Coventry Garage

[paulb1973]

I assume the 139 buses at Coventry mentioned in Coach and Bus Weekly is the pvr.

A requirement of around 140 (with 155 buses altogether) sounds about right. 139 doesn't actually sound very big when you think of Coventry's population(300,000+) but I suppose it isn't huge geographically, and there are other operators.

[JoNi]

Using the number of buses operated from Coventry garage is a very poor comparison with 30 years ago as increased congestion has required more buses to undertake fewer journeys.
A better comparison would be the number of journeys operated, reflecting how frequent evening services are a shadow of what they used to be.
Better still the number of passengers carried reflecting industrial change, loss of school bus work, the 192 group, tenders for services like the 1 and 801 would be a better comparison.
The fact buses operate to Leamington also reduces the number of buses that serve citizens.
Statistics can be made to mean anything.

[paulb1973]

Using the number of buses operated from Coventry garage is a very poor comparison with 30 years ago as increased congestion has required more buses to undertake fewer journeys.
A better comparison would be the number of journeys operated, reflecting how frequent evening services are a shadow of what they used to be.
Better still the number of passengers carried reflecting industrial change, loss of school bus work, the 192 group, tenders for services like the 1 and 801 would be a better comparison.
The fact buses operate to Leamington also reduces the number of buses that serve citizens.
Statistics can be made to mean anything.

Yeah, I agree with that. Looking at just garage vehicle totals is very simplistic indeed. Add to the above - buses are generally more reliable compared to 20-30 years ago I assume (amongst many other reasons as you allude to). I'm sure around 1994 WT had about 165-170 buses - which isn't hugely different from today.

[D10]

I was interested in previous comments so decided to have a look back myself!

I have counted manually from my fleet-lists so I may be a few out, but it seem that in July 1986 just prior to deregulation there were 112 buses allocated to Wheatley Street and 111 allocated to Sandy Lane to give a total of 223 buses allocated to Coventy.

Just over 19 years ago in October 1997 there were 173 allocated to Wheratley Street

[paulb1973]

I was interested in previous comments so decided to have a look back myself!

I have counted manually from my fleet-lists so I may be a few out, but it seem that in July 1986 just prior to deregulation there were 112 buses allocated to Wheatley Street and 111 allocated to Sandy Lane to give a total of 223 buses allocated to Coventy.

Just over 19 years ago in October 1997 there were 173 allocated to Wheratley Street

Wheatley Street was designed to hold 140 buses (according to my West Midlands PTE book by Malcolm Keeley, I seem to recall). So you could say it was slightly under capacity upon opening, but quite a bit over once Sandy Lane had closed. Finding new homes for 111 vehicles sounds like quite a task.

Ten or so years before (1/1/87) the total (WT only by then) was 191 - we had most of 6582-91/6635-37 still here at that point, so some 30-odd buses had gone on or around deregulation. There has been a gentle fall in the totals since 1987 seemingly - but really a small steady decline.

[Sandy Lane]

Opened March 1986 - 31 years fairly soon.

Quote from the TC web site.

2016 marked 30 years of operation for Coventry bus depot at Pool Meadow. These days, National Express UK Bus employs 450 people in Coventry, running 139 buses on 19 routes, plus school services.

Councillor Phil Bateman was Chair of the old West Midlands County Council Passenger Transport Committee and laid the foundation stone at the start of the grand project back in March 1985. He says the garage was a big deal for the city and for the bus company.

"Coventry bus station was the first purpose-built bus depot in the West Midlands. Buses in Coventry had been based at Sandy Lane and Harnall Lane garages before this, in old, dilapidated buildings where the rain came in. It was state-of-the art - so exciting - with a purpose-built canteen and social club, which are still there.

"We called it Wheatley Street garage back then, after the street where the grain warehouse was - that's disappeared off the map now."

The garage has seen many other big changes in the last 30 years.

"The bus industry has really benefited from the waves of people who've come to the West Midlands to live and work," says Phil. "In the late '90s, we were finding it difficult to find and recruit bus drivers, so we were extremely grateful for the arrival of the Poles. And there are still 26 nationalities at work here in Coventry bus depot today."

Many of the drivers at Coventry garage have been working there for years and have seen a lot of changes to the bus industry.

"We got radios in the 1980s," says Coventry bus driver Bob Walker. "That was a big change for us. Being able to talk to someone back at the depot made us feel much more connected.

"But the biggest change, I think, has been in how comfortable the buses are these days. I think they're much nicer for the passengers now."

During the '90s, bendy buses ran on the streets of Coventry - taking passengers to the hospital and the station.

