National Bus & Coach Operations
National Bus & Coach Operations
http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2015...rtnership/
Quite an interesting read.
Stellios was offered the chance to be part of Megabus
Sophie Marsden, of twentysix digital has created a campaign called 'My Dream Coach' on behalf of National Holidays. She asked a group of children to describe what their dream coach would look like, and her company's designer digitally created the results!
Check out their video here, and find a few examples below:
Not sure if they will still appear once they arrive at their intended home in the new year so watch out on the early morning M35 journey from Manchester to Newcastle, the M36 to Plymouth - and for those lucky to be near somewhere where the Megabus stop is photographable (Newcastle and Sunderland) - the evening M36 from Plymouth and the southbound M35 to Manchester, it's get them while you can. I'm talking about the latest batch of Elite Is on Megabus, like 54264 as below.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/n...t-11014693
Oh dear. The passengers are partly fools here. They weren't forceably trapped and could have left, even if the coach dos leave without them. Though I imagine the more likely scenario would be that if someone left the coach for a genuine urgent reason, eg toilet or water, the remaining passengers would inform the incoming driver before she left.
Reminds me of an experience I had with Megabus traveling Manchester - Middlesbrough. It was mid snow showers and timetables had gone to pot. From the stop i rang customer services to ask for a rough estimate of how long the delay would be, she was honest and told me the coach was still in Birmingham and was expecting a slow journey north taking at least 2 hours.
Great I thought, I can comfortably head for a coffee and keep warm for at least an hour. No. She also told me they may change plans at any time and dispatch a reserve vehicle to collect Manchester passengers. I see their intentions here but when passengers are left alone in a draughty bus station in artic temperatures with no staff on hand to update us what we all really wanted was accurate information! Three long, cold hours later the delayed coach arrived and promptly broke down on stand. IIRC the windscreen washer tank breeched and despite some efforts with an old Coke bottle and some tape it was a no-go.
Fast forward another hour the weary group of passengers and ushered onto a Stagecoach Manchester enviro 400 for the journey along the M62. Anybody familier with the route/road can image the agony that is a heavily laden enviro 400 crawling up the steep M62 incline into Holmfirth.
I drove from then on.
While booking transport for a break in mid Feburary, some interesting discoveries - Megabus expansion starting 8th January, with extra North East to London journeys starting (one of which includes the new destinations of Nottingham, Loughborough and Leicester)
Here's a very basic new timetable for Megabus in the North East. The cross country routes have been re-organised but still runs 4 times a day with various destinations and start points. I believe at least some of the operation will now be based at Walkergate depot once again.
You'll notice Scotch Corner has now been removed from the M20 route.
Some other changes:
The 1330 from Newcastle (Sunderland at 1405 and Middlesbrough at 1445), which was previously an M34 to Portsmouth, is now an M35 to Cardiff (suggesting that will now be one of Cwmbran's Astromegas). There is now no direct return journey from Cardiff.
The Portsmouth journey now leaves Newcastle at 0910 (Sunderland at 0945 and Middlesbrough at 1025). The return journey now leaves Portsmouth at 0710, arriving in the North East at 1640 in Middlesbrough, 1720 in Sunderland and Newcastle at 1810.
There is now no direct M36 from Newcastle to Plymouth. The northbound journey now leaves Plymouth at 0830, arriving into Newcastle 2 hours later than now at 2040 (Middlesbrough at 1925 and Sunderland at 2005).
Newcastle to Manchester departures:
0530 M35 to Birmingham
0910 M34 to Portsmouth
1300 M34 to Birmingham
1840 M35 to Rugby
(09 Jan 2017, 9:08 am)Kuyoyo Some other changes:
The 1330 from Newcastle (Sunderland at 1405 and Middlesbrough at 1445), which was previously an M34 to Portsmouth, is now an M35 to Cardiff (suggesting that will now be one of Cwmbran's Astromegas). There is now no direct return journey from Cardiff.
The Portsmouth journey now leaves Newcastle at 0910 (Sunderland at 0945 and Middlesbrough at 1025). The return journey now leaves Portsmouth at 0710, arriving in the North East at 1640 in Middlesbrough, 1720 in Sunderland and Newcastle at 1810.
There is now no direct M36 from Newcastle to Plymouth. The northbound journey now leaves Plymouth at 0830, arriving into Newcastle 2 hours later than now at 2040 (Middlesbrough at 1925 and Sunderland at 2005).
Newcastle to Manchester departures:
0530 M35 to Birmingham
0910 M34 to Portsmouth
1300 M34 to Birmingham
1840 M35 to Rugby
(09 Jan 2017, 9:08 am)Kuyoyo Some other changes:
The 1330 from Newcastle (Sunderland at 1405 and Middlesbrough at 1445), which was previously an M34 to Portsmouth, is now an M35 to Cardiff (suggesting that will now be one of Cwmbran's Astromegas). There is now no direct return journey from Cardiff.
