4th January 2021
Happy New Year! Well it’s a new year with more changes coming along with many operators. Here is a round up of new orders due, along with some of the first fleet changes of the year.
If you have anything you think we should post, please use our Contact Us page, or use the comment section at the end of the page. We are happy to cover any bus operator, big or small, or any preserved vehicles.
Brighton & Hove
Scania OmniDekkas 650, 652, 656, 657, 663 and 666 have transferred on loan to Go Ahead Oxford Group (which covers Carousel Buses, Oxford Bus Company, and Thames Travel), along with some vehicles from Metrobus (see below). It is not known which operation they are being used by yet, but it is expected these are being used to cover for vehicles away for MOT and repaint.
East Yorkshire
Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 81 and 83 have been reported as being allocated to the new EastRider X5 service, which launches today from Hull to Goole. As part of other service changes, new route EastRider X7 is being launched being Hull and Withernsea. This route will be operated using Volvo B5TL/MCV Evoseti 798-803, which are also to be repainted and receive an internal repaint. Already repainted with full X7 branding is 799, with 801 currently being prepared for repaint.
Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 85, 86 and 87 have lost their National Express branding.
On order are 3 new Scania SK410 EB6/Caetano Levante III coaches for National Express which will carry fleet numbers 8-10.
Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 81 showing off its newly applied EastRider X5 branding. © EYBuses /Twitter.
Metrobus
Scania OmniCity 6513, and Scania N94UB/East Lancs Esteem 6615, have moved on loan to Go Ahead Oxford Group. It is not known which specific operation they are with, but they are to provide cover for vehicles away for MOT and repaint.
Also moved on loan are 6 Scania OmniDekkas from Brighton & Hove (see above).
Stagecoach East Midlands
Grimsby allocated ADL Enviro 200 37198 is the latest vehicle here to receive Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery, with its return to the depot imminent. It has been repainted by an external company based in Pickering, North Yorkshire.
Now back in traffic at Lincoln after its previously reported repaint, and after requiring repairs, is ADL Enviro 400 19295. Interestingly ADL Enviro 300 27760, which was repainted back in November has still yet to return to traffic here.
A correction to our last report, with Lincoln allocated ADL Enviro 400 19146 receiving Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery and not 19148.
Stagecoach Manchester
ADL Enviro 400 19420 has been reported to have been returned back to the Ashton Depot after repaint into the new Stagecoach ‘Local’ livery.
Stagecoach Midlands
We can confirm Enviro 400s 10063-066, back on loan from Stagecoach South East, are now in use at Northampton depot.
In the previous Fleet Report we provided information of three Enviro 400s arriving on loan at Stagecoach Midlands from Ensign Bus. Pictured here is one of these, LX08NVL (running as 80073), in Northampton on 30th December 2020. © Derek Elston.
Stagecoach South East
Plaxton Elite Volvo B9R 53705 has been transferred from here to one of the Stagecoach divisions in Scotland, we will update you on this when more information is provided.
With the Canterbury Park and Ride fleet of Enviro 400s moving back on loan north to Stagecoach Midlands last week, it has been reported that the park and ride contract is up for renewal later this year. As part of this, it is anticipated a new fleet will be ordered for it.
One of the few Dart SLFs to so far have received the new ‘Local’ livery here, 34541 is seen at Canterbury Bus Station on 26th December 2020. © Alex Brown.
Stagecoach South Wales
On order here are a batch of Optare Metrocity EV, as fleet numbers 25401-412, and Optare Solo EV, as 48907-910. This will be allocated to Caerphilly.
An example of an Optare Metrocity EV as already seen in use elsewhere, including in London. © Optare.
As we previously reported, the latest recipient of the new ‘Local’ livery here is Optare Solo 47950, which is pictured at Caerphilly depot on 17th December 2020. © Jamie Tunstall.
Stagecoach West Scotland
Expected to be funded by the Scottish Government after the announcement of £120m funding for zero emission buses over the next five years, as part of the updated Climate Change Plan, is a fleet of ADL Enviro 200 EV. These are expected to receive fleet numbers 29111-115.
With funding being provided by the Scottish Government, Stagecoach is expected to take delivery of Enviro 200 MMC EVs in the coming months like the one pictured. © Alexander Dennis.
