Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

December 2022

last update 28th December 2022

Many thanks to all who have contributed news and photos to the website. Without this the site would not be possible.

Latest News

***Arriva: All E400s repainted. ***Littles: Optare Tempos join the fleet. ***Midland Classic: First buses painted blue. ***Trent: Last Scanias remain in use for now.

Here you will find all the latest bus fleet news for many bus operators in and around the Derbyshire area. If you have anything to report please contact me by clicking here

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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

£2 bus fare cap January to March 2023

Many local bus operators are taking part in the governments £2 bus fare cap scheme, which will mean passengers pay only £2 for a single journey between January and March 2023. The government will reimburse the operator on a monthly basis (up to a pre agreed limit between government and each individual operator).

Locally, Trent Barton and Arriva are the two main operators that have agreed to take part along with Stagecoach and many other operators in the surrounding area. For trent barton, red arrow is the only route where the discounted fare will not be available.

Diamond bus East Midlands/Midland Classic will not be taking part in the scheme, and have highlighted why on their website.

On the one hand the scheme may encourage new passengers to try the bus, and reduce the cost, short term at least, for others. However some may use the bus less as a result, taking cheaper singles in place of the weekly or monthly tickets - allowing greater flexability to use other methods of travel. The other potential issues are that services may not be able to meet the demand, and how passengers respond to what will be percieved as a major price increase in April - when fares return to current levels or higher.

Links:
Diamond bus on why they are not taking part

Government website with details

Trent Barton site with details

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Arriva Derby

NEWS
28th December 2022
Omnilink 3512 is in use here.

17th October 2022
Omnilink 3511 and VDL 3763 have moved from Derby to Tamworth.

24th August 2022
E400 4403 is back in service, repainted in standard livery.

13th July 2022
E400 4405 is back in service, repainted in standard livery.

30th June 2022
The E200 MMC 4113 is no longer in use at Derby.
Streetlite 4278 (GN14 DXW) has been seen in Derby recently.

24th May 2022
A different E200 MMC, 4113 (SN67 WUA) is now in use at Derby.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

CT4N

NEWS
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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Derby minibus

27th May 2020

Derby Minibus has now closed following the passing of David Mansfield on 5th May 2020. Starting in 1995 the company operated 7 vehicles.

DW Coaches, Clay Cross

16th September 2021

A recent addition here is former Lawsons Volvo Alexander PS (L623 TDY).

Volvo Alexander PS (L623 TDY).
(C) Chris Gaskin

23rd September 2020

New additions to the fleet here are ex Stagecoach London Trident ALX 400 (LX03 BZC) and ex Arriva London Volvo B7 ALX 400 (LJ05 BJU).

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

G&J Holmes

NEWS
9th September 2017

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Glovers of Ashbourne

NEWS

15th September 2021.

The latest addition to the fleet is former Parks of Hamilton tri axle Plaxton Panther (SA13 YPH).

26th January 2021.

A new arrival here later last year was Volvo B12M (W V02 EUP), which has gained registration (AIG 4549), Ex Panther Travel, Parkeston. It was (AB02 PAN) for a while at Panther Travel.

The Volvo B10M that was (AIG 4549) has reverted back to (W898 RRU) before being withdrawn and possibly sold?

23rd September 2020.

Former Burnley and Pendle Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown (Y162 HRN) is here. Last operated by Square Peg, Leeds.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Harpurs Coaches

3rd November 2022

Volvo Olympian (V370 DJU) has gone to PVS for scrap. Volvo B7TL/ALX400 (X423 PFE) has also been withdrawn, but remains on site for storage.
The last Volvo Olympian in the fleet, (X912 LUT) has been withdrawn and due to go for scrap (repairs not viable following rta).

8th September 2022

Olympian (V351 DJU) went for scrap last month.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Hawkes Coaches

NEWS

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High Peak

News
15th August 2022
Omnicity 729 (YN07 EYC) is now in use here.

Transpeak branded Omnicities 788 (YN06 CJE) and 789 (YN07 EXP) reported to be withdrawn.

20th July 2022
The Transpeak service has been awarded 6 months of funding from Derbyshire County Council, and so continues to operate.

Scania Omnilinks 726/7 (H2/3 UHL) are now in use here.

Scania/Wright Solars 704 and 748 (B5/6 WER) are now with Chaserider in red livery. Optare Versa 780 is also in use there still in green.

Omnicity 789 reported to be withdrawn. transpeak E200 526 withdrawn, but likely to be repaired at some point!

