16th October 2021
Arriva Midlands
Wigston based ADL Enviro 200 2002 has been repainted into Arriva ‘Journey Mark’ livery, with 2003 now in for repaint. These are nominally based at the Hinckley outstation.
VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar 2 3785 is currently on loan at Wigston from Oswestry, where ADL Enviro 400 MMC 4545 is currently on loan to (for additional capacity on service X5).
Temsa Safaris 7102 and 7103, from Arriva Shires & Essex, at Luton have transferred to Hinckley (who are due to take over service X6 Leicester to Coventry when Wigston depot closes later this month).
Enviro 400 MMC 4545 is pictured in Leicester. © Dylan Jones.
Brighton & Hove
Wright Streetdeck 801 has been repainted into a new Brighton & Hove Coaster livery (for the 27 route). Similar 802-808 are all expected to follow in receiving this livery. Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 410 has been returned from Conway Street having received roof repairs.
On loan here from Oxford Bus Company, is Volvo B11R AF14OXF, which carries fleet number 511. Sold out of this fleet is Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown R221HCD (7221), which is now with Shoreham Beach Primary School.
D&G Bus
Optare Solo 179 in the Chaserider fleet has received a promotional black based livery for Cannock FM. Another Optare Solo here is 309, from Centrebus.
Diamond Bus
Kidderminster based ADL Enviro 200 21102 has been repainted into Brighter Diamond livery.
Tividale based MAN/Plaxton Centros 30805 and 30922 have reentered service, following battery electric conversion, and repaint into a blue and green adaptation of the new livery.
Ensign Bus
With our usual thanks to Ross Newman at Ensign Bus we are able to summarise activity at the dealership during September 2021.
Vehicles in
From Stagecoach South East: Trident LV52HFP. From Stagecoach South West: Solo YJ15AAK.
From Metroline: Volvo B9TLs LK59CXM/FCU/CWY/CKD/CKE.
From Abellio London: Enviro 400s LJ09CAE/CAX/ CBF/CBU/CBY/CCD/CSN/CCO/CAA/CAO/CAU/CAV/ CBO/CBX/CCA/CCE/CCF/CCN/CCU.
From Go Ahead London: Enviro 400s SN06BNB, LX07BYH; Volvo B7TL LX05EZB; Volvo B9TL LX60DWN; Wright Streetcar T6FCC; Enviro 200s LX07BXR/BXW/BYA, SN57DWK/DWV/DXA.
Vehicles out
Volvo B9TL LX60DWN: Bear Buses, Feltham, Middx. Enviro 400s SN11BSX/BTU : Redbridge Council. Volvo B7RLE SN55BJU: Juliane Hillman Uckfield Volvo B7RLEs SN55BJJ/BJK: A. M. Jacques Ltd Bedworth Warwickshire.
Volvo B9TLs SK07CCA/CBV/CBU/CBO/CAX: Imperial Coaches, Slough.
Volvo B9TLs SN08BXX/BXZ/BYA/BYD/BYF/BYG: Skills Coaches, Nottingham.
Volvo B9TLs SN08BXU/BXS: Grant Palmer, Dunstable. DAF DB250s LJ51DKK/DKN: York Pullman.
Volvo B7TL KP51WBT: Mike Coaches, Basildon, Essex.
Volvo B7TL LT52WWG: Sharpes Coaches, Nottingham.
Volvo B9TLs LK59CXD/CXE: Axe Valley, Seaton, Devon.
Volvo B7TLs KP51WCX/VZW: Hawkes Tours, Derby. Enviro 200 LJ09KPV : Sindher Driving School, Slough. Enviro 400s SN11BRV/BRZ/BSV/BSO/BSU : Belle Vue, Manchester.
Scania YN56FCC: Candy Coaches, Morden, Surrey. Scania YN08DHF: Ipswich Buses
Scania YN08DHK: Connexions Buses, Harrogate. Volvo B7TL WR03YZU: WB Chambers, Maidstone. Volvo B7TL WR03YZT: Shoreline, Scarborough.
Volvo B7RLEs SK07CFZ/CFV; Volvo B9TL SN08BYO: Heyfordian, Bicester.
