Stagecoach Yorkshire and Chesterfield

[Teapot42]

11120 (E400MMC) is reportedly running a 90 service. For those who don't know, the 90 goes under a very low bridge in Barrow Hill (10ft 3in). This is a mistrack, I will try and find out what it is shortly

Spotted that earlier. 36447 started off the journey then it swapped to 11120 outside Stonegravels. The bus had only just started in service 40 minutes earlier so it seems unlikely the driver would need relieving that early in the duty. Possibly just a ticket machine swap?

There seems to be a few delays on the 90 today as well, the 8:03 from Somersall only ran part-route, starting late from the depot. There is also a road closure in Barrow Hill that hasn't been flagged by Stagecoach on social media, which is adding 5-6 minutes to the running time and means some stops are unserved.
(As an aside, Stagecoach very rarely post updates to Chesterfield services on their social media, which makes it tricky to know when there is disruption)

Two of the loan vehicles are in the new livery - could this be to get a wider range of opinions?

 

[ChrisP99]

I’m curious as to what has happened to the vehicles that usually run the X17. I regularly get it the full length from Matlock - Sheffield and it’s been an E400 a good couple of times now, I can see 15828 is set to run the route all day today. It’s also completely navy which makes me think it’s one of the “spare” vehicles for the depot.

It’s really a horrible journey and I’m going to try and get another service back today to avoid having to endure this again

15828 - YN12 GYT

Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400

bustimes.org

 

[syjunkie]

Holbrooks 11715 was involved in an rtc and is currently off the road.

 

[m79900]

I’m curious as to what has happened to the vehicles that usually run the X17. I regularly get it the full length from Matlock - Sheffield and it’s been an E400 a good couple of times now, I can see 15828 is set to run the route all day today. It’s also completely navy which makes me think it’s one of the “spare” vehicles for the depot.

It’s really a horrible journey and I’m going to try and get another service back today to avoid having to endure this again

Saw it on Lime Tree Road, Matlock earlier. Happily it looks blue-er in person.

 

[Teapot42]

I’m curious as to what has happened to the vehicles that usually run the X17. I regularly get it the full length from Matlock - Sheffield and it’s been an E400 a good couple of times now, I can see 15828 is set to run the route all day today. It’s also completely navy which makes me think it’s one of the “spare” vehicles for the depot.

It’s really a horrible journey and I’m going to try and get another service back today to avoid having to endure this again

15824 is also showing as tracking on this route today.

The odd thing when you see an E400 (and even occasionally an E200) is that the Gold buses seem to be out, just on other services. All I can imagine is they had an issue when being prepped to leave the depot so got swapped out and once fixed were released on to other services.

For example, today 11118 and 11119 are on the 25/43/44/50, 11120 hasn't tracked in a while but I suspect may be out under a different ID. 11124 isn't out today and 11125 is on the 39. Of the older Gold buses, 15190 and 15194 aren't out today, while 15191 and 15537 are also on 25/43/44/50. That's at least 8 out of the 17 Gold buses either not out or not on the X17.

Also getting some pretty serious delays, such as 15828 leaving Sheffield over 15 late on the 13:11 and being nearly an hour late in to Matlock. Delays are common on a Saturday and while caused by heavy traffic so not directly under the control of Stagecoach, the timetable does nothing to allow for the fact that Saturdays are always busier

 

[Man of Kent]

The 151xx vehicles are almost certainly due to be MOT'd this month, having been new in October 2014, so more would be off than normal for preparation.

 

[JD2168]

15824 is also showing as tracking on this route today.

The odd thing when you see an E400 (and even occasionally an E200) is that the Gold buses seem to be out, just on other services. All I can imagine is they had an issue when being prepped to leave the depot so got swapped out and once fixed were released on to other services.

For example, today 11118 and 11119 are on the 25/43/44/50, 11120 hasn't tracked in a while but I suspect may be out under a different ID. 11124 isn't out today and 11125 is on the 39. Of the older Gold buses, 15190 and 15194 aren't out today, while 15191 and 15537 are also on 25/43/44/50. That's at least 8 out of the 17 Gold buses either not out or not on the X17.

Also getting some pretty serious delays, such as 15828 leaving Sheffield over 15 late on the 13:11 and being nearly an hour late in to Matlock. Delays are common on a Saturday and while caused by heavy traffic so not directly under the control of Stagecoach, the timetable does nothing to allow for the fact that Saturdays are always busier

A water main burst outside IKEA on Wednesday morning near Meadowhall & has caused chaos ever since, particularly to the Barnsley to Matlock journeys, some X17’s have taken an hour from Arena Square to IKEA corner which normally takes just over a minute to complete. There is now a diversion until the 8th to run straight along Brightside Lane via Forgemasters.

