Stagecoach East Scotland

[overthewater]

54038-41 have transferred over from West Scotland...

Those must be the ones which were placed by the newer stock for the X24.

 

[mbonwick]

Try reading what I wrote again...

They were replaced from the X76 by last year's order of B11RT/Elites.

 

[overthewater]

Your saying those four coaches have transferred into East Scotland. whoops. What on earth does E scot need four 57 plate coaches for?

 

[overthewater]

It seems these coaches are for the X55/X59 short workings meaning most Edinburgh runs will be with bigger coaches. No idea why because there cant even fill the normal X55 up nowadays. Is this the best that can be find for the X55? lets replace the single decker with same age B7 less than six months later there replacing the B7 with same age B12?

Lets hope there spend some money doing them up unlike the cast off from Bluebird.

 

[Fifescottish]

I suspect this will be looking towards the new bridge opening which should hopefully bring about more reliable journey times and lead to an increase in passenger numbers.

New 747 timetable is now online, looks like a pvr of 5 buses. Will they repaint the E300 that have luggage racks purple?

 

[jamieintercity]

Heard we could be getting former Cambridge P&R E400s 19309-16 which were originally for stagecoach South

 

[GaryMcEwan]

Heard we could be getting former Cambridge P&R E400s 19309-16 which were originally for stagecoach South

Do they still have dual doors? Would Stagecoach really spend all that money to convert them to single door for an inter-company transfer? Wouldn't be easier to obtain 7 single door deckers from elsewhere?

 

[Stan Drews]

Do they still have dual doors? Would Stagecoach really spend all that money to convert them to single door for an inter-company transfer? Wouldn't be easier to obtain 7 single door deckers from elsewhere?

There are few areas of the Stagecoach UK Bus ops that are suitable for dual door buses, so it makes perfect sense to convert them for further use. They've been doing it for decades - albeit more normally to ex London dual door Titans, Olympians and then Tridents.

 

[overthewater]

We know now the new Commercial manager: Scott Hall, No idea either so I cant tell if he transferred in from somewhere else or has worked his way up. X55 have started to get those 57 plate B12, while the number of B7 seem to be going down. Mind you I still see E300 on the X55, but there just not as busy as there used to be. I remember the old 55 always busy going both ways. Mind you outside Peak time why would there be? Alot of shops have disappeared, and other factors hasn't helped.

 

[robertclark125]

There are few areas of the Stagecoach UK Bus ops that are suitable for dual door buses, so it makes perfect sense to convert them for further use. They've been doing it for decades - albeit more normally to ex London dual door Titans, Olympians and then Tridents.

I believe that at one point Stagecoach Oxford got new dual door Volvo Olympians.

 

[mbonwick]

I believe that at one point Stagecoach Oxford got new dual door Volvo Olympians.

Correct, the R-XFC batch that became 16514-26. They all ended up converted to single door and shipped elsewhere in the empire....and were replaced by single door vehicles.

 

[Volvodart]

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/03/2017-09:10:57:768

Service 40/40A/40B withdrawal from Monday 5 June
24 Mar 2017 to 30 Jun 2017
We regret to inform customers that from Monday 5 June, Stagecoach East Scotland will no longer operate route 40/40A/40B.

For the past three years, we have operated the route from South Queensferry to Edinburgh, which was introduced around the time that another operator announced service withdrawals from the area. Our 40/40A/40B service operates on a commercial basis with no local authority support.

We have worked hard to make this route a viable option for residents of the South Queensferry area, and regularly reviewed the service to improve reliability. However, the economics of running the service have continued to worsen.

Despite an initial increased frequency on the service, a customer focussed launch which included ticket promotions and discount offers, we have seen a significant fall in demand from customers within the South Queensferry area, to below the level needed to even cover the costs of operation.

The route has also been affected by traffic congestion affecting journeys towards the city centre. Further planned frequency changes on the tram network, combined with upcoming roadworks, are expected to have an even greater impact on journey times. This damages reliability, pushes up operational costs and makes bus travel less attractive to passengers, ultimately reducing demand for these services.

As costs are continuing to rise and demand for the service is declining, we have taken the decision that we cannot continue to deliver this service to South Queensferry, and wish to advise our customers that we intend to withdraw the route from Monday 5 June 2017.

