Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the December 2016 edition of Busmopolitan, and Happy New Year.
The top news is of the withdrawal of the last of Hedingham Omnibuses’ Volvo Olympians, ahead of the double deck DDA deadline (for registered bus services) at 2359 on December 31st. However, several other Essex operators will continue to use step entrance double deckers, on work where the DDA rule does not apply, namely private charters, rail replacement and “closed” school contracts.
Other interesting news is the arrival of the first Class 345 Electric Multiple Unit trains for the future CrossRail.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer CC05 BLU has had its blue skirt repainted orange. The rest remains white.
SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer SIL 6719 retain blue/white and its name from its days with Panther Travel.
Services 14 (Basildon-Corringham) and 261 (Brentwood-Blackmore) were de-registered from 23/12/16  and 16/12/16, repectively. Amber had run 261 commercially since 2013. From 28/12/16, 374 (Grays-Basildon) was revised to serve Fobbing. Council contracted 374 started in 2009, originally with Ensignbus and subsequently Go Ride and Imperial.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 no 4012 at Maldon Road on 7/12/16.

From Arriva Kent and Surrey at Guildford is ADL/Enviro 200 4018. These and its sisters entered service retaining Surrey adverts.
Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 3413-15 (SN54 HWY, HXA/B) are due to move to Guildford.
Withdrawn is SLF/Pointer 3314 (S312 JUA) – the last in TGM livery. 3329 (X521 GGO) is due for withdrawal.

Above: Volvo B7RLE 3819, recently repainted out of SxConnect colours, at the top of North Hill, Colchester on 23/12/16. It is unusually on route 2.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Ex Ware Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 3876/79 (KX11 PUK/Y) have lost their Route 310 branding, but 3880 (KX11 PVA) currently retains it.
Driver trainer DAF SB120/Wright Cadet T941 (GK52 YVF) has come from Arriva Medway Towns. It may be used at other locations too.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).

Two of the former London 51 reg DAF SB120/Wright Cadets remain active – 3504/7 (KE51 PUH, PUO). 3507 is pictured (above) in its London days, at Upminster in March 2008, when working from Arriva Southend Grays depot. Grays is now part of Arriva London North.
Sister 3530 (LF02 PNK) has been converted into a driver trainer.
DAF SB200/Wright 3963 (GN04 UGA) was on loan to Arriva KT Northfleet, while NF’s ADL/Enviro 200 3986 (GN07 DLO) was under repair at Southend. 3963 then moved on to Ware.
DAF SB120/Cadet 3508 (KE51 PUU) remained on loan at Northfleet, while 3503 (KE51 PUF) was at Northfleet and then with Arriva Kent and Surrey at Maidstone.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
Mb Sprinter SH60 LOF is blue and has Essex County Council branding.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
New Routemaster LT847 has been borrowed from London Central for type training, prior to the conversion of East London Transit to this type from February 2017.
The SOE class Dennis Dart SLF/EL Esteems have spread their wings, with River Road (RR) depot receiving examples from London Central for TfL school routes 646 (Noak Hill-Cranham), 648 (Romford-Cranham). This was because MEC Class Mercedes Citaros were found to be too long. SOEs have also been appearing on TfL346 (Upminster-Cranham). SOE23/24/27 (LX09 AZG/J/O) have arrived so far.
From Docklands Buses is Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 WVL432 (LX11 FJK).
TfL346 is allocated ADL/Enviro 200s SE230-32,, but SEN38 has been regularly seen.
ADL/Enviro 200 SE148 (YX61 DTO) has transferred to London General.
Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED20 (LX07 BYL) has been running with no fleet names. It was seen (below) on High Road, Loughton on 17th December.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 9 (S290 TVW) and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 561/69 (V303 LGC, W484 WGH), have been transferred to Hedingham Omnibuses.

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
New are Vauxhall Vivaro 8 seat minibuses 26 (EA66 HMH), 21(EA66 HMU), EA66 HMX and Renault Master EU66 FLD.

CT PLUS.
Fire damaged ADL/Enviro 40H Citybus2510 (SN16 OHZ) is under repair at Plaxtons, Anston. Borrowed from Abellio London to cover is Abellio London ADL/Enviro 40D MMC 2400 (YY64 GXG).
Withdrawn are Dennis Trident/EL Vykings HTL2, 9, 11, 12 (LR52 LTN, LWJ, PF52 TGZ, LR52 LYC). 2 and 9 had been disused since spring 2016.

