Bus Fleet News
March 2012
Latest News
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.
Andrews of Tideswell
NEWS
2nd July
28th April
Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther (YN11 AXX) is here.
Arriva Derby
NEWS
20th March:
King Long (BX12 CDK) in Derby Bus Station.
(C) Richard Barber
The King Long Demo is now in service. It was on route 37 on Monday.
Wardle Transport are promoting the X50 service in Derby on Friday 30th March from 10am. The new double deck service links Derby with Uttoxeter and onto Stoke every 2 hours Monday to Saturday.
2nd March:
The King Long demo is 900 (BX12 CDK).
29th February:
The King Long Demo should arrive on Friday.
Wardle are expected to use DAF / Gemini 4776/7 and a Trident on the X50 when the routes starts, with similar branding to the X38.
13th February:
Wardle Transport will start operating a two hourly X50 service from Derby to Uttoxeter and Hanley from the begining of April.
24th December:
A 12m King Long is expected to be tested here later next year. The bus will be built to Malta spec, and is expected to stay in Derby for around 2 months before moving elsewhere in the UK.
Gemini 2224 is now back at Derby and Versa 2987 back at Burton.
8th December:
Versa 2987 is here from Burton in exchange for 4224.
2nd December:
Gemini 4224 on loan to Burton (on X38 today).
2212 has been repainted into interurban livery.
Bowers Coaches
NEWS
27th March
Solo 262 (W301 EYG) now carries centrebus livery ready for the high peak launch.
13th March
Another former Blackpool Solo here is (V266 HEC). It is in an all over silver livery with small centrebus names applied.
8th March
Solo 377 (YJ05 XMU) has been painted into Centrebus livery.
A new arrival here is white Solo 267 (V265 HEC) in Hayfield. The vehicle is ex Blackpool, but was more recently with Homeswood.
(C) Ash Hammond
29th Feb
Solo 263 (W293 EYG) is now (B6 WER).
13th Feb
White Solos 262 (W301 EYG), 263 (W293 EYG) and red 261 (B8 WER) confirmed to be in service here. None carry fleet names or numbers.
31st January
Bowers Centrebus operations are set to become part on the High Peak bus company along with trent bartons DOve Holes operations from 1st April 2012.
430 (YU04 XHY) Mercedes Benz O814D is now here, a transfer from the former Veolia / Paul James operation.
Vario/Alexander ALX100 440 (R164 UAL) now in use in Centrebus livery.
Solo 263 (W293 EYG) is here in plain white. Solos 261 (B8WER) former (V263HEC) and 262 (W301 EYG) may also now be here?
9th October
(YAZ 4143) was originally (M859 RCP) and came to Kimes from Teamdeck (K-Line) and so comes back into the fold!
D & G
NEWS & Sightings
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Doyles
NEWS & Sightings
8th March:
Solo (YN53 SVJ) was destroyed by a fire in Pinxton last Friday.
16th February:
Irvines of Law have acquired Darts (P301/3/4/8 HDP).
Solo (MX55 BYD) on the new Tesco contract.
(C) John Moore
13th February:
Another Solo here (MX55 BYD) has been painted white and blue for the tesco contract in Ilkeston (routes T1-3). These start on Wednesday 15th February. The vehicle is also from Super travel.
(P304 HDP) is in service with Irvines Coaches of Law, still in green livery: Flickr
(P301 HDP) (and maybe the other two) *MAY* also there.
26th January:
Another Solo here is (MX55 BYF). This was with Supertravel of Speke last year, and is a M920 B33F. Solo (W302 EYG) is much smaller and can be confirmed as still B23F.
(P303/4/8HDP) can be confirmed as withdrawn. (P301 HDP) appears to still be licenced.
Solo (W302 EYG).
(C) John Moore
Solo (MX55 BYF).
(C) John Moore
17th January:
Another Solo here is (W302 EYG), from South Wales operator EST, Swansea.