 

[Teapot42]

A water main burst outside IKEA on Wednesday morning near Meadowhall & has caused chaos ever since, particularly to the Barnsley to Matlock journeys, some X17’s have taken an hour from Arena Square to IKEA corner which normally takes just over a minute to complete. There is now a diversion until the 8th to run straight along Brightside Lane via Forgemasters.

Is that still closed? I saw something on Friday saying it was nearly fixed. I'd imagine the section past Forgemasters won't be great either - I came that way on Thursday evening and it was chaos.

Many of the delays were on the Sheffield to Chesterfield section, and in Matlock. They are common bottle-necks on a Saturday, but Stagecoach keep publishing unrealistic timetables. The service really needs chopping in to shorter sections on a Saturday so they can attempt to at least run to a frequency on each part of the route, rather than having big gaps due to a delay 20 miles away.

 

[Cesarcollie]

The 151xx vehicles are almost certainly due to be MOT'd this month, having been new in October 2014, so more would be off than normal for preparation.

Be very unusual for a large bus company to MOT vehicles on their first anniversary. It would mean a huge number due all at once when a large batch had been delivere. With a big batch, MOTS may even commence within a month or two,of delivery, to spread them out evenly.

 

[Hyebone]

I’m curious as to what has happened to the vehicles that usually run the X17. I regularly get it the full length from Matlock - Sheffield and it’s been an E400 a good couple of times now, I can see 15828 is set to run the route all day today. It’s also completely navy which makes me think it’s one of the “spare” vehicles for the depot.

It’s really a horrible journey and I’m going to try and get another service back today to avoid having to endure this again

We don't have spares, it's just whatever vehicle works the trip.

It's a trial livery, 15828 had to be repaired due to a slight altercation with a school gate so I'm assuming they repainted it at the same time.

My photograph attached, 15828 YN13 GYR, a Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 in the new stagecoach trial navy blue livery

 

[Teapot42]

We don't have spares, it's just whatever vehicle works the trip.

Previously they seemed to prioritise more getting Gold buses on the X17. Today, despite needing fewer vehicles, there is a non-Gold E400 and an E200MMC out there. Of the 9 Gold E400s, only three are out, with one on the Peak Sightseer despite it being (until 10 minutes ago) quite a decent day. (Oddly, 11123 is now also tracking on the RED - either it came out for one trip, or someone is messing with the tracking to confuse us)

Out of interest, are any of the new Electrics an enhanced spec for the X17, or will they all be interchangeable?

 

[m79900]

Out of interest, are any of the new Electrics an enhanced spec for the X17, or will they all be interchangeable?

Will these be new ADLs?

 

[Hyebone]

Out of interest, are any of the new Electrics an enhanced spec for the X17, or will they all be interchangeable?

All the same spec, to be interchanged (gaps in X17 timetable from 27th October to allow for this)

Unfortunately this is the end of the Gold brand for Chesterfield

Will these be new ADLs?

6x Yutong E10
12x Yutong E12
39x ADL Enviro400EV

 

[m79900]

All the same spec, to be interchanged (gaps in X17 timetable from 27th October to allow for this)

Unfortunately this is the end of the Gold brand for Chesterfield

What do you mean gaps in the timetable? And will they be in the local or navy livery?

Also do you think we could see the X17 being carved up into segments since they won't have the coach interior anymore?

 

[Hyebone]

What do you mean gaps in the timetable?

Gaps for vehicle swapping in Chesterfield and Sheffield from 43s/44s etc. They won’t be able to do a full day on the X17 without this

And will they be in the local or navy livery?

As far as I’m aware, navy with the “Chargd” branding. Image attached

 

[Teapot42]

All the same spec, to be interchanged (gaps in X17 timetable from 27th October to allow for this)

Any idea when the new timetables will be released to the public? I want to see how much damage they've done to our buses this time...

It's well in advance as the EVs won't be in service until at least Easter, but I guess easier than changing it again in 6 months. Is there any impact on the number of vehicles needed to run the service in the meanwhile?

Unfortunately this is the end of the Gold brand for Chesterfield

I guess it's a bonus it lasted as long as it did. A shame as the Matlock to Barnsley corridor could be run as a premium service quite easily.