The Portsmouth journey now leaves Newcastle at 0910 (Sunderland at 0945 and Middlesbrough at 1025). The return journey now leaves Portsmouth at 0710, arriving in the North East at 1640 in Middlesbrough, 1720 in Sunderland and Newcastle at 1810.
There is now no direct M36 from Newcastle to Plymouth. The northbound journey now leaves Plymouth at 0830, arriving into Newcastle 2 hours later than now at 2040 (Middlesbrough at 1925 and Sunderland at 2005).
Newcastle to Manchester departures:
0530 M35 to Birmingham
0910 M34 to Portsmouth
1300 M34 to Birmingham
1840 M35 to Rugby
(09 Jan 2017, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo In other Meagbus news, Gold Astromega 50311 is currently on-loan to Walkergate depot for driver training duties (likewise its sisters 50312 and 50313 are in use as driver trainers at Rugby and Cwmbran). It spent the day in Middlesbrough today.
![[Image: 32246012836_83bab55162_c.jpg]](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/295/32246012836_83bab55162_c.jpg)
Stagecoach Glasgow 50311 (YJ64 AUT) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr(09 Jan 2017, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo In other Meagbus news, Gold Astromega 50311 is currently on-loan to Walkergate depot for driver training duties (likewise its sisters 50312 and 50313 are in use as driver trainers at Rugby and Cwmbran). It spent the day in Middlesbrough today.
Stagecoach Glasgow 50311 (YJ64 AUT) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr
(10 Jan 2017, 8:10 pm)Kuyoyo It spent half an hour doing laps of Pilgrim Street, New Bridge Street, John Dobson Street and Market Street.
In a big blow for Megabus employees, the Megabus Europe long hauls (ME1, ME14 and ME25) operated by Rugby depot are to cease from the 10th April.
(10 Jan 2017, 8:10 pm)Kuyoyo It spent half an hour doing laps of Pilgrim Street, New Bridge Street, John Dobson Street and Market Street.
In a big blow for Megabus employees, the Megabus Europe long hauls (ME1, ME14 and ME25) operated by Rugby depot are to cease from the 10th April.
http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-rel...04-18.aspx
More expansion for Megabus - to be operated by South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach
A few further changes to the Megabus network from this coming Monday:
Operation of the M20 (Glasgow to London via Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Sheffield) plus operation of the 0930 M11 from London to Aberdeen and the southbound M21 (Glasgow to Birmingham) passes from Glasgow depot to Rugby, along with original Elite Is 54201-8. 54209-11 will remain at Glasgow to operation certain turns on the M9 (Glasgow to Aberdeen) and M92 (Edinburgh to Aberdeen via Perth and Dundee).
The end of the Sleeper operation will see the Megabus Gold fleet reduced to a requirement of 5 between the G9 (Glasgow to Aberdeen) and G10 (Glasgow to Inverness). It is expected that the trio new in 2013 (50311-3) will remain in use with the Training School at various Megabus operations.
(18 May 2017, 8:19 am)Kuyoyo A few further changes to the Megabus network from this coming Monday:
The end of the Sleeper operation will see the Megabus Gold fleet reduced to a requirement of 5 between the G9 (Glasgow to Aberdeen) and G10 (Glasgow to Inverness). It is expected that the trio new in 2013 (50311-3) will remain in use with the Training School at various Megabus operations.
![[Image: 34906732491_25ebf223e4_b.jpg]](https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4271/34906732491_25ebf223e4_b.jpg)
Scottish Citylink Gold Launch by Stuart Robert Barber, on Flickr
(18 May 2017, 8:19 am)Kuyoyo A few further changes to the Megabus network from this coming Monday:
The end of the Sleeper operation will see the Megabus Gold fleet reduced to a requirement of 5 between the G9 (Glasgow to Aberdeen) and G10 (Glasgow to Inverness). It is expected that the trio new in 2013 (50311-3) will remain in use with the Training School at various Megabus operations.
Scottish Citylink Gold Launch by Stuart Robert Barber, on Flickr
A number of changes taking place at the end of June on Megabus:
M12
The amount of Saturday northbound journeys is cut from the current 3 journeys to just 2 - the overnight departure, and what is currently the 1500 from London which will run 2 hours earlier than now (leaving Sheffield Meadowhall at 1640) until Wolley Edge then from Leeds it runs an amazing 2 hours 15 minutes earlier, Middlesbrough arrival at 1845 (presently 2110). Sunday, the duplicate remains albeit duping a run that is 3 hours in front of it. Monday to Thursday there are now 4 northbound journeys with the addition of a 0800 from London (1140 at Meadowhall, 1215 from Leeds) - the mid afternoon 1500 departure departs from London at 1300 arriving in Sheffield at 1710.
