North East Buses

Grand Prix Coaches recently ceased operation of service 563 which operated between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.

From Tuesday 31st January 2017, Cumbria Classic Coaches will commence operation of a new service 574 between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith operating one journey in each direction on Tuesdays only. Timetable can be found below.

(24 Jan 2017, 4:26 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Grand Prix Coaches recently ceased operation of service 563 which operated between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.

From Tuesday 31st January 2017, Cumbria Classic Coaches will commence operation of a new service 574 between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith operating one journey in each direction on Tuesdays only. Timetable can be found below.

Just to add, utilising more of Leyland Olympian H728DDL.

(24 Jan 2017, 4:26 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Grand Prix Coaches recently ceased operation of service 563 which operated between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.

From Tuesday 31st January 2017, Cumbria Classic Coaches will commence operation of a new service 574 between Kirkby Stephen and Penrith operating one journey in each direction on Tuesdays only. Timetable can be found below.

(25 Jan 2017, 9:19 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Just to add, utilising more of Leyland Olympian H728DDL.

First day, and Lodekka 627HFM is being used.

34715 PX05EKJ Newcastle 685 by Matt Williamson, on Flickr

Dates for the start of the 2017 seasonal summer services in Cumbria are now available on the County Council website.

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transpor...usnews.asp

Artist's impression of the new Volvo B5TL/Wright Gemini 3 OTs for Kendal's 599 open-topper service - The Lake Sider.
Numbered 13801-07 they are a 'beefed' up Lothian spec, also the first Stagecoach vehicles to have white LED destination screens inc full-length rear.

From Saturday 8th April we will introduce new fares across Kendal and also a 50p charge on the issue of new StagecoachSmart cards.

These cards are reusable so make sure you  Register your StagecoachSmart card  today to protect your ticket and you could win a free 7 day megarider with our biggest ever megarider giveaway.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-up...:37:11:858

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and...anges#tab1

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(11 Mar 2017, 3:24 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote [ -> ]Dates for the start of the 2017 seasonal summer services in Cumbria are now available on the County Council website.

http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transpor...usnews.asp

The Stagecoach style ones are now available:

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-up...:25:56:575

(21 Mar 2017, 9:09 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Due for the summer they are. 17013/4/5/6/17217/17221/17277 (minus 17012) will be up for disposal with 17692 transferring to Carlisle.

So I assume:
17489-95 are for the 78 (The timetable suggests the PVR is 2, though last summer when I was at Keswick there was always a spare, with 3 used)
17692 will be for the 508

Then 
13801-7 will be for the 599 (with 1 spare)
17012 will be for the 505 (which will become open-top according to the new timetable)
However, the PVR of the 505 is two so will they use 17012 and 1 of 13801-7?

Also do you know what is happening with 16534, apparently it is still with the fleet though I heard it had been sold for preservation. It can't be used as it is not DDA compliant or has it been made as an exception...will it be used for events and private hire etc?

(21 Mar 2017, 6:04 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]So I assume:
17489-95 are for the 78 (The timetable suggests the PVR is 2, though last summer when I was at Keswick there was always a spare, with 3 used)
17692 will be for the 508

Then 
13801-7 will be for the 599 (with 1 spare)
17012 will be for the 505 (which will become open-top according to the new timetable)
However, the PVR of the 505 is two so will they use 17012 and 1 of 13801-7?

Also do you know what is happening with 16534, apparently it is still with the fleet though I heard it had been sold for preservation. It can't be used as it is not DDA compliant or has it been made as an exception...will it be used for events and private hire etc?

Indeed 17489/90/95 for the 78s with 17962 on the 508.
17012 is dedicated spare for 599 and also for private hires, in a special livery which is being kept under wraps for now.
As for the 505.... being open-toppers is a misprint so well spotted Peter, just passed it on now.
16534 is a sore subject, been all sorts of parts robbed off it inc gearbox as it's still listed on fleet.

Stagecoach fares in Cumbria increase on 8th April 2017. The North West Explorer increases to £11 for adults and £8 for a child.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and...anges#tab2

Notable changes in SC C&NL see all 60 and 76 Solos, plus Rainbow 47958/9/60 and corporate liveried 48001/2 transfering to Dunfermline. Arriving in their place are 36195/35196/36198/36199 from East Scotland, 34688 from East Midlands and 34579 from Merseyside. These join recently transferred 34562/65/67 from North East - also set to join the fleet from North East are 35190/1. 47774 also arriving from Manchester.

