WM Bus Photos Forum

West Midlands Buses in Discussion => Stagecoach => Topic started by: JoNi on August 24, 2013, 09:34:13 PM

Title: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JoNi on August 24, 2013, 09:34:13 PM
Any news about the apparent introduction of gold buses between Coventry and Warwick on the X17 in the near future?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: nx4737 on September 09, 2013, 07:06:14 PM
Just found this, gold E400 for Stagecoach Midlands...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498186@N05/9708942071/in/photolist-fMWSdX
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Tony on September 09, 2013, 07:07:12 PM
Quote from: nx4737 on September 09, 2013, 07:06:14 PM
Just found this, gold E400 for Stagecoach Midlands...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498186@N05/9708942071/in/photolist-fMWSdX

That is for Northampton. The new buses for Leamington are E200s
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: nx4737 on September 10, 2013, 04:59:15 AM
Quote from: Tony on September 09, 2013, 07:07:12 PM
Quote from: nx4737 on September 09, 2013, 07:06:14 PM
Just found this, gold E400 for Stagecoach Midlands...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498186@N05/9708942071/in/photolist-fMWSdX

That is for Northampton. The new buses for Leamington are E200s

Ah I see, the E400, is that for the X4 then?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Tony on September 10, 2013, 07:52:30 AM
Quote from: nx4737 on September 10, 2013, 04:59:15 AM
Quote from: Tony on September 09, 2013, 07:07:12 PM
Quote from: nx4737 on September 09, 2013, 07:06:14 PM
Just found this, gold E400 for Stagecoach Midlands...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498186@N05/9708942071/in/photolist-fMWSdX

That is for Northampton. The new buses for Leamington are E200s

Ah I see, the E400, is that for the X4 then?

No, X46/X47
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Ashley 4566 on September 15, 2013, 11:08:51 AM
Whens the X17 gold launch planned to happen does anybody know?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JPC on September 16, 2013, 12:06:25 AM
Quote from: Ashley 4566 on September 15, 2013, 11:08:51 AM
Whens the X17 gold launch planned to happen does anybody know?

A possible indicator is Vosa suggesting a revised X17 timetable from 4th November.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Justin Tyme on September 24, 2013, 10:17:24 PM
I saw a couple of Enviro 200s in Leamington depot yard last week, as I passed there on a train.  They were in normal Stagecoach livery.   Will these be for the X17?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: midlandred2003 on September 25, 2013, 02:50:25 PM
I went to leamington on sunday all 15 buses are parked at the back of the garage.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on September 26, 2013, 07:40:02 AM
Quote from: midlandred2003 on September 25, 2013, 02:50:25 PM
I went to leamington on sunday all 15 buses are parked at the back of the garage.

Great news!
Were they all liveried up?
I'm hoping for an official announcement some time soon!
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: mikestone on September 30, 2013, 04:29:30 PM
The new Warwickshire map shows the X17 revised from 4 November, and running from Jaguar Landrover,  with  a new half hourly X19 from Warwick.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on September 30, 2013, 07:23:39 PM
Quote from: mikestone on September 30, 2013, 04:29:30 PM
The new warwickshire map shows the X17 revised from 4 November, and running from Jaguar Landrover a new half hourly X19 from Warwick.

This is great, and quite curious.
Yet are you able to provide relevant links?
The map on http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/busroutemaps seems to reflect the situation as it was a few months ago.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: mikestone on October 01, 2013, 01:08:51 PM
No links - the maps were on the counter at Nuneaton bus station on Friday.
;
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JPC on October 02, 2013, 08:47:19 PM
Spotted a few of these in service today on service X17, standard livery 63 plate E200s, so at the moment not particularly noticable.  :P
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Ashley 4566 on October 03, 2013, 11:30:51 AM
Will these E200s displace the transbus Darts to replace older Darts?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JoNi on October 08, 2013, 03:54:28 PM
A NX driver told me this lunchtime that one of the E200s is now branded for the X19,, will advise when I find out of the number.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 09, 2013, 08:30:32 AM
This X19 is very mysterious!
Outside of this forum, I have seen no evidence of it!
(Other than the often-dodgy VOSA entry).

Does anyone have a timetable or route map or announcement about it?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Ashley 4566 on October 09, 2013, 10:08:50 AM
Unless that driver meant to say X17 but it came out as X19
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: mikestone on October 09, 2013, 11:51:56 AM
Quote from: Valandil on October 09, 2013, 08:30:32 AM
This X19 is very mysterious!
Outside of this forum, I have seen no evidence of it!
(Other than the often-dodgy VOSA entry).

Does anyone have a timetable or route map or announcement about it?
;
Its the best part of a month before it starts - as I have already said it appears on the printed Warwickshire map, and you yourself say it has been on vosa.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 09, 2013, 12:24:40 PM
Quote from: mikestone on October 09, 2013, 11:51:56 AMIts the best part of a month before it starts - as I have already said it appears on the printed Warwickshire map, and you yourself say it has been on vosa.

