National Express Coaches

[Ally]

Super rare working today as the Bristol to Penzance leg of the 330 service is being operated by decker BV66WPL.
It is expected to be swapped off tomorrow so probably won't make it to the Midlands, however if it is does go to make it up, I will post again

[Ally]

A rare working to keep an eye out for today is EYMS YY63OEO on loan to Go Northern, operating the 530 service towards Paignton. Due into Birmingham at 14:35, due out at 15:00.

[I love Walsall buses]

Apparently Stansted have had 5 enviro 200s from Abellio London is this true

[winston]

Apparently Stansted have had 5 enviro 200s from Abellio London is this true

Yes, see Tony's NXWM Fleetlist 876-880 (been there since August last year).

[Ally]

Caetano Boa Vista decker BU18OTB is currently make a super rare appearance heading southbound on the M5 just past Exeter towards Penzance via Plymouth on the 330 service, if anyone knows any Southern Spotters, they might be keen to get out and snap this one!
It will return Northbound tomorrow, but I'm expecting it to be taken off again at Bristol, but if it does manage to make it further north to Nottingham via Birmingham, I will post again.

[Ally]

Another rare Boa Vista working today, as Edwards Bristol BV66WPL has made it across the drink and into Wales partially covering on the Edwards Wales 202 service which failed at Heathrow earlier on. It commenced from Bristol and is definitely going as far as Cardiff. I'm not 100% sure on whether or not it will continue on to Swansea or if Edwards will input another vehicle to continue on from there, as the driver was told to take it to Cardiff.

[winston]

NX have quietly introduced their own on-demand travel website branded 'Neon' (similar to Vamooz), there doesn't appear to be an app for it yet, I'd not heard of it up until recently, not sure if/where it's currently being marketed. Most of the trips seem to centre around music events / concerts at present: 
https://getneon.co.uk/

[LazyGuy222]

I was on the 339 today, between Bristol and Leicester, and the coach from Westward Ho! swapped with BV17 GUD.

However according to both bustimes.org and the national express live tracker, the same bus which was swapped at Bristol was running a 339 but running around 2hrs late. My coach was defo running at Leicester though.

[Tony]

I was on the 339 today, between Bristol and Leicester, and the coach from Westward Ho! swapped with BV17 GUD.

However according to both bustimes.org and the national express live tracker, the same bus which was swapped at Bristol was running a 339 but running around 2hrs late. My coach was defo running at Leicester though.

Hence why we tell people not to quote workings of trackers

[CL]

One of EYMS' Levante IIIs have received a full-body wrap for the winning design in their 'Driving Design' competition. From what I can make out in the photographs, it appears to be number 3 (BF68 LCX).

https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/blog/driving-design-winner-revealed

[LazyGuy222]

What are drivers legal hours before requiring a break? Also how long does this break have to be?

[Ally]

What are drivers legal hours before requiring a break? Also how long does this break have to be?

4.5 hours max driving time and then a 45 minute uninterrupted break has to be recorded on the tacho. There is scope for this to be split into a 15 and 30 (has to be in this order). The driver can take it as a passenger onboard, hence some services being dual-crewed.

For example, as the 333 service (Blackpool to Bournemouth) currently works, the coach is shunted to Sandbach services where the main drivers then take over, they drive the service to Birmingham then have a 15 min recorded break, then proceed on to Bristol where they then have the remaining 30 minutes. This then clears the clock and gives them a full 4.5 hours to make Bournemouth.
Drivers can only drive for 9 hours in a day, but this can be extended to 10 hours no more than twice in a week.

Idling does not count towards the 4.5 hours, something I used to wrongly assume did count.

Drivers are still able to drive company cars and vans outside of the above
An example of this is the 302 Bristol to Northampton service. The coach comes off the 200 service from Gatwick then goes to the yard to be cleaned, toilet dropped, fuelled etc.
The service is incredibly tight for driving time and with the already racked up driving time from the yard, is impossible to complete. So it's worked like this:
- 302 driver takes the coach to Bristol Coach Station
- 302 driver then drives a company van to Bath Bus Station and waits there
- Driver who arrives off the 339 from Grimsby has a 45 break
- Ex-339 driver then shunts the 302 coach in service between Bristol and Bath
- 302 driver takes on 302 coach for the rest of the journey
- 339 driver goes direct to the yard with the company van

I hope this helps!

[Pat]

Is the 409 (London - Aberystwyth) now worked with a Levante 3.  Saw one in Telford last night for the first time on the 409.

[Busboy105]

Does anyone know what services does the new double decker coaches operate on?

[LazyGuy222]

Does anyone know what services does the new double decker coaches operate on?

They defo work the 040 between Bristol and London