The Derby Bus Depot

Fleet News

January 2006

Please report any news or unusual sightings to fleetnews@derbybusdepot.co.uk

Arriva Derby

News:
Tue 31st:
MPD 2221 has gone to Swad, and Dart 2252 has returned to Derby in exchange. Thanks Richard.
Richard also reports that former Derwent Link MPDs 2276/7 are to stay at Derby in the short term. 2276 remains in service on other routes whilst 2277 is away for repaint. 2276 will go for repaint when 2277 returns.
Minibuses 1372/3 should be withdrawn by the end of the week.
The two Volvo B10BLEs here could leave, in exchange for some DAFs from a Leicester garage.
Citybus 4323 has been repainted.

Mon 30th:
The Derwent Link Transbus MPDs 2276/7 will be repainted into Arriva livery now that routes 101/2 have finished. Its not known if they will stay at Derby though. Hinckley now have 3 MPDs surplus too due to the loss of a contract.
2 minibuses should now be spare too due to the 27 route being taken off.
The DAF deckers have now been fitted with new blinds for the revised Oakwood services. 9 buses will be needed for this instead of 8. The 9th bus will probably be a Volvo B10BLE.

Tue 10th:
Excel 2999 has been repainted. Today was its first day in service in Derby.

Tue 3rd:
The training coach which has been at Derby for a while has now gone. Lynx 3104 (G110 OUG) has arrived as the replacement. Thanks to Richard for this info.

Sun 1st:
Excel 2999 is away for repaint.
MPD 2221 has been repainted.

Sightings:
Tue 31st:
Derwent MPD 2276 on route 36 again today.
1 Volvo B10BLE on the 26, the other on the 22.
Chellaston Dart 2232 on 37/38, with Excel 2198 appeared in the afternoon.
MPD 2218 on 60/61/68, and minibus 1373 on 20!

Mon 30th:
Transbus MPD 2276 (still carries 101 branding) was on the 36 today. This replaced MPD 2221.
Dart SLFs 2226/7 and Dart 2089 were on route 20.
East Lancs Dart 2194 on 40/41, Excels 2198 on 37/38, 2999 on 60/61/68, although one was on the 19 in the morning!

Sat 28th:
Citybus 4324 on the 44/45 again!

Fri 27th:
Andy reports:
Citybuses 4324 and 4329 on 44/45.
Excel 2998 and Volvo B10BLE 3604 on the 60s.
East Lancs Dart 2198 on 29.
MPD 2217 on 109.
Minibus 1372 on 33.
Michael reports that Dart 2231 broke down this morning on the 68.
A DAF on the Chellaston school working again too for the second day running. Thanks Michael.
Chris reports both of the Excels out today with 2998 on the 68 to Melbourne and 2999 on the 19.

Wed 25th:
Chris reports Alvaston Olympian 4630 on the 29 to Mackworth.
John reports MPD 2221 on route 19 (and rush hour PP&Rs).
Volvo B10BLEs 3604/5 on Oakwoods.

Tue 24th:
MPD 2218 on the 111 PP&R, and 2224 on the 61 to Chellaston.

Mon 23rd:
Richard reports Citybus 4333 on routes 44/45 to Alvaston.
James reports Olympian 4630 on routes 37/38 to Sinfin.

Sat 21st:
Volvo B10BLE 3605 on the Chellaston routes. 3604 and Excel 2999 on route 20.

Wed 18th:
James reports Volvo B10BLE 3604 and Excel 2999 on routes 37/8 to Sinfin.
Chellaston branded Dart 2233 and Volvo B10BLE 3605 were on the Oakwoods.

Tue 17th:
Chris reports East Lancs Dart 2198 on route 29 to Mackworth and Excels 2998 on the 111 PP&R and 2999 on the 61 to Chellaston.

Fri 13th:
Dart 2229? (or 28) on the Oakwoods along with one of the Volvo B10BLEs.

Thurs 12th:
MPD 2223 on the 61 and 2224 on the 37.

Wed 11th:
John reports Volvo B10BLE 3605 on the Chellaston routes.

Tue 10th:
Excel 2999 on the route 19.
Excel 2998 on the Chellaston routes, along with Volvo B10BLE 3605 and Dart 2226.

Mon 9th:
Dart 2089 on the 37 to Sinfin this afternoon.

Wed 4th:
John reports MPD 2224 on the 19.

Tue 3rd:
MPD 2221 on the 19 and later the 111 after Excel 2998 broke down early in the day.
MPD 2224 on the 61 to Chellaston.

