August 12th 2019 @ 15:10: More Versos arrive with Stagecoach Cumbria and photo review of Stagecoach East Bedford depot Open Day

12/8/2019

Stagecoach UK Bus
Stagecoach South East
A further Optare Solo transferred to Stagecoach West is 47478.
Dart SLF 34655 has transferred from Herne Bay to Eastbourne, allowing East Kent-liveried 34541 to return to Herne Bay.

Stagecoach Manchester
The Tridents, MAN/Enviro 200s and Enviro 400s recently transferred into a Strategic Reserve Fleet here are believed to be on loan and not permanent transfers, suggesting they will either return to their owning company at the end of their use here or will be approved for disposal.

Stagecoach Cumbria
Dart SLFs 34716/18 were delivered to Stagecoach West’s Gloucester depot on 9thAugust with Optare Versas 25213/17 departing for Carlisle the following morning.

Stagecoach East
We would like to congratulate Stagecoach East for allowing the 100th anniversary of the opening of Bedford bus depot to be celebrated last Saturday by throwing open the doors of the depot. A selection of Stagecoach and privately-owned buses were on display and visitors could have their name on the destination screen of a bus as well as taking a trip through the bus wash. The event was jointly organised with the Omnibus Society with Richard Morgan from the OS tirelessly doing most of the organising.
We would also thank Wellbourn Recovery who moved the Stagecoach Leyland Olympian Megadekka to Bedford so that it could join the display. Stagecoach West, Stagecoach East Midlands, Stagecoach South, Stagecoach Midlands, Megabus and Stagecoach London all supported the event by making vehicles or staff available. It is estimated that around 1,500 visitors passed through the depot doors and the amount raised for charity will be announced by the company later this week.
The event was officially opened by Stagecoach East Engineering Director Darren Roe with the Mayor of Bedford Dave Hodgson and Richard Askew who retired from Stagecoach East on 9th August 2019 - the official 100th anniversary of the depot - after 57 years service. Happy retirement Richard!

Stagecoach Megabus/Joint Venture Operations
Redwoods Coaches
Anewly introduced Megabus feeder service from/to the Torbay area and Exeter connecting with the main Megabus network is now operated. Pictured in Paignton is Redwoods T2RED, a Volvo B12B with Caetano Levante bodywork as BU08CGG to Excelsior, Bournemouth in May 2008 for National Express. Since October 2015 worked with Swallow Coaches, Rainham and Evans, Tregaron passing to Redwoods in May this year when it was also re-registered to T2RED.

Go Ahead Group
Go North East
Repaints last week included Optare Versa V1170/Optare 5390 into a white livery, receiving promotional branding to support the World Transplant Games.
Optare Solo M710SE/Optare 709 and Scania CN230UB/Scania Omnicity 5247 have been painted into the 2019 fleet livery.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4940 has been sold for scrap to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade. Repainted week ending 4thAugust was Optare Solo M880/Optare into ‘Little Coasters’.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 4933 has been sold to Alpha Recovery, Weetslade, whilst similar 4948 has been withdrawn from service at Riverside having suffered defects uneconomical to repair.