Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird and Highland)

[PG]

How unusual... The article posted above by @Volvodart was edited at 17:10 today and the fare information removed.

This is the fare information from the article prior to it being edited:

Thanks for the info
Seems like someone else isn't sure what the fares are going to be either!

 

[jamieintercity]

Spotted 27811 in aviemore this evening, 27810 and 27917 also being used around aviemore today. I wonder how much longer the E300s have left with the highlands. Are the scania E300s also scheduled to be withdrawn once more evoras enter service at inverness?

 

[MasterSpenny]

Bus Lists on the Web (buslistsontheweb.co.uk) has now confirmed the following:

Fleet Code	Registration Plate
21402	SJ73HTP
21413	SJ73HUP
21414	SJ73HUU
21416	SJ73HUY

39510 is SJ73HVB.

The latest I’m seeing on buslistsontheweb.co.uk is:
Fleet - Registration
21401 - SJ73HTO
21403 - SJ73HTT
21404 - SJ73HTU
21405 - SJ73HTV
21406 - SJ73HTX
21407 - SJ73HTY
21408 - SJ73HTZ
21409 - SJ73HUA
21410 - SJ73HUH
21411 - SJ73HUK
21412 - SJ73HUO
21415 - SJ73HUV
39508 - SJ73HUZ
39509 - SJ73HVA
39511 - SJ73HVC

 

[Ricky Kane]

Spotted 27811 in aviemore this evening, 27810 and 27917 also being used around aviemore today. I wonder how much longer the E300s have left with the highlands. Are the scania E300s also scheduled to be withdrawn once more evoras enter service at inverness?

I believe the new Evoras will replace all single decker buses older that the 2018 E200mmc apart from the 2015 Orkney EV Solo.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I don't think avimore depot has had such a modern fleet ever in my lifetime. Really good to see them investing in the Highlands as you'd think this wouldn't necessarily be great bus territory and therefore not attract fleet upgrades to the extent that it seems to do

 

[Surreyman]

I don't think avimore depot has had such a modern fleet ever in my lifetime. Really good to see them investing in the Highlands as you'd think this wouldn't necessarily be great bus territory and therefore not attract fleet upgrades to the extent that it seems to do

But is this actually Stagecoach investing or the Scottish Government? Someone more local can hopefully clarify?

 

[Volvodart]

The initial new buses for Orkney was accompanied by a large increase in the amount Orkney Council paid Stagecoach in annual subsidy, but I am unaware what happened after that. Obviously where there was competition in Caithness Stagecoach lost work to a competitor, which is unlikely to have been possible elsewhere.

 

[Ricky Kane]

But is this actually Stagecoach investing or the Scottish Government? Someone more local can hopefully clarify?

I Believe the Yutong E12 were part of a grant as well as the Orkney buses.The rest of Inverness buses and Skye i believe is just fleet upgrades.

 

[PG]

But is this actually Stagecoach investing or the Scottish Government? Someone more local can hopefully clarify?

If its the Scottish Government then I'd have thought there would be a clause tying the buses to that area for a certain period. After that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them transferred elsewhere...

 

[voidwxrranty]

I believe the new Evoras will replace all single decker buses older that the 2018 E200mmc apart from the 2015 Orkney EV Solo.

Can’t forget the 71 plate Optare in Longman

 

[Ricky Kane]

Can’t forget the 71 plate Optare in Longman

That was an orkney bus.

 

[Red Onion]

Thanks for the info
Seems like someone else isn't sure what the fares are going to be either!

I wasn’t sure either! Seem to be reasonably in line with previous years. Interesting to see that these have started far in advance of the festive period which should give a decent indication as to use. Might even make use of them one night!

 

[Morayshire]

The stance lottery at Aberdeen Union Square bus station now has a new twist. Stances 10 to 12 have been closed (at least they were on Friday 27th October) and fenced off (repair works maybe?). Buses from those stances are supposedly using stance 14. Monday should be "interesting" as people play hunt the bus stance.

 

[PG]

The stance lottery at Aberdeen Union Square bus station now has a new twist. Stances 10 to 12 have been closed (at least they were on Friday 27th October) and fenced off (repair works maybe?). Buses from those stances are supposedly using stance 14. Monday should be "interesting" as people play hunt the bus stance.

Is stance 14 the one near to the Guild St exit that the airport service uses? Come to that is there a stance 13 or did superstition mean it was omitted?

 

[Volvodart]

Is stance 14 the one near to the Guild St exit that the airport service uses? Come to that is there a stance 13 or did superstition mean it was omitted?

Necessary repairs to the Buchan stances require the temporary relocation to using the new stance which I presume will be 13 with 14 being the old 727 stance alongside.

 

[NIT100]