DBS.
Class 08 diesel electric shunter 08934 continued to be resident at Dagenham Dock during December.
Class 66 EMD diesel electric loco 66182 was at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich – on a sand train on 14/12/16.
66158 visited Ingatestone on an engineering train on 26/12/16. It came from Whitemoor.

DE VERE TRAVEL, SIBLE HEDINGHAM.
Route 330 (Belchamp St Paul-Great Yeldham), ceased after 23/12/16.

DONS OF DUNMOW.
Scania K410EB6/Irizar YN16 WUP is now DH16 DON.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
The remaining VWL Class Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis, now with London General are being withdrawn. Their last bastion has been on TfL180 (Lewisham-Thamesmead East). They are being replaced by ex London Central PVL Class Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents.
Sold to Ensign are VWL6, 14 (LB02 YXD/M), VWL17/18/21/26/27/29 (LF52 TGO/U/Y, THU/V/Z), DWL40/44 (BX04 BBF, BKJ).

Above: VWL23 in Greenwich on 12/3/16, on a 180 short working.

EASYJET.
The latest Airbus A320-214 here is G-EZPT.

EMPRESS OF LONDON, BETHNAL GREEN.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premieres SIL 4016 ex N247 HWX and TIL 3318 ex P328 VWR have passed to York Pullman
Sold to Outen, Purfleet (dealer) are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount NIL 4417 ex F297 RMH; B10M/VH H533 WGH and B10M/Plaxton Premiere K60 CAP. H533 WGH was resold to Viceroy of Essex at Saffron Walden.
Sold is B10M/Premiere LIG 2236 ex W616 FUM.

ENSIGNBUS.
Joining the fleet as no 651, is ex Metroline 8.9m ADL/Enviro 200 YX09 FMJ. It is for new Brentwood local route 61 (Brentwood-Blackmore), which replaces Amber 261.
The last Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale, 829 (P429 UUG) has passed to Carters of Kettering.
BCI Enterprise 403 (LX66 GXE) moved on loan from Reading Buses to Mortons of Tadley, before returning to Ensign.
There have been adjustments to services 12 (Aveley The Village-Lakeside), 44 (Lakeside-Purfleet-Grays), 66 (Lakeside-Tilbury-Chadwell St Mary), 73 (Lakeside-Tilbury), 83 (Lakeside-Chadwell St Mary).
The annual X10 (Lakeside-Southend) ran on Boxing Day. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 101 (PIJ 601) was used, alongside Volvo B9TL/Optare Olympus 118 (PO58 NPX) and some of the 15 reg B9TL/Gemini2s. Arriva and First run no routes in the area on 26th December, although Southend Transport did many years ago.
AEC PRV Rputemaster RMC1485 (485 CLT) was temporarily decorated green for a More Than insurance promotion.

EOS LONDON, RAINHAM.
Loaned Optare Solos YJ59 GHB/G were resold by Ensign to Yorkshire Tiger.
Commercial service 87 (Harlow-Epping) has been de-registered.
Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano LK53 FDF is 759. LK03 NLT is thought to be 762.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano no 760 at Loughton High Road on 17/12/16, on ex Arriva route 542.

EUROSTAR.
Class 373 EMU sets 373004/04, 373019/20 have been towed to EMR, Kingsbury, for scrap.

EUROWINGS.
New is Airbus A320-214 D-AEWS.
A320-214 D-AEWM is in an overall advert for Eurowings Boomerang Club.

FIRST ESSEX.
ADL/Enviro 200s 44001-4 (LK57 EJC-F) have transferred to First South West.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33184 (LR02 LZD) has returned to service at Colchester (CR) following accident repairs. It had partially overturned at West Mersea in April 2016. It is mainly on “light duties”, such as staff shuttles.
Wright Streetlite 63339 is delicensed due to accident damage, and has gone for repair.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s 32475/76 (AU53 HJJ/K) have received super rear adverts for CT1 industrial adhesive. 32476, was spotted (below) at Head Street, Colchester on 8/12/16.

Traffic changes from 4/12/16, saw 41 (Galleywood-Chelmsford) extended to/from Chignal Estate, while 51 (Galleywood-Chignal Estate), was withdrawn between Chelmsford city centre and Chignal and re-routed to Channels Estate. The Chelmer Valley-Broomfield section of the Chelmsford Park and Ride, passed to Essex CC Community Link, from the same date.

The FITNESS COLLECTIVE, LONDON E14.
Has ex Metroline Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer LR02 BEU, via Ensign.

