Tuesday, 25 February 2014

Bus & Coach News & Views :W/E 01st Mar 14

WEEKLY 14 PLATE NEWS
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ACE TRAVEL, LIVERPOOL
=====================
New Alexander Dennis Enviro 200's here are MX14FUG/H.

ARRIVA CYMRU
===============
VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2's reported for here sighted on delivery this week include 3168,  3169,  3170, 3175 and 3177.
Its reported that the full batch is 3165 to 3180 and are for Bangor 4 and 5 routes.
3168 , 3169 and 3170 : Arriva Cymru - Heysham 23rd Feb 14
3175 : Arriva Cymru - Heysham 23rd Feb 14
3177 : Arriva Cymru - Heysham 01st Mar 14

BARNES, SWINDON
===================
New here is WA14DTY : VDL Futura 2.

BOURNEMOUTH TRANSPORT
=========================
HF14BWM and HF14BWW : Wright Streetlite MAX's have been registered.

CLARIBELS, BIRMINGHAM
=======================
The latest VDL product here is VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2 YJ14CCF.
YJ14CCF : Claribels - Heysham 01st Mar 14

FOURWAY OF LEEDS
====================
Scania Irizar YN14PNJ is due here soon

GO AHEAD LONDON
==================
More information on the Alexander Dennis Enviro 400's reported recently is they are E281 to E283 and registered YX14RTV/Z,  RUA.

LONDON UNITED
===============
Further Wright New Routemasters noted on delivery have been LT148, 149 and 153 : LTZ1148/48/53.
Not exactly 14 plate news as it was reported last week but a better snap was taken of Wright New Routemaster LT161 : LTZ1161.
LT153 : LTZ1153 : London United with x 5 Unregistered : Metrobus and 3177 : Arria Cymru - Heysham 01st Mar 14
LT148 : LTZ1148 : London United, Unregistered : Volvo B9TL ,  x 3 Metrobus, BF63HDG : Volvo, LT149 : LTZ1149 : London United and BF63HDE : Volvo - Heysham 01st Mar 14.
LT161 : LTZ1161 : London United - Heysham 23rd Feb 14

METROBUS
=========
A number of unregistered Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2's which are for the Fastway routes 10 and 20 was snapped on delivery this week with at least 8 seen in total.
x 2 Unregistered : Metrobus - Heysham 23rd Feb 14
Front view of x 2 Unregistered : Metrobus and 3170 : Arriva Cymru - Heysham 23rd Feb 14
Unregistered : Metrobus - Heysham 01st Mar 14
x 4 Unregistered : Metrobus - Heysham 01st Mar 14

MOTTS TRAVEL, AYLESBURY
===========================
Two brand new Setra S416GT HDs with C49Ft seating here are UK/GB14 CRU and are the last British registered Setra coaches.
Also here is Plaxton Cheetah GT14 MTT with C29F seating arrived at Motts. It is one of the last with a Mercedes Benz Vario chassis.
GB14CRU : Motts Travel - Aylesbury 25th Feb 14
GT14MTT : Motts Travel - Aylesbury 25th Feb 14
UK14CRU : Motts Travel - Aylesbury 25th Feb 14
UK14CRU and GB14CRU : Motts Travel - Aylesbury 25th Feb 14 : With credit and thanks to Luke Braham (more of Lukes Photo's can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/busboy99/ equally you could read more about them here http://bucksandoxonbuses.blogspot.co.uk/)

NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT
============================
Some more information has emerged about the Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400's in that 612 to 620 are for Turquoise route 77 and will be registered YN14MTJ/K/O/U/V/X/Y/Z,  MUA,  621 to 631 are for Orange route 36 and will be registered YN14MUB/C/E/O/P/U/V/W/Y,  MVA/C and 632 to 640 are for Green route 58.

ROTALA WESSEX
===============
A unregistered Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 has been sighted on delivery recently.
Unregistered : Rotala Wessex - Heysham 01st Mar 14

STAGECOACH LONDON
====================
Its reported Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Hybrid types 12261 to 12262 : SN14TVW/X will be going on Catford route 47 for trials.