Thurs 29th Dec:
Citybus 4347 was on routes 44/45.

Wed 28th Dec:
MPD 2221 on the 111 PP&R. An MPD on route 19 again (2217?) due to the Excel 2998 being off the road.

Felix

News:
Tue 24th:
Dart (X711 GJU) were in use on the Ilkeston Flyer today.

Wed 18th:
Volvo (V707 GRY) and Dart (X711 GJU) were in use on the Black Cat today.

Glovers

News:
Mon 19th Dec:
Acquired here from Stagecoach Merseyside (GTL) is Dennis Dart/Alexander (J506 GCD) and is still in GTL red. Thanks Chris.

Hawkes Coaches

News:
Sun 8th:
Ex TWM Metrobuses (D924 NCA) and (B863 DOM) are now painted blue.

Hulleys of Baslow

News:
Fri 20th:
Ian reports that a slim line Optare Solo is on order for March (06 reg). It will have 28 belted seats and have a tacho fitted, and be used for private hire work. The Solo due in March should replace minibus number 1.

Littles Travel

News:
Sat 28th:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today.

Mon 23rd:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today.

Sat 21st:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today.

Fri 20th:
Leyland National (TAE 638S) reported on route 9 today.

Thurs 19th:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today.

Wed 18th:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today. The MetroRider minibus was back later though.

Fri 13th:
Leyland National (VKE 565S) reported on route 9 today. It was also on the route Tuesday evening.

T M Travel

News:
Sat 28th:
The DAF/Plaxton Centra on order is due for delivery here at the end of March.

Sat 14th:
Primo (YN55 KMV) was reported on the 66 in Buxton. It returned on the 65. Thanks John.

Fri 13th:
The new Plaxton Primo was out in service today on route 33. Thanks Ian.

Wed 11th:
Adrian reports the arrival of the second Plaxton Primo (YN55 YSC). It is currently in the workshops without lettering.

Sun 8th:
Chris reports: Optare Solo (Y197 KNB) has been sold to Sheffield Community Transport and (Y198 KNB) will join it when the second Primo has entered service.

Thurs 5th:
Chris reports Dart (R554 UOT) back in service after repairs to its accident damage.
The second Plaxton Primo should arrive next week.

Tue 3rd:
The second Plaxton primo is reported at Plaxtons North Anston yard last Friday (30th).

Sun 1st:
Dart (S779 RNE) is working here in allover red T M Travel livery. This is thought to be a Mistral rental vehicle, and was last in use with Sadler, Gloucester. It also spent time in Ireland as (98-D-70563)!
Any news on the second Plaxton Primo?

Wellglade

News:
Mon 30th:
Skyline Excel 210 is at Meadow Rd with accident damage. Similar 207 also has accident damage and is currently at Langley Mill, along with 225 (also damaged on Skyline!).
Excel 261 parked up at Meadow Rd, still in R4 livery.
The H1 and route 15 repaints/refurbishments seem to have started! the rainbow 3 repaints/refurbishments seem to be going ahead swiftly again too. the Black Cat Excels are also expected to be done too, with the Skyline refurbishments being put back.
No more buses are to be sent to Sri Lanka for the Tsunami appeal, from anywhere in the UK. This is because they require more functional, reliable buses aswell as spare parts!

Mon 23rd:
Former Mickleover Excel 191 is reported to be sold London University for non PSV work.
New look Skyline Excels 258 and 262 have entered service. 259/60 have been painted and are having the interiors done.
241/4 are being repainted and refurbished for the R3.
The Route 15 and H1 Solos are due for refurbishment this year.
Vario 299 has gained N+D names.
Excel 236 is now based at Ashfield. 201 should be withdrawn as a result, although may remain until Pronto branded 255 returns from repair.
Dove Holes Excel 225 also off the road after an accident about 2 weeks ago, when on the 199 Skyline route.
Another 100 are said to be sent to Sri Lanka for the Tsunami appeal. The rest of the MAN Vectas could go. If they will!

Mon 16th:
Former Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 has returned to Kinchbus. Reported in the paintshop at Langley Mill.

Fri 13th:
Mercedes Vario 299 has been repainted into a variation of the notts + derby livery. Its based at Derby, and may be branded for the X17 BF replacement. It has appeared on there the last two days, although minus any destination blinds or fleet names. It is the former Connect 5 bus, but this now has to be low floor.
The former route 2 paladins are now in reserve/store and the former AL Varios are for sale. Both routes are now operated with the former Belper Darts, which have been branded for the services.
Adrian reports that the following are for sale:
NX Coaches 9 to 15,
minibuses: 40, 43, 47, 49, 273, 274 278 285, 289, 290 292-296 and 821.
Excels: 161 168 190/2-9/9,
Vectas: 808 811 813 815.

