Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the January, 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.

We have said goodbye to two Essex independants this month. Regal Busways finished its last two routes on 26th January, while Turners was due to close at the end of the month. Regal had ceased most of its work during December 2017. Virtually all of it has passed to other operators. Turners was a smaller operation and had latterly included Wicks Coaches. Likewise, contracts were redeployed. Affected staff also moved with the routes, but the vehicles were all sold. An interesting result with Regal was the passing of its rail work to a Surrey operator – with an outbase in Essex. Meanwhile, Stephensons moved its Braintree base into the old Wicks yard and Blueline relocated most of its vehicles from Rochford (where it had shared some space with Regal), to Wickford.

24/7, STANSTED.
Sold are Vauxhall Vivaro 8 seater EJ14 AVX, EN15 EKC, ET15 UZW, EY65 RJJ/X.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
Transferred from Southend is DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3528 (LF02 PNE).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1559 (EU56 GVG) and Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3817 (GN07 AVD), returned from loan at Southend at the start of January.
The Braintree Freeport Shuttle contract was gained from Regal Busways, from 27/1/18.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 4017 on the first day of Freeport Shuttle operation by Arriva. (Simon Austin).

The use of crew ferries appears to have ceased. The two Peugeot 208s OU16 BEY, BJO have gone.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Ex Arriva Kent and Surrey is ADL/Enviro 2100 4067 (GN59 FVJ). It quickly moved to Stevenage, however.
Back from Stevenage is Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3859 (KE54 LPJ).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
A batch of ex Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s has been acquired through Ensign. They are VLW901-10 (BG61 SXK, BN61 MXJ/M/N/T/U/W-Y, MYA). They are allocated to Tottenham (AR) and have replaced VLA Class Volvo B7TL/ALX400s on TfL123 (Turnpike Lane-Ilford).

Above: Ex Tower Transit Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini VLW907 at Ilford on 11/1/18. (Daniel Acott).

Edmonton (EC) has been reopened operationally, due to building works at Tottenham (AR). TfL123 has been reallocated to EC, along with overflow from TfL149. The allocation for the latter is fluid, with different buses outstationed from AR each night. Transferred into EC for TfL123 are VDL SB300/Wright Geminis DW493-99, Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s VLA1, 2, 6, 8, 15, 101-3; and ex Tower Transit B9TL/Gemini2s VLW901-10.
Transferred to Barking (DX) are VLA99, 100.
VLA122/23 (LJ05 BKV/X)have been delicensed again from Grays (GY) and are stored at EC.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.
New are Mb Sprinter/EVMs AY67 PXL/M.

Above: Mb Sprinter/EVM AY67 PXM at Chelmsford on ex Regal Busways service 3 on 27/1/18. The tender was awarded to Essex and Suffolk Dart CIC, who is owned by Arrow. (Simon Austin).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
S8 COA is a Mb 1223L/Ferqui, previously FX51 BSY and ex TKG of South Bermondsey, London SE. Also acquired is ex Cranberry of Great Harwood, Blackburn Neoplan Skyliner CN05 APX.
Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas Y327 AUT is now 6884 YG.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
New Routemaster LT873 is red again, ex Xmas overall advert.

BLUELINE, ROCHFORD.
All of the vehicles, except AEC PRV Routemaster RML2613, have moved to a new base at Wickford, shared with L and R Travel. This is located near to the NIBS depot.
Another ex Stagecoach East London Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 is LX03 NGU.

BRENTWOOD COACHES.
Ex Harry Shaw, Coventry is Scania Touring/Higer YR16 BNY.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 572 (W489 WGH) was on loan to Hedingham during mid January.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 no 261 at High Street, Halstead on 3/1/18. It is on the 89X from Sudbury (Chiltern Industrial Estate) which is essentially a M-F peak hours works service, and was previously route 111. (Simon Austin).

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
Withdrawn are Ford Transits Y658 RHR, WX57 XOH; 101 (RX06 KPT), 103 (LG06 DTU), 123 (EJ56 YOV).
Sold are Ford Transits 26, 28 (EO57 BFV, KBZ), 42 (EK07 VUT).

COACH SERVIXCES, THETFORD.
From 7/1/18, the Suffolk CC Sunday and holiday contracts for the Bury St Edmunds town services passed to Mulleys of Ixworth.

