Stagecoach in Bedford happenings 2018

[AE51VFX (Jonny)]

Stagecoach 34426 is now at Peterborough.

[MIB]

More deja vouz for me on Saturday as once again I went for the 0859 9 which was fresh air, as was the 0911 and the same goes for the 0923. The 0853 and 0905 to Shortstown did not go the other way either and the first sighting of any bus at a bus stop was when 19889 appeared on the 0917 to Shortstown. As this would take 25 minutes to reach me I gave up and went home. The question is do I live in a parallel universe whereby everyone else had a bus into town on Saturday but for me it was nothing for the second Saturday running? It was careless losing all the buses the previous Saturday but to repeat the feat a week later takes some doing. Where are the notices in the buses or on the stops to advise me that there is no longer a bus service into town before 0930 on Saturdays so don't bother expecting one? I haven't seen or heard anyone subsequently complain about this disgrace all last week or so far this week who use the route even though there were a dozen of us idiots at the bus stop on Saturday. It feels like I am on the Enterprise again like Professor Moriarty trapped in a holodeck within a holodeck contained in a small box going through the same experiences time after time.

I tried again in the afternoon to get into town and timed it to intercept the 81 from Luton which surely would turn up. It did with 34422 but on arrival at the bus station at 1320 I again doubted my sanity as there was absolutely nothing there except one Centrebus interloper 603 branded for the X31. If I was a stranger to the town I would be asking if this really was a bus station or an expensive car park. So I sat down and waited and gradually buses started to appear and normality resumed as the following specimens were recorded Saturday:

1 - 19698, 19704, 19890, 19892, 37431
2 - 18057, 34827, 36935
3/7 - 48024, 48031 (yes it exists unless I am in a different reality), 48033
5/6 - 18336, 18419, 18423, 19699, 27644, 27645, 27647
8/10 - 47351, 47352, 47435
9 - 18424, 19889, 27522, 34425 (wow a full allocation eventually)
41 - 27643, 37433
42 - 19702, 37438
50 - 15608, 18107
51 - 34425, 48023
53 - 19888, 34830, 36042 (best place for it), 36043, 36044
72 - 37432
73 - 27523, 37434, 37436, 48023 (the height of desperation sending that thing to Biggleswade)
81 - 19705, 34422, 34828, 37438

53612 did its empty mileage move to Bedford to change driver before its mileage move back to MK. I assume that is what it does as it came in from Bromham Road and went back to Bromham Road after the swap. The same thing happened a week earlier so I assume this is a regular event.

It was also a Saturday on this date 3 July in 2010 which had me doing 16232 to Oakley and back on a 51, 16675 to Shortstown and back on a 9 and 16680 on a return run to Norse Road on a 5.
2 July 2015 was also significant as I did 16459 on the 1753 50 which was the last time I had a Stagecoach oly in Bedford. I only had Grant Palmer olys after this date.

[pete tierney]

Well at least you have proved that 48031 does exist & is about. I'll have to try to get over soon to "nab" it

Thanks.

[MIB]

Catching up with yesterday's piffle I opted to walk into town rather than risk the 0847 9 and promptly got slapped for it as it was winner 48025 which passed me. I would have been justified in flagging the other crates on the route as MIB sector 27643, 27644 and 27647 held sway. The 0923 6 didn't happen so I had to wait for 18419 on the 0935. Once again the 0932 50 was not worth viewing with 15608 again. 19892 produced for the 0926 X5 to Cambridge whilst 18057 was back on the 0915 73 with 19889 on the 0915 81. 37433 did a 53 and 19699 a 42. After work, as ever 27523 turned up on the 6 and I had to endure 27644 to get home. 53702 was parked up beside the Oxford X5 stop, 18057 was now off the rural routes and on the 2's like it did Saturday. 36935 was the 1735 71, 37432 the 1735 73 and 34829 the 1745 51. 19701 and 19893 were both on 71's.

I walked into town again this morning and didn't see any 9's so no idea what I will get home today. 19890 did the 0905 72 and 18057 was at home on the 0915 73. Once again the 0932 50 was of no interest with 15607 as I went to work on the 0923 6 with one of my sector buses 18336, which, to be fair, hasn't troubled me for a few weeks and was on the verge of being removed from the list of 7 rogues.

[MIB]

A rather daft statement of mine yesterday stating I had no idea what I would get home as I got MIB sector 27645 and 27647. What else did I expect other than the same old 7 jokers that infest the 6 and 9 routes?  53704 was enjoying the hospitality of the bus station.  The E400 on the 1 shrunk to a solo as 48031 departed at 1740 bound for Kempston. The winner I missed on the 9 on Tuesday, 48025 did a 7, 18057 was on the 51, 36042 still on the 53 in its rightful place not bothering me, 18424 on a 1, 37434 did the 1735 71, 34422 the 1735 73, 37439 a 73 and 37432 the 1745 42.

I walked into town again and for the third day running today and the 0847 9 was a solo, this time being froghopper 48035, after 48024/5 had been on it the two previous days. Looks like I will have to suffer if I choose to give the 0847 another chance if this service becomes home to these breadvans. 27523 and 27644 were also on the 9's so nothing to look forward to there going home. There was no sign of 18057 this morning and it appeared that 18336 would do the 0915 73 in its place as 18057 should be parked up if it was going to produce. 37433 did a 71 and 36042 is still back at home on the 53 along with 36045 and the longer they stay on a route I don't touch the better. The 0915 81 was 19702 but nothing else of note was viewed as I headed to work on 18419 with the 0911 6.

