http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2015...rtnership/

Quite an interesting read.
Stellios was offered the chance to be part of Megabus

Megabus Levante 59301 was working the M12 out of Newcastle this morning, may well return tonight if it doesn't get swapped

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)



And new destination coming as well - in the form of Derby.........and York.

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 wrote 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

BIB: The new M35 run to Cardiff is operated by Rugby depot using an Elite I-bodied Volvo B11R.

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.

(09 Jan 2017, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 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.

It spent half an hour doing laps of Pilgrim Street, New Bridge Street, John Dobson Street and Market Street.

Stagecoach Glasgow 50311 (YJ64 AUT) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

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 wrote It spent half an hour doing laps of Pilgrim Street, New Bridge Street, John Dobson Street and Market Street.

Stagecoach Glasgow 50311 (YJ64 AUT) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

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.

50311 heading south on the A1 (M) this morning.

(16 Jan 2017, 11:02 am)Andreos1 wrote 50311 heading south on the A1 (M) this morning.

50312 now in Newcastle on training duties.

The 0620 M12 to London from Newcastle is now in the hands of Plymouth's Elite Is instead of Cwmbran's Astromegas. They do still operate the PM northbound journey - which to me suggests the overnight M12 is worked by them.

http://uk.megabus.com/ServiceAdvisory.aspx?id=494&home=true#

http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-rel...04-18.aspx

More expansion for Megabus - to be operated by South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach

• M6a Barnstaple-Tiverton-Taunton- Bridgwater- Bristol-Heathrow Airport- London Victoria
  
• M38 Barnstaple- Tiverton- Taunton- Bridgwater- Bristol- Gloucester-Birmingham- Leicester- Loughborough University – Nottingham    Trent University- Nottingham City Centre
  
• M25 Cardiff- Bristol- Heathrow Airport - Gatwick Airport
  
• M18 Bath- Corsham- Chippenham- Heathrow Airport- London Victoria
  
• M14 Gloucester- Cheltenham- Cirencester- Swindon- Heathrow Airport - London Victoria
  

These will use ex-National Express Levantes (which will initially operate in white before being repainted blue) with a PVR of 21 from a fleet of 26.

There's also a few changes to the current network:

• The ME12 (London - Nottingham via Loughborough) is renumbered M22 following the end of the European operation.
  
• The M10 (London to Cardiff/Pembroke Docks/Aberystwyth University) has next stops at Llanelli and Pembrey added, but the 2200 from London to Pembroke Docks and the 0600 return journey are withdrawn.
  
• The M37 (Norwich to Birmingham) introduced a few years ago and withdrawn after a year, is revived as a weekend (Friday to Monday) only run operated by Freestones
  

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 wrote 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.

New details have now been confirmed:
50309/10 (SF13 FMO/P) along with 50311-3 (YJ64 AUT/P/R) are to be repainted into Citylink Gold livery for use on the G9/G10. 50301-6 (SM13 FMC/D/E/G/J/K) are remaining as spares at Glasgow and have been seeing use on the 900 (Glasgow to Edinburgh) in addition to the G9/G10. 50307/8 (SM13 FML/M) are reportedly transferring to the Rennies fleet.

New service G90 started on Monday operating between Edinburgh and Inverness via Perth - to be operated by Edinburgh Coachlines using new Scania K410EB/Irizar i6s
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 wrote 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.

[quote]
However, the TransPennine Express franchise was loss-making and the group was providing for losses of up to £106.3m over the remaining life of the contract
[/b]

Genuinely amazed at that figure for TPX.
Particularly as they won the franchise in the last lot of contract bids and will have had all the figures, stats in front of them.
What on earth has happened?

And the winner of the ‘Pride’ livery 2018 goes to....




Taken from First Kernow’s Facebook

Megabus

Delivery has commenced on the latest batch of Elite I-bodied Volvo B11RTs - these are set to replace the original batch on Megabus work from Rugby depot.

Of the original batch, 54202 has been repainted and is presently running in plain Megabus Blue with just front 'Megabus.com' logos. It is rumoured to be joining the MegabusPlus fleet - replacing one of the B12BTs on the Barnsley-worked turns. At present however, these turns have been sub-let to Stotts of Milnsbridge - along with the 3 coaches (54052/77/79).

Specialist Leisure Group have gone into administration, this includes big names like National Holidays and Shearings.

(22 May 2020, 4:02 pm)pbjd wrote Specialist Leisure Group have gone into administration, this includes big names like National Holidays and Shearings.

Such a shame, I was planning on going on a National Holiday once the lockdown was over.

Wasn’t Stagecoach interested in purchasing National Holidays a few years back?.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://abtamag.com/2020/06/23/leger-hol...ngs-brand/

Leger Holidays revives Shearings brand


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(23 Jun 2020, 4:28 pm)TEN 6083 wrote https://abtamag.com/2020/06/23/leger-hol...ngs-brand/

Leger Holidays revives Shearings brand


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I've heard from friends that work there that Hays Travel have bought the National Holidays brand, although it hasn't been announced yet

(23 Jun 2020, 4:42 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I've heard from friends that work there that Hays Travel have bought the National Holidays brand, although it hasn't been announced yet

Yes I heard the same around the time they collapsed, so that all makes sense.

(23 Jun 2020, 6:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes I heard the same around the time they collapsed, so that all makes sense.

I'm surprised they haven't officially announced it yet, especially with them telling Hays staff a week ago (although I don't know if the people I know were supposed to know yet!)

National Express have resumed operations today on a very much reduced network. Megabus will follow on Friday again on a very reduced schedule.
Also announced yesterday was the addition of Flixbus to the UK domestic network, initially running on three routes out of London, to Portsmouth via Guildford, Bristol and Birmingham. These services start tomorrow!