Stagecoach's investment for 2017 tops £70million
Alexander Dennis is big winner in the order for 340 new vehicles but Caetano, Scania, Volvo
and Wright also share spoils; two-thirds to have stop-start tech and all will
have USB charging and free Wi-Fi
ADL will supply 122 Enviro400 integrals and 59 bodies on Scania chassis
Stagecoach has ordered 340 new coaches and buses worth £70m, with UK
manufacturers Alexander Dennis, Plaxton and Wrightbus the major suppliers.
It takes to over £1bn the amount that Stagecoach has spent on new vehicles in the last 11 years, delivering around 7,000 new coaches and buses to its UK fleets.
Up to date technology
Additionally, all 340 vehicles will be equipped with USB charging points and
most will be Wi-Fi fitted.
“It is time that our politicians stepped up and took action to support bus
passengers and free up road space to help bus networks flourish.”
ADL-owned Plaxton will body 31 Volvo coach chassis. 14 will be two-axle Elite
models, with the remainder 15-metre tri-axles. Nine will be Elite-i Interdeckers
and the remaining eight standard Elite examples.
Caetano will supply three Levante-bodied Volvo coaches.
OXFORDSHIRE
The fleet updates are as follows:
| vehicles in reserve | |||
| 34471 | KV53 NHF | Dennis Dart | Ox |
| 34468 | KV53 NHC | Dennis Dart | Ox |
| 34469 | KV53 NHD | Dennis Dart | By |
| 47451 | KX56 TXP | Optare Solo | Ox |
| 47658 | AJ58 RBF | Optare Solo | Ox |
| vehicles awaiting disposal | |||
| 34436 | KV53 EZN | Dennis Dart | Ox |
| 34437 | KV53 EZO | Dennis Dart | Ox |
| 34466 | KV53 NHA | Dennis Dart | Ox |
| fleet movements last period | ||
| 15838 | OU62 CJX | Scania E400 - Witney to Oxford |
This leaves on two Darts in service, both at Banbury. These are 34467 and 34472. The remain single decks, other than the Gold Scanias at Banbury are all ADL E200s.
A limited number of fares increases can into effect on Sunday April 23rd. These can be summarised as follows:
The company's SmartZone single ticket prices are rising by 10p to £2.10 and returns by 20p to £3.50.
A child SmartZone return will be £1.70, from £1.60.
The firm's Cowley connector ticket will decrease in price, to £2.10, allowing travel on the 1, 10, 12, 12C, 16, 16A and 20 routes. A single from Minchery Farm to the city centre will also fall to £2.10 on the 16 and 16A.
One of the SmartZone with Megarider Gold fares increases from £98.80 to £101.50 for 4 weeks. More details can be seen at the link below.
SmartZone tickets for Oxfordshire
The dwindling fleet of Hybrids at Oxford see on April 9th by Malcolm Crowe.
One of the most recent deliveries, 10787 on an X30 Wantage service in Park End
St on April 9th by Malcolm Crowe.
West
There are still seemingly quite a few problems at Swindon to the running of Gold buses on the 66 route. There have been quite some variety in operation. Below there is an example of the number of different buses in service over the past few weeks.
On a recent Sunday, Scania 15976 is seen in 66 Park End St, Oxford on April 9th
by Malcolm Crowe.
Standard Scania 15973 is seen leaving Gloucester Green on April 14th by Gavin
Francis.
Scania 15972 is seen crossing Frideswide Square by the train station on April
15th by Gavin Francis.
Scania E300 28682 was ion Oxford on route 66 on April 20th and this has moved
from Cheltenham and Tewksbury areas to Swindon more recently.
Swindon's allocation correct to April is as follows:
Swindon (67)
Trident
18436 18437 18444 18445 18448 18450 18501
Scania/Enviro 400
15450 15648 15650 15730 15731 15732 15733 15734 15735 15736 15737 15738 15971
15972 15973 15974 15975 15976
Scania/Enviro 400 (Gold) 15763 15764 15765 15766 15767
15768 15769 15841 15967 15969 15970
Dart SLF
34495 34588 34597 34618 34680 34682 34683 34733 34740 34787 34788 34836 34837
34838 34839 34841 34842 34843 34883 34884 34885
Scania/Enviro 300
28682 28685 28687
Optare Solo
47046 47069 47122 47125 47387 47358 47471
Pictures above in block in fleet allocation.
Derek Wiggins sent a number of pictures of recently transferred Darts to Swindon for service increases.
STAGECOACH SWINDON started a new route the 3 on April 3rd using buses from South Wales including 34507,34511,34595,34665,34666,34667,
34507 on route 10 in Swindon on March 15th by Derek Wiggins.
34666 and 34885 on new route 3 in Swindon on April 3rd by Derek Wiggins.
34785 on route 3 in Swindon on April 5th by Derek Wiggins.
It is now reported that as a result of the extra route and buses needed the depot is very congested, making operating very difficult.
East
Some of the 15 metre tri-axles are, I understand, for Bedford and may be expected to operate the Virgin 99 service. Confirmation of this is awaited.
50266 pulls up to load passengers in Park Lane on
March 21st by Malcolm Crowe.
Gold 15966, of course fitted with seat belts, is seen
on a layover duty in Victoria on April 8th by Gavin Francis.
The use of Gold buses is not a regular feature of the Tube duties.
It is noted that ex tube 50209 is now for disposal at West Scotland. It is also noted that 50226 has been moved to the reserve fleet in West Scotland.
Some minor fare changes have occured on fares between Oxford and Lewknor and v.v. Single fares have increased by 10p and returns by 20p. These effective from April 23rd.
As mentioned in the Editorial is that South Gloucestershire Bus & coach will operate a number of new Megabus services of which some will also serve Heathrow and Gatwick. This is a first for Megabus who have not operated to airports before.
Megabus 54281 seen on Elizabeth Bridge on April 6th by Gavin Francis.
On his recent visit to Florida, Gavin Francis, noted Megabus USA Astromegas,
back off lease, at Van Hool Clermont FL USA on March 22nd.
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