Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the March 2017 edition of Busmopolitan.

Professional drivers have a big responsibility for safety and it was disturbing to hear about an Essex bus driver who concealed his type 2 diabetes from his employer. As a result he was involved in an accident which resulted in the death of an 82 year old pedestrian. The driver had been employed for 5 years by a well known and respected operator, who were completely aware of his medical condition. It also appeared that prescription drugs to control his condition were not used. On the 28th February, 2017, the now former driver was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment, having pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving and committing fraud for personal gain. He was also banned from driving for 3 and a half years and ordered to take an extended driving test at the end of the ban.
This has parallels with the incident in Glasgow in December 2014, when a dustcart ran out of control and killed 6 pedestrians. It was later found that the driver had become incapacitated as the result of a medical condition he had kept hidden from his then current employer, and a previous employer who was a large bus company. In his penultimate job, he had been found unconscious in the cab of a static bus. He was later convicted of being unfit to drive when found behind the wheel of his own car.

On the afternoon of 22/3/17, there was serious terrorist incident on Westminster Bridge, in the heart of London. A Hyundai car, driven at speed – deliberately collided with pedestrians on the south side of the bridge, before crashing into a wall outside the Houses of Parliament. The car’s driver then ran towards the grounds of Parliament and stabbed a police officer on guard at the main gate. The policeman later died from his injuries and the attacker was shot by armed police and also subsequently died. Additionally there were three fatalities amongst those people run down on Westminster Bridge. A further 40 people were injured (including 3 off duty police officers), some seriously. A fifth victim later died in hospital.
The immediate area was locked down. 11 buses were abandoned on the bridge and its approaches (7 red London vehicles, 2 Big Bus open toppers, 1 OLST open topper and one Duck Tours DUKW). Much road traffic was diverted via Vauxhall Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. Bus routes directly affected were 12, 53, 148, 159, 453. Other local thoroughfares closed were Lambeth Bridge, Millbank, Parliament Square, Victoria Embankment, Victoria Street, Whitehall. The bridge re-opened mid 23/3/17.
The only Busmopolitan linked routes which regularly use Westminster Bridge are National Express 481, 484, which then follow the South Bank and London Bridge.
Our thoughts go out to all affected by this dreadful incident.

(Graham Bishop).

ACME, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Sold is Mb 811D/Reebur coach RIB 9468 ex F74 SHY.

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS.
Ex Terravision Scania K360EB6/Irizars YN64 AMO/U are now here. They are 63 seaters.

AMBASSADOR TRAVEL, GREAT YARMOUTH.
From National Express Operations, for continued NX use are Scania K340/Caetano Levantes 124/29/32/34 (FJ11 MKF/V, MJU/X) respectively.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
Since its acquisition by NIBS of Wickford; some NIBS vehicles have appeared on Ambus routes. These were Optare vSolo MX08 UZK, Scania N230UD/Olympus EU59 BFK and Scania Omnicity ‘decker LX08 ECW. Stephensons Dennis Daret SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer EU03 CFX also appeared, having been hired by NIBS – see below.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3818 (GN07 AVE) was still in SxConnect colours in March, while last TGM Liveried Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3314 (S312 JUA) was towed to Southend for disposal.
Dart SLF/Pointer 3329 is now at Stevenage.
An ancillary vehicle to report is Vauxhall Combo van 499 (AR07 HWO).

Above: Ex SxConnect Volvo B7RLE/Wright no 3819 heads into Colchester along Maldon Road on 4/3/17.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
VDL300/Wright 3784 (MX61 AVZ), previously at Stevenage – has been noted.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).

Above: DAF DB250LF/EL no 6256 at Southend Travel Centre on 11/3/17. (Simon Austin).

ADL/Enviro 400MMCs 6500/11/16 have gone on loan to Arriva Kent and Surrey at Maidstone. DAF DB250LF/ELs 6255/58/60 (FD02 UKK/N/S) have come in exchange.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.

Above: Short ADL/Enviro 200 EN14 on TfL379 heads long ADL/Enviro 200 ENX5 on TfL313 at Chingford Station on 17/5/15.

