Stagecoach West Scotland

Jordan Adam · 15 Apr 2021

overthewater said:
Yet that's not what the public want. It's the same for the X95; First tried coaches on that route and got a lot of complaints.

Not to veer off topic but i'll mention as the same can be said about the 101/102. It's likely because the vast majority of passengers are not traveling end to end, it's shorter journeys. Most runs on the 101 only go to Biggar which is only just over an hour from Edinburgh.

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JModulo · 15 Apr 2021

overthewater said:
Yet that's not what the public want. It's the same for the X95; First tried coaches on that route and got a lot of complaints.

It was the same for the North Ayrshire express services back in 2012. They introduce a fleet of new Scanias then punters moan because they don't have the comfort of a coach. When they put coaches on... steps, accessibility complaints and so on. They can't win.

Scotrail314209 · 15 Apr 2021

JModulo said:
It was the same for the North Ayrshire express services back in 2012. Fleet of new scanias, punters moan as they don't have the comfort of a coach. Put coaches on... steps, accessibility complaints and so on. Can't win.

The lack of seatbelts was an issue too. I believe the same Scania E300's originally for that route are now down at Dumfries.

route101 · 15 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
I had the displeasure of travelling on the older Elites (ex National Express I believe). Very comfortable seating, however the air conditioning was broken resulting in it being a rather stuffy and unpleasant 2 hours and a bit. I was considering asking the driver to stop for a few moments at the next so I could get some air.

I'm doing the 101A on Friday.... Wish me luck. Using that handy West Scotland Connect ticket to do a giant loop

Saltcoats - Glasgow - Edinburgh - Dumfries - Glasgow - Ayr - Glasgow - Saltcoats.

It sounds like a great trip. Is the ticket valid between Glasgow and Edinburgh? I did something similar last year: down to Girvan, then over to Dumfries and back up to Glasgow. You can also use East Scotland to do a circuit using the Fife routes.

Blindtraveler said:
I should think that almost everyone universally will be glad to see the back of the profiles. Yes there were some older elites I think down there as well, rather nice inside to actually as I think they come from Kent to a slightly different specification. But they certainly deserve something that's going to work reliably for them. 101 and 102 would benefit from couches as well, perhaps the older elites might cascade 2 there eventually if they can get some more for the 500? Or perhaps next time they replace the vehicles on the x74 they could kaskade those vehicles to the Edinburgh service, it's certainly a very long way to go on an e300 as it's Glasgow, I had that happen to me once and to add insult to injury it was a low back seat variety with no heating one of the X st Andrews batch, cold and slightly late by the time we reached Buchanan

I think when Stagecoach took over the 101/102 route they initially used coaches. Borders Buses had a coach on the X95 I recall. I always thought Edinburgh/Glasgow to Dumfries could in theory be Citylink routes.

Scotrail314209 · 15 Apr 2021

route101 said:
It sounds like a great trip. Is the ticket valid between Glasgow and Edinburgh? I did something similar last year: down to Girvan, then over to Dumfries and back up to Glasgow. You can also use East Scotland to do a circuit using the Fife routes.

I think when Stagecoach took over the 101/102 route they initially used coaches. Borders Buses had a coach on the X95 I recall. I always thought Edinburgh/Glasgow to Dumfries could in theory be Citylink routes.

No, I'm just booking a ticket on the 900 to get me between them.

route101 · 15 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
No, I'm just booking a ticket on the 900 to get me between them.

I see, that's the only thing about the Stagecoach tickets, not valid on Citylink. Would be great if they are. Least the 900 is every 15 mins so you wont wait long.

mb88 · 15 Apr 2021

I've just been rejected for a job with Stagecoach, based at the Biggar outstation. I'm a it gutted about it because it's only down the road from me and the 101 looks like a nice wee run. Oh well.

route101 · 15 Apr 2021

mb88 said:
Just been rejected for a job with Stagey based at the Biggar outstation. Bit gutted about it cos it's only down the road from me and the 101 looks a nice wee run. Oh well.

Never realised they had an outstation there, thought it was all Dumfries.

mb88 · 15 Apr 2021

route101 said:
Never realised they had an outstation there, thought it was all Dumfries.

Yeah there's about 3 or 4 buses get parked up just off Market Street in Biggar overnight.

Scotrail314209 · 15 Apr 2021

mb88 said:
Just been rejected for a job with Stagey based at the Biggar outstation. Bit gutted about it cos it's only down the road from me and the 101 looks a nice wee run. Oh well.

Nice run unless its a Solo, one of which has appeared on a full 101A today.

