North East Buses

(12 Sep 2015, 2:42 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]22198 was in Middlesbrough at 1100 with an engineer waiting for something else coming in.

Ah right. I believe 22466 has been taken off so maybe that.

According to "Ian J Stanness" of the "Stagecoach Enthusiasts" Facebook Group, approximately 30 E400s, 15 from Slatyford and 15 from Walkergate, will be used for the Great North Run express services tomorrow. However, MAN ALX300s and South Shields ADL E300s have also been used in the past. I wonder whether Ex-Scotland ADL E400s 19642/3/5 will be used as well? I assume ADL E200s from the 37301-19 batch will be used on the 552 service tomorrow. The "E" services were mainly operated by E200s last year.

(12 Sep 2015, 5:41 pm)AIG20 wrote [ -> ]According to "Ian J Stanness" of the "Stagecoach Enthusiasts" Facebook Group, approximately 30 E400s, 15 from Slatyford and 15 from Walkergate, will be used for the Great North Run express services tomorrow. However, MAN ALX300s and South Shields ADL E300s have also been used in the past. I wonder whether Ex-Scotland ADL E400s 19642/3/5 will be used as well? I assume ADL E200s from the 37301-19 batch will be used on the 552 service tomorrow. The "E" services were mainly operated by E200s last year.

I'd believe this Stanness works for Stagecoach South Shields.

(12 Sep 2015, 5:41 pm)AIG20 wrote [ -> ]According to "Ian J Stanness" of the "Stagecoach Enthusiasts" Facebook Group, approximately 30 E400s, 15 from Slatyford and 15 from Walkergate, will be used for the Great North Run express services tomorrow. However, MAN ALX300s and South Shields ADL E300s have also been used in the past. I wonder whether Ex-Scotland ADL E400s 19642/3/5 will be used as well? I assume ADL E200s from the 37301-19 batch will be used on the 552 service tomorrow. The "E" services were mainly operated by E200s last year.

Wonder if 10000 will be used

(12 Sep 2015, 6:49 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]'Connecting the Dots' get their marketing (shame there's no official details about the launch)

And after I posted that - posters now on display in Stockton vehicles advertising the launch on Friday.

So I know all of the t ,v Reg man Alx 300 go but well some of the 03 or 54 Reg man's will go to or will there stay

Service 553:
19193, 19202, 19209, 19211, all open toppers, 19386?, NK60 xxx,

19209/11 both struggled up Redwell Lane bank, due to all seats being filled with a couple of standees; and approximately six all turned around N.I.S at the bottom of the bank back towards Bents Park.

(12 Sep 2015, 9:42 pm)glen1234 wrote [ -> ]So I know all of the t ,v Reg man Alx 300 go but well some of the 03 or 54 Reg man's will go to or will there stay

If my maths are correct, the end result will be that we'll have 9 03 reg buses spare, so I'm guessing a maxium of 4 will be moving on.

(13 Sep 2015, 10:48 am)benambro wrote [ -> ]If my maths are correct, the end result will be that we'll have 9 03 reg buses spare, so I'm guessing a maxium of 4 will be moving on.

The allocation, once all of 27238-54 are in service, should be more like this:

10/11: MAN E300 or ADL E300 (PVR 5)
12: MAN E300 (PVR 8)
13: MAN ALX300 (PVR 5)
14/34: MAN ALX300 (PVR 6)
36/37/38: 'The Zone' ADL E300s (PVR 16)
39: MAN E300 or ADL E300 (4, 5 on Saturdays) and Dennis Trident (1)
52/35: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 7)
58/35: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 4)
59/61: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 6)

At present, there is/was 12 non-DDA MAN ALX300s on the official allocation at Stockton (22196-8/202/4/10/11, 469/71/5, 671/4) plus 2 active reserve examples (22206/466). As such, 5 of the DDA MAN ALX300s should be enable to replace their non-DDA sisters in reserve within the North East fleet.

(13 Sep 2015, 11:04 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]The allocation, once all of 27238-54 are in service, should be more like this:

10/11: MAN E300 or ADL E300 (PVR 5)
12: MAN E300 (PVR 8)
13: MAN ALX300 (PVR 5)
14/34: MAN ALX300 (PVR 6)
36/37/38: 'The Zone' ADL E300s (PVR 16)
39: MAN E300 or ADL E300 (4, 5 on Saturdays) and Dennis Trident (1)
52/35: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 7)
58/35: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 4)
59/61: 'Connecting The Dots' ADL E300 (PVR 6)

At present, there is/was 12 non-DDA MAN ALX300s on the official allocation at Stockton (22196-8/202/4/10/11, 469/71/5, 671/4) plus 2 active reserve examples (22206/466). As such, 5 of the DDA MAN ALX300s should be enable to replace their non-DDA sisters in reserve within the North East fleet.

