After a long wait we are now starting to see a few new notices coming through on VOSA for service changes in the new year. Yesterday saw two notices for Plymouth services from Stagecoach
- PH1020951/242 -
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
- T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Princetown/Burrator/Plymouth
- and Wembury
- given service number 48
- effective from 04-Jan-2016.
- To amend Timetable.
- PH1020951/249 -
- STAGECOACH DEVON LTD
- T/A STAGECOACH SOUTH WEST,
- BELGRAVE ROAD, EXETER, EX1 2LB
- Variation Accepted:
- Operating between Plymouth
- and Tavistock
- given service number X1/1
- effective from 03-Jan-2016.
- To amend Route and Timetable.
Its this second one which could be the most interesting as its a route change as well. We will of course give details as they emerge although sadly Stagecoach are not as keen to publicise things quite so early as First were assuming you can find anything on their horrible web site. It remains to be seen if there are any more changes in the pipeline.
©Richard Smith a fairly recent addition to the Plymouth fleet, Trident 18064 seen on the X1 in October.
Anyone with any ideas what the changes will be? or maybe suggestions as to what they should be?
Hi Graham, having seen the EBSR registrations the changes are as follows.
ReplyDeleteOn the 48 more running time is given to the school journeys to DHS.
On the 1/X1 the changes are that it will no longer serve Whitchurch. Also, peak time journeys are given considerably more running time. Off peak times are similar to now although the 1 will have a couple of extra minutes throughout the day. Sunday service also has revised running times especially during shopping hours.
"6 new Enviro's due next year for SC, 21 double deck & 5 single deck, double decks will be split between 1/X1/3George Park & Ride, supposed to be MMC variants
ReplyDelete"6 is a typo - its clearly 26 before anyone gets upset!
DeleteDue in January. The resulting transfer of the Deckers into Cornwall will bring about the end of all Olpian operation there except the one remaining open top!
Deleteim looking at the old first tavistock routemap and the current stagecoach map and i can see a couple changes that they might bring back, in woolwell the first 86 went up to tesco and down woolwell road (the 83/84 did it on certain times) so they might send the 1 or x1 down there? also a big difference is up at tavistock, the 84 went down whitchurch road and the 1/x1 dont so one of them could go there too?
ReplyDeleteFor the records 18061 and 18079 both have been in Plymouth too. Does anyone know when PCBs next batch of buses are due to arrive and when all the B7TLs will be withdrawn
ReplyDeletePersonally I would change 1/x1 to have 3 number 1 per hour and 1 number X1 to provide better service through mutley
ReplyDeleteno new Plymouth routes look like stage coach want start new routes what a joke seeing the citybus number 21/8/9 are always running late all time or not trun up
ReplyDeleteStagecoach changes here I am sure are an attempt to put right the obvious timing issues they have had on 1/X1 since the start. I would expect some changes to P & R 101 too!
ReplyDeleteSC will not now divert 1 into Woolwell as they have given this to Citybus now.
Once services settle I am sure then we will see SC launch new routes. I expect by start of 2017 a totally different network to what we have now. Just need to be patient I think!
How about whilst making changes and with the brand new buses, make 1/X1 a gold route?
ReplyDeleteThe biggest change at the Plymouth depot is going to be Megabus. 11 brand new coaches to be based at Plymouth by Christmas. Plus a plan to make Plymouth a main hub for operations in the south west.
ReplyDeleteThat makes sense, Plymouth is a natural starting/terminating point and hub for long-distance services, rather than running large numbers of lightly-loaded coaches into Cornwall or empty vehicles back to Exeter.
DeleteThis was of course one of the main attractions of the Plymouth operation for Stagecoach,as the Plymouth depot has plenty of room.
DeleteThey'd better apply for an increased authorisation, then. The Ride has got plenty of room in theory but currently they're only permitted to run 42 vehicles from there.
ReplyDeleteUnless it's Midland Red (South) who will be adding it as an operating centre - not out of the question given they already have an existing Western TA licence.
They can be registered elsewhere as home depot and just come in for service.
