Author Topic: Bedford Stagecoach happenings 2022 (Read 4896 times)

MIB · « **on:** January 05, 2022, 02:27:23 PM »

Happy new year.

My first sortie out of the house today for a food shop had me on 22839 on a 50. I then did 19576 on a 9b which departed 13 minutes late starting the year as they mean to go on. I just about made 19567 back on a 9 and went home on 15607 on the 1236 50.

I have to admit to being disgruntled as I may live in Bedfordshire but I am not entitled to benefit from the Bedfordshire fare changes. As I am on a Kettering route I am still being charged £8.20 for a Bedford plus ticket and not the £6.60 new fare because Midlands has not changed their fares. It seems one part of Stagecoach does not talk to the other.

Other piffle observed were 18108 on a 50, 10499 and 11279 on 1's and 19574 on a 9a. There were three E400's parked at the back of the depot.

PS Can some kind soul put this on a 2022 thread as I have forgotten how to do it! Thanks

MIB · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2022, 03:10:08 PM »

Thanks for creating the new thread for me. I have not been able to get access this week until today not that there is much to say.

I did 35222 on a 50 into town on a London visit last Thursday. On Sunday I went to MK on the X5 out with 10804 and back with 10876. I was withered by the sight of 19583 on the 1 as it is still a winner and the only one to work in Bedford last year I failed to get. I will have to get it when I get the chance. I see it is out on the 1430 9c today.

People will not be surprised that I have another complaint about Stagecoach giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Now they have got rid of return tickets I had to pay for two singles which basically is a price hike of £1.80 in disguise. I get that the single fare has gone down from £8 to £6.40 but the problem is the return X5 fare to MK used to cost £11 but now it is £12.80 buying two singles. Obviously if I go to MK I have to come back so I feel ripped off by getting rid of the returns and the fact I still have to pay £8.20 instead of £6.60 for a dayrider plus from where I live.

Oh and before I forget that time I had no 50 home for over 3 hours, all I got from Stagecoach Midlands was an apology but no compensation. So basically if they decide one day not to run any 50's it is tough luck I won't get anything. Yet on the railway you get compensation for a train half an hour late... Why would anyone give up using the car for a bus?

MIB · « **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2022, 01:49:02 PM »

Some good news for me this morning when I boarded a packed 36849 on the 50 into town as Kettering have now been informed of the Bedford fare changes so I now get a £1.60 reduction. The bad news was only three buses on the route as the one in front of me was fresh air. The three diagrams running all being single deck so crowded. Just as well no social distancing.

I arrived 15 late at the bus station but perfectly for 11279 on the 1157 4 and 1219 10 return. As I have not had this bus on the routes it was done to Goldington and back. A food shop followed before heading home with 35176 on the 1336 50 which is currently heaving as no 1236 50 produced apparently.

All hopes of having 19583 lay in tatters as it was exiled on the 99 with 19567 and 19594. I did get to see 19573 on a 1 and 19580 on a 53.

MIB · « **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2022, 03:47:37 PM »

I was lured out by the promise of winner 19583 on 9's which it had done until 1400. No sooner had I got on 11126 on the 50 to Bedford when 19583 got swapped onto the 1410 53. Cheers for that.

After doing my food shop I did 11280 out to Kempston on the 1500 1. I was going to bail at the hospital but as the 1450 53 inbound was 10 minutes late I was able to go through to Kempston and finally nail 19583 in Hillgrounds Road. I am now snailing home on 11130 on the 1541 50 through the Clapham Road assault course, complete with singing woman on the upper deck, mission accomplished.

Other stuff noted were 19597 on a 1, 11279 on a 9a, 10873 and 19581 on 9's and 29575/19580 also on 53's. It appears from the tracker the 99 housed 10881, 19568 and 19579.

tomfrombedford · « **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2022, 04:01:42 PM »

From Sunday services that were 5 hourly pre-pandemic are being cut to 3-hourly. Route 2 will be cut to every hour and early morning services are being cut

MIB · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2022, 05:45:02 PM »

Today route 50 has been a mess with all the services from Kettering running 25 minutes or so late as was 22839 into town. The late running did me a favour as greatly reduced the fester before I did 19580 on the 1612 10 to Goldington and back with it on the 1637 4. A check on the tracker showed my 1716 50 home was 25 minutes late so I had time for a spin on 10872 on the 1700 1 to the hospital, a hike from there to Elstow Road to return to the bus station with 19575 on a 9, easily making the minus 14 onto 22835 which was only at Clapham inbound.