Paladins in storage/reserve are: 101 112-114 116 126 129 130 132 133 134 137 138.

Mon 9th:
"the ONE" Excels taken out of service today due to faulty destinbation blinds.
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 should be repainted into trent barton livery and used as a spare from Derby.
The National Express coaches are reported stored at Langley Mill and said to be sold to Volvo coach sales Loughborough.

Sun 8th:
Darts 896 (P408 BNR), and 921/3/4/5 (R921/3/4/5 RAU) are now in use branded for route 2. Darts 918-20 (R918-20 RAU) are now in use on the Airline Shuttle. All are based at Loughborough with Kinchbus.
These movements have displaced Paladins 112-4/6 (L112-4/6 LRA) and Varios 285/9/90 (S285/9/90 UAL) - withdrawn?
Varios 294-6 and Paladin 101, not sure about 294 but 295/6 and 101 are now with Notts + Derby although trent names are still applied.
Excels 265/6 start on the "ONE" service leaving Excels 233/4 spare - the end of 189/900?
Borrowash Flyer Dart 899 is now surplus.
Dart 937 now back in use, on the transpeak, so based at Derby/Dove Holes.
National Express coaches 9-15 now withdrawn. Rumour is that 3 could go on the transpeak, replacing 59-61.
Dart 933 now based at Ashfield.

Wed 4th:
Two of Kinchbus Darts, 896 and 924, have been seen in service. They are branded for route 2.
Dart 937 now based at Derby/Dove Holes.

Tue 3rd:
Dart 937 spotted heading towards Meadow Rd this afternoon. Back in service at Derby?
Former Trent VR (PRC 856X) is amongst the victims of a fire at Truronians (Truro, Cornwall) garage on Saturday night.
Flights Hallmark have acquired former Trent Excels (S160/5 UAL) from MASS. They are to be used on a Luton Airport contract.

Sun 1st:
The Kinchbus Darts for the AL and route 2 should be on the road next weekend.
The last of the Mercedes minibuses with Trent Barton are now thought to be withdrawn.
Frio Excel 201 is back in use from Ashfield.
929 (X38) is back after being refurbished.
Darts 907, 914, 930/1 have all been noted working from Langley Mill. Solo 414 also appears to be there now too.
"the one" Excels 265/6 are also now ready, and start in service a week on Monday (9th).

Sightings:
Tue 31st:
Coaches 62 and 63 on the transpeak, although 63 was taken off and replaced by 56 at Derby. Thanks Jim.
Solo 466 and a Trent buses Solo on route 15.
Chris reports Solo 423 on the H1, Scania 667 on the Red Arrow and Excel 234 on "the one". N+D had Paladin 101 on the 17.
John reports Dart 922 on the V1/3.
Paul reports: Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Cotgrave Connection, Scania 669 (FH05 TKK) on the Keyworth Connection.

Mon 30th:
Chris reports that Unibus Lance 367 replaced 299 on the X17.
Citybus 738 (Arriva livery) on the Derby College Shuttle, and Olympian 716 on Unibus route 6.
Excel 233 on the transpeak, Solo 450 on the H1 and N+D had Paladin 109 on route 17.
Darts 917/22 on the V1/3, thanks John.

Sat 28th:
Jim reports Scania 667 on route 71!
Fred West reports Solo 447 on the V1/3 and Dart 922 on the V2. Excel 233 on the Mickleover and Darts 931 H1, 934 Black Cat.
Excel 234 on the V1/3 too.
In Nottingham Paul reports: Volvo Coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Transpeak, Scanias 636 (FD53 WWH) & 668 (FH05 TKJ) on the Cotgrave Connection, and Scania 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the Rainbow 1.

Fri 27th:
James reports Excels 233/234 on V1/3.
Scania 639 on the Black Cat, and Dart 938 back on the 71.
Chris reports: Unibus Paladin 104 on the TransPeak today and Excel 233 on the V1/V3.
Vario 296 (S296UAL) is currently working from Doveholes where it is being used on Unibus services around Buxton and the Hope Valley.
Duncan reports Scania 665 on the "the sixes" 6.2 and 667 on the Red Arrow.
In Nottingham Paul reports: Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the Rainbow 2 Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) on the Cotgrave Connection, and Scania 668 (FH05 TKJ) on the Radcliffe Line

Thurs 26th:
James reports: Dart 922 were both used on IF, and Solo 447 was on V3. John reports Scania 667 on V2.
In Nottingham Paul reports: Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Rainbow 3, Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Pronto, and Solo 431 (X631 ERB) on the Radcliffe Line.

