Stagecoach South & South East

[fgwrich]

With the Winkworth bus shuttles being covered by Stagecoach this week, three E400MMCs have come down from Lancashire to Aldershot for these shuttles, these being 11151/11152 (Morecambe) and 11644 (Preston). Andover's 48141 is also operating shuttles.

11741 is also down from Manchester too, having past it in Aldershot this morning. I had wondered if they'd released a few from Manchester as the Activ8 is due a few more MMCs but Wentworth explains it - A few of Andover's brand new Solos are there on shuttles too.

 

[Class450/4DES]

11741 is also down from Manchester too, having past it in Aldershot this morning. I had wondered if they'd released a few from Manchester as the Activ8 is due a few more MMCs but Wentworth explains it - A few of Andover's brand new Solos are there on shuttles too.

They have since gone back to their respective depots. There are buses due to come down soon but idk when but the MMC's that the Activ8 needs might be more 15/65 reg E400MMC's or brand new vehicles. But I am guessing at this point.

 

[Flange Squeal]

They have since gone back to their respective depots. There are buses due to come down soon but idk when but the MMC's that the Activ8 needs might be more 15/65 reg E400MMC's or brand new vehicles. But I am guessing at this point.

Hopefully not too far in the future - the reliability of the Tridents seems to be suffering judging by how many I’ve seen either on tow or sat at the side of roads lately. The 18 to Bordon/Whitehill seems to be an unlucky route for them!

With the Winkworth Wentworth bus shuttles being covered by Stagecoach this week, three E400MMCs have come down from Lancashire to Aldershot for these shuttles, these being 11151/11152 (Morecambe) and 11644 (Preston). Andover's 48141 is also operating shuttles.

11151/2 both managed to escape shuttles and have a play on the 1 for a bit of their stay.

 

[Class450/4DES]

The 18 to Bordon/Whitehill seems to be an unlucky route for them!

One even caught fire operating it. Even though they are my 2nd favourite buses, they are 20 years old aka retro. I will miss them.

On an unrelated note. I don't know if I have asked already but I think there is a rumour going around about Basingstoke getting Enviro 300CNG's from the North East, is this true?

 

[cactustwirly]

One even caught fire operating it. Even though they are my 2nd favourite buses, they are 20 years old aka retro. I will miss them.

On an unrelated note. I don't know if I have asked already but I think there is a rumour going around about Basingstoke getting Enviro 300CNG's from the North East, is this true?

There are a few round Basingstoke, the 2 seems a favourite for them too

 

[ls2270]

There are a few round Basingstoke, the 2 seems a favourite for them too

They’re standard diesel E300s though (27569 and 27648) rather than CNG powered ones.

 

[Class450/4DES]

There are a few round Basingstoke, the 2 seems a favourite for them too

They are not CNG they are normal ADL Enviro 300's.

 

[fgwrich]

They’re standard diesel E300s though (27569 and 27648) rather than CNG powered ones.

Indeed, Basingstoke's allocation of E300s has somewhat fluctuated a lot over the last few years, Having had a batch of 278XX new in 2012, then later increased by the ex Winchester 276XXs, then increased further with the ex Portsmouth 275XXs before loosing the majority of them to Aldershot (Ex Winch), Andover & other area's (278XX) and 275XX (Scrap, Guildford, Portsmouth, Driver Training). Basingstoke since seems to have gained some ex Worthing PULSE branded vehicles, plus the odd smattering of Ex Coastliner 700 276XXs.

I've noticed a few elderly Tridents have made a bit of a comeback of late too (Ex Torbay WA04 batch), along with an ex Exeter E200 as well (the sneezing sounding WA11CHO). Can you tell I work in North Hampshire

As for CNG E300s - I'd be surprised, as Basingstoke doesn't have the infrastructure yet to fill them (I don't think Basingstoke even has anywhere to fuel Gas powered vehicles!) but nothing surprises me anymore. Although it does seem to be slowly losing its allocation of E200 MMCs to other bits of the South.

 

[Class450/4DES]

Indeed, Basingstoke's allocation of E300s has somewhat fluctuated a lot over the last few years, Having had a batch of 278XX new in 2012, then later increased by the ex Winchester 276XXs, then increased further with the ex Portsmouth 275XXs before loosing the majority of them to Aldershot (Ex Winch), Andover & other area's (278XX) and 275XX (Scrap, Guildford, Portsmouth, Driver Training). Basingstoke since seems to have gained some ex Worthing PULSE branded vehicles, plus the odd smattering of Ex Coastliner 700 276XXs.

