August 14th 2019 @ 14:35: Trident re-allocations at Stagecoach East Midlands and are we any closer to a new image for Stagecoach UK Bus?

14/8/2019

Stagecoach UK Bus
Stagecoach East Midlands
The three former Hull Tridents in the Reserve Fleet at Lincoln, 17713/25/30, are being moved to the Reserve Fleet at Mansfield. Also at Mansfield Trident 18121 is back in the fleet following repairs whilst 17715 is currently out of use undergoing repair.
The company reports that former Volvo B10M training coach 52630 has been scrapped.

Stagecoach UK Bus
There has been much speculation in recent weeks surrounding the ongoing branding project for Stagecoach UK Bus. This took a step forward a few weeks ago with the experimental painting of two vehicles in the proposed colour schemes.
Stagecoach Group has always been upfront and confirmed that it was reviewing the brand for its UK bus operation, but refuses to be drawn on whether a new image is imminent. Following the experimental painting of the two vehicles images emerged of Enviro 400MMCs, with standard Stagecoach-spec interiors, finished in all over white at ADL’s Falkirk plant. Normally vehicles are liveried as the progress through the production process.
We now believe that the Enviro 400MMCs currently being delivered to Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire will be the last to carry the current Stagecoach livery and branding. If our guess is correct then the all over white vehicles could be for Stagecoach Midlands’ ‘Unibus’ operation at Leamington. Now we may be wrong here, and the vehicles for Leamington may be all over white to allow for the application of a ‘Unibus’ livery, but we don’t think that is the case based on a recent discussion with the company. So will they operate in a basic white livery with basic branding?
Well, we won’t have long to wait because we are expecting the first of the new ADL Enviro 400MMCs are expected to arrive at Leamington by the end of next week.
If our reading of the tea leaves is correct than it is possible that all new vehicles will be delivered in an all over white livery until such time that the branding/re-livery project gets the go ahead. Now that leaves what will happen to current fleet vehicles already programmed to go through paint shops - we wouldn’t like to make a prediction on this and prefer to wait and see.