Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[Surreyman]

Actually they're split in to much smaller groups. In the eyes of management even Stonehaven and Peterhead are seen as totally different entities. The "Bluebird side" is more profitable so it's common logic that it gets more investment.

It all comes down to profit and reliability, hence why the priority is to replace the unreliable KX58 Panthers at Aberdeen as these operate on the Deeside 201/202 which have came under lots of criticism of late. The B7Rs while in quite poor cosmetic condition still prove cheap to run and fairly reliable (When compared to Panthers).



They've tried cutting the Caithness Local service before, but anytime they do they are faced with a strong media backlash. They have cut back quite a bit since 2009, however i'm surprised they haven't cut more.

I was under the impression that all of Highlands operations bar Inverness Local routes are supported/tendered, assuming that is the case, Stagecoach can't 'cut' tendered routes, only the County/local authority can do that.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I was under the impression that all of Highlands operations bar Inverness Local routes are supported/tendered, assuming that is the case, Stagecoach can't 'cut' tendered routes, only the County/local authority can do that.

In most cases it's only certain journeys which are tendered.

 

[mbonwick]

Actually they're split in to much smaller groups. In the eyes of management even Stonehaven and Peterhead are seen as totally different entities. The "Bluebird side" is more profitable so it's common logic that it gets more investment.

That's true of most depots in most regions, but it's not on the same level of separation as formerly being different operating companies and still dealing with the legacy of that.
My comment was not meant as a critisism of where investment is directed, just that you are only commenting on what the "right" hand (Bluebird) is doing....there is a whole other "left" side (Highland) that exists.

It all comes down to profit and reliability, hence why the priority is to replace the unreliable KX58 Panthers at Aberdeen as these operate on the Deeside 201/202 which have came under lots of criticism of late. The B7Rs while in quite poor cosmetic condition still prove cheap to run and fairly reliable (When compared to Panthers).

For the routes Bluebird run the B7Rs on, maybe. However that does not mirror the experience of Highlands or the few other places in group that operate them. The writedown that group seem to be willing to take on B7Rs also suggests that they're out of favour.
I would suggest/speculate that once sufficient vehicles are available to cover the D&E work without relying on Ferrymill and inter-group loans, you'll see the ex-D&E Volvos migrate up to Orkney, while B9Rs backfill at Inverness and replace B7Rs at Aviemore.

 

[Megafuss]

Highland bar Inverness area make no money. Im will be surprised if Wick and Skye are still part of Stagecoach in the years to come.

I would be quite sad if the Thurso ever closed down. This may sound odd but I find the whole Caithness operations pretty interesting.

 

[Jordan Adam]

That's true of most depots in most regions, but it's not on the same level of separation as formerly being different operating companies and still dealing with the legacy of that.
My comment was not meant as a critisism of where investment is directed, just that you are only commenting on what the "right" hand (Bluebird) is doing....there is a whole other "left" side (Highland) that exists.

At a marketing/public point of view North Scotland is one whole entity, legally it's two, operationally it's much more.

I couldn't comment on what they're planning to do in the Highlands as i'm not as informed. As i stated the majority of my original comment was just speculation based on what's known (16 Panthers at Macduff to be displaced, KX58 Panthers at Aberdeen being the priority to replace). Sorry if i caused a bit of confusion!

For the routes Bluebird run the B7Rs on, maybe. However that does not mirror the experience of Highlands or the few other places in group that operate them. The writedown that group seem to be willing to take on B7Rs also suggests that they're out of favour.
I would suggest/speculate that once sufficient vehicles are available to cover the D&E work without relying on Ferrymill and inter-group loans, you'll see the ex-D&E Volvos migrate up to Orkney, while B9Rs backfill at Inverness and replace B7Rs at Aviemore.

Most of the Bluebird B7Rs are now relegated to school and "lesser duties", so they're not of as high priority. Not to mention they're slightly younger and lower mileage than the majority of "older panthers". Many of the Profiles which have now been scrapped spent their whole lives on the 10/305 so racked up high mileage.

 

[alchemy]

There are two white buses with stagecoach stickers now in Orkney. Possibly ex DE
Fleet nos 53113 and 53117.These numbers dont match the registrations or bus types on the stagecoach fleet lists.
One is a 56 plate the other 08

 

[mbonwick]

Yes, ex-D&E. It's 53116/7, not 113.
53116 SM06 SOU Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther C51F 2006
53117 OO08 SOU Volvo B12B Plaxton Panther C53F 2008.

 

[Jordan Adam]

All of the Ex-Dublin / D&E B7TLs are now at Aberdeen and in service.

16973 on the 37/X37
16975 on the X17
16976 on the 59
16977 on the 9U Peak Extra, will work the 202 later.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Service changes for the 15th of April have now almost all went through Vosa.

Bain's Coaches of Oldmeldrum have registered a new 777 running from Union Terrace to Oldmeldrum via Kingswells Park & Ride.

 

[Jordan Adam]

29013 and 29017 are due to move from Perth to Aberdeen tomorrow.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Ex-Perth 29013 worked the 7 in Perth this morning, it was then driven to it's new home in Aberdeen and will go on the X17 at 15:30.

 

[mbonwick]

Are the East Scotland E350Hs turning up at Aberdeen with cherished registration plates on? Noticed on the past few fleetcards that they've gained said regs which I thought was daft when they're due to transfer...