FLAGFINDERS.
The low floor double deck fleet has grown, with the arrival of ex London United EL Myllennyum Vyking bodied Volvo B7TLs PG04 WHF/G, via Ensign. They are now single door and led destination fitted.
Sold is Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale P265 PSX.
There is a regular allocation at Tollesbury outstation. It is Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale P263 PSX and Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents LK03 NHG/V.
During December, B7TL/President LK03 NHF, Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH G805 GSX and Bova Futura GB55 FLG also appeared.

Above: Tollesbury outstation on 2/12/16.

FLYBE.
New is Dornier DHC-8 402 turboprop G-PRPF.

FORDS OF ALTHORNE.
Yet another Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 here is S807 BWC. It is a former London, latterly Yorkshire example, sourced through Ensign.

FREIGHTLINER.
All of the electric locomotive have transferred from Crewe to Basford Hall depots (as their maintenance base).
On 2/12/16, Intermodal Class 90 electric loco 90047 appeared on the Ipswich-Felixstowe branch, hauled “dead” (naturally as this route is not electrified) – at the rear of a FSA container wagon consist; with Class 66 EMD diesel electric 66537 leading. On 7/12/16, 90047 was loaded onto an Alleley’s low loader at Felixstowe.
On 4/12/16, Heavy Haul Class 66 EMD diesels 66415 and 66585 were on PW duties at Shenfield, while 66514 has become the regular ‘Thunderbird’ loco there.
66546 was noted on Intermodal on 12/12/16. This had been Heavy Haul.
The GEML was closed south of Witham over Christmas, for engineering work. FLHH 66528 and 66601 brought PW trains along to Ingatestone. 66523 was at Forest Gate. All originated from Whitemoor (March).

GB RAIL FREIGHT.
Class 92 electric locomotive 92032 continued to be resident at Dagenham Dock in December.
66732/47 were present at Ingatestone on 25th December, with trains for the above engineering work. 66771 came on Boxing Day. All originated from Whitemoor.
66771 and 66776 visited Parkeston Quay separately in late December. This is reportedly the first time that GBRf ’66s have visited this NE Essex location. 66771 was on North Walsham tanks, while 66776 was a “super shunter” for Network Rail.

GREATER ANGLIA.
The first of the ‘Renatus’ (Latin for ‘born again’) refurbished Class 321 EMUs was launched on 16/12/16 at Southend Victoria. It carries a white/red/grey livery. In total 321301-30 will become ‘Renatus’ specified, with re-traction.
Now with the new GA branding are DVTs 82112/14/18/21/39/43/52, Class 90 electric locos 90001/03-5/08-14, DMUs 153314, 156402/07/16/22, EMUs 321306/12/13/14/15/19/20/23/24/27/28/29/32/33/34/36/38/39/40/42/47/49/51/52/53/61/62/63/65/66, 321423/24/25/28/30/33/35/37/47, 317510, 317659/61/63/69, 360101-03/05/08-14/16-18/20. 321326 is partly rebranded. 321306/13/14/15/19/20/23/24/26/28/424/28/30 retain National Express grey/white colours. All others are overall white. 321333 has raised unit nos in smaller font.
On 5/12/16, Class 153 single car DMU 153314 appeared on Marks Tey-Sudbury, unusually on a weekday.

Above: 156416 at Marks Tey on 16/12/16.

HEDINGHAM.
From Anglian is Dennis Trident/EL 712 (T812 RFG).

