Fleet News

June 2007


Latest News

***Bowers: Centrebus take over!*** ***Trent: Black Cat Tempos now in service.*** ***Trent: HQ goes pink, Cotgrave to go green and keyworth yellow!*** ***TM Travel: 6 more Centros due to arrive, and an ex Stageoach double deck coach in service*** ***Trent order 23 new buses from Optare - 12 for Trent 11 for Kinchbus - due spring/summer 2007!***
Here you will find all the latest bus news and sightings 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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Andrews of Tideswell

NEWS
Sat 9th June:
PLAXTON CHEETAH (YN07 ONZ) in full fleet colours. Thanks Ian.
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Arriva Derby

NEWS
Tue 5th June:
A bit out of area but former Chase Nationals (FSV 428) and (THX 209S) are now with Premiere, Nottingham. Both carry all over ads, with Arriva fronts.

Sat 2nd JUNE:
One of the former Chase Bus Darts reported at Ascot Drive. Could just be passing through though!
Dart 2232 has been fitted with a new (orange) LED display.
It is rumoured that Burton garage is to paint a Dart in Stevensons livery.

SIGHTINGS
Thurs 28th June:
Dart 2234 on the 22

Sat 23rd June:
Dart 2232 on 26.

Fri 22nd June:
Dart 2231 on 26. 3605 on 68. Thanks Dave.
4626 on 29.

Thurs 21st June:
4391 and a B reg Citybus on the 24! Thanks Dave.

Thurs 14th June:
An Olympian and 3605 on the 26.
MPD 2218 on 19. Thanks John.

Wed 13th June:
4666 on the 26 after a DAF broke down.
Dart 2229 on the 38, 2194 on 36. Thanks Chris.

Tue 12th June:
Olympian 4631 on the 24, and MPD 2218 on the 19. Thanks Dan.

Fri 1st June:
MPD 2217 on the 111 Pride Park & Ride. Alvaston branded Olympian 4629 on the 29 to Mackworth.

Thurs 31st May:
Citybus 4334 on route 26 for a time in place of 4718, which later returned. MPD 2222 on Chellastons. Thanks Dave.

Wed 30th May:
AMN had "town linx" branded Dart 2317 (P317 FEA) on the X38. Thanks Chris.
Olympian 4631 on the 68, Citybus 4335 on 45, 2089 on 36. Thanks Chris.

Tue 29th May:
MPD 2223 on the 61, 2226/8 on the 26.

Mon 28th May:
Dart 2198 on route 28!

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Bowers Coaches

NEWS
Thurs 17th May:
It has been reported that Centrebus have taken over the company. Thanks Chris.
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Doyles

NEWS & Sightings

Tue 15th May:
Solo (Y812 KDP) has been repainted into fleet livery. Thanks John.


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Felix

NEWS
Thurs 28h June
Dan reports that Lynx (J564 ***) was replaced by the Black Cat branded Volvo / Alexander Strider on route 59.

Wed 30th May
The VDL / Plaxton Centro was on route 59 today. Thanks Ian.

Mon 28th May
The V reg low floor Volvo and the Plaxton Centro on the Black Cat today.

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Glovers of Ashbourne

NEWS

-

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Harpurs Coaches

NEWS + SIGHTINGS

14th May:
(NEH 103V) has made its final trip - to Barnsley!
Olympian (G362 YUR) has been repainted into fleet livery.


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Hawkes Coaches

NEWS + SIGHTINGS

Mon 14th May
Metrobus (KYV 647X) has been withdrawn.

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Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
Tue 19th June:
Hulleys have sold Vario (R281 RAU) to North Wales operator LLEW JONES. Thanks Ian.

Mon 18th June
Dart number 2 is currently off the road. It was towed back to garage last Friday after the engine seized up. Thanks Ian.

Mon 4th June
(Y93 HUA) a DAF SB120/Wright Cadet (B39F) is to be the new number 7. It is from K-LINE, Honley,Hudesrfield, and is currently at CSG in Chesterfield being painted.
Vario 7 (R281 RAU) will be sold. Thanks Ian.

Wed 9th May
The Excel (number 5) is having a new Cummins engine fitted.
A Versa was viewed, but an order HAS NOT been placed, and there are no plans to alter this! Thanks Ian.


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Johnson Bros / Redferns

NEWS & SIGHTINGS

Mon 4th June:
A second double deck coach has arrived here - (T616 DWL). Their first one (T617 DWL) has now been reregistered (T$3 JBT) as expected.
Excel (P274 NRH) is still white and has not yet received Redfern green livery.