Bus catches fire on A93 in Aberdeenshire with emergency services on the scene

Emergency crews raced to an Aberdeenshire road after a bus caught fire on Monday morning.
The incident, which reportedly involved a Stagecoach Bluebird bus, occurred on the A93 between Aboyne and Banchory near the Potarch Bridge where three fire appliances worked to extinguish the blaze.
The cause of the blaze is currently unknown. Police Scotland confirmed that there had been no reports of any injuries and that the road was closed while crews deal with the aftermath of the fire.
Drivers have been warned of heavy traffic in the area with a diversion route in place on the B993 via Torphins or South Deeside Road. Services in the area are facing delays of around 20 minutes.
A police spokesperson said: "Around 8.30am on Monday, 30 October, 2023, police received a report of a bus on fire on the A93 near Bridge of Canny, Banchory. Officers assisted with road management. There are no reports of any injuries.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At 8.10am on Monday, October 30 we were alerted to reports of a bus on fire at the A93 near to Potarch, Banchory.
“Operations Control mobilised three fire appliances and firefighters extinguished a fire affecting one bus.
“There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.”
The incident marks the second time fire crews have had to battle a bus blaze on the A93 this year with a previous fire occurring between Banchory and Crathes in April.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, shared an image of this morning's fire and called on Stagecoach to investigate the issue.
Mr Burnett said: "This is a deeply alarming incident and I’m glad no one was hurt in the bus fire.
“I’m extremely concerned that this is the second Stagecoach bus fire of its kind in the Banchory area in recent months after a double decker burst into flames near Crathes.
“Stagecoach must address these issues transparently and conduct a thorough investigation to ensure each and every one of their vehicles have maximum fire safety protections.
“These fires are clearly causing concern among passengers who need to be assured that these faults are being resolved by the company.”
A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: "Due to an emergency closure of A93 at Potarch, 201 services are facing delays of around 20 minutes in each direction as the diversion is via Raemoir Road, A980 and B993. All stops between Banchory and Kincardine o neil will be missed."

Local news reporting it is another Stagecoach bus. Good that there are no reported injuries. Anyone know which bus it is, does seem to be becoming a habit?

 

[PG]

19215 has suffered a thermal incident this morning on the A93 near Potarch.

Bus catches fire on A93 in Aberdeenshire with emergency services on the scene



Local news reporting it is another Stagecoach bus. Good that there are no reported injuries. Anyone know which bus it is, does seem to be becoming a habit?

19215 NK57DXB is the ADL Enviro400 involved in the thermal incident this morning on the A93 near Potarch.

 

[aberdeen1]

Seen one of the Highland Evoras coming into Aberdeen on the 10 today.

That didn't take long!

 

[Jordan Adam]

Seen one of the Highland Evoras coming into Aberdeen on the 10 today.

That didn't take long!

The use of an Evora is more unusual albeit not a first, its usually one of the Citylink branded Elites or the new 23 plate Enviro400MMCs that Inverness use on their 10 duties or whenever they need to cover a Bluebird run.

 

[Red Onion]

With the night services having been running for a couple of weeks now, does anybody know how they are doing in terms of usage?

 

[Bowie]

Does anyone have any idea what’s happening with recently withdrawn 27916 SN63 VUR? Its sibling went off to Bluebird so I’m surprised it hasn’t followed it

Does anyone have any idea what’s happening with recently withdrawn 27916 SN63 VUR? Its sibling went off to Bluebird so I’m surprised it hasn’t followed it

Disregard that, apparently it’s gone down to Cumbria along with E200’s SV08 GUU and SY57 AYF although theres no evidence

 

[Jordan Adam]

Disregard that, apparently it’s gone down to Cumbria along with E200’s SV08 GUU and SY57 AYF although theres no evidence

I assume this is in reference to the following tweet. The information posted by that Twitter account comes from the official fleet cards which are published by Stagecoach themselves.

https://twitter.com/skmpub/status/1723408608384167948

Fleet Update: Stagecoach Cumbria Further transfers due from Stagecoach Highlands are Enviro 300 27916 and Enviro 200s 36047/68

Purely speculative however it wouldn't surprise me if 27917 is just on loan to Moray, as per 27107 which has now transferred to Cumbria.

 

[Bowie]

I assume this is in reference to the following tweet. The information posted by that Twitter account comes from the official fleet cards which are published by Stagecoach themselves.

https://twitter.com/skmpub/status/1723408608384167948

Purely speculative however it wouldn't surprise me if 27917 is just on loan to Moray, as per 27107 which has now transferred to Cumbria.

You are correct about the Twitter post, that's what i was referring to, In 27917’s case it could well be the same as 27107’s case where it was a loan then went down to Cumbria

May I ask, how does one view the fleet cards?

 

[Volvodart]

Purely speculative however it wouldn't surprise me if 27917 is just on loan to Moray, as per 27107 which has now transferred to Cumbria.

27107 was just on loan, 27917 has received Bluebird legal lettering.

 

[mbonwick]

27917 is a transfer to Bluebird per the fleetcard.
Cumbria have taken 36047/69, 27811/916.

 

[aberdeen1]

What is the deal with SK19 EKW 11175, Is there a reason it's based in Aberdeen and has been doing Aberdeen duties for the past two weeks?

Is it covering for another vehicle?

​

 

[Ricky Kane]

What is the deal with SK19 EKW 11175, Is there a reason it's based in Aberdeen and has been doing Aberdeen duties for the past two weeks?

Is it covering for another vehicle?

​

According to The Period 7 fleet card its a transfer from Elgin to Aberdeen.

 

[Jordan Adam]

What is the deal with SK19 EKW 11175, Is there a reason it's based in Aberdeen and has been doing Aberdeen duties for the past two weeks?

Is it covering for another vehicle

19216 appears to have replaced it.

There was talk a few months back of two Enviro400MMCs moving to Aberdeen with Moray getting two E400s in their place to equalise the fleet age between depots, so this would align with that.

 

[Bowie]

According to The Period 7 fleet card its a transfer from Elgin to Aberdeen

According to The Period 7 fleet card its a transfer from Elgin to Aberdeen.

Where do you view the fleet cards at??

 

[GusB]

I assume this is in reference to the following tweet. The information posted by that Twitter account comes from the official fleet cards which are published by Stagecoach themselves.

According to The Period 7 fleet card its a transfer from Elgin to Aberdeen.

If these "fleet cards" are publicly available, please provide the relevant internet links so that others may view them. If they're not publicly available, please refrain from mentioning them.