Enviro 200s LK08DWO, YX58DWC: Canavan Travel, Glasgow.
Dart KP02PVO: Galleon Travel, Roydon, Essex.
Enviro 400 LK08NVL: Redline Buses, Aylesbury.
The following to Shelton Motors for scrap
Wright Streetcar T6FCC; Darts KP02PUF, LN51DWJ Trident V198MEV; Volvo B7TL W541WGH.
Ensign Fleet
14 new Streetdecks are entering service as follows: 168 LX71AOB, 169 LX71AOC, 170 LX71AOD, 171 LX71AOE, 172 LX71AOG, 173 LX71AOH, 174 LX71AOJ, 175 LX71AOK, 176 LX71AOL, 177 LX71AOM, 178 LX71AON, 179 LX71AOO, 180 LX71AOP, 181 LX71AOR. As a consequence of this all Volvo B9TL/Olympus will be withdrawn and sold with the exception of 120. 112 has been sold to Redline, Aylesbury, and 111 has been sold to Starline Coaches Mereworth Kent.
First Midlands
Leicester based Wright Streetdeck 35153 has been repainted into the ‘Frequent Fourteens’ livery carried by the Enviro 400s here.
Johnsons Excelbus
On loan here are Enviro 200s YY66PCX, YX67VGL and YX67HBF.
Midland Classic
Scania/Irizar i3 16 has been repainted into Midland Classic fleet livery. 27 (YN64FWY) has entered service, the third of the former Menzies' Irizars to do so.
Optare Versa 20 has been reregistered as JB08MCL, from YK08EPA, and has had an internal refurbishment.
Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus 51 (D10SLT - formerly JB10MCL) has passed to Micro Coaches of Crewe. Enviro 400 92 has passed to Completely Coaches of Norwich.
No longer part of this fleet is Scania/East Lancs Olympus JB10MCL, pictured. © Dylan Jones.
National Express West Midlands
Further deliveries of Wright Streetdeck FCEVs are H1009 (BX21DCV), H1010 (BX21DCZ), H1011 (BX21DDA) and H1012 (BX21DDE). Wright Streetdeck diesel 3304 has reentered service at Walsall, the fourth to do so following the type’s absence for most of 2020.
Sold for scrap are Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s 4237, 4263 and 4290, as well as Dennis Tridents 4385, 4388, 4399, and Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Geminis 4497 and 4677. The final pair being the first Geminis sent for scrap by National Express. The final Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban in service here is 1761, with 1750, 1753, 1756, 1758, 1759, 1763, 1764, 1767, 1768, 1770, 1772, and 1773 being further more recent withdrawals. Further Dennis Trident withdrawals are 4321 at Yardley Wood, and 4332 and 4349 at Walsall. Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 4502 has been withdrawn at Perry Barr, having been out of service for over a year.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 4496 has transferred from Perry Barr to Acocks Green. Dennis Tridents 4566-4569 and 4578 have transferred from Yardley Wood to Walsall (joining 4570-4577 there). Now at Yardley Wood from Birmingham Central are 4603, 4604, 4605, 4608, and 4609, joining similar 4606 and 4607 there. These are Euro 6 compliant examples which enable the depot to use more double deckers again on City routes 2 and 3.
Walsall based ADL Enviro 400s 4859-4867 have all had their 51 branding removed, in preparation for redeployment when the new Streetdecks enter service. Now repainted are ADL Enviro 200s 865, 867 and 869 at Pensnett, and Scania Omnilink 1833 at Perry Barr. Next in for repaints are ADL Enviro 200s 759 (from West Bromwich), 859 (from Walsall) and 870 (from Pensnett). Scania Omnilinks 1795 (from Acocks Green) and 1811 (from Perry Barr).
Now withdrawn here is Trident 4321. © Dylan Jones.
Pulhams Coaches
Now delivered here are two Plaxton Panther 3 bodied Volvo B8Rs, registered GL71PUL and GB71 PUL. Both carry the company’s standard coach fleet livery.
Select Bus Services
Recently acquired are Enviro 200 KX08HMD (now numbered 32) from Falcon Buses, and Mercedes-Benz Citaro HF55JZK from Completely Coaches of Norwich.