On this day in 2012 the 1955 50 to Kettering was 16174 which wasn't the usual turn to get an oly as normally it was the 1753 that dropped.

[MIB]

My number 6 bus from work yesterday produced froghopper 48033 which made a change but my wonderment as to where 18057 was that it didn't do the 0915 73 was answered when it arrived to take me home as the 1729 9. The one diagram I didn't view in the morning was the 0911 into town and that bus should do the 1729.

This morning I risked doing the 0847 9 for a solo and it produced 27522 instead. Mind you froghopper 48036 was not far behind us so I might have been on a very late 0835 instead. 19888 was also on the 9. I was late for work this morning and I can thank 19703 for that. It arrived on a 51 and dropped into the L bay to form the 0915 81. I was going to do the 0911 6 but when 36042 appeared for that I rejected it instantly (typical it had been on the 53 all week) as winning froghopper 48032 appeared to form the 0923 6 so I would just get to work on time.

The problem was that 19703 decided to play up which meant 48032 couldn't get into bay L so we all had to wait for the fitters to batter 19703 before the driver was happy to take the bus to Luton. It was nearly 0930 by the time it left and 48032 dropped in the bay to pick us up. Of course if they used proper buses rather than these little jokes then the 0923 would have been on time as the normal bay for the 6 was vacant.

Still the delay meant I got to view the 0932 50 which was dud 18410 but much better than what had been on offer most of the week. Other stuff viewed were 37432 on the 0845 73, 18423 on the 0915 73, 36937 on the 0915 51, 19705 also on a 51, 37431 on a 72 and parked up was shiny 37436 with school 853 in blind. Surely they wouldn't let brats loose on a recently painted gleaming bus?

On 5 July 2013 I had 16593 on the 0620 81 to Luton as I had to be there early that day.

[MIB]

The hot weather and the World Cup has resulted in me avoiding as much public transport travel as I can as it is bad enough doing them in the cool without suffering furnace like conditions. I had a lie in on Saturday and didn't risk going into town in the morning if no buses so left it to the afternoon. Route 9 seems to get different buses at weekends and not the same piffle that works on weekdays. This was borne out by 36044 on my 9 into town and 18423 to get home.

Saturday offerings:
1 - 19698, 19888, 19889, 19893, 34425
2 - 19700, 36042, 36935
3/7 - 48024, 48025, 48031, 48032, 48033
4 - 47352, 48024, 48031, 48033
5/6 - 18336, 18419, 19702, 27643, 27645, 34825, 34827, 48036
8/10 - 47351, 47352, 47354
9 - 18423, 19892, 36044, 48035
41 - 37431, 37436, 37438
42 - 19705, 19890
50 - 18150, 18410, 35183
51 - 19705, 27647, 34422, 36936, 36937
53 - 27522, 27523, 36045, 37433
71 - 34422, 34828
72 - 37431
73 - 34829, 34830, 36043
81 - 19706, 19890, 34831, 34833, 36936
X5 - 19703 departed 1336 for Cambridge

The 99 vehicle change bus this time was 53615. I wanted 35183 which left 13 late on the 1232 50 so I went to Clapham for the 20 minute fester for 18150 back so nearly 18157 as I had hoped. I later did 18410 for the year so unusual to do three 50's and no E400 involved.

Returning home on Sunday I scooped grasshopper 37431 on the 1700 1 after flagging dud 35221 on the 1700 50. 35221 seems to be a frequent visitor to us on Sundays.

This morning I was aggravated by walking into town and 48025 again passed me on the 0847 9 so missed it again. It should do the 1705 9 but too early for me after work and then the 1753 which is too late for getting home for the news at 6pm.  Otherwise a poor choice on the 9 today as 47351, 36042 (groan) and 34825 also out. I was interested to see that because 47351 couldn't get into bay L it went into the normal 9 bay at gate G and it successfully opened the door. Now I thought all Solos could only use L because they are incapable of getting the bay doors to open so if 47351 can open door G why can't the rest of them?

There was an interloper lurking inside the garage this morning in the shape of 18340 so is it going to join the fray or just teasing? 37434 did the 0845 73 whilst 18419 did the 0915 73 and 19888 the 0915 81. Yet again 15608 was festooned to the 0932 50. Where is 18057 which I didn't see on Saturday? It's always out on a Saturday. I haven't seen it since it took me home last Thursday.

The screen at the Brickhill bay appeared to be working as it displayed no bus between 0859 and 0923 so at last a bit of truth I thought rather than just listing all the services due. I was going to do the 0915 51 until a driver emerged from the office and went to 18336, typically in my sector of 7, to form a late 0911 6, or more to the point a 0921 by the time we left. Once again a freeloader was chinged a quid to travel and another one tried getting on at Union St and wouldn't pay the quid so got off. I marvel at how often this happens and wonder when it will sink in that they can't get free travel until after 0930.

Looking back in time to the week of 6 July 2010 I left work and went into town on the then M50 route 4 days running.  I got withered on the 6 July as 16226 arrived from Kettering when I was rather expecting a Kettering vehicle so a bit of a let down to have a Bedford bus with a Kettering driver on an M50. 7 July it was 18109, 8 July it was 16683 and 9 July it was 18108.

On this date in 2011 I went to Potters Bar garage running day and used 16221 Sylvia to get me to Luton on the S1 for a train to St Albans for the 84 direct to the Garage.

