(10/06/2013 15:41)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 14:36)rachel Wrote:  I know there won't be all new buses but newly one like 03 reg mans and 54 reg would don't than.

(10/06/2013 15:31)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 14:36)rachel Wrote:  I know there won't be all new buses but newly one like 03 reg mans and 54 reg would don't than.

I personally think the only new buses that could occur is double deckers for the 36, and if the 100 in Newcastle recieves new buses then i can see the Enviro300 examples running the 37.

At some point, there will need to be an investment of new stock into Stockton for more than just the 36/37 as has happened in the last decade (and even then, only 24101-15 were fully purchased from Stagecoach funds, 22061-6 and 34401 were part-funded by the Government Kick Start funding same as Hartlepool's 34550/61-9 and Slatyford's 22408-13). Low height Enviro400s, in theory, should fit under Marton Railway Bridge so could be used on the 37 as well as the 36 (although you would need to try out first, same with the Tridents as they too are also low enough to fit under). The endless cascade of mid-life stock can only go on for so long.

(10/06/2013 16:36)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 15:41)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 14:36)rachel Wrote:  I know there won't be all new buses but newly one like 03 reg mans and 54 reg would don't than.

(10/06/2013 15:31)riverside motors Wrote:  I personally think the only new buses that could occur is double deckers for the 36, and if the 100 in Newcastle recieves new buses then i can see the Enviro300 examples running the 37.

At some point, there will need to be an investment of new stock into Stockton for more than just the 36/37 as has happened in the last decade (and even then, only 24101-15 were fully purchased from Stagecoach funds, 22061-6 and 34401 were part-funded by the Government Kick Start funding same as Hartlepool's 34550/61-9 and Slatyford's 22408-13). Low height Enviro400s, in theory, should fit under Marton Railway Bridge so could be used on the 37 as well as the 36 (although you would need to try out first, same with the Tridents as they too are also low enough to fit under). The endless cascade of mid-life stock can only go on for so long.

And the ironic thing is that the newest buses are the most unreliable. I must say however when you look at the improvements Arriva have made across the North East, it does feel like Stagecoach are missing us out (as in Teesside) so an investment, like you say, must happen soon. The only problem is Stagecoach can't purchase Enviro200's for the depot because - with exemption of the 13 and 35, all the other bus services get reasonalby full for a bus that size - so its going to cost a lot of money (not to mention the must needed boost in the enviro's currently) , so unless they get buses from the green bus fund, its going to be expensive.

(10/06/2013 16:47)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 16:36)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 15:41)kuyoyo Wrote:  At some point, there will need to be an investment of new stock into Stockton for more than just the 36/37 as has happened in the last decade (and even then, only 24101-15 were fully purchased from Stagecoach funds, 22061-6 and 34401 were part-funded by the Government Kick Start funding same as Hartlepool's 34550/61-9 and Slatyford's 22408-13). Low height Enviro400s, in theory, should fit under Marton Railway Bridge so could be used on the 37 as well as the 36 (although you would need to try out first, same with the Tridents as they too are also low enough to fit under). The endless cascade of mid-life stock can only go on for so long.

And the ironic thing is that the newest buses are the most unreliable. I must say however when you look at the improvements Arriva have made across the North East, it does feel like Stagecoach are missing us out (as in Teesside) so an investment, like you say, must happen soon. The only problem is Stagecoach can't purchase Enviro200's for the depot because - with exemption of the 13 and 35, all the other bus services get reasonalby full for a bus that size - so its going to cost a lot of money (not to mention the must needed boost in the enviro's currently) , so unless they get buses from the green bus fund, its going to be expensive.

It only needs to be a small investment, double deckers for the 36/37 (maybe the 38 to give a even investment across the entire Norton-Park End corridor) would enable the MAN Enviro300s and the 54-reg MANs to replace 21 of the non-DDA MANs. After those routes, the 12 would be the next most profitable service, even with the 14 and 34 interworking into it so a few new buses there would replace further older non-DDA stock.

(10/06/2013 18:11)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 16:47)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 16:36)riverside motors Wrote:  And the ironic thing is that the newest buses are the most unreliable. I must say however when you look at the improvements Arriva have made across the North East, it does feel like Stagecoach are missing us out (as in Teesside) so an investment, like you say, must happen soon. The only problem is Stagecoach can't purchase Enviro200's for the depot because - with exemption of the 13 and 35, all the other bus services get reasonalby full for a bus that size - so its going to cost a lot of money (not to mention the must needed boost in the enviro's currently) , so unless they get buses from the green bus fund, its going to be expensive.

It only needs to be a small investment, double deckers for the 36/37 (maybe the 38 to give a even investment across the entire Norton-Park End corridor) would enable the MAN Enviro300s and the 54-reg MANs to replace 21 of the non-DDA MANs. After those routes, the 12 would be the next most profitable service, even with the 14 and 34 interworking into it so a few new buses there would replace further older non-DDA stock.