TfL379 (Chingford Station-Yardley Estate) passed to London General North, from 11/3/17.
TfL397 (Debden-Crooked Billet) lost to CT Plus.
ADL/Enviro 200 ENS27 (WLT 807) has gone from Edmonton (EC) to Arriva London South.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 ENS27 at Loughton on an eastbound TfL397 on 19/12/15.

ATS MINIBUSES, BRENTWOOD.

Has been providing a shuttle between Shrub End and Layer Breton on behalf of Hedingham route 92 (Colchester-Tollesbury). This is due to a road closure. See more below. ATS Mercedes Sprinter YN53 CVO was seen at Shrub End on 30/3/17, awaiting connection with a southbound 92 service.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
RHZ 4345 is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur.
Setra S250 6884 YG has reverted to its original registration of N117 FHK. It was new to Crusader Holidays, Clacton.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
New Routemaster LT888 initially entered service here on ELT, but it was soon to be transferred to London General North for TfL76 (Tottenham-Waterloo).
Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED13 (AE56 OUM) has passed to Ensign.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 SE20 on High Road, Chadwell Heath, on 17/9/15.

TfL101 (Wanstead-Gallions Reach) was gained from Stagecoach East London, from 4/3/17. WVL Class Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2s, displaced from East London Transit by New Routemasters, have been allocated to 101.
TfL167 (Debden-Ilford) passed to Stagecoach East London from 11/3/17. The Loughton-Debden section was withdrawn.
TfL362 (Grange Hill-Little Heath) and TfL462 (Limes Farm-Ilford) to Stagecoach East London from 25/3/17.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED6; devoid of fleet names, on TfL167 at Loughton High Road, in December 2009.

Above: Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED22 at Loughton in February 2008. At this time Docklands was the TfL167 contractor, with Blue Triangle taking over subsequently.

Above: Wright Streetlite WS1 in Ilford on 9/3/17, during the last weeks of Blue Triangle working 462. (Daniel Alcott).

BLUELINE. ROCHFORD.
Ex Yorkshire Tiger Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President X675 YUG has been acquired. It was unfortunately damaged (on tow) while on delivery and is now to be used for spare parts.

CROSSRAIL.
A Class 345 EMU appeared at Southend Victoria on test on 30/3/17.

CT PLUS.
TfL397 (Debden-Crooked Billet) has been gained from Arriva London North.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
TfL549 (Loughton Station-South Woodford) passed to Stagecoach East London from 11/3/17.

Above: In original Docklands livery, Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution ED18 departs Loughton Station on TfL549, in December 2008.

Below: Arriva East Herts and Essex ran 549 before Docklands. Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beaver 2195 at Buckhurst Hill in June 2003.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Former vehicles latterly with London General, and now resold through Ensign are:
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis VWL29 (LF52 THZ) – to Crosskeys, Folkestone; VWL25/27/28 (LF52 THN/V/X) – to Sheil Buses, Argyll; VWL43 (BX04 BKK) – to York Pullman.

Above: BX04 BKK being prepared at Ensign on 11/2/17. (Nigel Eadon-Clarke).

ENIGMA TRAVEL, COLCHESTER.
Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas FN02 VCD is ex Martin of Welling.

ENSIGNBUS.
Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolution 785 (AE55 EHM) has been on loan to Nu Venture, Maidstone.

Former St Helens RT BDJ 807 was donated to the Heritage Fleet and is undergoing a major restoration. It had latterly been with Harper Brothers of Heath Hayes, Staffordshire.

EOS LONDON.
Mercedes Sprinter City demonstrator BV66 GYJ is on loan, having previously been on trial with Stephensons of Essex.

EUROSTAR.
The power cars from long stored sets 373101/102 were moved by road from Temple Mills depot to Long Marston on 29/3/17.

EUROWINGS.
New is D-AEWW, another Airbus A320-214.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: At 0600 on 21/3/17, Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 no 32067 at The Walls, on the Mistley/Manningtree border. In the background is the estuary of the River Stour, with the shores of Suffolk beyond. (Wayne Bell).