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
28th December 2022
Former Trent Scania 671 (FJ55 AAF) is currently here on loan from Connexions.

3rd November 2022
Former Go Coach Solo (YJ57 XWR) has been reported here. This was previously operated by Nottingham City Transport.

17th October 2022
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President (LR52 KXJ) reported to be fleet number 22 (not 14 as previously stated).

6th October 2022
Dennis Dart 14 (WA56 FKO) has been withdrawn and due to be scrapped.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President (LR52 KXJ) from Jim Hughes Coaches, Newcastle. New to Metroline, London it then passed to Fishwicks, then Tyrers and onto Bradshaws coaches where it was painted into its current livery, of orange with a black front down to the bottom of the windscreen.
MPD 22 (HW54 BUV) has been sold to David Goodfellow coaches for use on the Thorne Town Service. A Solo is expected to arrive to replace this.

6th September 2022
Solo 25 is now in fleet livery.

24th August 2022
Enviro E200 MCV (LK09 EKJ) is the new number 2.
Enviro E200 (LK08 DXC) is the new number 5.
To confirm Optare Solo (YJ57 XWP) is numbered 25, and the open topper remains as fleet number 24.

15th August 2022
The latest addition to the fleet is Optare Solo (YJ57 XWP), in use in Go Coach livery with Hulleys fleet names.

26th July 2022
Omnicity (YN56 NVF) is on loan here from Connexions whilst E400 number 16 is away for repairs. It retains Ipswich livery.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Johnson Bros / Redferns

NEWS & SIGHTINGS

6th September 2022 Olympian (G864 XDX) has been sold for preservation. New to Chambers of Bure it is hoped to be restored back into that livery.

Olympian (G102 AAD) also reported as sold.

Four former NCT Omnidekkas have arrived here via Ensign. Former Nottingham 921-4 (YT61 FFH/J/K/L), the later retaining its allover advert for Nottingham Castle.

Ex Stantons Omnidekka (YN53 RYZ) should now ne in use. Former First Wessex Omnidekka (YN04 GLV) is now in Johnsons blue livery.

31st January 2022 Redfern Travel Omnidekka (YN55 NGZ) has been repainted in the Redfern Travel livery after being off the road for just over 13 months. It should due to enter service soon.

ALX400 (S805 BWC) has also been repainted into the Johnson Bros livery, but still awaiting some finishing touches with sister (S811 BWC) now away being repainted, along with First Omnidekka (YN04 GLV).

Former Stantons of Stoke Omnidekkas (YN53 CFE) & (YN53 RYZ) arrived late December 2021, still in their full livery. (YN53 CFE) was new to Nottingham as their 722 and (YN53 RYZ) was new to Metrobus as their 6487. Both omnidekkas are due to enter service later this year.

| Arriva Derby | | Felix | | Glovers | | Hulleys | | Midland Classic | | Stagecoach | | TM Travel | | Wellglade |

Linburg

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS

8th December 2022 3 Optare Tempos (YJ07 VSE), (YJ07 VSF), and (YJ07 VSP) have arrived from CT4N. They were new to Trent Barton. They are numbered B1/2/3, and replace the two former Trent Solos and ex morebus Volvo (HF54 HGK).
E200 B14 (KX59 GKV) now carries re (AGZ 9364).
E200 B15 (KX59 CYY) now carries reg (AGZ 9365).
E200 B8 (SN65 OFA) now carries a revised livery, with a purple back end and front panel, and looks much better!

29th September 2022 Littles will operate route 14 in Ilkeston (currently CT4N) from Monday. From the same date they will no longer operate route 9 (Derby - Ockbrook), 73 to Weston or the 142/3/7/9/150 services in the Matlock/Alfreton area.

Recent additions are short E200 MMCs (SN67 XBJ/K).

24th May 2022 A second white streetlite, (SK68 TXN) has been reported here. The two vehicles were in use with Go NE towards the end of year, on loan in plain white. They may be on long/short term loan to Littles.

17th May 2022 A white Streetlite (SK68 TXO) is in use here in plain white with no fleet names.

Streetlite (SK68 TXO) is seen here in Derby Bus Station on route 73.
(C)Adrian Healey

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Midland Classic / Diamond East Midlands

NEWS
8th December 2022

E200 31428 (2) (KW14 MCL) has returned from repaint in Diamond blue.