I think the 12 would be a better if it was double decker but the 37/38 would be more likely to get doubles after the 36, however the 38 doesn't particulary get full compared to the 12/36/37, so putting DDA buses on could just lead purchasing new Enviro 300's for the 37/38 (could see them being eletric/gas powered). So this would mean that every area would benefit from new buses, Middlesbrough (Coulby Newham, Hemlington, Acklam etc.) would get the Enviro 400, Billingham West and would also get new Enviro 400's, Park end would get Enviro300/400's, Norton would get new Enviro300's which would just leave out Stockton areas - Enviro200's for 61? In total around 40 buses (24 Enviro 400, 11 Enviro 300, 5 enviro 200)+ 15 current enviro's = 55 + 6 alx300 = 61 of the PVR

(10/06/2013 18:40)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 18:11)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 16:47)kuyoyo Wrote:  It only needs to be a small investment, double deckers for the 36/37 (maybe the 38 to give a even investment across the entire Norton-Park End corridor) would enable the MAN Enviro300s and the 54-reg MANs to replace 21 of the non-DDA MANs. After those routes, the 12 would be the next most profitable service, even with the 14 and 34 interworking into it so a few new buses there would replace further older non-DDA stock.

I think the 12 would be a better if it was double decker but the 37/38 would be more likely to get doubles after the 36, however the 38 doesn't particulary get full compared to the 12/36/37, so putting DDA buses on could just lead purchasing new Enviro 300's for the 37/38 (could see them being eletric/gas powered). So this would mean that every area would benefit from new buses, Middlesbrough (Coulby Newham, Hemlington, Acklam etc.) would get the Enviro 400, Billingham West and would also get new Enviro 400's, Park end would get Enviro300/400's, Norton would get new Enviro300's which would just leave out Stockton areas - Enviro200's for 61? In total around 40 buses (24 Enviro 400, 11 Enviro 300, 5 enviro 200)+ 15 current enviro's = 55 + 6 alx300 = 61 of the PVR

Having travelled on the 12, I can safely say it doesn't need double deckers all the time. Most routes have the odd one or two trips that do warrant double deckers but they are mostly trips that pass schools at school finishing timing and also on a morning. In fact, the only routes that warrant full-time decker operation are actually the 36/37/38 (the 38 can get packed if the 36 in-front of it is running late). However, the opposite is true for the 59/61 - the Enviro200s would be too small on the current frequency (as they would also be on the 13) but increasing the frequency wouldn't be justify not just by investment or an increased patronage. The 36/37/38 and 12 are indeed the most likely to get the new stuff but likelihood is it would be deckers on the 36/7/8 and singles on the 12 (and of course, they would likely be Scania chassis Enviros given they aren't likely to spend that much on a depot that could be relocating in the next few years).

(11/06/2013 06:53)riverside motors Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 18:40)kuyoyo Wrote:  

(10/06/2013 18:11)riverside motors Wrote:  I think the 12 would be a better if it was double decker but the 37/38 would be more likely to get doubles after the 36, however the 38 doesn't particulary get full compared to the 12/36/37, so putting DDA buses on could just lead purchasing new Enviro 300's for the 37/38 (could see them being eletric/gas powered). So this would mean that every area would benefit from new buses, Middlesbrough (Coulby Newham, Hemlington, Acklam etc.) would get the Enviro 400, Billingham West and would also get new Enviro 400's, Park end would get Enviro300/400's, Norton would get new Enviro300's which would just leave out Stockton areas - Enviro200's for 61? In total around 40 buses (24 Enviro 400, 11 Enviro 300, 5 enviro 200)+ 15 current enviro's = 55 + 6 alx300 = 61 of the PVR

Having travelled on the 12, I can safely say it doesn't need double deckers all the time. Most routes have the odd one or two trips that do warrant double deckers but they are mostly trips that pass schools at school finishing timing and also on a morning. In fact, the only routes that warrant full-time decker operation are actually the 36/37/38 (the 38 can get packed if the 36 in-front of it is running late). However, the opposite is true for the 59/61 - the Enviro200s would be too small on the current frequency (as they would also be on the 13) but increasing the frequency wouldn't be justify not just by investment or an increased patronage. The 36/37/38 and 12 are indeed the most likely to get the new stuff but likelihood is it would be deckers on the 36/7/8 and singles on the 12 (and of course, they would likely be Scania chassis Enviros given they aren't likely to spend that much on a depot that could be relocating in the next few years).

At several points during the day nearly all the bus services look very full, so putting only doubles on the services which call Norton (yes the 37 and 38 stop at Park end but routes to M'bro and Stockton are frequent at Park End) wouldn't make the customers happy when an empty double decker goes past and there waiting for a alx300 to Coulby Newham. I wouldn't be suprised if DDA cascades come to town...