(18 May 2021, 6:40 pm)logidoodah wrote Sorry I didn't know where else to put this, so I thought this most convenient place.
Does anyone know what Stagecoach are going to do about the ever imminent CAZ in Newcastle as they still have MAN ALX300's in active service and they cannot just move them onto other single decker routes as there are only 2 routes that don't enter the city centre at all, which is 6,7,8 and 18. However I feel there would be too many of them so they would have to cascade some. Do you think some new E200 MMC's could be on the way?
Also what are they doing about it? Such as GNE lowering emission standards to Euro 6 on most routes, even there Hybrids as euro 6 is cleaner. Are the E400's euro 6? I know the 69 plates are but what about the 16 plates and older??
(18 May 2021, 7:29 pm)deanmachine wrote I have a feeling some E300s from Stockton or even the E200MMCs could be getting swapped. I'd of said the Sunderland ones but South Tyneside Council footed the bill for Euro 6 upgrades to them.
(18 May 2021, 8:48 pm)AIG20 wrote Yet quite a few MAN E200s are allocated to the E's on most days, with some of the ADL E300s being used on other routes that don't go anywhere near South Tyneside?
Therefore, would there be any repercussions if 27726-40 were transferred to Slatyford? Even as a temporary measure until funds become available for new vehicles to be purchased.
(18 May 2021, 7:29 pm)deanmachine wrote I have a feeling some E300s from Stockton or even the E200MMCs could be getting swapped. I'd of said the Sunderland ones but South Tyneside Council footed the bill for Euro 6 upgrades to them.The 8 does go into Newcastle, im sure it goes to Central Station
(18 May 2021, 11:04 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote I don't understand why stagecoach should get rid of the MAN 18.220 Alexander ALX300. There still in good shape and good working order. Still sound amazingNot get rid of,we're talking about putting them on other routes,which would either be the 6,7,or 18, because of the Euro Ratings of them they wouldnt be allowed on other services when CAZ comes into play,some of them are very much end of the line now anyway,being between 16 and 18 years old,the younger ALX300's are 14 years old
(19 May 2021, 12:24 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote Tbh they suit being on the X63 but I know one day they will get taken off. I could see them on the 6 7 and the 8. And even the 18They cant go on the 8 as it go's to Central Station,and its not on a full time service anyway,likewise they cant go on the X63,basically any service that go's through or to the City Centre from when CAZ comes into play must have a specified Euro rating,i believe Euro 6, so the ALX300's cant be allocated to those routes as they arent Euro 6,and because of their age wont have any Euro 6 modifications
(18 May 2021, 11:04 pm)Micheal Aaron wrote I don't understand why stagecoach should get rid of the MAN 18.220 Alexander ALX300. There still in good shape and good working order. Still sound amazing
(19 May 2021, 11:37 am)V514DFT wrote Not get rid of,we're talking about putting them on other routes,which would either be the 6,7,or 18, because of the Euro Ratings of them they wouldnt be allowed on other services when CAZ comes into play,some of them are very much end of the line now anyway,being between 16 and 18 years old,the younger ALX300's are 14 years old
(19 May 2021, 7:09 pm)logidoodah wrote I was in Eldon Square Bus Station earlier on today and I saw quite a few ALX300's (as usually allocated to X47, X77/8, X82, X87/88) and I think I only saw 1 possibly 2 that didn't cough out thick black smoke, they look even older compared to GNE's Citaro's (one coughed out black smoke I think and it was either 5337/5338) and Omnicites,[/size] even though there not much older. I think this is because no other buses were coughing out black smoke.
(19 May 2021, 10:04 pm)Malarkey wrote The MAN E200's are awful for kicking out smoke and also need replacing as a few still work the 6/7/8 & 32/32A while as you say the ALX300's are usually allocated X47, X63, X77/X78, X82, X87/X88 with the odd few sneaking on the 10/11/12/22/31 and 100 most days. Not sure what has had Euro 6 upgrades other than MAN E300's 24101-15, i'd imagine the 60 plate E400's have along with E400H's but there is a fare few 07/57/58 plate E400's which are Euro 4 rated.
