Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - April 2015
Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - April 2015
(08 Apr 2015, 10:46 am)Jimmi I'd like to see Stagecoach continue this new style of livery and puns, could you imagine what branding for a service to Killingworth, I imagine it would look like... "I'd KILL to go to KILLingworth" and instead of a man in a suit it is a siloet of a woman on the floor looking scared with a man wielding a knife about to stab her.
Sorry if that was dark reading to anyone.
(08 Apr 2015, 10:46 am)Jimmi I'd like to see Stagecoach continue this new style of livery and puns, could you imagine what branding for a service to Killingworth, I imagine it would look like... "I'd KILL to go to KILLingworth" and instead of a man in a suit it is a siloet of a woman on the floor looking scared with a man wielding a knife about to stab her.
Sorry if that was dark reading to anyone.
(08 Apr 2015, 10:46 am)Jimmi I'd like to see Stagecoach continue this new style of livery and puns, could you imagine what branding for a service to Killingworth, I imagine it would look like... "I'd KILL to go to KILLingworth" and instead of a man in a suit it is a siloet of a woman on the floor looking scared with a man wielding a knife about to stab her.
(08 Apr 2015, 10:46 am)Jimmi I'd like to see Stagecoach continue this new style of livery and puns, could you imagine what branding for a service to Killingworth, I imagine it would look like... "I'd KILL to go to KILLingworth" and instead of a man in a suit it is a siloet of a woman on the floor looking scared with a man wielding a knife about to stab her.
Here are the ----KING pun buses;
22408: WorKING 9 to 5 or just seeKING some fun, I'm thinKING X47
22411/12: LooKING for a bargain or LiKING luxury, I'm thinKING X47
(08 Apr 2015, 5:22 pm)markydh So that'll be five years since the last new bus in Newcastle. If they don't get any next year I'll be having serious words with the MD...
(08 Apr 2015, 5:22 pm)markydh So that'll be five years since the last new bus in Newcastle. If they don't get any next year I'll be having serious words with the MD...
Newcastle depots make far the biggest profits of the North East division. One of those depots hasn't had a single new bus since early 2009 with many of it's core routes suffering from regular overcrowding with buses that were purchased 12 years ago at a time when the North East refused to even contemplate procuring double deck vehicles (an outlook all three main operators had with all three changing their minds a few years later). Kuyoyo, if you are referring to QCS proposals then sorry, they can't be blamed. Sunderland has had it's fleet invested in very heavily in the last couple of years. South Shields is about to have 19 new buses bequeathed. All are subject to the same proposals. And a significant upgrade in the Newcastle depots would allow midlife E400s to upgrade routes elsewhere that wouldn't necessarily justify new double decks but would nevetheless provide significant capacity upgrades (I'm thinking of the E services and those Teesside routes that a few forum members periodically suggest absolutely need deckers). As it is, I know the city council are very seriously considering imposing air quality minimum standards in the City centre. Aging Euro 3 and even Euro 4 buses wouldn't pass.
Believe all you want. It will be a reason - along with the fact Newcastle received constant investment from 2003 until 2011 while Hartlepool, Stockton, South Shields and Sunderland had investment spread over the years (in fact, the only year all 5 locations received new buses was 2004 - 11 years ago!) with large gaps (Hartlepool gain investment 2004/8 (the 2004 vehicles were part of the Kick-Start funded program) and had nothing since (7 years ago!), Stockton 2004 (all 7 vehicles funded from various pots) 2009, 2014 and 2015 (the first time in 20 years the depot has had 2 years of investment and only one of those was Stagecoach and they were diverted from elsewhere), Sunderland was 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2014, South Shields 2004 2006 2009 2011 2014 and 2015).
Also, the routes at South Shields and Teesside that require deckers could justify new ones not mid-lie cast-offs thank you. As for Sunderland getting new stock, there's only so long you can carry on sending Newcastle's second-hand vehicles to other depots. The only second-hand deckers
That's the point I am trying to make
Does south shields really need 19 more new single deckers at this stage. Other routes that could do with deckers instead at South Shields. And other depots that need brand new singles and not cast offs. And I live in Shields so I'm not taking Sides with teeside
Constant investment? 2003 saw a good number of MANs. Then there were 13 in 2005, 6 partially government funded in 2006, some E400s in 2006 that were sent to Preston less than a year later so don't really count. The years between 2007 and 2010 saw significant investment. 2011 intake was significantly government funded (the scheme was more generous then). And nothing since. Slatyford had 3 of it's E400s siphoned off to Shields and has received plenty of it's own cast offs back again when other depots saw upgrades. And hasn't had a new bus since 2009. Walkergate had to fight tooth and nail to keep the 2005 MANs which were originally intended for cascade elsewhere.
