Thursday, 6 March 2025

New Stagecoach Dark Blue Livery

Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 15237 approaching Preston bus station on 6th March
Two buses in the new Stagecoach corporate dark blue livery were noted in Preston this week. 
The blue livery began to be trialled in a handful of locations around the country last year, and two Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire buses have now entered service in the new colour scheme. Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 15237 (YN65XEM) and Scania K230UB ADL Enviro300 28711 (YN14FVC) were in operation in Preston this week, sporting the new rather plain dark blue livery. The unrelieved overall blue colour scheme on these buses is in stark contrast to Stagecoach's previous colourful 'Local' and 'Beachball' liveries.

Scania K230UB ADL Enviro300 28711 nearing Preston bus station on 6th March

Stagecoach 15818 wearing the 2020 'Local' livery in April 2021
Stagecoach 15472 displaying the colourful 'Beachball' livery on Church St, Preston in 2021
Stagecoach 15247 in the amber yellow 'Long Distance' livery in Preston in 2021

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6 comments:

  1. PodbabaTransport13 March 2025 at 08:46

    There are actually three buses at Preston in the new livery: 15237 and 28711 that were experimental repaints without the large beachball at the rear. 28636 (CN12AWG) is in the new livery but with the beachball towards the rear. It is expected that 15237 and 28711 will have the beachballs added soon as this is the livery to be worn by all new Stagecoach buses and all repaints from 1st March 2025.
    The colour is officially known as SOUTER BLUE, not slate blue.

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    Replies
    1. Alan Robson13 March 2025 at 08:59

      Thanks for the additional information.

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    2. PodbabaTransport19 March 2025 at 17:25

      There now appear to be three names for the new blue - Souter Blue, Slate Blue as you referred to it and now Steel Blue. It seems to depend on the paint manufacturer though Stagecoach does refer to it as Souter Blue or Steel Blue.

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    3. Alan Robson19 March 2025 at 18:32

      I think I'll just stick to dark blue for now until it becomes less ambiguous.

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    4. PodbabaTransport2 April 2025 at 14:32

      It has been announced that it will now, officially be called Steel blue as two enter service from Morecambe in the new livery - 15681(PX10ETR) and 11153(YX68UXD).

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    5. Alan Robson2 April 2025 at 14:57

      Thanks, finally a definitive name for it.

      Delete