1st October 2021
Arriva North West
News reached us that the company have placed an order for 24 Wrightbus StreetDecks and 10 Wrightbus StreetLites. The StreetDecks are to be allocated to Green Lane depot, with the StreetLites to be allocated to Southport.
The company's St Helens depot will also receive an unspecified number of hydrogen-powered Enviro 400 Citys (owned by the Liverpool City Region). These are expected to be for route 10A between Liverpool and St Helens.
Arriva Shires & Essex
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse-Urban 3891 is the latest recipient of ‘Journey Mark’ livery.
Mercedes-Benz Citaros 3043 and 3924 have transferred from Aylesbury to Milton Keynes, while similar 3923 is expected to be withdrawn. Optare Solo 2498 , Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse-Urbans 3861 and 3864, DAF SB120 Wright Cadet 2737, Trident 5428 and DAF DB250/East Lancs Lowlander 6061 have all been withdrawn.
VDL SB200/Wright Pulsars KX09KDO (3818), MX61AWC (3816) and MX61AWF (3817), have been transferred here from Arriva Southern Counties. These previously carried fleet numbers 3778, 3786 and 3787 respectively.
Enviro 300 3550 (KX09GXZ) has been returned to Arriva Southern Counties, notably similar 3574 never transferred on loan.
Arriva Southern Counties
Enviro 300 3550 is expected to be allocated to Hemel Hempstead,following its return from Arriva Shires & Essex.
Enviro 400 MMCs 6487, 6488, 6489 and 6493 have been transferred to Hemel Hempstead, following a loan spell from Ware to Kent, to assist with operating service 500 (Aylesbury-Hemel Hempstead-Watford). This route is now shared between Southern Counties at Hemel and Shires & Essex at Aylesbury.
Centrebus
The allocation of Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evolutions has been altered. 630 (BU16UWK), 631 (BU16UWP), and 632 (BU16UWO) are in service at Grantham. 634 (BU16UWL) and 636 (BU16UWN) are in service at Luton, to be followed shortly by 635 (BU16UWM). 633 (BU16UWR) and 637 (BU16UWS) are also set to be allocated to Luton.
Withdrawn here are Optare Solo 348 and Scania N230UB/East Lancs Esteem 708.
Optare Solo SR 327 has received the newer fleet livery.
East Yorkshire
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 679 and 682 at Scarborough have been delicensed, being replaced by similar 684 and 686 (which had previously been delicenced at Hull).
Ensign Bus
On loan to First Eastern Counties is ADL Enviro 400 MMC 132 (YX66WLH) which is being used on their Norwich to Peterborough Excel service.
With usual thanks to Ross Newman at Ensign Bus we are able to detail activity at the Essex dealership during August 2021.
Vehicles in
From Stagecoach Cumbria: Tridents S817BWC, V196/198/199MEV; Optare Solo KX51CTE; Volvo B12M YS02YXT.
From Carters Heritage: Tridents LK05GFV/GGV. From Maymist Coaches Volvo B9R FJ60HYK.
From Rotala: Mercedes 814s: KX60DWF/DWO, KX09SOU.
From Lothian: B9TLs SN09CTK/CTO, SN08BYH/BYK/ BYL/BYM/BYO/BYP/BYR/BYT/BYY/BYV.
From Tower Transit: Volvo B7TLs LK04HYG/HYH; Darts LN51DWJ, KP02PUF/PVO/PWN/PWO.
From Metroline: Volvo B9TL’s LK59FCP/CXC. Vehicles out
Solo YJ60LRN: A2B, Cambridge.
Volvo B9TLs SN09CTK/CTO: Happy Als, Liverpool. Volvo B9TL’s BN61MXA/MXB/MXD/MXE/MXH: Atlantic Travel, Manchester.
Scania YN56FBA: Change.org, London.
Volvo B9TL SN08BXY: Heyfordian , Bicester.
Scania YN08DHE; Volvo B7RLE SK07CGU: Ipswich Buses.
Volvo B7RLE SK07CGU: Jacks Coaches, Middlesbrough
Volvo B7TL WR03YZM: Barway Services, Ely.
Volvo B7TL KP51WAU: Internic Ltd, Bournemouth. Volvo B7TLs W733/734 DWX: Marchants Coaches, Cheltenham.
Enviro 400s: SN11BSY/BSZ/BTE/BTO: Redbridge Council.