[MIB]

Froghopper 48035 was my bus on the 6 from work yesterday but there was no escape from having 36042 home on the 9. The ever boring 15455 did the 1712 50, 18336 was on a 1, 19699 on a 53 as was 37437 and 34828 did the 1730 81 which I completely forgot about as I could have done that instead of 36042.

This morning 34825 appeared on the 0847 9 so I walked into town and witnessed 48035, 19891 and 18419 on the other 9 diagrams but it looked like the trident was ripped on arrival at the bus station, presumably so they can find another of my sector buses to get me going home. If they don't get me on the 9 then I cop it on the 6 as 27645 appeared for the 0911 6 so I flagged it to do the 0915 51 which was once only grasshopper 37431. However, I was out of luck as it took so long for a driver to appear I was forced to do the 0923 6. Naturally 27643 was on that so I can't win, whatever happens one of the 7 MIB sector buses will get me, like they are drawn to me like a magnet. The futility of flagging 27645 for something better blew up in my face so I festered 12 extra minutes for the same old rubbish.

Other routes not getting the fab 7 were 47435 on the 5, 37436 on a 53, 37432 on a 51, 37434 again on the 0845 73, 37437 on the 0905 41, 18336 on the 0915 73 and 19705 on the 0915 81. The naughty corner of the garage still houses 18340. Has it come to replace 18057 which appears to have disappeared off the road?

Today is the 6th anniversary of a huge gaff on my part which still rankles with me. For it was on 10 July 2012 that I foolishly flagged 16070 on the 1850 50. Three olys 16056, 16070 and 16125 came to Bedford a day or so earlier and I was informed they were staying two months so I thought I would have time to get them. In fact the reality was they only stayed two weeks and I never did get 16056/070 thinking I had plenty of time to get them. I can't believe I turned down a winner to Kettering looking back on it but I didn't want to pay the £12 train fare to get back home at 10pm and I wanted to have it on an out and back working rather than one way.

[MIB]

I was finally nailed by 36045 yesterday when it got me after work on the 6 so I have now had it this year but at least I had grasshopper 37432 home. Before that I was dazzled by a glowing 15402 on the 1712 50 whilst 48031 and 53704 were parked up dossing. Also dumped in River St was 53702 as EMT scatter their vehicles around the town centre in some sort of coup. 27523 did a 1, 37439 a 73, 18336 a 51, 37438 was the 1730 81, 37434 did the 1735 73 and 36937 was in line to do the 1745 42.

This morning I opted to do the 0847 9 into town and was "rewarded" with 27520 which I haven't had since 31 May. I thought it had cleared off home but clearly not so does this mean 27521 is still lurking with intent which has also been absent? Although I escaped unscathed by avoiding one of the un-magnificent 7 on the 9 they can always be relied to snare me on the 6 and today 36042 duly obliged to take me to work.

Still I could have a winner home as 48031 is on the diagram to do the 1741 9 if it sticks. Also on the route are 18423 and 37439. The 0905 72 was 19893, the 0905 41 was 37431, the 0915 81 produced 19891 and the 0915 73 dropped 18419. It looks like 18057 is at the back of the garage whilst 18340 still hasn't turned a wheel since it appeared inside the garage.

On this date in 2012 I had a winner 16125 on the 1830 81 out to Luton and back to my front door on the 1930 return which was the only time I ever had this oly partially making up for not doing 16070 on the 50 the previous day. A couple of weeks later 16125 was sent to Thanet and became a Christmas Tree for other Kent olys without ever working in service.

I have found my old notes and now I recall vividly why I rejected 16070 as it all comes back to me. I was in Iceland and had just paid Shantel for two bags of frozen food shopping when 16070 drifted past the window with 50 Kettering on the blind. As it was a warm evening I knew that a 90 minute journey to Kettering and another thirty minutes on the train with a arrival time of 10pm would see me carrying two bags of water so I couldn't really bin a week's worth of shopping I had just paid for so I let 16070 go. It was just bad timing that I chose that evening to buy frozen goods...

[dennisdart]

Paid a visit to Northampton today to catch-up, and for a moment I thought I was back in Norfolk...

[MIB]

My bus from work yesterday was 27522 which doesn't have any adverts inside. Maybe I am imagining it but I thought that it had Sussex posters within it at one point. I wouldn't expect them to be removed if the bus was returning south in which case it may have to be added to the MIB sector. I was bowled for 48031 home on the 1741 9 as it had been swapped for grasshopper 37437. Other grasshoppers about were 37432 on a 73 and 37434 on the 1730 81. Former grasshopper 37436 did the 1735 73. 19703 did a Bromham 40, 18419 was on a 51 as was 48024, 34422 did a 1 and 15405 produced for the 1712 50. There was a further change on the 9 as 27523 was on the route so at least two vehicle swaps in the day. Parked up in River St was 53703.

Not a lot to report this morning as MIB sector 18336 appeared on the 0847 9 to get me into town. Grasshopper 37432 passed heading for Shortstown. I went to get a haircut before doing 27647 on the 0923 6 to work so missed out on viewing the usual departures. 48024 was on a 6, 19703 on a 51 and 19083 was the 0932 50.

On this day in 2011 after work I went to Oakley and back when 16216 did a 51 and I went home on 16221 on the S1. Unfortunately it was this day in 2012 when I made another huge clanger by going home on 16231 on the 1830 81 rejecting winner 16056 on the 1830 52 on the basis I had the best part of two months to get it when in fact it was only in Bedford for the last two weeks of school term with the other two loanees.
 