COLAS RAIL.
4/1/18: 37116/254 on NR Test Train on GEML/WAGN. 70802 on 6L37 Hoo Junction-Whitemoor.
5/1/18: 70802 on 6L37 return.
8/1/18: 70809 on 6L37 and 6O36 return.
9/1/18: 70802 on 6L37.
16/1/18: 70809 on 6L37.
23/1/18: 60095 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement.
25/1/18: 60002 on 6L44.
30/1/18: 60002 on 6L44. 70803 on 6L37.
31/1/18: 37219/54 on 3Q72 Norwich-Colchester.

CROSS COUNTRY.

Above: Turbostar 170638 at Stansted Airport on 21/1/18, awaiting departure for Birmingham. (John Podgorski).

CT PLUS.

Above: ADL Enviro 40H City 2514 at the temporary Cassland Road terminus of TfL26 on 6/1/18. (John Podgorski).

Below: The normal terminus of route 26, the TfL owned turning circle at Eastway, Hackney Wick is undergoing refurbishment. (John Podgorski).

DBS.
3/1/18: 66037 at Bow Olympic.
8/1/18: 66138 at Cambridge North.
9/1/18: 66005 at Bow Olympic. 66092 at Chelmsford yard.
10/1/18: 66092 at Bow Olympic.
11/1/18: 66039 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. 66125 on IPS Griffin Wharf-Watford London Concrete.
13/1/18: 59104 at Chelmsford on stone train.
15/1/18: 66160 on Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill.
16/1/18: 66136 China branded on Broxbourne-Mountsorrel. 66174 on 4L85 Wakefield-FLX.
17/1/18: 66030 at Chelmsford. 66129 at Bow Olympic. 66185 at Marks Tey.
18/1/18: 66129 at Bow Olympic.
23/1/18: 66015 at Bow Olympic. 66111 on 6M67 Broxbourne-Mountsorel aggregates – 22 HOAs.
24/1/18: 66015 at Bow Olympic.
25/1/18: 66143 at Bow Olympic.
26/1/18: 66024 on Wakefield-FLX.
30/1/18: 66167 on 6M67 Broxbourne-Mountsorrel.
31/1/18: 66194 departed Marks Tey yard with an “up” sand train @ 0947.

DRS:
5/1/18: 37606 hauled 90003, 82121/39 from Bounds Green to Norwich via GEML.
11/1/18: 37608 running light at Stratford.
19/1/18: 37606 towed MkII carriage 9521 from Norwich to Willesden down GEML.
28/1/18: 67611 on 3Z01 Colchester-Derby RTC.
30/1/18: 37611 on 3Z01 Colchester-Derby RTC NR.
31/1/18: 37605/425 towed GA DVT 82136 from Norwich to Crewe via London, en route to Cardiff.

EASYJET.
New are Airbus A320-214s G-EZRO/R.
Also new are Airbus A320-214s ES-SAO/Q; YL-LCN/S/T/U.

EASYJEY EUROPE.
New aircraft are Airbus A320-214s OE-ICT, IJO, IVH, IZG/L/Q/S/T; and Airbus A319-111s OE-LKD-F, LOG/J/K/N, LQW/X/Y.

Above: One of the Easyjet Europe fleet. Airbus A320 OE-LQN at Stansted on 21/1/18. (John Podgorski).

ENSIGNBUS.
From Eifon Coaches, Wales is ADL/Enviro 200 601 (CX65 BUF).
ADL/E200 651 (YX09 FMJ) has passed to Grant Palmer, Flitwick. E200 701 (PX61 AXZ) went to CVA Auctions, Doncaster (dealer).

EOS LONDON, RAINHAM.
Ex Docklands Buses Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions LX07 BYK/L/N/T are via Ensign.
ADL/Enviro 200 KX58 BGY is now with Falcon Coaches of Shepperton and West Byfleet.

EUROSTAR.
373009/010 have gone for scrap to EMR, Kingsbury.

EUROWINGS.
New are Airbus A319-112s D-ABGJ/R and Airbus A320-214s D-ABNK/L.

FIRST ESSEX.
From First Berks, via First Hants and Dorset, are Green Line liveried Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis 37985/86 (BJ11 ECY/Z). They are for X30 (Southend-Chelmsford-Stansted Airport).
More Volvo 7900Hs to become blue and green are 69901/7/14 (BV13 ZBC/L/W). 69912 (BV13 ZBT) was unusually on X10 (Basildon-Stansted Airport) on 14/1/18.
ADL/Enviro 200 44599 (YX08 HJF) has moved from Clacton (CN) to Chelmsford (CF). The other E200s at CN will follow, in exchange for the Scania Omnicities from CF. Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses 41521/22 have moved from HH to CF.
Optare Solos 53112/26/28/31 (EO02 NDX, NFH/K/N) are withdrawn and have gone to store at Braintree. 53130 (EO02 NFM) is also withdrawn, and was towed from CF to BE. Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65683 (YR52 VEU) is withdrawn again after chassis failure.
Gone for scrap to Alpha Recovery are Solo 53130 and Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital 41730 (X503 JLO).