Volvo B7L LX05GEJ: Seven Sisters Bus and Coach, Eastbourne.
Olympian P270VPN: Sussex Buses, Shoreham Enviro 400s: LJ08CYP, SN11BRF, SN11BPZ: Warringtons Own Buses.
Scanias YN08DHG/DHJ, YN56FCG/FCJ: Weardale Motor Services , Co Durham.
Scania YT59PBU: XLP, London.
Enviro 400 LK08DXV: Ricardo UK , Shoreham, West Sussex.
On hire
Volvo B9TL’s LK59FCP/CXC are on long term hire to HCT, London.
Currently on loan at First Eastern Counties, Enviro 400 MMC 132 (YX66WLH) is pictured in Norwich on 21st September 2021. © Luke Fisher.
Delaine Bus: Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking Y8 OCT is pictured in Peterborough on 23rd September 2021. © Jacob Tuson.
First Hampshire & Dorset
Southampton ‘CityRed’ Streetlite 47424 is now at Weymouth (on loan), covering for similar 47408 which is away for repaint.
Transferred to First South West are Scania Omnicitys 65007 and 65020.
Grant Palmer
Scania OmniCity 152 (YN03WRG) and 153 (YN05GWY) have left this fleet. The latter was noted on Rail Replacement on the Isle of Wight whilst the other is for sale at the Ensign Bus dealership.
Megabus/Scottish Citylink
With Volvo B13R 54217 being stood down for repairs and repaint in September 2021, similar 54220 has returned to the operational fleet with Stagecoach Midlands at Rugby.
Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
Transferred here from Stagecoach Manchester are Enviro 400MMCs 10618-625, which will be allocated to West Cumbria allowing similar 11150-154/156 to return to Morecambe with a resultant cascade which is likely to see some Tridents sidelined into the Reserve Fleet.
Following repaint into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery’, Scania/Enviro 400s 15846 and 15847 are now allocated to West Cumbria, with 15848 and 15849 to follow.
At Carlisle Reserve Fleet Optare Versa 25224 has returned to service, whilst Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 44009 has transferred to the Reserve Fleet. Reserve Fleet Enviro 400 19569 is now back in the main fleet at Kendal. Moved to the Reserve Fleet at Barrow is Optare Solo 47133, being replaced in the main fleet by 47239. Reserve Fleet buses back in the main fleet at West Cumbria are Tridents 18327/356/380/381, whilst back in the main fleet at Morecambe are Dart SLFs 34565 and 34579 and Optare Versa 25219. Optare Versas 25265/266/267 at West Cumbria have transferred to the Reserve Fleet whilst Mercedes-Benz Sprinters 44049-053 have returned to the main fleet there.
A clear out of withdrawn vehicles has seen Trident 18143, Volvo B10M/PS 20712 and Dart SLFs 34567, 34713, 34719, 34801 and 35246 leave the fleet.
Stagecoach East
Following the transfer of two Enviro 400MMCs from Peterborough to Bedford (10872 and 10873), the company announced on 15th September 2021 that it would be ditching the Volvo B11R coaches from the X5 Bedford-Cambridge service and replacing them with double deckers. The Enviro 400MMCs, which will work the X5 and the 905 Bedford-Cambridge service, are due to receive Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery and will also be fitted with luggage racks and WiFI. The buses will also have USB-charging points and leather seats.
Enviro 400s 19580 and 19584 which have been transferred to Cambridge, from Peterborough. Scania/Enviro 400MMCs 15292-294 have returned to Busway duties at Fenstanton following an extended period on the allocation at Cambridge. Reserve Fleet Dart SLF 34834 was returned to service at Bedford on 9th September 2021 and moved the following day to Cambridge.
Stagecoach East Midlands
At Skegness, Open Top Trident 17676 and Scania/Enviro 400 15808 have been delicensed, whilst the three closed top Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Geminis 16939/941/944 have moved to the Seasonal Reserve Fleet.
Enviro 200 36058 at Grimsby has returned to the Reserve Fleet and has been moved to Scunthorpe, whilst Dart SLF 35133 at Worksop has moved from the Reserve Fleet to the main fleet.
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery are Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse-Urban 21266, MAN/Enviro 300 24199, and Enviro 200 36451. Enviro 400 19299 is currently in a rubbed down condition at Lincoln, and is expected that this will be next vehicle to be repainted.