[MIB]

18419 on the 6 and 34833 on the 1730 81 were my vehicles home yesterday. This time the River St timewaster was 53702. Both 34424 and 34425 were on 9's with 34422 on a 72.

This morning three of my gang of seven were dominating the 9 with 27643, 27644, 18336 all involved with 34425 making up the quartet and just to finish me off 27647 was my 6 to work on the 7 minutes late 0911. I was going to do the 0915 51 but 36045 shattered that plan. However, 15402 produced for the 0932 50 so the Corby Freddie was raked in for the year after evacuating 27647.

Other insignificant workings were: 37434 71, 36042 2, 48024 still out on the 5/6 circuit, 19706 0845 42, 37439 0905 41, 19888 0905 72, 19892 0915 81 and 18419 again on the 0915 73.

13 July 2010 was more entertaining than today will ever be as I took a longer route to work and to get home. I did 14042 on a 51 to Clapham and leapt for the M50 back to the bus station with 18108 so I could make 14035 on a 6 to get me to work. After work 16675 deposited me in the bus station on a 6 so I could do an out and back move on the 9 to Shortstown with 16672. I went home on another 9 from the bus station in the care of 18107.

There was more excitement for me on this date in 2011 when wild Highland interloper tri-axle 13625, on look after your heart duties, was a far more welcome guest at the bus station than any of these EMT 537xx Fife rejects that you get today. The excitement didn't end there as 16496 arrived on the one way Cambridge to Milton Keynes short X5 working so this was taken to MK station for 53273 back to Bedford on another X5.

[al_557]

Solo SR 48035 (YJ66ASX) is the latest to lose coast hopper branding. It now has Stagecoach in Bedford fleet names on its coast hopper livery

[MIB]

27520, 27522 and 27523 have gone from internal Sussex posters to no posters to now containing Bedford posters and route maps so I think we can safely say that they are staying put in Bedford. Where is 27521?

Usually, on River Festival Saturday, I am miles away from Bedford like in 2012 when I did a Kent oly bash, albeit I did cover the 2014 Saturday as the last time the festival was held when Bedford still had olys but more on that later in the week. Owing to the continuing hot weather and the dying embers of the World Cup I had grounded myself so I was available to view. So I dared to venture into town on Saturday and paid the price by having to suffer a densely populated 47354 on the 9. Foolishly I thought on a hot day, the world and it's wife being in Bedford for the festival that there is no way a joke bus would appear on the 9. More fool me...

Naturally, being the busiest weekend in Bedford of the year, none of the display screens in the bus station worked. This, added to the fact that we don't have any bus timetable stands filled with timetables, information office or café compared to other Stagecoach towns like Mansfield, must have given visitors to our world on this one weekend a right good impression.

Anyway orange blob 15405 appeared on the 1232 50 so I did a ned leap to Clapham Road to return on the first 6 which just happened to be winner 48031 packed to the rafters. Our busiest Saturday in the calendar year and another inappropriate bus for the loads heading for the river. As the 1332 50 is usually a trident I had intended to cover it but I made a fatal mistake by trusting winner 48025 to get to Fenlake and back on the plus 11 on the 1245 3 which departed at 1250. Unfortunately the traffic over the town bridge was building up and we got stuck on the way back which wasn't quite my downfall. What finished me off was 19703 nipping in front of us on a 2 absolutely rammed. I knew I was doomed for the 1332 50 at this point as the barriers outside the courts meant we couldn't pull up to the stop until 19703 disgorged it's contents. I sat there timing it as nothing better to do. 3 minutes and 47 seconds slipped away by the time 19703 pulled off and we vacated the space it left to let people get to the Embankment so I didn't even see the type of vehicle on the 1332 by the time we reached the bus station. So much for the plus 11...

Festival route gen:
1 - 18419, 19698, 19700, 19702, 19888, 19892, 34827
2 - 19703, 19890, 19893
3/7 - 48024, 48025, 48033, 48035, 48036
5/6 - 18423, 27643, 27647, 34425, 36935, 48031, 48032
8/10 - 47351, 47352, 47435, 48024
9 - 27520, 27523, 27644, 47354
41 - 19892, 34428, 34828
42 - 19706, 19892, 34831
50 - 15405, 15608
51 - 19706, 19888, 37434
53 - 18336, 19699, 34828, 36041, 36044, 37433
71 - 34422, 36042, 36045
72 - 34424, 34831, 34833, 37438
73 - 34422, 36042, 36936, 36937, 37431, 37436, 37438
81 - 19700, 34830, 34833, 37436
X5 - 19889 arrived from Cambridge and was due to return on 1456 to Cambridge but I had gone home on 27520 by this stage

Owing to the traffic chaos from the college into town the buses got a bit lost which meant there was a bit of swapping going on which is why I viewed at least 7 vehicles on the 1 when only five are required.

[rm clippie]

ex,kings lynn optares 47905 and 47909
both parked up at rhe back of Bedford depot.

[al_557]

ex,kings lynn optares 47905 and 47909
both parked up at rhe back of Bedford depot.

I don't get why these are at Bedford as they're not needed here. It was said the Solo Sr's are too long for the 8 and 10 but they have been used on those services so they obviously do fit round the routes. I could see the 10 getting cut or withdrawn as it's not very well used. Its saving grace is that it interworks well with the 4

[MIB]

Very remiss of me but I forgot to mention the driver change bus on Saturday was 53616 so I am putting that right.

