Stagecoach West/South West/South Wales - Fleet News & Discussion

[Temple Meads]

As we are discussing The Belles Express I have decided to increase the scope of this thread to cover Stagecoach West and South Wales divisions, as well as the South West operation.

 

[Colly405]

Any idea why the name, "Belles Express"? Doesn't seem to have any local connotations to North Bristol...

 

[Rapidash]

Express and Error

STAGECOACH has unveiled plans for hi-tech buses with wi-fi in Exeter.

And smart phones will allow passengers to pinpoint exactly when their bus be arriving at the stop.

The Exeter buses of the future were revealed to members at Exeter City Council’s scrutiny community committee this week as part of a presentation about traffic congestion.

Members heard how better buses could help to cut growing congestion into the city.

Jamie Hulland, Devon County Council’s transportation, planning and road safety officer, and Mike Watson, managing director of Stagecoach SouthWest, were asked what part technology could play in making bus travel more attractive to ease congestion in the city.

Mr Hulland said: “We have to change the way bus travel is perceived. With smartphone technology it won’t matter if your bus is caught up in traffic.

“I travel by bus and it is annoying if you get to the stop and have to wait for a long time for the bus to come.

“Smartphones will allow you to pinpoint exactly where your bus is and when it will arrive.”

It will mean there will be no need for time tables.”

Mr Watson said that Stagecoach is currently revamping its website which will give better information on how passengers can buy tickets. It is also moving towards the e-purse system where passengers can load cash on to the ticket and swipe it on entering the bus.

Mr Watson said: “I would like to see every new bus have wi-fi on board. I am hoping to get some new buses for Exeter this year and am asking that they have wi-fi.”

Mr Watson also assured members of the committee that the bus network was not working at capacity, and there were lots of options for increasing this, including using double rather than single deckers on routes.

Stagecoach carries 16m passengers a year – 9.5m in Exeter, 4.5m in rural locations, plus 2m from park and ride sites.

Other congestion-busting strategies include increasing the cycle network across the city, including completing the route from Cranbrook, across Redhayes Bridge and on into the city centre.

Mr Hulland said that the route would need to run between the Pinhoe and Heavitree corridors and added: “There may need to be some bold decisions on road closures in residential areas; the cycle network is being designed now.”

He added that MPs in Devon had written to the county council urging it to continue to invest in cycling.

By 'new buses' I imagine they mean 'cascaded' buses?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Express and Error

By 'new buses' I imagine they mean 'cascaded' buses?

Why cascaded? Stagecoach Devon hasn't done badly for new vehicles in recent years

 

[CD]

If Exeter City Council were serious about combating congestion, they would stop on street parking on main roads.
But they are frightened to upset the shopkeepers.

 

[Rapidash]

Why cascaded? Stagecoach Devon hasn't done badly for new vehicles in recent years

Indeedy! I was expecting older buses from areas which might not have had as recent fleet purchases as down here. Thats not to say im all for new stuff mind! I'd imagine the Tridents would be for chop if new dd stock was inbound for Exeter or Torquay.

 

[Temple Meads]

Indeedy! I was expecting older buses from areas which might not have had as recent fleet purchases as down here. Thats not to say im all for new stuff mind! I'd imagine the Tridents would be for chop if new dd stock was inbound for Exeter or Torquay.

Yes, although they serve out of town routes rather than Exeter city services, I reckon the Solo's could be in the firing line.

 

[iantherev]

South Wales are getting the lions share of the Scania/E300 buses so that the recently delivered ADL Enviro E30Ds can go where they were originally intended.

 

[henairs]

Hi All,
On a cold but enjoyable trip round East Devon today rode Enviro 200 Dart 36221 on 12.25 Honiton 52b, whilst Trident 18079 worked across to Seaton with a 52a off Sidmouth at 14.21.
Earlier in the morning [10.20ish] noted Brighton and Hove Darts 250/251 in the car-park at Kilmington diner en route to Plymouth.
Also saw coach KNZ 1035 parked at Seaton. This used to be a Beeline Warminster vehicle but presume owned elsewhere now.
Maybe Crudge's of Dunkeswell I,m thinking. Anyone go any idea's on this one please ?
cheers, Mike Russell [henairs]

 

[Temple Meads]

Although it's been mentioned in the lengthy Western Greyhound thread, it's probably worth pointing out this extract from S/C South West's service updates:

Following Western Greyhound ceasing trading today we can confirm that, from Monday 16th March, we will be operating routes 584 (Wadebridge to Camelford) and 595 (Bude to Wadebridge).
We will continue to operate the existing timetables and will accept all valid Western Greyhound season tickets.

 

[iantherev]

Although it's been mentioned in the lengthy Western Greyhound thread, it's probably worth pointing out this extract from S/C South West's service updates:

34077 and 34115 were in use today on the 595.

