Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

May 2024

last update 23rd May 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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| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

£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

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Arriva Derby

NEWS
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

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

CT4N

NEWS
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| Arriva Derby |

| 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

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

G&J Holmes

NEWS
9th September 2017

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

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.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Harpurs Coaches

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.

| Arriva Derby |

| Midland Classic |

Hawkes Coaches

NEWS

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High Peak

News
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
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
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

23rd May 2024
Former "Threes" Versa 820 has been repainted into trent barton red, and now in use at Langley Mill.

Scania Irizar coach in plain white, (YT24 BKA) reported at Meadow Road. Thought to be on loan for use on red arrow.

Volvo 735 is currrently in use with Kinchbus.

Former Taf Valley E200 53 has been repainted into notts and derby fleet livery.

Former Taf Valley E200 53 now carries fleet livery.
(C)Geoff Girling

New Scania Irizar (YT24 BKA) is seen here at Meadow Rd garage, it is thought to be on loan here for use on the red arrow, which continues to suffer with vehicle availability.
(C)Geoff Girling

16th May 2024
Solos 471 and 474 are currently in use with notts and derby. 499 is back in use with Trent at Langley Mill.

Fire damaged indigo mmc 207 has been scrapped at Looms, Spondon, along with Scanias 610, 654, 673 and a former sixes TM scania, and a former NCT scania from the notts and derby fleet.

Versas 814/5 are now both in trent barton livery and in use at Sutton. 820/1/4 are also in trent barton livery, but have yet to re enter service.

109 is one of three mango liveried E200 MMCs to transfer to Kinchbus. It is seen here passsing through Alvaston en route to Leicester via EMA on the Skylink Derby Leicester service.
(C)Jon Ridge

Former Taf Valley E200 is seen here leaving Meadow Road garage in Derby. It is one of 3 that have recently joined the notts and derby fleet.
(C)Geoff Girling

1st May 2024
The E200s from Taf Valley coaches are numbered 51-3. 51 (YX12 DHY) is white and 52/3 (YX63 ZVM/O) are red and black. I believe 52 & 53 were new to Newbury and District where they carried N&D fleetnames - now with a different N+D.

Trent Barton have ordered 29 new ADL E200 MMCs. These are to be branded for Villager (5), H1 (6), Ilkeston Flyer (6) and Mickleover (6), with the remainder being spare vehicles. The first are expected to be delivered during the summer, with the Villager examples looking likely to be produced first.

744 is away for repaint into skylink xprss livery.

11th April 2024
New arrivals at notts + derby, from Taff coaches, are E200s (YX63 ZVO/M) in red and black, and white (YX12 DHY).

Versa 815 now in trent barton red, has passed mot and now based at Sutton.

175 has transfered to Kinchbus.

Volvos 713/4 have moved from Langley Mill to Nottingham. One replaces 109, the other is to cover for 744 which is due to be repainted for the skylink xprss soon (at Bus and coach world Blackburn).

5th April 2024
Irizar coach 74 has been on loan to trent barton for use on the red arrow. 2 Irizars from Notts and Derby may go back onto red arrow later in the month. Trent barton appear to have been struggling with their fleet of red arrow coaches for many months, often falling far short of the pvr even with several buses deputising for the coaches. The, what could now be called "engineering crisis" has also caused several cancellations on the Ilkeston FLyer, H1 and other Langley Mill based routes, aswell as at Derby and Kinchbus. Nottingham garage seems to fair well, as do notts and derby.

Kinchbus Derby - Leicester Skylink now operates every 15 minutes. Despite having some additional vehicles from Trent (who dont have enough), cancellations have been seen on Loughborough town services and route 9 to Nottingham. And this is in the university holidays, when the sprint has a reduced timetable, and more spares vehicles are available. From an outside perspective it appears kinchbus, and trentbarton are stretching themselves beyond their operating capabilities. 29th March 2024
Former Threes Versa 822 now in use at Kinch in Kinch livery.
E200 MMC 174 has moved from Langley Mill to Kinchbus, 175 set to follow. 109 is moving from Nottingham to Kinch. These will retain mango livery. Extra buses are needed for the higher frequency skylink service.

