Stagecoach in Bedford happenings 2018

[Steven Knight Media]

MAN/ALX300 22333 is back at Peterborough and parked in the yard - no doubt awaiting repairs after its disgrace at Bedford earlier this week

[al_557]

MAN/ALX300 22333 is back at Peterborough and parked in the yard - no doubt awaiting repairs after its disgrace at Bedford earlier this week

The MAN's are really showing their age now. They surely haven't got long left in service now at nearly 17 years old

[MIB]

The schools may have broken up but the traffic down Manton Lane was still appalling after work yesterday and ensured I missed 19706 on the 1729 9 home so it remains a once only bus for riding on. I wasn't prepared to wait at the rancid bus station until it's next working at 1817 so I rode 18057 home on the 1741 which I must have had over one hundred times by comparison. Unfortunately fiddling around on my mobile I missed viewing the number of the sad MAN conked out in River St receiving fitters attendance.

Other obo's on the way home were 19890 also on the 9, so the second day running the 9 had gone upmarket with two E400's out at the same time, winner 19699 on the 1735 41 going nowhere I wanted to be, 19892 on the 1735 71, 18417 on the 1736 1 and 18418 on the 1748 1. Again the 1745 X5 to MK was an E400 with 19705.

Not to worry as normal service was resumed on the 9 this morning. With cars passing the bus stop at a rate of one a minute, therefore meaning the roads were empty compared to school days, the 0847 into town was a no show and consequently the 0905 to Shortstown was just a breeze. The three buses out were the old order that I have come to expect in the shape of 18057, 22320 and, believe it or not, 22333 so it's exile in Peterborough was short lived. The non appearance of the 0847 meant I missed the 0911 6 and 0915 51 as the 0859 was 5 minutes late. The weather may be mild but the bus station was as cold as a fridge as per normal with no warm café or travel office to visit like in the old days. Bedford must be one of the few places where conditions have got worse by bus station improvements! Oh well at least the 0923 6 was on time and I got to work just in time on 34829. A contrast to this date in 2010 when my chariot to work was 16672 and two days later it was blue budgie 16227.

It appears, even with the loanees, four buses could not be raised to maintain the route 9 service. In the meantime 36934 is still on public display at St Johns station to marvel at modern technology whilst other buses wither away at the back of the depot but apparently we don't have enough buses. Isn't it time to awaken the slumbering reserve fleet where I formed the impression they were being kept to cover shortages?

The only Bedford E400 visible this morning was 19699 passing me on an inbound 51 for annoyance purposes whilst Kettering's 15606 was on the 0932 50. Both 18418 and 18424 were on 5's.

[MIB]

There were still only three wheels on the Stagecoach route 9 wagon on Saturday with just 18416, 22320 and 34534 in the morning with the fourth diagram invisible to the eye. I hoped by the time I got back to Bedford when the service was reduced to 20 minutes I would not be affected. A vain hope as I arrived at the bus station at 1855 for the 1905 9 which never materialised so I ended up with a 30 minute bore fest for 18416 on the 1925 9. With all the vehicles parked up that had finished their duties for the day there was no excuse for a lack of vehicles so I must conclude there was no driver for the 1905 meaning a 40 minute gap in the service.

Other stuff viewed on Saturday: 34537 was on the 0835 7 and 0928 4, 34425 did the 0845 3, 19702 was on the 0840 71, 22333 was out on the 5/6 circuit with tridents 18417, 18418 and 18424. 15607 and freshly painted 15608 were noted on the 50 with the latter having lost its route 50 branding.

The Saturday X5 service to Cambridge was doing well with 19889 on the 0826 and joining it were at least 19888, 19890 and 19893. I assume some Citi branded E400's joined in the fun too at some point. I forgot to mention when I did 19892 the other week on the X5 that it was raining and it was also raining on the upper deck. It was the most drippage I have seen inside a bus since I did green budgie 16224 on the 52 to Cranfield University where the upper deck resembled shower facilities in the heavy rain. It was so bad in the oly I was forced to sit downstairs for the return journey to Bedford.

