Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the December 2017 edition of Busmopolitan.

Snow on 10/12/17, brought disruption to the transport network; especially around Ipswich. In Colchester, after lunch – First only ran routes within the town, while Hedingham managed to run 87 to Brightlingsea. Earlier in the day, First had suspended all services in the area, although an 88A made it to Halstead (see below). As this was a Sunday, the problems were probably less than on a weekday. Trains ran normally, but there were significant issues at Stansted Airport, with many flight cancellations and diversions. There were further problems at Stansted, involving snow on 27/12/17, when 300 passengers were stranded at the airport overnight.

Above: First Essex Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62409 stuck in Halstead; at the junction of Colchester Road and Market Hill, on the morning of 10/12/17. It was on an 88A working from Colchester. It was later driven back under its own power. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1559 (EU56 GVG) and Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3817 (GN07 AVD) were on loan to Southend in late December. This was due to ADL/Enviro 400 MMCs being used on rail replacement from Southend. Some Colchester staff were also loaned for the rail job.
LDV Convoy crew ferry FJ05 KWV looks to be withdrawn ?

Above: 1559 at Southend Travel Centre on 28/12/17. (Simon Austin).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3414 (SN54 HXA), which moved to Arriva Guildford and West Surrey earlier in 2017, is now a driver trainer.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 3856/74 (KE54 LNR, EPC) have returned here from Stevenage.They are for an extension of service 9 to Epping.
Optare Solo 2488 (YJ57 EJK) has been transferred from Ware.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (WARE).
A visit to Ware depot on 16/12/17, found Optare Solos 2464 (KE55 KPG), 2483 (YK07 BCZ) parked up in a withdrawn condition. Also present was Medway Mainline Dart SLF/MPD 1610.

Above: Arriva Kent Thameside Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3858 is one of the buses transferred from Harlow to Stevenage last summer, following receipt of the new ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs for the 508/9/10 Harlow-Stansted Airport services. It was seen at the old Sovereign Babbage Road depot, Stevenage on 16/12/17. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Grays (GY) allocated VDL DB300LF/Wright Gemini2 DW246 (LJ59 ACX) retained its Ash Grove (AE) depot codes, and DW249 (LJ59 AAU) retained its Brixton (BN) depot codes in late December.

BANYARDS TAXIS, MALDON.

Above; The only pcv licensed vehicle in this old established fleet, is Ford Transit 16 seater YB08 XMY. It was pictured at The Bentall Centre, Heybridge, on 23/12/17. (John Podgorski).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.

(John Podgorski).

Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas Y327 AUT has been acquired, repainted into the new white/orange livery and re-registered 6884 YG. It is seen (above) on GA RRP at Ingatestone on 24/12/17. Ex TKG, South Bermondsey is Mb 1223L/Ferqui S8 COA ex FX51 BSY. From Cranberry, South Harwood is Neoplan Skyliner CN05 APX. Setra S250 P901 OKP is now YSV 645. Volvo B10M/Jonckherre MKZ 9880 is here in red and with Barkerbus fleet names.
EOS H18 HEV has been offered for sale, while Dennis Javelin/Marcopolo M707 HBC is sold.

BEESTONS.
Volvo B12M/Jonckherre MV08 DMF has passed to Plaxton, Anston (dealer). Sister SF08 VTK ex NSV 371, is now with Houston of Lockerbie. Volvo B10M/Van Hool Alizee W207 JBN ex UGP 69 has gone to Silverdale, Airdrie and sister X777 GSM ex 226 LRB, went to Nesbit Bros of Somerby.

BLUE TRIANGLE.

Above: The ex East London Transit (ELT) Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s are now receiving standard red livery. WVL345 was seen at Barking on 10/12/17. (Daniel Acott).

Below: The current ELT buses are New Routemasters. They can also appear on TfL15. LT946 was captured on The Strand on 16/12/17. (Simon Austin).

Ex Metrobus are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 231/32. From London General are ADL/Enviro 200s SE219/32/34 and Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL274-76.
LT906 is the latest in East London Transit livery. LT873 has a Reserved Xmas overall advert.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers DP195/99/202/4 (EU53 PYA/G/L/P), latterly with London General at Stockwell, have passed to Ensign. PYG/P for resale; PYA/L for breaking. They had been replaced on TfL170 (Victoria-Roehampton) by new Wright Streetlites.