We regret that we have been unable to find a sustainable solution that meets the needs of local residents within increasingly challenging financial and operational constraints.

We will liaise with Edinburgh City Council's transport team during this process and also continue to serve Queensferry Road on our Fife to Edinburgh network.

 

[Fifescottish]

The cuts continue....the 40 to South Queensferry is withdrawn as of the 5 June.

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-24/03/2017-09:10:57:768

 

[DunsBus]

Another one "overthewater" failed to predict!

 

[overthewater]

No great Surprise, Why not cut the service to every 30mins? also the new bridge is about to open so that would have alot of troubles out. I just think this is rather strange. theory? Stagecoach went in to spoil it against First, First pulled out, but stagecoach planned to pulling out and Lothian to save the day. Nothing makes since........

I say the Glasgow airport will be next but maybe not until November.

Service 40/40A/40B withdrawal from Monday 5 June
24 Mar 2017 to 30 Jun 2017
We regret to inform customers that from Monday 5 June, Stagecoach East Scotland will no longer operate route 40/40A/40B.

For the past three years, we have operated the route from South Queensferry to Edinburgh, which was introduced around the time that another operator announced service withdrawals from the area. Our 40/40A/40B service operates on a commercial basis with no local authority support.

We have worked hard to make this route a viable option for residents of the South Queensferry area, and regularly reviewed the service to improve reliability. However, the economics of running the service have continued to worsen.

Despite an initial increased frequency on the service, a customer focussed launch which included ticket promotions and discount offers, we have seen a significant fall in demand from customers within the South Queensferry area, to below the level needed to even cover the costs of operation.

The route has also been affected by traffic congestion affecting journeys towards the city centre. Further planned frequency changes on the tram network, combined with upcoming roadworks, are expected to have an even greater impact on journey times. This damages reliability, pushes up operational costs and makes bus travel less attractive to passengers, ultimately reducing demand for these services.

As costs are continuing to rise and demand for the service is declining, we have taken the decision that we cannot continue to deliver this service to South Queensferry, and wish to advise our customers that we intend to withdraw the route from Monday 5 June 2017.

We regret that we have been unable to find a sustainable solution that meets the needs of local residents within increasingly challenging financial and operational constraints.

We will liaise with Edinburgh City Council's transport team during this process and also continue to serve Queensferry Road on our Fife to Edinburgh network.

 

[smtglasgow]

That’s quite a surprise. Rare to see Stagecoach just give up on a service, but running it from Dunfermline must have been expensive and a logistical nightmare. And as they say, the traffic round the bridges and west of Edinburgh is shocking. Presumably there will be pressure on Lothian to step in….

 

[Fifescottish]

I believe that Northbound buses after the bridge opens will have to route via the old A8000 along the front of Tesco. Will Fife services stop somewhere along here instead?

This would mean routeing buses this was towards Edinburgh as well?

Will the X55 become all stop again along Queensferry Road from Barnton - City Centre?

 

[overthewater]

I believe that Northbound buses after the bridge opens will have to route via the old A8000 along the front of Tesco. Will Fife services stop somewhere along here instead?

This would mean routeing buses this was towards Edinburgh as well?

Will the X55 become all stop again along Queensferry Road from Barnton - City Centre?

No new bus stop along that road. But a new bus lane has been created. No, southbound will have no changes.

Wouldn't be surprising if that's the case.

 

[overthewater]

Lothian buses has released a statement, I can't post it but there listening to customer views about any changes.

 

[mbonwick]

I'm not surprised to see the Queensferry services going.
First struggled, and it wasn't through low passenger numbers, though they were declining.

A message posted elsewhere from a former East Scotland employee suggests that the 40A/B never got above cover 80% of running costs. Amazing it was given 3 years.

 

[tbtc]

I'm not surprised to see the Queensferry services going.
First struggled, and it wasn't through low passenger numbers, though they were declining.

A message posted elsewhere from a former East Scotland employee suggests that the 40A/B never got above cover 80% of running costs. Amazing it was given 3 years.

At least Stagecoach do try to give these things some time, rather than cutting it before it had a chance to sink/swim.