From First Buses of Somerset are Volvo B10BLE/Wright Endurances 62191 (X685 ADK), 62242 (Y939 CSF). Both are for driver training.
ADL/Enviro 200s 44076/77 (YX58 HVF/G) have gone to First in Somerset.
Ex Chelmsford Park And Ride Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Ecipses 69512-14 have moved to First South Yorkshire.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solar Eclipses 69515/6 (BJ11 ECN/E) entered traffic from Hadleigh (HH) on 8 and 9/3/17 – still in Chelmsford Park and Ride black. 69515 carries silver route branding for 22, 28. By 31/3/17, 69517/9 (BJ11 ECD/V) were also in traffic – by which time all were route branded.
Now into Refreshed livery are Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipses 66818/30 (MX05 CEA, CFJ). Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 43845 (SN55 CXH) now has a non standard front ‘First’ fleet name – in purple and smaller font.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33184 (LR02 LZD) has gained a super rear advert for CO OP Funeralcare.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66829 (MX05 CFG) has lost its super rear advert for Essex Fire and Rescue Service. 66804 (MX05 CCO) now has leather upholstery.

Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32480/1/3 (AU53 HJX/Y, HKA) now have led destinations, ex dot matrix. 32480 was seen (above) at Headgate, Colchester on 30/3/17.
Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital 41730 (X503 JLO) was withdrawn from HH after 8/3/17 – to become a staff bus at Chelmsford (CF), leaving 47135 (X735 HLF) as the last of the type in revenue service here.
Above: 41735 changes crew outside Hadleigh depot on 13/12/14.

Withdrawn and cannibalised are Optare Solo 53135(EO02 NFU) – at CF, following a rear end shunt, and Scania L94UB/Wright Soloar 65683 (YR52 VEU0 at CR – following mechanical failure.

FLAGFINDERS.

Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH R141 EVX is now in fleet livery, ex Buses Ecetera. It is pictured (above) on London Road, Lexden near Colchester, on 23/3/17.
Observed at Tollesbury outstation during March were Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents LK03 NHF/G/V, Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royales P418 KSX, P263 PSX, Volvo Olympian/Alexander R141 EVX. On Fridays (in term time), a coach works a Thurstable School run into Tollesbury, but this vehicle is from Braintree.

Above: Flagfinders Volvo Olympian P418 KSX squeezes through Tollesbury on 2/3/17.

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

FREIGHTLINER.
70018 is another of the ‘Fugleys’ stored for repairs – (DHLT pool). 70020 was also briefly stored then reinstated.
Preserved 47771 has come from the Colne Valley Railway for restoration at Eastleigh.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Ingatestone station has received major improvements, including platform upgrades, better customer facilities, including a new coffee shop and newsagent. The historic station house has also been restored.
Southend depot and sidings has been upgraded with new lighting and pathways.
Class 153 DMU 153322 retained the old Abellio Greater Anglia branding in March.
The first Class 170 DMU to be outshopped in the new livery, following refurbishment is 170270.The work was done by Arriva Traincare at Crewe, and 12 ‘170s are being treated. Also now into the new GA scheme are Class 317 EMUs 317882/86. Class 321 EMU 321321 has received Renatus red/white colours.
Class 317 EMUs returned to Stansted Express on 20/3/17, when 317510/664 appeared.
Ex GTR Class 317 EMUs 317345/46/48 were moved from Ilford TMD (IL) to Parkeston Quay Yard (PQ) on 2/3/17 for storage. They are due to enter GA service in May 2017. 317347 is stored at IL.
‘Pretendalino’ DVT 82126, which GA had used between 2014 and 2016, has been put into sore by DRS at Longtown, Cumbria.

HEDINGHAM.

On loan from Chambers was Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 566 (W428 WGH). It was used on schools at Kelvedon (KN) on 2nd and 3rd March only. B7TL/President 561 (V303 LGC) now has two rear fleet numbers. Ex Chambers 569 (W484 WGH) has received full new Hedingham livery with the addition of a red front dash panel, ex a maroon one.
B7TL/Wright Gemini 510 (LB02 YWX) has been returned to Konect, after repairs following its mechanical failure. B7TL/Plaxton President 577 (W518 WGH) is long term VOR at Sible Hedingham (HD) with gearbox problems.