And in the early 2000s, National Express scrapped the "toothpaste" livery and painted all the buses Coventry blue - the colour of the famous cloth produced in the city.

Despite all the changes, Councillor Bateman believes:

"This industry will always have a future. If you work in transport, you'll always have an interesting job. Transport holds everything together. It's a big industry but it feels small - everyone knows each other and people don't get forgotten."

Published 3rd January 2017

http://nxbus.co.uk/coventry/news/coventry-bus-garage-30-years-of-service

[don]

Wheatley Street was designed to hold 140 buses (according to my West Midlands PTE book by Malcolm Keeley, I seem to recall). So you could say it was slightly under capacity upon opening, but quite a bit over once Sandy Lane had closed. Finding new homes for 111 vehicles sounds like quite a task.

Ten or so years before (1/1/87) the total (WT only by then) was 191 - we had most of 6582-91/6635-37 still here at that point, so some 30-odd buses had gone on or around deregulation. There has been a gentle fall in the totals since 1987 seemingly - but really a small steady decline.

An interesting comparison from Malcolm Keeley's West Midlands PTE book (1988) "the takeover of the Coventry undertaking (April 1974) increased the fleet by slightly over 300 vehicles to around 2600 buses". So around 300 at that date.

After delivery of the last new Fleetlines (end of 1978), the fleet comprised 95 Fleetlines new (or nearly in the case of 6721-6740); 160 Fleetlines new to Coventry Transport, 19 Atlanteans, 3 BCT trial batch Fleetlines, 10 rear entrance buses, and a handful of single deckers including one coach - say around 290 vehicles (note that there may have been 10 or so Coventry vehicles in operation elsewhere in the West Midlands for one reason or another including engineering disputes!)

The real reductions resulted from the extensive closures of manufacturing in the early 80s (Coventry ran a lot of works services), requirements to save finance owing to Government dictates in the early 80s by raising fares and cutting services across the West Midlands (on one occasion by 10% in one year) and then deregulation in 1986. You would be forgiven for thinking the Government of the day wasn't terribly keen on public transport. Thankfully times have changed!

Problems with complaints about noise pollution from the residential area around Harnall Lane garage, and a planned new bus garage at Wheatley Street appeared in the published transport plan for the West Midlands County Council (as was) from the mid 70s. All of this predated the Sky Blue Way/Foleshill Link Road to the M6 which was an 80s development, so traffic congestion was pretty awful even in the 1970s, with little or no bus priority.

[paulb1973]

An interesting comparison from Malcolm Keeley's West Midlands PTE book (1988) "the takeover of the Coventry undertaking (April 1974) increased the fleet by slightly over 300 vehicles to around 2600 buses". So around 300 at that date.

After delivery of the last new Fleetlines (end of 1978), the fleet comprised 95 Fleetlines new (or nearly in the case of 6721-6740); 160 Fleetlines new to Coventry Transport, 19 Atlanteans, 3 BCT trial batch Fleetlines, 10 rear entrance buses, and a handful of single deckers including one coach - say around 290 vehicles (note that there may have been 10 or so Coventry vehicles in operation elsewhere in the West Midlands for one reason or another including engineering disputes!)

The real reductions resulted from the extensive closures of manufacturing in the early 80s (Coventry ran a lot of works services), requirements to save finance owing to Government dictates in the early 80s by raising fares and cutting services across the West Midlands (on one occasion by 10% in one year) and then deregulation in 1986. You would be forgiven for thinking the Government of the day wasn't terribly keen on public transport. Thankfully times have changed!

Problems with complaints about noise pollution from the residential area around Harnall Lane garage, and a planned new bus garage at Wheatley Street appeared in the published transport plan for the West Midlands County Council (as was) from the mid 70s. All of this predated the Sky Blue Way/Foleshill Link Road to the M6 which was an 80s development, so traffic congestion was pretty awful even in the 1970s, with little or no bus priority.

It would seem the fleet total didn't change greatly throughout the 1970's. The 95 Fleetlines taken on new I assume would be; 4447-66, 6721-60, 6916-35/62-71/84-89 [did a few 69xx examples arrive in 1979?]. The huge collection of ex-Coventry Transport Fleetlines would include 1Y to 142Y and the later batch of twenty-two Willowbrook bodied Fleetlines 360Y-381Y [less any withdrawals or those sent temporarily elsewhere]. The Altlanteans remaining would be the rump of 338Y-359Y - I know 339 was written-off c.1970 by fire. I assume all of 1-142 survived intact, in other words not scrapped, until around 1978.