Reays Solo SR Hybrids have departed the fleet, going to New Adventure Travel. Elite CX59OVA (KFJ807) came in exchange -  team coach specification for filling in gaps left from the departure of VanHools YJ11AOA/AOD. New in at Reays are Plaxton Cheetah YN58NBY and VanHool TX15 Alicrons YJ17 CWO/CWP/CWR. Ex-Maynes TX15 Alicrons SW13VDF/VEA have also arrived too. Bluebird Orion YX12CHH also been withdrawn.

Former Hunter's L948CRU is now with Workington Transport Heritage Trust.

Stagecoach Carlisle are having an open day on the 27th between 10-4 at their Willowholme Depot.


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(03 May 2017, 12:24 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach Carlisle are having an open day on the 27th between 10-4 at their Willowholme Depot.


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Over 40 buses attending now. Quite a good mix of preserved vehicles from the North coming, a couple NE, plus SC vehicles from other regions as usual. ANE and SCNE in attendance too.
One of the star's, Stagecoach Heritage fleet sending FES831W - the first bus to be purchased by Stagecoach.

First day of the 830 today with Wright Streetlite 32303 (SK16 GXR) being allocated by PrestonBus:

Preston Bus 32303 / SK16 GXR comes to the North East. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

(07 May 2017, 6:22 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]First day of the 830 today with Wright Streetlite 32303 (SK16 GXR) being allocated by PrestonBus:

[/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/UzDB4z]Preston Bus 32303 / SK16 GXR comes to the North East. by Guy Park-Royal, on Flickr

Don't forget the 859 which it's on in this photo

(03 May 2017, 12:24 pm)TEN 6083 wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach Carlisle are having an open day on the 27th between 10-4 at their Willowholme Depot.


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And surprise, surprise, there are no trains on WCML north of Preston that weekend! And I ain't paying £60 for 7+ hours travelling and just 2hrs 40 ish at the destination.

There will be a few more months of the London Tridents on the 599 for anyone after them this summer... Wrights have put the Gemini 3s back till August disappointingly.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/media-libr....pdf?la=en

If anyone is attending Stagecoach Carlisle Open Day, here is the information about it including timetables for Buses.


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(22 May 2017, 8:40 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Open Day 2017

Below I attach the final confirmation details and arrangements for the Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Open Day taking place on Saturday 27th May between 1000 and 1600 at Carlisle's Willowholme depot.

I have attached the shuttle timetable with the planned workings also.

Shuttle timetable is subject to change on the day but there will be notice of any changes, Carlisle also plan to operate various duplicated trips using the remaining Volvo B10Ms & Volvo Olympians and a couple of surprises too!

The following vehicles are expected on the day from private owners and independent companies:
- Duple Dominant bodied Volvo B58 FTV10L
- Duple Laser bodied Leyland Tiger A216BJR
- Duple Caribbean bodied Leyland Tiger PIJ5170 (B206AFV)
- Plaxton Derwent bodied Leyland Leopard RWU534R
- Alexander AY bodied Leyland Leopard TSJ64S
- Plaxton Supreme bodied AEC Reliace FYD864T
- Bova Futura bodied VDL YK16SSU
- Harrington Cavallier bodied Leyland Leopard PCK618 
- Alexander PS bodied Volvo B10M R899XVM
- MK2 Leyland National CEO720W
- MK1 Leyland National GRM353L
- MK1 Leyland National WHH556S REV01
- Alexander ALX300 bodied MAN 18.220 X805SRM
- Talbot Pullman E571MAC
- ECW bodied Leyland Atlantean TRN481V 
- Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean EJR111W
- Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean UVK290T
- Alexander bodied Leyland Atlantean GBB516K
- Alexander ALX400 bodied DAF DB250 X111HOW (X446FGP)
- Alexander bodied Leyland Olympian G186JHG
- MCW Metrobus UTN501Y
- Park Royal bodied Leyland PD2 CEO956
- Northern Counties bodied Scania H132GVM
- ECW bodied Bristol Lodekka 109DRM
- Alexander Belfast bodied Leyland Tiger TBZ8399
- Alexander Belfast bodied Leyland Tiger IXI1250