 

[henairs]

Hi,
Trident 17053 out working today on the route seen at Yeovil Bus Station with the 12.38 service to Taunton which should work 15.15 back from he county town.
25251 which has been absent for some time was back out on the 09.28 Yeovil.
Cheers, Mike Russell

 

[iantherev]

Hi All,
On a cold but enjoyable trip round East Devon today rode Enviro 200 Dart 36221 on 12.25 Honiton 52b, whilst Trident 18079 worked across to Seaton with a 52a off Sidmouth at 14.21.
Earlier in the morning [10.20ish] noted Brighton and Hove Darts 250/251 in the car-park at Kilmington diner en route to Plymouth.
Also saw coach KNZ 1035 parked at Seaton. This used to be a Beeline Warminster vehicle but presume owned elsewhere now.
Maybe Crudge's of Dunkeswell I,m thinking. Anyone go any idea's on this one please ?
cheers, Mike Russell [henairs]

Borkowski, (Alpha Coaches), Honiton. Usually parked there evenings and weekends.

 

[henairs]

Borkowski, (Alpha Coaches), Honiton. Usually parked there evenings and weekends.

Thanks for info Ian. Guess the 1 that parks up on the Heathpark Estate at Honiton is one of there's as well. Noticed it whilst passing on 4 route on Saturdays.
Cheers, Mike Russell

 

[g4mby]

It seems that Stagecoach have taken over the Bristol to Dursley service (88) formerly operated by First. I think it was a rather empty 37012 that left Bristol this afternoon at around 1500.

Is this the first time a Stagecoach bus has operated into the centre of Bristol?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It seems that Stagecoach have taken over the Bristol to Dursley service (88) formerly operated by First. I think it was a rather empty 37012 that left Bristol this afternoon at around 1500.

Is this the first time a Stagecoach bus has operated into the centre of Bristol?

That's interesting. Has there been a DVSA registration for that or is running "on hire to First"? I wouldn't be surprised if the odd bus made its way in Bristol on the old X14 though I can't recall anything other than Volvo Interurbans.

I saw the first run ex Dursley (passing overhead as I was driving north up the M5) on Thursday morning (looked like an R-BAE MPD) and it had about 2 passengers on board!

 

[freetoview33]

That's interesting. Has there been a DVSA registration for that or is running "on hire to First"? I wouldn't be surprised if the odd bus made its way in Bristol on the old X14 though I can't recall anything other than Volvo Interurbans.

I saw the first run ex Dursley (passing overhead as I was driving north up the M5) on Thursday morning (looked like an R-BAE MPD) and it had about 2 passengers on board!

The odd one did on the X14.

 

[iantherev]

Cwmbran Volvo B10Ms were quite frequent on the X14, Darts not uncommon, and Even Leyland Titans and Olympians worked into Bristol occasionally. One or two MAN/ Enviro 300s may also have appeared in the last days of the service.

 

[carlberry]

That's interesting. Has there been a DVSA registration for that or is running "on hire to First"? I wouldn't be surprised if the odd bus made its way in Bristol on the old X14 though I can't recall anything other than Volvo Interurbans.

I saw the first run ex Dursley (passing overhead as I was driving north up the M5) on Thursday morning (looked like an R-BAE MPD) and it had about 2 passengers on board!

The First registration ended on 28th. As everything still refered to Glos CC having not got around to deciding what to do I suspect it was a last minute thing. Quite a few Stagecoach buses ended up on the X14 and the 88 actually has more Motorway running than the X14 did! I cant imagine it'll survive in it's current form for long given how difficult it must be to operate (my experiance of it when First ran it was lots of late running).

 

[g4mby]

It seems that Stagecoach have taken over the Bristol to Dursley service (88) formerly operated by First. I think it was a rather empty 37012 that left Bristol this afternoon at around 1500.

Couldn't see the registration, only part of the fleet number but today's vehicle was definitely one of the same batch as yesterday's.

Try putting "Bristol" into the Stagecoach website and watch the errors appear.

 

[freetoview33]

Anyone think that Stagecoach might try and take over Wessex to get a foothold in Bristol?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Quite a leap on the 88 from First's aged Darts to modern e200s. They're larger than the First ones on the 24/5 (as was) but I'm not a fan of them either.

Looks like it's being operated by Stagecoach's Gloucester depot as opposed to Stroud.

 

[DaveHarries]

Stagecoach SouthWest have posted on their website that Service 66 (Newton Abbot - Paignton) is to be extended to Totnes from 13th April 2015.

One change, interestingly, is that Berry Pomeroy, near Paignton, which until recently had only one bus per week each way (Service 148) and then only on schooldays, will get a bus every 2 hours 6 days per week. Service 40, which serves South Devon College, will become Service 66D.

Information and new timetable can be found at:
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/March timetable changes.aspx

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[Rapidash]

Wait, what?

Doesn't the 66 now effectively do exactly what the 88 used to do? How bizarre....

