Editorial
Here we are in November already and there are only 54 days until Christmas, these days all of them shopping days!!
Following a small operation I have been unable to visit the show at the NEC for the first time in many years but I have a few items of interest concerning the event. You will see these further down the page.
A news report of some interest to me, since my eldest daughter lives in Gwynedd is the sentencing of the Directors of Express Motors who served the area until losing their licence at the beginning of this year. I mention this report of the trial as it seems a salutary warning to those companies who use the Concession Scheme to make money illegally!
During my earlier holidays I often included pictures of the buses of Express Motors as shown below.
Long Solo CX12EWS with a service 85 at Bangor Y Felinheli Cloc on December 16th
2017. This was shortly before the company was closed down.
Scania OmniCity CX64EWS passing Bangor, Y Felinheli Cloc, working route 9 on
December 17th 2016.
Ex Stagecoach M A N - ALX300, R243KRG with the 9A loads at Bangor, Y Felinheli
Cloc, on June 26th 2015.
Ex Oxford Bus 813, T813CBW, working the Snowdon Sherpa at Betws y Coed on
May 7th 2016 by S. Thomas.
This still looked a very tidy motor. Does anyone know where it is now?
Express Motors fraud
gang jailed for a total of 29 years!
Five men have been jailed for a total of 29 years for a scam where hundreds of
thousands of pounds of taxpayers' cash was claimed for bus journeys that never
took place.
Family members were in tears as Eric, Ian, Kevin and Keith Jones were jailed for
fraud by false representation. A fifth man, former bus driver Rheinallt
Williams, was also jailed.
Eric Wyn Jones, of Bontnewydd, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years, as was his
son Ian Wyn Jones. Brothers Kevin Wyn Jones and Keith Jones were given seven and
six year terms. Rheinallt Williams must serve a
12 month prison term.
The Wyn Jones' family were described as 'breathtakingly arrogant' by Judge
Timothy Petts.
Eric Wyn Jones, 77, of Gerallt, Bontnewydd
near Caernarfon,
was described in Mold Crown Court this morning as an "elderly man in poor health
which affects his mobility". Lawyers for Jones
said custody is going to be difficult for him. John Philpotts, defending Eric
Jones, said he was “demonstrably ill” with two hospital appointments already
booked, and was sole carer for his sick wife Jean, who was a partner in the
business.
The judge said his wife was also a victim in the case. His sons Kevin, Ian and
Keith, were also found guilty of the charges by a jury after a four week trial
at Caernarfon Crown Court earlier this month.
Ian Wyn Jones, 53, of Carmel Road, Penygroes was
jailed for seven and a half years and Kevin Wyn Jones, 55, of Llwyn Beuno,
Bontnewydd was jailed for seven years.
During the hearing Ian Jones also admitted possessing £840 in fake bank notes.
Dealing with the fake cash Prosecutor Mathew Dunford said police found what
appeared to be cash in Jones’ home during a search of the property on July 30th
2014. On closer inspection they were found to be counterfeit.
Mr Dunford says Jones made
admissions they were fake during a police interview. Andrew
Jebb, defending Ian Jones, said he was married with three children and they
would suffer greatly when he was jail. "It will be his first custodial
sentence and will have a considerable impact upon him," said
Mr Jebb. John Wyn Williams, defending Kevin Jones,
said: “Express Motors has been going for many years and it's tragic for the
local community which is losing this facility.”
Mr Williams said Jones accepted his part in the
demise of the company would be paid for by a jail sentence.
A third son, Keith Jones, 51, of Caer
Berllan, Llanddaniel, Anglesey was
handed a six year prison sentence.
Rheinallt Williams,
44, of Rhyd Fadog Estate, Deiniolen was a driver at Express Motors. He
admitted a charge of conspiring with others to commit fraud by making false
representations to make a financial gain before the trial began. Williams was
jailed for 12 months. Brett Williamson, defending Williams, said he was married
with three young children. He might have been guilty of misguided loyalty and
feared losing his job, said Mr Williamson, and
was “simply devastated that he has placed in jeopardy all that he holds
dear”.
Sentencing the judge said someone at the firm realised a fraud was possible and
each fraudulent swipe was “quite literally money in the bank for Express
Motors. The fraud was one of breathtaking arrogance,” the judge said.
The Jones' were said to have instructed others
to increase the number of concessionary passes swiped; excessively swiping
concessionary cards and submitted false concessionary payments scheme
claim forms to Gwynedd council.
