reason why all Stagecoach Highland services appear to have transferred to Stagecoach Bluebird?

I am on the X99 Wick Inverness and according to BusTimes.org it is operated by Stagecoach Bluebird. This is new

In fact if you search for X99 on Bustimes.org it offers you a service operated by Stagecoach Highland (with no services, just a link to services from 18 August) and a service operated by Stagecoach Bluebird.

Meanwhile, the Stagecoach app shows no services between Wick and Inverness.

I know Stagecoach were reviewing their North of Scotland services, and in their initial news item they mentioned some services transferring, but not everything.

Maybe someone pressed the wrong button on a computer somewhere.

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It would help if you would at least provide links to the relevant entries in the Notices & Proceedings site in order that forum members may access those documents without having to search.

For reference, Notices and Proceedings for Scotland can be found here:

PSV notices and proceedings for Scotland

Notice of bus and coach operator licence applications to, and decisions made by, the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

www.gov.uk

If all the current Highland registrations are being cancelled and registered by Bluebird Buses Ltd., is it safe to assume that Highland Country Buses Ltd. is about to be wound up?

EDIT: And I just saw this

EDIT 2: With both companies having routes with same service number, business.org is confused.

Here's one example I found:

82 - Scrabster [Pier] - Wick [North Road]

Stagecoach North Scotland

bustimes.org

This link shows a Wick Thurso timetable (service 82) merged with stops of a Peterhead town service.

 

[GusB]

Lately, I've noticed the odd Plaxton Elite Volvo in Citylink livery. Could someone confirm how many have been so liveried thus far, and whether or not they're confined to the M96 service? I assume it's the 2017 intake but I've only ever seen them from a distance.

 

[Volvodart]

.

Lately, I've noticed the odd Plaxton Elite Volvo in Citylink livery. Could someone confirm how many have been so liveried thus far, and whether or not they're confined to the M96 service? I assume it's the 2017 intake but I've only ever seen them from a distance.

It is 53821-4 usually on the M96 but also on the 10. There are only 3 needed for the M96 as the Aberdeen based M96 gets an old Caetano coach

 

[Blindtraveler]

I would hope that the next time any significant number of coaches are ordered that Highland get a semi-decent number of them. The 2013 machines on the x99 etc. Must be ready for turning into razor blades by now, they were tired out when they ran the 900s

 

[GusB]

It is 53821-4 usually on the M96 but also on the 10. There are only 3 needed for the M96 as the Aberdeen based M96 gets an old Caetano coach

Thanks for confirming. I had checked out bustimes.org, but it didn't want to rely on that as an accurate source of information!

 

[alchemy]

8406x are all electric buses aren't they? How are they being charged in Orkney?

Slowly

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Slowly

It didn't do

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It didn't do the T11 but appeared once or twice on the X1. Did 80 miles on full charge and then 2 days to charge. It was being trialled for a possible fleet of ten to be used at the Inter Island Games to be held here in Orkney next summer. One of the local drivers said to me that its capacity is only 2 more than the longer evoras which are here.

 

[Blindtraveler]

They would probably be best bringing in a load of e400 for that event, maybe a temporary diversion of some stock fresh from the factory at the time

 

[fife_circle]

Last couple times I’ve been on the E400EVs none of them seem to have their next stop displays or announcements working. Why has this become such a common issue in vehicles 2/3 years old.

 

[Red Onion]

I heard on the radio today that the X14 Kingswells service is being axed from late November. I can’t see anything on their website, just wondered if anyone can shed some light if true or not?

Kingswells seems to struggle with retaining any service, which is a shame as it didn’t seem too bad a service.

 

[Volvodart]

I heard on the radio today that the X14 Kingswells service is being axed from late November. I can’t see anything on their website, just wondered if anyone can shed some light if true or not?

Kingswells seems to struggle with retaining any service, which is a shame as it didn’t seem too bad a service.

Council has organised a replacement with an announcement anticipated for this week.