Stagecoach in Coventry & Warwickshire

[Ally]

39681 decided to have a wee in Bedworth Town Centre on Tuesday, just a couple of weeks after it previously got engineers dragged out when the kneeling floor interlock wouldn't disengage!

After a while underneath the bus and some burns injuries, the engineer removed the coolant hose which had a huge gaping hole in and fitted a new one before it was given it's 3rd dose of coolant for the day... In the engineers words "The pipes on these are s**t, they rub against absolutely everything".
It's the 3rd time for me in the last year now, but least it wasn't a tow in job this time like 39690 when it peed out all over the alternators and burnt one out!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1558262484454308&l=217f9389d2
(Featuring awfully placed coolant filler inlet)

[Ashley 60171]

Not quite Warwickshire but Northampton Dart 34589 which suffered accident damage a while ago has gone to Carlisle to donate its front end to their own 34771 which crashed into a shop window I believe

[Ally]

As I posted in the breakdowns earlier, 47075's turbo decided to commit suicide this afternoon on the 767 service from Birch Coppice, near Tamworth.
I recorded a few clips of it's struggles on the limping journey back:

Those Solos normally have no problems even on steep hills, this couldn't handle a slight gradient. Thankfully it hadn't completely blown up, so second gear was actually possible!

[Adam 404]

http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/blog/archives/alerts/bus-timetable-changes-30-march-2015
Service 10 will no longer serve Fosse Park. Didn't take long for Stagecoach to give that extension up!

[Ally]

The closure of Park Road in Bedworth is taking it's toll on the Friday rush hour 48's today, with 3 following each other into Nuneaton (2 Leicesters and 1 Atherstone) and 3 following each other out, one of which then went dead to Coventry.
I pulled into Atherstone at 16:45 on the 766 and in came the 16:20 48 followed swiftly by the 16:40.

[Ally]

I've just passed Leamington's Versa YJ09EZP on Queens Road in Nuneaton in 36166, thought I was losing the plot! It's the same place and time that I usually pass the Staff Bus too.

[Ally]

I've been informed that Stagecoach Midlands are to trial new ticket machines from July (if all goes to plan), some of the features include the automatic fare stage updates (putting an end to the old "well this driver charged me *such & such* yesterday" argument) and a facility allowing the depot to send messages to the drivers, although this isn't a two way feature like on board radios.
I'll post more information as & when I find out myself  :)

[jc]

Stagecoach are one of the few operators to issue the nbus concession ticket within the west midlands, although very few drivers seem to know how to issue it

[Ally]

An unidentified MAN Enviro 200 passed through Nuneaton town centre at approximately 17.20pm closely followed by the Transit Connect van (Engineering) and went into the garage, parking outside the pits. Sadly I wasn't able to go and get an ID but it looked repainted, actually looked brand new if I'm honest! No idea if it's one of our own or if it's a transfer. Will try asking about if I see any familiar faces.

EDIT: 39680 freshly repainted with no branding, it had new front wheel covers fitted which is quite odd for Nuneaton as they don't seem to like keeping them on the buses.

[Ashley 60171]

Re -  Recent fleetcard

22374 still having axle repairs
17615 has replaced 16495 at Corby
17613 expected to go to Rugby
17614 to Stratford
17622 to Kettering
17494 17527 17575 O/T conversions for Stratford
The other 7 at Bus and Coach World, Blackburn

Info from Stagecoach news Yahoo group so usual disclaimers apply. Just thought it may be of use.

[Ally]

39687 is another repaint, losing it's Matrix branding in the process (on the outside at least).

[Ally]

36153 has had to go away for assessment and repairs as it has been too badly damaged to be fixed at Nuneaton, the engine cooling system is completely destroyed and the car struck the chassis so it could be even worse if there's any damage there...

47128 is now at Nuneaton, one of the drivers was saying how when writing the defect card out, she was confused when it was numbered differently (ours being 4707* ones), then a few days later, I ended up with it. Picture: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1597623210518235&l=f91b819351

[bensweeney14]

Another Unknown MAN 396XX has been repainted at Nuneaton, believed to be either 39683 or 39686. Arriva Tamworth are also now fully aware of a 48 extension to Tamworth, so now it is looking very likely.

Also news being the MAN's at Nuneaton will be used on the 48 to Tamworth, 39680 has all ready appeared on the 48 since it's repaint and unbranding. The (bad) news being that the 55/56/57 will now most likely be covered by standard Enviro 200 ADL 'Go Karts'  :'( :'(

The Enviro 200's released by Carlisle in place for the Optare Solo's are going to Stagecoach Midlands/Stagecoach South, Stagecoach Nuneaton expected for the 55/56/57.

[the trainbasher]

Does anyone know if olympians get allocated to any Coventry routes?

[JoNi]

Yes, none seen today so far.