Dart/UVG (R556 UOT) appears to have gone. Scrap?
Felix
NEWS
28th November
Trent Barton are to take over the Felix operations on the Black Cat and Ilkeston Flyer services from the end of January following the sale of these services to Wellglade.
It is understood that the services will, initially at least, be operated by Midland General from Meadow Road.
6 buses are thought to be included in the sale 3 Scanias, 2 (YN03 YRA) and (YN05 GZB) for the Black Cat and 1 (YN04 AGY) for the Ilkeston Flyer. Spare vehicles are 2 VDL Centros (YJ56 KBF), (YJ08 EFL)
and 1 Volvo Centro (FL10 NFV). These are also expected to pass into Wellglades hands.
Felix are thought to retain the premises in Stanley and remaining vehicles, and continue to operate remaining school and football services until the licence expires in March 2012. The coaching work, although not the vehicles, is said to have been sold to Swiftsure, Burton.
Gills Travel
26/03/2011:
Former NCT, and more recently Littles, Optare Metrorider (R232 SCH) is now here.
G&J Holmes
NEWS
-
Glovers of Ashbourne
NEWS
18th August 2011
Former Winsons Volvo Plaxton coach (FJU 973) arrived here in June.
A Mercedes Plaxton Cheetah is also here.
Harpurs Coaches
NEWS
20th March 2012
Former Stagecoach Volvo B10M / Alexander (R897 XVM) looking smart after repaint into fleet livery.
(C) Geoff Girling
Former Dublin Olympians has been registered (V351 DJU).
(C) Geoff Girling
17th January 2012
The second Dublin Olympian to enter service has been registered as (X912 LUT).
9th January 2012
One of the Dublin Olympians has been registered (V351 DJU) and entered service last Wednesday.
22nd December 2011
Former Stagecoach Volvo B10M / Alexander (R897 XVM) has arrived here.
Two former Veolia coaches here are Volvo B12B / Plaxton Paragon (CN55 MUE) (Veolia Cymru) and (FJ55 XBA) (Veolia England). Both acquired via Ensign.
Metrobus (C756 OCN) is now withdrawn.
Volvo B10M / Plaxton coaches expected to be withdrawn soon are: (D922 UOD), (RIL 5084) and (G379 REG).
8th December 2011
2 55 plate Volvo / Plaxton coaches are said to be here.
2 of the former Dublin Olympians have been repainted: Click here for a link to photos
Hawkes Coaches
NEWS
8th Feb:
Former Stagecoach Manchester Volvo / ALexander PS (P851 GND) is reported here from Ensign.
1st December:
Former Stagecoach Volvo / ALexander PS (P134 XCN) is here, still in stagecoach livery. The vehicle has arrived from Stagecoach Cumbria,
and was originally fleet number 472 in the Ribble fleet.
Hulleys of Baslow
NEWS + SIGHTINGS
13th March
New here is VDL SB3000 / MARCO POLO, which is 6 (YJ06 JDF).
(C) Ian Moorcroft
Dennis Javelins 4 (M437 PUY) and 6 (R140 XWF) have been sold to Arriva (dealer) in exchange for a VDL SB3000 / MARCO POLO, which is 6 (YJ06 JDF) (now C53F, downseated from C57F when it was part of the Arriva hire fleet).
Volvo B7 / ALEXANDER number 22 ( a fleet number it never carried) (V140 LGC) is now renumbered 4.
7th November
The Volvo B7L / Alexander decker 22 (V140 LGC) is now in service here.
Hulleys B7L/Alexander 22 (V140 LGC) is seen here in Sheffield.
(C) Ian Moorcroft
Johnson Bros / Redferns
NEWS & SIGHTINGS
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Linburg
NEWS + SIGHTINGS
17th January
Former T M Travel Tiger (G435 EWU) is here, and is expected to be used in service!
Littles Travel
NEWS + SIGHTINGS
27th March
Two former NCT Tridents here are (V427/31 DRA).