6x Yutong E10
12x Yutong E10
39x ADL Enviro400EV

I'm guessing a typo - some E12s?

Still, that's less than half the E200s currently at Stonegravels. Do you know how many and what types of diesel buses they are keeping for services like the 15/16, 48/49, 90 and the 140-160 range?

 

[Hyebone]

Any idea when the new timetables will be released to the public?

Soon surely, the changes take place on the 27th of this month

I'm guessing a typo - some E12s?

Yep! 12 E12s. Lack of proof reading hits me again

Do you know how many and what types of diesel buses they are keeping for services like the 15/16, 48/49, 90 and the 140-160 range?

E200s and Solos I *think*

 

[Teapot42]

As far as I’m aware, navy with the “Chargd” branding. Image attached

It's a bit of a come-down from the simple and stylish Gold branding, to a borrowed name, and a colour no-one can decide what it actually is.

Soon surely, the changes take place on the 27th of this month

You'd hope, but last time I'm sure the changes had actually happened before they were published. Although I think that was DCC being slow to sign some things off.

E200s and Solos I *think*

I'm pretty sure some of the Matlock area services need Solos? I'm hoping E200MMCs, but knowing our luck we'll be stuck with the rattly old E200s.

 

[chessie]

It's a bit of a come-down from the simple and stylish Gold branding, to a borrowed name, and a colour no-one can decide what it actually is.


You'd hope, but last time I'm sure the changes had actually happened before they were published. Although I think that was DCC being slow to sign some things off.

I'm pretty sure some of the Matlock area services need Solos? I'm hoping E200MMCs, but knowing our luck we'll be stuck with the rattly old E200s.

I get your point but for a town like ours to get an entirely new fleet (excluding what you have already mentioned) is brilliant! I also hope the new timetables are up soon.

 

[Russel]

We don't have spares, it's just whatever vehicle works the trip.

It's a trial livery, 15828 had to be repaired due to a slight altercation with a school gate so I'm assuming they repainted it at the same time.

My photograph attached, 15828 YN13 GYR, a Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 in the new stagecoach trial navy blue livery

What happened to adding the 3 blocks of colour on the front above the reg plate as the other buses in the new livery have?

 

[Teapot42]

I get your point but for a town like ours to get an entirely new fleet (excluding what you have already mentioned) is brilliant! I also hope the new timetables are up soon.

Yes, sorry, I probably sound more negative than I am, it is great to see opportunities such as this being taken. Even though we won't see all the benefits (living on the 90 route) it is good that we are ahead on this. I only hope the council bring some of the promised bus priority measures soon to further improve things.

 

[m79900]

Are the timetable changes major (in terms of frequency/places served) or just a general reshuffle to suit the electric buses?

 

[Teapot42]

Are the timetable changes major (in terms of frequency/places served) or just a general reshuffle to suit the electric buses?

Fairly major. A few routes increasing in frequency, one or two decreasing. Some major changes around Newbold and Dunston with the existing 5 being split up. No details yet, but the Ashgate section looks like it's being dropped, Green Farm is getting a new service and the 5 itself appears to be reverting to something similar to what it was before last October.

The 90 is being messed around again, the Boythorpe section is being dropped with one X17 an hour re-routed to cover it. In Walton there is some weird figure of 8 going on which I'm sure no-one will understand for weeks and means one area only gets buses in to town and another only gets buses out, if you want the other way you either have a walk or have to stay on for the full loop.

The consultation Stagecoach sent out didn't mention the electric buses at all, so Hyebone's comment yesterday was the first I'd heard of it, although it does make sense to make allowance for that now. I do wonder how well it will pan out when the X17 can be subject to significant delays at certain times, so swapping to a different route might not work out so well.

Some of the service revisions from October 27th are up on the Derbyshire Timetables site.

Most interesting is the fact the new 38 is basically half of the old 5, and competes with the Hulleys 6. Whether there is enough market for both I'm unsure, but for Ashgate and Brampton the 6 is a more compelling option as it runs both ways, not a long loop in bound.

The X17 and a few others aren't up as of time of posting.

 

[Hyebone]

Some of the service revisions from October 27th are up on the Derbyshire Timetables site.

The new 5 makes zero sense! None!

I’ve seen a map from internal Stagecoach comms, it’s a bloody mess let me tell you. They *should* be available on bustimes.org tomorrow

 

[Teapot42]

The new 5 makes zero sense! None!