Blindtraveler · 15 Apr 2021

Bad luck on the job. You should ask for some feedback and try again as soon as you can. Edinburgh to Dumfries on the solo is my idea of hell.

mb88 · 15 Apr 2021

Blindtraveler said:
Bad luck on the job. You should ask for some feedback and try again as soon as you can. Edinburgh to Dumfries on the solo is my idea of hell.

Thanks pal. Apparently there were 'candidates with a skillset more suited to the role' according to the email I got. I have 12 years experience as a bus driver

Not that I'm bitter about it, if there was only 1 position available and they had multiple applicants with similar experience, or if they have filled it internally, then that's fine. Just wish they'd say that rather than a bog standard copy and paste email.

Indeed a Solo on that run sounds torturous. I often think that when I see Borders Buses Optare Versas going from Melrose to Edinburgh as well!

Bus Lightyear · 15 Apr 2021

I thought the E300s on the Dumfries to Edinburgh service had decent seats in them. Perhaps not as good as a coach but better than most buses.

JModulo · 15 Apr 2021

mb88 said:
I've just been rejected for a job with Stagecoach, based at the Biggar outstation. I'm a it gutted about it because it's only down the road from me and the 101 looks like a nice wee run. Oh well.

Thats unfortunate. Quite surprising aswell as they are usually trying everything to try and get drivers, Dumfries especially. At times I enjoyed my time with the company, others I'm glad I'm away.

mb88 · 15 Apr 2021

JModulo said:
Thats unfortunate. Quite surprising aswell as they are usually trying everything to try and get drivers, Dumfries especially. At times I enjoyed my time with the company, others I'm glad I'm away.

I know what you mean. I did 5 years with Stagecoach. In London and Cumbernauld. Thought maybe that's why I was rejected but I never caused them any trouble and left on good terms. Hey ho, onwards and upwards.

cnjb8 · 15 Apr 2021

mb88 said:
I know what you mean. I did 5 years with Stagecoach. In London and Cumbernauld. Thought maybe that's why I was rejected but I never caused them any trouble and left on good terms. Hey ho, onwards and upwards.

Maybe there wasn't vacancies at Biggar? I was going to suggest Stranraer but that is ages away!

mb88 · 15 Apr 2021

cnjb8 said:
Maybe there wasn't vacancies at Biggar? I was going to suggest Stranraer but that is ages away!

Nah the vacancy clearly stated it was based permanently at the Biggat outstation. Anyway, don't want to clog the thread up with my employment endeavours

Scotrail314209 · 16 Apr 2021

I must say, the Elite i’s on the X74 service are superb things. Comfy, quiet and quick. I’ve noticed they seem very similar to the Panorama.

Jordan Adam · 16 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
I must say, the Elite i’s on the X74 service are superb things. Comfy, quiet and quick. I’ve noticed they seem very similar to the Panorama.

Superb except for those with limited mobility! The Interdecks are nice vehicles but the front end interior design is horrendous.

Scotrail314209 · 16 Apr 2021

Jordan Adam said:
Superb except for those with limited mobility! The Interdecks are nice vehicles but the front end interior design is horrendous.

The only thing I don’t like about the Elite I is how crammed the front of the upper deck is. Maybe plaxton panoramas would be a better fit?

MrKyleBuses · 16 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
I'm doing the 101A on Friday.... Wish me luck. Using that handy West Scotland Connect ticket to do a giant loop

Saltcoats - Glasgow - Edinburgh - Dumfries - Glasgow - Ayr - Glasgow - Saltcoats.

How did your trip go?, (if you got back yet), and also what buses did you get?

Scotrail314209 · 16 Apr 2021

MrKyleBuses said:
How did your trip go?, (if you got back yet), and also what buses did you get?

I'm home safe and well, if a bit giddy from the constant motion.

585 Saltcoats - Ayr: Enviro 300 28656
X77 Ayr - Glasgow: Plaxton Elite
X74 Glasgow - Dumfries: Plaxton Elite i
101A Dumfries - Edinburgh: Enviro 300 28666 (!)
900 Edinburgh - Glasgow: Plaxton Panorama

I was going to get the X36 back, but opted for the train instead.

I vastly recommend doing a West Scotland Connect, the fleet of coaches Stagecoach use are amazing.

route101 · 16 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
The only thing I don’t like about the Elite I is how crammed the front of the upper deck is. Maybe plaxton panoramas would be a better fit?

Elites are single deck I'm sure. I find Interdeck and Panoramas quieter as your higher up. The Interdeck have the weird 3 seats at the front. I was on a megabus example and forgot there wasn't a downstairs and was looking for the toilet.

