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Out of interest were any services affected by the unfortunate incident which closed the M6 Northbound for most of yesterday

Knowing the diversion route, 551/2, 555, X6 would have suffered crippling delays. Dallam School services would also have been delayed.

It's likely Lancaster services 55/A etc to Carnforth would also see some delays.

16103 has gone to wigleys, expect movements to happen this weekend between kendal and morecambe(again).

I see from the period 11 fleetcard (thanks Michael!) that 20944, 20960 and 22160 remain in reserve although they are in service pretty well daily.

Yesterday 20944 was still on the 108 at Penrith and 20960 has been on the 93 Bowness all week. Also 22160 was on the 67/68 along with 22137, 22143 and coach-seated 22149.

The 67/68 seems to be the main route for the ex-Manchester MANs, probably because most of the original Darts for this route have lost their route-branding and now are often on the out of town routes.

I see that 20710 (K710 DAO) has been taken out of the disposal pool and is back in reserve at Kendal - hopefully this old timer will see out another summer in the Lakes!

Had a run up the M6 to Carlisle to make a delivery earlier today. Whilst there did a bit of bus spotting.

It would appear that stagecoach, have almost given up on Carlisle. As Reays buses out numbered stagecoach buses on city routes. Reays were using newer buses, and appeared to be carrying more passengers, then Stagecoach S-reg'd MAN's were.

(06/03/2013 15:20)WhiteVanMan Wrote: [ -> ]Had a run up the M6 to Carlisle to make a delivery earlier today. Whilst there did a bit of bus spotting.

It would appear that stagecoach, have almost given up on Carlisle. As Reays buses out numbered stagecoach buses on city routes. Reays were using newer buses, and appeared to be carrying more passengers, then Stagecoach S-reg'd MAN's were.

Reays don't outnumber Stagecoach at all, there's 34 Stagecoach buses on city services, Reays have 21. Stagecoach services are also more frequent in general with a more regular service pattern, i.e. Stagecoach have a bus every 7 or 8 minutes City Centre - Harraby East and return Mon-Fri daytime, Reays have every 15 minutes to Harraby East but their return to City Centre frequency is very mixed with times at 10:13 10:43 10:58 11:26 11:58 and so on (due to them operating a circular type service with an unbalanced timetable, 5 buses in one direction, 3 in the other with no strict intervals). Stagecoach frequency's range from every 7/8mins to every 20 mins, where Reays generally range from every 15 to hourly. Reays don't operate in evenings or sundays.
Incidently, Reays are cancelling their 63/63A, 64 and 70 from the end of the month due to the services losing money, leaving only 4 buses of work on their city services (hourly services 64A and 75). They've been getting a lot more passenger support since announcing the end of services, with people saying how much the services are needed, shame they didn't support them before Reays' took the decision to cancel them.

(06/03/2013 16:04)cumbria0902150 Wrote: [ -> ]

(06/03/2013 15:20)WhiteVanMan Wrote: [ -> ]Had a run up the M6 to Carlisle to make a delivery earlier today. Whilst there did a bit of bus spotting.

It would appear that stagecoach, have almost given up on Carlisle. As Reays buses out numbered stagecoach buses on city routes. Reays were using newer buses, and appeared to be carrying more passengers, then Stagecoach S-reg'd MAN's were.

Reays don't outnumber Stagecoach at all, there's 34 Stagecoach buses on city services, Reays have 21. Stagecoach services are also more frequent in general with a more regular service pattern, i.e. Stagecoach have a bus every 7 or 8 minutes City Centre - Harraby East and return Mon-Fri daytime, Reays have every 15 minutes to Harraby East but their return to City Centre frequency is very mixed with times at 10:13 10:43 10:58 11:26 11:58 and so on (due to them operating a circular type service with an unbalanced timetable, 5 buses in one direction, 3 in the other with no strict intervals). Stagecoach frequency's range from every 7/8mins to every 20 mins, where Reays generally range from every 15 to hourly. Reays don't operate in evenings or sundays.
Incidently, Reays are cancelling their 63/63A, 64 and 70 from the end of the month due to the services losing money, leaving only 4 buses of work on their city services (hourly services 64A and 75). They've been getting a lot more passenger support since announcing the end of services, with people saying how much the services are needed, shame they didn't support them before Reays' took the decision to cancel them.

For every two Stagecoach buses that I saw, I saw three of Reays. Reays buses were damn site newer (60-reg'd or newer) then the S-reg'd MAN's & W-reg'd Darts that stagecoach were using.

Stagecoach own their buses, Reays lease theirs (or hire-purchase). Newer still doesn't mean they're making a profit either....

(06/03/2013 15:20)WhiteVanMan Wrote: [ -> ]Had a run up the M6 to Carlisle to make a delivery earlier today. Whilst there did a bit of bus spotting.

It would appear that stagecoach, have almost given up on Carlisle. As Reays buses out numbered stagecoach buses on city routes. Reays were using newer buses, and appeared to be carrying more passengers, then Stagecoach S-reg'd MAN's were.

What looks like a good load on a Primo looks like a poor load on a MAN. Its all a question of scale.....

(07/03/2013 00:07)mbonwick Wrote: [ -> ]Stagecoach own their buses, Reays lease theirs (or hire-purchase). Newer still doesn't mean they're making a profit either....

They maybe on lease but its the public perception that these are new vehicles that means a lot particulary to a small independent company , these days more small firms are going into leasing vehicles usually to fulfil contracted work more than commercial work .