Thurs 17th May:
Another 3 DAF/Optare Spectras have arrived here from Go North East (K304/5/8 FYG). This bings the total to 7: (K304-309 FYG) and (K316 FYG), which is Redfern green. These are for additional school contracts.
The Excel, (P274 NRH) is now painted in Redfern green.
A small operating centre has been set up in Chesterfield. This is located near to the site of the old Bryan Donkin factory near Horns Bridge. Two Olympians are based there, (B738 GCN) and (C672 LJR).

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Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
Tue 21st May
Former Scottish City Link (Stagecoach) MAN / Jonckheere Monacos here are (T35 DFC) and (T41 BBW).


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Midland Classic

NEWS
10th June
A new arrival here is former Stagecoach (32964) Dart 64 (M64 HHB). Thanks John.

17th May
The Metrobus has been repainted into Stevensons livery.

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Stagecoach East Midlands
Chesterfield, Mansfield, Worksop

NEWS
Fri 25th May:
Dart 32116 (K116 SRH) and Mercedes/Alexander 41715 (J215 AET) and both stored at Stonegravels wituout engines and 32116 is also reported with a cracked chassis, can't see these being in service again. Another Merc, 40765 (N756 EWG) is reported withdrawn.
Thanks Chris.
SIGHTINGS
Sat 16th June:
Olympians (P159 KAK) and (S167 RET) on the 77. Thanks Jack.

Fri 15th June:
The 70, more interestingly that was the 8:30 departure from Chesterfield to Killamarsh, was worked by Solo 47320, branded for route 39!! Thanks Dave.
Excel 35005 on the 10, Olympian (P154 KWJ) on the 77, (N142 AET) on the 10 sporting a 'Sorry not in service' destination with a piece of paper in the window.
39 Branded Solo 47320 on the 70, 39 Branded Solo 47317 on the 81, Olympian N141AET on the 39. Thanks Dave.
Excel 35001 (YN51VHJ) on Dart route 10 in place of 34723 (YN05YCY) which was on 99!
Dart 32416 (N416MBW) on 25. Thanks Jack.

Thurs 14th June:
Local Lynx branded Dart 34005 (P25 HMF) and Olympian 16461 on route 77!! 16454 on low floor route 25 and Dart 33768 on Pronto. Thanks Chris.
Olympian 16461

Sat 9th June:
Stagecoach Chesterfield Olympian 16500 (P150 KWJ) on Dart Route 10.
Open-topper (MBE 613R) broke down on the Chesterfield Running Day Routes, on St Mary's Gate. Thanks Jack.

Thurs 7th June:
Market Festival liveried Olympian (N135 AET) on LF Dart route 50. Olympian (N139 AET) on Solo route 39!!

Sat 2nd June:
Olympian 16463 (S163RET) and Mansfield Miller Dart 34458 reported on Pronto! Thanks Jack.
Olympians 14348, 14353 and 16486 all reported on the Mansfield Miller. Thanks Chris.

Fri 1st June:
Route 39 branded solo 47323 (YN06 UGV) was on Route 1a, Olympian 16461 (S161 RET) on 77, Olympians 16494 (N144 AET) and 16500 (P150 KWJ) on 727. Thanks Jack.

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TM Travel

NEWS
Tues 5th June:
New here is Optare Solo (YN07 SYS) in allover livery for Tesco in Mansfield. Thanks Ian.

(C) John Moore



Fri 25th May:
A second ex Stagecoach MAN/Jonckhere double deck coach here is (T53 BBW).
The unique ex Ringwood Mercedes O814 with Mellor body, (S276 LGA) has been withdrawn and repainted white prior to sale (not sold at the moment).

Tue 22nd May:
Former Metroline Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties (L201 SKD) is now here.

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Translinc

NEWS
Fri 1st June:
A pink Norwich Solo is still on hire here. It was on Rolls Royce staff shuttle duties on Wednesday.

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The Wellglade group

NEWS
Thurs 28th June:
Citybus 738 (B138 GAU) has been sold to Dews Coaches, Chatteris Road, Somersham, Huntingdon, PE28 3DJ.
Coach 62 is now in transpeak livery.
Kinch Tempos expected to be in service on Monday, Calverton ones by the end of July.

Sat 23rd June:
Pride Park Shuttle Minibus 43 is now stored at Langley Mill.
Bingham Tempo 305 at Langley Mill for accident damage repair. Kinch Tempo 322 and R3 Excel 249 in the bodyshop. Thanks Adrian.
Black Cat Excels 216/8 should be collected on Tuesday. Konect are using 217 in service, and 219 is away for refurbishment and having a wheelchair ramp fitted. The others will also get this treatment.
Anyone know where Citybus 738 (B138 GAU) has ended up??