3rd November 2022

Scania E300 30913 (former 21) - (HK62 MCL) has been repainted into Diamond bus blue. X12 branded E200 31428 (2) (KW14 MCL) has gone for repaint and will return in blue.

Wright Streetdeck 40725 (MX20 HVJ) reported to have left the fleet, along with 3 of the Irizar i3s. The i3s, 30997/8/9 (YN17 ONL/K/J) have been returned to Reading buses, as they were leased from them. The remainder are owned by Diamond and expected to stay, for now at least.

29th September 2022

Two Optare Metrocities to join the fleet are ex Central buses 30972/4(YJ16 DDL/O). Both are in Diamond blue livery.

E200 31417 (YY15 NJF) has been repainted into Diamond blue, and is now in service here. 31418 (YY15 NJK) and 31422 (SN66 WJZ) are set to follow.

Former Johnsons 31417 now repainted and part of the Diamond East Midlands/Midland Classic Burton fleet.
(C)Geoff Girling

6th September 2022

A second Streetdeck has joined the Burton fleet 40725 (MX20 HVJ).

Dennis Trident open topper 40100 (FOR 35T) is now based here.

Former Johnsons E200 31417 (YY15 NJF) has joined the Burton fleet, currently away for repaint.

E200 38 has returned from bodywork repairs after an RTA. It still carries Midland Classic livery, but is the first "classic" vehicle to carry a diamond fleet number.

Streetdeck 40726 in service in Burton.
(C)Geoff Girling

Streetdeck 40725 in service in Burton.
(C)Mark Kinson

8th August 2022

Midland Classic has been sold to Rotala, and is set to be branded as Diamond East Midlands, adopting their blue livery. They took control from Thursday 4th August 2022. The Routemaster and a number of preserved vehicles were not included in the sale. Stevensons liveried Scania 85 is understood to also not be included in the sale, but continues in use here. The rest of the fleet in use have been allocated 5 digit Diamond fleet numbers (listed soon). New numbers and fleetnames have not yet been applied to vehicles.

Diamond liveried Streetdeck 40726 (MX20 HVK) has joined the Burton fleet.

21st April 2022

85 has been repainted into Stevensons livery and re registered (TFA 13).

85 now carries Stevensons livery.
(C)Richard Woodhead

18th February 2022

Scania 75 has been repainted into the new style livery, with branding for route 1, the Tutbury Jinny. The Tutbury Jinny was the name given to the rail service between Tutbury and Burton, via Stretton and Rolleston, which ceased on 11th June 1960. The line remained in place into the 70s. Much of it is now a pedestrian walkway/cycle path.

Versa 41 now carries fleet livery.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Nottingham buses

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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Paul S Winsons Loughborough

NEWS
16th August 2020

Volvo (FJU 973) seen here in Loughborough. New to Anglian,Beccles as (AU06 BPK), it was recently acquired from Blackpool Transport.
(C) DBD

Skills, Nottingham

NEWS
6th September 2022
Tri axle Scania Irizar i8 (YN72 ZYO) has joined the fleet, in Leger holidays livery.

Two brand new 2 axle Tourismos have arrived too:
(BV72 YAD) - Skills Green.
(BV72 YAE) - light blue.

Following recent arrivals (see below) Irizars (YN14 NOU) and (YR15 ODT) and Interlink (YN17 OOU) have been returned to Scania from short term lease.

Tri axle Tourismos to arrive here are:
(BV22 WRW),
(BV22 WRX).

Brand new Scania Irizars now here are:
(YS22 JFX) - skills.
(YS22 JFY) - skills.
(YS22 JFZ) - Shearings.
(YS22 JGX) - Skills.
(YS22 JGY) - Skills.
(YS22 JGZ) -Skills.
(LX22 GER) - Leger Luxuria.

13th June 2022
The first of the 5 Volvo B7 / ALX400 is now in use. All have been painted:
AX454 (06-D-30454) now (FB06 KYH).
AX457 (06-D-30457) now (FB06 KYF)
AX458 (06-D-30458) now (FT06 VGV) - in service.
AX462 (06-D-30462) now (FB06 KYG)?.
AX463 (06-D-30463) now (FB06 LBJ).

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

TM Travel

NEWS:
See Wellglade section.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

The Wellglade group
trent barton, kinchbus, notts+derby and T M Travel.

NEWS

8th December 2022
Scania 671 has been sold to Connexions.

Citaro 904 now back in use at Kinchbus branded for route 9 alongside 905.

Notts and Derby Scania 660 has gone to Looms for scrap.

