13th January 2021
D&G Bus: As we mentioned in our last report, D&G have purchased a number of vehicles for their takeover of Arriva Midlands Cannock depot alongside some former Arriva vehicles. Former Whitelaws ADL Enviro 200 MMC YX65RWL (numbered 2 in the D&G fleet) is pictured on 6th January 2021 with the new ‘Chaserider’ branding. © Cliff Beeton.
East Yorkshire: Recently repainted, with the new Eastrider branding, Volvo B5TL/MCV Evoseti 799 is pictured at Anlaby Road depot in Hull on 4th January 2021. © East Yorkshire Spotter.
Megabus
Currently being used for storage is Stagecoach Manchester’s Wigan depot, with Left Hand Drive Van Hool Altanos 55003/004/007/009/010/014 along with Left Hand Drive Volvo B11Rs 55021/024/025 parked there on 8th January 2021.
Volvo B11Rs 54269-275 are due to be transferred from Stagecoach Midlands at Rugby to Stagecoach West at North Bristol.
Stagecoach UK Bus
Stagecoach has today announced that it will become the first bus operator in the country to invest in the national roll-out of new bridge alert technology across its fleet.
“The £4m project will strengthen existing measures in place to prevent bridge strikes and build on Stagecoach’s industry-leading use of the GreenRoad driver safety and fuel efficiency system.
GreenRoad’s core safety system is installed on all of Stagecoach’s 8.000 buses in England, Scotland and Wales. The technology also serves professional drivers from companies across Europe, the Middle East, America, Australia and New Zealand.
Using a simple traffic-light-like LED system on the dashboard, the GreenRoad system gives drivers instant feedback about their driving manoeuvres, encouraging smoother, safer, more fuel-efficient driving that is more comfortable for passengers.
Stagecoach has been in discussions with GreenRoad over the past eight months on how to extend the telematics technology to further improve safety for its fleet - including 3,800 double-decker buses - around low bridges.
Data from Network Rail shows that there were 1714 railway bridge strikes across the country in the 2019-20 financial year. Most of these incidents involve heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), with between 40 and 50 a year related to buses.
As well as the potential for serious injuries, bridge strikes have significant financial and other costs for the country. On average, a single bridge strike costs more than £6,000 and in 2019-20 these incidents resulted in more than 7,800 hours of delays for rail passengers alone.
The intelligent GreenRoad system will use GPS vehicle location data and mapping services to alert the driver to nearby low bridges. If the technology determines that the bus is heading towards a low bridge, it will sound an in-cab alert, allowing a safe exit route that avoids the bridge.
Following a 16-week software development phase, the technology and associated speakers will be installed on Stagecoach buses across the country by summer 2021.”
Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
Now formally allocated to Kendal is former Stagecoach London 10.2m Enviro 200 36336. Optare Solo 47615, which was received here in December 2020 from Stagecoach West Scotland has been delicensed.
A clear out of withdrawn vehicles here meant that by 11th January 2021 just Dennis Trident/ALX400 18355 and Volvo B12M 53028 were awaiting disposal. All other withdrawn vehicles (Volvo Olympian 16793, Dennis Trident/ALX400 18144 and Optare Solos 47056/060) have been sold although some were still awaiting collection.
Stagecoach East
Volvo B9R 53704, which remains on loan here and is based at Bedford, has now entered service. It was first used on 6th January 2021.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse-Urban 21221 has now been returned to Fenstanton, from Bedford, swapping places with Dart SLF 34827. After this and the transfer of similar 21223-225 last week, this just leaves 21222 still at Bedford although this is due to be exchanged at Fenstanton with Enviro 200 37230 in the coming days.
Repainted into ‘Local’ livery last month, and seen on its first day in traffic after repaint, is Enviro 200 37232. It is captured on 21st December 2020. © Luke Fisher.
Stagecoach East Midlands
Heavy maintenance and repairs on Skegness allocated vehicles has recently been undertaken by both Hull and Lincoln deports with vehicles from these depots temporarily being moved to Skegness as cover. Operating from Skegness on 11th January 2021 was Hull allocated Enviro 400MMC 10738.
Currently on loan at Grimsby, is Hull allocated MAN/Enviro 300 24196. It is covering for Enviro 300 27202, which is currently at Hull depot.
Reported as sold by us last week, Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 16940 has passed to A H Hardwick of Barnsley, for scrap.
The most recent repainted Grimsby vehicle is Enviro 200 37198, it is pictured on 12th January 2021. © Keiron Beastall.
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
Now sold from this fleet is Volvo B12B coach 54076, which now means no coaches remain in this fleet. As a result, the training fleet allocation is as follows;
Birkenhead: 34797.
Chester: 22079, 34743.
Gilmoss: 22077.
Preston: 22078.
One of two such examples in the training fleet here, Dart SLF 34743 is pictured at Gilmoss depot on 15th January 2020. © Graham Judge.
Stagecoach Midlands
Recent transfers here have seen MAN/Enviro 300s 22838/839 returned to service at Leamington, whilst similar 22833-835 are out of use but are being prepared for a return to service.
The return of the two former Lothian Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Geminis which have been on loan here, 80076/77, is imminent.
Enviro 400MMC 11226 is currently out of service for major repairs, whilst Dart SLF 35184 is now for disposal here.
Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird)
Away at Ferrymill Motors for repairs are Enviro 400 MMC Smart Hybrid 11168 from Macduff, and Enviro 300 Hybrid 29011 from Aberdeen. As a result, on loan at Aberdeen from Ferrymill Motors is MAN/Wright Meridian FM31 (SF08OFY).
Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands)
Following the arrival of Volvo B7Rs 53702/716 last week, the next B7R expected is 53704 which remains on loan at Stagecoach East.
Stagecoach Oxfordshire
The three MAN/Enviro 200s received here from Stagecoach Midlands, 39683/685/699, have been allocated to Banbury as replacements for Enviro 200s 36448/769/770 which are now at Oxford.
Following the transfer of Van Hool Astromegas 50269/270/272-276 to Stagecoach East Scotland the Oxford Tube fleet currently comprises 25 vehicles including 20 Volvo B11/Plaxton Panoramas 50421-440 and five Van Hool Astromegas 50233/235/237/250/271, although 50271 is expected to transfer to Stagecoach East Scotland imminently.
Stagecoach South
Guildford allocated Dennis Trident/ALX400 17736 has been returned from the Alton outstation, and is now awaiting disposal.
Stagecoach South East
Enviro 400MMC 10702 had transferred from Hastings to Herne Bay in exchange for Scania/Enviro 400MMC 15286. At Folkestone Dart SLF 34652 is now in the main fleet with 34442 moving to the Reserve Fleet.
With the temporary suspension of Canterbury Park & Ride services, Enviro 300s 27919-924 have been placed into the Reserve Fleet at Dover.
Stagecoach East: Enviro 200 37228 is pictured in Huntingdon on 8th January 2021. © Brandon Fitzgibbon.