I gather one of the features of the river festival is the parade which I always thought happened on the Saturday but I fell into the trap laid for me on Sunday not realising that the bus station was closed for business between 1100-1400 as the parade had switched days. It is well known how poor our bus service is already on a Sunday, indeed all Londoners I speak too, laugh their heads off when I tell them my last bus home on a Sunday is 4pm. It used to be 1830 but cuts meant the end of the 81, along with the 71-73 services, so this was the first festival I can recall where the good people of Hitchin, Biggleswade, Sandy and Luton were not invited to the party.

I did wonder if Stagecoach might, just for this bi-annual Sunday, actually run an additional service to these four corners of the UK, but no not a sausage so anyone in Biggleswade, Hitchin and Sandy would have to drive in, if they could find a road open or somewhere to park. The only extra workings were on the Elstow park and ride. I was curious as to which route they were taking as they were advertised as starting at Newnham St / Embankment but we all know no traffic would run down the latter. They did run some extras from the bus station but I was banned from travelling as non stop to Elstow so my attempt to get to the hospital and walk home from there was prevented.

The 0930 9 into town with 19889 was late so by the time we reached the bus station at 0945 this left just 15 minutes for the old folk with their walking sticks, dodgy knees and hips and trollies to zoom around the town centre to purchase all their goods and "race" back for the 1000 9. Failure to do so and they would have to run the gauntlet of walking through the town centre in the warm sunshine, cross the town bridge meaning a slight uphill walk, walking against the throng of people heading for the embankment, continue up to the lights and turn right to the college for their 1100 bus home and woe betide you if you miss it as you will have to stand in the sun until you bake with only an hourly service. Perhaps I am the only one who considers this to be an unreasonable burden to put on the old people who rely on the bus service but I guess some part of society has to cop it when the police close off roads for parades.

Naturally with the bus station effectively a no go area for 3 hours there was no sign of any staff because I wanted someone to answer my query as to where the 1100 / 1300 50 were arriving and departing from? You would think this was a simple question but again, with no staff and the display screens still out of action, it was an intelligence test set by Stagecoach that I simply failed to solve. Yes there were posters in place telling me that buses on routes 1, 2, 9 and 53 were running from the college, routes 8 and 41 were starting at the station and routes 4, 5, 6, 7, 10 were starting at the bowls club which had me scratching my head as to why the 6 was not starting at the railway station as the service is routed that way at certain times of the day anyway.

I assume the gen on the X5's was at the X5 stops as I couldn't find anything inside the bus station mentioning them and certainly nothing on the online website where I expected to find the relevant info. I did wonder where they would be picking up as the route in from Goldington Road from Cambridge was closed at the junction of Kimbolton Road and Greyfriars was closed for heading out to Oxford so perhaps they went via the college too as logic would suggest using Rope Walk and Prebend Street for a through journey.

This was immaterial as I might have a winner on the 50 but I didn't notice any info at the 50 stop so I had a decision to make as to whether the 1100 50 started at the bowls club so I need to head east, or would it start from the railway station so I had to go west. I would suggest that as the 50 is a Kettering bus and driver that it was overlooked as no Bedford driver involved and simply left off the gen sheet. I gave up on this riddle and opted to head to the sorting office which opened at 11am to collect a package I had missed receiving the day before. As I did so I spotted an E300 doing a three point turn at the police cordon the other side of the roundabout and driving off and 50 was on the back blind. This suggests that nobody had informed Kettering of where they were supposed to terminate as I am sure the driver would have avoided the road block if he was forewarned. Comical and farcical in equal measure, so bert and ada, like me, missed the bus so forget raking in Sainsburys this morning! Bedford bus station enhancing its reputation with me as the only bus station in the country where I miss buses I specifically go to travel on...

Those people who know me are well aware of my dislike of the old D stock that used to sully the District Line long before these vile heaps will be inflicted on us as our new branch joke trains at the end of this year. As there were no buses for three hours on Sunday after my 50 blow out, I took the opportunity to do 153366 and 150105 for the last time on a Sunday on Bletchley services, as from next year the line will be personally banned as I will not use D stock under whatever guise. I wondered where the 8 and 41 would fit in at Bedford station as the bus stops were occupied by Arriva 3132, Centrebus 594 and some red object PDL18 on rail work but I wasn't around to see the 1315 41 as I was at Woburn Sands at that point.

I got back in time to witness 19890 on the 1412 7 as the bus station re-opened and as it is a few years since I did the route, I went for a return spin to Woodside getting back in time for the 1500 50 which duly produced winner 39683. I only did this to Clapham Road to shorten the walk back to the bus station so I could make 19893 on the 1530 1 and walk home from the hospital in time for the World Cup Final.

Buses I did view before and after the bus station closure:
1 - 19706, 19893
2 - 18336, 18419, 19699, 19888, 19889, 19890, 19892
4 - 47352, 47435
5 - 19889
6 - 19891
7 - 19700, 19890, 19891
8 - 47435
9 - 19698, 19889, 19890
10 - 47351, 47435
50 - 39683
53 - 19702

Remind me not to bother with Festival Sunday in two years time...
 

[MIB]

Catching up on the week so far on Monday EMT found a new place to park up as 53706 was sunbathing in Clapham Road whilst counterpart 53704 languished at the bus station. 18107 had charge of the 1712 50. Nothing exciting to and from work as the same old 27523, 27522 and 27643 shared the honours.