Kinch Solo 458, Scanias 638 and 649 also now at Looms, along with trent barton Sixes Scania 692, which was never repaired/sold following withrawal.

24th November 2022
Former Allestree E200 269 now carries Mango livery and is based at Meadow Rd, Derby.

Kinchbus Citaro 905 now back in use, branded for route 9. Scania 650 is the last in use here.

269 now carries Mango livery. Seen here in Burton, on the Villager.
(C)Geoff Girling

28th December 2022
Threes Versa 812 was destroyed by fire early in December.

Due to a shortage of vehicles at Sutton, former "the Twos" Volvos 778/9/80 have entered service here. They are still in yellow base livery with some threes branding applied 3rd November 2022
Solo SRs 495/6/7. 502/3 have now moved from Derby to Langley Mill. 500 now back in use at Derby.

Volvos 715 and 717 are now in use at Derby.

104 has returned to Meadow Road following a repaint (still Mickleover) but has not gone back into service yet.

18th October 2022
Gemini 23 has been painted into notts and derby fleet livery, 22 has now gone for repaint (last one still in Lothian).

H1 Versas 828 is set to be painted into spare/Mango livery and be based at Sutton. 829 may also move and be repainted, currently under repair.

Although elderly Solo 462 is currently withdrawn, it may be repaired and return to service.

713-715 remain in use at Langley Mill, but are expected to be replaced with Solos once other fleet movements/repaints/repairs are completed.

663 is said to be withdrawn with a fault, which leaves just 662 on Skylink Express.

As expected red Scania 669 is now in use at Nottingham, resulting in Scania 657 (sixes base livery) passing to TM Travel.

481 now withdrawn at Derby due to engine issues, 717 appears to have been sent there as a replacement. 497 has moved from Derby to Langley Mill as expected.

TM Versa 1197 now withdrawn. 476 at TM for spare parts.

Unibus minibus 1025 now for sale (on ebay).

6th October 2022
All three Unibus E400s, 15/6/7 (SK72 CVY/Z/WA), are now with notts + derby.

Solos 467/8/9/70 and the three former Amberline Solos 488/9/90 have moved to TM Travel operation in Sheffield.

Solos SRs 495/6 and 502 have moved to Langley Mill from Derby to operate to new set of Ilkeston services. 497/500 should join them soon (VOR) as should 503 which remains in use at Derby - possibly until now spare Allestree 269 is repainted into Mango livery to replace it?
Spare Ilkeston Flyer Volvo 740 is expected to be painted into Villager livery replacing 705
Mickleover E200s 107/8 are expected to move to Kinchbus. 104 is being painted, but will still be a mickleover vehicle in the same livery

Langley Mills TWO Volvos 778/9/80 are now being prepared for painting into Skylink Xprss livery. Scania 669 is set to replace 657 at Nottingham short term, before the 3 Volvos replace 662/3/9 at Nottingham on Skylink Xprss in the not too distant future.

At Sutton Scanias 659/671 is now withdrawn, with 681 hanging on. 462 withdrawn needing likely unviable repairs.

At Kinchbus 739 has arrived and is in use in trent livery. It is set to stay and be painted. The two remaining Scanias 650/2 are expected to be withdrawn very soon. 651 was withdrawn last week.

Once all changes/repaints are complete 713/4/5/7 should be surplus.

29th September 2022
Several service changes are taking effect from Sunday 2nd/Monday 3rd October 2022. This will likely see many fleet movements:
TM Travel are taking on additional tendered services in Derbyshire and in the Sheffield area, requiring around 20 additional vehicles.
Trent Barton are revising their Ilkeston network, resulting in the loss of route 21 and the end of branding on the amberline and black cat services.

Solos 469/70 reported to now be in use with TM Travel. Sixes base liveried Scanias 657/9 are also expected to transfer from Trent to TM.

E200s 104 and 108 appear to no longer be in use at Derby, suggesting they are away for repaint. Mickleover now has a reduced PVR of 6 from 8 following a recent frequency reduction. All 5 branded Allestree vehicles remain in use despite the route now only requiring 4 vehicles.

A second Unibus E400 for Notts + Derby is 16 (SK72 CVZ), it was delivered to Langley Mill earlier this week.

21st September 2022
The three brand new Unibus Enviros are now in use with Notts and Derby. 2 more E400 MMC deckers are due soon to complete the order.

TM Travel Versa 834 now carries their red livery (previously orange Line 30).