Above: DP204 and DP199 at Ensign on 23/12/17. (John Podgorski).

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17880/LX03 NGU is being converted to single door. 17885/LX03 OPT is regular on 888 (Basildon-Shenfield High School via Laindon, Langdon Hills, Herongate).
With the impending end of Regal Busways, the overflow parking at Regal’s Rochford outstation has ceased, with all Blueline vehicles stabling at Welton Way.

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
New is Fors Tourneo 8 seater YP67 VHY.

COLAS RAIL.
5/12/17: 60056 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement.
12/12/17: 60056 on 6L44.
14/12/17: 60056 on 6L44.
18/12/17; 70802 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
19/12/17: 60076 on 6L44.
19/12/17: 70802 on 6L37.
20/12/17: 70802 on 0L37 at Royston.
22/12/17: 70813 on 6L37.
28/12/17: 60096 on 6L44.
29/12/17: 70813 on 6L37.

COLCHESTER BUS STATION.

(John Podgorski).
The site of the old buildings had been completely cleared by the start of December. This view is dated 3/12/17.

CT PLUS.
The TfL managed turning circle/crew facility at Hackney Wick is temporarily closed for refurbishment. TfL26 (Waterloo-Hackney Wick) terminated at Cassland Road for the duration.

Above: CT Plus ADL/Enviro 40H City no 2523 turns from Well Street onto Mare Street in South Hackney on 29/12/17. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 200/EL Esteem DE5 (PN07 KRF) is now with Hunt of Alford, Lincs.

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, SOUTH WOODFORD.

Above: Yutong Tc12 YG65 APK at Duke Street, Chelmsford on 9/12/17. (Simon Austin)

DBS.

Above: 66070 at Kelvedon on 8/1/15, on an “up” sand, from Marks Tey. (John Podgorski).

5/12/17: 66070 on 6M67 Broxbourne-Mountsorrel Redlands empties.
6/12/17: 66085 on 4L45 Wakefield-Felixstowe.
7/12/17: 66158 at Bow Olympic.
8/12/17: 66009/99 on GN RHTT. 66158 at Bow Midland.
10/12/17: 66006 on Peterborough-Bow. 66069 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton Junction.
12/12/17: 66085 on Wakefield-FLX. 66102 at Bow Olympic.
14/12/17: 66177 on Mounsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66182 at Bow Olympic.
15/12/17: 59203/4 on Purfleet stone. 66006 on Bow Midland Plasmor. 66080 on Mossend-Dagenham automotive. 66182 on Chelmsford stone.
21/12/17: 66075 on PBO-Ripple Lane. 66107 at Chelmsford.
29/12/17: 66128 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX.

DRS.
5/12/17: 37422 towed GA 90007 from Crewe back to Norwich. 57305/12 on Bath Spa to Norwich ECS via NLL and GEML.
11/12/17: 66419 on Wembley-Ipswich.
12/12/17: 66421/24 on 3S60 visited Parkeston on their RHTT travels.
19/12/17: 37606 on Stowmarket-Ilford light engine; then towed GA DVT 82118 back to Norwich.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
From Metrobus is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 230.
Ex Mandela Way ADL/Enviro 200 SE221 had received SI depot codes by mid December.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini VWL23 (LF52 THG) – latterly with London General, is being broken for parts by Ensign.

EAYJET.
New is Airbus A320-214 G-EZRN.

ENSIGNBUS.
An aditional BCI Excellence is 151 (LX67 DDU) It was diverted from Aintree Coachline.

Ensign held its annual Running Day on 2/12/17.

Above; Ensign’s superb ex Southend Corporation Transport Massey rebodied Daimler CWA no 263, enters Lakeside bus station. When new with London Transport, this had a utility body. (Simon Austin).

Above: Seaford and District former Crosville Bristol SC4LK/ECW 241 SFM departs Lakeside bus station. (Simon Austin).

Below: Ensign Heritage fleet Leyland Titan T986 at Gravesend. (Simon Austin).

Above: Ensign’s lovely ex Jones of Flint Leyland Tiger Cub/Burlingham Seagull JCK 892 making its operational debut on the Running Day at High Street, Brentwood. Following is Ensign’s preserved ex Southend Transport Leyland Tiger/Duple Carribean 250 (A250 SVW). (Simon Austin).