I’ve seen a map from internal Stagecoach comms, it’s a bloody mess let me tell you. They *should* be available on bustimes.org tomorrow

It's on bustimes, but as the existing option is still valid, the map they show is a composite of both. However, looking at the calling points I think I agree. It makes the same mistake they did with the 5 introduced last year, that the new 38 will have, that the 90 in Walton will have and that the 1/1a has in Dunston. It's a long one-way loop. If you are in the middle of the loop then it's fine - providing you don't want to travel to somewhere in the opposite direction. But once you get further from the middle of the loop, having to go the 'wrong way' either out or in-bound adds to the inconvenience and makes the service less attractive and therefore less viable.

Why couldn't they just reinstate the 'old' 5 - it was popular enough to even be run on Sundays. The 38 is a wasteful duplication of the 6 and Green Farm could easily be served by a small diversion of the 16. Of course, a proper re-think of Newbold and Dunston services would be better still, but that seems to be beyond them.

 

[chessie]

It's on bustimes, but as the existing option is still valid, the map they show is a composite of both. However, looking at the calling points I think I agree. It makes the same mistake they did with the 5 introduced last year, that the new 38 will have, that the 90 in Walton will have and that the 1/1a has in Dunston. It's a long one-way loop. If you are in the middle of the loop then it's fine - providing you don't want to travel to somewhere in the opposite direction. But once you get further from the middle of the loop, having to go the 'wrong way' either out or in-bound adds to the inconvenience and makes the service less attractive and therefore less viable.

Why couldn't they just reinstate the 'old' 5 - it was popular enough to even be run on Sundays. The 38 is a wasteful duplication of the 6 and Green Farm could easily be served by a small diversion of the 16. Of course, a proper re-think of Newbold and Dunston services would be better still, but that seems to be beyond them.

I could be totally wrong but if you look at the new 38 and 5 timetable, is it the same bus operating as per now but they have just split the numbers and found a way to run it within an hour? Absolutely agree though, I am not sure of the point of the new 38, I would also leave the current part of the old 5 route to the 6 and divert the 16 to serve Green Farm.

 

[Hyebone]

I could be totally wrong but if you look at the new 38 and 5 timetable, is it the same bus operating as per now but they have just split the numbers and found a way to run it within an hour?

You are correct. I have no idea what's going on, I'm just going to leave them to it! the 5 route seems to gain a bit of time from changing the route so it doesn't go back on itself as much.

 

[ChrisP99]

As I was getting one of my regular X17 trips from Matlock to Sheffield today, something very strange happened.

11124 was running 30 minutes late for the 15:45 to Sheffield and I could see it was only at the flying mile when it should have been at the bus station.

20 minutes later, it showed up, the bus flew into the stand, driver jumped out and said “everyone for Chesterfield Sheffield, Barnsley get on the bus now go go go!” And waved about 10 people on (including me) without asking for payment.

I overheard him mentioning there was a football match in Sheffield and Chesterfield which made him late, but I didn’t know it was normal to be let on the bus for free if it was late!

I have never seen a bus drive this way before, we just passed the 40 mph maker at Ashover and the speed detection camera flashed up at 52mph.

 

[Teapot42]

As I was getting one of my regular X17 trips from Matlock to Sheffield today, something very strange happened.

11124 was running 30 minutes late for the 15:45 to Sheffield and I could see it was only at the flying mile when it should have been at the bus station.

20 minutes later, it showed up, the bus flew into the stand, driver jumped out and said “everyone for Chesterfield Sheffield, Barnsley get on the bus now go go go!” And waved about 10 people on (including me) without asking for payment.

I overheard him mentioning there was a football match in Sheffield and Chesterfield which made him late, but I didn’t know it was normal to be let on the bus for free if it was late!

I have never seen a bus drive this way before, we just passed the 40 mph maker at Ashover and the speed detection camera flashed up at 52mph.

Very odd not to ask for payment, maybe he's used to the route and knows the majority are on passes so it won't make much difference? Certainly one way to gain a bit of time back.

I've seen fast running on another operator but Stagecoach generally are so slackly timed that it's not necessary. That said, the X17 on a Saturday falls over on a regular basis. It's too long a run and too many possible causes of disruption. For my money the only way to run vaguely reliably on a Saturday is to split the route in to smaller sections and have at least one spare bus, maybe one at Chesterfield and one at Sheffield. I'd also think using the back way in to Matlock might be worth considering as the road through the centre is always stacked.

 

[Busmansholiday]

18186 has returned south for the winter.