Scania Omnidekka 1513 (YN55 PZU) appeared at Kelvedon (KN) on 28/3/17. First appearance of a Scania at this depot. It was pictured, above – at Plume School (lower), Maldon on 30/3/17.
Between 13th and 31st March, a minibus shuttle (provided by ATS of Brentwood) replaced route 92 between Shrub End and Layer Breton, due to roadworks at the latter. The main route was diverted via Kingsford and Layer De La Haye. On 30/3/17, it was announced that this arrangement would continue until 2/5/17.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Optare Versas 146/47/49/52 (YK08 EPC/D/F/V) have been repainted out of Park and Ride livery into a revised fleet livery.
On loan was Scania N250UD/Enviro 400 MMC YN66 BBV, with temporary fleet no 500. It came from Reading Buses and then moved onto Border Buses (West Coast Motors).

JET2.COM.
This Leeds-Bradford based low cost air carrier, commenced scheduled operations from Stansted on 30/3/17, to Alicante, Faro, Lanzarote, Majorca. It already provided holiday charters from the Essex airport. The new itinery sees 21 destinations for summer 2017 and 21 for winter 2017/2018.
A fleet of new Boeing 737-800NG aircraft has arrived for these operations, along with 100 extra cabin crew.  New B737 G-JZHW was the first to appear at Stansted.
Acquired is Boeing 737-85P G-DRTA ex EC-JBJ.

LEACH & PALMER, WICKFORD.
Sold is Fird Transit 16 seater EY03 VNP.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Mb Tourismo BG58 OLO has been exported to Cyprus and is now registered MTH 0905.

LONDON CENTRAL.
DWL Class DAF SB120/Wright Cadet and ED Class ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution operation has ceased, with TfL108 (Lewisham-Stratford) being scheduled for MEC Class Mb Citaros.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
TfL379 (Chingford Station-Yardley Estate), was gained from Arriva London North from 11/3/17.

MARC 1 TRAVEL, BILLERICAY.
Additions are Scania/Berkhof TUI 4741 and Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere NIL 3181.

MTR CROSSRAIL.
New is Class 345 EMU 345005. It has appeared on staff training on the London end of the GEML.

NATIONAL EXPRESS CONTRACTORS.

A most unusual visitor to Stansted on 4/3/17, was Redfern of Mansfield DAF SB4000/Van Hool Alizee 63 RT, on route 350 from Nottingham. Redfern is owned by NX contractor Johnsons of Hodsthorpe, Worksop. It is pictured awaiting departure from Broadmarsh Bus Station, Nottingham.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Withdrawn is Dennis Trident/EL BIL 4539. It has reverted to T410 SMV.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 AB62 PAN at St Georges Church, Great Bromley, on a private hire on 15/3/17. (Steve Barham).

Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther AB07 PAN has reverted to its original SF07 YTP mark and passed to Harlequin Coaches of Edinburgh. After a period of loan, Leyland Olympian BIG 9248 has been sold to Ward’s of Alresford and re-registered back to G296 UYK. It retains ‘car themed’ livery from its Lodge of High Easter days.
Withdrawn is Dennis Dart/Alexander Dash BIG 8843. Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer S303 JUA has been upgraded to DDA specification.
Offered for sale are Darts BIG 8843, S303 JUA and Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 9807.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer BIG 9856 has gone back on hire to Regal, along with S303 JUA.
Three Plaxton Primos were acquired from Scraggs of Stoke on Trent; L12 PPN, MX55 WDT, YX55 DSE. They have chassis numbers 2, 6, 8. No 6 is for spare parts only.

Above: SLF/Pointer S303 JUA on loan to Regal and seen at Braintree Bus Park on 25/3/17. (Simon Austin).
Below: SLF/MPD BIG 9856 at Chelmsford Bus Station on 17/3/17 and on hire to Regal. (Dale Bell).

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
The old Langford and Ulting station platform has been restored. On the former Witham to Maldon line, it is now in a country park.

