Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

November 2024

last update 19th November 2024

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

Latest News

***Diamond: Former yellow buses Geminis in service, fleet upgraded with more Streetdecks. Last Scania Wright Solars remain ***Trent: New buses for threes arrive. Versas retained.

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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£2 bus fare cap extended to end of December 2024

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 until the end of December 2024. 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.

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 when the scheme ends - and fares return to current levels or higher.

The lack of clarity throughout has led to operators announcing they are joining/continueing with the scheme at very short notice. Fares are now set to be £2 single until end of December 2024.

Links:
Government website with details

Trent Barton site with details

Peak Sightseer 2024 Stagecoach Chesterfield have recommenced operating the Peak Sightseer services in the peak district. Red route operates every 30 minutes, daily from Chatsworth House on a circular loop calling at Bakewell and Ashford in the Water. This was operated last year, and is now operated on a commercial basis.

New for this season is the hourly, daily blue route. This incorporates the route that Hulleys "breezer" ran in 2023 (Baslow - Hathersage - Hope - Castleton), although extended to Mam Tor and journies start from Chatsworth. This is supported by funding this season.

5 buses are needed, with a 6th being parked at Chatsworth as a spare in case required. 3 E400s and a Gemini are branded alongside some Stagecoach liveried (with peak sighseer names) ALX400 Tridents.

The service is marketed as a premium/special service, and as such gold cards and Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets are not accepted - but both can be used to discount the standard Day ticket price from £9.50 to £5.50. The open toppers also run trips from Chesterfield and South Sheffield in the morning, and return trips late afternoon.

Gemini (FX06 AOE) arrives at Chatsworth House.
(C) DBD

2 of the Trident ALX400s at Chatsworth House.
(C) DBD

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Arriva Derby

NEWS
31st October 2024
VDL 3795 arrived here earlier in October. Similar 3763 has also arrived this week.

6th October 2024
Another VDL Wright Pulsar to join the fleet is 3729 (YJ57 BPZ).

27th August 2024
Omnilink 3505 has been reported back at Derby.

20th August 2024
VDL Pulsars 3736 (MX09 EKR) and 3737 (MX09 LXT) have moved to Derby from Tamworth. Omnilink 3505 (YN08 HZS) was also in use here earlier in the month, currently back at Tamworth.

Several services in Derby are being altered in as part of a network review at the end of August. Routes 5 and 5A see quite a reduction in service, although the busier section of the route will be served by new route 6.

New route 1B will serve pride park then the new Buttercup Leys housing development off Snelsmoor Lane (between Boulton Moore and Chellaston). Route 4 will be extended to Derby Commercial Park.

X38 will see an increase, with Arriva adding two addition vehicles to the service to provide a 20 minute frequency. The route was previously ran jointly between trent barton and arriva, however neither accepted each others day/week tickets etc. This resulted in the route being very difficult to market as part of a network of services, especially due to each operators departure times differing each hour. The service will operate every 20 minutes, and start from Derby Bus Station to allow for better connections. It will also offer arriva ticket holders a frequent connection to the Royal Hospital. Buses will also operate until 10pm Monday to Saturday, and every 30 minutes during the daytime on Sundays.

22nd July 2024
The Scania Omnicities and Omnilinks are to be withdrawn this year, to be replaced by VDL Wright Pulsars.

10th June 2024
VDL/Wright 3771 (CX58 EWL) has arrived here and has entered service, replacing Omnicity 3573 which was destroyed by fire last week.

7th June 2024
Scania Omnicity 3573 caught fire in Derby City Centre close to the bus station on Wednesday Morning, 5th June 2024. Thankfully no one was injured in the incident. The vehicle looks to be beyond repair!

29th March 2024
The Yutong demonstrator was back at Ascot Drive earlier this week. It is unknown if it will see further service here.

Gemini 4203 was repainted earlier this year. VDL 3747 has recently returned from the paintshop, allowing 3737 to move to Tamworth.

The Eloctroliners are set to enter service in Leicester next month which will result in some fleet movements.

A London red E400 driver training vehicle was near Derby on Wednesday - possibly on the way to the repair centre at Ascot drive.

