Stephensons of Essex: Difference between revisions
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| founded = 1975 |
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| annual ridership = 1.5 million<ref name="Stephensons of Essex">{{cite web | url=http://www.stephensonsofessex.com/pages/about-us.php | title=Stephensons of Essex Website – About us | author=Stephensons of Essex | date= | accessdate=1 July 2009}}</ref> |
| annual ridership = 1.5 million<ref name="Stephensons of Essex">{{cite web | url=http://www.stephensonsofessex.com/pages/about-us.php | title=Stephensons of Essex Website – About us | author=Stephensons of Essex | date= | accessdate=1 July 2009}}</ref> |
Revision as of 02:54, 9 October 2013
File:Stephensons of Essex logo.PNG | |
Founded | 1975 |
---|---|
Headquarters | Rochford |
Service area | Essex |
Service type | Bus |
Routes | 72 |
Fleet | 89 |
Annual ridership | 1.5 million[1] |
Fuel type | Diesel |
managing director | Bill Hiron[2] |
Website | Official website |
Stephensons of Essex is a privately owned bus company based in south Essex, in England, operating local bus and contract services in the same areas as Arriva Southend, Ensignbus, First Essex, NIBS, and Regal Busways. It also runs private hire coaches, and has a bus and coach dealership and sales service. It is one of the largest independent bus operators in Essex[1][2] and employs over 40 full and part-time staff.[3]
History
Stephensons was founded in Rochford in 1975, and has since expanded by gaining contracts for bus routes.[1] In 2005, the company won the contract to operate the Dengie Connections services from Arriva Southend, which it will run for five years from 1 April 2007 at a cost of £407,300 per year.[4] In 2008 it won the contract to run the Withamlink services 38 and 39. Stephensons have introduced an SMS Text Messaging service for their school bus services which provides updates on delays and cancellations.[5]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011) |
Bus fleet
Stephensons currently has a fleet of 59 vehicles, mostly painted in their white and light green livery, but with a few in Asda and Tesco liveries which run the free bus services to these supermarkets. The fleet consists of 35 single-deckers, 50 double-deckers, and 4 coaches.[6] A fleet of four new low-floor, 24-seat, 7.8m Optare Solo Slimlines were purchased in April 2007[7] to replace the Mercedes-Benz Sprinters used by Arriva on the Dengie Connections services. Two more new low-floor, 28-seat, 8.8m Optare Solo Slimlines were purchased in October 2008 to run the Withamlink routes 38 and 39 under contract to Essex County Council.[8]
Single-deckers
- 6 Optare Solo Slimlines
- 12 Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer
- 5 Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200
- 12 Alexander Dennis Enviro200 Dart
Double-deckers
- 12 Leyland Olympian/Northern Counties
- 7 Leyland Olympian/Alexander
- 1 Leyland Olympian/Eastern Coach Works
- 3 Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus – the first brand-new double deckers bought by Stephensons[2]
- 1 Leyland PD3: 424 – originally with Southdown Motor Services, part of Heritage fleet
- 8 Volvo Olympian/Alexander
- 4 Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties
- 1 Leyland Fleetline/Northern Counties
- 2 Scania N94/East Lancs OmniDekka
- 4 Scania N230UD/Alexander Dennis Enviro400
- 6 Scania N230UD/East Lancs Olympus
- 1 Scania N230UD/Scania OmniCity
Coaches
Fuel theft
Stephensons has been the victim of diesel fuel theft from their bus depot on the Riverside Industrial Estate in Rochford on at least two occasions. On 20 April 2008, two thieves pumped 3,500 litres of fuel from a diesel supply tank into containers in the back of a Ford Luton van, but were disturbed by a patrol and escaped, abandoning the van and the fuel in a park playground behind the depot.[9] On 24 June 2009, thieves siphoned diesel from the fuel tanks of Stephensons coaches and loaded it into a Ford Luton and a Ford Transit van.[10] On both occasions Stephensons offered a reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of the thieves.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Stephensons of Essex. "Stephensons of Essex Website – About us". Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ a b c David Rowlands (8 August 2008). "Optare: Latest News: Press Releases: Optare Olympus enters service with Stephensons". Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Belmont International – Transport Risk Management Case study: Stephensons of Essex". 26 November 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Essex County Council Highways and Transportation – Executive Decision – Dengie Peninsula Passenger Transport Network" (PDF). 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ Stephensons of Essex (16 February 2009). "Stephensons of Essex Website – Travel for schools". Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ Stephensons of Essex (29 April 2013). "Stephensons of Essex Bus Enthusiast's Page – Operational Fleet" (PDF). Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- ^ "Mistral Group – 'Stephensons take four new Solos'". 12 April 2007. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Mistral Group – 'New Solos for Stephensons of Essex'". 14 October 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ "Echo News: 'Fuel thieves caught red-handed'". 21 April 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2009.
- ^ Christine Sexton (30 June 2009). "Echo News: 'Thieves siphon 7,000 litres of diesel from coach yard'". Retrieved 29 July 2009.