Either way Stagecoach need to invest massively in Newcastle in the coming months with the emission zone coming into effect and I would personally like to see new buses on the Newcastle Expresses as it would give them a much needed boost as they've went far to long with having an "odd ball" allocation as we see on a daily basis and I do think this will impact passengers numbers when majority of the vehicles allocated do no not have Wifi or NSA's.
(18 May 2021, 6:40 pm)logidoodah wrote Sorry I didn't know where else to put this, so I thought this most convenient place.One option for Stagecoach is swapping the 64 65 plate E300 at Stockton with the remaining man Alexander 300s which would help in the short term. I suppose they could take a few E200 MMC as well from Stockton. Ideally though Stagecoach need to do something so if money is available I would do the following.
Does anyone know what Stagecoach are going to do about the ever imminent CAZ in Newcastle as they still have MAN ALX300's in active service and they cannot just move them onto other single decker routes as there are only 2 routes that don't enter the city centre at all, which is 6,7,8 and 18. However I feel there would be too many of them so they would have to cascade some. Do you think some new E200 MMC's could be on the way?
Also what are they doing about it? Such as GNE lowering emission standards to Euro 6 on most routes, even there Hybrids as euro 6 is cleaner. Are the E400's euro 6? I know the 69 plates are but what about the 16 plates and older??
(26 May 2021, 4:59 pm)Youngymmv wrote Well there was nothing listed for any NE in the stagecoach handbook for this yearMost likely is that yes. Meanwhile Hartlepool have buses that no hardly fit for purpose and the engineers seeming to work flat out to keep them on the road. Newcastle have a big problem in that they have at least half the fleet unsuitable to be used in the city centre soon and once covid is over quite a few of Stockton’s services will likely once again be full. It the usual thing with Stagecoach though they don’t care. They won’t sell because if it don’t make much profit they still have a monopoly in that area but they won’t invest either. Something needs doing but they won’t do anything.
As per usual it’s the “pet depots” of Scotland that get bulk of orders. Investment upon investment in areas that probably don’t even have justification (rant over)
(26 May 2021, 4:59 pm)Youngymmv wrote Well there was nothing listed for any NE in the stagecoach handbook for this year
As per usual it’s the “pet depots” of Scotland that get bulk of orders. Investment upon investment in areas that probably don’t even have justification (rant over)
(26 May 2021, 4:59 pm)Youngymmv wrote Well there was nothing listed for any NE in the stagecoach handbook for this year
As per usual it’s the “pet depots” of Scotland that get bulk of orders. Investment upon investment in areas that probably don’t even have justification (rant over)
(31 May 2022, 5:23 pm)col87 wrote I think what I would do is this.
Split the remaining Alexander 300 between Hartlepool and Stockton depot. Hartlepool can use them on the 1 6/7 routes and Stockton on the 10/12/13/14 and 39 and cover on the 36/37/38 services.
Move all remaining darts to Hartlepool as well. Any darts at shields would be swapped with enviro 200 making it easier for Hartlepool and Shields to mostly have one type of midi bus.
This would then be the order for the north East
13 Enviro 200 MMC
3 For Hartlepool
5 For Newcastle
5 For Stockton.
10 Enviro 400 MMC
5 Slatyford
5 Walkergate
Older enviro 400 where possible split between remaining depots.
This should not just help with CAZ but also see off some of the Manviro 200s which are very unreliable.
(31 May 2022, 5:23 pm)col87 wrote I think what I would do is this.
Split the remaining Alexander 300 between Hartlepool and Stockton depot. Hartlepool can use them on the 1 6/7 routes and Stockton on the 10/12/13/14 and 39 and cover on the 36/37/38 services.
Move all remaining darts to Hartlepool as well. Any darts at shields would be swapped with enviro 200 making it easier for Hartlepool and Shields to mostly have one type of midi bus.
This would then be the order for the north East
13 Enviro 200 MMC
3 For Hartlepool
5 For Newcastle
5 For Stockton.
10 Enviro 400 MMC
5 Slatyford
5 Walkergate
Older enviro 400 where possible split between remaining depots.
This should not just help with CAZ but also see off some of the Manviro 200s which are very unreliable.