DeleteSpotted something unusual on the Red Flash/Yellow Flash Enviro 40d's
ReplyDeleteRed Flash ULW 11320kg
Yellow Flash ULW 12320kg
Any guesses as to why this is?
Yellow paint is heavier than red paint, obviously. LOL!
DeleteBut seriously, just by looking at this site's fleetlist, the two batches are clearly to different specs, the lower deck seating arrangements for starters, let alone what may be under the skin. Plus manufacturers constantly make changes to products and can use different materials in the construction. There's 18 months between the first and last and Citybus could also have altered their spec for the yellow ones, having had experience of operating the initial ones. In short, there's numerous reasons for them being different weights.
timetables for 1/X1 on travelline. It appears to be retiming of services during rush hour and on Sundays with extra Sunday service from Tavistock on Sunday morning and returning at 4:30 from Plymouth, so half hourly service 4:00/4:30/5:00 from Plymouth. Great idea. Shame it after xmas though.
ReplyDeleteAny other changes on VOSA yet, I can't even see this one?
Anonymous @ 15.06. You need to get out less.
ReplyDeleteIn other news: Exeter route 57 (Exeter-Exmouth) gets the "Gold" treatment from 23rd November. Does anyone know if any of the displaced vehicles are destined for Plymouth, or is it a case of "wait and see"?
ReplyDeleteThey were supposed to be going to Torquay but that plan was formulated before the acquisition of Plymouth was announced but I don't know what was happening to the buses displaced in turn from Torquay. That said, most of the current deckers at Plymouth are being replaced by new ones in the New Year, so it would seem unlikely they'd move to Plymouth right now. There's also the red P&R deckers at Exeter that will be displaced in the next few weeks too.
DeleteUnprecedented numbers of new buses and coaches arriving in Devon in the next few months thanks to both Stagecoach and Citybus, it's very good news that those Groups have the confidence to direct so much investment into the region.
Last time I knew the 10 Scanias off the 57 were to come to Torquay depot, which would then see off the older Tridents. Whether the old Tridents would then go to Plymouth for a couple of months or exit the fleet I don't know.
DeleteGiven we're finally going to have the X46 officially converted to "Gold" when the single 65 plate one arrives, it will be interesting to see if Stagecoach market it in any way. Re-launch timetable of course, but given the route's been mostly gold for around a year it's gonna be hard to market it as a big new selling point!!
Timetable And The Route Map For The 57 Is On There Website https://www.stagecoachbus.com/Stagecoach%20Gold.aspx
ReplyDeleteIt's thought that 18067/8/9/70/71/72/73/74 04 Plate Tridents from Torquay and Paignton will displace The Tridents from The Reserve Fleet in Plymouth in Turn The Scania E400s of The 57 Route 15660-15669 will Replace the 04 Tridents in Torquay to Upgrade The 22 Service which Links St Marychurch ,Torquay,Paignton and South Devon College and Links the Local Torbay Attractions and Hotels, also The Three Older Tridents 17003,17057,17058 Will also Depart Torbay along with 17702 Which may possibly have part of The Roof Removed to become an Open Topper and Replace The Leyland PD2 on The Seasonal 200 Open Topper Service.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how many of the 04 Tridents will leave Torquay as I thought they were desperate to stop all Saloon workings on the 32 Willows and Torbay Hospital to St Marychurch service. The PVR is supposed to be 7 Tridents but there are Saloons on a daily basis. Obviously the priority for withdrawal will be the four older Tridents 17003/057/058/702 as they are in almost daily service on 22/23/Schools diagrams. The PVR of the main 22/23 service is 10 vehicles so 100% availability required from the Exmouth Scanias. Isn't Torquay also due a new Scania to replace fire damaged 15797 ??
DeleteLogic would suggest we keep some of the 04s with them converting the 32 to full decker operation. Simple numbers would indicate we can't lose all of them if we're only gaining the 10 Scanias off the 57. Yes we are due an extra gold Scania, 15250.