Now in this fleet, from Falcon Buses, is Enviro 200 KX08HMD. © Dylan Jones.
South Staffs Coach Hire
ADL Enviro 400 GBZ477 has reverted to registration LK08FMA and has passed to ASD Coaches.
Mercedes OC500LE/MCV Evolution AE12AZF has been acquired, last operated by now defunct Travel De Courcey of Coventry.
No longer part of this fleet is Enviro 400 GBZ477, which has moved to ASD Coaches and now carries original registration LK08FMA. © Dylan Jones.
Stagecoach East
Former Cambridge Park & Ride ADL Enviro 400MMC 10803 entered service at Bedford on October 4th 2021 following a repaint into Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery. It carries Stagecoach logos but had not received the rear end livery graphics before being pressed into service. 10804 followed on 9th October 2021. It is understood that 15 Enviro 400MMCs will get luggage racks fitted for use on the 905 Bedford-Cambridge and X5 Bedford-Oxford service. The current PVR is seven buses on the 905 and ten on the X5. Currently Bedford has 15 Enviro 400MMCs on its books 10499/803/804/872-881 and 11179/180. 10499 does not have high-backed leather seating, USB sockets and lacks WiFi so is unlikely to remain part of the core 905/X5 fleet. That means that at least another five Enviro 400MMC vehicles, at a minimum, would be required to provide PVR requirements along with operational spares. The transfer of 10803 and 10804 to Bedford leaves just two Enviro 400 MMCs at Cambridge in the purple ‘Milton’ Park & Ride livery but these are being displaced from the route with Enviro 200s and Enviro 300s being deployed on weekdays. From 24th October 2021 frequencies on Cambridge Park & Ride services are being reduced which will release further P&R branded vehicles although for some time Park & Ride-branded buses have been frequently used on other routes.
Service reductions at Peterborough from the same date sees frequencies on Citi 2 and 3 routes reduced to every 20 minutes (from every 12), Citi 1 to every 15 minutes (from every 12) and Citi 4 and 6 reduced to every 30 minutes (from every 20 minutes). The Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority-funded West Hunts Demand Responsive Transport contract starts on October 25th 2021 and is called ‘ting’. It will be operated by four Optare Solo SRs based at Fenstanton depot, 48032-035, which have received ‘Ting’ branding with 48036, as a spare vehicle.
‘Local’ liveried Enviro 200 MMC 37431 is pictured in Northampton on 1st October 2021. © Kat’s Transport Photography.
Stagecoach East Midlands
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery are Enviro 400 19299, MAN/Enviro 300 24197, and Enviro 300s 27790, 27880 and 27882. Of note is that 27880 and 27882 previously carried the green and white ‘Specialist’ livery. Currently being prepared at the Lincoln paintshop is Enviro 200 36523.
A change in plan at Lincoln has seen Enviro 200s 36450, 36451, and 36452 remain in the main operational fleet, and instead similar 36523, 36712 and 37004 have moved to the Reserve Fleet. Trident 18122 has been transferred to the Reserve Fleet at Lincoln with 18022 being reinstated into the main fleet there. Plaxton President-bodied Trident 18040 has been on loan to Scunthorpe from Gainsborough since the 5th October 2021, with Scunthorpe’s Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking 16920 being parked at Hull, presumably for MOT.
Delicensed at Lincoln is Trident 18318, whilst transferred from Hull to Gainsborough is Enviro 300 27880.
Currently operating on loan at Hull for the annual Hull Fair are Enviro 300s 27189/191/201/763-765 from Grimsby, and 27193/200/782/787 from Mansfield. On loan at Scunthorpe currently are Enviro 300s 27640 and 27759 from Lincoln, along with similar 27790 from Gainsborough.
The annual Hull Fair is Europe’s largest, and oldest, travelling fair. Pictured passing the fair on the evening of 15th October 2021, was ‘Humber Fastcat’ branded Enviro 200 MMC 26175. © EY Spotter.
