Belle Vue Coaches

[plaxtonpointer11]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(12/03/2025 18:38)knutstransport Wrote:  Optare Versa YJ12 MZL has appeared on their fleet list on bus times. Presume that's due to the increase in PVR needed from 31 March.

Hi - Tobi from Belle Vue here,

YJ12 MZL was an emergency working due to a mechanical failure with YX60 EOR. Both SK24’s had their monthly maintenance inspections this week so a replacement was required.

The new contract will be operated by brand new Mellor Strata Ultras.

YJ14 BPK will be converted to service bus specification and will be the spare bus.

X1 Mellor will be picked up in the coming weeks whilst X2 will be made to order.

SK24 CUA and SK24 CTY will see us through until the X2 brand new ones are delivered and in use.

[plaxtonpointer11]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(12/03/2025 19:48)Y458 KNF Wrote:  Is this a temporary contract until Metroline can sort out their shortages?

Hi,

This is not a temporary contract. This is a 5 year contract with the possibility to extend for a further 2 years.

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(12/03/2025 19:48)Y458 KNF Wrote:  Is this a temporary contract until Metroline can sort out their shortages?

The new 391 contract is for 5 years with break clauses. I'm not sure if there's any provision for removing the 891. It looks like the 391 has a not schooldays timetable with an extra journey to and from Middlewood, running at similar times to the 891, rather than on pattern.
https://bustimes.org/services/391-stockp...2537%3A392

I wonder if the 891 will be treated as a service open to everyone? (Even if most people won't want to travel with 50 or so teenagers)

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches
Is PX07 HBG currently a Belle Vue bus? I saw it heading towards Wilmslow this morning in debranded Stagecoach livery, with not in service on the destination display. It doesn't seem to have a current operator on bus times, but is showing as tracking on a Belle Vue service a few months ago.

[plaxtonpointer11]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches
Hi,

That was me this morning heading back from Middlewich for an MOT. It’s my preserved bus and not owned by Belle Vue.

I only ever added it onto ticketer by the off chance that it might have done it whilst on a class 6 MOT.

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(27/03/2025 12:08)plaxtonpointer11 Wrote:  Hi,

That was me this morning heading back from Middlewich for an MOT. It’s my preserved bus and not owned by Belle Vue.

I only ever added it onto ticketer by the off chance that it might have done it whilst on a class 6 MOT.

Ah right. Thanks for explaining. I thought it was a bit strange to see a Solo in Stagecoach colours in Cheshire, so I Googled the registration. I didn't see if there was anyone on board alongside you, so my initial thought was possibly driver training, with some Cheshire East routes increasing in frequency next week, or something that had been used on a schools service that morning.

[plaxtonpointer11]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(27/03/2025 16:15)knutstransport Wrote:  Ah right. Thanks for explaining. I thought it was a bit strange to see a Solo in Stagecoach colours in Cheshire, so I Googled the registration. I didn't see if there was anyone on board alongside you, so my initial thought was possibly driver training, with some Cheshire East routes increasing in frequency next week, or something that had been used on a schools service that morning.

Yeah it was just me on a lovely sunny morning drive in the Cheshire countryside. The bus will hopefully be ready soon and going to events so please do keep a look out!

[knutstransport]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(13/03/2025 18:06)plaxtonpointer11 Wrote:  Hi - Tobi from Belle Vue here,

YJ12 MZL was an emergency working due to a mechanical failure with YX60 EOR. Both SK24’s had their monthly maintenance inspections this week so a replacement was required.

The new contract will be operated by brand new Mellor Strata Ultras.

YJ14 BPK will be converted to service bus specification and will be the spare bus.

X1 Mellor will be picked up in the coming weeks whilst X2 will be made to order.

SK24 CUA and SK24 CTY will see us through until the X2 brand new ones are delivered and in use.

I notice there's a 24 reg Mellor Strata that's been tracking on the route as the third bus recently.

Out of interest, what's going to happen to the MMCs? It won't be the first time fairly new MMCs leave the route, after that happened when Little Gem introduced brand new MMCs and then moved them to the 44 route. In fact it'll be the fourth time since COVID brand new vehicles get introduced on the 391!

[plaxtonpointer11]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(07/04/2025 17:50)knutstransport Wrote:  I notice there's a 24 reg Mellor Strata that's been tracking on the route as the third bus recently.

Out of interest, what's going to happen to the MMCs? It won't be the first time fairly new MMCs leave the route, after that happened when Little Gem introduced brand new MMCs and then moved them to the 44 route. In fact it'll be the fourth time since COVID brand new vehicles get introduced on the 391!

The MMC’s are only leased and will be returned once the X2 Mellor Stratas have been built and enter service. WU24 ZMZ is one of the Mellor Stratas that we got early.

At least the 391 / 891 is getting nice new vehicles! The fuel economy on the Mellor Stratas is also significantly better than the Enviro 200 MMC’s. Due to the nature of the route, the Stratas are much more suitable.

[Mayneway]

RE: Belle Vue Coaches

(07/04/2025 17:54)plaxtonpointer11 Wrote:  The MMC’s are only leased and will be returned once the X2 Mellor Stratas have been built and enter service. WU24 ZMZ is one of the Mellor Stratas that we got early.

At least the 391 / 891 is getting nice new vehicles! The fuel economy on the Mellor Stratas is also significantly better than the Enviro 200 MMC’s. Due to the nature of the route, the Stratas are much more suitable.

Good luck with that!
The 4 Stagecoach have are shocking! Constant issues with Abs, doors, springs and brakes.
Constantly being bashed from Mellor to Mercedes while they decide who is responsible for the repairs.

Not sure if the route has changed much but MCT had no issues getting MMC 200’s around the 391/392.