[don]

It would seem the fleet total didn't change greatly throughout the 1970's. The 95 Fleetlines taken on new I assume would be; 4447-66, 6721-60, 6916-35/62-71/84-89 [did a few 69xx examples arrive in 1979?]. The huge collection of ex-Coventry Transport Fleetlines would include 1Y to 142Y and the later batch of twenty-two Willowbrook bodied Fleetlines 360Y-381Y [less any withdrawals or those sent temporarily elsewhere]. The Altlanteans remaining would be the rump of 338Y-359Y - I know 339 was written-off c.1970 by fire. I assume all of 1-142 survived intact, in other words not scrapped, until around 1978.

Yes that's about it. There were a handful of the 338-380 batches withdrawn in 1978, then around 18 of the 1-22 batch were withdrawn in 1979 along with the last rear platform buses. The BCT Fleetlines were 3241, 3243 and 3244 (Fleetline 3241 was the third complete bus from the production line). The matter was also confused in 1979 by 7 or so ex CCT Fleetlines moving to Selly Oak owing to the dispute, whilst five ex Hull Atlanteans, and PTE Fleetlines 4051-4054 also arrived. And of course, the first couple of Coventry's regular intake of Metrobuses arrived in December.

So 1978 was a pretty stable point and easier to count! Do you know which Leyland Nationals were there (I think it was a couple from 6836-6850 and maybe a dual purpose one).

It's possible some of 6984-89 were delivered but not in service until the start of 1979. 6998-7000 were delivered in Jan 1979 (also entering service in Jan - at Walsall).

[busfan2847]

In March 1977 the allocations at S and H were:

1-41Y S; 42Y H; 43Y S; 44Y H; 45Y S; 46Y H; 47Y S; 48Y H; 49-76Y S; 77-142Y H; 246Y H; 249Y H; 253Y S; 254Y H; 255Y S; 256Y H; 257Y S; 258Y H; 259/61Y S; 264Y H; 265Y S; 266-337Y odd S; even H; 338/40-59Y H; 365-381Y, 407Y S; 408Y H; 4447-4461 H; 4462-4466 S; 5877 H

These ex Coventry buses were elsewhere - 1211/20/4/5/9/32-5/42/5/7/8, 1250-2/63 AG; 1360-4 DY;

The last CVG6s were withdrawn in 1979 and withdrawal of the first of the Atlanteans and 3xxY batch of Fleetlines took place in 1978. 1-22Y withdrawals started in 1979.

by mid 1980 allocations were (Coventry buses were renumbered in the 1xxx series in late 1979):

1002/3/11/3/5/20 S; 1023-1040 H; 1041-1060 S; 1061-1076 H; 1077-1094 S; 1095-1142 H; 1338/40-2/4/5/7/54-6/9 S; 1360-1362 H; 1363-1370 S; 1371 H; 1373-5/9/80 S; 3244 H; 4447-4466 S; 6721-6740 S; 6741-6760 H; 6832 H; 6844/5 H; 6846 S; 6851 H; 6854 H; 6856 H; 6916-6935 S; 6962-6971 H; 6984-6989 H (6721-6740 coming via AG)

By March 1984:

1077/9/81 S; 1082 H; 1083/5/7/9 S; 1090 H; 1091/3/5/7 S; 1098-1125 odd S; even H;  1127 S; 1128 H; 1129 S; 1130 H; 1131 S; 1132 H; 1133 S; 1134 H; 1135 S; 1136 H; 1137 S; 1138/40/2 H; 2016-2031 odd S; even H; 2106-2116 odd S; even H; 2156-2167 odd S; even H; 2195-2199 odd S; even H; 2451-2468 odd S; even H; 2611-2618 odd S; even H; 2626-2635 odd S; even H; 4447-53/5-4466 odd S; even H; 6721-6760 odd S; even H; 6832 H; 6844-6846 H; 6851H; 6854 H; 6856 H; 6916-6935 odd S; even H; 6962-6971 odd S; even H; 6984-6989 odd S; even H

and by July 1986 (3 months before D-Day, NB single deckers numbered into 1xxx series in 1985 with no overlap with remaining Coventry buses)

1105 H; 1111 S; 1127/32 H; 1135 S; 1136 H; 1140 H; 1844/5 S; 1846 H; 1851/2 H; 1854 H; 1856 H; 2016-2031 odd S; even H; 2106-2116 odd S; even H; 2156-2165 odd S; even H; 2167/8 odd S; even H; 2195-2199 odd S; even H; 2263 H; 2451-2468 odd S;even H; 2611-2618 odd S; even H; 2626-2635 odd S; even H; 2763-2772 odd S; even H; 2837-2840 odd S; even H; 2862-2868 odd S; even H; 2877-2879 odd S; even H; 2885 S; 2886 H; 2891-2898 odd S; even H; 4447-9/51-3/5-4466 odd S; even H; 6721-6760 odd S; even H; 6916-6935 odd S; even H;  6962-6971 odd S; even H;  6984-6989 odd S; even H

The most unusual allocation was the allocation of 5877 a BMMO S21 as a back up coach for a period in 1977!
   