Further ex Konectbus Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis are 512/14 (LB02 YXA/F). They and sister 513 (LB02 YXE) both quickly relocated from Clacton (CN) to Sible Hedingham (HD). 514 is seen (top) at Clacton on 7/12/16.
510 (LB02 YWX) arrived at Kelvedon (KN) from Konect on 22nd December. It was pictured (above), being collected from Anglian at Ellough. It moved on to HD on 30th December.
Received from Chambers on 28th December, were Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 561/63 (V303/7 LGC), 569 (W484 WGH). They retained Chambers route branding, but lost Chambers fleet names.
B7TL/Plaxton President 580 (W527 WGH) moved from CN to KN on 21st December, with 579 (W526 WGH) coming to KN from CN on 23rd December. 575 moved CN to KN on December 29th. 560 (EU53 MVZ) went HD to KN on 30/12/16. The low floor conversion at KN is virtually complete. Both CN and HD are responsible for maintaining the buses at KN. B7TLs 574/75/76/78/79/81 remain the responsibility of Clacton, while B7TLs 560/61/63/69/73/77, Tridents 737-39/43 are looked after by HD. When KN regained depot status in July 2016, its workshop (closed in May 2013) did not re-open. B7TL/Gemini 510 is regarded as the HD maintenance spare for KN, while B7TL/President 580 is the CN maintenance spare for KN. 577 (W518 WGH) is also due at KN from HD.
Dennis Trident/ELs 702/17 (T802/17 RFG) 729/34 (W829/34 NNJ) have been upgraded to DDA specification by Hants and Dorset Trim. 702/29/34 have moved from HD to CN. 723 went from CN to HD in exchange for Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 256 (EU55 BWC).
All of the former Brighton and Hove EL Tridents are now concentrated at CN. Trident/EL 712 (T812 RFG) has returned to CN from Anglian and is delicensed.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 738 (T108 DBW) moved from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Kelvedon (KN) on 2nd December. Following accident damage, 738 returned to HD on 7/12/16, and was replaced by Trident 737 (T107 DBW). 738 returned to KN on 14/12/16, but following another accident the following day went back to HD for further attention, emerging again on 30th December. 739 (T117 DBW) moved HD to KN on 22/12/16. 743 (X386 NNO) moved HD to KN on 21/12/16. B7TL/President 560 (EU53 MVZ) and Tridents 737/8/9 have been renumbered LH560, 737/8/9. This is to do with their use on Honywood School contracts from KN, on routes that have to go under two low railway bridges.
Withdrawn is Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 83 (M273 UKN), parts of which have been used to repair 84 (M276 UKN). Also withdrawn is Volvo Olympian/NC 67 (P605 CAY), which went to store at HD.
The last Olympians in use were 71/3 (R626/43 MNU), 75 (S300 XHK), 76 (S127 RLE), 84 (M276 UKN), 87 (P489 MBY), 89 (N529 LHG), 90 (N540 LHG), 92 (P910 RYO). They were withdrawn after service on 21/12/16, with 73, 75, 84 being ferried from KN to CN. The remainder were transferred to Anglian at Ellough for storage on 22/12/16.

Above: Volvo Olympians line up at Frostenden at dawn on 22/12/16, nearing their destination of Anglian at Ellough.

Above: The Olympians upon arrival at Ellough.

Above: Olympians 71 and 89 flank Anglian Optare Versa no 305.

Above: The Olympians amongst withdrawn Anglian Optare Solos, and also a MAN gas bus.

Above: Olympian no 73 ascends North Hill, Colchester on the “final day special” 87 working, on 23/12/16.

IPSWICH BUSES.
ADL/Enviro 200 MMC demonstrator 500 (YX65 RKK) has moved on, ex loan.

Issued for Christmas are bus themed coasters, mugs and jigsaw puzzles. They feature IB fleet members wearing Santa hats; DAF DB250LF/EL Vyking 100 (PN52 XBM), Optare Versa 148 (YK08 DPE), Mb Citaro 153 (BF65 WMY).

Above: One of the latest “classic” ADL/Enviro 200s for IB. No 106 at Tower Ramparts on 10/12/16.

JACKSONS, BICKNACRE.
Sold is X839 HEE, a Mercedes 1223L/Ferqui.

JOHN JAMES LUXURY TRAVEL, DAGENHAM.
SN05 YKS is a Mercedes 0814D/CIMO midi coach.

JOHNS SCHOOL OF MOTORING, HACKNEY.
Has ex Go-Ahead London Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer SN51 UAH – via Ensign.

KEANE TRAVEL, STANFORD LE HOPE.
Ex Plymouth Citybus Volvo B7TL/EL Vyking PN02 XCM is here, via Ensign.

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
Van Hool EX16H YJ16 EPX was returned to Arriva Bus and Coach, Wellingborough, off loan in early December.

LONDON CENTRAL.
Irizar electric bus EL1 is being used on peak journeys on TfL108 (Lewisham-Stratford).
The DW/DWL Class DAF SB120/Wright Cadets, ED class Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions at New Cross (NX) on TfL108 (Lewisham-Stratford) are being replaced by refurbished ex London General MEC Class Mercedes Citaros. There has been an influx of MECs, with 5, 7, 8, 9, 10/12/14/17/20/27/32/37/50 (BG09 JJX/Z, JKE/J, BD09 ZPS/U/X, ZRA, BF59 NHJ, BD09 ZVX, ZWC, BT09 GPJ) arriving during December. Meanwhile, from Blue Triangle is ADL/Enviro 200 SE90 (YX11 CPU) – now at Camberwell (Q).
DWLs stood down are DWL21/22/26. EDs withdrawn are ED1,3,4,6,7.