I've noticed a few elderly Tridents have made a bit of a comeback of late too (Ex Torbay WA04 batch), along with an ex Exeter E200 as well (the sneezing sounding WA11CHO). Can you tell I work in North Hampshire

As for CNG E300s - I'd be surprised, as Basingstoke doesn't have the infrastructure yet to fill them (I don't think Basingstoke even has anywhere to fuel Gas powered vehicles!) but nothing surprises me anymore. Although it does seem to be slowly losing its allocation of E200 MMCs to other bits of the South.

Yeah. 27616 along with 36051 has also made a return to Basingstoke. (I think 616 is back to Aldershot now.) For the MMC's, Portsmouth seems to be the main culprit of the MMC's departing Basingstoke. I think Worthing have some now. Does Basingstoke have a fleet shortage?

 

[LUYMun]

Screenshot from Selsey’s Facebook Group shows a Coastliner 700 branded Stagecoach South bus having its upper deck damaged after a tractor with its forks up clipped it. Scouring through Bustimes indicates 11599 was damaged.

Selsey News and gossip | This just happened a tractor pulled out of golf links lane with its forks up and ripped open the top of the bus , thank god no one was hurt | Facebook

This just happened a tractor pulled out of golf links lane with its forks up and ripped open the top of the bus , thank god no one was hurt !

www.facebook.com

 

[cactustwirly]

They are not CNG they are normal ADL Enviro 300's.

AHH I was replying to the part about the ALX400s, I've seen quite a few 04 plated examples on the 2

 

[Class450/4DES]

AHH I was replying to the part about the ALX400s, I've seen quite a few 04 plated examples on the 2

I see.

 

[fgwrich]

Yeah. 27616 along with 36051 has also made a return to Basingstoke. (I think 616 is back to Aldershot now.) For the MMC's, Portsmouth seems to be the main culprit of the MMC's departing Basingstoke. I think Worthing have some now. Does Basingstoke have a fleet shortage?

Unsure about any fleet shortage if I’m honest, though there does seem to be more shuffle arounds than before. I’m particularly disappointed about the MMCs transferring out though as the smartest, and largest new to Basingstoke, fleet for a while.

Regarding the Enviro’s, the ‘Stop Painting the fleet Local Memo’ appears to be missed - I’ve just walked past ex PULSE GX60PDZ fresh from the paint shop in a new coat of Local!

 

[Class450/4DES]

Unsure about any fleet shortage if I’m honest, though there does seem to be more shuffle arounds than before. I’m particularly disappointed about the MMCs transferring out though as the smartest, and largest new to Basingstoke, fleet for a while.

Regarding the Enviro’s, the ‘Stop Painting the fleet Local Memo’ appears to be missed - I’ve just walked past ex PULSE GX60PDZ fresh from the paint shop in a new coat of Local!

Yeah. I am glad buses are not being painted into the "bland" new livery here.

 

[timmygba]

There's been a further 5 E200 MMCs leave Basingstoke for Worthing now with 26299-26303 all now tracking in Worthing mostly on the 17. Basingstoke in return have some E300 from Worthing, I have see 27666 and tracking suggest that 27659/76/77 are also in Basingstoke I'm not sure which the 5th one is.

These changes may be related to an Ultra Low Emissions Zone in Brighton which in the Guidance for bus operators has the following:

By 1 October 2024 all buses entering the low emission zone will have to conform to the new
Euro VI Standard.

This now means of the 32 E200 MMCs that Basingstoke had late in 2019 only 22 remain. With Portsmouth having 3 (26294-6) and Worthing having 7 (26297-26303).

 

[Flange Squeal]

There's been a further 5 E200 MMCs leave Basingstoke for Worthing now with 26299-26303 all now tracking in Worthing mostly on the 17. Basingstoke in return have some E300 from Worthing, I have see 27666 and tracking suggest that 27659/76/77 are also in Basingstoke I'm not sure which the 5th one is.

My understanding is that in addition to 27659/66/76/77 you’ve mentioned, 27665/78 are pencilled in to follow at some point over the next week or so.

 

[Class450/4DES]

Hey, got a question for you all again. Is Aldershot bus station going to reopen? I saw this Facebook post here.

 

[Edvid]

The Dover Fastrack scheme now has a revised launch date of 17 November.

Dover Fastrack to launch in November

A new rapid bus transit system connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station is set to launch on 17 November 2024.

news.kent.gov.uk

The reliable, high-quality, and frequent Dover Fastrack bus service will coincide with the Dover Priory Station high speed service to London timetable to provide residents with feasible public transport options when commuting.

Kent County Council (KCC) is delivering the scheme in partnership with Dover District Council (DDC), funded through a £22.9 million grant from Homes England designed to help stimulate new housing growth in Whitfield and at the former Connaught Barracks site.