Southbound the 0620 from Newcastle (Monday to Friday - 0640 on weekends) will run earlier as well (Middlesbrough departure time is now 0720 all week).
M12A
Withdrawn
M34/M35/M36 plus NEW M33
Recast Cross-Country timetables - some journeys being re-routed to serve Sheffield rather than Manchester.
Combined with M12/M20, there will be a 2 hourly Newcastle to Leeds service on Megabus.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44312684
As discussed at length on other forums, First Group has this week posted a £326 million loss this week. The major losses have been pinned on Greyhound in the USA, as well as 'toxic' rail franchises in the UK. The new interim chief exec has since announced they will be looking to sell all or part of the business.
Not much has been said of UK bus, which is apparently just about on a even keel. While big changes high up don't necessarily have a huge impact on the ground for UK bus operations, I personally feel the next 18 months or so will see big changes in the bus scene regarding First. First have been retrenching operations for 3-4 years now, with Clacton in Essex being just announced as the latest operation to close. If First Group need to raise funds, I think marginal bus operations will be the easy target to sell.
Manchester could be an interesting one to watch. First in particular have been withholding investment for a while now, with depot closures to boot. Meanwhile Rotala & Transdev have crept into the periphery of the region, with first already surrendering commercial territory to them in Bolton & Rochdale. It's still unclear if bus franchising is going to go ahead in Manchester, but if it's going to happen anywhere it'll be there. There's obvious growing discontent with private operation of public transport in the region with the ongoing Northern fiasco. Where privatising the rail franchise may prove too complicated legally, financially and politically; I can see bus franchising sped up by Andy Burnham to at least appear like he's doing something about the situation. If/when it goes ahead, First will be the big losers. As well as their bigger overheads, their brand is toxic in Manchester and I can't see the them holding public contracts as winning favour, they certainly weren't popular locally when they briefly won the WCML a few years ago.
(01 Jun 2018, 1:37 pm)James101 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44312684
As discussed at length on other forums, First Group has this week posted a £326 million loss this week. The major losses have been pinned on Greyhound in the USA, as well as 'toxic' rail franchises in the UK. The new interim chief exec has since announced they will be looking to sell all or part of the business.
Not much has been said of UK bus, which is apparently just about on a even keel. While big changes high up don't necessarily have a huge impact on the ground for UK bus operations, I personally feel the next 18 months or so will see big changes in the bus scene regarding First. First have been retrenching operations for 3-4 years now, with Clacton in Essex being just announced as the latest operation to close. If First Group need to raise funds, I think marginal bus operations will be the easy target to sell.
Manchester could be an interesting one to watch. First in particular have been withholding investment for a while now, with depot closures to boot. Meanwhile Rotala & Transdev have crept into the periphery of the region, with first already surrendering commercial territory to them in Bolton & Rochdale. It's still unclear if bus franchising is going to go ahead in Manchester, but if it's going to happen anywhere it'll be there. There's obvious growing discontent with private operation of public transport in the region with the ongoing Northern fiasco. Where privatising the rail franchise may prove too complicated legally, financially and politically; I can see bus franchising sped up by Andy Burnham to at least appear like he's doing something about the situation. If/when it goes ahead, First will be the big losers. As well as their bigger overheads, their brand is toxic in Manchester and I can't see the them holding public contracts as winning favour, they certainly weren't popular locally when they briefly won the WCML a few years ago.
(01 Jun 2018, 1:37 pm)James101 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44312684
As discussed at length on other forums, First Group has this week posted a £326 million loss this week. The major losses have been pinned on Greyhound in the USA, as well as 'toxic' rail franchises in the UK. The new interim chief exec has since announced they will be looking to sell all or part of the business.
Not much has been said of UK bus, which is apparently just about on a even keel. While big changes high up don't necessarily have a huge impact on the ground for UK bus operations, I personally feel the next 18 months or so will see big changes in the bus scene regarding First. First have been retrenching operations for 3-4 years now, with Clacton in Essex being just announced as the latest operation to close. If First Group need to raise funds, I think marginal bus operations will be the easy target to sell.
Manchester could be an interesting one to watch. First in particular have been withholding investment for a while now, with depot closures to boot. Meanwhile Rotala & Transdev have crept into the periphery of the region, with first already surrendering commercial territory to them in Bolton & Rochdale. It's still unclear if bus franchising is going to go ahead in Manchester, but if it's going to happen anywhere it'll be there. There's obvious growing discontent with private operation of public transport in the region with the ongoing Northern fiasco. Where privatising the rail franchise may prove too complicated legally, financially and politically; I can see bus franchising sped up by Andy Burnham to at least appear like he's doing something about the situation. If/when it goes ahead, First will be the big losers. As well as their bigger overheads, their brand is toxic in Manchester and I can't see the them holding public contracts as winning favour, they certainly weren't popular locally when they briefly won the WCML a few years ago.
