North East Buses

(17 Aug 2016, 8:12 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]https://www.flickr.com/photos/stagecoachuk/28429702694/

It looks quite comfortable, and in very good condition (internally and externally), for such an old bus! Wonder if Stagecoach have spotted their spelling mistake for this display yet? Should be 'village'!

Ah, the other bus I want that has evaded me both times I've visited the Lakes!

Fair few of the buses round that way look decent despite their ages, this one does especially though, despite the Filpdot destinations which I think sit quite well.

Have to say the new E400's on the 555 in the lakes are very smart, didn't have the chance to ride one though.

Finally had a decent phone to take a photo of W214 DNO at Hollister slate mine.

Attempted to get on the X8 earlier but. The driver said my grandads concessionary pass couldn't be used, is this legal?

(10 Sep 2016, 12:05 pm)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]Attempted to get on the X8 earlier but. The driver said my grandads concessionary pass couldn't be used, is this legal?

You can't use them on the X8 is says on the timetable - it's always been the case

(10 Sep 2016, 1:18 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]You can't use them on the X8 is says on the timetable - it's always been the case

I think that it isn't legal though with it being registered on VOSA

(11 Sep 2016, 7:45 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I think that it isn't legal though with it being registered on VOSA

It is legal. Some operators choose not to accept them on certain services/journeys and some don't. It's just not common practice up here!

(11 Sep 2016, 7:45 am)NK53 TKT wrote [ -> ]I think that it isn't legal though with it being registered on VOSA

Concesionary passes are not permitted on 'express' routes which are legally defined by the distance between stops, with the X8 exceeds.

Other examples include the red arrow operated by Trent Barton. Derby council however, have volunterilly extended their scheme to cover the red arrow so pass holders can travel for free, but only on Derby departures, so they must pay to return. 

The exclusion of bus passes from services like the X8 is what saves them for withdrawal. Stagecoach could not afford to have a vehicle out all day, which only carries one load of passengers, and only receive the bare bones reimbursement for their fares.

Cascade of former North East E400 allocation (subject to change):
Carlisle: 19141/3/4 
Morecambe: 19142/5/6/7/8

C&NL Olympians currently in disposal: 16634/45/60/63/64/65/67/70/776/795

Carlisle United branded 37107 is on the 685 today.

Carlisle will be painting 27141/2 into the new joint 685 livery, as well as one of 48001/2.
Three Omnicity painted up from Jesmond.

(20 Sep 2016, 1:07 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Carlisle will be painting 27141/2 into the new joint 685 livery, as well as one of 48001/2.
Three Omnicity painted up from Jesmond.

Arriva should think about painting one of their pulsars for spare

(20 Sep 2016, 1:07 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Carlisle will be painting 27141/2 into the new joint 685 livery, as well as one of 48001/2.
Three Omnicity painted up from Jesmond.

They have 4 Omni's don't they?...
A Solo spare doesn't make sense to me, a MANviro would be better.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:37 pm)Designline wrote [ -> ]Arriva should think about painting one of their pulsars for spare

I agree, 4661 is never on.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:51 pm)Y935 ERG wrote [ -> ]They have 4 Omni's don't they?...
A Solo spare doesn't make sense to me, a MANviro would be better.

The Solo wouldn't be 'spare', would it?

The short runs between Carlisle and Brampton are (or were?) allocated one of 48001/02 - see below:

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire: 48002 / YJ15ANF by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

Makes complete sense in my eyes to brand one of the Solos too, if that's still the case.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:57 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]The Solo wouldn't be 'spare', would it?

The short runs between Carlisle and Brampton are (or were?) allocated one of 48001/02 - see below:

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire: 48002 / YJ15ANF by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

Makes complete sense in my eyes to brand one of the Solos too, if that's still the case.

Didn't realise 48001/2 are allocated to short 685 as they weren't on when I went.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:59 pm)Y935 ERG wrote [ -> ]Didn't realise 48001/2 are allocated to short 685 as they weren't on when I went.

