Stagecoach West

Last updated

Stagecoach West
Weston-super-Mare Bus Hub - Stagecoach 15769 (VX61FKB).JPG
Parent Stagecoach Group
Founded11 September 1983;40 years ago (1983-09-11)
Headquarters Gloucester
Service area Gloucestershire
Bath & North East Somerset
Bristol
Herefordshire
Wiltshire
South Gloucestershire
Oxfordshire
Swindon
North Somerset
Service typeBus and coach
Depots9
Fleet270 (October 2022) [1]
Annual ridership24.9 million (2018/19) [2]
Acting Managing DirectorElisabeth Tasker [3]
Website Official website OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Stagecoach West is a bus operator providing services in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Swindon, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, North Somerset and Herefordshire, in the West of England. The company is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group.

Contents

History

A Cheltenham and Gloucester Bristol VRT on Clarence Street, Gloucester Cheltenham and Gloucester REU 311S (cropped).jpg
A Cheltenham and Gloucester Bristol VRT on Clarence Street, Gloucester

On 11 September 1983, the National Bus Company (NBC) split its loss-making Bristol Omnibus operation into three separate companies, with Gloucestershire-based operations transferred to a new company named the Cheltenham and Gloucester Omnibus Company. [4] The NBC's National Travel (South) coaching operation would be transferred to Cheltenham and Gloucester during 1984, [5] while the Swindon and District bus operation would follow in 1985. In 1986, in preparation for the break-up of the National Bus Company as a result of bus deregulation, all company assets were transferred to a new legal entity named Western Travel.[ citation needed ]

Western Travel was the fourth NBC subsidiary to be privatised following deregulation, being purchased in a £1 million (equivalent to £3,117,000in 2021) management buyout in November 1986. [6] The Cheltenham and Gloucester and Swindon and District companies were maintained as subsidiaries, joined in December 1987 by Midland Red South following Western Travel's purchase of the company. [7] Among other acquisitions in and around their operating area, the company would go on to acquire the eastern division of National Welsh Omnibus Services in February 1991, reforming the division as a reconstituted Red & White Services, which was based out of depots in Cwmbran, Chepstow, Brynmawr and Crosskeys, [8] with an additional depot in Merthyr Tydfil opening in May 1993. [9]

After having also purchased the independent Circle Line of Gloucester earlier in the year, Western Travel was purchased by Stagecoach Holdings in November 1993 for £9.25 million (equivalent to £20,045,000in 2021). [10] Red & White's Welsh operations would be transferred to what is today Stagecoach South Wales, with the remainder of Western Travel eventually rebranded as Stagecoach West. [11] [12]

Having worked in partnership with the company's owners from 2017 onwards, in September 2019, Stagecoach West took over the 53-vehicle South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach business for an undisclosed sum after the SGBC's owners decided to step down. This takeover saw 100 employees transferring to Stagecoach West, with Stagecoach taking on SGBC's existing local bus and private hire work in the Bristol area, as well as their Megabus contract. [13] [14] [15]

In February 2021, it was announced that Stagecoach West would merge with neighbouring Stagecoach Oxfordshire, with the headquarters of the combined operating company located in Gloucester. Stagecoach West would take on Stagecoach Oxfordshire's three depots in Banbury, Oxford and Witney and outstations at Bicester, Chipping Norton and Grove, along with around 500 vehicles and the Oxford Tube coach service between Oxford and London. [16]

Depots

Alexander Dennis Enviro200 in Weston-super-Mare in October 2022 Weston-super-Mare Locking Road - Stagecoach 37243 (SN64OMD).JPG
Alexander Dennis Enviro200 in Weston-super-Mare in October 2022
Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC in Oxford in October 2019 AlexanderDennis Enviro200 MMC YX65 PXU Oxford Summertown.jpg
Alexander Dennis Enviro200 MMC in Oxford in October 2019

Stagecoach West has eight depots: [16]

There are also outstations at Bicester, Coleford, Chipping Norton and Grove.

As of October 2022, the Stagecoach West fleet consists of 270 buses and coaches. [1]

Services

Stagecoach West mainly operates local bus services in Gloucestershire, Bristol, Herefordshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and into South Gloucestershire, although some routes serve more distant destinations including Brackley, Hereford, Monmouth and Bath.

