(20/05/2016 19:42)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]as the recent batch of 25 conains no spares for 201/203 following the introduction of additional running/stand time at the Manchester end, and I've noticed quite a few standard Enviro400s back on the 203 in the last week or so - including the Sunday before last.
I too had noticed this, also that standard Enviro400's, including magicbus livery ones have been appearing on the 192's.
(20/05/2016 19:34)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I still don't understand the mindset of vandals (frustrated terrorists, I suppose), but 30 years ago, when TE first got the coach seated Metrobuses, they were used on schools services. I didn't take long to work out that vandals were far more likely to destroy something new and comfortable, than the usual older buses. Consequently, the routers were instructed to only allocate new buses to running boards with Schools on in an Emergency. I assume the same advice would still hold today.
That's interesting.
I spoke recently to a long since retired Maynes driver on the subject of Selwyns new MMC's acquired mainly for schools, and he was telling me that at Maynes in the late 90's when the 5 East lancs Tridents were delivered the allocater would go to great lengths to keep them well away from school services, infact he reckoned they often would stay in the depot until after morning peak, and of course schools, but going to school in droylsden we never saw the Tridents on our school services
(20/05/2016 19:42)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]I too had heard 31 a few weeks ago, but apart from not betraying a confidence, it sounded far too many for a depot with only 50 odd diesel 'deckers on the allocation, serving a borough badly neglected (by all parties) for over a quarter of a century. A completely different source quotes 10 for Stockport and 10 for Hyde Road. Whilst this only totals 51 buses, not 53, it does ring true in general terms. I assume Stockport's will be for 23/23A or possibly 383/4. As for Hyde Road, I don't know of any specific route(s), but my guess is that they will be seen regularly in the borough of Trafford! Probably something with a PVR of only 7 or 8, as the recent batch of 25 conains no spares for 201/203 following the introduction of additional running/stand time at the Manchester end, and I've noticed quite a few standard Enviro400s back on the 203 in the last week or so - including the Sunday before last.
I got told a while ago that 30 were due for Ashton but like you took it with a pinch of salt, then there was lots of speculation that Stockport were expecting around 30 which then fitted in with another rumours I had read that suggested Ashton were getting the batch of MAN engined Enviro400's from ST which would make sense.
I wonder how much of an Influance Firsts recent investment in Dukinfield has had on Stagecoach finally spending some decent cash in Tameside.
First's investment in Dukinfield consisted of some awful Streetlites replacing B9TLs two years ago. I doubt this is a direct response to that, more a thing where the buses we do have are much past their best and would be better off down south where they are needed to replace Olympians.
If AZ does get it's 30/31 MMCs, and also gets the 20 MAN engined Enviros like was previewsly suggested, that would replace the vast majority of the double decker allocation unless the single deckers are being moved on, as there is little need for them and they cause problems with overcrowding on most routes they are allocated on at peak times (347's and the Enviro200s, 346's and Solos etc)
(21/05/2016 10:07)joe_alker Wrote: [ -> ]First's investment in Dukinfield consisted of some awful Streetlites replacing B9TLs two years ago. I doubt this is a direct response to that, more a thing where the buses we do have are much past their best and would be better off down south where they are needed to replace Olympians.
If AZ does get it's 30/31 MMCs, and also gets the 20 MAN engined Enviros like was previewsly suggested, that would replace the vast majority of the double decker allocation unless the single deckers are being moved on, as there is little need for them and they cause problems with overcrowding on most routes they are allocated on at peak times (347's and the Enviro200s, 346's and Solos etc)
Regardless of vehicle type the overall age of the fleet at Dukinfield has reduced significantly with the arrival of the Streetlites. Don't forget for many years Tameside has seen very little investment in terms of buses espically at Dukinfield which was the dumping ground for all the sheds then when stagecoach opened Ashton depot it was hardly furnished with young buses and when you compare the amount of investment Stockport has had over recent years then it's about time Ashton had some decent investment, but as you say it's probably got very little to do with the Streetlites at Dukinfield.
I don't think Ashton will get the 20 MAN engined Enviro400's. The speculation a while ago was that this batch of MMCs were infact for Stockport with the MAN Enviro400's being moved to Ashton to replace the 56/07 reg examples but it was obviously specualtion as Stockport is supposedly only getting 10 MMC's.