UNKNOWN
===========
Tri axle Scania Irizar YN14MWA has been sighted this week.

VOLVO BUS UK, WARWICK
=======================
Not known where this Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's and the three others noted at Heysham Docks will end up but managed a snap of one of them.
Unregistered : Volvo Bus UK - Heysham 23rd Feb 14

WEST COAST MOTORS, CAMPBELTOWN
=================================
New Optare Solo SR's for here include YJ14BAA/O/U/V.
Also heading here is Tri axle Irizar YN14RNE.
YJ14BAO : West Coast Motors - Sherburn-In-Elmet 25th Feb 14 : With credit and thanks to Martyn Bryant (more of Martyns Photo's can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjsbustruckpics/)

WHITE BUS, WINKFIELD
====================
YJ14BBN and YJ14BBO Optare Solo SR's are new for here.
YJ14BBO : White Bus - Sherburn-In-Elmet 25th Feb 14 : With credit and thanks to Martyn Bryant (more of Martyns Photo's can be found here http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjsbustruckpics/)

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WEEKLY PHOTO VIEWS
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Managed a snap of one of Cumfybus's latest vehicles on Wednesday 26th Feb as YD63VAX : Optare Solo SR Hybrid was caught heading in and out of Bolton Bus station on a local route 570 to Sutton Estate.
YD63VAX : Cumfybus - Bolton 26th Feb 14.

Snapped departing Boltons Blackhorse Street whilst working a 575 to Horwich is the smartly turned out 37430 : MX58DZC : Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini of First Manchester displaying the Lancashire United livery, whilst its safe to say I haven't had any luck graphing this bus as yet as all the shots have turned out less than satisfactory !
37430 : MX58DZC : First Manchester - Bolton 26th Feb 14.

Noted at Heysham Docks on Sunday 23rd Feb was  Wrightbus Gemini 2 HEV 39003 : LK58ECX having been repainted out of its London livery and into Firsts standard colour scheme before heading off to York.
Also noted on the same date and at the same location was sister 39002 : LK58ECW surrounded by two more modern Wrightbus products in the form of Volvo B5TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 3's which are thought to be demo vehicles but are obviously heading down to London.
39003 : LK58ECX : First York - Heysham 23rd Feb 14
BF63HDG and BF63HDE : Volvo surround 39002 : LK58ECW : First York - Heysham 23rd Feb 14

As shown above in the 14 plate section Metrobus of Crawley are currently taking a delivery of Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2's but unfortunately they are being delivered unregistered.
Here 5 of them are snapped at Heysham Docks with London Uniteds Wright New Routemaster LT153 : LTZ1153 as the sun comes down at the end of the first day of 14 Plate operation on Saturday 01st Mar.
x 5 Unregistered : Metrobus with LT153 : LTZ1153 : London United - Heysham 01st Mar 14

At Bolton Bus station on Wednesday 26th Feb on a short 540 working to Westhoughton was Stagecoach Wigan Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 19522 : MX09KTD whilst heading in the opposite direction on short 125 working to Chorley was Dennis Dart SLF / Plaxton Pointer 34620 : PX04HTZ.
19522 : MX09KTD : Stagecoach Wigan - Bolton 26th Feb 14
34620 : PX04HTZ : Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lanc's - Bolton 26th Feb 14

A nice movement snapped at Bolton Bus station on Wednesday 26th Feb was Wigan Coachways N213TDU : Volvo B10M-55 / Alexander PS heading out on a 540 service to Wigan.
N213TDU : Wigan Coachways - Bolton 26th Feb 14

Credits :
Ian Rivett, L.O.T.S / Luke Braham / Martyn Bryant / Trevor Cope / http://dartslf.com / Yahoo Groups : UKPSV.