 

[Fifescottish]

Are the East Scotland E350Hs turning up at Aberdeen with cherished registration plates on? Noticed on the past few fleetcards that they've gained said regs which I thought was daft when they're due to transfer...

Noticed last week they were being registered back to SP12 XXX

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Ex-Perth 29013 worked the 7 in Perth this morning, it was then driven to it's new home in Aberdeen and will go on the X17 at 15:30.

Jesus, all the way to Aberdeen at 44mph. I can't think of anything worse...

 

[Jordan Adam]

Are the East Scotland E350Hs turning up at Aberdeen with cherished registration plates on? Noticed on the past few fleetcards that they've gained said regs which I thought was daft when they're due to transfer...

29013 was back on it's original plate today.

Local management put forward a case for new buses for the X17 to replace the Vanhool A330s which are leaving the fleet next month, however i believe ti has been rejected and we've been offered Perth's 9 Hyrbids instead. Which actually makes sense at a maintenance perspective as it means we'll have all 22 of the ADL Enviro350H's in the Stagecoach fleet. The cherished plates will be owned by East Scotland, i doubt they'd want to give them away and would rather keep them to put on other vehicles.

Jesus, all the way to Aberdeen at 44mph. I can't think of anything worse...

They do 48MPH, it came off the 7 in Perth just after 9am and was on the X17 in Aberdeen by 12:30, so it couldn't have taken that long.

 

[GaryMcEwan]

29013 was back on it's original plate today.

Local management put forward a case for new buses for the X17 to replace the Vanhool A330s which are leaving the fleet next month, however i believe ti has been rejected and we've been offered Perth's 9 Hyrbids instead. Which actually makes sense at a maintenance perspective as it means we'll have all 22 of the ADL Enviro350H's in the Stagecoach fleet. The cherished plates will be owned by East Scotland, i doubt they'd want to give them away and would rather keep them to put on other vehicles.



They do 48MPH, it came off the 7 in Perth just after 9am and was on the X17 in Aberdeen by 12:30, so it couldn't have taken that long.

A few of them only do 44mph, and it's abysmal...

 

[Jordan Adam]

A few of them only do 44mph, and it's abysmal...

Always get the odd ones which are slower, in fairness they are intended for city work so it's not too big of an issue. The later 63 plates in Aberdeen (29020/21/22) do 54MPH so that's a tad better.

 

[computerSaysNo]

A few of them only do 44mph, and it's abysmal...

Out of interest, why are these buses so slow?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Out of interest, why are these buses so slow?

They're Series Electric Hybrids. So the only thing pushing the bus along is the electric motor, the engine just acts as a generator. It means they have fantastic acceleration and are very smooth (no gears). But the overall top speed is poor. The later 63 plate examples are set up slightly different so can do 54MPH. The top speed on them shouldn't really be much of an issue as they were never intended for out of city work.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The new Enviro400MMC Smart Hyrbids for the Service 35 have started to arrive.

Photo taken from twitter, if the original owner wants it removed please Private message me...

In addition the Stagecoach website now been updated to include a special "promo" page for the route.
Click here to view the special Service 35 page.

The interesting thing to note is that they've only bought 15 new E400MMCs to replace the 16 Panthers at Macduff, so this leaves me questioning what vehicles will be used on the Elgin operated runs.

 

[mbonwick]

The interesting thing to note is that they've only bought 15 new E400MMCs to replace the 16 Panthers at Macduff, so this leaves me questioning what vehicles will be used on the Elgin operated runs.

Presumably Elgin will still be using their B12Bs on it?

Also guessing that 1 or 2 coaches will be staying at MacDuff for their school work, it's the only way I can make sense of the numbers

 

[Jordan Adam]

Presumably Elgin will still be using their B12Bs on it?

Also guessing that 1 or 2 coaches will be staying at MacDuff for their school work, it's the only way I can make sense of the numbers

It would make more sense to move a few of the refurbish Panthers (53626-34) to Elgin. Then perhaps put the B12Bs on the school work instead. Either way it will be interesting to see what they do as it seems odd to convert most of the route to double deckers but not fully.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

Whats the deal with Stagey using any sort of hybrid on rural routes these days?

 

[Jordan Adam]

Whats the deal with Stagey using any sort of hybrid on rural routes these days?

To solve the pressing emissions issues in the middle of nowhere? Jokes aside they're not really Hybrids in the usual sense, just standard diesel E400MMCs with that little electric motor.

It will be interesting to see how long these last on the 35, reaction from the public about them has been lacklustre, the only saving grace is that they should slightly improve reliability in the short term.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Ex-D&E Volvo B7TL 16975 has now been repainted in to beachball.

 

[Jordan Adam]

16975 repainted in beachball, it appears they've just put the swoops over the current paint.

Photo source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidsbusphotos/32501918777

 

[Caleb2010]

Enviro 400H SK19 EKE is sitting in Elgin Bus Station today with service 35 branding on it. The legal lettering instead of Bluebird Buses shows Stagecoach North Scotland.

 

[Volvodart]

I think they are going down to collect 4 more on Tuesday.

 

[mbonwick]

16975 repainted in beachball, it appears they've just put the swoops over the current paint.

I'm told it's not finished yet and only appeared out because Aberdeen were short. The swoops have just gone over the dealer white though.

 

[Volvodart]

It was parked in front of the building Aberdeen use to paint buses this morning and looked ready to go in.