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Post by John tuthill on Nov 24, 2016 20:23:07 GMT
Stagecoach in Kingston, that will take some getting used to. They've been here before! Attachment Deleted
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Post by John tuthill on Nov 24, 2016 20:36:23 GMT
Very. It will be fascinating to see if Stagecoach can make a go of the route and whether the patronage on offer can sustain the 515 and 715 (recognising they have different routes in places). Also interesting to see that Surbiton is losing all (?) of its current non TfL bus links across the boundary into Surrey. Wonder if the congestion there has been deemed to be one of the reasons for unreliability. Interesting also that Abellio have retained some bits of work although they've walked away from almost all the cross boundary work. I don't know who Falcon Coaches are and what they are like as an operator but this is probably the last chance for these routes. If a new operator can't run them reasonably then that's it - especially cross boundary into Kingston. You have to admire SCC's creativity. They keep managing to maintain some semblance of a network but it's getting thinner and thinner with every set of changes. Interesting that they have all opted for the direct route to Kingston via Portsmouth Road. After months of disruption (cycle lane construction) now least likely to be congested. Going via Hampton Court Road just competes with 111, 216, 411 etc and is prone to long traffic delays. Going via Surbiton Victoria Road also competes with many TfL services, and Penryn Road is often traffic clogged. I would assume single deck buses will be used due to low rail bridges. Falcon coaches already appear in the area, as they provide school services for one of the private schools in the area. Westway are also used for a girls school, always beautifully turned out. Tri-axles in blue and green. They avoid the Portsmouth Road by using a parallel route which brings them up to the old A3 by Hinchley Wood Station. Photo off their web site Attachment Deleted
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Post by tony4387 on Nov 24, 2016 22:08:17 GMT
Hopefully stagecoach can make a go of it I've used the 515 to Guildford a few times from Kingston so having a bus leave Guildford at 19.00 will be even better
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Post by planesandtrains on Nov 24, 2016 22:16:34 GMT
One thing I do like about the amendments is that operator variety in Kingston will shoot through through the roof.
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Post by snowman on Nov 24, 2016 22:27:24 GMT
Interesting that they have all opted for the direct route to Kingston via Portsmouth Road. After months of disruption (cycle lane construction) now least likely to be congested. Going via Hampton Court Road just competes with 111, 216, 411 etc and is prone to long traffic delays. Going via Surbiton Victoria Road also competes with many TfL services, and Penryn Road is often traffic clogged. I would assume single deck buses will be used due to low rail bridges. Falcon coaches already appear in the area, as they provide school services for one of the private schools in the area. Westway are also used for a girls school, always beautifully turned out. Tri-axles in blue and green. They avoid the Portsmouth Road by using a parallel route which brings them up to the old A3 by Hinchley Wood Station. Photo off their web site View AttachmentSurbiton High Girls school has sports field in Hinchley Wood, the K3 goes past. The Westway coaches all seem to have special registration plates. They are based in a yard by Raynes Park station, most are blue but at least one is green with the school name. Don't know much about Falcon think they are based near Shepperton falconcoachhire.com/
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Post by tony4387 on Nov 24, 2016 22:38:55 GMT
Falcon coaches are indeed based at shepperton and owned by Steve telling former owner of Tellings golden Miller before arriva brought out TGM
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Post by snowman on Nov 25, 2016 7:09:16 GMT
Abellio Surrey doesn't run an attractive fleet, they did dabble with adding wifi, but it's almost a heritage fleet.
I don't think since Abellio have owned it that they have ever bought a new bus, some secondhand ex London ones have appeared and a few have been sourced from elsewhere. The super Darts were acquired when Surrey disbanded the Pegasus school fleet (I think they were registered to First at Bracknell).
Some of the seating is very basic and uncomfortable, ok for 10 minute journeys in London, but not a place your bum wants to be for an hour. They are not cleaned very well either so always look run down.
I look forward to seeing new Operators, and hopefully newer buses, it's to early to know what type the replacement operators will use. Stagecoach will now doubt move something from within national fleet, but other operators might hire or lease something that's available at short notice.
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Post by nxmarioo00 on Nov 25, 2016 15:54:09 GMT
Just heard that First is picking up route 555. It will be operated out of Slough depot.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 16:09:33 GMT
Just heard that First is picking up route 555. It will be operated out of Slough depot. Thought that would happen. They have good partnership with BAA already.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 16:19:21 GMT
Quite a stinging rebuke from SCC over the money issue as well. Well done to SCC for doing this. They didn't have to. Abellio have not come out of this smelling of roses. Very pleased local firms have stepped in. Good for employment.
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Post by snoggle on Nov 25, 2016 18:30:40 GMT
Just heard that First is picking up route 555. It will be operated out of Slough depot. So a tiny fraction of my prediction that a big group might get involved has proved correct. Can't make any claims re Stagecoach and their 715 route. That was a complete surprise.
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Post by twobellstogo on Nov 25, 2016 19:49:12 GMT
It's the historian in me again, very much liking the resurrection of the 715 number for the Kingston-Esher-Cobham-Guildford road. I think Stagecoach may well make a very good job of it, and I like the more direct route compared with the current 515.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2016 20:50:31 GMT
It's the historian in me again, very much liking the resurrection of the 715 number for the Kingston-Esher-Cobham-Guildford road. I think Stagecoach may well make a very good job of it, and I like the more direct route compared with the current 515. If only they'd extend it to Oxford Circus !!!
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Post by vjaska on Nov 25, 2016 20:52:59 GMT
Hopefully, someone saves the 458 - like the 555, it gets a decent patronage from the looks of things.
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Post by snoggle on Nov 26, 2016 0:25:51 GMT
Hopefully, someone saves the 458 - like the 555, it gets a decent patronage from the looks of things. It is saved - going to be run by Hallmark Connections. Hourly Staines - Kingston daily, extra hourly M-S bus Walton - Staines so a cut in frequency east of Walton.
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