Wed 25th:
John reports Darts 922 and 938 on the Villager V1/3 this morning, Solo 447 in the evening.
Dart 898 and Frio Excel 201 reported on the Rainbow 3.
Chris reports: Excel 233 on the Mickleover and Solo 447 on the Allestree.
A Notts + Derby bus cought fire in Littleover yesterday too.

Tue 24th:
Scania 664 on the Black Cat, Excel 234 on transpeak to Manchester! 15:55 from Derby, think it had just been put on.
Airline branded Vario 290 on the AL along with branded Dart 920. Both Vario 285 and 290 reported on there yesterday!
Excels 236, 252, 253, Frio 201 and Dart 904 all noted on Rainbow 3! Branded 240 was involved in an RTA.
Paul reports: Scania 639 (FD53 WWL) on the Rainbow 1 Scania 668 (FH05 TKJ) on the Xprss (replacing 301 for some reason).
There was also a Kinchbus Excel at Manvers St.

Mon 23rd:
James reports: Solos 447 on Allestree, 448 on V3. 448 later replaced by a Dart (922?).
Dart 935 on the Black Cat.
Solos 425 and 450 reported on the H1.
Chris reports Paladins 108 on the Derby College Shuttle today and 119 on the D1.
Vario 297 reported on the X17, though 299 was on this afternoon.
Paul reports: Volvo Coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Red Arrow, Excel 201 (V201 ENU) on the Rainbow 3 & Scania 639 (FD53 WWL) on the Rainbow 1.

Sat 21st:
Dart 917 on the 71/2, coach 63 RA, Scania 665 SF, 667 "the sixes".
Dart 922 and two Solos 447/8 reported on the Villager.

Fri 20th:
Chris reports: Dart 891 on the X17 today, coach 63 on the Red Arrow, Solo 414 on the H1 and Scania 665 on the Spondon Flyer.
James reports: Paladin 124 on the X17, Solo 466 on route 15.

Thurs 19th:
Scania 666 (FH54 VRY) was on the Cotgrave Connection.
Solo 449 on the Connect 5, this is the replacement for 299.

Wed 18th:
Excels 233/4 on the Mickleover once again.
Dart 938 replaced Dart 917 on route 71. This should leave refurbished 938/9 on there for a while.
Paul reports Excel 236 (X236 WRA)on Pronto (trent barton on desti blind!), Volvo Coach 63 (R63 RAU) on the Red Arrow and Scania 639 (FD53 WWL) on the R1.

Tue 17th:
Excels 233/4 on the Mickleover, Dart 922 on V1/3, 930 on the 125.
N+D had Paladin 122 on the Derby College Shuttle, and Olympian 716 on route 17.

Mon 16th:
Chris reports Excels 233/4 and Dart 938 on the Mickleover.
Dart 922 on the V2 and 916 on the 125.
N+D have Paladin 101 on route 17 and 136 on the D1 P&R.
Paul reports Volvo coaches 62/3 (R62/3 RAU) on the TP/RA.
Scanias 636/7 (FD53 WWH/J) on the Xprss/Rainbow 1, 666 (FH54 VRY) Keyworth Connection and 668 (FH05 TKJ) on the Radcliffe Line.
Former Mickleover Excel 195 (V195 DRC) was out on training duties.

Sat 14th:
Chris reports Asda branded Paladin 117 on route 73, and all the N+D Excels 152 (N+D), 153 (college) and 202 (P&R) on the D1 P&R.
Dart 922 was spotted on the Red Arrow.
On Belper area routes, Scania 667 on "the sixes" 6.3 and Dart 917 on route 71.

Fri 13th:
Chris reports 299 on the X17 and Solo 423 on the H1 (as yesterday).
paul reports Excel 236 (X236 WRA) on the Pronto, and Scanias 636 (FD53 WWH) - Keyworth Connection and 668 (FH05 TKJ) - Xprss.

Thurs 12th:
N+D Vario 299 on the X17! This is the former Connect 5 minibus. No destination blinds or fleet names are carried on this new variation of the N+D livery (it has been repainted).
Chris reports Excel 189 on the transpeak. Branded Excels 156/7 were both off, 156 failed on the A52 nr Borrowash.
Spare coaches 62/3 on the Red Arrow, Solo 423 on H1 and N+D Paladin 111 on the D1 P&R.
John reports 922 on the V1/3 today (and on Weds).