Scotrail314209 said:
I'm home safe and well, if a bit giddy from the constant motion.

585 Saltcoats - Ayr: Enviro 300 28656
X77 Ayr - Glasgow: Plaxton Elite
X74 Glasgow - Dumfries: Plaxton Elite i
101A Dumfries - Edinburgh: Enviro 300 28666 (!)
900 Edinburgh - Glasgow: Plaxton Panorama

I was going to get the X36 back, but opted for the train instead.

I vastly recommend doing a West Scotland Connect, the fleet of coaches Stagecoach use are amazing.

Sounds a good run. Pity there is not a service going from Ayr to Lanark on the A70. I like Stagecoach fleet but there is too many elites!

Scotrail314209 · 16 Apr 2021

route101 said:
Elites are single deck I'm sure. I find Interdeck and Panoramas quieter as your higher up. The Interdeck have the weird 3 seats at the front. I was on a megabus example and forgot there wasn't a downstairs and was looking for the toilet.

Sounds a good run. Pity there is not a service going from Ayr to Lanark on the A70. I like Stagecoach fleet but there is too many elites!

Don't knock the Elites. Both the Elites I had today were perfect.

route101 · 16 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
Don't knock the Elites. Both the Elites I had today were perfect.

I ain't ha, though I prefer a Panorama!

Jordan Adam · 16 Apr 2021

route101 said:
Elites are single deck I'm sure.

They are, but @Scotrail314209 mention the "Elite I" which is the official name for the "Interdeck".

Scotrail314209 said:
The only thing I don’t like about the Elite I is how crammed the front of the upper deck is. Maybe plaxton panoramas would be a better fit?

It's the staircase that is the issue, totally unsuitable for stage carriage work. I very highly doubt Stagecoach will be buying any more, it'll be standard Elites or Panoramas going forward.

Scotrail314209 · 21 Apr 2021

Jordan Adam said:
They are, but @Scotrail314209 mention the "Elite I" which is the official name for the "Interdeck".

It's the staircase that is the issue, totally unsuitable for stage carriage work. I very highly doubt Stagecoach will be buying any more, it'll be standard Elites or Panoramas going forward.

Panoramas would work better imo, given you’ve got the lower deck which is easier for accessibility, standard Elites still have a slight staircase.

There were some particularly frail passengers on the coach which did worry me if they were trying to get down the stairs when the coach stopped.

Jordan Adam · 21 Apr 2021

Scotrail314209 said:
Panoramas would work better imo, given you’ve got the lower deck which is easier for accessibility, standard Elites still have a slight staircase.

There were some particularly frail passengers on the coach which did worry me if they were trying to get down the stairs when the coach stopped.

I agree, however Panoramas are more expensive, cost more to run and may be more limited in where they can operate, the staircase on the Elite isn't much of an issue either, it's only the Interdecks people (at least up here) complain about, part of the reason being because sections of the route operate hail and ride, so passengers have to use the stairs while the vehicle is in motion to tell the driver where they want off.

You also have to consider what the vehicle will do in later life, generally Stagecoach cascade their coaches north, Panoramas would be unsuitable in much of the Highlands due to high winds and their size. They've already had one topple over on the A90 just a few months back. Additionally Panthers/Elites will be far easier to sell second hand than Panoramas too. It'll actually be interesting to see what Stagecoach end up doing with all the Interdecks, there's nowhere for Stagecoach to really cascade them to and while there may be a second hand market for them it's fairly niche.

JModulo · 21 Apr 2021

Jordan Adam said:
I agree, however Panoramas are more expensive, cost more to run and may be more limited in where they can operate, the staircase on the Elite isn't much of an issue either, it's only the Interdecks people (at least up here) complain about, part of the reason being because sections of the route operate hail and ride, so passengers have to use the stairs while the vehicle is in motion to tell the driver where they want off.

You also have to consider what the vehicle will do in later life, generally Stagecoach cascade their coaches north, Panoramas would be unsuitable in much of the Highlands due to high winds and their size. They've already had one topple over on the A90 just a few months back. Additionally Panthers/Elites will be far easier to sell second hand than Panoramas too. It'll actually be interesting to see what Stagecoach end up doing with all the Interdecks, there's nowhere for Stagecoach to really cascade them to and while there may be a second hand market for them it's fairly niche.

They could just use the stop buttons.....

Jordan Adam · 21 Apr 2021

JModulo said:
They could just use the stop buttons.....

Not on a hail and ride service when they need to point out to the driver specifically where they want off.

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