I have no info for today as I was at my bus stop for the 0847 9 when I was offered a lift to work at 0851 so I accepted in case the 9 was still incomplete for buses. Instead I will mention 7 April 2014 when I did budgie 16227 for return trips on the 1729 and 1817 to Shortstown before bailing off it on the 1905 9 to finally go home.

This day in 2014 my bus from work was gold 15748 on the 50 followed by 16226 on the 1830 52 to Cranfield but I only did it to the hospital and walked home.

[al_557]

Another dart in on loan from Fenstanton is 34536 (GX04EYK) which was on the 41 today

[al_557]

Cambridge training dart 34422 (KV53EYY) has returned home to Bedford on loan and was on the 5 today.
I was looking online to see how many of this batch of 26 Bedford had new were still going. I found that 34423/31/33/35/39  have been scrapped. The rest are still with Stagecoach either in service, reserve or as driver trainers

[MIB]

Cambridge training dart 34422 (KV53EYY) has returned home to Bedford on loan and was on the 5 today.
I was looking online to see how many of this batch of 26 Bedford had new were still going. I found that 34423/31/33/35/39  have been scrapped. The rest are still with Stagecoach either in service, reserve or as driver trainers

I seem to recall dismissing some of this batch as Bedford rubbish on viewing them in planet Thanet whilst riding around Kent in olys and B10's. Maybe any that are left can return to Bedford for use on route 9. I was at home yesterday afternoon and should have known better than to expect a bus into town on the 9 even at 1459 as it didn't produce. So I was rescued by 35105 on the late 81 into town at 1510. The only vehicles I noticed on the 9 were 19890 and the usual 22333. Perhaps it is a cunning plan to reduce fuel costs by not providing the full complement of four buses each day whilst the schools are closed. I see the timetable changes next week but I am damned if I can spot what has changed on the 9. Perhaps the timetable changes for the 5 and 6 can see the vehicles just stay on the same route all day rather than interwork between the two. That might increase the chances of the 6's being on time but I won't hold my breath.

I see I missed two winners on the 1 yesterday with both 19699 and 34536 flagged for another day. 34834 was out on the 3 so I hope some of our solo's are being culled. No issues today getting to work as 34833 appeared on the 9 into town passing the ubiquitous 22333 that now lives on our route as does 17484 on the 5 and 6. Has 17484 done any other routes since arriving? The 0911 6 was 18418 whilst 34829 did the 0915 81.

On this day in 2011, when Stagecoach had four buses on the 9 everyday without fail, I did 18414 into town and dropped perfectly onto blue budgie 16229 on a 51 so a return spin to Oakley was in order. This very day a year later in 2012 produced 16230 on the 9 into town for 16216 on the 6 to the office. The reverse journey to get home produced gold 15741 on the 50 and 16230 again on the 9.

[al_557]

I seem to recall dismissing some of this batch as Bedford rubbish on viewing them in planet Thanet whilst riding around Kent in olys and B10's. Maybe any that are left can return to Bedford for use on route 9. I was at home yesterday afternoon and should have known better than to expect a bus into town on the 9 even at 1459 as it didn't produce. So I was rescued by 35105 on the late 81 into town at 1510. The only vehicles I noticed on the 9 were 19890 and the usual 22333. Perhaps it is a cunning plan to reduce fuel costs by not providing the full complement of four buses each day whilst the schools are closed. I see the timetable changes next week but I am damned if I can spot what has changed on the 9. Perhaps the timetable changes for the 5 and 6 can see the vehicles just stay on the same route all day rather than interwork between the two. That might increase the chances of the 6's being on time but I won't hold my breath.

I see I missed two winners on the 1 yesterday with both 19699 and 34536 flagged for another day. 34834 was out on the 3 so I hope some of our solo's are being culled. No issues today getting to work as 34833 appeared on the 9 into town passing the ubiquitous 22333 that now lives on our route as does 17484 on the 5 and 6. Has 17484 done any other routes since arriving? The 0911 6 was 18418 whilst 34829 did the 0915 81.