(21/05/2016 11:38)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]Given how poor First Manchester's overall investment levels are, it is surprising both have suddenly decided to invest in Tameside. Do they know something we residents don't?
As regards Stagecoach's order; I too, doubt the MAN engined Enviro400s will move now, as this would result in an amazingly low average fleet age for AZ, which might actually impact on other depots. I have noted though, that as these are now nearing 7 years old, they are getting repainted; 19623 was on the 369 the other day looking quite smart, despite the ubiquitous rain.
I think the speculation that ST would get all 53 (more than their total diesel 'decker allocation, now) came because BBPG decided that only one depot per company were getting new buses. I'm told they similarly assumed all Stagecoach North East's MMCs were going to Walkergate depot, wheras they are to be shared between the Newcastle depots.
In all honesty even though any investment is good could it be argued that the Streetlites were ordered for the Manchester group and plonked anywhere? As mentioned by Joe they were mainly to replace the B9's but really would Dukinfield have been better with deckers?
I think the MAN engined Enviro's are good buses. Yes a little sluggish but they have been well looked after at ST and depending on what stockports MMCs get used on I carnt see them going anywhere.
Could it be that stagecoach have purposely waited a couple of years for Metrolink to bed in before making any kind of investment on the 216's as it may have looked like they were trying to compete?
On an aside note there's been some very colourful enviro 400 deckers popping up lately. A few had their livery revised for chinese new yr & 1 of em is now in a gold & purple cadbury crunchie all over vinyl which looks quite smart if not a bit bright!
Also noted more deckers getting magic bus livery, only question is though is why do some buses only have a front display, others front\side & the rear displays painted over??? It's handy to be able see what service it is for people running from behind for the bus.
Can't remember which bus exactly but spotted an immaculate plaxton president decker last wk that's been really well looked after. Good to see some of the older deckers getting TLC, also are any of the east lancs loyne deckers still about? Always liked em but found the single folding door weird tbh though.
(21/05/2016 16:00)33109 Wrote: [ -> ]On an aside note there's been some very colourful enviro 400 deckers popping up lately. A few had their livery revised for chinese new yr & 1 of em is now in a gold & purple cadbury crunchie all over vinyl which looks quite smart if not a bit bright!
Also noted more deckers getting magic bus livery, only question is though is why do some buses only have a front display, others front\side & the rear displays painted over??? It's handy to be able see what service it is for people running from behind for the bus.
Can't remember which bus exactly but spotted an immaculate plaxton president decker last wk that's been really well looked after. Good to see some of the older deckers getting TLC, also are any of the east lancs loyne deckers still about? Always liked em but found the single folding door weird tbh though.
I think there's only a few of the older ALX Tridents with side and rear displays covered over, all the magic Enviro400s should have working side and rear displays.
The Plaxton Presidents are probably the two ex Maynes examples 18290/1. They are nice buses and I'm surprised they have lasted so long with them having non standard bodies. The only downside to them is that they have a very loud warning buzzer when the indicators are on and can be heard anywhere on the bus.
As for the East Lanc Loynes, only 2 ex Dennis's examples remain, 17698/99 but I'm pretty sure they have normal half opening doors rather than a single door.
(21/05/2016 13:41)Dentonian Wrote: [ -> ]On the contrary, Stagecoach should be openly competing with Metrolink, and should not have cut Sunday frequencies. In fact, rather than devalue the 219 by mixing it with hybrids and diesels, they should have either stuck to the 219, or (better still?) transferred the hybrids to the 216. That way, they could almost match Metrolink's green credentials in the short term, and more than match them in the long term, on the basis that longer walks to public transport stops will inevitably lead to increased car ownership/usage. Off-peak, the tram has no time advantage unless you continue beyond Market Street, and the new trams have excruciating bum perches instead of seats. Maybe if First had gone into the Light Rail business, things would have been different - lol.
I always thought they were discouraged from compiting directly against Metrolink but if it's actually the opposite why arnt they compiting? The once big advantage stagecoach have is that they are cheaper. The Sunday frequencies are poor espically on a Sunday evening. Sometimes I get to Piccadilly gardens and have just missed a 216 so even though I have a day rider would rather pay an extra and get a tram instead.
Posted in the Gillmoss thread but relevant here as well...
From the Stagecoach Enthusiasts Facebook group....34794, 34799 & 34800 have gone on loan to Stagecoach Manchester at Middleton for use during the First strike on Tuesday.
HTH