Above: On 24/12/17, there was a special running day to commemorate the end of operation of Green Line 702 by First. Ensign’s RT3232 was seen at Slough. Reading Buses has taken over the 702. (Daniel Acott).

EOS LONDON.
Acquire are Mb Sprinter/UVMS BG63 VUV/W, ex AVIS, Heathrow.

FIRST ESSEX.
From First Potteries are two more Caetano bodied Dennis Dart SLFs – 41493/94 (LK03 LLX/Z). From First West of England are Volvo B7RLE/Wright Solars 66719/30 (WX54 XDC, XCP). All are at Chelmsford (CF)

(John Podgorski).
Volvo 7900Hs 69903/6/12 (BV13 ZBE/J/T) now have a blue/green ‘City County Connections’ livery. 69912 is pictured (above) at Chelmsford on 9/12/17.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 32640 (KP54 AZB), Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 42939, 42968 (WX06 ONC); Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 62408 (YS03 ZKE), 65687/89 (YS03 ZKG/J) are the latest repaints into Refreshed colours. 32640 completes its batch, while 65689 has lost its “lipstick front”.
Optare Solo 53209 (CN07 KZM) has lost its super rear advert for Wayne Walker Chicken Breasts – which it carried while with First Potteries, while 53130 (EO02 NFM) is delicensed at CF with mechanical problems.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton midi Pointer 42557 is delicensed at Clacton. Also now VOR (at CF) are Volvo B10BLE/Wright driver trainers 62195/97, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66829, BMCs 68535/51 (EU05 DXR/S).
The remains of fire damaged Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33133 (LT02 ZBZ) were still at Clacton depot on 31/12/17.

(Simon Austin).
From First Bath are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 42895/900 (WX05 RUW, RVF). They are at Chelmsford (CF). 42895 was pictured (above) on 13/12/17.

Above: Ex First Borders Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 61230 at Colchester bus station on Sunday 3/12/17. It is on the Sun/hols only 88A to/from Halstead which had previously been contracted to Regal Busways. Note that the Nisa Convenience store has yet to open ! (Simon Austin).

(John Podgorski).

The old enquiry office on Queen Street, Colchester is now occupied by Fresh Beginnings, a charity for migrants and refugees. This replaced their old premises at Whitewell Road. Pictured (above) on 3/12/17.
Following problems with trespass and vagrancy, culminating in a fire, the old depot at Magdalen Street, Colchester has had extra security barriers installed.

FLAGFINDERS.
Has ex Regal Busways Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer YN04 PZY.

FREIGHTLINER.
66524/64 now have bodyside vinyls for staff recruitment
4/12/17: 66529 at Gidea Park CS with MHAs, MTAs, MPAs.
6/12/17: 66529 at Gidea Park CS with NR bogie wagons. 66539 hauled a failed 70007 on 4L93 Lawley St-FLX intermodal.
7/12/17: 66598 at Gidea Park. 66607 at Bow Olympic.
8/12/17: 66529 at Gidea Park with JNAs. 86609/5 on 4L89.
9/12/17: 66515/66/98 all on engineers trains at Gidea Park.
11/12/17: 66515/98 at Gidea Park.
12/12/17: 66515 on Parkeston-Whitemoor engineers. 66556 at Gidea Park with JNAs.
13/12/17: 66598 at Gidea Park. 66622 on Mantle Lane-Chesterton Junction.
14/12/17: 66515 at Gidea Park with track train.
15/12/17: 66556 (?) at Gidea Park.
17/12/17: 66515 on Gidea Park-Whitemoor engineers.
18/12/17; 66515 at Gidea Park.
19/12/17: 66515 at Gidea Park. 66536 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks.
20/12/17: 66515 on Whitemoor-Parkeston engineers. 66522 “Thunderbird” from Ipswich following OLE failure. 66598 at Gidea Park. 66607 on 6L44 Tunstead-West Thurrock.
21/12/17: 66598 at Gidea Park. 66957 on Whitemoor-Parkeston.
22/12/17: 66418/504 on 6Z74 Whitemoor-Parkeston. 66505 at Bow Olympic.
29/12/17: 66415 on Whitemoor-Ingatestone autoballasters.
30/12/17: 66585 and 66954 on Ingatestone-Whitemoor engineers.