Former trent barton "bargain bus" Dennis Dart Plaxton Pointer (R932 RAU) is here being operated in red livery.
17th December 2011
The Solo here has been re-registered (XIB 1908) a few months ago. Service 9, which this vehicle is used on, will be operated by N+D from late March.
8th December 2011
New here is a 61 plate Cheetah.
Titan (WYV 62T) sold to Nu Venture, Kent, for further service.
Metrobus (E480 UOE) sold to AOT, Nottingham.
Scania (F719 LFG) is said to have been exported.
East Lancs Vyking-bodied B7TL (GX55 NHY) has moved to Skills with the contract for the Bilborough college work.
Midland Classic
NEWS
29th March
Volvos 81 and 82 have been branded for the X12.
Volvo 81 is one of the buses branded for the X12.
(C) Geoff Girling
Former NCT Scania 86.
(C) Geoff Girling
27th February
Olympian (L649 MYG) is fleet number 90.
Ex trent Dart (R919 RAU) has been sold to P&C buses, Newmains, Scotland.
16th February
Former NCT Scania (X94 USC) is now in use after repaint.
MAN (RX53 LNJ) should be appearing in a few weeks time!
Dart 22 has left the fleet, and Olympian (L649 MYG) is now with the company long term.
22nd December
Former NCT Scania / Wright (X94 USC) is here, although not yet in use.
Premiere, Nottingham
NEWS
20th March 2012
Coaches 972 (FJ54 ZDD) and 973 (FJ54 ZDH) are branded for Red Flyer, ready for the launch on Friday.
Two more Scanias, from the same batch, are due here, they should be 3343 (X473 AHE) and 3344 (X474 AHE). Already painted red.
Scania 3349 now has a Red Flyer advert above the windows, and 3350 has been branded for the Fair Fares campaign. Photos please :-).
Former Veolia National Express coach (FJ54 ZDH) is one of two that have been branded for the direct Red Flyer service to East Midlands Airport..
(C) John Moore
9th January 2012
3 new Levante B9R have been delivered:
978 (FJ61 EYF),
979 (FJ61 EYG),
980 (FJ61 EYH).
The two former Coachmaster Levantes are now:
976 (FJ59 ARF),
977 (FJ59 APZ).
1st December
New Levante Coach 974 in Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham, before departing on its long journey to Penzance on the 330.
(C) John Carnell
The first new Levante coaches have arrived here for National Express service 330. They are 974 (FJ61 EWX) and 975 (FJ61 EWY).
5 more are on order for use on the 440 ((Burton) Leicester - London)
from January.
Former Coachmaster (Thurmaston bus) Levantes C1 (FJ59 APZ) and C2 (FJ59 ARF) are also in store, but not in service.
3352 and 3353 are branded for Local 17.
(FN04 FSP) formerly (FSV428) has been sold to Hegarty Travel (Blackpool) in exchange for (R937 YNF) (PSV392). This has since been sold on to Barratts Coaches of Nantwich.
(YJ06 GKO) Volvo B12B Van Hool has been re-registered as (FSV 428).
Two more Scanias are due here soon thought to be (Y46 HHE) and (Y49 HHE), although this is yet to be confirmed.
Stagecoach East Midlands
Chesterfield, Mansfield, Worksop
NEWS
Stagecoach in Yorkshire ( legal lettered for Chesterfield Transport in Derbyshire) has received some tri axle Levantes from Stagecoach West including 59305 seen here Barnsley bound from London in Chesterfield..
(C) Ian Moorcroft
To keep up to date with Stagecoach in Chesterfield, and many other operators in the area, take a look at the excellent Transpire website.
TM Travel
NEWS:
See Wellglade section.
Translinc
NEWS
:
The Wellglade group
trent barton, kinchbus, notts+derby and T M Travel.
NEWS
27th March:
Many Darts have been moved from the Kinchbus yard to Looms, Spondon for scrap.