I see my 50's retimed from 30 January leaving later but it won't make any difference to this shambles. Other things noted were 19583 on a 1 before being ripped, 10880 on 9's before drawing the short straw for the route 6 school run. 19573 appeared on routes 9 and 73 while 10499 did an 81 before finding a home on its more normal habitat.

MIB · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2022, 03:29:49 PM »

Another day for the food shop so 22834 conveyed me on the 25 late 50 into town. 19573 was done on the 1410 53 to intercept 10878 on a no distance route 1. This dropped me onto 19579 on the 1440 53 taken to the hospital for 19594 back on a 2. Food shop done 22840 actually on time for the 1541 50 home.

19580 was with 19582 on the 72/73 circuit before 580 went onto the 905. 19575 did the 1330 41 and 19893 did the 1430 9c.

MIB · « **Reply #7 on:** January 28, 2022, 01:01:15 PM »

Not a lot happening for me today after doing 22832 on the 50 into town for an appointment so it was just a case of scratching in buses for the year. I did 10499 on the 1130 2 to Elstow Park and Ride for the plus 4 onto 37431. I got off this at the hospital and waited for 19574 on a 53 into town for 15606 home on the 1236 50 leaving 5 late and then took 20 minutes to negotiate the Clapham Road never ending fiasco, supposedly off peak. I could have walked to Clapham and still got there before 15606 to board there.

I didn't hang around to see much other than noting 11279, 19587 and 19594 on 1's and 19581 on the 9a. There was nothing showing for the 9's on the tracker but then again there were no buses at all on the tracker yesterday either for Stagecoach Kettering or Bedford.

MIB · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2022, 05:44:24 PM »

As I will be away next week I ventured out on 36843 on a 50 into town landing on 19582 on the 1145 3 so it was a spin out to Fenlake and back. We passed 19888 on the 1215 3 so on arrival at the bus station I took 36065 on the 1230 9b to Elstow Road for the short walk to London Road for 19888 back. As 19888 then did the 1255 5 to Goldington I remained in situ to Goldington and back with it on the 1312 10.

Then followed a series of short moves on 22841 on a 50 for 37436 on a 6, 19892 on a 53 to the hospital for 19578 back on a 1. A quick way to rake in four more for the year. The final moves were 19582 on the 1455 4 to Goldington and back on the 1512 10 and 36843 again on the 1541 50 home.

In addition to doing routes 3, 4, 10, both 19582 and 19888 also covered routes 7 and 51. 10876 was chucked out on the 1440 53, 19594 was on 1's and 19587 on 72/73's.

It appears that the Stagecoach Midlands app lost its bearings today as all route 50 journeys from Bedford were going to Stratford-upon-Avon instead of Kettering. Big mileage there on the tracker.

TCD813 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2022, 06:00:34 PM »

Quote from: MIB on January 29, 2022, 05:44:24 PM

It appears that the Stagecoach Midlands app lost its bearings today as all route 50 journeys from Bedford were going to Stratford-upon-Avon instead of Kettering. Big mileage there on the tracker.

AD70DBL (Jonny) · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2022, 06:56:52 PM »

10871 has gone to Bedford and replacement at Peterborough is 10499.

Watch this space for which livery it's goe into.

al_557 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2022, 11:53:20 AM »

Quote from: AD70DBL (Jonny) on February 03, 2022, 06:56:52 PM

10871 has gone to Bedford and replacement at Peterborough is 10499.

Watch this space for which livery it's goe into.