Above: EMD Class 66 diesel electric locomotive 66565 heads a Felixstowe bound intermodal past Church Street level crossing, Kelvedon at 1430 on 16/12/17. (John Podgorski).

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON.
Irizar i6 YN62 DNO has passed to Prentice Westwood, West Calder, Scotland.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Setra S416s 289 (BV10 ZKL), 309 (BN12 EOO) have been re-registered to 5048 PP, and 3379 PP respectively.
Vehicles sold are Van Hool TX15 Alicrons 322/23 (YJ13 GWG, GXG) – to Limburg Tours, Sheffield; Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 351 (N827 FKK) – to Homeless Street Club, Westcliff. Vo Olympian/RH 253 (L842 SNO0 is also sold.

GBRf.
Tilbury steel contract gained from DBS/Colas w/c 18/12/17.
1/12/17: 66703 on North Walsham-Harwich tanks. Was running 1 day late this week.
2/12/17: 66767 on 4Z26 FLX-Masborough, but failed near Needham Market.
3/12/17: 66703/6/42/79 on 6P41 Peterborough-Ipswich light engine. 66708 on 6T60 Shenfield-Parkeston engineers. 66710/23 on 4Z66 Broxbourne-Peterborough RHTT. 66752 on 6T62 Broxbourne-Parkeston engineers. 66758 on 4R33 Colchester goods-FLX. 66763 on 4R28 Parkeston Quay-FLX.
4/12/17: 66706/79 on 0L33 IPS-FLX light engine. 66710/18 on 3S81 West Anglia RHTT. 66711 on 4Z81 Masborough-FLX.
5/12/17: 66779 on 4M23.
6/12/17: 66759 at Bow Midland on 6M47 to Bardon Hill.
7/12/17: 66769 at Bow Midland.
8/12/17: 66703 on N Walsham to Harwich tanks.
9/12/17: 66709 on 4L29.
10/12/17: 66706/42/44/47/68 on 0L33.
11/12/17: 66744 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
12/12/17: 66732 on 4Z26. 66744 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66770 at Bow Midland.
14/12/17: 66739 at Bow Midland.
15/12/17: 66744 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66770 at Bow Midland.
17/12/17: 66718/25/42/56 and one oil tank wagon on 6P41 PBO-Parkeston Quay.
18/12/17: 66779 on 4Z26.
19/12/17: 66718 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66752 at Bow Midland. 66779 on 4Z26/27.
20/12/17: 66776 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
21/12/17: 66739 at Bow Midland.
22/12/17: 66709 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66717 on 4M02.
24/12/17: 66778 on 6X63 Gidea Park-Whitemoor engineers.
26/12/17: 66717/18/26/35/65 on 0L33.
27/12/17: 66717 on 4Z26. 66720 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX.
28/12/17; 66717 on N Walsham to Harwich tanks.
30/12/17: 66726 on 4M23. 66765 on FLX-Whitemoor light engine.

GOLDEN BOY, HODDESDON.
Sold are Bova Futura 415 (XO13 BOY), Volvo B12B/VH Alizee 419 9OO03 BOY), Mb Sprinter 461 (BB62 BOY).

GREAT NORTHERN.
365534 at Ilford Depot on 12/12/17 for maintenance.

GREATER ANGLIA.
321307 is the latest into Renatus livery. Ex GN 321401 has appeared in service.
1/12/17: 90011 hauled from Norwich to Crewe by 37716 as 0C95. 156407 on Cambridge-Norwich rather than usual Class 170. Ex GN 317342/38 on 1204 Cambridge-Liverpool St. Ex GN 317343 with native 317659 on 1215 Cambridge North-Liverpool St.
7/12/17: 90007 ran light Norwich to Orient Way, Leyton to collect 90005 and its set, which had suffered wheel flats. 90007 returned to Norwich with the carriages but not 90005.
14/12/17: DVT82118 towed from Norwich to Ilford by 37422 90002 ran light engine from Norwich to Crewe for overhaul, via the GEML and NLL. 90011 ran light from Crewe back to Norwich via sane route.
18/12/17: 321409 on 1A95 lost pantograph at Witham – resulting in motor car of unit, plus OLE damaged. Severe disruption between Colchester and Shenfield as a result, with SLW Kelvedo to Boreham until 1625 and replacement buses required until around 1900.
18/12/17: 321314 on Ilford-Doncaster ECS.
19/12/17: 153322 on Marks Tey-Sudbury.
20/12/17: 321324 on 5L46 Wolverton-Ilfrod ECS.
21/12/17: 321319 Ilford-Wolverton for retraction.