The scam involved using lost or stolen
concessionary bus passes to tot up bogus trips and then claiming the cash from
the council. In all 88,000 bogus journeys were made using 32 such cards. One of
the cards belonged to a man who had died and the jury heard the card continued
to be used fraudulently for some months after his death. Eric Jones' own pass
was used to make bogus claims although he claimed he had mislaid it for a few
weeks and didn't know it was being used fraudulently.
A surprise unveiling at Euro Bus Expo was Project 523, the first coach spawned by the Volvo and MCV partnership in the UK
The coach has already generated eight orders from London-based Golden Tours
Volvo has added what it describes as “a competitively-priced, fixed-specification” coach to its already extensive retail line-up thanks to an extension of its burgeoning relationship with Egyptian bodybuilder partner MCV.
Mounted on a two-axle B11R chassis, the as-yet unnamed product has been given the working name of Project 523.
It is made of stainless steel, and it is a completely new body; Volvo is at pains to stress that it has not been adapted from an existing product that MCV supplies to its core markets of Africa and the Middle East.
Project 523 is 12.65m long and 3.60m high. It comes with 53 Brusa Create 120 half-leather seats that also include USB charging points, drop-down tables, magazine nets and three-point belts. Volvo quotes the retail price as £215,000.
The new body debuts this week at Euro Bus Expo, with a example in the colours of Golden Tours on Volvo’s stand. Golden Tours has ordered eight, with all planned to be in service by Q1 2019.
Addition of the MCV-bodied B11R represents further growth for what is unquestionably the widest range of coaches in the market. What is Volvo’s thinking behind the new model?
Entry-level coach
Retail Sales Director James Hyde explains Volvo’s belief that the MCV-bodied B11R will not cannibalise sales that the manufacturer would otherwise have made in conjunction with existing bodybuilder partners Jonckheere, Plaxton or Sunsundegui.
Instead, it is an entry-level product, but it is well-suited to many tasks, says Mr Hyde; although some buyers may purchase it for shorter-distance duties, the relatively generous specification will also suit higher-mileage use.
“The demand for a competitively-priced, fixed-specification coach that can undertake a wide range of work is growing, and the B11R MCV has been developed to bring more value and choice to operators,” he says. “Introduction of Project 523 has been driven by a very competitive marketplace. It completes our range in the UK and we believe that it is another string to our bow.”
ADL Falkirk's contributions by Gordon Scott to the NEC Show
Gordon sent me a few pictures at the end of last week warning me that they could not be posted before the show. So here below are those few pictures.
ADL BYD LJ68BYO a Pure electric for show at Falkirk on October 26th by Gordon
Scott.
NEx Dundee 6687 having just returned from NEC Show in Birmingham on November 2nd
2018 by Gordon Scott.
Remembrance Day is fast approaching
With this year's Remembrance Day only a week or so away, this year has a special significance as one hundred years ago at 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month 1918 the First World War ended.
There are numerous buses around commemorating the day and one very special one is shown below in a picture taken by Gordon Scott.
Lothian 551 seen on November 1st in Edinburgh.
Stagecoach South do have two E300s and South East an E400 all with Poppy branding but I don't have any pictures so far. A challenge for m y readers to send pictures of Poppy buses for next week's issue.
Green ‘plates for green vehicles?
This example is purely for
illustrative purposes and the final version will be part of the consultative
process.
The government is to consult on whether green-backed number plates should be introduced for zero-emission (ZE) vehicles. They are already used in Norway, Canada and China and could help to encourage the take-up of ZE vehicles
As well as promoting ZE vehicles, green ‘plates could help support local incentives such as access to bus or low emission vehicle lanes, electric charging bays or ultra-low-emission-zones.
Shopping centre boost to Oxford Park & Ride
Oxford Bus Company’s Park & Ride service has carried more than three million passengers since the Westgate Shopping Centre opened in the city centre a year ago.
That is 50,000 more passenger journeys than the total in the previous 12 months, and follows improvements to the service ahead of the centre’s opening.
Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company’s Managing Director commented “The increase in passenger growth on our Park & Ride services is encouraging after significant investment in the fleet and branding, along with improved timetables, ticketing and staff training.”
West Midlands variety & changes by Dylan Jones
Once again I am giving some space to a report on matters West Midlands from Dylan Jones. It may tempt some readers to have a look at this area which does have great variety.