One other problem not mentioned on here is that Stagecoach couldn't reliably use double deckers (due to vehicles having to come over the bridge from Dunfermline depot) - so had to have a fifteen minute service with E300s where First used to run Geminis every twenty minutes - whereas Lothian Buses could run double deckers (e.g. from Longstone) and therefore get away with a lower frequency.

 

[robertclark125]

I agree TBTC, they did give it a good attempt, and tweaked things, tried special offers at first. They did try to be innovative, by using two route variations in South Queensferry.

There was also a pretty good launch, so Stagecoach invested in the 40 group for the long haul.

When the Forth road bridge was closed for a few days towards the end of 2016, we saw the issues of running the service then, Stagecoach having to outbase the vehicles at Longstone depot, where, ironically, any replacement service for the 40 gropu, run by Lothian buses, could be worked from.

 

[overthewater]

I think its partly down to the new management thats came in to the company, and there really are taking a brush to the the mess that been left. That what it is a mess. When the service started, I still think it was a land grab, pure and simple.

Robert Andrews is now Scottish Managing Director, It seems he has put in place a decent team who know what needs to be done and are listening. I think there is another MD in control of East Scotland.

Here is the thing alot of people still dont understand, First used 7 buses off peak to operate the 43. ( its tried six but it never run to time) Stagecoach also used 7 buses off peak... but tried a different format. I have to agree Edinburgh is a complete an utter joke trying to keep to time and the Trams don't help.

I like how people are say ooohh stagecoach are cutting back etc, but just completely ignoring the cuts Lothian buses are about to introduce in April.

Mid-Lothian will now have fewer buses running around the area, with two routes being cut from 15 to 20mins, added with other changes. Has the Border railway also taken its toll on these routes aswell?

So do you think Lothian will come running? It will but it wont give a decent service to start with 30mins? 20mins if the passengers are lucky? and the next big question will be £1.60 fare. If Stagecoach cant cover the costs at the higher fairs will Lothian be to even operate with less money?

 

[robertclark125]

Folk will no doubt complain about the 40 group going. My opinion is, the folk who are complaining should be blaming the folk not using the service. It's like everything else, use it or lose it.

Also so the unusual sight of a Stagecoach East Scotland E400 doing rail replacement work today for Virgin Trains East coast. Usually coaches would be used.

 

[overthewater]

But it still a strange time to kill off the sevice, the new bridge is about to open around the same time, New housing has just been built while even more new housing is in the planning stages.

 

[Fifescottish]

Noticed on another site there was talk of more cuts to come later this year in Fife.

Is there much more that can be cut, or will it be further major changes?

 

[overthewater]

Noticed on another site there was talk of more cuts to come later this year in Fife.

Is there much more that can be cut, or will it be further major changes?

The company has stated its got NO plans for any major shake ups. What is planned for August is the re-tendering of a number of council services within Central Fife. But what possible is Stagecoach losing work, either by a lower overall PVR by the council or to other companies.

IE Service 13 and 32 could both be revised to operate so only 3 buses are required instead of 5. Remember the Dunfermline depot will lose 9 buses once the 40's come off.

Mind you if it a comment made over on Facebook group, which come after someone said there making lots cuts to Ayrshire services- which is a load of rubbish, its three services.... https://www.stagecoachbus.com/news/west-scotland/2017/march/public-consultation A Glasgow express and 20mins service going to 30mins service hardly lots?

So if there cuts coming compared to Ayrshire I might have just found them. ( I wouldn't rule out the X55 going to every 30mins off peaks. )

 

[Fifescottish]

The very comment on Facebook!

I can see that coming off peak on the X55, every second one going to Perth.

I note that Dunfermline are no longer using 53717/53718 on the Perth runs, it seems to be either B7s or today it was a E200 MMC

I think they need to bring some services back, not cut more!

 

[overthewater]

At least the airport service goes back up to every 20mins from next week, so there are some improvements coming. I dont think were see much improvement this year but there still a chance of small pockets somewhere in the kingdom. Just watch out for those council services.......

 

[Fifescottish]

Further disruption to bus services as the new Forth Bridge is delayed again!