Tuesday morning produced froghopper 48036 on the 0847 9 which just contained myself and one other passenger on it. A more familiar foe in 36042 was lined up for me on the 0911 6 so I don't escape for long. For a change the 0905 72 was 34831 instead of a decker, 34830 did the 0910 41, 18419 the 0915 73 and 19890 the 0915 81. After work I did 27522 on the 6 but at least I got a grasshopper 37439 home. I don't recall seeing any grasshoppers on Sunday now I think about it. Evening nonsense came in the form of 15405 on the 1712 50, 19701 1715 51, 37436 1730 81, 37437 1735 73 with 34833 on a 1, 47435 on a 5, 18419 on a 51 and 34425 on a 2.

This morning tired old 34825 in my sector was on the 0847 9 with 27522 on the 6 so keeping up my record of having it on this route every day this week so far. 47352 and 27520 were also on the 9. The 0905 72 was back to a decker with 19892, 15608 was back on the 0932 50 whilst 48023 appeared on a 6. The 0912 1 was nothing better than froghopper 48034, mind you I need it, which used the Luton bay which meant 19706 on the 0915 81 had to use the Kempston bay.

Delving in the past on 17 July 2013 I went to Kettering when 16113 did the 1753 50. This corresponding week in 2012 I was at work Monday to Thursday and the 50 into town from the office produced gold 15751 on 16 July, 15739 17 July, 15748 18 July and 15750 19 July. No doubt it dropped on the Friday but I was in Hampshire out of it.

This very day 18 July in 2011 I went to Norse Road and back when 16221 did a 5 after work.

[Steven Knight Media]

At least four old Solos remain in use.

Optare Solo SRs 48033 and 48035 have had the Coasthopper route branding removed and have gained rather small 'Stagecoach in Bedford' fleet names. Most of the Coasthopper branding has also been removed from Enviro 200MMC 37439.

No sight of 18057 suggesting it has been stood down for disposal as was planned a few months ago.

Trident 17484, which last saw use at Bedford, is now parked upon at Ely.

I notice that the repaint on 48031 is slightly non-standard for the latest Solo SRs in that a white area separates the swoops at the rear - something not there on the other corporate-liveried Solo SRs at Bedford.

There remained a shortage of coaches yesterday with Enviro 400s being used on the Bedford-Cambridge legs of several X5 workings and through passengers having to change vehicles in Bedford.

[al_557]

Unless my eyes deceived me whilst on the train to Bletchley at Bedford St Johns station yesterday. Enviro 200 36934 (SN63KFO) appears to have finally left Buckdales yard after being impounded there by the police since November last year after being involved in a fatal crash on Ampthill road. I wonder if I left under its own power as the Stagecoach depot is only round the corner although I suspect it was towed as the brakes would've been knackered after sitting that long

[MIB]

Unless my eyes deceived me whilst on the train to Bletchley at Bedford St Johns station yesterday. Enviro 200 36934 (SN63KFO) appears to have finally left Buckdales yard after being impounded there by the police since November last year after being involved in a fatal crash on Ampthill road. I wonder if I left under its own power as the Stagecoach depot is only round the corner although I suspect it was towed as the brakes would've been knackered after sitting that long

Thanks perhaps it has finally gone. It was definitely still in situ when I did the branch on Sunday. I assume it hasn't gone for scrap. The trident in the naughty corner of the garage has now moved which was where 18340 was parked up.

When I went home on Wednesday 53704 was parked up at the bus station, 48023 was on a 5, 36937 on a 1 and 37437 on a 2. I had 18423 on the 6 and 34831 on the 1730 81 to get home just to get different vehicles. Yesterday I was working from home so didn't bother. Normality returned today with my vehicles to get to work being nothing better than 27643 and 27523. Winning froghopper 48034 is on the 9's but I should be getting a lift home so will miss out today.

19702 was the 0905 72, 37438 the 0910 41, 19699 the 0915 81 and 18336 the 0915 73. A fellow passenger was disturbed by the bell on the ex Sussex thing on the 6 and reported the squeaky bell to the driver. I had to explain to her that the bell is working normally after getting off as the bell on 27520-523 squeaks like Sweep.

19 July 2014 was River Festival Saturday which was the last good day for olys at this event as it has become a barren wilderness since. I did 16593 to Flitwick and back on a 42, next up was blue budgie 16227 which took me to Shortstown and back on a 9, then green budgie 16225 showed up on a 74 so I went to Biggleswade and back. Not satisfied with my mileage on 16227, I did another round trip to Shortstown with it which turned out just right as I landed on 16225 again on a 52 so that involved a trek to Milton Keynes and back to Bedford where I finished the day off by doing 16226 to Shortstown on a 9 and got off at my stop on the way back into town. A never to be repeated experience...

[MIB]

Before heading to London on Saturday morning whilst stuffing myself on a Spoons breakfast the following were noted:

1 - 19702, 19893
2 - 19890, 48023
3/7 - 48025
5/6 - 18336, 18423, 27523
8/10 - 47352, 47354
9 - 27647
41 - 34827
42 - 34828
51 - 19705, 34424
53 - 19706, 27643, 36043
71 - 34425, 34829, 36937
72 - 37439
73 - 34428, 37437
81 - 19888

Bedford station was infested with Arriva stuff 3113, 3610, 3612 and 3896 along with Centrebus 702. On my way home I thought I was safe on the 9 to avoid my MIB sector vehicles but alas 18336 nailed me on the 1945 9 having been on the 5/6 circuit earlier.

I previously forgot to mention that delving into my past on 19 July 2011, after work, I did a return to Woodside with 16226 vice a Solo on the 7. Very unusual as not a Festival Sunday.

