National Express Coaches

[ellspurs]

Anyone know if the people involved in last nights crash are ok?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-64235666

News report says 12 taken to hospital, three serious.

[Michael Bevan]

Mirrorless Levante 3A BV72 XEX has been on the 400 this week between London and Birmingham.

[IMarkeh]

Apparently a good few new services starting in March and April, not sure why NatEx is being slow at opening up the services though. Surely they want bookings ASAP?

Noted from discussions with others are that Chester is due to get some kind of service to be ran by Stagecoach MCSL Rock Ferry depot (apparently a Chester route but they are running it from Rock Ferry due to no toilet drop) using 64 plate ex Megabus South Bristol Levantes.

Also of note is Bruces apparently due a Glasgow to Liverpool via Manchester route, a 590X and a daytime 596.


Other news. This bit reported by David Wallington (Head of commercial & NatEx) on the National Express Group Enthusiasts & Passengers Discussing Facebook Group is that Skeggy and Minehead are not operating this year so that they can focus on the main network. 

[winston]

Noted from discussions with others are that Chester is due to get some kind of service to be ran by Stagecoach MCSL Rock Ferry depot (apparently a Chester route but they are running it from Rock Ferry due to no toilet drop) using 64 plate ex Megabus South Bristol Levantes.

I'm surprised NX are allowing 9 year old coaches on to a new service to Chester. They will be the oldest coaches on the network.

That said, there's still a decent number of 65 plate coaches on the network, including from Own Ops fleets.

[markcf83]

I'm surprised NX are allowing 9 year old coaches on to a new service to Chester. They will be the oldest coaches on the network.

That said, there's still a decent number of 65 plate coaches on the network, including from Own Ops fleets.

Perhaps there's a promise of newer vehicles in the first few months and that they're merely starting the service with them.

Also,did this news mention anything about services recommencing to serve Worcester?

[Mayfield]

I'd be surprised if NX use 9 year old coaches on the Chester service seeing as it being run by Stagecoach 

[IMarkeh]

I'd be surprised if NX use 9 year old coaches on the Chester service seeing as it being run by Stagecoach

Scania Levantes are currently with Stagecoach Rock Ferry being repainted. 59223/26/27/28 are the buses involved. It's gone through a good few local Stagecoach MCSL groups that these are being repainted for National Express use.

[BN]

5602; 5603; 5604 HLC - SH

[Tony]

5602; 5603; 5604 HLC - SH

Going to be 351-3

[BN]

Going to be 351-3

Anymore coming? What's happened to 339 onwards?
New ones have started at 4xx as well

[Tony]

Anymore coming? What's happened to 339 onwards?
New ones have started at 4xx as well

up to 347 have been delivered, They were being put on 7i last week. C350 has already been used

[winston]

Anymore coming? What's happened to 339 onwards?
New ones have started at 4xx as well

@BN more that I'm aware of:

340 BV72XFX
342 BV72XFZ
343 BV72XGA
BV72XFY
BV72XGB
BV72XGN
BV72XGO
BV72XGP
BV72XGR
BV72XGS
(XGN, XGO, XGP seem to be at LA, the rest at SH)

BV72XEX Levante 3A is also currently at SH

[John]

@BN more that I'm aware of:

340 BV72XFX
342 BV72XFZ
343 BV72XGA
BV72XFY
BV72XGB
BV72XGN
BV72XGO
BV72XGP
BV72XGR
BV72XGS
(XGN, XGO, XGP seem to be at LA, the rest at SH)

BV72XEX Levante 3A is also currently at SH

XGS is 346 and XGN is 347. Got snaps of those 2 in London last week as well as 343

[winston]

More fleet numbers confirmed for NX Ops batch at SH & LA:
344 BV72XGB
348 BV72XGO
349 BV72XGP

More new ones confirmed:
BV23ZUA Bruce's Loan (until their spec one's arrive i.e. larger fuel tanks)
BV23ZUC Bruce's Loan (until their spec one's arrive i.e. larger fuel tanks)
BV23ZUD Selywns
BV23ZVA Selywns
BV23ZVB tbc
BV23ZVC tbc

[Tony]

Basic details of all of 339-353 are now on the main site here
NX Coach fleet (wmbusphotos.com)