A dedicated fleet of five electric buses will be introduced on the route next year, with ultra-low emission buses temporarily used in the meantime. The new electric buses are supported with an £850,000 grant from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.

The service will make use of existing and new roads, as well as dedicated busways which will see the buses have priority over other traffic on the route.

To support and enhance the Dover Fastrack service, on 14 October 2024 KCC will be starting construction on the northbound bus contraflow in Pencester Road, Dover following public consultation last year. Funded from the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, construction aims to be completed by Spring next year.

Neil Baker, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: "Our ambition is to make it easier for people to choose public transport for their journeys before jumping in their car."

"With the announcement of the launch of the Dover Fastrack, we are showing our commitment to connecting communities and providing residents with reliable public transport services."

Cllr Jamie Pout, DDC’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services said: "We welcome the investment in public transport in Dover, taking cars off the road and encouraging our residents to catch a bus."

"The eventual introduction of electric buses will nicely complete this project by providing zero emission transport: a real alternative to the car for local journeys."

Matthew Arnold, Stagecoach South East's Business Development Director said: "We're incredibly excited to be partnering with KCC and DCC on this signal project which will bring the very first fleet of zero emission electric buses to east Kent."

"This is a serious investment in a high quality, ultra-modern public transport solution and demonstrates what can be achieved where central and local government work together, alongside a commercial operator, to deliver something remarkable for local people."

The new roads, Red Kite Road linking Honeywood Parkway at Tesco’s roundabout to the new Richmond Park development and Farmstead Way linking Honeywood Parkway at the B&Q roundabout with Dover Road, will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists from 8 October 2024. Access for vehicles will be blocked off by temporary barriers to stop unauthorised use prior to 17 November 2024.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be in operation from the beginning of the service and enforcement action will be taken against any unauthorised vehicles using the bus only sections of the route.

 

[Park47515]

Has anyone else heard the murmurs that the 701 is being withdrawn in November? There's nothing on VOSA but have heard it several times this week from various sources.

 

[Class450/4DES]

Has anyone else heard the murmurs that the 701 is being withdrawn in November? There's nothing on VOSA but have heard it several times this week from various sources.

Guessing things did not turn out well... Just give the route to Stagecoach South. They originally operated in that are anyway.

 

[Murray J]

Guessing things did not turn out well... Just give the route to Stagecoach South. They originally operated in that are anyway.

It being operated by Stagecoach SE isn't the problem, the problem is the Brighton-Eastbourne corridor is already well-serviced enough by B&H so that's the service customers will take, I doubt many are even aware of the 701.

 

[Class450/4DES]

It being operated by Stagecoach SE isn't the problem, the problem is the Brighton-Eastbourne corridor is already well-serviced enough by B&H so that's the service customers will take, I doubt many are even aware of the 701.

Oh okay.

 

[Southern]

Quite late to the party but didn't realise the cessation of the direct Dover - Hastings bus in 2015, cut back to Rye and then in 2022, the complete split of the service at Lydd...so now unable to visit friends who have just moved to Rye without a lengthy change in New Romney/Lydd. Will be in Rye after work in a few weeks after work but finish at 7 so partner is having to drive as the train is also not running...amazing as remember when this was route 711 running from Dover through to Brighton! How things change...

 

[Sussexwatch]

It being operated by Stagecoach SE isn't the problem, the problem is the Brighton-Eastbourne corridor is already well-serviced enough by B&H so that's the service customers will take, I doubt many are even aware of the 701.

I don't think people in Eastbourne would agree, Stagecoach SE has been regularly cancelling local services while running empty buses on the 701 over the summer. The main problems with the 701 were that it didn't serve Lewes, many of the links it provided can be made by direct trains, eg Eastbourne to Falmer (for the Universities) and by existing B&H services at much higher frequencies.

 

[alex397]

Probably best to wait for official confirmation about the 701. So much which is heard about ends up not being true. Incidentally, there was a rare working on the 701 the other day, of a 2004 Trident/ALX400, and with a dot matrix display. This type is now dwindling at South East.

In other news, the Dover ‘Fastrack’ looks like it will start operations on 17th November, according to Kent County Council.

A new rapid bus transit system connecting Whitfield with Dover town centre and Dover Priory railway station is set to launch on 17 November 2024.

The reliable, high-quality, and frequent Dover Fastrack bus service will coincide with the Dover Priory Station high speed service to London timetable to provide residents with feasible public transport options when commuting.
Kent County Council (KCC) is delivering the scheme in partnership with Dover District Council (DDC), funded through a £22.9 million grant from Homes England designed to help stimulate new housing growth in Whitfield and at the former Connaught Barracks site.
A dedicated fleet of five electric buses will be introduced on the route next year, with ultra-low emission buses temporarily used in the meantime. The new electric buses are supported with an £850,000 grant from the Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme.
The service will make use of existing and new roads, as well as dedicated busways which will see the buses have priority over other traffic on the route.
To support and enhance the Dover Fastrack service, on 14 October 2024 KCC will be starting construction on the northbound bus contraflow in Pencester Road, Dover following public consultation last year. Funded from the Department for Transport through the Bus Service Improvement Plan, construction aims to be completed by Spring next year.

