Cheltenham 80
Cheltenham 75
Blog
12th September 2009...
Stagecoach Gold Launch
At Cheltenham Racecourse from 1000 there was assembled all 12 Scania/ADL Enviro400s intended for Stagecoach Gold's 94, with their dual purpose-style leather-seats. This represented an investment of some £2m. It follows the reported 48% growth in passengers since the May 2004 launch. Gold seeks to develop existing high-performing routes even further, to attarct those for whom the bus isn't a natural mode of choice.
From 1140, the Scanias progressively entered service during the day alongside heritage vehicles. The only bus allowed out beforehand on familiarisation was an unbranded version. The actual vehicles themselves were a closely guarded secret till the day itself...
 The launch event was open to the public. Stagecoach West managing director Ian Manning is caught whispering to his marketing manager, "Do you think anyone will notice that these vehicles aren't brand new?" Actually, in spite of being 09- rather than the current 59-reg, they *were* new. They were registered a month beforehand in readiness for the big day. Unless, of course, you can email a better caption...  Launch mania at the Racecourse  One of the five year old Tridents used up till 12 September on the 94, which are reported to be finding their way to the Gloucester-Colefords, is here seen admiring the newcomers, all set out rather as if on a pool table  Much to everyone's slight amusement on the platform, the guy from Cheltenham with the chain & scissors seemingly had a spot of bother in cutting the special Stagecoach reinforced golden ribbon 
|