713 is set to replace 109 at Nottingham. Versas 820/1/4 are now painted red as replacements, although allocations are not confirmed.

7 E200s due at Notts and Derby later in April.

18th March 2024
Tempo (YJ07 VSE) remains on loan at notts and derby along with trent solo sr 499 - although it has spent days in use with trent over the last few weeks.

Volvo 741 is now based at Nottingham.
E200 128 now carries Skylink Derby livery and will soon be in use at Kinch. 174/5 are also expected to transfer to Kinch, due to extra buses being needed for the increased frequency on the skylink Derby/Leicester route. It is likely that former threes versas shall replace them at Langley Mill.

Some E200s from Taf Valley coaches are expected to join the wellglade fleet around Easter.

827 now carries trent barton red livery. Seen here in Burton.
(C)Geoff Girling

2nd February 2024
Littles Tempos B1 (YJ07 VSE), B2 (YJ07 VSF), and Volvo B7/Plaxton President D10 LX54 GZT are currently on loan to notts and derby.

Solo SR 499 is currently also in use with notts and derby.

At Trent Volvo 733 now carries H1 livery. 741 has been replaced by 827 at Derby. Skylink Express Scania 663 is back in use with new MOT.

17th January 2024
Former Threes Versa 827 has been repainted red.

Former Threes Versa 823 is a second on loan to notts+derby.

Former Threes Versa 823 is now in use with notts and derby, seen here leaving Belper bus station on town service 72.
(C)Geoff Girling

22nd December 2023
Several services continue to be cancelled at short notice, primarily due to bus availability issues. Vehicles tend to be off the road awaiting parts/repair for long periods, putting strain on the remaining vehicles.

Around 7 of the threes Versas are still in use at Sutton, as spare buses for all routes.
Scania 669 is back in use at Nottingham.

14th November 2023
All of the Threes E200s have now been delivered (see below). Some of the threes versas are now being used as spare buses. All are expected to be kept within the Welglade fleets.

Solo 462 is now in use with Trent at Derby - where it was new on the Allestree route over 20 years ago.

Former Threes Versa 826 is now in use with notts and derby.
(C)Geoff Girling

Former Connect Solo 485 is now in use with notts and derby.
(C)Geoff Girling

7th November 2023
Most of the threes E200s have now been delivered and are in use, see updated list below.

Threes Versa 826 and Connect Solo 485 are now in use with notts and derby.

Indigo 207 suffered fire damage in Beeston in September. It is unlikely to return to service.

New E200s MMCs arrived/in use here so far:

176 (YX73 OUA) - Mango - Sutton.
177 (YX73 OUB) - Mango - Sutton.
178 (YX73 OUC) - Threes - Sutton.
179 (YX73 OUD) - Threes - Sutton.
180 (YX73 OUE) - Threes - Sutton.
181 (YX73 OUF) - Threes - Sutton.
182 (YX73 OUG) - Threes - Sutton,
183 (YX73 OUH) - Threes - Sutton,
184 (YX73 OUJ) - Threes - Sutton,
185 (YX73 OUK) - Threes - Sutton,
186 (YX73 OUL) - Threes - Sutton,
187 (YX73 OUM) - Threes - Sutton,
188 (YX73 OUN) - Threes - Sutton,
189 (YX73 OUO) - Threes - Sutton,
190 (YX73 OUP) - Threes - Sutton,
191 (YX73 OUS) - Threes - Sutton,
192 (YX73 OUU) - Threes - Sutton,
193 (YX73 OUV) - Threes - Sutton,
194 (YX73 OUW) - Threes - Sutton,
195 (YX73 OUY) - Threes - Sutton.

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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