Indigo Volvos 724/5 have gone to Langley Mill for repaint into trent barton red. Solos 418/437/440 also at Langley Mill, suplus now that the Long Eaton Xprss has been scaled back.
Dart 939 has had trent barton names removed ready for the start of High Peak on Monday. 225 and some other Excels have also had fleet names removed in preparation.
20th March:
Scania 669 in the new style Skylink livery for the revised Nottingham to East Midlands Airport service.
(C) John Whittingham
An I4 Tempo is at Langley Mill, registered (YJ12 DWA).
Centro 792 is yet to arrive from TM Travel, but is set to replace 202 on the D1. 791 is due for repaint into notts and derby livery, and 793 into Unibus livery (for the 6, replacing last years write off, 223?).
Scanias 637, 662/3, 665, and 668/9 should now be in the new blue Nottingham Skylink livery, ready for next weeks launch. Some Indigo Volvos will become spare as a result.
Former Felix Centro 767 is now in service with Kinchbus in the revised Derby / Leicester Skylink livery. it has replaced 637 (now on Nottingham Skylink).
Former Felix Centro 767 now repainted in Skylink livery, seen here at East Midlands Airport.
(C) John Whittingham
High Peak from 1st April.
High Peak is the new operating name for Trent Bartons Buxton operations from the 1st April, when they join forces with Centrebuses bowers fleet. Trent Barton service that will be operated by High Peak include the Transpeak, Skyline 199 and Buxton Town Services 185/6. It is understood that each company owns a 50% share.
The new livery for the fleet will be blue and orange (very centrebus), although transpeak and Skyline are thought to continue using branded vehicles. 2 newer Scania Omnilinks
and one newer double decker are set to be used on transpeak, alongside the existing branded vehicles, eliminating the need to use spare buses on an everyday basis.
Trent Barton tickets will not be valid on High Peak services, even where services run on the same corridor. It has been announced that a new add on ticket is available for £5, so that passengers with a trent barton zig zag ticket can travel on High Peak and some TM Travel buses for the whole day.
Details of replacement saver tickets within the high peak area have not yet been announced, not online at least.
trent barton press release
Peak Plus "zig zag add on" ticket map
Trent Barton direct customers to traveline for the updated timetables from 1st April. At the time of writing there is no obvious mention of the High Peak change, in less than 2 weeks time, on the Bowers website.
Former Bargain Bus Dart 2001 (906) is now based at Sutton with Trent Barton, seen here operating Midland General route 146. 29/2/12.
(C) John Moore
16th Feb:
Vehicles for the Nottingham Skylink service are set to be Scanias 637, 662/3, 665, and 668/9.
8th Feb:
Coach 60 has been repainted into notts+derby livery.
29th January 2012:
Felix vehicles now with Wellglade are:
Scania / Wright Solar:
598 (YN03 WRA), for Black Cat.
599 (YN04 AGY), for Ilkeston Flyer.
600 (YN05 GZB), doe Black Cat.
VDL Centros:
791 (YJ56 KBF) for N+D.
793 (YJ08 EFL) for N+D.
TM Travel Centro 1183 (YJ07 JWA) has been renumbered 792 and is also with N+D.
Volvo Centro 767 (FJ10 NFV) is to pass to Kinchbus.
notts and derby have withdrawn Paladin 106 and Dart 934, both are likely to be scrapped.
Mango Solo 445, 447 and 449 have been branded for "the ninety" the new name for, well the 90.
25th January 2012:
Solo 416 is now based at Derby, replacing 447 which is being prepared for route ninety.
Tempo 306 is now painted in standard trent barton livery.
(C) John Carnell
17th January 2012:
Trent Barton are to run the Nottingham Skylink from the end of March.
The commercial service will operate a different route to the current service run by NCT, which will cease to operate from the same date.
The new route will run through Beeston and Long Eaton before calling at the airport and on to Loughborough (Indigo will no longer serve these two locations). Six Scanias are expected to be used on this service.