This morning, owing to lack of funds and a cash point, I was forced to walk into town, and for the third time in a week winning froghopper 48034 passed me on the 0847 9. I seem destined never to get it on the 9. Naturally the 6 to work produced the same old junk 27643 and the 0932 50 was no help being dud 19083. Other things not worthy of much attention were 34424 on the 0845 73, 18419 on the 0915 73, 34830 on the 0915 81 now the schools are closed. 52485 was parked up whilst 27522 departed on a 1, 48031 and 19703 are on the 5/6 circuit with 34425, 18423 and 27520 joining 48034 on the 9's. 19706 arrived on a 51 so should have done the 0945 42. I mention this because on 23 July 2012 the 0945 42 was 16229 infinitely more exciting than an E400. My bus on the 50 from work into town on that day was 16755.

Five years ago on this very day in 2013, my buses home were gold 15746 on the 50 and green budgie 16225 on the 1830 81. It always seemed to be the case each year, that for a few days after the kids summer hols commenced, the budgies became dis-orientated and some would wind up in public service. This happy state of affairs would only last a few days before they were rounded up and kept in confinement at the Biggleswade outstation until the schools re-opened in September. At some point 16229 was de-budgied and painted in corporate livery but I can't remember if that was the summer of 2012 or 2013 before it ended its days in Scotland.

[MIB]

I was going to put up Sunday's gen on here but I have left the paperwork at home which is very remiss of me so I will try again tomorrow.

19703 and 34425 were my buses home yesterday. 19084 did the 1712 50 with 34428 behind on the 1715 51. I think 37439 replaced 48034 on the 9 as I didn't note my winner anywhere.

This morning the 0847 9 surprised me as it was 27521 which I haven't seen or had since May until now. There is no Sussex stuff in it so I assume Bedford maps and info will be added in due course. 27520 and 19703 were also on the 9. 19705 did the 0905 72 and 34428 the 0910 41. Once again I was subjected to 27643 to work passing 18336 on an inbound 6.

On this day in 2010 I went to Oakley and back with 16671 on the 51 but 24 July 2012 was even better.  I did 16755 on the 50 from work into the bus station and jumped on 16229 which did the one way 1747 6 to Woodlands which meant I had to do 34419 back to the bus station from the terminus and was withered on viewing 16225 on the 1815 51. Nevertheless the 1836 1 dropped 16581, a winner for that route, so an out and back trip to Kempston was in order. By the time we got back, budgie 16229 had swapped routes and was now the 1945 9 so I did it to Shortstown and got off at my stop on the way back into town. I believe 16228 was also on 5/6 turns the same evening.

I'm not sure what piffle I will get home today but this day in 2014 produced 16593 on the 6 from work and two return trips to Shortstown on the 1729 and 1817 9's on board 16592.

[MIB]

I had a lift from work into town after work so missed out on the 276xx which almost certainly would have been on the 6 into town whilst 19705 headed for Brickhill. At least I got once only 19699 home on the 9. 19083 did the 1712 50. This morning the 0847 9 was back to a solo with 48035 so not quite the one I want. 18336 was also out on 9's whilst 19889 did the 0905 72, 37431 the 0910 41 and 37432 was lined up for the 0915 81 as the usual driver was getting in it as I did 27522 to work on the 6.

Now I have my paperwork I can report on Sunday 22 July 2018 which was back to normal so we didn't have to trek from the college to the bus station as 34428 on the 9 went the full distance. Winner 39684 did the 1100 50 and didn't get stopped by police unlike the previous week, so this was raked in to Sainsburys and my bus home on the 9 was 37438. I have now had 39682-684 in that order. The good thing about Sunday, on the evidence of the last two, is that there are no 275xx, 276xx or 48xxx out so I assume that is no accident. Nice to know I have a safe day free from the clutches of the MIB sector stuff.

Sunday morning obo's:
1 - 19702, 19890
2 - 34428, 34831
3 - 47354
4 - 47435
5 - 34428
6 - 34832
7 - 34832, 37438
8 - 47352
9 - 34422, 34428, 37438
10 - 47352, 47435
50 - 39684
53 - 37431

Sitting idle: 19703, 34828, 34830, 36935
Not so many double decks this time and the 7 was back to normal with single decks unless that all changed in the afternoon.

Of course the last time 22 July fell on a Sunday it coincided with River Festival Sunday in 2012 and that was some day as it was a festival of olys. I had been in Kent doing B10's and olys on the Saturday and decreed that I didn't need to set the alarm as I would have no problem waking up for the first bus at 0930 on Sunday morning. Trouble was I didn't wake up until 1030 thereby missing the start of a memorable day. I think I missed out on 16228 arriving on the first 73 as it was parked up at the bus station when I got there and 14000 also came in empty and berthed as did 16217.