Wed 20th June:
The Optare Tempos here were taken off the road this afternoon after 308 had a fuel leak.
kinchbus Tempos expected in service 2nd July.
Hulleys have sold Vario (R281 RAU) to North Wales operator LLEW JONES. Thanks Ian.

Mon 18th June:
Coach 62 is currently at Langley Mill being painted into Transpeak livery, for use as spare and for the daily duplicate.
Former Pride Park Shuttle minibus 43 is being broken for spares before being scrapped.
The Kinchbus Tempos should be in service today. What next for the 4 displaced Excels??

Fri 8th June:
Former Pride Park Shuttle minibus 43 in A garage at Meadow Rd! It has been sat in the elements at the back of the garage for years!
Kinchbus Tempos expected in service on 18th June. 2 have arrived and are currently at Langley Mill. They are in a new livery too, the front half is yellow and the back half blue......

Fri 1st June:
The Tempo demonstrator is currently in use at Loughborough.
Citybus 738 (B138 GAU) is for sale for approx £6000. It is currently off the road stored outside at Langley Mill.
The repainted Cotgrave Connection Excels are now in service.
New Optare Tempos are now in use on the X38, and Black Cat routes. Tempo's still on order are:

Route Calverton Connection (WOW):

313 YJ07VSK
314 YJ07VSL
315 YJ07VSM
316 YJ07VSN
317 YJ07VSO
318 YJ07VSP

Route 11 / 12 (Kinch):

319 YJ07VST
320 YJ07VSV
321 YJ07VSX
322 YJ07VSY

Tue 22nd May:
R5 Scania 602 currently off the road with fairly severe damage to the front end after hitting a pillar in Broadmarsh. Thanks Dave.
Paladin 125 has been painted white and grey for driver training duties.
Former Trent Sigma (N357 NRC) is now with Andybus at Dauntsey, still in Somerbus livery.

(C) Chris Maxfield


SIGHTINGS
Thurs 28th June:
Paladins 104 (Unibus) and 135 (red N+D) both off to Manchester on transpeak today!
Excel 234 on The ONE. 199 on Mickleovers.

Wed 27th June:
Paladins 104 (Unibus) and 135 (red N+D) both off to Manchester on transpeak today!

Tue 26th June:
Paladin 104 (Unibus) and 135 (red N+D) on transpeak today! Thanks Chris.
900 on the Rainbow 3.

Sat 23rd June:
Paladin 120 on TP again. Asda Paladin 117 on the transpeak duplicate. 233/4 both on Mickleover. Thanks Dan.
934 on Amberline, 466 H1.

Fri 22nd June:
Paladin 120 on TP to Manchester. Frio Excel 199 also on TP to Manchester! 201 also on TP.
Excel 233 on and Volvo coach 63 on Red Arrow. 234 on X38. 930 on V3.
Solos 447 and 448 on Mickleover. 423 H1. Thanks Chris.
Dan reports Dart 898 on R3b, 405 on nines 9.1/2/4.

Thurs 21st June:
The Black Cat Tempos are now starting to go back into service, but Darts 936, 946, 949 and Excel 900 were on in the morning. Thanks Dan.
667 on SF, 930 on sixes 6.2!

Notts + Derby Paladin 120 in Bakewell, on trent bartons transpeak service from Manchester to Nottingham on thursday 21st June. (C) Ian Moorcroft



Wed 20th June:
Dart 936, Solo 457 and 2 Scanias on the Black Cat service, and Solo 447 on X38 after all the Optare Tempos were taken off the road, following a fuel leak on 308.
Notts + Derby Paladin 120 on the transpeak to Manchester (again).
Excel 900 on the Villager with no blinds at all fitted! Thanks Fred.
transpeak 156 broken down in Duffield at around 6pm (think a Dart replaced it). 665 on the 6.1 again and 63 on RA.

Tue 19th June:
Tesco Paladin 110 did at least one trip on Calverton Connection! Thanks Perry.
Notts + Derby Paladins 120, 122 and 123 all reported on transpeak!! Excel 234 also on there, but later on the Mickleover.
Belper Dart 938 on Red Arrow, along with spare coach 63. Dart 930 on the 71.
Frio Excel 199 on the V2, Solo 448 on V1/3. 447 on Allestree.
Dart 916 on the Rainbow 1 following a break down. Thanks Dan.
Scania 639 on BC, 665 on sixes 6.1 and 667 on X38.

Mon 18th June:
Excel 233 on Transpeak to Manchester!! Solo 448 on the duplicate run to Bakewell. 665 on 6.1.
N+D paladin 120 on TP!

Fri 15th June:
Unibus Lance 366 on route 73. paladin 109 on X17.
233/4 on Mickleovers, 665 on 6.1/4/X and Solo 448 on Villagers.
Perry reports Dart 901 and Excel 253 on the Calverton Connection. 252 on R3.