Wed 11th:
Solo 448 on the Belper locals, routes 71/2. Scania 665 on the sixes.
Chris reports Unibus Lance 368 on the 73 today, Solo 447 on the Mickloever. Dart 892 once again on the Mickleover.

Tue 10th:
Excel 189 on "the one" although replaced shortly after noon by branded 266. 265 was on all day.
Scania 665 on the Spondon Flyer, and Excels 233 on the Mickleover, 234 the transpeak.
Chris reports Dart 922 on the V1/3, and Scania 669 on the R4.
Adrian noted Solo 448 on the transpeak!

Mon 9th:
Dart 937 and coach 62 both on the transpeak to Manchester.
Excel 225 on suspended tow in Bakewell.
Chris reports Paladin 123 and Dart 892 on the X17, the BF replacement.
Excels 234 and 189 used on the "ONE" today after branded 265/6 were taken off with faulty blinds.
Excel 233 on the mickleover and Darts 917/22 on the V1/3. branded 940 at Meadow Rd.
Scania 665 on the Spondon Flyer, 633 off the road today.

Sat 7th:
Duncan reports Dart 917 on the 71 again along with one of the trent barton examples.
Darts 930 on the Black Cat, 931 on the 125. Scania 666 on the Rainbow 5, and Dart 937 on the transpeak.

Fri 6th:
Chris reports Kinch Vario 288 on the AL, and Dart 894 on driver training.
John reports Scania 667 on the Spondon Flyer.
Ian reports Vario 296 on Notts + Derby Unibus route 2. Trent names are still carried, as they are on paladin 101 which was today on N+D route 17.
Duncan reports Darts 917/22 on routes Belpers routes 71/2, and Dart 939 on "the sixes" 6.3.
Dart 937 on the transpeak.

Thurs 5th:
John reports Excel 189 on the Mickleover again. Darts 937 on the Transpeak and 922 on the 71.
Chris reports Dart 917 on the SPondon Flyer and Paladin 110 on the 17A.

Wed 4th:
John reports Excel 189 on the Mickleover, Dart 937 on the transpeak.
Paul reports: Coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Red Arrrow, Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Radcliffe Line Scania 638 (FD53 WWK) on the Rainbow 2 Scania 664 (FN54 AEC) on the Rainbow 1.

Tue 3rd:
Vario 295 on the Spondon Flyer, along with Solo 447. Solo 448 later replaced 295.
448 was on the Borrowash Flyer during the morning, but was replaced by branded Dart 899. This is the last week for the route (to be replaced by N+D X17).
Dart 922 on the 71, 938 on Ilkeston Flyer.
Unibus Olympian on N+D route 73 to Weston on Trent.
Scania 667 on the Red Arrow this morning.

Sat 31st Dec:
Jonathan reports: Coach 62 (R62 RAU) on the Red Arrow and Notts + Derby Asda Paladin 117 (L117 LRA) on the D1 Meteor Park and Ride.
James reports 665 on the SF.

Fri 30th Dec:
Chris reports: Paladins 101 on the Borrowash Flyer, 107 (Unibus) on the D1 P&R.
Dart 922 on the V1 and Scania 667 on the SF.
Coach 62 - RA, Darts 914, 915 & 931 on route 125, Kinch Merc 288 on Airline Shuttle, Solos 447 & 448 on Allestree, 189 on the Mickleover, 922 on the Villager.
In Nottingham Excel 253 on the Pronto, Scanias 637 & 639 on Rainbow 2 Scania 664 on Rainbow 1.

Thurs 29th Dec:
Duncan reports Paladin 101 on the Red Arrow!
Unibus Paladin 103 on the transpeak.

Weds 28th Dec:
Paul reports: Solo 442 (FE02 KCZ) on the Ruddington Connection Scania 637 (FD53 WWJ) on the Rainbow 1 Scania 669 (FH05 TKK) on the Cotgrave Connection.
Perry reports: Coaches 62 and 63 on the Red arrow, Dart 907 on the 125, Excel 189 on the Mickleover displaying R, Dart 922 on the X38, Dart 934 on the Black Cat, Solo 447 on the Allestree, Scania 665 Blue Spondon, Excel 252 on the R3, and finally Excel 253 on the Calverton Connection.

Tues 27th Dec:
Paul reports: Solo 441 on the Ruddington Connection, Scania 636 on Rainbow 5 and 668 on the Keyworth Connection.
In Derby Scanias 665/7 were on Spondon Flyer.

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