GaryMcEwan
Established Member
I thought it stayed until 1996? but only on the routemasters?
By 1993/1994 the majority of the fleet were debranded. There might have been one or two Olympians, 019 in particular seemed to keep it until 1994.
I thought it stayed until 1996? but only on the routemasters?
The difference in Manchester being that the brand has now lasted for many years, and whilst no longer used on other corridors where competition exists or where Stagecoach might expect it to happen, it still runs as frequently as ever on Wilmslow Road.
It's certainly unusual. I'm just as cynical as @TheGrandWazoo when it comes to Stagecoach, if not more so. If they didn't already have it I don't think they'd bring it in now, but it does still serve a purpose in stopping First (nee Finglands) from getting too much more interested in the corridor. If First withdrew from Wilmslow Road, it'd certainly be interesting to see if Magic Bus survived.
Magic Bus fares have just shot up, from £1 single to £1.50 single, too. Still cheap for the area, yes, but a 50% increase is a 50% increase. It'll be interesting to see whether Magic Bus fares will continue to be significantly different to Stagecoach Manchester's "normal" fares. A £3.60 MagicBus day rider certainly isn't the excellent value it used to be.
Stagecoach considers axing Fort depot in Lochaber review
The potential closure of its Fort William bus depot is one of the options being considered by transport giant, Stagecoach, in a review of its operations in Lochaber.
Employees of the company are now being consulted on future options for the business and Stagecoach says it is working closely with trade unions to minimise the potential impact on staff.
In a shock statement issued by Stagecoach today (Wednesday February 21) the company revealed that, since April last year, the company had been unable to cover the cost of running its local network due to a combination of tender losses, reduced passenger demand and higher costs, and the situation is no longer sustainable.
The operator – which runs eight vehicles and employs 16 staff in Fort William – has had recent discussion with Highland Council about the future of some services in Lochaber.
This included its Service 45 which Stagecoach operates on a commercial basis.
However, according to the company, its alternative proposals for the route were not acceptable to the local authority and, as a consequence, Service 45, which takes in Fort William’s Middle Street, Caol, Lochyside, Banavie and Inverlochy, is to be axed with its final day being Saturday March 17.
Stagecoach says it is now also considering further options, including what is termed the ‘closure of the business’, but will continue discussing its proposals with Highland Council and other operators to protect as much of the local network as possible.
The company is hoping the majority of its staff could be relocated elsewhere in the Stagecoach North Scotland business or with other bus operators, and employees will be able to discuss their preferences with the management team.
Reacting to the news, local MP Ian Blackford told us: ‘I am saddened to hear that Stagecoach is currently reviewing the future of its operation in Fort William and hope that this will not result in closure.’
Stagecoach has operated the Fort William bus business since 2008 when it took it over from Rapsons. But a combination of rising operating costs and changes to tenders awarded by the Highland Council in April 2017 has impacted the financial sustainability of the business.
However, Stagecoach says its Scottish Citylink services to Glasgow, Inverness, Oban and Skye will continue to operate.
Mark Whitelocks, managing director for Stagecoach North Scotland, told us: ‘We are a significant local employer and we understand the importance of bus services for the local community.
‘We also know that any change can be unsettling for our people. That’s why we are working closely with both the trade union to protect as many jobs and as much of the local bus services as possible.
‘We’re carrying out a consultation and will be working closely with staff during this process, however the reality is that we simply cannot sustain the current operation.’
Stagecoach North Scotland currently employs around 840 staff and operates a fleet of more than 350 buses.
It looks like Fort William depot will be closing.
https://www.obantimes.co.uk/2018/02/21/stagecoach-considers-axing-fort-depot-in-lochaber-review/
Also has Stagecoach Highland broke even yet?
I believed it was profitable though I'd suggest largely underpinned by Inverness. What do the financials report?
I've said for quite a while now if Stagecoach were to sell off a whole division it would be Highlands (Or North Scotland for that matter) . Yes while the bluebird side does have some profit making routes, it also has many which make little to no profit. In addition most of the routes in the Caithness area are loss making.
This the one https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/SC158193/filing-history ???
If so, it made £1.6m in 2016 but down to £700k by 2017. Bluebird made £1.9m, half of 2016 whilst turnover fell markedly as well.
That depends on if they lose more contracts when the tenders are up again.That would only leave Aviemore and Wick depots and I cant see either of them going, since there tied into other works like citylink and skiing.
What do you expect with whitelock in control? Its been said the oil and gas turndown hasn't helped matter? The 7's route can be held up by 15mins because of the roadworks linked to New Aberdeen by pass... You cant expect them to throw out tone of extra buses for that?
By how much is stagecoach clinging on to isle of skye? That would only leave Aviemore and Wick depots and I cant see either of them going, since there tied into other works like citylink and skiing.
Same management under the "Stagecoach North Scotland" name. technically "Stagecoach Bluebird" and "Stagecoach Highlands" etc are no longer used (Although registered as 2 separate companies)Is Stagecoach Highlands managed separately from Bluebird, or is it the one management team?
The 7's route can be held up by 15mins because of the roadworks linked to New Aberdeen by pass... You cant expect them to throw out tone of extra buses for that?.
When is all the roadworks going finsh and the new by pass opening?
small parts are already open but the rest is due to open later this year.When is all the roadworks going finsh and the new by pass opening?
Yes it was but other companies were also involved and they have taken on the work work along with the staff. But as you could expect there's a bit of a delay.Wasn't it one of the major projects that Carillion was engaged in?
There are depots at Wick and Thurso, but I think Wick is just for fuelling and secure parking.Do they have a depot at Wick? I thought it was Thurso??
Clearly, all those depots outside Inverness are heavily dependent on tenders to underpin them. Lose those and it seriously impacts on their viability. Unlike some instances where facilities can be downgraded (eg just a yard, no maintenance), they are so remote that this isn’t practicable.
There are depots at Wick and Thurso, but I think Wick is just for fuelling and secure parking.
The airport place must be what I'm thinking of. About a year ago on an 81 (Wick-Thurso via Castletown) I was on we took a detour up there because we needed fuel.Nothing listed in O license for Wick, just one vehicle bases for Berriedale and Brabster. Any detail on where it is?
EDIT: found a parking area at Wick Airport. Secure parking and a fuel island (looks old - poss u/s). Not a depot.
There used to be a depot in the Station Yard at Wick but that went >20 years ago.