On this day in 2011, when Stagecoach had four buses on the 9 everyday without fail, I did 18414 into town and dropped perfectly onto blue budgie 16229 on a 51 so a return spin to Oakley was in order. This very day a year later in 2012 produced 16230 on the 9 into town for 16216 on the 6 to the office. The reverse journey to get home produced gold 15741 on the 50 and 16230 again on the 9.

The solos are being culled shortly but are only being replaced by cascaded Solo sr's.
Anything larger would be a problem for the 8 and 10 due to narrow roads on those routes and also those routes don't need the capacity of anything larger.
Darts seem to do fine on the 3,4 and 7 when they're used to cover the Solo's

Bedford has a major vehicle problem at the moment. According to one of the drivers only two thirds of the fleet is available for service hence the further loans from other depots.
He said and I quote "It's because Bedford has a fleet of old bangers" is why everything keeps breaking down

[rm clippie]

quite simple very bad fleet management by stagecoach Cambridge.

[al_557]

quite simple very bad fleet management by stagecoach Cambridge.

Agreed. Things were better when Bedford was managed from Northampton under United Counties

[rm clippie]

stagecoach Cambridge does not want Bedford as you say better under Northampton.

[MIB]

Both 34829 and 22316 were out on 1's when I went home yesterday evening so I take it some E400's were roaming the X5.

Yesterday's aberration when the 0847 9 to town actually ran was put right today when it reverted to a no show which has been the norm since the kids finished school term. However, this proved not to be a bad thing as the following service was 17484 which answered my question of yesterday as to whether it has ever appeared on anything other than the 5 or 6 so at least now I have had it on a different route. The other two 9 diagrams were 18416 and 19704.

Of course this meant I missed the 0911 6 so had to do 18418 on the 0923 just getting to work in time. 19700 was out on a 2 whilst 15455 was the 0932 50.

On this day in 2010, 14035 and 14042 were out on the 51 to get me to work and my buses home were 16676 on the 6 and 34580 on the 9. Shame I never bothered taking photos of them in those days...

[al_557]

On this day in 2010, 14035 and 14042 were out on the 51 to get me to work and my buses home were 16676 on the 6 and 34580 on the 9. Shame I never bothered taking photos of them in those days...

All of these vehicles are now scrapped. Shame about the Olympians, less so about the dart

[MIB]

I opted not to bother with the 0847 9 this morning but it appears it did run as no punters at the bus stop when I arrived for the 0859. 17474 was again on the 9 but I had to endure a crowded 47352 so my months of not getting bowled by these dinky buses on the route had ended. I hope this doesn't mean they will start becoming regular again as they are not suitable for the passenger numbers when they stay out all day. 22316 managed to get me to work in time on the 0923 6.

34830 did a 71 and a fitter came out to batter it before it was retired to the garage so another one bites the dust for however long that will be demic for. 15455 was on the 0932 50 for the second day running, 36042 arrived on a 7 and 19888 did the 0926 X5 to Cambridge.

On this day in 2013 I did 16226 to Rushden on the 1745 51 that terminates there and returned on the 50 with 47411.

14 April 2014 produced green budgie 16224 on the 1753 9 to Shortstown so a return trip was called for although 14 April 2011 was more to my liking when I went to Clapham on 47354 on the 51 before work to have 14000 in on the 850 and then jumped straight onto green budgie 16225 on the 51 to Oakley and back to Sainsburys to walk to the office. After work, and a visit to the pub,  16231 produced on a 1 so a return to Kempston was made before home beckoned.

[al_557]

I opted not to bother with the 0847 9 this morning but it appears it did run as no punters at the bus stop when I arrived for the 0859. 17474 was again on the 9 but I had to endure a crowded 47352 so my months of not getting bowled by these dinky buses on the route had ended. I hope this doesn't mean they will start becoming regular again as they are not suitable for the passenger numbers when they stay out all day. 22316 managed to get me to work in time on the 0923 6.