Above: Another view of the Northumberland Park station remodelling project. This shows the eastern side of the site, looking south (towards central London). It will form part of a new railway track alignment. This is why the portakabins and Panther Travel outstation had to be moved to Willoughby Mews, to the north of the station. The London Underground Victoria line depot is on the left. (Alex Hazell).

HEDINGHAM.
Ex Thames Travel ADL/Enviro 200s 295/97 (SN10 CCX/Z) have returned, ex loan at Konect.

(Simon Austin).

295 is now in service (from Sible Hedingham (HD)). Pictured (above) at Colchester bus station on 12/12/17. It moved to Kelvedon (KN) on 14/12/17, by which time its new fleet number had been physically applied. Seen (below) on 17/12/17.

(John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 200 296 (SN10 CCY) is now in fleet livery. It entered service from KN on 20/12/17.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE) returned to HD at the start of December, following a month at KN. 258 (EU56 FLN) arrived at KN from HD instead. 251 then moved to CN (on loan) from HD, and returned later in December. These long SLFs can only be used on KN routes 91/92/95 as D1, D2 cannot physically accommodate such vehicles. An example is where the D1 turns around at St Lawrence Bay. 258 returned to HD in mid December. 255 now has an additional fleet no on its offside below the cab window.

(John Podgorski).
Volvo B7TL/EL Vyking driver trainer 416 (PL51 LGO) has come from Plymouth Citybus, and been renumbered 9000 in the Hedingham ancillary fleet. It is at Clacton (CN). It was seen (above) on High Street, Colchester on 15/12/17.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 574/75/78 (W506/516/519 WGH) are all VOR at CN, with engine defects. 574 was however back on the road in mid December. Trident 739 (T117 DBW) is withdrawn following its engine failure.

Above: Dennis Trident/EL 722 at Colchester on driver instruction duties on 12/12/17. (Simon Austin).
Below: Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere no 8 on driver training at Colchester bus station on 29/12/17. (Simon Austin).

(John Podgorski).

The old Tollesbury depot is For Sale via Gerald Eve. There is planning permission for 10 private houses. It was seen (above) on 9/12/17.
The former Burnham on Crouch outstation site, at Springfield Business Park, has now had an industrial unit erected which is occupied by Integral Technical Services Ltd and Caprice Yacht Charter Ltd. The previous occupant, Hill Piling, has moved to a larger yard on the same industrial estate.

IPSWICH BUSES.
ADL/Enviro 200 77 (KX59 GNY), now has a revised livery of purple roof and skirt, lime green main bodywork and white trim.

JET2.COM.
New are Boeing 737-800s G-JZBE/F.

KLM CITYHOPPER.
New is Embraer 175STD PH-EXS.

L and R TRAVEL, WICKFORD.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere N142 LAT is now K20 LNR.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
From Blackpool Transport are Dennis Trident/EL Lolynes E14 BTS, E15 BTS. They were new to IOMT as EMN 52Y, EMN 49Y respectively.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
From Metrobus is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 256 (SN54 GRK). This has received ivory/purple driver training livery. From London Central is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL392 (LX54 HAO). Commercial Services Volvo B10M/Plaxton coach VC2 is also now here.
Withdrawn is Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital DMN4 (LN51 GWO).

Above: Wright Streetlite WF WS49 at Chingford Station in the early hours of 17/12/17. (John Podgorski).

MALCOLMS BUS SERVICE, CLACTON.
Ex the now defunct Venturer of Clopton is Leyland Tiger/EL rebody WPH 135Y. It was new to London Country as an ECW bodied Green Line coach.
Mercedes 709D/Reebur Beaver E343 TYD has been sold to Mr F Lawrence of Colchester.

MISCELLANEOUS.
The old trolley poles at St Helens Street, Ipswich have been replaced by new
street lamp standards.