I'm not suggesting Teesside shouldn't get upgrades. But I would suggest that a company withholding investment from it's most profitable depots due to QCS wouldn't go to the significant bother of massively upgrading a depot down the road. Irrespective of government support, installing gas facilities and buying gas buses is a massive outlay. And as I have said, Sunderland is subject to QCS just as Newcastle is.
And it makes perfect sense to purchase new vehicles regularly for your profitable depots. It happens elsewhere in the company every year. Also, whatever the chairman of the group might say, Stagecoach will bid for services when QCS is intoduced. They will make more money from operating under a contract system than by pulling out altogether. Successful businesses are always pragmatic when push comes to shove. They get one year to ensure all buses are Euro 5 or higher. Playing a very stupid game by giving themselves over 150 buses to purchase in that year ?
(08 Apr 2015, 8:15 pm)markydh Constant investment? 2003 saw a good number of MANs. Then there were 13 in 2005, 6 partially government funded in 2006, some E400s in 2006 that were sent to Preston less than a year later so don't really count. The years between 2007 and 2010 saw significant investment. 2011 intake was significantly government funded (the scheme was more generous then). And nothing since. Slatyford had 3 of it's E400s siphoned off to Shields and has received plenty of it's own cast offs back again when other depots saw upgrades. And hasn't had a new bus since 2009. Walkergate had to fight tooth and nail to keep the 2005 MANs which were originally intended for cascade elsewhere.
I'm not suggesting Teesside shouldn't get upgrades. But I would suggest that a company withholding investment from it's most profitable depots due to QCS wouldn't go to the significant bother of massively upgrading a depot down the road. Irrespective of government support, installing gas facilities and buying gas buses is a massive outlay. And as I have said, Sunderland is subject to QCS just as Newcastle is.
And it makes perfect sense to purchase new vehicles regularly for your profitable depots. It happens elsewhere in the company every year. Also, whatever the chairman of the group might say, Stagecoach will bid for services when QCS is intoduced. They will make more money from operating under a contract system than by pulling out altogether. Successful businesses are always pragmatic when push comes to shove. They get one year to ensure all buses are Euro 5 or higher. Playing a very stupid game by giving themselves over 150 buses to purchase in that year ?
(08 Apr 2015, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo Except Teesside aren't having their routes threaten because the Tees Valley Councils saw the true light and are working in partnership with the operators. We're also not part of the NECA - but we do have something you'd hate, a Labour MP against QCS.
(08 Apr 2015, 8:15 pm)markydh Constant investment? 2003 saw a good number of MANs. Then there were 13 in 2005, 6 partially government funded in 2006, some E400s in 2006 that were sent to Preston less than a year later so don't really count. The years between 2007 and 2010 saw significant investment. 2011 intake was significantly government funded (the scheme was more generous then). And nothing since. Slatyford had 3 of it's E400s siphoned off to Shields and has received plenty of it's own cast offs back again when other depots saw upgrades. And hasn't had a new bus since 2009. Walkergate had to fight tooth and nail to keep the 2005 MANs which were originally intended for cascade elsewhere.
I'm not suggesting Teesside shouldn't get upgrades. But I would suggest that a company withholding investment from it's most profitable depots due to QCS wouldn't go to the significant bother of massively upgrading a depot down the road. Irrespective of government support, installing gas facilities and buying gas buses is a massive outlay. And as I have said, Sunderland is subject to QCS just as Newcastle is.
And it makes perfect sense to purchase new vehicles regularly for your profitable depots. It happens elsewhere in the company every year. Also, whatever the chairman of the group might say, Stagecoach will bid for services when QCS is intoduced. They will make more money from operating under a contract system than by pulling out altogether. Successful businesses are always pragmatic when push comes to shove. They get one year to ensure all buses are Euro 5 or higher. Playing a very stupid game by giving themselves over 150 buses to purchase in that year ?
(08 Apr 2015, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo Except Teesside aren't having their routes threaten because the Tees Valley Councils saw the true light and are working in partnership with the operators. We're also not part of the NECA - but we do have something you'd hate, a Labour MP against QCS.
(08 Apr 2015, 8:10 pm)AIG20 I assume the main reason why South Shields is getting new vehicles is so that they can upgrade services 10/11/30 to Euro 5 when the contract with Nexus is renewed, and this will also allow services 17/18 to be allocated one vehicle type, instead of a mixture of vehicles - as service 17/18 is currently operated by MAN E200s, Pointer Darts, and MAN ALX300s (if they are not being used on services X34, X20 and the "E"s).
(08 Apr 2015, 8:10 pm)AIG20 I assume the main reason why South Shields is getting new vehicles is so that they can upgrade services 10/11/30 to Euro 5 when the contract with Nexus is renewed, and this will also allow services 17/18 to be allocated one vehicle type, instead of a mixture of vehicles - as service 17/18 is currently operated by MAN E200s, Pointer Darts, and MAN ALX300s (if they are not being used on services X34, X20 and the "E"s).