It's on the X5 this morning in old livery. It'll likely be painted into distance livery

al_557 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2022, 01:59:36 PM »

E400 19705 (AE60JSZ) is now back in service after repaint into local livery. E200 36012 (AE07KYT) should be next in line to be repainted

MIB · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2022, 05:36:20 PM »

I see in my absence 10499 fled Bedford so just as well I got it in for the year on route 2. I have yet to see winner 10871 and no sign of it on any no distance routes yet.

I was hoping to indulge in 10873 on Monday when it worked early morning on routes 4, 10, 7 and 3 but it had a meltdown on the 0900 from Fenlake according to the tracker and was diverted into the garage, game over, so I didn't bother venturing out. I did nto town for much needed food on Tuesday (yesterday) with 15606 on a 50. I had time to do 19584 on a 1 to Kempston High St and straight back on 19583 on a 53. Both of these rascals were grounded at the back end of last year so I made the most of them while I could. After my shop I went home on the 1550 50 with 11138, required for this year.

Also out on the 1's were 19567, 19576 and 19578 whilst 19573 and 19574 were on the 9a.

al_557 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2022, 05:17:14 PM »

Just been sent a video of one of the Ex Peterborough E400MMC's crashed into a fallen tree. I can't identify it from the video. I hope the driver and passengers are ok

al_557 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 18, 2022, 05:33:02 PM »

Quote from: al_557 on February 18, 2022, 05:17:14 PM

Just been sent a video of one of the Ex Peterborough E400MMC's crashed into a fallen tree. I can't identify it from the video. I hope the driver and passengers are ok

Just been advised it's 10876 (YX67VDN)

MIB · « **Reply #16 on:** February 18, 2022, 05:47:30 PM »

What started as an entertaining day is now ending as a very boring day thanks to windy Eunice. It seems early this morning was a transformation with no 905 service at all.

Morning tracker allocations showed the X5 to be in the hands of 37212, 37230, 37231, 37431, 37433, 37437, 37438 and 37439.

1 - 10871, 10877, 19587, 19705, 19892
2/81 - 10803, 10881
3/4/7/10 - 19582, 19890
3/7/51 - 19579, 19704, 19889, 19891
5/6 - 10804, 19577, 19578, 19583, 19893
9a - 10876
41 - 10879
53 - 10873, 10875
72/73 - 10872, 10878, 11280, 19594

All impressive stuff for no distance routes so I decided to head into town on 36846 on a 50. However, on arrival many of the deckers lay idle including 19891 parked outside Tesco. The tracker showed that 19580, 19579, 19889, 19578, 10872, 11280 and 19594 had been pulled from service with most back at the garage after the morning peak.

Undeterred I did 19892 to Kempston on a 1 to meet winner 10871 on a 1 back to town. As required for the year 19581 was on the 1215 81 I did this for the unexpected bonus that the fire service closed off Elstow Road by the old post office owing to slates flying off a property. This meant we had to go via London Road and I got off at the last stop in Mile Road as the tracker showed 37211 was behind on a 9a.

It appears nobody had told the driver of the 9a about Elstow Road as he went down it and then had to do a three point turn at the last stop to return to Mile Road to access London Road. All good fun. This got me back for 19582 on the 1255 7 so I did this to Woodside to intercept 19577 on a 5 in Needwood Road back to the bus station.

Wanted for the year was 19705 so when it came off the 1's and did the 1340 10 to Goldington and 1400 4 back how could I resist? This dropped me back perfectly to scratch in 10804 on the 1420 6 to intercept 35177 on an inbound 50. The plan was to do 19704 on the 1445 3 but this avenue of pleasure was taken from me when Stagecoach took their beach ball back and declared the game was over. All services were suspended bar the 50 service so I went home on 35177 on the 1450 50. What a shame as I had wanted to do the two 53 MMC's but wind stopped play.

In addition 10803 went onto a 41 and 10881 performed on the 1332 51 and I had hoped to have the latter on the 10 and 4 later. To round it all off I got home to discover all power lost and UKPN don't anticipate repairing much before midnight. I would have been better off riding the buses but Stagecoach pulled the plug on that too leaving me doubly powerless. I assume the 10876 incident played a part in the decision to suspend services.

