Stagecoach Cumbria Wright Gemini open tops to enter service this week.

(c) Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Lake Sider branded Wright Gemini 3 bodied Volvo B5TL 13801 was pictured at Braithwaite Fold on July 18th whilst undergoing next stop audio announcement testing.

Seven Volvo B5TLs to part open top configuration, numbered 13801 – 13807, have been purchased to replace the fleet of former London-based Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Tridents that have been used on service 599 since 2009 from Kendal depot. The seven part-open top buses enter service during July and carry a new ‘Lake Sider’ livery from Best Impressions which replaces the current 599 ‘Lakes Connection’ livery. In a first for a Stagecoach regional fleet they have white LED destination screens with a full length destination screen, rather than just the route number, at the rear. They also feature next stop announcements and free Wifi.

Stagecoach’s order marks a change in the policy of using older donor vehicles for its open top fleet. It is also a departure from its normal buying policy that tends to concentrate on ADL products.
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The displaced Dennis Tridents are due to move to other regional Stagecoach fleets in Scotland and the South East.

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