Above: ED2 at Stratford on May 2013.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
All of the coaches at Start Hill (SH) look to have received additional fleet nos on their roofs.
Received from Harry Shaw, Coventry, are Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levantes SH216/17/20 (BX65 WCU/O, WDJ).

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Former East Thames Buses, latterly London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis BX04 AZU/W, have arrived. They were supplied by Ensign. They have received a white based livery with no blue relief.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
There were changes to school services from 5/12/16.
New were 475 (High Ongar-Brentwood), 478 (Willingale-Brentwood).
St Martins School Hutton routes 481-86 became normal stopping routes, ex “closed” school runs.

OLYMPUS, HARLOW.
The site at Parkway has been cleared of remaining vehicles.
Disused Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther CN05 DZF is sold; along with Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer V196 ERG – which had been used as a security hut at this location, and similar Y161 NLK.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: Panther Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 611, on Greater Anglia rail replacement, is passed by Metroline Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer DLD694, at Finsbury Square, London EC1, on 11/12/16.

Ex Kingsleys of Washington is former Lothian Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer Y182 CFS. It arrived in Lothian livery, and was quickly dispatched to Mardens for repaint into Panther colours.
Short ADL/Enviro 200 DC61 PAN has been offered for sale.
DAF DB250LF/EL AB02 PAN (ex FD02 UKR) has been repainted into fleet livery by Mardens, ex Arriva. It has been named ‘Phil’. Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 BIG 7758 has been internally refurbished by Duoflex, emerging with dual purpose seats, seatbelts and a tachograph.
Stored Dennis Lance SLF/Wright BIG 7793, Leyland Olympian/ECW coach BIG 4005 and Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther AB07 PAN, have moved from Colchester outstation. Leyland Olympian/ECW coach D511 PPU and Leyland National JHJ 150V have similarly moved from from Parkeston. All have gone to an undisclosed secure location.
Disused/store shed Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL K518 ESS has gone to Takeley Metals for scrap.

Above: K518 ESS on 1/8/16.

PHILIPS OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.

New is DAF/Irizar YN66 VYM. It is seen (above), in Maldon on 14/12/16.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Mb 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah YN06 RVP has been acquired from Hallmark. It has been repainted blue and named ‘Regal Explorer’.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Bova Magique KC08 ABC is now V24 ROM.
Sold is Iveco 40C13/Mellor 16 seater EO52 EEH.

RYANAIR.
Another new Boeing 737-8AS here is EI-FTI.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Denis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17851 (LX03 BZE) in from Selkent, and allocated to West Ham (WH). Withdrawn are Tridents 17409 (Y409 NHK), 17942 (LX53 JYE) and Optare Versas 25306-9.
To overall adverts are:
LT239 – New Balnce; LT251, 397 – to YouTube; LT363 – to Paco Rabanne.
Back to red ex overall adverts Are ADL/E40H 12311; LTs 248, 314/76/94.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
The last active Olympian here is Leyland/NC 947 (H547 VAT). It is used on a closed school contract from Great Dunmow outstation and is maintained at Haverhill depot.
In Reserve are Volvo Olympian/NCs 808-10 (M408-10 RVU) and Dennis Dart/Alexander ALX200 438 (LX51 FGM).
Suffolk Rider ADL/Enviro 200 461 (EU60 CBF), appeared at Clacton outstation in mid December.

SWALLOW, RAINHAM.
Volvo B12T/Plaxton 9700 EU58 PVF ex 09 DL 292 is now plain white, ex white/blue fleet livery.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Ex AP of Crudwell is Mercedes 0815D/Ferqui YX56 AFN.
Setra S315 T243 LBJ is now in fleet livery, ex plain white.
Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah YIL 8559 is delicensed due to accident damage, and has gone for repair.

TfL RAIL.
The first of the new Class 345 EMUs for CrossRail, 345001, arrived at Ilford (IL) depot from Old Dalby Test Track in early December, followed by 345002 by 10th December.

THORNS OF RAYLEIGH.
Scania K124/VH CAZ 7446 ex S555 YMJ is ex Towler of Emneth, Norfolk.

UNO.
More new “Classic” ADL/Enviro 200s are 523-26 (YX66 WGV/W/Y/Z0. They are at Northampton.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Service 27 (Linton-Saffron Walden) was de-registered from 27/12/16.

With thanks to: A Hazell, Anglia Gen, R Delahoy, Ensign, EBN, Essex Buses Yahoo,  Ipswich Buses.