25th March 2024
The Yutong demonstrator appears to have left Arriva Derby. It also looks asthough Zebra 2 funding has not been given for the introduction of electric buses on the Alvaston and Sinfin corridors.

18th March 2024
Yutong U11DD Demonstrator (YD73 FTP) is currently in use here from Pelican bus and coach. It is being trialled on the Nottingham Uni Hopper 903, but may also be used on other services. The university have advised it may be used on the 903 between 11am and 2pm until 28th March - to alert passengers that a bus without a bike rack may be used at these times.

3738 now carries standard livery along with 3745. 3747 currently being painted.

Yutong Demo (YD73 FTP) on university hopper bus route 903.
(C) Calum MacLennan

2nd February 2024
3739, and 3740 have been repainted in the standard livery. 3738 is currently being repainted. 3737 remains in use here, perhaps until repaints are completed.

3560 withdrawn, unviable to repair. 3511 appears to be its replacement.

15th January 2024
Omnilink 3511 (YN08 HZY) now in use at Derby. This was new to Derby. Last in use at Tamworth until just before Christmas, it has just gained a new MOT at Derby.

Sapphire liveried VDL 3737 (MX09 LXT) is now in use here.

"Give bus a chance" VDL 3739 (MX09 EKT) has arrived, with 3767 (FJ13 FYM) transferring to Liverpool in its place.

14th November 2023
VDLs 2917 and 2926 have been renumbered 3738 (CX58 EXJ) and 3740 (CX58 FZH).

26th October 2023
2917 (CX58 EXJ) has now arrived at Derby and is in use. 3768 has gone the Liverpool.

VDL 3738 (CX58 EXJ) is seen here in Derby near the bus station.
(C) Geoff Girling

3rd October 2023
VDL 2926 (CX58 FZH) has arrived in Derby from Liverpool in exchange for newer VDL 3768. There is now an age restriction of 15 years for buses operating into the centre of Liverpool. 3767 and 3769 are also expected to be exchanged (2917/37 expected to come to Derby, but are still in use in Liverpool as of today).

VDL 2926 (CX58 FZH) is seen here near the Spot in Derby.
(C) Geoff Girling

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| Midland Classic |

Bus Link

NEWS
6th October 2024

Bus link have acquired two Ex National Express B7TL Geminis, 51 (BX54 DGE) and 52 (BX54 DGZ). Both retain NX livery and are used for school services.

Solo 31 (YJ12 GVV) has entered service and is in the bus link livery. Similar 32 (YJ12 GVX) has also been acquired. These are dual doored Solos previously operating in London with CT Plus, and laterly with Stagecoach.

Short Solo SR 33/4 (YJ67 FZS/T) have joined the fleet. 33 has been in service. Both were previously used at Aberdeen airport and are in plain white livery.

Short Solo 34 is a new addition to the fleet.
(C) Mark Kinson

Former National Express West Midlands Gemini 52 (BX54 DGZ) is a recent addition to the fleet.
(C)Sam Walker - Walkers Transport

24th August 2024

Bus Link have recently started operating route X66 between Lichfield and Tamworth. They also operate the Lichfield Town services 31/2 at peak times, and some trips on the 63 Uttoxeter to Cannock. They can also often be seen on rail replacement services. Buses are painted in yellow and black stevensons style livery.

Scania 71 is seen here on the new X66 service.
(C) Mark Kinson

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| Midland Classic |

Derby Community Transport

3rd October 2023

Many larger vehicles have joined the fleet now that many of the tendered services around Alfreton are operated by the company:
Former Littles short E200s (KX59 CYY) and (KX59 GKV).
Solo (KX14 FJP).
Short Solo (MA07 BUS) from Star Travel, Aylesbury.

DW Coaches, Clay Cross

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G&J Holmes

NEWS
9th September 2017

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Glovers of Ashbourne

NEWS

6th July 2023.

Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown (Y162 HRN) left here a while ago, but has turned up with Workington Transport Heritage Trust where it will be used in service.

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Harpurs Coaches

6th October 2024

Setra (NH09 HRH) left the fleet early last week, for its new life in Cyprus (sister vehicle (NH09 SRH) went there in May - not sure if to same operator).
Volvo B7/Wright (SN57 DCF) has joined the fleet. Currently white with blue skirt. New to Lothian.