I thought 36/37/38 was PVR of 18, if not wouldn't the 9 non branded 64 ADL300's end up on the 12 with one for backup? Which would allow 10/11/13/39 to be MAN300's and 6 Alx300's for 14/34

(13 Sep 2015, 2:54 pm)benambro wrote [ -> ]I thought 36/37/38 was PVR of 18, if not wouldn't the 9 non branded 64 ADL300's end up on the 12 with one for backup? Which would allow 10/11/13/39 to be MAN300's and 6 Alx300's for 14/34

36/37/38 is PVR 16 - a round cycle on each is 4 hours.

As for 27157-65 - I doubt they'll be used on 12 as effectively by using them on there you end up wig no spare examples to cover 36/37/38, 52/35, 58/35 and 59/61. Hence why I expect them to end up on either the 10/11 (allow for 4 spare examples) or the 39 (allowing for 5 spare examples Monday to Friday and 4 on a Saturday). That or they get allocated to those 12 and 39 workings that remain out on the late 12/39/10A/11A so the entire evening output is the more fuel-efficient vehicles.

(13 Sep 2015, 7:55 am)AIG20 wrote [ -> ]Service 553:
19193, 19202, 19209, 19211, all open toppers, 19386?, NK60 xxx,

19209/11 both struggled up Redwell Lane bank, due to all seats being filled with a couple of standees; and approximately six all turned around N.I.S at the bottom of the bank back towards Bents Park.

19212, 19159-61, 19149 and 19151 also got allocated to the 553.

(13 Sep 2015, 6:35 pm)DanPicken wrote [ -> ]19212, 19159-61, 19149 and 19151 also got allocated to the 553.

ADL E400s 19385 (NK58 AEZ), 19430 (NK58 FMO), 19162 (NK57 EUJ) and ADL E300 27735 (NK11 BGF) were also on the 553 express service.
Images owned by Flickr user "Regional Bus Photos".

(13 Sep 2015, 7:27 pm)AIG20 wrote [ -> ]ADL E400s 19385 (NK58 AEZ), 19430 (NK58 FMO), 19162 (NK57 EUJ) and ADL E300 27735 (NK11 BGF) were also on the 553 express service.
Images owned by Flickr user "Regional Bus Photos".

Add to the list for Service 553: 19201, 19204, 19206, 19381, 19384, 19386, 19387 and 19670 from Walkergate, along with 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19148, 19150, 19152, 19153 from Slatyford and 19642, 27736 from South Shields

Service 552 was as usual operated by midis from South Shields – this year's overcrowded offerings were 36461, 36465, 36466, 36468, 36470, 36473, 37309

(13 Sep 2015, 7:42 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]Add to the list for Service 553: 19201, 19204, 19206, 19381, 19384, 19386, 19387 and 19670 from Walkergate, along with 19141, 19142, 19143, 19144, 19145, 19148, 19150, 19152, 19153 from Slatyford and 19642, 27736 from South Shields

Service 552 was as usual operated by midis from South Shields – this year's overcrowded offerings were 36461, 36465, 36466, 36468, 36470, 36473, 37309

Never understood why midis are allocated to the 552 service when higher capacity vehicles are available in the depot..? Not so much of an issue on the morning, but going back to Shields on the afternoon is hideous.

Credit where credit is due though - in the morning peaks, the supervisory staff are very good at sending one bus out and bringing the next one in, which keeps things moving.

Remember a few years back. Possibly 4 years. Preserved Daimler 140 was actually in active service on the shuttle 552.  Never seen it be used ever since though.

(13 Sep 2015, 3:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]36/37/38 is PVR 16 - a round cycle on each is 4 hours.

As for 27157-65 - I doubt they'll be used on 12 as effectively by using them on there you end up wig no spare examples to cover 36/37/38, 52/35, 58/35 and 59/61. Hence why I expect them to end up on either the 10/11 (allow for 4 spare examples) or the 39 (allowing for 5 spare examples Monday to Friday and 4 on a Saturday). That or they get allocated to those 12 and 39 workings that remain out on the late 12/39/10A/11A so the entire evening output is the more fuel-efficient vehicles.

My thought's:

1. Make the 35 an independent route again, got two spares right there - that route deoesn't need fancy wi-fi considering a larger amount of bus users are pensioners on that route, plus it's only full for the school run, other times it's relatively emptier than the other routes. This would leave for 3 spares. (if other 8 were put on 12)
2. Put five on the 13, every time I'm on it has decent loadings, it would mean all routes between Stockton - Middlesbro would be fully wi-fi and if their is a disaster one day, one bus could come off and be replaced at the depot, it would also allow them to stay out on evenings too.
3. Put 5 on the 10/11, with wi-fi, it could attract even more users on the number 10 and it would mean most of M'bro would have wi-fi buses.

I couldn't justify why the 39 would get wi-fi buses unless it would be extended to James Cook.

