Visited Long Sutton today - will post list of vehicles separately. The controllers there told me the official allocation is 18, of which 4 are outstationed from Peterborough for the X9 (also journeys on 36 Wisbech - Peterborough and 24A Peterborough - Orton Northgate I gather). The drivers for these 4 vehicles are provided by Long Sutton (as is breakdown cover, from today I was told). Long Sutton also has one bus outstationed at IKEA Peterborough (the other 2 being from Huntingdon I think).
The X9 workings were previously March duties so some drivers have moved from March depot to Long Sutton. March now has 9 vehicles and is still officially an outstation of Peterborough as far as the vehicles are concerned (but drivers are provided by and controlled from Long Sutton). The former Cavalier outstation at Gaul Farm off the March bypass closed last weekend.
9 vehicles is probably the most that can be accommodated in the building at March. According to my notes March depot had 6 vehicles as at June 2003 but had previously been up to 9. By May 2005 it was back up to 9 but later reduced to 7. On April 8th 2007 the allocation was reduced from 7 to 4 so latterly there has been spare space. It has sometimes been used to house the open top FLF.
Enthusiasts visiting Long Sutton should note that Stagecoach and Norfolk Green accept each others tickets on service 505 Spalding - Long Sutton - Kings Lynn, meaning that Dayrider Plus and Megarider Plus tickets are valid on both operators throughout the route. Another useful titbit is that the 1030 Wisbech - Long Sutton - Wisbech journey on the 39 (ex 384) diverts via the depot for a driver changeover at 1113, which happens outside the depot gates. The depot is 10-15 minutes walk down Seagate Lane from the stop at the Spa Shop on route 505 (just across the by-pass). The MacDonalds stop on the 39 is a few minutes walk.
Hope this is of interest.
Brendan