DeletePlease could anyone tell me if the Two Ex Mayflower Double Deckers have been Re Painted into The Olympia livery yet in Cornwall,also are there anymore Cascades due down to Cornwall from other parts of First Group.
ReplyDeleteThey are two of the last three Tridents still at Summercourt awaiting preparation fr service. They are waiting for a paint slot in Bodmin, which should be in the next few weeks.
DeleteAs for cascades, 14 Caetano MPDs are due in in the next 6 weeks, 1 Caetano dart will probably arrive in exchange for an ADL Dart, 3 B7TLs are due from West Yourshire,(5 more now delayed until April 16), and the 8 E400s/Tridents are due from Plymouth in January. Two YSBs have arrived, one is the 57 plate trainer that is being prepared for a return to service, the other an Essex 55 plate that landed in Taunton but wasn't used there.
there isn't any 8 e400 tridents in plymouth
DeleteI wrote '8 E400/Tridents'. there are 3 E400s and 5 Tridents. Got it?
ReplyDeleteRegarding the 32 Service in Torbay the 05/55 Plate 18301-18308 ,18329,18367/68/83/84 would be the vehicles used on The 32 Service 1 is Required for the Free Marks and Spencer Bus and the 120 Paignton to Kingswear Service plus a couple for the Schools /College workings with the extra Gold vehicle in Place to Bolster the X46 service.....Regarding First Kernow Good News regarding the 15 Single Deckers imminent arrival pity some of the Yorkshire Deckers being Delayed until April lets hope they are not Forgotten,with FIRST BRISTOL having 50 New Buses mainly Deckers I'm surprised maybe 10 Tridents or Early Geminis aren't coming down to Cornwall from Hengrove.
ReplyDeleteBecause we need all the deckers we can get in Bristol, more than the need of Keenow. Our Tridents are crap and are going for scrap in the next few months.
DeleteNo Tridents are going for scrap yet. Undoubtably the non DDA ones within First UK BUS are likely to either get used for spare parts (engines and gearboxes are highly prized!), scrapped, moved onto closed contracts, or be converted to DDA spec, but that's connected to next year's new bus order, not the current year's order. Kernow itself has non DDA Tridents (and will probably by then have some non DDA B7TLs too) which may well themselves be replaced.
DeleteGood to hear The Mayflower Deckers are to be Re Painted , with the 12 Loaded Vehicles Returning from Plymouth the Kernow Fleet will Look a Lot Sharper than in Previous years,would be ideal if Half a dozen 52-54 Plate Tridents could be located to be Converted to Open Toppers and keep the 2 Step Entry ones (Palatine and Olympian) to see out the 2016 Summer Season ,regarding the 2016 Orders for New Buses hopefully Exeter will have some newer Deckers and possibly a Few more E200 Which may see Torbay get 10 E200 For the Torquay Local 31/34 Routes,I would think Stagecoach would be Looking at around 200 Deckers for the Group to withdraw all The Olympians and Non DDA Tridents during 2016 .
ReplyDeleteThere is no need for further deckers in Cornwall. The current allocated cascades will see off all the Olympians
ReplyDeleteCornwall doesn't need open tops for another season yet. They haven't been forgotten
ReplyDeleteOnly the 8 loaned deckers are going to Cornwall. The four singles are going elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteThere is a notice on VOSA today that Citybus are cancelling iin January the following services to Saltash Fore Street 10/10a/10b and 10c/11/12. What's happening new routes or withdrawal.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the only cancellation then there is nothing to get excited about as this license seems to duplicate the others. The main service 10 is under 169 service 11 is 166 and service 12 is 161 and 162. More details tomorrow morning!
DeletePCB are rejigging these routes due to ongoing timing/reliability issues
DeleteThe 10/A/B 11 and 12 are all under the same registration between Royal Parade and Fore Street.