Saturday, 22 February 2014

Bus & Coach News & Views : W/E 22nd Feb 14

WEEKLY 14 PLATE NEWS
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ARRIVA CYMRU
================
Noted minus reg plates  at Heysham Docks was 3 VDL SB200 / Wright Pulsar 2's.
Unregistered : Arriva - Heysham 19th Feb 14

BULLOCKS COACHES, CHEADLE
===========================
PB14BUL and RB14BUL : Scania / Irizar's have been sighted ready for this operator.

FIRST GROUP
============
Heading to somewhere in the group are Alexander Dennis Enviro 200's YX14RUO/U.

GO AHEAD LONDON
==================
Awaiting fleet numbers but noted pre delivery have been Alexander Dennis Enviro 400's YX14RTV/Z.

HODGE, SANDHURST
=================
3 new Scania Lahden OmniExpresses for here are 2480PH,  4631PH and 8990PH.

LONDON UNITED
===============
LT161 : LTZ1161 & LT166 : LTZ1166 : Wright New Routemasters for London United was noted at Heysham Docks this week.
LT161 : LTZ1161 : London United - Heysham 19th Feb 14.

MEARNS EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, BLANTYRE
===================================
A new Neoplan Starliner OU14SVE is new for here and carries the Trafalgar livery.
OU14SVE : Neoplan Starliner : Mearns Executive Travel - Trafford Park 18th Feb 14

NOTTINGHAM CITY TRANSPORT
===========================
The full batch of Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400's is reported as 612 to 640 with 612 : YN14MTJ,  627 : YN14MUV and 634 : YN14MVF thus far
3 newAlexander Dennis Enviro 400's was noted on delivery with 1 in a Orange style livery and 2 in a Green livery.
D412/24 was the Orange one with D412/32 and D412/37 the Green ones.
D412/24 (should become 624) : Nottingham City Transport - Leyland 16th Feb 14
D412/32 & D412/37 (should become 632 & 637) : Nottingham City Transport - Leyland 16th Feb 14

OXFORD BUS COMPANY
=====================
21 to 25 : AF14 to DF14OXF : Vo B11R / Plaxton Paragons are being delivered and will operate the Airlink routes between Oxford and London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports

PC COACHES, LINCOLN
======================
LC14PCC : Scania / Irizar is the latest vehicle for this fleet.

SELB, ARMARGH
================
Heading in to the 'hard to get' category straight away is Plaxton Leopards FXZ6419 and FXZ6450 noted pre delivery in yellow School Bus livery

UNKNOWN
============
All white Scania / Irizar YN14PLZ has been noted recently.

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WEEKLY PHOTO VIEWS
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In Blackpool on Monday 17th Feb was BG63VVE : Mercedes Benz Citaro of Evobus (Coventry) which was on demonstration with Blackpool Transport and was working service 1 between Starr Gate and Fleetwood.
Was fortunate enough to grab a run on it and managed a snap of it as it waited time at Norbreck Castle.
BG63VVE : Evobus -  Blackpool 17th Feb 14
Rear view of BG63VVE : Evobus - Blackpool 17th Feb 14

As mentioned in the 14 plate header above a couple of London United Wright New Routemasters LT161 & LT166 : LTZ1161/66 was on delivery at Heysham Docks on Wed 19th Feb but also caught in the line was 5 Unregistered Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's and First's Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 HEV's 39002 : LK58ECW and 39003 : LK58ECX which are believed to be heading to First York.
LT161 : LTZ1161 , LT166 : LTZ1166 : Wright New Routemaster : London United with 39003 : LK58ECX , 39002 : LK58ECW : First and 5 Unregistered Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse 2's - Heysham 19th Feb 14

Also mentioned above in the 14 Plate news was the 3 Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400's noted at Leyland Business Park on Sunday 16th Feb heading for Nottingham City Transport carrying body numbers D412/24 , D412/32 & D412/37.
Managed a passable snap of all 3 together.
D412/24 (nearest) D412/37 & D412/32 : Nottingham City Transport - Leyland 16th Feb 14

Reays coaches of Wigton seem to be having a Bus fleet change with many vehicles departing and a lot of those left in the famous ' polar bear in the snow' livery much favoured by many operators so I got this snap of PX12COH : Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 departing the scruffy Bus station at Penrith on Fri 21st Feb having just worked in from Kendal on a 106 service via Shap.
PX12COH : Reays - Penrith 21st Feb 14.