E400 number 15 seen in Smalley a few days before entering service. This is the first of 3 for Notts and Derby for use on the Unibus U1 service in Derby.
(C)Adrian Healey

E200 271 is seen here in Derby on its first day in service.
(C)Geoff Girling

19th September 2022
3 of the 5 new ADL buses for the Notts + Derby Unibus network have been delivered and should be in use this week:
E200 MMC:
270 (YX72 OKP), in service.
271 (YX72 OKR). in service.

E400 MMC:
15 (SK72 CVY),in service.
16 (SK72 CVZ), in service.
17 (SK72 CWA). in service.

Spare Scanias 677 (red) and 685 (sixes livery) have transferred from Trent Barton, Sutton to TM Travel, Sheffield.

Allestree E200 268 has been named after Christ Abbot who sadly passed away earlier this year. The plaque, pictured above, is a perfect tribute, summed up very well.
(C)Geoff Girling

1st September 2022
The two short black E200 MMCs for notts and derby unibus work are now registered (YX72 OKP/R).

Service alterations from October 2nd will see the end of the Black Cat and Amberline brands, aswell as some cut backs on other services.

Amberline withdrawn: Comet will serve Little Eaton. Route 34 will run from Ilkeston to Heanor, Eastwood, Hucknall.

Black Cat withdrawn: replaced by (32 Derby to Ilkeston) and 33 (Ilkeston to Heanor, Sutton, Mansfield).

Route 21 withdrawn. A route 31 will run from Kirk Hallam to Ilkeston.

More details soon.

8th August 2022
Spare Red Arrow Irizar coach 75 was destroyed by fire on the A52, on Friday 5th August.

20th July 2022
Service cuts from September, see suspended routes Spondon Flyer, and 1A withdrawn. Route 27 in Ilkeston will be operated by notts and derby to the hourly post covid timetable. The Mickleover and Allestree services will be reduced to every 10 minutes, saving 3 buses. Route 141 (Nottingham to Mansfield via the villages will also be completely withdrawn, leaving some areas without a service - councils are looking into supporting a service to rectify this.

Solo 476 now withdrawn and being used for spares.

44 was destroyed by fire on 11/7/22, and has since passed to Looms, Spondon for scrap.

The two new E200 MMCs for the notts and derby Unibus work are currently registered (YX22 OJU/V), but may change prior to delivery.

13th June 2022
All four former Royal branded Solos, 480-4, now carry a bright red spare livery and are based at Meadow Road.

20th May 2022
Volvo 746 is now back in use repainted in Mango livery, based at Langley Mill. Previously branded for Comet, it has been off the road for over a year.

6th May 2022
Solo 510 now carries Notts and Derby livery.

29th March 2022
The 4 former Kinchbus Tempos are all still in use:
319 (YJ07 VST) - now (C11 JKN) with Jeakins, Thorpe.
320 (YJ07 VSV) - now with Coachpoint.
321 (YJ07 VSX) - Rambler, Hastings.
322 (YJ07 VSY) - Rambler, Hastings.

The 9 former Lothian Geminis now with notts+derby are:

22 (SN08 BYP) - Lothian livery.
23 (SN08 BYU) - Lothian livery.
24 (SN08 BYV) - notts+derby livery.
25 (SN09 CTU) - Lothian livery.
26 (SN09 CTZ) - Lothian livery.
27 (SN09 CUA) - Lothian livery.
28 (SN09 CUK) - notts+derby livery.
29 (SN09 CUU) - Lothian livery.
30 (SN09 CVA) - notts+derby livery.

Former sixes Scanias update:

683 (FJ55 ABO) Ladywood School, Kirk Hallam (static non PSV).
684 (FJ55 ABV) now (789 FAY) - connexions, Harrogate.
685 (FJ55 BZM) remains in use with trent barton at Sutton.
686 (FJ55 BZN) to Looms, Spondon for scrap 11/21.
687 (FJ55 BZO) now (JSU 721) - connexions, Harrogate.
688 (FJ55 BZP) now (ESU 912) - connexions, Harrogate.
689 (FJ55 BZR) ??
690 (FJ55 BZS) now (K200 CXB) - connexions, Harrogate.
691 (FJ55 BZT) now (J800 CXB) - connexions, Harrogate.
692 (FJ55 BZU) ??

Yourbus, Nottingham

NEWS
YOURBUS ceased trading on Friday 4th october 2019

For a list of former vehicles, where they moved on to, and one or two photos see previous news pages. Last Months News

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