25th November 2020

Stagecoach East Scotland

The four Enviro 400s on loan here from Stagecoach Highlands, 19038/040/043/214, have been allocated to the Rennies fleet. These have been joined by similar 19057/066/067 from Aberhill. Replacing them at Aberhill are 11.8m Enviro 200MMCs 26012/016/017 which have been transferred from Dunfermline. Following repairs Enviro 300 27139 is back in service at Glenrothes.

On loan to the Rennies fleet, Enviro 400 19038, is seen at Halbeath P&R site in Dunfermline whilst working an Amazon contract service on 2nd November 2020. © Cammies Transport Photography.

Stagecoach East Midlands

With its repaint now complete, Gainsborough allocated Dart SLF 35130 has become the first example here to receive ‘local’ livery. Mansfield based Enviro 300 27760 and Enviro 200 36510 have also received ‘local’ livery. Grimsby allocated Enviro 200 37197 has also now arrived back from repaint in ‘local’ livery.

Dennis Trident/ALX400 18320 has now re-entered traffic at Lincoln, having spent nearly four months out of service.

The last of the 15 strong batch of Enviro 400 MMCs new to Hull in 2016 to receive the new livery, 10748 is seen in Hull on 21st November 2020. © Daniel Dearing.

Stagecoach Group

A statement has been released from Stagecoach UK suggesting that it has restarted its new vehicle investment plan, after it was stalled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach has stated “working with manufacturers to bring in a number of new cleaner, greener vehicles over the coming months. This includes the new coaches on the Oxford Tube services”. 

The spokesperson added that Stagecoach is: “also committed to bringing in more electric buses onto our London routes, and have a number of double-decks and micro hybrids to introduce across the country. 

Whilst there is no specific detail from Stagecoach it is believed that the company may have already placed an order for further Enviro 400MMCs from ADL. 

The spokesperson added: “We’ll also be introducing five electric vehicles on our Kilmarnock services early next year as part of a joint opportunity through the Green Economy Fund (GEF)”. We understand that these zero emission electric single deck buses which will join the Stagecoach West Scotland fleet will operate between Kilmarnock and Priestland and the project is the result of a £2 million grant from the GEF.

Stagecoach adds that: “Over the past decade, we have invested more than £1 billion in 7,000 new greener vehicles - more than any other operator in the UK - including electric, hybrid electric and hydrogen and biofuel technologies. 

“In the longer term, our focus remains on making even further reductions on the carbon impact of our services, and we are looking at a range of options as part of our sustainability and vehicle technology strategy. 

Stagecoach Midlands

No Enviro 200s at Nuneaton now carry route 5/5A Camp Hill and 10 Grove Farm branding. The WiFi branding is also removed from the Stagecoach Gold fleet of 11.8m Enviro 200MMCs.

Stagecoach North East

Disposals of MAN/ALX300s here in the last month have seen PVS take 22013/016/051, Alpha Recovery has taken 22022/69, and 22050 has gone to A H Hardwick.

Recorded by the company is that training fleet MAN/ALX300 22074 has returned to use at Stockton.

Recent repaints here into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery are Enviro 300s 27523 and 27726.

Pictured in Newcastle city centre on 14th November 2020, is Enviro 300 27726. © Trevor Hall.

Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands)

Three of the former Stagecoach East Volvo B9R/Plaxton Panthers have now entered service here with 53616/617 at Kirkwall and 53618 at Skye. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 44025 is on loan to Caithness from Tain. Returned to traffic at Kirkwall are Optare Solo SRs 48900 and 48904.

A number of vehicles are now out of traffic for various repairs. Enviro 400 19219 is at Inverness for seat belt fitment, with Enviro 400 19218, Optare Solo 47252 and Volvo B12B 53104 here for long term repairs. Volvo B13R 54132 from Caithness along with Volvo B7R 53309/18, Enviro 300 27807 and Optare Solo SR 47813 have also been stood done for repairs here.

Back in service at Inverness after repairs are Dennis Trident/ALX400 18112, Enviro 200MMC 26128 and Enviro 200 36197. Volvo B7R 53284 and Volvo B12B 53103 are back in service at Skye, and Volvo B7R 53316 is now back at Kirkwall after repairs.

Stagecoach South Wales

11.8m Enviro 200MMC 26110 finally re-entered service at Porth on 21st November 2020 following its decommissioning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still out of use at Porth are 26111 and Optare Solo 47694.

Stagecoach South West

The remains of fire damaged Enviro 200 36232 were collected from Exeter depot on 19th November 2020 and taken to a scrapyard in Crediton.

Transferred from Barnstaple to Plymouth is Optare Solo 47086, with Optare Solo SRs 48012/013 moving from Plymouth to Exeter. Dart SLFs 34607/609 have been transferred from Barnstaple to Torquay.

Latest recipient of the new livery here is Enviro 400MMC 10461 with Scania/Enviro 400 15897 next in line. So far 34 buses have received the new Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery with a further two in Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery.

The repainted vehicles in Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery here are:
Enviro 400MMC: 10460/461.
Scania/Enviro 400: 15435/790/862/885/887/888/892/894.
MAN/Enviro 300: 24141-147/151
Enviro 200MMC 11.8m: 26034-036
Dart SLF: 34610/739/865/872/876, 35165/166/170/171
Enviro 200: 36247
Optare Solo: 47099/519/520

The two Scania/Enviro 400s in the Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery are 15924 and 15930.

Stagecoach West

A further recipient of ‘local’ livery here is MAN/Enviro 300 22754, which has lost Stagecoach Gold livery. Back in service at North Bristol after seat belt fitment is Trident 18422. Also now at North Bristol are Trident 18087 and Scania/Enviro 400 15736 from Swindon.

Currently decommissioned but remaining licensed at Swindon is Optare Solo 47904.

Stagecoach West Scotland

Currently out of service for repairs is Enviro 300 27226 which has been replaced at Ayr by 27883, which had been delicensed. Volvo B11R 54337 has been relicensed at Ayr and has replaced Volvo 54108 which is now delicensed. Delicensed Optare Solo SR 47843 at Ayr has been relicensed and transferred to Kilmarnock where it has displaced Optare Solo 47613 to the Reserve Fleet. At Stranraer Enviro 200 36145 has been relicensed and transferred to Dumfries replacing 36142 which is now undergoing repairs.

Seen at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station on 1st October 2020, is Volvo B11R 54337. © Karl Oakley

Stagecoach Yorkshire

Frequently deputising for an Optare Solo on the Matlock Town service recently has been Chesterfield allocated 8.2m Enviro 200 36071. This vehicles joined the Stagecoach West Scotland fleet from Shuttle Buses of Kilwinning. It was then transferred to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire before moving on to join this fleet.

Earlier in the year, on 7th August 2020, 8.2m Enviro 200 36071 is seen in Matlock whilst covering for the usual Optare Solo that works the town service here. © Jamie Armstrong.