Notably a number of vehicles have not seen use in a number of weeks, or months. Trident 18122 has not seen service in Lincoln since being repainted into 'Local' livery in the middle of May 2021 (although it has been moved around the depot a number of times). Trident 18418 is also at Hull having been off road since June 10th 2021. Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking 16915 is still out of service at Scunthorpe having been stood down since November 24th 2020. Also of note, the 'Local' liveried Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 16944, at Skegness, has now reached six weeks since it last saw active service.
Recently repainted MAN/Enviro 300 24199 is pictured in Hull on 29th September 2021. © Ian Knott.
MAN/Enviro 200s 39691 and 39693 are now both in service at Hull depot. Of these, 39693 is pictured on 29th September 2021. © Ian Knott.
Stagecoach London
The two Volvo B5TL/Wright Eclipse-Geminis on loan here from Stagecoach East, 13808/812, have had their ‘Sightseeing Cambridge’ wording changed to ‘Sightseeing London’. ADL Enviro 400MMC 11377 now carries ‘Spirit of London remembering 7/7’ branding.
Transferred to Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands) are Enviro 200s 36324 and 36583.
Enviro 400s 19840-843 are transfers from Catford to Plumstead, whilst the company reports the arrival of several Volvo B5LH Hybrids from Tower Transit which are at Catford and carry fleet numbers 80112-117/119/120/123/125-136.
Stagecoach Manchester
Enviro 400MMCs 10618-625 have been transferred to Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire. The four Enviro 200s that have been on loan to Stagecoach West - 36108/109/111/113 - have now been formally transferred.
Transferred into the Reserve Fleet here are Tridents 18360/441, MAN/Enviro 300 22583, Enviro 200s 36102/103/110/112/427/485/781-783 and 37034-037, and Optare Solos 47623/670/671/672. Enviro 400H Hybrid 12020 is out of service following rear end fire damage.
Additional Enviro 400s moved into the Reserve Fleet are 19220/221/222/228/230/266/268, whilst Optare Solo SR 48031 is now allocated to Middleton.
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
Further Enviro 300s transferred from Birkenhead to Preston are 27271 and 27272, whilst Scania/Enviro 400s 15581/582 are also now at Preston having transferred from Gilmoss, with 15588/596 moving from Gilmoss to Chester.
Arrivals at Birkenhead are Enviro 300 27294 from Gilmoss and 27890 from Preston along with Enviro 200 36184 from Preston. Enviro 200s transferred from Birkenhead are 36802/810 to Chester and 36820 to Gilmoss. Withdrawn Optare Solos 47326/329/335 are all earmarked for cascade within Stagecoach UK Bus.
Further to the news (see above) of Arriva North West expecting to receive a batch of Hydrogen Enviro 400 Citys, it is anticipated that an unspecified number from this initial batch of twenty vehicles will be for Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire.
Stagecoach Midlands
ADL Enviro 200MMC 26221, at Nuneaton, has been repainted into Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery. This is the first of this type to be repainted into this livery in the whole company.
Following engine repairs Dart SLF 35226 has returned to service at Kettering. Vehicles recently delicensed for long term repairs are Enviro 400 10039; Scania/Enviro 400 15455; Trident 18404; Enviro 200 MMC 26221; Dart SLF 35177 and Enviro 200 36154, whilst returning to service after repairs are Trident 18410 at Northampton; Enviro 200MMC 26216 at Nuneaton; Enviro 200 36941 at Leamington and Scania/Enviro 400 15943 at Northampton.
Vehicles now for disposal here are Trident 18159 at Northampton; Dart SLFs 34425/533/549, 35185 and 35219 at Kettering. Also now for disposal are MAN/Enviro 200s 39684/686/687/688 from the Reserve Fleet with similar 39681 at Kettering expected to be stood down for disposal shortly.
Enviro 200 37074 has now transferred to Leamington Spa from Northampton.
The remains of accident-damaged Dart SLFs 35105 and 35178 have been collected by A H Hardwick.
Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird)
Volvo B9R 53626 has returned to service at Elgin following long-term repairs, whilst Reserve Fleet 53610 has been moved from Elgin to Insch.
Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands)
The remains of fire damaged Enviro 400 19037 has been sold to PVS, whilst Ripley has taken the remains of Scania/Enviro 300 28601 and Optare Solos 47181/668/687.
Enviro 300 27590 has transferred to Stagecoach East Scotland, whilst arrivals here from Stagecoach London are Enviro 200s 36324 and 36583.