(13 Sep 2015, 8:48 pm)benambro wrote [ -> ]My thought's:

1. Make the 35 an independent route again, got two spares right there - that route deoesn't need fancy wi-fi considering a larger amount of bus users are pensioners on that route, plus it's only full for the school run, other times it's relatively emptier than the other routes. This would leave for 3 spares. (if other 8 were put on 12)
2. Put five on the 13, every time I'm on it has decent loadings, it would mean all routes between Stockton - Middlesbro would be fully wi-fi and if their is a disaster one day, one bus could come off and be replaced at the depot, it would also allow them to stay out on evenings too.
3. Put 5 on the 10/11, with wi-fi, it could attract even more users on the number 10 and it would mean most of M'bro would have wi-fi buses.

I couldn't justify why the 39 would get wi-fi buses unless it would be extended to James Cook.

The problem with the 35 as a stand-alone service is that the running time. It has always had issues when stand-alone - and the relatively little time in Stockton between a 35 arriving and one departing (2 minutes during the day, 5-7 minutes at the afternoon peak) compared to between arriving in on the 35 and going out as a 52 or a 58 (3 minutes off-peak, 4 minutes later in the day) gives more flexibility.
As for the 13, it's not really a profitable route (much like the 35).

The 10/11 has picked up since the 10 was introduced as it's opened up new links. It also appeases the drivers on the Middlesbrough area work - talking with some of the drivers, the drivers who work exclusively in Middlesbrough weren't exactly too happen when they saw the new buses were for Stockton again. To put it in terms - the last time new buses were bought for any routes wholly within the Middlesbrough area were, I believe, the Volvo B10Bs 31-42 which were bought for the Green Routes.

As for the 39, it's not a secret that since the changes last December, a lot of passengers have moved from Stagecoach over to the Arriva services, particularly the 9. With the continued proposals to increase the frequency of the 9, and revise the Netherfields services into a single service 8 plus introduce evening services on the 9, Stagecoach need to have something to offer before that happens to avoid losing the Weekily ticket trade.

27251 is the first 'Dotty' E300 into service - it is on 59/61 today

EDIT: As also is 27242. 242 worked the 0845 59 to North Tees, 251 the 61 to Elton Park at the same time.

[attachment=7136]

Unexpected visitor to Stockton depot this morning is ADL Enviro 400MMC 80027!
Just arrived at 0913

Stagecoach's website is down.

(13 Sep 2015, 9:03 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]The problem with the 35 as a stand-alone service is that the running time. It has always had issues when stand-alone - and the relatively little time in Stockton between a 35 arriving and one departing (2 minutes during the day, 5-7 minutes at the afternoon peak) compared to between arriving in on the 35 and going out as a 52 or a 58 (3 minutes off-peak, 4 minutes later in the day) gives more flexibility.
As for the 13, it's not really a profitable route (much like the 35).

The 10/11 has picked up since the 10 was introduced as it's opened up new links. It also appeases the drivers on the Middlesbrough area work - talking with some of the drivers, the drivers who work exclusively in Middlesbrough weren't exactly too happen when they saw the new buses were for Stockton again. To put it in terms - the last time new buses were bought for any routes wholly within the Middlesbrough area were, I believe, the Volvo B10Bs 31-42 which were bought for the Green Routes.

As for the 39, it's not a secret that since the changes last December, a lot of passengers have moved from Stagecoach over to the Arriva services, particularly the 9. With the continued proposals to increase the frequency of the 9, and revise the Netherfields services into a single service 8 plus introduce evening services on the 9, Stagecoach need to have something to offer before that happens to avoid losing the Weekily ticket trade.

Not surprised, if I was getting a bus to Stockton I used to get a 36/37/38 from my end but now I walk to the bus station and get a X66 or X12 rather than have to change in the bus station and get a packed full 36/37/38 with windows covered in branding.

Now the last survivor at Stockton of their original 20 MANs, 22671 seen today.

First two E300s with Dots branding at Stockton today.

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(14 Sep 2015, 3:38 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]First two E300s with Dots branding at Stockton today.

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(14 Sep 2015, 3:38 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]First two E300s with Dots branding at Stockton today.

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(14 Sep 2015, 3:38 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]First two E300s with Dots branding at Stockton today.

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Still not keen on the brand

27166 has regained its Zone branding.

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(14 Sep 2015, 3:43 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Still not keen on the brand

No, me neither.

39670, first of the Hartlepool E200s to receive a repaint?

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(14 Sep 2015, 5:14 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]39670, first of the Hartlepool E200s to receive a repaint?

(14 Sep 2015, 9:57 am)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]Not surprised, if I was getting a bus to Stockton I used to get a 36/37/38 from my end but now I walk to the bus station and get a X66 or X12 rather than have to change in the bus station and get a packed full 36/37/38 with windows covered in branding.

We get it - you don't like the branding because 'apparently' you can't see through it (when I plainly can confirm you can)

(14 Sep 2015, 10:00 am)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]Now the last survivor at Stockton of their original 20 MANs, 22671 seen today.

22674 being one of the two to be taken out of service upon their return to the depot on Saturday - 22202 being the other.

(14 Sep 2015, 6:18 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]We get it - you don't like the branding because 'apparently' you can't see through it (when I plainly can confirm you can)

Everybody has an opinion...