Stagecoach Gold

Stagecoach Gold liveried Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC in Oxford in February 2018 Stagecoach West Gold Enviro 400MMC YP67 XBX 15348 , Gloucester Green Coach Station Oxford 12.2.18 (25380131657).jpg
Stagecoach Gold liveried Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC in Oxford in February 2018

Routes branded as Stagecoach Gold have vehicles of a higher specification and provide more frequent, higher profile or interurban journeys. These services are:

Gloucester depot's 10 and 97/98 services were previously among these Gold routes, however in June 2021, 21 new Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC bodied Scania N250UD double-decker buses in the group's replacement "Long Distance" livery were delivered for service on the routes. [17]

Oxford Tube

Oxford Tube Plaxton Panorama bodied Volvo B11RLE at Victoria Coach Station in September 2022 YX70LUW Stagecoach in Oxfordshire Oxford Tube 50532 Volvo B11RLET with Plaxton Panorama Elite bodywork.jpg
Oxford Tube Plaxton Panorama bodied Volvo B11RLE at Victoria Coach Station in September 2022

The Oxford Tube service is a limited-stop express coach service between Oxford and Victoria Coach Station in London, using a fleet of 34 Plaxton Panorama double-decker coaches on Volvo B11RLE chassis, uniquely equipped with solar panels on the roof, which began to enter service on the route from October 2020. [18] The service was founded in 1987 by Thames Transit in competition with the Oxford Bus Company's X90 service, [19] withdrawn in January 2020 as it had become unprofitable, and was originally operated by Stagecoach Oxfordshire before being included in the merger with Stagecoach West in February 2021. [16]

Oxford SmartZone

Oxford SmartZone-branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV at the London Bus Museum in April 2024 Stagecoach 80004 (SK24XRE) Brooklands 14-04-2024.jpg
Oxford SmartZone-branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV at the London Bus Museum in April 2024

Stagecoach West's operations in the City of Oxford, in partnership with the Oxford Bus Company, are part of Oxford SmartZone joint ticketing scheme, launched on 24 July 2011 as a successor to the Plus+Pass scheme, which had ceased operations three years earlier. This ticketing scheme, introduced by Oxfordshire County Council following the passage of the Local Transport Act 2008, allowed for bus users in Oxford to buy and use one paper ticket until its expiry on services operated by both Stagecoach and the Oxford Bus Company, who worked with the council to introduce coordinated service timetables using a fleet of 46 new double-decker buses. [20]

On 15 January 2024, the Oxford SmartZone was officially relaunched as an enhanced partnership between Stagecoach West and the Oxford Bus Company, with the aim to reduce bus journey times by 10%. [20] Orders for battery electric buses have been funded for both operators, with Stagecoach West taking delivery of the first of 55 'electro'-branded Alexander Dennis Enviro400EVs for use in the Oxford SmartZone area in March 2024. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oxford Bus Company</span> Go Ahead Group bus operator

The City of Oxford Motor Services Limited, trading as Oxford Bus Company, is a bus operator serving the city and surrounding area of Oxford, England. It is a subsidiary of the Go-Ahead Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach in Oxfordshire</span> Bus and Coach operator

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire is the trading name of Thames Transit Ltd. It is a bus operator serving the county of Oxfordshire, England. Since 1997 has been a subsidiary of Stagecoach Group, and since February 2021 it has been part of Stagecoach West, managed from the latter's headquarters in Gloucester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midland Red</span> British bus company that operated from 1905 until 1981

Midland Red was a bus company that operated in The Midlands from 1905 until 1981. It was one of the largest English bus companies, operating over a large area between Gloucester in the south and Derbyshire in the north, and from Northampton to the Welsh border. The company also manufactured buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Bus Company (UK)</span> Bus operator in the United Kingdom between 1969 and 1988

The National Bus Company (NBC) was a nationalised bus company that operated in England and Wales between 1969 and 1988. NBC did not run buses itself, but was the owner of a number of regional subsidiary bus operating companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach Manchester</span> Bus operator in Greater Manchester

Stagecoach Manchester is a major bus operator in Greater Manchester, operating franchised Bee Network bus services on contract to Transport for Greater Manchester. It is the largest UK bus subsidiary of Stagecoach Group outside of Greater London, as well as the largest within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester by passenger numbers, carrying up to 96.2 million passengers in 2019/20.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yorkshire Traction</span> Former bus operator in South Yorkshire, England

Yorkshire Traction was a bus operator in Yorkshire that operated from 1902 until 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Eastern Counties</span> Bus operator in Norfolk and Suffolk, England

