March 5th 2020: Fleet Ramblings

5/3/2020

Stagecoach UK Bus
We understand that design ‘tweaks’ to the new ‘Stagecoach Local’ livery may be on the way with emphasis on the front dash panel application. Already there seems to have been some interpretation on how the livery should be applied despite just a small number of buses being treated so far.

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
Now back here from use by the Stagecoach UK Bus IT team, during which time it was at Stagecoach Manchester’s Stockport depot is Enviro 400MMC 11158. It returned to Carlisle yesterday and is now being used on the 685 Carlisle-Newcastle service for which it carries route branding.
Slimline Optare Solo SR 48002, from Stagecoach East Scotland’s Arbroath depot, has recently been on loan here for engineering performance testing.

Stagecoach South East
The first repaint here in the new ‘Stagecoach Local’ livery is Scania/Enviro 400 15181, whilst similar 15443 carries branding for the ‘Demelza’ charity on a white background.

Stagecoach East Midlands
Despite being painted in the purple InterConnect livery, former Stagecoach Oxfordshire Scania/Enviro 400 15620 has retained its ‘Stagecoach Gold’ branding on the rear window!
Now in service from Hull in the new ‘Stagecoach Local’ livery is Enviro 400MMC 10745.

Stagecoach North East
This is another fleet that has started repaints into the ‘Stagecoach Local’ livery with 19440 and 19645 repainted to date.

Stagecoach Oxfordshire

The company has announced that 34 14.5m Volvo B11/Plaxton Panorama are on order to upgrade the Oxford Tube fleet. They will carry fleet numbers 50421-50454 and delivery is expected to start in late May. They will replace the existing 32 Van Hool Astromega vehicles currently in use on Oxford Tube duties. We understand that the additional two vehicles are to put some engineering resilience into the fleet.
The 34 vehicles represent investment of £13 million into the Oxford Tube operation. As previously announced by Stagecoach, the current Oxford Tube livery is being retained as it has a strong passenger recognition.
Passengers are set to benefit from the latest in passenger comfort with on board features including wireless and USB charging, reading lights and extendable tables complete with mobile device and cup holders throughout. This, in addition to extra leg room and reclining seats, ensures that the service can continue to offer the best customer experience.
New on board information screens will be fitted and used to keep customers up to date with changes to their journey and estimated times of arrival. Passengers will also benefit from the enhanced complimentary WiFi service available throughout.
In addition, the new coaches have been designed to improve the service for those with additional accessibility needs with a more seamless boarding process for wheelchair users.
Fitted with Euro 6 engines which limit exhaust emissions, the new vehicles demonstrate Oxford Tube’s ongoing commitment to sustainable travel providing an intercity service connecting to many onward destinations and, in a further move to reduce emissions, 5 of the 34 coaches will be fitted with solar panels to deliver greater fuel efficiency.