Above: 66719, one of the recently acquired ex First West of England Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipses, at Church Street, Coggeshall on 27/1/18. It is working from Braintree outstation. (Simon Austin).

Above: 69432, one of the ex First Eastern Counties Volvo B7RLE/Wrights displaced from Colchester by the ex First Borders Scania L94UB/Wrights last summer, at its new home of Chelmsford on 7/1/18. (Simon Austin).

Below: X30 branded ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 66168 was unusually on 70 on 26/1/18, and seen at Colchester. (Simon Austin).

Above: 41494 is one of the pair of ex First Potteries Caetano bodied Dennis Dart SLFs recently allocated to Chelmsford. Here, it awaits departure from its home town on 27/1/18. (Simon Austin).

Above: Double deckers sometimes appear on 103/4 (Colchester-Harwich). Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 37140, at Harwich bus station on 26/1/18. (Simon Austin).

FLAGFINDERS.
The Silver End-New Rickstones Academy, Witham contract has been taken over from Regal Busways.
Ex Regal Busways Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer YN04 PZY entered service as acquired in red. It is used on a Halstead-Honywood School, Coggeshall run and has displaced SLF/Pointer W138 ULR to a new Heybridge-Thurstable School, Tiptree run (numbered Heybridge 4), which had previously been subcontracted to Stans of Great Totham. Although W138 ULR is the regular bus for this, Mb 814D S190 SLL has also been noted.

FORD, ALTHORNE.
Trident/ALX400 T697 KPU has come from Regal Busways; but for spares only.

FREIGHTLINER:
66564 now has recruitment vinyls.
2/1/18: 66505 on 4E50 Felixstowe-Leeds. 66509 on 4E60 Felixstowe-Tees Dock.
3/1/18: 66501 on 1Z99 light engine – south through Ipswich @ 1430. 66520/952/955 on 4E22 Ipswich-Leeds.
4/1/18: 66514 on 4E64 FLX-Tees Dock. 66544 + 70011/20 on FLX-Trafford Park.
6/1/18: 86627/38 on Crewe-Ipswich.
7/1/18: 66534 on Gidea Park-Whitemoor engineers.
10/1/18: 66620 at Bow.
13/1/18; 66590/92 at Gidea Park on engineers. 66952 + (dead) 90016 on IPS-Crewe intermodal.
15/1/18: 66559/69 on 4E23 IPS-Leeds.
18/1/18: 66951/57 on 4E23.
21/1/18: 66590/92 on Gidea Park-Whitemoor engineers.
22/1/18: 66508 on 6L63 Chadesdon-Broxborne Redland with HIAs and JGAs.

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON.
Sold to Moseley, South Elmsall (dealer) are VDL Synergy ‘decker WA08 APO and Bova Futura WA09 HTX.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Withdrawn are accident damaged VDL SB180/MCV Evolution 332 9YJ60 GGY) and Mb 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah 170 (Y733 OGV ex 5516 PP), DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 258 (Y294 HUA ex 1754 PP) and Volvo B10M/VH Alizee 340 (P736 UAH ex NJI 9241).

