Bus Fleet News

November 2008

Andrews of Tideswell

Arriva Derby

New Solo 2910 seen here on Prince Charles Avenue, Mackworth.
(C) -

New Scania Omniciti 3557 in Derby City Centre on its first day in service.
(C) -

Bowers Coaches

Doyles

Felix

G&J Holmes

Glovers of Ashbourne

Harpurs Coaches

Hawkes Coaches

Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
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Johnson Bros / Redferns

Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
22nd Nov
(T35 DFC) has been painted white.
The Scania coach reported as (YN07 LDZ) is in fact (YN07 L"J"Z) - the former belongs to NCT!

19th Oct
3 recent additions to the fleet are Scania coaches (YN08 DDJ), (SN03 CLZ), and (YN07 LFZ) (a Scania I4 59 seater, believed the only other one operated in the UK belongs to Jacksons Travel at Blackpool).

Brand new Scania coach (PB58 LTL), a PB K340EB, is due very soon. Thanks Steve.

NEWS
26th November:
Transpeak Excel 156 remains at Meadow Road garage along with 199, so it may not have been sold. Both are withdrawn.

Tempo 306 is away for repaint into a pale blue livery for the Ilkeston Flyer route. it shall be in service from December 7th.

Scanias 601-4 are being painted for the H1. The green livery will be retained, although the section beyond the rear wheel arches shall be bright orange, to advertise the extra capacity compared to the Solos! Each bus will be out as soon as they are ready, the complete set out by mid December.

Former Rainbow 5 Scanias 623, 624 and 625 have all been repainted into standard trent barton livery. All have had LED displays fitted too, and are currently based at Nottingham.

Kinchbus are no longer expecting any of the rainbow 5 Scanias. Routes expected to be upgraded using these vehicles include: H1 (see above), Villager, amberline, and route 18.

14 more Wrightbus Volvos have yet to be delivered. 8 will be based at Derby for the Mickleover, and 6 at Langley Mill for route 15. Route 15 is being extended to serve East Midlands Airport, on an hourly frequency from January.

Orders for more buses on order for 2009 have not been confirmed, but are thought to include the Solo+ and Mercedes Citarios.

21st November:
Unibus Paladin 104 has been repainted in the revised livery (blue and white).
Excel 225 was involved in an RTA in Disley on Thursday.
Scania 623 (ex R5) has been repainted into trent barton red and is in use at Nottingham. An LED display has been fitted too.
Transpeak Excel 156 has been withdrawn, and is said to have been sold.
Tempo 306 is away for repaint for the Ilkeston Flyer. The livery is expected to be two tone blue.


4th November:
Coach 72 has been repainted white and sold back to the Volvo dealership.
N+D Darts 891/2 continue in use whilst Paladins continue to be painted. More have been fitted with seatbelts too.

26th October:
Transit Magazine reports that trent barton have placed an order for 13 Optare Solos. They are of the new variety, that has yet to be officially launched. The Solos are thought to be fitted with hi-spec interiors, now becoming standard in this well respected fleet.

1 journey per hour on Route 15 is to be extended to East Midlands Airport from 25th January.

N+D Darts 891 and 892 have been on loan to Sutton, after a number of buses were damaged after coming under attack by locals with missiles.

Paladins 114 and 116 now carry Unibus livery. The later shall be based at Sutton for a high peak contract. 106 has returned to Dove Holes. 103 and 113 are being repainted into the new style Unibus livery (blue and white).

Indigo is due to be launched on Sunday 9th November.

19th October :
Indigo is expected to be launched mid November.
Dart 909 has been repainted in trent barton livery.

14th October :
Paladin 126 repainted into Unibus livery and working from Meadow Road.
Coach 72 now withdrawn at Langley Mill.
Former Trent Vario (R824 MJU) has been scrapped.

1st October :
Minibus 39 has not been scrapped, as previously reported. Sorry!

Some news on Wellglade buses that are now with other operators:

Vario 284 is now with Ashall's Coaches, Gorton, Manchester. It arrived in June, and can be seen on GMPTE tendered route 243 from Partington to Trafford Park. It has been repainted white.
OR Jones of Llanfaethlu have acquired Delta (J303 BVO). This was previously with Tyrer in Lancsashire.
Deltas 300 (G600NRC), 346 (K346FAL) and Metrorider 218 are with Ellie Rose, Hull.
Citybus 609 (F609GVO) now at Isle Coaches, Owston Ferry.
Metrorider 216 with is now with Hanson, Pontefract whilst 219 is with a Jazz Band in Barnsley!