Dylan writes "Been a few weeks since I last sent some photos in - I have been very busy of late but still been getting out on the weekends."
First up, I thought I would mention the various rumours
going around at the moment as to where the new Platinums will be allocated.
Xplore Dundee are gaining their own batch in a Emerald livery - you may have
seen a photo of one.
The 126 was reduced to
just the Dudley to Birmingham section in the recent changes. 6119 is one of 24
of the standard Enviro 400 MMCs based at Pensnett depot, pictured on the Hagley
Road at Bearwood as it heads for Dudley
The new X7 and X8 routes take different routes
between Dudley and Birmingham and are using the Platinums previously found on
the 126. The X8 follows the existing 125 as far as Bearwood, where it continues
onto Quinton, then Blackheath and onto Dudley. Here is 6775 at Bearwood
3303 is one of 5 Wright StreetDecks in the
fleet, as pictured at Bearwood heading for Stourbridge on the 9.
6718 is the last of the Scarborough built
Platinums new in 2015. Pictured at Merry Hill it was new to Birmingham Central
for the 900/957 routes (now X1/X2) and is now based at Pensett for the X10
between Gornal Wood and Birmingham via Merry Hill, where it is pictured. As
mentioned above it could soon be on the move again
Looking immaculate is 804 that is a recent
repaint into the crimson livery. Here it is at Merry Hill with a 7 to Wollaston
Junction. This bus was new on now ceased route 99 between Birmingham and
Halesowen via the QE hospital, Harborne and Quinton. NXWM It was withdrawn due
to reliability issues and replaced by the 244, now 19
Diamond 31102 is the only of the two longer Hanson’s E200s still in the Midlands, with 31101 having moved with a former Central Buses example to Stanwell depot, near Heathrow. Here is 31102 with a 287 working to Stourbridge.
The other former value branded route, still with
branding, is the 002. This operates from Merry Hill to Weoley Castle via Lye,
Halesowen and Bartley Green. It has long been one of Diamonds most profitable
routes, providing a key link from Halesowen towards South Birmingham, that is
not available from a direct NXWM route. Former Whippet of Swavesey, 30952
AE59EHP was formerly used on the Cambridge Busway
2110 climbs into Stourbridge Interchange with an
8 working. Had I have been earlier, this was my location of choice for a photo
of 2102
Outer Circle branded 4511 passes the former
Selly Oak Garage with an 11A, as viewed from a higher positioned retail park
From your recent page I can recollect writing to you
about unusual bodied coach during July Didcot Rail replacement I am sure this
must be the VNZ 4460,
Also mention ex London United Darts 726 ending DVV that or
one very similar seems to have replaced a broken down Solo on Didcot town service 94
by Whites of Culham
Fleet News
From Luke Braham
Two more ex-High Wycombe Wright Eclipses have recently entered service at Aylesbury depot. These being 3861 KE05 FMX and 3864 KE05 FMU with 3864 being repainted into the latest livery after a period off the road. They are both seen while operating the 300/X30 rota between Aylesbury and High Wycombe on 1st November.
These are extremely atmospheric pictures. Ed.
DAF/Alexander ALX400 6309 Y509 UGC has since returned to
service at Aylesbury depot after spending some time at High Wycombe and being
loaned briefly to Milton Keynes.
Arriva are certainly getting their moneys' worth out
of these buses!
Now pictures from other contributors.
Once part of the Wycombe fleet, 3864 with a 300 arrives in Aylesbury on
October 26th by Tony Bungay.
The X30 is a quicker service between High Wycombe and Aylesbury and above
3926 is seen in Aylesbury on
October 26th by Tony Bungay.
On a recent visit to hospital in Reading, driven by Gavin, I took this
picture of 3912 passing 3012 (numerical coincidence) heading for Caversham
on October 30th by Malcolm Crowe.
Southern Counties
320 route branded MMC 6523 is seen in
Bulleid Way with a 758 service on October 31st by Gavin Francis.
When one of the orange branded Link 40 buses is off, we recently seem to get
Solo 713 but on November 2nd in the bright late afternoon sun, 421 is seen
heading for Thame.
First glimpse of the Cancer wrap was captured by James Freeman. 368 N1OXF is seen standing in the yard at Watlington Road depot.
Gavin Francis was able to record this bus in service on November 4th as seen
above.
Sister 367 is seen on a Fireworks Special to South Park loading in Thornhill
on November 3rd by Gavin Francis.