Stagecoach East Scotland
Tridents/ALX400s in the main fleet here are 18000/086/114/115/197/352/353 at Glenrothes; 18332/333 at Aberhill; 18350/370/389/390 at Dunfermline; 18019 at Blairgowrie; 18351 at St Andrews; and 18013/014/015/016/506/507/508/509 at Perth. By far the largest allocation of Tridents in the main fleet is at the Rennies operations at Cowdenbeath where ALX400 examples are 18009/011/017/061/069/071/075/082/083/092/093/094/095/096/097/098/099/100/110/11 6/129/130/131/132/133/179/195/196 and Plaxton President examples 18053 and 18056.
Stagecoach Manchester
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery is Enviro 400 10043.
Stagecoach Midlands
Following repair and repaint into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery, Enviro 200 37060 has been transferred from Nuneaton to Rugby. Also now in ‘Local’ livery here are Scania/Enviro 400 15455, Scania/Enviro 300 28624, Enviro 200 37179, and Enviro 200 MMC 37431.
Recent fleet changes here have seen changes to the operational fleet of Pointer-bodied Dart SLFs. At Rugby 34878/880 and 35186 are in the
main fleet with 34831/833 in the Reserve Fleet whilst at Kettering in the main fleet are 34835, 35175/176/179/180/181/182/221/222/224/225/226 and in the Kettering Reserve Fleet are 34421/422/424. 35177 at Kettering is delicensed whilst for disposal are 34425/533/549, and 35184/185/219. Additionally 34626/627 are in the training fleet.
Now in service at Northampton is Scania/Enviro 400 15524, and in service at Kettering is MAN/Enviro 300 22840. Withdrawn here is MAN/Enviro 200 39681. Noted as parked up at Corby depot are MAN/Enviro 300s 22841, 22842, and 22843, which were based at Northampton.
Previously reported as for disposal here, Dart SLF 35219 remains in service at Kettering.
Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands)
The use of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 44027 from Aviemore was short-lived and it was back at Inverness on October 7th 2021. With Optare Solo 47182 now in the HQ Reserve Fleet at Inverness we understand that Optare Solo 47588 has moved from Inverness to Aviemore.
The Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora vehicles for Orkney are being prepared for delivery at Volvo, Ely. They will have SJ71*** registration marks. Trident/ALX400s in the main fleet here are 18338 at Aviemore and 18446/49 at Inverness. In the Strategic Reserve Fleet are 18119 and 18339.
Stagecoach South East
Noted in attendance at the South East Bus Festival on 10th October 2021 were Scania Omnicity 15049, Enviro 400 MMC 11559, Enviro 200 MMC 26324, and Enviro 300 27669.
Stagecoach West
The MAN/Enviro 300 training bus, 22742, on loan here from Stagecoach South is based at Oxford.
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery are Scania/Enviro 400 15527 and 15757, and Enviro 300 27905. Of note is that 15757 is the first vehicle at Oxford to carry the new livery (having been repainted by North Bristol depot), now in the paintshop at North Bristol is Scania/Enviro 400 15756 from Oxford.
Enviro 300 27704 has transferred from Gloucester to Banbury, with Scania/Enviro 300 28743 moving in the opposite direction. It is expected that 27701, 27702, 27703 and 27705 will all follow in transferring to Banbury, being exchanged with Scania/Enviro 300s 28742, 28744, 28745, and 28746.
The first ‘Local’ liveried vehicle at Oxford - Scania/Enviro 400 15757 is pictured. © Andy Churchill.
Additional recent repaints here are Enviro 300 27905 and Scania/Enviro 400 15527, pictured. © GlosBusSpotter (27905) / David Stanton (15527).
Stagecoach West Scotland
There are just three Trident/ALX400s here, 18369/374, both in the main fleet at Ayr and 18334 at Kilmarnock.
The Green Bus
The final ADL Enviro 400s acquired from Abellio London to enter service here are 616 (LJ09CEK), 617 (LJ09CEN), 618 (LJ09CEO) and 619 (LJ09CEU).
Vamooz liveried Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 302 (V102MOA), 304 (V104MOA) and 312 (W112DOP) have all passed to Confidence Coaches of Leicester.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President V104MOA, along with two other examples, have departed this fleet for Confidence Coaches of Leicester. © Dylan Jones.
Worth's Coaches
Now part of this fleet is Volvo B13R/Plaxton Elite YN11AXS.