 

[Johncleesefan]

Just seen this thread. I have just left stagecoach in Exeter after been a driver for a year to start driving on the railway. Very interesting read. I worked the park and ride roster. The r route was the only city route enviro 300s could use. The s couldn't use it because of the turn into burnthouse lane being too tight.

 

[henairs]

Hi There,
Would any of the group members out there know the Barnstaple workings out of Exeter on a Saturday please.
These would cover 5A/5B, 6 and 155 workings as I see it.
Thanks for any assistance.
Mike Russell [henairs]

 

[DaveHarries]

Something interesting which affects various services operated by Stagecoach West and Stagecoach SouthWest. I include the registrations for the 65 & 66 as they are given as being under Cheltenham & Gloucester's O-licence: I had thought that the 66 was Stagecoach Oxford.

Anyway the following changes have appeared in the VOSA Bus Service registrations today:

Stagecoach West (C&G) - wef 31-May-2015
Route & Timetable changes:
- 49 Swindon - Devizes
- 51, X51 Swindon - Cirencester & Cirencester - Cheltenham **
- 53 Swindon - Cricklade
- 66 Swindon - Farringdom

Cancelled:
- 65 Swindon - Farringdon
- 70 Swindon - Marlborough (wef 01-Jun-2015)

Stagecoach South West - wef 31-May-2015
Timetable changes:
- X64 Exeter - Totnes
- 99 / 99A Chard - Yeovil
- 128 Stratton - Poughill
- 216/217/219 Hartland - Bude

Route & Timetable changes:
- FOX Paignton - Foxhole
- X38 Exeter - Buckfastleigh & Buckfastleigh - Plymouth **

New Services:
- 15X Bideford Quay - Atlantic Village (previously BeaconBus)
- EXE14 Holsworthy - Okehampton (college days only)

I am guessing the changes I marked ** may only be a tidying-up exercise to register the separate sections as one route.

HTIOI,
Dave

 

[mbonwick]

The split registrations will be staying; the whole reason they are done like that is to avoid the need for tachographs meaning that drivers can all operate on UK domestic rules rather than EU.

 

[83G/84D]

STAGECOACH ORDERS 2015 – 2016.

10431 – 10487 Enviro 400 Euro 6 Enviro 400MMC
10431 – 10442 for Oxford.
10443 – 10451 for Wigan.
Rest unallocated.

12364 – 12389 Enviro 400H Enviro 400
All for London.
13041 – 13080 Volvo B5LH Enviro 400MMC
All for London.
15211 – 15220 Scania N230UD Enviro 400
For Fenstanton (guided busway).
15221 – 15260 Scania N230UD Enviro 400
15221 – 15225 for Lillyhall.
15226 – 15249 for Chorley.
15250 for Torquay.
15251 – 15260 for Exeter.
15261 – 15290 Scania N230UD Enviro 400MMC
No allocations shown.
21301 – 21310 Volvo B8R Wrightbus Eclipse
For Fenstanton.
26001 – 26033 Enviro 200 Enviro 200MMC
26001 – 26019 for Cowdenbeath.
26020 – 26023 for Barnsley.
26024 – 26033 for Rawmarsh.
27211 – 27299 Enviro 300 Enviro 300
27211- 27225 for Glasgow.
27226 for South West.
27227 – 27228 for Glasgow.
27229 – 27237 for Wigan.
27238 – 27254 for Stockton.
27255 – 27272 for Rock Ferry.
27273 – 27299 no allocations shown.
28721 – 28748 Scania N3230UB Enviro 300
28721 – 28741 for Cwmbran.
28742 – 28746 for Banbury.
28747 – 28748 for Lillyhall.
36601 – 36608 Enviro 200 Enviro 200MMC
For Romford.
37301 – 37327 Enviro 200 Enviro 200
37301 – 37319 for South Shields.
37320 – 37326 for Gloucester.
37327 for Hastings.
37401 – 37423 Enviro 200 Enviro 200MMC
No allocations shown.
47941 - 47966 Optare Solo M920SR Optare
All for Carlisle.
47967 – 47980 Optare Solo M990SR Optare
All for Leamington Spa.
48001 – 48020 Optare Solo M920SL Optare
48001 – 48002 for Carlisle.
48003 – 48020 for Exeter.
48021 – 48025 Optare Solo M990SL Optare
All for King’s Lynn.
53801 – 53812 Volvo B8R Plaxton Elite i
All for Aberhill.
54241 – 54262 Volvo B11R Plaxton Elite i
54241 – 54257 for Buchan / Peterhead.
54258 – 54262 for Glasgow.
54263 – 54276 Volvo B11R Plaxton Elite i
All for Rugby.
56028 – 56050 Van Hool Astromega TDX27 Euro6 Van Hool
All for Rugby.

Source :- British Bus Publishing, Stagecoach 2015 Handbook. Chassis listed first followed by body.

 

[mbonwick]

The orders are probably worthy of their own thread as there is a lot to discuss not related to South West...