34830 did a 71 and a fitter came out to batter it before it was retired to the garage so another one bites the dust for however long that will be demic for. 15455 was on the 0932 50 for the second day running, 36042 arrived on a 7 and 19888 did the 0926 X5 to Cambridge.

On this day in 2013 I did 16226 to Rushden on the 1745 51 that terminates there and returned on the 50 with 47411.

14 April 2014 produced green budgie 16224 on the 1753 9 to Shortstown so a return trip was called for although 14 April 2011 was more to my liking when I went to Clapham on 47354 on the 51 before work to have 14000 in on the 850 and then jumped straight onto green budgie 16225 on the 51 to Oakley and back to Sainsburys to walk to the office. After work, and a visit to the pub,  16231 produced on a 1 so a return to Kempston was made before home beckoned.

The Darts in particular seem to be becoming very unreliable. Probably due to the fact they're knackered after 12 to 15 years hard work.
I know the Solo's are due to go shortly to be replaced by hand me down Solo Sr's but no word on what if anything will replace the darts. It's the darts that are in real need of replacement before anything else.
It would also help if Stagecoach could retrieve 36934 (SN63KFO) and get it back in service

[John]

would Bedford get a better deal if it was still controlled by Northampton rather than Cambridge.

[skyLink]

would Bedford get a better deal if it was still controlled by Northampton rather than Cambridge.

I would say yes it's ran better under midlands. As easy are used to big city's cambridge and Peterborough. Hence why Norfolk's fallen on its arse.
If Lincolnshire had the Norfolk wing I think they still be going strong.

[al_557]

Caught a ride into town on Enviro 200 36042 (AE08NVS) on the 53. This one now sports Bedford bus branding.
Perhaps the ex Peterborough Enviro 400's could be so treated soon. All of them will need a repaint before though

[Palatine One]

At least three E400's out on the X5 today, saw more of them out than I did elites! Didn't get details, but at least two had Bedford Bus branding, with the other being in unbranded swoops.

[al_557]

Peterborough's training dart 34421 (KV53 EYX) is now back in Bedford and in service on the 53 today
Enviro 200 36934 (SN63KFO) is impounded at buckdale untill the police are finished with it as the accident it was involved in on Ampthill road in december was a fatality

[MIB]

After a spell away, many, many miles from Bedford I returned to work yesterday and not much had changed with 17484 out on the 6 along with 18424 and the Huntingdon branded specimen 18423. 18416 did the 0915 73 and 18410 was the 0932 50. My chariot to work was 18418 also on the 6 as tridents proliferated the scene. I could be forgiven for thinking all other types had been withdrawn in my absence.

Now the schools are back I got to wallow at the most rancid bus stop in Bedford waiting for the 6 after work which didn't show. Not only does this stop afford no protection from the wet weather but is equally as appalling on a hot day with the sun beating down on you and blinding you every time you look at the display screen. This torture lasted 30 minutes by which time I was starting to feel quite faint as I can't cope with the sun shining directly on me and there is no shelter or seat and I am getting on a bit now. I arrived at the stop at 1715 and was still there at 1745 and I was wilting quite badly until 22333 finally rescued me. All I needed was to be buried in sand up to my neck as waiting for the bus really was a punishment. A non Stagecoach schools trident was demic in Greyfriars which is par for the course for these crates in hot weather.

The first bus home I made was the 1805 9 but this was 6 minutes late with 19704 and the traffic was in such a mess that I didn't get home until 1825 just the 70 minutes after leaving work. I was feeling very unwell by the time I flaked out in my chair and my mood was not improved to see I had missed Ms Bruce on the six news when I should have been home at 1740 if you believe the bus timetables!

God only knows what the 15 April changes are to the timetables as I can't see anything that is visibly different. The 5 and 6 routes still interwork so the review into that arrangement obviously changed nothing as it is still continuing. There might be more chance of a 6 turning up if the bus lives on the route for the day instead of doing a 50 minute round trip on a 5 first.