(X424 PFE) was sold at the end of May to an operator in Bedford for further use.

16th May 2024

Another new addition to the fleet is Temsa Safari coach (YJ16 EMK).

Setra (NH09 SRH) has been exported to Cyprus.

Avondale, Clydebank near Glasgow have acquired MPD (BU05 HFA). It has been repainted in their livery.

11th April 2024

A new arrival here is Temsa Safari coach (YJ16 EJD), ex Caledonian Travel, and previously with Durham City coaches. A second is also due to arrive here soon.

The MPD has been sold to a company in Glasgow.

26th October 2023

A correction to the news earlier this month: of the two white DAF Geminis sold, (LJ05 BHV) to Butler Bros, and (LJ05 BHP) to Freeway, Pinxton (previously got them the wrong way round - my error).

3rd October 2023

All three of the recently acquired Volvo ALX400s have been or are away for painting.

21st September 2023

Three Volvo B7TL/ALX400 (LJ53 BDU/X) (LJ53 BFN) have joined the fleet. New to Arriva London, they were last in use with 1st Bus Stop, Gravesend. BDX is in use in red, the two others have been/are away for repaint into fleet livery.

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| Midland Classic |

Hawkes Coaches

NEWS

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High Peak

News
27th August 2024
Two new Optare Solos have joined the fleet 3001/2 (YH24 BMY/Z).

Brand new Optare Solo 3002 (YJ24 BMZ).
(C) Dan Stone

9th July 2024
Former Buxton Buzz Citaro 804 (BN12 EOX) now carries centrebus/high peak standard livery.

2nd February 2024
White E200 545 (YX67 UXO) is in use here.

14th November 2023
Citaro 805 has been repainted into High Peak livery.

Citaro 805 has been repainted into Transpeak livery.
(C) Geoff Girling

19th September 2023
A second Citaro, 804 (BN12 EOX) now carries Buxton Buzz livery.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
31st October 2024
The 4th new E200 MMC arrived and entered service last week. 7530 (YX74 ODY). 6th October 2024
3 of the 4 new E200 MMCs arrived as planned last month, with a 4th yet to enter service:
7530 (YX74 ODY),
7531 (YX74 ODM),
7532 (YX74 ODN),
7533 (YX74 ODP),
7530 (YX74 ODY).

Former Stantons of stoke e200 5719 (LJ09 KPK) now carries Hulleys livery, along with Solo 5025 (YJ57 XWP). 27th August 2024
4 new E200 MMCs are due to enter service in September.
Optare Tempo 7802 (YJ11 EHR) is on loan here from Go Coach.
Evora 9112 (BV23 NVH) now carries the new livery. Solo 28 (YK05 CAO) and E400s 22 (LK57 AYB), 8003 (LK09 EKU) now carry the new livery, as do E200s 6315 (MK63 XAU), 6323 (YX11 CSY) and Solo 6 (YJ09 OTH).

Hulleys Evora 3112 (BV23 NVH) has been repainted into the new fleet livery.
(C) Dan Stone

5th April 2024
Former North Western liveried E200 (MK63 XAU) has now been painted into the new Hulleys livery. This is the vibrant go coach yellow base livery (replacing cream), with the familiar dark blue skirt and line above window, in a similar position as they were before.

25th March 2024
White E200 MMC (YX70 OHS) has joined the fleet as the new number 2. Ex White bus, Berkshire via Mistral (dealer).

E200 (LJ09 KRD) as arrived from Herberts. Blunham on 22/3/24. Expected to be the new 20.

18th March 2024
Volvo B7RLE MCV Evolution (KP12 BUS) has arrived here and is in use in Pulhams livery. New to Pulhams it was acquired from Houston’s Coaches.

Go Coach Metrocity 6201 (YJ18 DKX) is in use here.

2nd February 2024
The latest loan from Go Coach is London Country liveried E400 9001 (SK07 DZA).

Solo SR (YJ62 FUD) has recently returned to Go Coach. The optare Tempo and Versa that were at Baslow at some point have also now returned.

On loan from the Go Coach fleet is London Country liveried E400 9001 (SK07 DZA). Seen here in Chesterfield.
(C)Geoff Girling

17th Janaury 2024
E200 5714 (YX11 AEN) now carries fleet livery.