DeleteIn Reply to Colvo comment that Bristol has a Much bigger Need for Double Deckers than Cornwall I wouldn't doubt it being a very prosperous City, I do Think Cornwall's Local people and the Large volume of Tourists deserve More Modern vehicles with Comfortable Interiors,so lets hope anything Cascaded is Refreshed inside and outside,so maybe James Freeman could send Maybe 4 Early Volvo Gemini's down to Camborne, I have to say that First Group have upped there Strategy and made a Conscious effort to Re build a much more Robust Network and selling off small parts of The Group and transferred vehicles around has raised the Profile of The Company,Cornwall will play an important role in the Next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteNever mind cascades. Cornwall will get new next year.
DeleteWould like to think you are right,have my doubts with the Devolution Plans for 2019 Not to Far away,Think if that were the case a Additional order of 20-30 Buses would have been put in for Early 2016 so New Vehicles would be arriving in Time for May and the Start of The Peak Holiday Season.
DeleteThe New Gold Buses have arrived in The South West ready to Operate the 57 Service Exeter to Exmouth From Monday November 23rd, the Last 3 17 Series should be disappearing from Torbay in The Next 10 Days,17003,17057,17058, would think they may go to Winkleigh in the Reserve Fleet or possibly Sold on unless they are Required by another part of The Group,15660 - 15669 Should start to appear in The Bay During The Early part of The Week,be interesting to see where the 18000 Go to ,I would think Plymouth/Dartmouth would have them at least until the New Vehicles arrive in The Next 6/8 Weeks.
Delete[QUOTE]Anonymous19 November 2015 at 06:44
DeleteWould like to think you are right,have my doubts with the Devolution Plans for 2019 Not to Far away,Think if that were the case a Additional order of 20-30 Buses would have been put in for Early 2016 so New Vehicles would be arriving in Time for May and the Start of The Peak Holiday Season.[/QUOTE]
I thought Cornwall weren't pursuing bus devolution now? The latest statement from the council's portfolio holder for transport was that the council had "no immediate plans" to franchise buses, and that "franchising powers would be held in reserve, in case partnership working with bus operators failed to deliver the council’s aims".
Whilst this may not be anything now, I have always thought since Stagecoach took over in Plymouth that it is only a matter of time until Citybus remove themselves or get removed from Saltash. So we will eventually go back to the Status Quo we had with First/Citybus before Citybus got greedy and forced First out. Obviously it worked for them, but I am sure Stagecoach were not part of the plan. That said though judging by the mess Citybus have got into since First pulled out 2 months ago, it is just as well they did not get a monopoly as there is no way they would have coped.
ReplyDeleteThe Torbay Bus Cascades start being moved around this weekend as The Scania Enviro 400s From Exmouth Gradually enter Service on The 22, the Two 17000 Tridents 17057/17058 Go to The Reserve Fleet in Plymouth, Torbay's Fleet Profile is Enhanced by The arrival of The Newer Buses which all have CCTV,The 18000 Vehicles (04 Plates) will possibly be split between Plymouth and Exeter
ReplyDeleteStagecoach are recruiting for drivers in Plymouth and Tavistock,£20,000 plus salary etc, advertising on the buses.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't say £20,000 plus salary. It says £20,000 salary. Which incidentally is wrong. It should read up to £20,000. Which, in reality, will fall very short of £20,000. So don't get your hopes up!
ReplyDeleteI was more pointing out that it got to be good news they are recruiting to be honest. Be interesting to find out how many vacancies they have in Plymouth etc?
ReplyDeleteI think the 20k is for new drivers after the qualifying period, as i guess they will be on stagecoach terms and conditions, not firsts. Also recruiting in Dartmouth as it seems they will be doing half of the X64s from next year. One other thing, some small price increases started today,
ReplyDeleteAnonymous19 November 2015 at 06:44
ReplyDeleteWould like to think you are right,have my doubts with the Devolution Plans for 2019 Not to Far away,Think if that were the case a Additional order of 20-30 Buses would have been put in for Early 2016 so New Vehicles would be arriving in Time for May and the Start of The Peak Holiday Season.
Deliveries for May would be in next year's order, not this year's. And who says that there are not vehicles allocated from next year's UK Bus order for Cornwall.
You don't have to believe anything I say - just remember to give me due credit me when it happens xxx