The allocation is very slack atm, Tends to be any Corporate Solo in the depot allocated.
We'll still see a corporate Solo at some times of the day as the daytime short 685 runs onto a 600 to Cockermouth around 17:00, With another Solo taking its place on a short 685 around the same time.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:37 pm)Designline wrote [ -> ]Arriva should think about painting one of their pulsars for spare

I wonder if there is still any plans to bring 4663 back into service or not? One minute I'm hearing it's life is over but then the next I'm hearing work is being done to bring it back into service...

Would be nice if Arriva would get some newer stock for their 685 workings as the Omnicitys will be 10 years old next year and I fear they could start to become unreliable in the not too distant future which you don't really want on such a long distance route.

(21 Sep 2016, 5:03 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote [ -> ]The allocation is very slack atm, Tends to be any Corporate Solo in the depot allocated.
We'll still see a corporate Solo at some times of the day as the daytime short 685 runs onto a 600 to Cockermouth around 17:00, With another Solo taking its place on a short 685 around the same time.

Perhaps as Stagecoach are intending to brand the Optare Solo, it won't be as slack in future? Maybe timetable changes will mean that the short 685s will no longer run onto the 600 service.

(21 Sep 2016, 4:59 pm)Y935 ERG wrote [ -> ]Didn't realise 48001/2 are allocated to short 685 as they weren't on when I went.

I was led to believe 48001/2 were purchased for the 77/77A (Honnister Pass Route).

(22 Sep 2016, 7:18 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]I was led to believe 48001/2 were purchased for the 77/77A (Honnister Pass Route).

48001/2 are just bog standard slimlines. 47721/22 are still first choice Honister buses due to their specification; increased ground clearance, altered rear bumper, larger diameter wheels and the rear axle has a lower ratio to aid hill climbing. Interworking PVR is three during summer so 47921 is the third bus, again it's a bog standard Slimline although is Cummins/Voith combo so not great for the route.

(15 Sep 2016, 5:20 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Cascade of former North East E400 allocation (subject to change):
Carlisle: 19141/3/4 
Morecambe: 19142/5/6/7/8

C&NL Olympians currently in disposal: 16634/45/60/63/64/65/67/70/776/795

19142/6/7/8 are in the process for onward transfer to East Midlands. At least 42 has arrived, after going straight there from NE. 46 I believe is still under repair at Slatyford after being refused.

19141 and 19143(in repaint process) are penciled in for service at Lillyhall currently. 19144 returned to service at Carlisle this week.

Trident update...
19143 entered service at Lillyhall yesterday, 19141 shouldn't be far behind. Both had many monies spent on them and boy did they need it.
19144 in and out of service at Carlisle, but now in reserve.
19145 at Morecambe in service still. 

Permanent allocations yet to be decided, all down to how they perform.

19142/6-8 are all now in service with Stagecoach East Midlands at Lincoln Depot

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Surprised nobody has spotted this yet

27142 re-entered service after repaint yesterday (photo below taken by Lee Wardle prior to re-entering service - the WiFi is due to be removed). 27141 is in process of being repainted while 47921 is done but is presently away at Optare

27142 (SN64OGF) Carlisle Depot by Carlisle Bus Group, on Flickr

(20 Nov 2016, 4:43 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Surprised nobody has spotted this yet

27142 re-entered service after repaint yesterday (photo below taken by Lee Wardle prior to re-entering service - the WiFi is due to be removed). 27141 is in process of being repainted while 47921 is done but is presently away at Optare

South Tyne Lad got a picture of it yesterday

https://www.flickr.com/photos/140662069@...ateposted/

Thought I'd post a new year update to keep this thread ticking over...

2017 has obviously marked the withdrawl of non-DDA deckers in public service. None-DDA deckers which moved to disposals over the last three periods of the year include; 16634, 16645, 16660, 16663, 16664, 16665, 16666, 16667, 16776, 16795, 17020, 17022, 17023, 17024, 17036, 17197, 17246. Of those; 16634 has been sold for preservation to a member of the Ribble Preservation Trust, 16795 has been sold to Lawsons of Corby. 16660/63/67, 16776, 17022/24/36, 17197, 17246 have been sold to Wigleys for scrap. The remaining disposals are pending sale, all most probably scrap.