Ex Brookes all grey 602 is seen with a 2A service in Magdalen Street East on
October 31st by Gavin Francis.
Citaro 883 is seen loading a Wolvercote service 6 on October 31st by Gavin
Francis.
A picture from Theo Freeman of 971 near the train station.
We mentioned those from the acquired fleet now expected to be retained by Oxford Bus are shown below. The remainder of the fleet are to be replaced by Oxford's 201-205.
These will be 2058, 2059, 2902, 2903, 2904 and 2908. This includes T110 and 115TBW ex Oxford Park & ride 110 and 115.
Dennis Trident SFD134BR2 | Alexander ALX400 | 2906 | LY02 OAE | 2002 |
Dennis Trident SFD134BR2 | Alexander ALX400 | 2907 | LY02 OBK | 2002 |
Gavin Francis caught generic 44 with the 1545 Bristol service on November
3rd leaving Gloucester Green.
Ralph Adams has provided us with some interesting facts regarding services centred on Oxford.
From Ralph Adams
I have just been looking in more detail with the Sn-ap services
Mon/Thur |
Fri |
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Sat |
Sun |
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Oxford |
08:30 |
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05:45 |
13:30 |
20:30 |
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08:30 |
15:30 |
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12:30 |
19:30 |
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Bristol |
10:22 |
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07:49 |
15:22 |
22:22 |
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10:22 |
17:22 |
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14:22 |
21:22 |
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Bristol |
12:30 |
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18:00 |
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10:00 |
16:00 |
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18:00 |
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Brum |
14:57 |
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20:25 |
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12:25 |
18:25 |
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20:55 |
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Brum |
16:45 |
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09:45 |
16:45 |
22:45 |
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12:45 |
19:45 |
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16:15 |
22:45 |
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Oxford |
18:49 |
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11:49 |
18:49 |
00:49 |
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14:49 |
21:49 |
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18:19 |
00:49 |
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Oxford |
08:45 |
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06:30 |
12:45 |
19:45 |
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08:45 |
15:45 |
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12:45 |
19:45 |
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Brum |
10:50 |
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08:22 |
14:49 |
21:49 |
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10:50 |
17:49 |
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14:49 |
21:49 |
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Brum |
12:45 |
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17:30 |
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10:00 |
16:00 |
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18:30 |
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Bristol |
15:19 |
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19:54 |
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12:24 |
18:24 |
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20:54 |
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Bristol |
17:00 |
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10:30 |
17:30 |
23:30 |
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12:30 |
19:30 |
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16:00 |
22:30 |
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Oxford |
18:51 |
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12:21 |
19:21 |
01:21 |
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14:21 |
21:21 |
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17:51 |
00:21 |
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COMS provide two coaches every day to Bristol and
Birmingham. On Mondays / Thursday only one trip each day with a day time trip
between Bristol & Birmingham. At weekends, the Bristol / Birmingham service is
provided by someone else but they need two coaches as the vehicles cross over
mid journey. They cannot be covered by the COMS coaches. It does not appear to
be National Express or Megabus and I cannot find any other coach operator
between these two cities.
Sn-ap also provide a service between Oxford & London. This is a logical service as they book six seats on a scheduled service so the cost is minimal. If no passengers, they probably pay nothing.
The picture shown last week of new 621 working a T1 service to Watlington was I am assured a once only event, so good on James Freeman for getting that picture!
Scania 229 seen loading an X38 working in St Aldates
on November 3rd by Gavin Francis.
Note the blind is Wallingford for Henley and Reading to draw attention to
passengers that this is not a direct Reading service.
Start Hill based SH249 BF68LDK with an A7 working
by Elizabeth Bridge on November 3rd by Gavin Francis.
Note the Poppy almost always carried by National Express coaches at this
time of year. Would that other operators did something similar.
Gavin Francis spent time in Newbury this week and his efforts are shown below. It seems appropriate to record these days since much may change in the coming months.
I was also in Reading and a few pictures taken are included under the Reading heading.
Reading 201 MRD1 turns into Tilehurst Rd on
September 28th by Malcolm Crowe. I think this was a nr 1 working.
Pink 421 is seen with a 25 working in Peppard
Road on October 30th by Malcolm Crowe.
Ex London LJ04LDL, Reading's 527 is seen in
Caversham with a 22 working on October 30th by Malcolm Crowe.
And now on to matters Newbury. The bus station seen is to be replaced by a new bus station located on the site of a bus station from many years ago.