MTR CROSSRAIL.
345014/17 were delivered to Ilford on 15/12/17. 345017 then ran to Southend Victoria and back.
In early December, Gidea Park depot had all track lifted (including the long ladder crossover), except for two through sidings. This site was first opened in 1910.
315832/61 are withdrawn. They were returned off lease from Ilford to Wolverton as 5Z15 on 13/12/17. 315835/40 also moved from Ilford to Wolverton in December.

Above: 315861 – still in ONE livery, leads 315828 on a Liverpool Street-Shenfield service at Brentwood on 16/5/15. (John Podgorski).

Over the Christmas-New Year break, 345008/15 and one other ‘345 were stabled at Liverpool Street, due to the engineering blockade on the GEML south of Ingatestone.
They shared platform space with assorted Class 315s.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.

Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante SH18 has been VOR at Start Hill Scania, Stansted since September, 2017. It was pictured on 16/12/17. (John Podgorski).

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Volvo B6BLE/Wrights X974/76 CNO have retutned to Lufkins Farm depot, ex outbased at Harwich International Port.

(John Podgorski).

Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 V124 MEV has become the Double Deck Diner, at Essex Motors, Bockings Elm, near Clacton. It was pictured (above) on 30/12/17. Sister X331 HLL appears to have been resold via Essex Motors, while Trident/Plaxton President T97 KLD has moved from Bockings Elm to storage at Essex Motor’s compound in Clacton railway station yard. Seen (below) also on 30/12/17.

(John Podgorski).

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Has gained Essex CC routes 103/4 (Pitsea-Langdon Hills) from Regal.

Above: NIBS Scania Omnidekka no 304 departs Basildon on a 104 on 28/12/17. (Simon Austin).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
DAF DB250LF/EL Lolander AB02 PAN has been re-registered back to FD02 UKR and sold to Reading Buses.
Withdrawn is Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Paramount BIG 8856.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 DC62 PAN on a morning schools journey on route 81. Pictured at North Station Road, Colchester on 17/11/17. (John Podgorski).

Above: Dennis Dart/Alexander Dash BIG 8843 and Plaxton Primo DC04 PAN at Parkeston depot on 24/12/17. (John Podgorski).

Above: A very dilapidated Optare Solo S626 JRU is the current store shed at Matching Green workshop. New to Wilts and Dorset, it was ex K Line of Huddersfield. Seen on 16/12/17. (John Podgorski).

PEGASUS AIRLINES.
New are Airbus A320-251ns TC-NBM ‘Ekin Naz’, TC-NBN ‘Bahar’, TC-NBO ‘Asya’.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Local bus operation ceased after 29/12/17. This company is to close in early 2018.
Rail replacement contracts were honoured over Christmas and New Year, and the final activity will be the Braintree Freeport Shuttle.
The bus services withdrawn are commercial 1/A/B/X (Chelmsford-Canvey), 3/A/B/D (Oxney Green/Chelmsford-Southend); privately contracted B2 (Basildon Festival Park-Shoeburyness); council contracted 10/A (Pleshey-West Hanningfield), 71/72 (Blackmore-Warley), 104/6 (Pitsea-Langdon Hills), 322 (Old Harlow-Saffron Walden – schooldays only). Arrow Taxis has registered commercial/flexible replacements for 1 and 3; 71/72 have passed back to Stephensons; 104/6 went to NIBS. The last day for 1, B2 and 104/6, 322 was 22nd December; 3, 71/72 – 23/12/17; 10/A – 29/12/17.
Sweyne Park (Southend) school journeys on the 3 will continue until the end of January 2018.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 601 on a 72 at High Street, Brentwood on 2/12/17. This bus has now passed to Flagfinders (see above). (Simon Austin).

DAF SB3000/VH YJ03 PKK has been repainted and returned to service. White Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer KP02 PVD now has a front panel in Regal livery.
MAN NL270LF/Wright 802 (WX08 DFN) has been sold to Ensign. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LF52 USV has been offered for sale on e-bay.

ROG.
11/12/17: 47813/15 on 6T02 Barrington-Wembley.
13/12/17: 47813/15 on Wembley-Ilford with barrier wagon.

ST LAWRENCE MARINE AND EDUCATION INSTITUTE.

Ex NIBS of Wickford former Amber of Rayleigh Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano HV52 WTA is here. It was pictured on 9/12/17. It was acquired in summer 2017. (John Podgorski).