In Blackpool on Monday 17th Feb was a new Setra S416GT-HD of Shearings, Not many of these 63 registration have been seen here yet so it was a welcome bonus to catch up with 636 : BT63GCV at Gynn Square.
636 : BT63GCV : Shearings - Blackpool 17th Feb 14.

In the tired looking Kendal Bus station on Fri 21st Feb was 15723 : PX61CVD : Scania N230UD / Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 awaiting time after arrival from Lancaster and before continuing on to Keswick on the suitably branded 555 service.
15723 : PX61CVD : Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lanc's - Kendal 21st Feb 14

Noted at Lancaster on Fri 21st Feb and still carrying its old Magicbus livery was Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire's Volvo Olympian / Alexander 16793 : P723GND which was on staff shuttles to and from Morecambe Depot
16793 : P723GND : Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lanc's - Lancaster - 21st Feb 14

At Kendal on Friday 21st Feb I managed a naff snap of  Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire Optare Solo 47058 : PX04DME from the top deck of a bus in Lowther Street!
Its one of the vehicles that carries the Lakes area green livery, I've included it as I'm not sure of when I'll next get back to Kendal to get a snap of it.
47058 : PX04DME : Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lanc's - Kendal 21st Feb 14 

At Carlisle Bus station on Friday 21st Feb was 47722 : PX10CKV : Optare Solo of Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire (carrying 'In Carlisle' wording) which is one of the many that are slowly developing the white roof on repaint.
When I first saw this livery it looked quite smart but now its become more common I'm not too sure !
47722 : PX10CKV : Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lanc's - Carlisle 21st Feb 14

Had a chance to snap a few of the Transdev Blazefield Group vehicles in the mainline livery on Burnley Road in Colne on Wednesday 19th Feb but got scuppered by passing cars and poor light.
Managed a couple of passable ones which consist of 1066 : Y166HRN Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renown with a rear picture of a recent competiton winner on it and branding for Padiham to Colne.
Also in the mainline livery was 1864 : FJ58LTE : Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse 2 which also carried the Padiham to Colne branding.
1066 : Y166HRN : Transdev Blazefield Group - Colne 19th Feb 14
1864 : FJ58LTE : Transdev Blazefield Group - Colne 19th Feb 14

Credits :
Dave Braithwaite / Ian Rivett, L.O.T.S / Luke Braham / Trevor Cope / Yahoo Groups : UK-Bus Fleetnews, UKPSV.

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Bus & Coach News & Views : W/E 15th Feb 14

WEEKLY 14 PLATE NEWS
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BOURNEMOUTH TRANSPORT
==========================
2 Wright Streetlite MAX's have been noted on delivery but unfortunately neither carried a registration plate or fleet number.
Unregistered : Wright Streetlite Max : Bournemouth Transport - Heysham 09th Feb 14

OXFORD BUS COMPANY
=====================
DF14OXF : Volvo / Plaxton Panther has been noted pre delivery.

SHIEL BUSES, FORT WILLIAM
========================
Thought to be for the above operator is YJ14BBK : Optare Solo SR.

UNKNOWN
===========
Also noted on delivery recently and presumably to carry a 14 registration plate was 2 all white unmarked Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2's
Unregistered : Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 : Unknown - Heysham 09th Feb 14


WEEKLY PHOTO VIEWS
////////////////////////////////////////////////
In Blackpool on Monday 10th Feb was 632 : BG63VVN : Setra S416GT-HD of Shearings which was snapped over nighting in Gynn Square.
632 : BG63VVN : Setra S416GT-HD : Shearings - Blackpool 10th Feb 14

Credits :
Ian Rivett, L.O.T.S / Trevor Cope / Yahoo Groups : UK-Bus Fleetnews