“Our ambition is to make it easier for people to choose public transport for their journeys before jumping in their car.”
Neil BakerCabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Neil Baker, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, said: “Our ambition is to make it easier for people to choose public transport for their journeys before jumping in their car.
‘With the announcement of the launch of the Dover Fastrack, we are showing our commitment to connecting communities and providing residents with reliable public transport services.”
Cllr Jamie Pout, DDC’s Portfolio Holder for Transport, Licensing and Environmental Services said: “We welcome the investment in public transport in Dover, taking cars off the road and encouraging our residents to catch a bus.

The eventual introduction of electric buses will nicely complete this project by providing zero emission transport: a real alternative to the car for local journeys”
Matthew Arnold, Stagecoach South East's Business Development Director said "We're incredibly excited to be partnering with KCC and DCC on this signal project which will bring the very first fleet of zero emission electric buses to east Kent."
"This is a serious investment in a high quality, ultra-modern public transport solution and demonstrates what can be achieved where central and local government work together, alongside a commercial operator, to deliver something remarkable for local people."
The new roads, Red Kite Road linking Honeywood Parkway at Tesco’s roundabout to the new Richmond Park development and Farmstead Way linking Honeywood Parkway at the B&Q roundabout with Dover Road, will be opened to pedestrians and cyclists from 8 October 2024. Access for vehicles will be blocked off by temporary barriers to stop unauthorised use prior to 17 November 2024.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will be in operation from the beginning of the service and enforcement action will be taken against any unauthorised vehicles using the bus only sections of the route.

Lots of comments on social media about it being a ‘waste of money’ bla bla bla, which inevitably comes with any kind of progress. Sure, the money could have been spent elsewhere such as improving existing bus services, or having some decent infrastructure elsewhere (the bus shelters in Kent are generally non-existent or absolutely dire), but I do welcome some proper investment in infrastructure. Hopefully, many living in the Whitfield area, including the large estates being built, will be more likely to use the bus to reach the town centre or the Southeastern Highspeed from Dover Priory. While the existing 61 is fairly good, it is a ‘round the houses’ service.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

Has anyone else heard the murmurs that the 701 is being withdrawn in November? There's nothing on VOSA but have heard it several times this week from various sources.

Goodness, I thought this was the SWR Class 701 thread when I saw this post(!) I thought to myself has it been that many years already?!

 

[LUYMun]

It being operated by Stagecoach SE isn't the problem, the problem is the Brighton-Eastbourne corridor is already well-serviced enough by B&H so that's the service customers will take, I doubt many are even aware of the 701.

The routing is quite different as it taps into the University and Falmer route, but the fact that it finishes as early as 1800 (Brighton) and 1947 (Eastbourne) and has no Sunday service strikes me as odd, almost as if they didn't want to bother going up against the all-hours 12/12A/12X/N12.

 

[embers25]

The routing is quite different as it taps into the University and Falmer route, but the fact that it finishes as early as 1800 (Brighton) and 1947 (Eastbourne) and has no Sunday service strikes me as odd, almost as if they didn't want to bother going up against the all-hours 12/12A/12X/N12.

It's also timed very laxly so sits around a lot and uses some single decks.

The1225 was single and left Eastbourne Cornfirld Road today with 1 actual passenger and about 10 tourists who saw Brighton and got on as the driver didn't tell them it took longer than the 1230 12X behind.

The 12X left with a similar load, but the 701 got a couple at the station where the 12X left full and standing. We caught the 701 up and passed it whilst it served Denton Corner, despite it leaving 8 mins earlier (the 12X was a couple of mins late) and serving the same stops before Denton and only having a dozen or so on.

It also obviously misses the scenic and best coastal bit through Saltdean and instead serves basically nowhere until the Uni and so has little chance to generate use, as shown by how empty all 701s were compared to the busy 12, 12A and 12X.

 

[Lynford1976]

Has anyone else heard the murmurs that the 701 is being withdrawn in November? There's nothing on VOSA but have heard it several times this week from various sources.

Looking at the registration, it does look like the 701 is cancelled from the 17th. November:

https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/628186/

 

[Park47515]

Looking at the registration, it does look like the 701 is cancelled from the 17th. November:

https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/628186/

Think it has been coming from basically day one sadly.