Above: HV52 WTA in its Amber days. At Basildon bus station on 14/7/16. (Simon Austin).

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
A clearout at Cowley Road, Cambridge depot saw the dispatch of te following buses to PVS, Carlton for scrap: Dennis Trident/ALexander ALX400s 17151/75 (V151/75 MEV), 17180 (W187 CNO), MAN18.220 /Alexander ALX300s 22313/15/19/30 (AE51 RYN/P/V, RZJ).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Following recent TfL contract changes, the ranks of the Dennis Trident have continued to diminish. One of the later examples, no 18466 was caught at Abbey Wood Lane terminus, Rainham on 10/12/17. (Daniel Acott).

Optare Electrocity demonstrator 80037 (YJ65 EOV), has returned to Optare – off
loan.
Transferred to Selkent is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 18451 (LX05 LLM).
To overall adverts for Reserved Xmas are New Routemasters LT244/70, 362/84.
Back to fleet livery ex overall adverts are ALD/Enviro 400 10181 (SN63 JWJ); New Routemasters LT312/64/73/83/85.
ADL/Enviro 40H 12322 has a super rear advert for Veetee Rice; 12323 for Car Finance. ADL/Enviro 40D 19575 has a super rear advert for Alphabet Cars; 19773 has a super rear advert for Geo News on Sky TV.

STAGECOACH HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
Scania N280UD/Enviro 400 gas bus DD16 GAS was evaluated on North Cambs Busway services during December.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
From 27/12/17, routes 71/72 were regained from Regal, while ex Regal schools service 322 (Saffron Walden-Newport–Takeley) was also gained, extended to Old Harlow and renumbered 441.
The management of Clacton outstation yard has now been taken over by Dura Composites, having previously been owned by John Canham Recovery. Security has been improved with a fence and lockable gate being added.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer no 413 at Braintree Bus Park on 12/12/17. Note the ‘UK Bus Awards Winner’ branding, which has been applied across the fleet. (Simon Austin).

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
VIL 8682 is a Volvo Olympian/NC Palatine II ex Decker Bus of Whittlesea. It was originally N598 CKB with Merseyside Transport. Sister N593 CKB has come along too. They are the first double decker buses here.

TOWER TRANSIT.

Above: One of the oldest buses still on TfL work is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini VNW32405, seen at Aldwych on 16/12/17. Aldwych is the new eastern terminus of the truncated TfL23 service. (It had previously run to Liverpool Street). (Simon Austin).

Above: Wright Streelite DF WV46220 at Covent Garden on 16/12/17. This batch was actually bought for TfL236 (Hackney Wick-Finsbury Park), but they also often appear on TfL RV1, alongside Enviro 200s and the hydrogen buses. (Simon Austin).

The TfL owned turning circle/crew facility at Hackney Wick has been temporarily closed for refurbishment. Routes 30 (Hackney Wick-Marble Arch), 236 (Hackney Wick-Finsbury Park) had to terminate at Eastway for the duration.

Above: The temporary Eastway terminus on 28/12/17. (John Podgorski).

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Stagecoach Merseyside Scania L94UB/Wright Solars YN05 WKD/E and ex Stagecoach Midland Red Scania Omnicities YN56 NNE/G.
Scania L94UB/Solar YN05 WKC has received fleet livery.
Sold are Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents TP 431/64-64 (LK03 GFX, GJY/Z, GKA/C).

ULTIMATE, BULPHAN.
YN07 EDX is a VDL Bova ex AP Travel of Cowbridge, Wales.

UNO.

(Simon Austin).

Over the Christmas-New Year holiday, University of Hertfordshire branded Scania Omnidekka 203 (UH55 UNO) and Alban Way branded Scania N230UD/Olympus 207 (PN08 SWF) were used on the TfL Shenfield to Newbury Park rail replacement, on sub contract to Ensignbus. Both pictures were taken at Romford on 30/12/17.

(Simon Austin).

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Ex Cambridge Bus and Coach is former Shearings Volvo B10M/Alexander (Belfast) RIG 9303 ex H82 DVM.

With thanks to: D Acott, Anglia Gen, S Austin, A Barham, M Cole, Essex Buses Yahoo, A Hazell, Hedingham Omnibuses, J Sadd, M Woodgate.