RYANAIR.
New are Boeing 737-800 8ASs EI-FZB-H.
Boeing 737-8AS EI-EFP has been re-registered HL8090 for Jeju Air.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Received from Stagecoach Lincolnshire are Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panthers 54051/53-55 (KX09 NCE/J/N/O). They are for rail replacement.
Resold through Ensign are:
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 18239/40 (LX04 FYF/G) – to Brylaine, Boston; 18253/56 (LX04 FYW, FZA)- -to First Bus Stop, Gravesend.
17790 (LX03 BWD) is now with Youngs of Cambridge, via Stagecoach Yorkshire and Ensign.

Above: Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17580 at Beckton Bus Station on TfL101 in September 2011.

TfL101 (Wanstead-Gallions Reach) was lost to Blue Triangle from 4/3/17.
TfL167 (Debden-Ilford) and TfL362 (Grange Hill-Little Heath) were won from Blue Triangle from 11/3/17. “Cross border” Debden-Loughton section withdrawn, following end of Essex County Council subsidy.
TfL462 (Limes Farm-Ilford) gained from Blue Triangle from 25/3/17.
TfL549 (Loughton Station-South Woodford) won from Docklands Buses from 11/3/17.
TfL677 (Wanstead-Gallions Reach) is a new school derivative of 101, which started on 11/3/17.
TfL165 (Romford-Hornchurch) has temporarily received some double deckers, to release saloons for TfL167, 362 (above) – pending delivery of new ADL/Enviro 20Ds.

Above: Stagecoach had the TfL101 contract for many years. Scania N113/Wright Pathfinder 28628 was pictured on High Street, East Ham, heading towards Wanstead, in January 2004. This was originally SLW28, and was one of the earliest low floor buses in London; being new in 1994. The 101 was double decked from 2006.

Above: 28617 heads southbound, at the same time and place. Note these were effectively Scania N113 double deck chassis adapted to take single deck low floor bodies. Whatever happened to Henry Kelly, by the way ?

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Ex demonstrator Wright Streetlite WF SK65 PWV is now here. Mb Sprinter City demonstrator BV66 GYJ has moved on to EOS London.
Dennis SDart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 413 (EU03 CFX) has returned from NIBS, off loan.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paragon 200 (X400 MTT) has been repainted white and passed to Galloway.
Suffolk Express Scania K114/Irizar 203 (OW03 OFL) is at Rochford depot.
Two derelict ex Taw and Torridge Ford Transit, C546/50 BHY are also at Rochford.

THOMAS COOK.
G-JMOF is a Boeing 757-330, ex German registered D-ABOF.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Sold is short Dennis Javelin/UVG TJI 4147.

TOWER TRANSIT.
TfL308 (Wanstead-Clapton) has gone over to double deck operation, upon re-tender, using new MV Class Volvo B5LH/MCV EvoSetis. TfL58 has also received a part allocation of MVs.

Above: Tower Transit  ADL/Enviro 400 DN33643 at Plaistow Station on 26/3/17, on ex Stagecoach East London TfL69.

TRUSTYBUS.
Loaned Mercedes Citaro BT66 ZVE has moved on.
Scania Omnilink/EL YR52 VFL has returned from its loan to Barkerbus and is now delicensed. Sister YR52 VFN is relicensed.
Scania Omnicity YN53 RXO is now in fleet livery, ex plain red.

TUI.
G-TAWV is an ex German registered Boeing 737-8KS. Previously D-ATUP.

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.

Above: Accessible Mercedes 614D Vario/Frank Guy W364 SNN at Head Street, Halstead on 22/3/17. It was new to Leicestershire County Council. (Simon Austin).

UNO.
Accident damaged ex First Yorkshire Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini YN07 MLF has been acquired and repaired. It came via GKN Technology of Templeborough, where it had been used as a hybrid drive test vehicle. It has been re-registered C14 UNO.
From 26/3/17, route 601 extended from St Albans to Borehamwood, replacing 655 – while 341/641 and 614/644 rerouted in Hatfield to replace Hatfield town services.

WARD’S, ALRESFORD.
All Leyland Olympian G296 UYK has been bought from Panther Travel (qv).
The part of Cockaynes Farm where the fire was, is no longer used for parking.

With thanks to: D Alcott, S Austin, A Barham, S Barham, W Bell, G Bishop, N Eadon-Clarke, EBN, Ensign, A Hazell, J Lidstone.