This morning I opted to walk into town again rather than risk waiting for a 9 and I noted 19704 on the route again. 17484 and 18416 were both on the 5 and 6 with 19706 on the 0915 81. A novelty bus was parked up in the bus station with a strange number 27521 whatever that is supposed to be. I got the ever dull 34828 to work on the late 0911 6 but at least it did turn up. I sincerely hope I won't be left to suffer heat exhaustion after work again later and that the gen screen will actually have live running info rather than listing what is meant to turn up!

My buses to work in 2010 were a bit more enthralling then today's Dart with blue budgie 16228 on the 19 April, 16671 on the 20 April and 14035 on 21 April.

[al_557]

After a spell away, many, many miles from Bedford I returned to work yesterday and not much had changed with 17484 out on the 6 along with 18424 and the Huntingdon branded specimen 18423. 18416 did the 0915 73 and 18410 was the 0932 50. My chariot to work was 18418 also on the 6 as tridents proliferated the scene. I could be forgiven for thinking all other types had been withdrawn in my absence.

Now the schools are back I got to wallow at the most rancid bus stop in Bedford waiting for the 6 after work which didn't show. Not only does this stop afford no protection from the wet weather but is equally as appalling on a hot day with the sun beating down on you and blinding you every time you look at the display screen. This torture lasted 30 minutes by which time I was starting to feel quite faint as I can't cope with the sun shining directly on me and there is no shelter or seat and I am getting on a bit now. I arrived at the stop at 1715 and was still there at 1745 and I was wilting quite badly until 22333 finally rescued me. All I needed was to be buried in sand up to my neck as waiting for the bus really was a punishment. A non Stagecoach schools trident was demic in Greyfriars which is par for the course for these crates in hot weather.

The first bus home I made was the 1805 9 but this was 6 minutes late with 19704 and the traffic was in such a mess that I didn't get home until 1825 just the 70 minutes after leaving work. I was feeling very unwell by the time I flaked out in my chair and my mood was not improved to see I had missed Ms Bruce on the six news when I should have been home at 1740 if you believe the bus timetables!

God only knows what the 15 April changes are to the timetables as I can't see anything that is visibly different. The 5 and 6 routes still interwork so the review into that arrangement obviously changed nothing as it is still continuing. There might be more chance of a 6 turning up if the bus lives on the route for the day instead of doing a 50 minute round trip on a 5 first.

This morning I opted to walk into town again rather than risk waiting for a 9 and I noted 19704 on the route again. 17484 and 18416 were both on the 5 and 6 with 19706 on the 0915 81. A novelty bus was parked up in the bus station with a strange number 27521 whatever that is supposed to be. I got the ever dull 34828 to work on the late 0911 6 but at least it did turn up. I sincerely hope I won't be left to suffer heat exhaustion after work again later and that the gen screen will actually have live running info rather than listing what is meant to turn up!

My buses to work in 2010 were a bit more enthralling then today's Dart with blue budgie 16228 on the 19 April, 16671 on the 20 April and 14035 on 21 April.

If that fleet number is correct, 27521 should be Stagecoach south Enviro 300 GX06DZC . Why would Bedford need another 12 year old  bus that will do nothing at all for capacity or the age profile of the fleet.

[dennisdart]

According to Steven Knight website, 27520 to 27523 arrived at Bedford yesterday from Stagecoach South East

[Palatine One]

I don't know, at least those E300's will be newer than the MAN's and most of the Darts!

[al_557]

I'm reliably informed that Optare Solo 47353 (AE06TWU) has been crashed and is at Peterborough with front end damage.

[Julia_Hayward]

According to Steven Knight website, 27520 to 27523 arrived at Bedford yesterday from Stagecoach South East

How long before we see them out on the X5? :snark:

I popped out for 5 minutes today and noted 19698 and 19883 passing each other in Eaton Socon this afternoon. Doesn't bode well for tomorrow's peak

[MIB]

I managed to annoy myself this weekend by completely forgetting about the Wellingborough rally yesterday which I had intended to cover in case Lawsons produced with a B10 and oly like they did last year. I must be going senile to forget...