First Eastern Counties is a bus operator providing services in Norfolk and Suffolk in eastern England. It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup and has five depots in operating areas spread out across East Anglia. These areas are Norwich, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and King's Lynn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buses in Swindon</span>

Buses in Swindon have been the major method of public transport in the region since the beginning of the 20th century. Introduced in 1927 and replacing the tram system in 1929, the area is now served by numerous operators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach South Wales</span> Bus operator in South East Wales

Stagecoach South Wales is a bus operator providing services in South East Wales. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach East</span> Bus operator in the East of England

Stagecoach East is a bus operator providing local and regional services across the East of England, operating in the counties of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The company is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group and is headquartered and registered in Cambridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach in Warwickshire</span> Bus operator

Stagecoach in Warwickshire is a bus operator in and around the county of Warwickshire. It is a subsidiary of Stagecoach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ribble Motor Services</span> Former bus company in North West England

Ribble Motor Services was a large regional bus operator in North West England based in Preston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arriva North West</span> Bus operator in North West England

Arriva North West is a major bus operator running services in North West England in the Merseyside area. It is a subsidiary of Arriva UK Bus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol Omnibus Company</span> Defunct public transportation company based in Bristol, UK (1887–1987)

The Bristol Omnibus Company was a dominant bus operator in Bristol, and was one of the oldest bus companies in the United Kingdom. It ran buses over a wide area of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and neighbouring counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First West of England</span> Bus operator

First West of England is a bus operator providing services in Bristol, Bath, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Wiltshire. It is a subsidiary of FirstGroup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red & White Services</span> English bus company

Red & White Services was a bus company operating in south east Wales and Gloucestershire, England between 1929 and 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western National</span> Bus Company

Western National was a bus company operating in South West England from 1929 until the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach</span>

South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach Company Ltd was a bus and coach operator operating school bus services under contract to Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council and coach services under contract to Megabus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC</span> British-built model of double-decker bus, built since 2014

The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC is a low-floor double-decker bus produced by the British bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis since 2014, replacing the Alexander Dennis Enviro400. The Enviro400 MMC is produced at Alexander Dennis' Falkirk and Scarborough factories in the United Kingdom.

References

  1. 1 2 "About Stagecoach West". Stagecoach West. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  2. "Annual Performance May 2018 to April 2019" (PDF). Stagecoach West.
  3. Halford, Paul (24 January 2024). "Rachel Geliamassi leaves Stagecoach West MD role". routeone. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  4. "Bristol Omnibus splits". Commercial Motor . Temple Press. 23 July 1983. p. 16. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. "Another NBC shake-up". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 21 April 1984. p. 18. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  6. "Fourth bus buy-out". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 8 November 1986. p. 24. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  7. "Wales tops NBC buyout league". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 7 January 1988. p. 16. Retrieved 27 January 2024. Another part of NBC has gone into private ownership with Rugby-based Midland Red South being bought by Western Travel, which is the holding company for Cheltenham & Gloucester Omnibus Company.
  8. "National Welsh is snapped up". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 7 February 1991. p. 24. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. "Red & White opens new Merthyr depot". Coach & Bus Week . Peterborough: Emap. 8 May 1993. p. 6.
  10. Murray, John (27 November 1993). "Stagecoach acquires Western" . The Independent . London. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  11. Manuschka, Jacob (29 November 2023). "Oxfordshire bus company celebrates 30 years in operation". Oxford Mail . Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  12. Sharman, Richard (23 October 2018). "Stagecoach West expanding its operating area" . Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  13. "Stagecoach West increases presence in Bristol with SGBC acquisition". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  14. Merrell, Andrew (24 September 2019). "Major bus and coach operator takes over rival". Punchline Gloucester. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  15. Deakin, Tim (25 September 2019). "South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach is sold". routeone. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 Jackson, Peter (24 February 2021). "Stagecoach in Oxfordshire to merge with Stagecoach West". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  17. Sharman, Richard (1 August 2017). "Stagecoach West's £5 million investment in Gloucester service" . Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  18. "Stagecoach invests in 34 new coaches to upgrade Oxford Tube". Coach & Bus Week. Peterborough. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  19. "Oxford route gets hot". Commercial Motor. Temple Press. 10 March 1988. p. 22. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  20. 1 2 Sharman, Richard (23 January 2024). "Oxford's SmartZone gets smarter" . Coach & Bus Week. No. 1161. Peterborough: Emap. pp. 20–25. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  21. "Stagecoach is first to take next-gen Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV". routeone. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.