Another Solo in use here from Go Coach is (YJ11 EKB).

22nd December 2023
Hulleys of Baslow have purchased Go Coach, an operator of around 40 vehicles in Swanley, Kent.
A number of their vehicles have previously been loaned to Hulleys, and more have arrived in recent weeks to assist with a vehicle shortage. The two companies will retain their individual identitites, but will assist each other. The chronic vehicle shortage has led to poor reliability lately, but it is hoped things will improve, and settle down with numerous go coach vehicles now on loan.

The old fleet numbers are now prefixed with the total capacity of the vehicle, creating a 4 digit number.

Optare Tempo (YJ11 EHN) has been in use here.
Solo SR (YJ62 FUD) is also on loan from Go Coach.

An addition to the Hulleys fleet is E200 (YX11 AEN) from Vision Travel, Bolton.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Johnson Bros / Redferns

NEWS & SIGHTINGS

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

Linburg

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS

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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Midland Classic / Diamond East Midlands

NEWS
31st October 2024

Two more Mercedes Sprinter minibuses have joined the Burton based fleet. 15014 (WX74 RXO) and 15015 (WN74 XVJ). Two new services requiring a minibus are now undertaken, a car park shuttle in Derby for the Royal Hospital, and a service from Tamworth to the National Memorial Aboretum in Alrewas.

6th October 2024

The last Versa 30910 (JB08MCL) has been withdrawn.

20th August 2024

New here is Mercedes Minibus 15010 (WM24 KHF).

Repaints:
Metrocity 30994 (YJ66 APF) - Diamond blue.
E400 40527 (SN11 BMU) - Diamond blue.

Withdrawn:
Versa 30912 (NK09 FVE).
Versa 30967 (YJ57 XVT).
Scania Omnicities 40519/20 (YN08 MKO/P).

DEM Metrocity 30994 YJ66 APF) has been repainted into Diamond livery.
(C)Sam Walker - Walkers Transport

9th July 2024

DEM E400 40521 (SN11 BNL) has been repainted into Diamond livery.
(C)Sam Walker - Walkers Transport

25th March 2024

VDL/MCV Evolution 30715 (YJ62 JWF) has joined the fleet.

Scania 30904 withdrawn after returning briefly. MOT expired. 30903 will follow shortly if not already withdrawn. MOT expires on 30th March.

18th March 2024

Streetlite 32260 (BN23 YSD) is currently here on loan.

E200s 31416 (YY15 NJJ) and 31419/20 (YY16 YLK/L) are new additions to the fleet.

Scanias 30903/4 (YN05 GXH/G) remain in use short term.

Streetlite (BN23 YSD) in Burton.
(C)Mark Kinson

2nd February 2024

Two new arrivals here are blue Streetdecks 40828 (MX21 AVD), and 40837 (MX21 ATZ). The former retains its pink diamonds, part of its route branding when based in Bolton routes 36/7. The later was previously in use on the Bee network.

Streetdeck 40828, complete with pink diamonds, is now in service in Burton.
(C)Mark Kinson

23rd November 2023

Latest repaint into Diamond livery are Metrocitys 30991/2 (YJH16 DXU/T). Repaints are now expected at a quicker pace, as they have been over recent weeks.

17th January 2024

Scania 30901 (YN05 GXL) has been withdrawn. The remaining Scanias are due to replaced soon.

Streetdeck 40830 (MX21 AVE) is on loan here.

14th November 2023

Evora (BV21 OPM) has been repainted into Diamond livery.

E400 40522 (SN11 BNE) has been repainted into blue diamond livery.
Former Yellow buses Gemini (BF15 KFC) is now also in Diamond livery.

Evora .
(C)Geoff Girling

E400 (SN11 BNE) has been repainted into Diamond livery.
(C)Chris Broom

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Nottingham buses

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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Paul S Winsons Loughborough

NEWS
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Skills, Nottingham

NEWS
11th April 2024
2 Short Temsas here are (YJ24 AYS/T). 6 other Temsas are (YJ24 AYU/V/W/X/Y/Z)

25th March 2024
16 vehicles on order this year - 8 Temsas (2 are short), 3 Tourismos for Leger Silver service, 2 Yutongs, and 3 Van Hools. The 4 remaining Neoplans are expected to leave the fleet.