Thurs 14th June:
234 on Mickleovers (236 broke down too). 669 on R5. Thanks John. Solo 448 on X38. Thanks Richard.
Dart 946 on Black Cat, 665 on Mickleover, 667 on sixes 6.X.
Unibus lance 369 on Derby College Shuttle. 892 on evening 17A (should be 152), paladin 120 on X17.
Dan reports: 431 on Ruddingtons, 666 on R4, 668 Cotgraves, 669 R5. Darts 912 and 916 on Radcliffes!

Wed 13th June:
Excel 233 on the Red Arrow.
Solo 448 on Mickleover, and Dart 930 on Transpeak duplicate. Scania 667 on "the sixes" 6.1/4/X (683 off after RTA).
Unibus Lance 369 on the X17 later in the day, Paladin 111 and Dart 892 also being used on this route earlier on. Thanks Chris.

Tue 12th June:
Solo 447 on the 6.2! Thanks Dan.
Vario 275 did 1 trip on the Calverton Connection! Excel 253 also on this route. Thanks Perry.
Coach 63 on RA, 252 on Rainbow 3, 664 on R2. Thanks Perry.

Mon 11th June:
Dart 895 on the 9.2. Darts 934 and 936 on loan to Sutton, both on the 141. Thanks Dan.
Excels 233/4 both on Mickleover. Scania 667 on X38, Dart 930 on V3. Thanks Chris.
Alsorts reported on the Download Festival Shuttles. Noted in Derby were a number of Littles vehicles, including at least 2 of their ex Brighton & Hove Scanias and one of their Titans. A red Dart also reported in Derby, aswell as Kinch Dart 897, Kinch Olympian 720, Asda Olympian 717 and various Paladins. Thanks David.

Sat 9th June:
Scanias 638 and 639 on the Black cat again! Solo 405 on the nines 9.3 and Dart 936 on the 141. Thanks Dan.
Chris reports N+D Dart 892 on X17 and College Excel 161 on D1 P&R.

Fri 8th June:
Sixes Scanias 683 and 689 off today. Replacements were Solo 447 and Scanias 665. 930 on Villager.
Scanias 638 and 639 on the Black cat!
A variety of buses on the download festival shuttles from Derby (DOG), including Solo 447, Excels 234, 900 and various Paladins. Kinchbus have been using Paladins and the Optare tempo demonstrator on the Loughborough shuttle.

Thurs 6th June:
Dart 930 on V1, Scania 665 and Solo 447 on V3. 448 on HQ. Thanks Chris.

Tue 5th June:
Excel 152 on the X17! Thanks Chris.

Mon 4th June:
Geoff reports Solo 448 on the V2 and Dart 930 on V1/3.
63 and 233 on transpeak (later on the ONE). Thanks Chris.
129 on Transpeak in place of an Excel! Thanks Jeff.

Sat 2nd June:
Solo 448 on the Spondon Flyer aswell as Scania 665. 667 on Rew Arrows.
Excels 199 and 233 on The Mickleover. 447 on Allestree. Coaches 62 and 63 on TP (60 at LM, 61 in Meadow Rd).
Scanias 638 and 639 on the Black Cat (one replaced by branded Tempo in afternoon). 949 on Route 15. Paladin 135 X17.

Fri 1st June:
Paladin 101 was on the Rainbow 5 during the morning. It started at Meadow rd after one of the Scanias there failed.
Darts 946 & 949 on the Black Cat. Tempo 309 in A garage at Meadow Rd.
Scania 665 replaced by Excel 233 on IF. 665 later reported on Mickleover, and then the sixes (where it joined 667)! 234 on Mickleover. Thanks Chris.
Coach 62 and Dart 930 on TP. Thanks Jack.
Paladin 135 on the 35, 123 on X17.

Thurs 31st May:
A Mickleover Excel reported on the Red Arrowin Kilburn in the evening! Thanks Ian.
Over in Nottingham Ruddington Conenction Solo reported on the Long Eaton Xprss in the evening peak workings.
Frio Excel 199, and 233/4 on the Mickleover.

Wed 30th:
Solos 447 and 448 reported on Mickleover (448 later replaced by 233)! 930 on V2. Thanks Chris.
Paladin 138 on the X17 and Olympian 723 on Unibus route 6. Scania 665 on X38, 667 "the sixes" 6.3.

Tue 29th:
Skyline Excel 261 on TransPeak!
Dart 934 on the Black Cat! Excel 234 on Villager, Solo 448 Scania 665, and Dart 930 on Mickleover.
666 on R5, 403 on 9.2. Paladin 119 on X17. Thanks Chris.

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