16639 is currently still in normal passenger service at Barrow on service on the 7s. Stagecoach Group have given special dispensation to use her for the next 4 weeks (20 school days from 5th Jan 2017). This is due to the delay of Dennis Trident 18375 returning from Scotland after having seat-belts fitted. Another reactivated vehicle is 16651 which has moved out of disposals to replace chassis damaged 16118 at Carlisle. Once it has been fitted with seat-belts it will be used on schools. 16661 (Barrow), 16640 and 16793 (Carlisle), 16649, 16670, 17017 and 17198 (Lillyhall) remain on fleet for schools only. 16639 will most likely return to the contractual reserve fleet for schools, with 16119, 16650/57 also there on paper. 22149 is to return to West Cumbria from Kendal for schools soon, this is DDA and will be used on the 31H/peak 32 in Whitehaven between duties. B10Ms 20459, 20457, 20219, 20710/11/12, are still kicking about on fleet for schools - 20712 is reserve on paper, 20219 currently VOR.

The batch of ex-Lakes 555 Scania Enviro 400 have almost completed their transfer to Barrow, these being 15723-29 - which have received temporary vinyls for the 6/X6. This is for the exception of 15725, and is still in full 555 livery at Morecambe - but being repainted into standard livery imminently before transfer. Former 6/X6 Scania Enviro 400 15818-21 have subsequently moved to Morecambe - 15822 is still remaining Barrow. Although a slight increase in age, this swap has allowed the 6/X6 allocated vehicles to have high-back coach seating - it is thought that they may receive slight internal refurbishment in the months to come, which include USB plugs (this is the case for the 685 vehicles 27141/42 at Carlisle also).

Non-DDA Tridents 17196/99 have been moved into reserve at Lillyhall (West Cumbria). Lillyhall will be taking care of Carlisle's work on the 77/77A (Honister Rambler) and 78 (Seatoller - OTs) this summer. This has resulted in MAN-engined Optare Solos 47239, 47449/50 and 47721/22 moving to West Cumbria for when the season kicks off again, they are to be used mainly on the Whitehaven town network till then and when the spares aren't needed, but will most likely stray. 17489, 17490 and 17495 are the open-toppers for the 78, but 17217 may go instead of one just to keep a decent one at Carlisle for the 508. All of the current non-DDA open top fleet at Kendal along with 17217 are currently going through DDA modifications.

Kendal currently have two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 45s on loan from EvoBus for use on the 6/X6. This is due to the A592 between Newby Bridge and Bowness being closed for essential repairs, with the only suitable diversion route being too tight for even a Solo. The special shuttle service for 6 journeys to and from Windermere runs via the A5074 and the A590 to connect with X6 journeys at Newby Bridge. The shuttle is running for the duration of the works from Monday 2nd January until Easter. The vehicles are BT15KLZ and BX14LDD and are numbered 80031 and 80032.

Various MANviro are also up for internal transfer throughout Cumbria & North Lancs; 22873, 22878, 24117 and 24122.

Think that covers the notable bits of interest, and hopefully proven useful for some. If there's anything else I can think of I'll update the post. And if anyone needs to know anything specific about workings etc give me a poke.

(10 Jan 2017, 11:18 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Thought I'd post a new year update to keep this thread ticking over...

2017 has obviously marked the withdrawl of non-DDA deckers in public service. None-DDA deckers which moved to disposals over the last three periods of the year include; 16634, 16645, 16660, 16663, 16664, 16665, 16666, 16667, 16776, 16795, 17020, 17022, 17023, 17024, 17036, 17197, 17246. Of those; 16634 has been sold for preservation to a member of the Ribble Preservation Trust, 16795 has been sold to Lawsons of Corby. 16660/63/67, 16776, 17022/24/36, 17197, 17246 have been sold to Wigleys for scrap. The remaining disposals are pending sale, all most probably scrap.