Known workings 22/07/2012 when you could get to Luton, Hitchin and Biggleswade on Sundays:

14000 - 1704 and 1744 additional park and rides on route 2 (and probably a few more), 2140 X5 to Cambridge and 2305 X5 return
16209 - 1245 53, 1655 X5 to Cambridge, 1800 X5 Cambridge to Oxford. If it got past Bedford on the 1800 it would have finished on the 2140 X5 Oxford to Bedford if anyone knows...
16221 - 1405 73, 1605 73, 1805 73
16224 - 1215 81
16225 - 1200 9, 1254 2 then parked up at Elstow park and ride
16227 - 1415 81, 1735 72
16229 - 1015 81, 1315 40, 1615 81
16230 - 1300 9, 1354 2, 1430 5, 1523 6, 1612 7, 1712 7
16231 - 1223 6, 1312 7, 1400 9, 1454 2, 1530 5, 1623 6
16232 - 1145 41, 1445 53, 1545 53
16581 - 1100 9, 1154 2, 1230 5, 1323 6, 1412 7, 1500 9, 1554 2, 1630 5

16217 and 16228 both disappeared at some point so I assume they also worked in service. If they did then that brought the oly count up to 13 which was exceptional for a Sunday. As it was 11 known in service was more than enough to keep me occupied with plenty of ned leaps but I managed to get out and back runs on 14000 on the park and ride, 16581 on the 5 to Norse Road and both 16231 and 16230 on the 7 to Woodside as all required for the full routes. The bonus winner was scratching 47414 in to Sainsburys on the 1500 50 for 16230 back on a 6! The only oly I know I definitely missed out on was 16224 but I am convinced the two spare olys both got a spin too.

[al_557]

Ex Kings Lynn Solo 47905 (YJ09EZU) is parked by the doors at Bedford depot. I'm told this one will join 47909 (YJ09EZZ) in Wales
Kettering's Scania Enviro 400 15455 (MX08GJG) is also here. Presumably failed of the 50

Enviro 200 36934 (SN63KFO) is back at Bedford depot after its release from Buckdales. My friend at Bedford has told me it smells musty and is mouldy inside. He also said it needs alot of work done to it before it can finally return to service.

[MIB]

I worked from home yesterday so didn't venture out until late on which produced 19698 on the 9 into town. As I wanted 18190 for the year I did it to Clapham on the 1712 50, 37432 returned me to the bus station on the 51. However, winner 39680 was waiting for me on the 1805 50 so as this went via the railway station and Shakespeare Road to Sainsburys it would have been rude to turn down. Unfortunately I just missed 18423 back on a 6 so walked back to the bus station for 19890 home on the 1830 81.

Other stuff viewed were:

53706 in River St
47352 and 47435 on 8's
37433 on a 81
48033 1805 71 as some sort of joke
27520 / 18336 / 48036 on 9's
19702 1805 41
18419 on 5/6's
36936 1705 72
27521 1645 51
34428 1745 51
37433 1835 41
19889 / 19891 on 1's
19700 1705 41
18423 on a 6 then 1835 71
19705 - 1715 53

This morning my not chosen vehicles to work were 27521 on the 9 and 18419 on the 6. Both 27520 and 27645 also on 9's, 19888 on the 0905 72 and the 0915 81 back to a double deck with 19702.

On this date in 2010 I did 20853 on a 51 after work which I had completely forgotten about and a year later in 2011, on the same date, 16500 did the 1752 50. Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of doing 18104 on the 50 after work to have blue budgie 16227 on the 1729 9 to Shortstown and back, then staying with it on the 1817 to Shortstown and back before getting off it at my stop on the 1905 9. Another example of a budgie being utilised immediately after the schools finished before rounding up.

[al_557]

Enviro 200 MMC 37432 (SN16OPW) has had it's Coast hopper branding removed and now carries Stagecoach fleet names on its coast hopper livery

Solo SR 48034 (YJ66ASV) has also had its Coast hopper branding removed and is now looking shabby running round without fleet names and with remnants of coast hopper branding clearly visible

These will look much better once finally repainted. Although the Stagecoach corporate livery is looking a little dated now and could do with a redesign

[MIB]

On my way home on Friday, a gold bus returned to route 50, as 15739 did the 1712. 19703 followed it on the 1715 51 and 47435 on the late 1711 6. Shabby winner 48034 was on a 2 whilst 34829 did the 1730 81 as 37439 arrived on an 81.

This morning there was no variety on route 9 with MIB sector 27643, 27644 and 27645 in use as ever so I walked into town and did 18419 on the 6 to work. 53703 cut across us in Bromham Road after viewing 19891 on a 2, 19699 on a 53, 18423 on a 5, 19705 on the 0915 81 and 19083 on the 0932 50. Also parked up in the bus station was 18424 which I haven't seen for a while.

Eight years ago I did 20915 on a 51 after work on 29 July 2010 and on this date, 30 July, also in 2010 I went to Brickhill and back when 16680 appeared on a 6. Also after work on 29 July 2014, I went to Rushden with 16592 on the 1745 51 on the one way working so I had to put up with winner 47127 on the 50 back to Bedford!

[John]

These will look much better once finally repainted. Although the Stagecoach corporate livery is looking a little dated now and could do with a redesign

There has been a small livery redesign for the MMC bodied vehicles

[HughT]

Apologies for the absence of vehicle numbers in what follows, or of service times (things were running 30-60 mins late, so I've no idea which actual service I was on).

Mid-afternoon, Milton Keynes Railway Station. A Cambridge-bound X5 came in to stop Y4 and the bracket below the door frame, on the end of the opening arm, snagged on the kerb. I've never come across this - suggests that this particular vehicle was lower to the ground than usual (faulty hydraulics?). So the driver had to pull half a metre clear of the kerb in order to open the door. Which then caused problems for one of the less mobile passengers trying to alight.

Later on, at Great Barford, we passed an earlier Cambridge-bound service which had come to grief. Apparently, its door had started opening in mid-journey. Not the sort of thing you would want to happen. The driver wasn't even sure which was the safest route to take to return it to the Bedford depot (I gathered from listening to the exchange with the driver of the bus I was on).

Just a typical day in the life of the X5 Volvos... But the aircon was working, so the passengers were happy enough!