[don]

by mid 1980 allocations were (Coventry buses were renumbered in the 1xxx series in late 1979):

1002/3/11/3/5/20 S; 1023-1040 H; 1041-1060 S; 1061-1076 H; 1077-1094 S; 1095-1142 H; 1338/40-2/4/5/7/54-6/9 S; 1360-1362 H; 1363-1370 S; 1371 H; 1373-5/9/80 S; 3244 H; 4447-4466 S; 6721-6740 S; 6741-6760 H; 6832 H; 6844/5 H; 6846 S; 6851 H; 6854 H; 6856 H; 6916-6935 S; 6962-6971 H; 6984-6989 H (6721-6740 coming via AG)

The most unusual allocation was the allocation of 5877 a BMMO S21 as a back up coach for a period in 1977!

These are very comprehensive lists, and yes, 5877 was extraordinary, replicated at Selly Oak as well!! It clarifies the allocations of Nationals, thanks.

Should the mid 1980 list include the V reg Metrobuses (2016-2031), and Leyland Titan 7005? Presumably the Hull Atlanteans had gone by then.

[busfan2847]

The "mid-1980" list did not include any Metrobuses so perhaps it was closer to early 1980, although the SO vehicles were delivered in late 1979 so should be there. I will have to check the Fleetlist again tonight.

All of the 5 Titans were at PB by the time of this list.

The Hull Atlanteans were withdrawn between 1976 and 1979.

[paulb1973]

I assume buses allocated to 'H' in July 86 might well have been Wheatley Street's initial allocation of buses as Harnall Lane had closed in March 1986. So some ex-Coventry Transport Fleetlines (1105/27/32/36/40 potentially) were based with WT albeit briefly. Unless a late reshuffle was instigated.

Metrobus 2168 was clearly a later arrival compared to sisters 2156-67. 2263 I assume was an advert bus. I know Mk1's 2106-2110** and 2195-99 along with a number of 69xx Fleetlines were presumably deemed surplus and didn't operate in the city after deregulation. The remaining survivors of 4447-66 went too.

The inclusion of Dudley based 2619 is interesting - I'm sure this bus had two lengthy spells in Coventry [the second one was after DY had closed for good I recall] the first one was around 1989/90, perhaps it was here to cover for long-term absentee 2629 with its Barclays advert/s? I remember it operating in blue/cream in the first period. Was it a Coventry bus originally? On a similar theme, WT lost 2611 but gained sister 2610 from YW around 1990 - I never understood why that swap/transfer took place!

(** I had thought Cov got 2105-2116, is that a typo, should '2106' read 2105 ?)

[don]

The "mid-1980" list did not include any Metrobuses so perhaps it was closer to early 1980, although the SO vehicles were delivered in late 1979 so should be there. I will have to check the Fleetlist again tonight.

All of the 5 Titans were at PB by the time of this list.

The Hull Atlanteans were withdrawn between 1976 and 1979.

The five Hull Atlanteans appear to have a short term allocation between Jan and Mar 79 whilst 7005 moved in January 1980 to PB. The first two of Coventry's first batch of Metrobuses were in service in 1979 so you'd expect the others to have turned up in Jan 80.

Was 2168 originally a Black Country bus (DY?)

[paulb1973]

The five Hull Atlanteans appear to have a short term allocation between Jan and Mar 79 whilst 7005 moved in January 1980 to PB. The first two of Coventry's first batch of Metrobuses were in service in 1979 so you'd expect the others to have turned up in Jan 80.

Was 2168 originally a Black Country bus (DY?)

I think you are correct.

I have a few notes on the Coventry Mk1 Metrobuses; for 2168's allocations I have this (using various published fleet lists - but I have quite big time gaps)
New to DY [1/81] -> HN [date?] -> WT [3/86] -> BC [at 1990 & 4/93] -> On-loan to Stevensons [at 5/95 & 7/95] -> QN? -> YW [at 11/97 & 2/98 & summer 98 & 12/98 & 7/99] -> u [at 6/00 & 9/00] -> Sold to PVS, Barnsley for scrap, 2000.