This would seem to be true.
I do find it odd that a vehicle should be branded already for a service which will not be in existence for such a while yet.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JoNi on October 09, 2013, 06:19:17 PM
Branded new E200 whizzed past in the Burges got a poor shot of the rear with taxi in the way.
The bus was 36938
from pic rear branding

on the left hand side of the rear window
up to every 15 minutes
X17 on mauve circle
X19 on blue circle

on the right hand side of the rear window
Coventry
Kenilworth
Leamington
Warwick

Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: mikestone on October 09, 2013, 11:19:23 PM
So presumably it isn't going to be a gold service?.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: nx4737 on October 10, 2013, 04:17:54 AM
Like the "Gold" S4 in Banbuty then...
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 10, 2013, 08:14:17 AM
They might as well have kept the S4 as the 59(A)!

I was secretly hoping it would get really fancy vehicles and be renumbered G2 :D
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 10, 2013, 11:18:37 AM
From Bus and Coach Buyer, it seems that the X17 will be extended (probably not every 15 minutes) to Jaguar Land Rover at Gaydon, the X19 will be half-hourly in the peak only, running from Jaguar Land Rover at Whitley to Kenilworth and onwards as the X17.
These new vehicles (also to be used on the 65) are to have free Wifi capabilities.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JPC on October 14, 2013, 06:51:12 PM
The Warwickshire council website now confirms the following...

X17/X19
COVENTRY - KENILWORTH – LEAMINGTON – WARWICK – GAYDON
Service X17 is revised and one bus an hour in the off peak Mondays to Fridays extends from Warwick to Jaguar/Land Rover at Gaydon via Lighthorne Heath. One journey an hour is renumbered to Service X19 and operates between Coventry and Warwick via Whitley.

16/16A
COVENTRY - KENILWORTH – LEEK WOOTTON - WARWICK – STRATFORD
Additional journeys are operating between Coventry and Kenilworth as Service 16A, Service 16 is unchanged.

X77
KENILWORTH – LEAMINGTON – GAYDON
This new peak time service on Mondays to Fridays provides a link from Kenilworth and Leamington to Jaguar/Land Rover at Gaydon.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Tony on October 14, 2013, 07:53:20 PM
Quote from: Ashley 4566 on October 03, 2013, 11:30:51 AM
Will these E200s displace the transbus Darts to replace older Darts?

I believe the displaced darts are going to Northampton replacing loaned buses on the ex First routes
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 18, 2013, 01:04:53 PM
X17/X19-branded Enviro 200 on the U1 today.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Ashley 4566 on October 21, 2013, 10:12:12 PM
I hope thats the case Tony. Even though I personally think the loaned Darts (33650-33654) are in better condition upon face value, some of Northamptons resident Darts are horrid but thats just from a spotters point of view
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Tony on October 22, 2013, 07:44:36 AM
Quote from: Ashley 4566 on October 21, 2013, 10:12:12 PM
I hope thats the case Tony. Even though I personally think the loaned Darts (33650-33654) are in better condition upon face value, some of Northamptons resident Darts are horrid but thats just from a spotters point of view

I have heard that all of Northampton's darts including those moved from Leamington are to be replaced by a fleet of brand new Enviro 200s soon.
Which, knowing Stagecoach is probably true so they show off how much better than First they are to get the public on their side
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Ashley 4566 on October 22, 2013, 01:25:02 PM
Without totally hijacking the topic, Stagecoach have invested well in northampton and theres an immediately noticeable difference on routes that stagecoach have taken over from First ie, passenger numbers have shot up on routes like the 2, well that was from two days worth of observations anyway, clearly id best go and get pictures of the majority of the fleet before the clearout of rubbish
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 22, 2013, 02:59:46 PM
It seems that drivers aren't that fond of the new vehicles!
Apparently the cabs are tiny.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 23, 2013, 04:03:52 PM
Some of the new timetables seem to be built into http://warwickshiretravel.co.uk/ now.
(I still can't get X77 and X19 on there).

The extra 16's depart Coventry at 0823 (arriving at Kenilworth at 0854), 1013 (arr. 1044), then every hour until 1413 (arr. 1444), then 1540 (arr. 1613).
And depart Kenilworth at 0737 (arriving at Coventry at 0806), 0925 (arr. 0951), 1047 (arr. 1118), then every hour until 1440 (arr. approx 1518), then 1638 (1704).
It seems that these 16's will be going via Leyes Lane, like the X17, but will not be going around the university loop: an odd choice of route from what I can see (can anyone explain?)
There will have to be interworking.

Some of the present journeys are also slightly modified.
Some details of the X17/X77 are also given on http://news.warwickshire.gov.uk/blog/2013/10/18/bus-service-gives-jaguar-land-rover-workers-even-more-transport-options/.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: D10 on October 23, 2013, 08:35:59 PM
Great news that access to the JLR is to be improved by bus.

I believe that this was promised by the Council and JLR as part of their commitment to improve Public Transport to the plant as part of their application for Government funding for the improvements to M40 Junction 12 and the B4551/B4100 roads around JLR.

Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on October 24, 2013, 06:45:37 PM
Timetables galore!

X17/X19/X77 timetable:
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_46181_X17.pdf

16 timetable:
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_46183_16.pdf
(NB The observations I made above based on the 'travel planner' seem to be wrong: the route is the same as the current 16's, just terminating short. If only the times were just a bit earlier, then it might be useful for both people in Coventry and Kenilworth who need to be at Warwick Uni on the hour! 2 minutes past is no good for them!)

X17/X19 map:
http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Map_46180_X17.pdf
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Tony on October 25, 2013, 05:53:58 PM
Quote from: Ashley 4566 on October 22, 2013, 01:25:02 PM
Without totally hijacking the topic, Stagecoach have invested well in northampton and theres an immediately noticeable difference on routes that stagecoach have taken over from First ie, passenger numbers have shot up on routes like the 2, well that was from two days worth of observations anyway, clearly id best go and get pictures of the majority of the fleet before the clearout of rubbish

The new batch of Enviro 200s for Northampton are going to be 37038-37074
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on November 08, 2013, 07:08:55 PM
Confusingly, the short 16 journeys display 'University' as their destination.
So they depart the University, towards Kenilworth, displaying 'University'.
If they want to get staff and students of the University to use the service, they need to modify the times so that they arrive before the hour and depart after -- the current 02 minutes past is of use for neither!
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on November 17, 2013, 10:38:44 PM
Further changes to the 16/16a/16x from January:

66
PD0000479/216 - MIDLAND RED (SOUTH) LTD T/A STAGECOACH MIDLANDS, MAIN ROAD, FAR COTTON, NORTHAMPTON, NN4 8ES

Variation Accepted: Operating between Coventry and Stratford given service number 16A/16/16X effective from 06-Jan-2014. To amend Timetable.
99
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: :D on November 20, 2013, 03:18:38 PM
Quote from: Valandil on November 08, 2013, 07:08:55 PM
Confusingly, the short 16 journeys display 'University' as their destination.
So they depart the University, towards Kenilworth, displaying 'University'.
If they want to get staff and students of the University to use the service, they need to modify the times so that they arrive before the hour and depart after -- the current 02 minutes past is of use for neither!
Yup, I got screwed over by this once, I was going towards the university but I'd missed the stop so I thought I'd stay on so it goes around the loop and back out to the bus stop I've missed but instead it started going towards Kenilworth.

Any information on Jan 6th bus timetable changes?
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on November 20, 2013, 08:19:04 PM
Not yet, but I'll keep my eyes out!
I had a very useful email from someone at Stagecoach Midlands yesterday, and it seems that the times of the 16(a/x) are to stay as they are in this set of changes.
The shorts do interwork with the X17/X19, and the times of the X17/X19 have been agreed with lots of important organisations, so are pretty much set in stone, for the time being at least.

For staff and students, the whole "getting to Warwick campus at 02 minutes past the hour in both directions" thing isn't great: it's not useful for either getting there for the hour or leaving after the hour (unless you can run to the main bus stop in 2 minutes).
I'm not surprised that the 16's are usually virtually empty, despite having potential for those coming from Coventry, the Rail Station and Kenilworth to/from the university.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JoNi on November 25, 2013, 08:32:33 PM
Seen buses displaying "16 Kenilworth" in the last week.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: Valandil on November 26, 2013, 12:47:24 PM
Really?
I have still yet to see any short 16 displaying Kenilworth.
Here is one displaying 'University' yesterday:
(https://wmbusphotos.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi42.tinypic.com%2F2vhx8j6.jpg&hash=c9b54c304d767b2edfd7c87975120ce1f983c144)
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: JoNi on November 26, 2013, 12:59:31 PM
Yes took a pic of X17/X19 branded 36947 showing "16 Kenilworth" this morning.
Title: Re: Introduction of gold buses on X17
Post by: :D on November 26, 2013, 10:44:11 PM
Quote from: JoNi on November 26, 2013, 12:59:31 PM
Yes took a pic of X17/X19 branded 36947 showing "16 Kenilworth" this morning.
I can confirm, I was on it today.

Quote from: Valandil on November 20, 2013, 08:19:04 PM
Not yet, but I'll keep my eyes out!
I had a very useful email from someone at Stagecoach Midlands yesterday, and it seems that the times of the 16(a/x) are to stay as they are in this set of changes.
The shorts do interwork with the X17/X19, and the times of the X17/X19 have been agreed with lots of important organisations, so are pretty much set in stone, for the time being at least.

For staff and students, the whole "getting to Warwick campus at 02 minutes past the hour in both directions" thing isn't great: it's not useful for either getting there for the hour or leaving after the hour (unless you can run to the main bus stop in 2 minutes).
I'm not surprised that the 16's are usually virtually empty, despite having potential for those coming from Coventry, the Rail Station and Kenilworth to/from the university.

Most lectures finish at 5 minutes to an hour and I've caught the xx:02 but I do agree it isn't useful. Although it was nearly always late, so I actually got to use it more than I would have if the bus was on time.