How many readers remember the Bovril advert with the three children standing
in order of height?
The fleet of branded buses for the jetblack service are split between Reading and Newbury (Mill Street) with one duty each day which starts or finishes in Newbury. This allows for change over/maintenance etc.
Fleet pictures by Gavin Francis taken on October 30th 2018
1202 (two pictures, 1205 and 1207 all
seen in Newbury on the Jet Black 1 service.
Now diesel powered but once Hybrid, 219 SN61BAA,
in generic livery with a 1 working in NEWBURY.
More often pictured on the 702 in London, Gavin
caught the same bus working the nr 1 to Reading leaving Newbury.
Welcome to Kennections the name for your local services in Newbury, Hungerford and the Kennet Valley!
Fleet pictures by Gavin Francis.
We have had pictures of 164 previously but this
bus did feature working the day that Gavin visited. The rear is very plain!
165 is seen working the route 6 waiting for
passengers in the bus station.
Scania 1105 is seen again in the bus station
loading for service 2.
VODAFONE Bus Service
Reading/Newbury provides a special bus service to Vodafone Headquarters numbered V1. Buses used are based at Mill Street, Newbury.
Fleet comprises 4 (spare), 21-26, 191-192, 781-782, 1104. These buses are painted plain red with no other branding.
Fleet pictures by Gavin Francis.
A very smart Irizar nr 23 YN17ONH with a V1 service.
An equally smart 66 plate MMC also working the V1, nr 781 SN66WRC.
The renumbering of the Newbury & District fleet which so far has not taken place, is intended to be as hereunder. This plan neatly fits into the main Reading fleet. Reading 840 is shown and this is away being repainted black at the time we went to press. GR is Greenham Common and DT was Didcot.
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I am advised that 852
and 853, still in Midland Classic
livery, should also be included.
For a picture see link below:
http://wmbusphotos.com/MidlandClassic/57.html
Fleet pictures by Gavin Francis.
Solo C15TCL to 175 under the renumbering is seen
leaving on a 103b service resplendent in red and black.
Soon to be 177, 178 and 179 with various routes
in Newbury.
Soon to be 650 YX63 is seen on 1C to Thatcham
Broadway.
Soon to be 655 is seen with a 123 working.
Seen variously with a 124 and then a 1A, soon to
be 657 is seen around Newbury.
Soon to be 788 in the Reading fleet list, SN16OHF
is seen with a 1D working leaving Newbury.
Other operators seen in Newbury
ReadiBus 29 DK57JJV seen in Newbury.
Stagecoach South 27833 and 27834 working the Link
to Basingstoke.
A rather elderly Dart from Stagecoach South 35123
working the 7 to Andover.
Weavaway VDL WA64CVY in Newbury.
Wilfreda Beehive YN17OJD with a Warners Holidays
tour in Newbury.
in Oxfordshire
Nice to have a few more pictures from Theo Freeman shown below.
Theo caught an E300 Gold, 28744, working the B6 in Banbury on November 1st.
Midlands
James Freeman caught up with a branded ALX400 at Northampton. Its 18155
PX04DPU seen on October 19th with an overall for Hits Radio!.
West
I rather liked this picture, taken I guess from
an upper deck of another bus, we see 10989 leaving Gloucester Green for the
long run to Swindon on November 1st.
A picture by Theo Freeman.
From Carl Berry
I thought you might be interested in a picture of ex
Oxford Tube 50206 OU09FMY now happily advertising the Scottish X76 service to
passengers in Bristol whilst helping with the local rail replacements that are
going on this month.
Once 50206 in the tube fleet the coach is seen at Bristol Parkway, now owned by Coach Miles of Thatcham on October 30th.
Picture by Carl Berry.
Not everything goes to plan and even tube coaches
get punctures. Here is 50275 in Wycombe Coachway receiving attention.
Taken by Gavin Francis on October 29th.
New Megabus 54609, now named mega-tron, laying
prior to working an M12 service to Newcastle on October 31st by Gavin
Francis.
Two of these new coaches, 54601 and 54603 are now stationed at Ayr for work on the X77. They are to be repainted into standard Stagecoach livery and branded appropriately.
London Operators
This recently pictured Electric sightseeing bus spent all day at rest due to
technical problems. October 31st by Gavin Francis.
New buses have appeared on the C1 and here is London United's BE37032 by VCS
on October 31st taken by Gavin Francis.
This is another Enviro 200EV Electric Bus.