Premiere Travel may be condsidering a replacement service for the current Skylink route: Premiere Blog
NCT announcement: www.nctx.co.uk/
trent barton announcement: www.trentbarton.co.uk
N+D / Midland General are to operate the Black Cat and Ilkeston Flyer using the three branded Scanias which shall be acquired with the Felix routes.
The two Felix VDL Centros will also join N+D, along with a third from TM Travel (the odd, long one - i can't recall which this is!). The Volvo Centro should pass to Kinchbus.
Due to a shortage, Bowers 743 has been on loan at Dove Holes. It has mainly been used on Unibus work, as the regular vehicles were needed for transpeak, although has ventured onto the 185/6 Buxton town services.
12th January 2012:
Enviro 400 demo (SN61 DFK) in Derby. It has had some swift branding applied to the front. The interior feature pink mood lighting!
(C) John Moore.
Tempo 306 is to be painted into trent barton red.
Solos 445, 447 and 449 are earmarked for the "ninety" service.
9th January 2012:
Enviro 400 Demo (SN61 DFK) has arrived here, and all being well, is expected to enter service on the Swift on Wednesday.
22nd December:
Paladin 129 has been repainted into notts+derby livery.
Nu Venture Delta 350 has just been sold. It is available for preservation, otherwise it will be broken and engine used to save an early generation G reg
Delta in the West Yorks area. The bus ihas been moved to Yorkshire. It still has a six month mot on it, and is available for around £2K.
Ex Kinch and Littles Titan T62 has been broken for spares with NuVenture of
Aylesford Kent.
28th November:
Trent Barton are to take over the Felix operations on the Black Cat and Ilkeston Flyer services from the end of January following the sale of these services to Wellglade.
It is understood that the services will, initially at least, be operated by Midland General from Meadow Road.
6 buses are thought to be included in the sale 3 Scanias, 2 (YN03 YRA) and (YN05 GZB) for the Black Cat and 1 (YN04 AGY) for the Ilkeston Flyer. Spare vehicles are 2 VDL Centros (YJ56 KBF), (YJ08 EFL)
and 1 Volvo Centro (FL10 NFV). These are also expected to pass into Wellglades hands.
Felix are thought to retain the premises in Stanley and remaining vehicles, and continue to operate remaining school and football services until the licence expires in March 2012. The coaching work, although not the vehicles, is said to have been sold to Swiftsure, Burton.
See trent barton website for confirmation: trent barton website
Yourbus, Nottingham
NEWS
New Levante 4032.
(C) Dan Louch
24th December:
Many thanks to Stephen and the Yourbus Yahoo Group for the info below.
Please see below regs and fleetnumbers for the 15 new Volvo B9R / Caetano
Levante II that will enter service on 9th January.
4029 (FJ61 EXM),
4030 (FJ61 EXN),
4031 (FJ61 EXO),
4032 (FJ61 EXP),
4033 (FJ61 EXR),
4034 (FJ61 EXS),
4035 (FJ61 EXT),
4036 (FJ61 EXU),
4037 (FJ61 EXV),
4038 (FJ61 EXW),
4039 (FJ61 EXX),
4040 (FJ61 EXZ),
4041 (FJ61 EYA),
4042 (FJ61 EYC),
4043 (FJ61 EYD).
4029 - 4039 are all at Heanor, with 4040 - 4043 due for delivery on January 3rd.
These vehilces are to increase PVR with extra diagrams being taken over from
Arriva Midlands & Classic Coaches on services
040 Bristol - London,
310 Southsea - Bradford,
324 Bradford - Paington,
425/435 Newcastle - London,
440 Derby - Leicester - London.
These extra diagrams mean that Yourbus will be operating 10% of the entire
National Express network and takes our NX fleet upto 55 vehilces. 4041 will also
be the 50th brand new vehilce purchased by the company and is part of 52 brand
new vehilces bought this year.
Dennis Darts 1104-1108 have been moved to Tuxford depot for storage.
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