TCD813 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2022, 07:35:46 PM »

Quote from: al_557 on February 18, 2022, 05:17:14 PM

Just been sent a video of one of the Ex Peterborough E400MMC's crashed into a fallen tree. I can't identify it from the video. I hope the driver and passengers are ok

It was featured on one of the regional TV programmes (ITV, I think) this evening with a short video from the (female?) driver who said, “This is my bus which I was driving.“

linkyyork · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2022, 11:44:47 PM »

The BBC News had a video of a MMC colliding with a tree as it was falling - bus was shown with front end badly damaged.

MIB · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2022, 12:52:12 PM »

As 18108 was on a 50 into town and it was wanted for the year I did it passing 10881 on a 51. This was also wanted for the year so after a shop I did it on the 1125 7 to Woodside and 1147 return. It then did the 1215 3 but as it was dud for the 3, 4 and 10, I left it and went home on required for the year 34833 on the 1250 50. Might as well do the tridents and darts while Kettering still has them. It was just as well as 10881 didn't make the minus 1 onto 34833 on the 1230 from Fenlake.

Other decker noted were 19580 on a 1, 19575 on 5/6, 19577, 19705, 19890 on 9a/b, 19567, 19584, 19893 on 53's, 11280 and 19892 on the 72/73. There is still no sign of 19568 and 19597 which seem to have vanished from the road.

al_557 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2022, 05:38:28 PM »

There's an E200 parked in the yard at Bedford painted all over white. I couldn't get identify it due to others parked around it. Does anyone know which one it is and why it's white?

Emms1 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2022, 09:09:32 AM »

Quote from: linkyyork on February 18, 2022, 11:44:47 PM

The BBC News had a video of a MMC colliding with a tree as it was falling - bus was shown with front end badly damaged.

A bit late but I have found a news article on this
https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bus-hit-by-fallen-tree-on-elstow-road/

rm clippie · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2022, 04:28:12 PM »

Enviro 200 in all over white is 36937 (SN63 KFT)

MIB · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2022, 02:09:59 PM »

Yesterday I had an appointment in town but Kettering couldn't be bothered to provide the 0750 50 from Kettering so I had to shell out for a taxi as the next bus 70 minutes later was too late. It is a great shame that we can't get compensation from bus companies in the same way rail companies have to pay out.

Today year winner 11137 did turn up on my 50 into town. At last I encountered 19568 on the 1200 9a so I did it to Elstow Road for 19891 back making the minus onto 10877 on the 1220 1 which left 6 late for some reason. I bailed at the hospital for 10875 also on a 1 which made the minus 5 onto 22834 on the 1250 50. Not a bad mini move with five year winners.

Other decker noted were 19582 on the 1, 19577 and 19584 on 53:s, 19587 on a 73, 19573 and 19576 on 9a/b.

MIB · « **Reply #24 on:** March 01, 2022, 02:51:30 PM »

Year winner 19108 was my 50 into town for my latest appointment. I got back in time to have 19573 on the 1310 10 to Goldington where unusually we stopped at most stops setting down or picking up. This meant we were 5 late at Tesco for the 1330 return on the 4 and cost me the plus 3 onto the 1350 50 home so I gained an extra hour to kill. I wouldn't mind but 19573 was dud for the routes anyway but it was a good way to kill 40 minutes. Trouble is it lost me another hour to fill in missing 22832. At least it was one had for the year.

So to while away more time after 19573 did the 1355 7, I did 19698 on the 1410 53 as wanted for the year to have 37211 on the 1 back from Kempston. At least 22837 on the 1450 50 was wanted for the year. Naturally that left 6 minutes late unlike the 1350.