The following vehicles are expected on the day from Stagecoach companies:
- Duple Dominant bodied Volvo B58 FES831W Stagecoach Heritage
- Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC Stagecoach Manchester (330 branded)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro 200MMC Stagecoach in South Wales (Gold)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 Stagecoach in Cumbria & North Lancashire (Gold)
- Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 MMC 10555 Stagecoach in Cumbria & North Lancashire (555)
- AEC Routemaster 12671 Stagecoach in Cumbria & North Lancashire (London Transport)
- Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident Open Top Stagecoach North East (Newcastle City Sightseeing)
- Van Hool Astromega Stagecoach West Scotland (Megabus Gold Slepper)
- East Lancs Esteem bodied Scania 28513 Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire

As well as the above there will be a display of three different types of Cross Pennine 685 buses (Stagecoach E300, Solo and Arriva North East Scania Omnicity). There will also be a display of the final Volvo B10M and Volvo Olympian buses, plus final open top Volvo Olympian 16534 which will be on static display.

As per previous years we will have a number of transport related stalls and also a Stagecoach stall selling various Stagecoach items including the famous Stagecoach teddy bears and canvas prints.

Open day plug... the Stagecoach site will be updated with the new timetable shortly.

Does anyone know where the remaining ALX300(s) and the coach at Lillyhall normally are? Cheers

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/On-the...4be1fd1-ds

Meet David Hind - named the best bus driver in Cumbria, who hopes he can soon be known as the very best in the country.
The 45-year-old has been ferrying people around Carlisle and beyond in a Stagecoach bus for more than a decade, becoming a familiar face on the city's streets.
As well as operating the inner city routes, David also takes passengers over the border into Dumfries as well as over to Newcastle.
After being scored on his driving by a mystery traveller and passing a series of technical challenges, David, of Belle Vue south, has just been named as the best driver in Cumbria and North Lancashire by Stagecoach.

Well, here she is... 17012 'The White Lady' in a variation of Ribble white lady livery.
https://twitter.com/StagecoachCNL/status...8202560513

Hot on 17012's heals, the first photos of Kendal's new Open Toppers have began to circulate in the public domain, here is an unbranded example at Wrights this morning. 
Photo from James' Bus Photos on Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/Vo1LE5

First one should land in 2 weeks time, for service end of July. 17012 will then move to a reserve roll and for private hires, 17277 and 17692 keeping as spares for the 78, 508 and 599 once the new Volvo's arrive. The remaining older open toppers have secured homes elsewhere in the group.

(20 Jun 2017, 11:12 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Hot on 17012's heals, the first photos of Kendal's new Open Toppers have began to circulate in the public domain, here is an unbranded example at Wrights this morning. 
Photo from James' Bus Photos on Flickr. https://flic.kr/p/Vo1LE5

And now a branded one: https://flic.kr/p/V1CWbo

The first one of the seven B5TL/Gemini 3s arrived this morning, should be 13801. This one is being used on 'Catch the bus week' promotions in Kendal at some point this week. One of them will be heading to Manchester then Merseyside regions beforehand for promotional duties.

EDIT: Launch expected to be 17th July, but could be delayed due to certificate issues, which also now effect the Lothian batch.

Pic of one of the new Gemini 3s on driver familiarisation:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu2112/35644326461/

Gemini OTs hopefully out Wednesday.
Edit: Being put back again....

One of the new open topper B5s will be used in Manchester this coming Monday for the day, and then in Liverpool on Tuesday and Preston on Wednesday - services are still to be confirmed. Local plans are in place to use them in Lancaster and Carlisle over the next couple of weeks.

(17 Jul 2017, 8:50 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Gemini OTs hopefully out Wednesday.
Edit: Being put back again....

The Gemini OT's out in service today.

I have created an album showing exterior and interior views which can be viewed at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph...4013794461

(20 Jul 2017, 1:57 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]One of the new open topper B5s will be used in Manchester this coming Monday for the day, and then in Liverpool on Tuesday and Preston on Wednesday - services are still to be confirmed. Local plans are in place to use them in Lancaster and Carlisle over the next couple of weeks.

Shame it wasn't here today, as its been dry but rain is forecast virtually every day for the next week. And, Hyde Road alone has 8 buses away at either Swindon or the Open Golf