I would be interested to know how the buses recently dumped on Bedford are chosen. Does someone in head office order a depot to send buses they specify or do they leave it to the depots to decide which ones they consider to be the biggest crates despised by the drivers and fitters to offload? It is all well and good some suggesting Bedford don't look after their buses very well but if the specimens sent here are the most unreliable then it is hardly surprising they are off the road half the time and the public timetable cannot be maintained. Naturally I am biased as the olys were far and away the best and most reliable buses we had but their steps were deemed offensive in the modern world so had to go and now Bedford struggle to put out four buses on the 9. Now would I rather have a bus with steps or no bus at all? Hmmm...

Of course to add insult to recent considerable injury with our non appearing buses, I see I am having the mick taken out of me further with the prices rising on 29 April, which no doubt will result in continued 30-40 minute festers for an advertised 12 minute frequency on routes 6 and 9, topped off by display screens that don't actually reflect what is happening by simply listing the booked buses but not actually displaying real time as to when the next bus might actually appear. Whenever I have had plus 20 minute festers for buses, not once has the display screen told the truth and said the next bus will be in 25 minutes etc. At least if they did that I could make the decision to walk. Instead when the service is a farce they always display the advertised times which I already know off by heart.

Anyway, I noted 27520 on the 5 this morning whilst I got 18416 on the 6 to work which departed at 0911 but was full of school kids so I assume it was actually the late running 0859. 19706 did the 0905 72, 19704 the 0915 81, 18057 the 0915 73 and 34425 was on the 3.

On this date in 2011 I did a return journey on the 1 to Kempston with 16232 whilst I still could.

[al_557]

I had a ride into town on newly arrived Enviro 300 27523 (GX06DZE) on the 1. It sounded tired and the seats could do with a re-trim.
I don't know what these latest cast offs have replaced as all the loan vehicles are still here. Trident 17484 (LX51FMC) on the 6, MAN 22333 (AE51RZM) on the 9 and Dart 34534 (GX04EYH) on the 71

[al_557]

Recently arrived Enviro 300 27520 (GX06DZB) was on the 5 this morning and Cambridge training dart 34422 (KV53EYY) remains on loan and was on the 51.

The following info is from a driver friend of mine so please don't take this as gospel.

All the MAN's and Solo's are to be withdrawn in the next couple of weeks being replaced with Solo Sr's and Enviro 300's transfered from Kings Lynn and Stagecoach south east. Also to be withdrawn are the 53 and 55 reg darts which will be replaced by Enviro 200 MMC's from Kings lynn.
Some of the Darts will be going to Peterborough as MAN replacements.

If all this happens the Bedford fleet might not look as much of a rag bag anymore but still in need of further dart replacements

[MIB]

Presumably the Kings Lynn cast offs being a bit newer give Stagecoach the grounds to increase our fares under the umbrella of newer buses. There is a sort of irony about this as some of Bedford's finest like budgie's 16224 and 16227 ended their days working in King's Lynn when Stagecoach took over that area which was the last time I ever saw and had them for a ride. No doubt some of the vehicles on my visit there were dismissed as tat by myself and now they have followed me to Bedford so I won't be able to avoid them this time...

I have now viewed all four of the latest arrivals but as yet have not been on one but they seem to be already making their mark on routes 5 and 6. As well as 27520 on the 5 this morning it was joined by 27522 with 27523 on the 0917 9. 18424 and 19892 were also on the 9 and 17484 still out on the 5/6. 18423 was on a 1 and 18416 on the 0915 73. I did 22316 on the 0923 6 to work and once again paid the price for not waiting for the 0932 50 which turned out to be required 18150 which I keep on missing on that service.

Today 19705 had charge of the 0915 81. On this date in 2013 the same service was 16581 and on this day in 2014 it was 16592.