Other stuff out were 10878 and 19567 on the 9a, 10877 and 19587 on the 53 and 19582, 19584 on 1's.

al_557 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2022, 07:12:16 PM »

On loan from Cambridge is E400 19590 (AE10BXB) which was on the 73 today.
E400 19597 (AE10BXK) and E200 36041 (AE08NVR) will be the next to be repainted in local livery

al_557 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 06, 2022, 02:06:48 AM »

E400's 19586/93(AE10BWX/XF) have now joined 19590 (AE10BXB) in Bedford. Just 5 of the batch now remain in Cambridge those being 19585/88/89/91/92 (AE10BWW/Z/XA/C/D). These are permanent transfers and have been replaced in Cambridge by returning Scanias to service from reserve

al_557 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 07, 2022, 09:18:41 AM »

2 more E400's have arrived at Bedford from Cambridge and have been pressed into service, those being 19588/89 (AE10BWZ/XA). So far nothing has moved out of Bedford yet

MIB · « **Reply #28 on:** March 07, 2022, 12:08:02 PM »

Now I have been sent into exile I no longer receive local papers so I have no idea why the Embankment Hotel was sealed off last Friday causing routes like the 4, 5, 7 to be diverted. I had done 11129 into town on the 50 and viewed the police while doing 19584 on a 1 to Kempston for 19890 back on a 53, all three vehicles wanted for the year.

After a weekend away I came home last night on the X5 from MK which happened to be another year requirement 10880.

Today I had 22840 on the 50 to Bedford for the dentist to look me over and fell onto winner 19588 on the 1030 9b which I did to Cardington hangers. The app claims there is a bus stop opposite to return to Bedford but I saw nothing in the road or any flagpole denoting a stop. Fortunately winner 19589 on the 9a to Bedford was late so I had time to walk back to Shorts town. The next stop appears to be missing too so I can only see one stop on the ground to Bedford. I am now heading home on 18101 on the 1150 50 stuck in traffic as per usual at the Sainsburys roundabout and it is not even peak time.

I assume 19706 has gone for scrap as it is months since it appeared on the app and is still showing as an East bus but no record of any workings.

I must get 19587 before it goes for paint as not had it this year. It was viewed on the 53 alongside 19573 and 19593. 19582, 19586 and 19590 were seen on 1's while 19578 and 19890 did 73's.

I can see the potential to write down the wrong bus now with us having 19588, 19888, 19589, 19889, 19590, 19890, 19593, 19893. Confused? You will be...

al_557 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 07, 2022, 04:02:17 PM »

Quote from: MIB on March 07, 2022, 12:08:02 PM

Now I have been sent into exile I no longer receive local papers so I have no idea why the Embankment Hotel was sealed off last Friday causing routes like the 4, 5, 7 to be diverted. I had done 11129 into town on the 50 and viewed the police while doing 19584 on a 1 to Kempston for 19890 back on a 53, all three vehicles wanted for the year.

After a weekend away I came home last night on the X5 from MK which happened to be another year requirement 10880.

Today I had 22840 on the 50 to Bedford for the dentist to look me over and fell onto winner 19588 on the 1030 9b which I did to Cardington hangers. The app claims there is a bus stop opposite to return to Bedford but I saw nothing in the road or any flagpole denoting a stop. Fortunately winner 19589 on the 9a to Bedford was late so I had time to walk back to Shorts town. The next stop appears to be missing too so I can only see one stop on the ground to Bedford. I am now heading home on 18101 on the 1150 50 stuck in traffic as per usual at the Sainsburys roundabout and it is not even peak time.

I assume 19706 has gone for scrap as it is months since it appeared on the app and is still showing as an East bus but no record of any workings.

I must get 19587 before it goes for paint as not had it this year. It was viewed on the 53 alongside 19573 and 19593. 19582, 19586 and 19590 were seen on 1's while 19578 and 19890 did 73's.

I can see the potential to write down the wrong bus now with us having 19588, 19888, 19589, 19889, 19590, 19890, 19593, 19893. Confused? You will be...

The Embankment was closed because the police were looking for a body of a man in the river. Condolences go to the family.
19706 (AE60JTO) is off the road for long term repairs as its diff is knackered. I don't think it's old enough to be considered as scrap, it's not even 11 years old yet.
However stranger things have happened

News:

Author Topic: Bedford Stagecoach happenings 2022 (Read 4896 times)