16639 is currently still in normal passenger service at Barrow on service on the 7s. Stagecoach Group have given special dispensation to use her for the next 4 weeks (20 school days from 5th Jan 2017). This is due to the delay of Dennis Trident 18375 returning from Scotland after having seat-belts fitted. Another reactivated vehicle is 16651 which has moved out of disposals to replace chassis damaged 16118 at Carlisle. Once it has been fitted with seat-belts it will be used on schools. 16661 (Barrow), 16640 and 16793 (Carlisle), 16649, 16670, 17017 and 17198 (Lillyhall) remain on fleet for schools only. 16639 will most likely return to the contractual reserve fleet for schools, with 16119, 16650/57 also there on paper. 22149 is to return to West Cumbria from Kendal for schools soon, this is DDA and will be used on the 31H/peak 32 in Whitehaven between duties. B10Ms 20459, 20457, 20219, 20710/11/12, are still kicking about on fleet for schools - 20712 is reserve on paper, 20219 currently VOR.

The batch of ex-Lakes 555 Scania Enviro 400 have almost completed their transfer to Barrow, these being 15723-29 - which have received temporary vinyls for the 6/X6. This is for the exception of 15725, and is still in full 555 livery at Morecambe - but being repainted into standard livery imminently before transfer. Former 6/X6 Scania Enviro 400 15818-21 have subsequently moved to Morecambe - 15822 is still remaining Barrow. Although a slight increase in age, this swap has allowed the 6/X6 allocated vehicles to have high-back coach seating - it is thought that they may receive slight internal refurbishment in the months to come, which include USB plugs (this is the case for the 685 vehicles 27141/42 at Carlisle also).

Non-DDA Tridents 17196/99 have been moved into reserve at Lillyhall (West Cumbria). Lillyhall will be taking care of Carlisle's work on the 77/77A (Honister Rambler) and 78 (Seatoller - OTs) this summer. This has resulted in MAN-engined Optare Solos 47239, 47449/50 and 47721/22 moving to West Cumbria for when the season kicks off again, they are to be used mainly on the Whitehaven town network till then and when the spares aren't needed, but will most likely stray. 17489, 17490 and 17495 are the open-toppers for the 78, but 17217 may go instead of one just to keep a decent one at Carlisle for the 508. All of the current non-DDA open top fleet at Kendal along with 17217 are currently going through DDA modifications.

Kendal currently have two Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 45s on loan from EvoBus for use on the 6/X6. This is due to the A592 between Newby Bridge and Bowness being closed for essential repairs, with the only suitable diversion route being too tight for even a Solo. The special shuttle service for 6 journeys to and from Windermere runs via the A5074 and the A590 to connect with X6 journeys at Newby Bridge. The shuttle is running for the duration of the works from Monday 2nd January until Easter. The vehicles are BT15KLZ and BX14LDD and are numbered 80031 and 80032.

Various MANviro are also up for internal transfer throughout Cumbria & North Lancs; 22873, 22878, 24117 and 24122.

Think that covers the notable bits of interest, and hopefully proven useful for some. If there's anything else I can think of I'll update the post. And if anyone needs to know anything specific about workings etc give me a poke.

Cheers for the updates

Noticed there had been a few service changes in West Cumbria due to vehicle shortages so seems to have had quite an effect on them!

(10 Jan 2017, 3:03 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Cheers for the updates

Noticed there had been a few service changes in West Cumbria due to vehicle shortages so seems to have had quite an effect on them!

No problem, Tom.

West Cumbria have a pretty good fleet on paper now, instead of relying on the reserve fleet when things go wrong...

(10 Jan 2017, 3:23 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]No problem, Tom.

West Cumbria have a pretty good fleet on paper now, instead of relying on the reserve fleet when things go wrong...

Yeah I noticed a lot of old Tridents and Olympians out when I was there.

Something that would be nice for the summer services, is in the morning/evening to get the summer services to Keswick, have a 77 running from Workington to Cockermouth, Lorton and then via Seatoller to Keswick. I think that could prove popular as the service might attract a few from Cockermouth.

Lancaster recently (December) opened a Park & Ride site - the bus service runs every 30 minutes into town and is operated by Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire with a dedicated branded Volvo B7RLE Plaxton Centro YX59BZH.


Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire: YX59BZH by Daniel Graham, on Flickr