Former Lothian Geminis have bee re registered as follows:
907 (SN08 BXX) now (SIL 6438),
909 (SN08 BXZ) now (SIL 9540),
910 (SN08 BYA) now (SIL 7027),
913 (SN08 BYD) now (SIL 7030),
914 (SN08 BYF) now (SIL 6436),
915 (SN08 BYG) now (SIL 6437),
The 05 plate DAF Geminis are for sale.

26th October 2023
9 new Scania Levante 3a complete with mirror cameras have arrived for National Express work. They are:
(BV73 ZTO),
(BV73 ZTL),
(BV73 ZTM),
(BV73 ZTN),
(BV73 ZTP),
(BV73 ZTR),
(BV73 ZTS),
(BV73 ZTT),
(BV73 ZTU).

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

TM Travel

NEWS:
See Wellglade section.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Vectare East Midlands

NEWS
3rd October 2023
Vectare East Midlands now operate service 9/9a Derby to Borrowash/Ockbrook. Diamond bus have operated the route for the last year.

Minibus (RX23 TKV) seen here in Derby on the 9a.
(C)Adrian Healey

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

NEWS

19th November 2024
Wellglade are to operate Flixbus services from spring 2025. 19 Yutong GT12 coaches have been ordered, 9 for flixbus and 10 for the trent barton "red arrow" route, including a dedicated spare.

Former mickleover E200s 101 to 104 have returned and are being prepared to enter service on the Keyworth Connection.
5 former Ilkeston Flyer Volvos are being painted in a bright orange and maroon/brown livery for the X38 service. At least 4 have already been painted. 723 is now in mango livery and continues to be based at Langley Mill.
Three of the short white e200s that have been on loan, 272/3/5, are now parked up at Langley Mill. 274/6 remain in use with kinchbus. Former Villager Volvo 704 is now based at Derby in Mango livery.

notts and derby have acquired Solos 1169 (MX04 VLM) and 1206 (YJ56 WVN) from TM travel.

A new addition to the TM travel fleet is former Stagecoach London Optare Solo 1156 (YJ60 PFK).
To recap former threes Versas 810/3/6 and H1 828 are now all at TM. 811 set to join it soon.
Versa 848 has moved from Langley Mill to Sutton.

It looks asthough the last Citaros have been withdrawn at Kinchbus. 904 is for sale, and 906 appears to have been withdrawn (for now at least) due to the mot expiring.

7th November 2024
Littles Travel, Ilkeston has become part of the Wellglade Group. The operating name will continue to be used and there is not expected to be any immediate changes to the day to day operations. This brings two former Trent Optare Tempos back into Wellglade ownership.

Former Connect Solo 486 has returned to service, now with notts and derby, and will soon be repainted in notts and derby livery. E200 52 has returned in notts and derby livery.
E200 (YX61 DVT) has become fleet number 54.

White E200 MMC 277 (YX23 OTA) is in use with trent at Sutton, on loan. 703 remains in use at Sutton, now with the villager branding removed. Both have "excuse my appearance, im helping out" branding.

Ex mickleover 101 to 104 are expected to be rebranded for the Keyworth Connection.

Once 739 is ready for use on the Skylink Express, the remaining Scanias at Nottingham (662/3/9) are expected to transfer to TM Travel.

31st October 2024
A new arrival for notts and derby is former Newport Transport short E200 (YX61 DVT).

Former Villager Volvos 704 and 740 have been repainted into mango livery. 740 is now based at Derby.

Short E200s 274/6 (SN69 ZLO/V) are now in use with Kinchbus.

Former H1 Versa (and very briefly X38 branded) 828 has transferred to TM travel. Former trent barton orange "threes" Versda 810/3/6 have also joined the TM Travel fleet.

6th October 2024
Notts + Derby E400 1403 now carries the green and blue fleet livery.
Solo 510 has moved to TM Travel.

Plain white short E200s in use here, said to be on loan to TM travel until later in the year, are 273-6 (SN69 ZLK/O/U/V). 272 was also here but now with Kinchbus.

Toyota / Caetano H2 City demonstrator is seen here on the university of Derby U2 service.
(C)Geoff Girling

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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