Volvo B9Rs back in main fleet service are 53606 at Kirkwall and 53607 at Caithness, whilst Volvo B7R 53316 from Kirkwall is now for disposal and similar 53335 has been sold.
Stagecoach South
The latest repaints here, into ‘Coastliner’ branded Stagecoach ‘Distance’ livery are Scania/Enviro 400 15990, and Enviro 400 10008.
Now withdrawn and for disposal is Volvo B10M training bus 20937.
Transferred to Andover are Enviro 300s 27656 from Worthing and 27833 from Basingstoke. along with Enviro 200s 36016 from Worthing and 36027 from Winchester. From Portsmouth, Trident 18514 has been transferred to Basingstoke, and similar 18516/517/518 have moved to Chichester.
Dart SLFs 34629 and 35123/125/127/254/257/259 at Andover, along with 34518 and 35260 at Worthing have been demoted to the Reserve Fleet.
Stagecoach South East
ADL Enviro 400MMC 10723 has transferred from Hastings to Herne Bay in exchange for Scania/Enviro 400 15284. Trident 17582 has been sold and similar 17585/587/590 from Herne Bay are now for disposal here, along with Optare Solo 47676 from Ashford which has been replaced by 47369 from the Reserve Fleet. Also back in main fleet use are Optare Solos 47663/683, now at Eastbourne, and Enviro 300s 27920/921/924 at Dover and Dart SLF 34434 at Herne Bay.
Transferred from Herne Bay to Ashford are Scania/Enviro 400s 15547/548/549. Vehicles transferred into the Reserve Fleet are Tridents 17734 and 18080/165/166 from Ashford, Enviro 400 19005 from Dover, and Dart SLFs 34493/98 from Eastbourne, 34732 from Hastings and 34652 from Folkestone.
Stagecoach South West
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery is Optare Solo SR 48010, pictured in Exeter on 30th September 2021. © Dave Tozer.
Stagecoach West
Now repainted into Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery is Enviro 300 27905.
Enviro 200 36448 has been transferred from Oxford to Stroud, whilst Dart SLF 34829 has transferred from Oxford to Swindon. ADL Enviro 400 10068 has transferred from Oxford to Banbury with 10069 now in the Reserve Fleet at Oxford. Dart SLF 34829 is now at Swindon (from Oxford), whilst ADL Enviro 400 MMC has returned to Oxford from Witney, with Enviro 200 36448 moving from Oxford to Stroud.
Enviro 200s 36389/391 have transferred from Gloucester to Cheltenham with 36137-139 transferring from Gloucester to North Bristol. Now in the Reserve Fleet here are Trident 18085, Dart SLFs 34471/590/618/832/843 along with Optare Solos 47244/297/451/454/455/478/557/686.
Now at Stroud depot is Scania/Enviro 400 15981.
The four Enviro 200s on loan here from Stagecoach Manchester, 36109/113 (at Oxford) and 36108/111 (at Banbury) have now been formally transferred here.
Vehicles withdrawn are Dart SLFs 34467, 34666, 34716/18 and accident-damaged Enviro 200 36126.
Now back in service at Gloucester, following a short period of inactivity, is Scania/Enviro 400 15856. © GlosBusSpotter.
Stagecoach West Scotland
Vehicles written off for scrap include open top Volvo Olympian 16864, Optare Solos 47476/505, and Volvo B7Rs 53318/319.
Transfers from Ayr to Kilmarnock are Enviro 300 27885 and Scania/Enviro 300 28705, whilst Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 44012 is now surplus here and is expected to be cascaded within Stagecoach UK Bus.
Optare Solos 47498 and 47501 are earmarked for donation to Teen Challenge via the Souter Charitable Trust.
Stagecoach Yorkshire
Withdrawn vehicles sold to A H Hardwick (Dealer) are MAN/ALX300s 22425/434/436/438/439/441/446/447; Dart SLFs 34581/582/583/720/722 and 35107/08/12, and Optare Solo 47319. Additional vehicles now for disposal here are MAN/ALX300s 22423/426/449; MAN/Enviro 300s 22535/540; Dart SLFs 35110/116/117/227/229 and Optare Solos 47320/322/325.
Transferred from the main fleet at Barnsley into the Reserve Fleet are Optare Solos 47724-727, whilst Enviro 400 19513 (also from Barnsley) is currently delicensed.