After the second consultation, the requirement to have a 90% compliant fleet within a year was reinserted. Euro 5 minimum which it was felt was fair given we are into Euro 6 now. It was the other requirements (such as zero condensation and the 7 year age limit) which were eased massively. And Kuyoyo, I'm well aware that Teesside isn't *currently* proposing QCS. Though you continually to conveniently ignore my comments re: Sunderland. I have no problem with Teesside getting investment. It was legally necessary however, what with most of it's fleet becoming illegal at the end of the year!
And as hinted at above, I suggest you read Labour's transport manifesto commitments. Will do away with the convoluted QCS legal processes and give all combined authorities the power to regulate all forms of public transport. The Tees Valley LEP authorities are working on their own Combined Authority and have been for over a year...
I think it's a little presumptuous to assume that newcastle is the most profitable depot in northeast, biggest in terms of size and vehicle numbers yes. I would go as far too say that It's possibly South shields that generates biggest net profits as most routes are without competition or run on behalf of nexus?
It's not presumptuous at all. A couple of Newcastle routes are regularly in the top 20 most profitable services in the country. And few Newcastle routes receive NEXUS funding now. Those that do are peripheral. And equally there's little competition for Stagecoach in Newcastle. They have a near monopoly throughout most of the heaviest populated parts of the city.
New buses should be spread out fairly to each different operator, Sunderland & Teesside have had old fleets for a long time until recently. And with DDA deadline coming for single deckers, along with the darts nearly passing their use by date, Stagecoach will care more for those problems then replacing buses that are coping well enough (mid life enviros). I can see Newcastle getting new deckers next year, so the 07 reg ones can move on to depots like Teesside for schoolars and saturday service.
It's really the 03 and 53 reg MANs that I would like to see replaced. They've been worked pretty hard for 12 years and a few are starting to really show their age. They really should be moving into reserve roles now. Yes, there are older buses around (all to be withdrawn by December). I will be watching next year's order very carefully. There won't be any Equality Act deadlines to meet...
(08 Apr 2015, 11:09 pm)markydh It's really the 03 and 53 reg MANs that I would like to see replaced. They've been worked pretty hard for 12 years and a few are starting to really show their age. They really should be moving into reserve roles now. Yes, there are older buses around (all to be withdrawn by December). I will be watching next year's order very carefully. There won't be any Equality Act deadlines to meet...
(08 Apr 2015, 11:09 pm)markydh It's really the 03 and 53 reg MANs that I would like to see replaced. They've been worked pretty hard for 12 years and a few are starting to really show their age. They really should be moving into reserve roles now. Yes, there are older buses around (all to be withdrawn by December). I will be watching next year's order very carefully. There won't be any Equality Act deadlines to meet...
(08 Apr 2015, 11:54 pm)callum2015 Next year won`t they be focusing on getting all deckers DDA for the deadline (is it 2017 or 18 for deckers?) if rumors are true then north west & Manchester will have a number of Enviro 400s to be moved elsewere this year so maybe North East will get lucky & manage to get there hands on some of them?
(08 Apr 2015, 11:54 pm)callum2015 Next year won`t they be focusing on getting all deckers DDA for the deadline (is it 2017 or 18 for deckers?) if rumors are true then north west & Manchester will have a number of Enviro 400s to be moved elsewere this year so maybe North East will get lucky & manage to get there hands on some of them?
(09 Apr 2015, 7:42 am)Michael 2017 for deckers.
This year will see all of the NON DDA single deckers removed from the fleet, I would imagine cascades will replace the Tridents and Olympian's from Stockton - these could be E400's like you said.
Does the 2016 single decker deadline include all training buses to be DDA to?
(09 Apr 2015, 7:42 am)Michael 2017 for deckers.
This year will see all of the NON DDA single deckers removed from the fleet, I would imagine cascades will replace the Tridents and Olympian's from Stockton - these could be E400's like you said.
Does the 2016 single decker deadline include all training buses to be DDA to?
(09 Apr 2015, 7:42 am)Michael 2017 for deckers.
This year will see all of the NON DDA single deckers removed from the fleet, I would imagine cascades will replace the Tridents and Olympian's from Stockton - these could be E400's like you said.
Does the 2016 single decker deadline include all training buses to be DDA to?
(09 Apr 2015, 7:42 am)Michael 2017 for deckers.
This year will see all of the NON DDA single deckers removed from the fleet, I would imagine cascades will replace the Tridents and Olympian's from Stockton - these could be E400's like you said.
Does the 2016 single decker deadline include all training buses to be DDA to?