GBRf:
1/1/18: 66710 on 6T61 Ingatestone-Whitemoor engineers. 66779 on 6T60 Ipswich-Whitemoor engineers.
2/1/18: 66713 on 4Z81 Masborough-Felixstowe. 66735 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks. 66763 on 4L22 Hams Hall-Felixstowe.
3/1/18: 66709 on 4Z27 Masboro-FLX. 66713 on 4Z81 Masboro-diveted to Parkeston Quay. 66735 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
4/1/18: 66709 on 4Z81. 66764 on 6O76 Harlow Mill-Tonbridge aggregates.
5/1/18: 66735/68 on 6E06 Harwich-Peterborough with two bogie tankers.
6/1/18: 66714 on 4M23. 66733 on 4Z81.
7/1/18: 66701 on 6T60 Temple Mills-Whitemoor. 66714/26/66 on 0L33. 66748/64 on 6T61 Temple Mills-Whitemoor.
9/1/18: 66733 on 4Z27 Masboro-FLX.
10/1/18: 66704 on 4Z82 FLX-Masboro. 66714 ‘Cromer Lifeboat’ on “up” intermodal through Marks Tey @ 1155. 66759 at Bow Midland. 66766 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
11/1/18: 66718/72 on FLX-Hams Hall.
13/1/18: 66704 on 4Z81 Masboro-Parkeston Quay. 66726/35 on 0E06 IPS-Peterborough light engine.
15/1/18: 66701 on 4M29 FLX-Birch Coppice. 66740 on 4Z33 FLX-Doncaster. 66779 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
16/1/18: 66702 on4L22 Hams Hall-FLX. 66708 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66718 assisted failed 66704 on “down” FLX intermodal in east London. 66735 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66740 on FLX-Doncaster. 66750 on 0X66 PBO-Parkeston Quay light engine. 66779 on FLX-Hams Hall.
17/1/18: 66728 at Bow Midland. 66735 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66779 on 4M23.
18/1/18: 66705 on 4Z27.
19/1/18: 66735/50 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
20/1/18: 66704 on 4M28. 66757 on 0E33 FLX-PBO light engine.
21/1/18: 66701/8//18/50/68 on 0L33 on PBO-FLX.
22/1/18: 66701 on 0P41 Parkeston Quay-North Walsham light engine. 66718 on 4M23. 66768 on 4M29.
23/1/18: 66701 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66729/82 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
24/1/18: 66723 at Bow Midland.
26/1/18: 66701 on 0P41 Harwich-N Walsham light engine.
27/1/18: 66702/45/69 on 4L20 to Harwich. 66735 on 6T60 Temple Mills-Whitemoor engineers’.
28/1/18: 66757/62 on 0L33 FLX-PBO light engine. 66772 on 4L28 Hams Hall-Colchester.
31/1/18: 66702 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66711 on 4Z27 Masboro-FLX.

GALLOWAY.
National Express Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante FJ61 EVN has lost its Route 250 (Ipswich-Stansted-Heathrow) branding.
The driver of a National Express contracted route 250 coach, which collided with the back of a broken down lorry on the A120 westbound, between Braintree and Stansted in July 2017; has been banned from driving for two years and fined £850.00. The defendant entered no plea and was found guilty at Colchester Magistrates Court in his absence. He no longer works for Galloway. Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante FN62 CAA suffered extensive front nearside damage in the collision and two passengers were seriously injured.

GREATER ANGLIA.
Parkeston Quay yard is now used to stable Class 321 EMUs.
To the new livery are 170202, 317883/85.
153322 still retained its old ‘Abellio Greater Anglia’ fleet names in January.
321308 is now in Renatus livery.
15/1/18: 90004 light engine Norwich to Ilford as 5V91 for tyre turning.
18/1/18: 156402 collide with a fallen tree on the Marks Tey-Sudbury branch. Luckily moderate damage and no injuries. Bus replacement for rest of day.
19/1/18: 321308 ran as 5L50 Doncaster-Ilford.
20/1/18: 156418 ‘ESTA’ on Marks Tey-Sudbury; unusual for a Saturday. 37515/650 on 1P42 1600 Liverpool Street-Ipswich.
21/1/18: 321405/23 on 1P12 Shenfield-Norwich.
23/1/18: 90009/13 and DVT 82102 from Norwich to Ilford for tyre turning.
28/1/18: 321303/421 on 1P12 Shenfield-Norwich.
31/1/18: DVT 82136 from Norwich to Cardiff for AC3 overhaul.

HACKNEY PLAYBUS.

Above: DAF DB250LF/Plaxton President T138 AUA, “on shed” on 6/1/18. (John Podgorski).

HAILSTONE, WICKFORD.
New is Iveco 60C/Excel HT67 BUS, named ‘Lightning’.

HEDINGHAM.

Above; Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 251 at Colchester bus station (working from Kelvedon), on 27/1/18. (Simon Austin).

Turners of Essex has ceased to be a subcontractor on the Hedingham School contract. This is now completely done “in house” by Hedingham and Chambers. This follows serious reliability issues with Turners.
From Go-Ahead London General North is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 517 (LX05 EZR).
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 572 (W489 WGH) was on loan from Chambers in mid January and used at Kelvedon (KN). 575/78 (W516/19 WGH) are back in use, ex VOR.
Seasiders branded Scania Omnidekka 1517 (YN06 JYB) appeared at Kelvedon on 10/1/18, but was used on schools only. It returned to CN on 22/1/18.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE) was at KN again from 17/1/18.
Withdrawn is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 743 (X386 NNO).
From the end of January, the Saturday run-out from KN has been all single deck.

Above: Driver trainer Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere no 9, at Clacton depot on 3/1/18. (John Podgorski).

HIRE YOUR TRANSPORT, TADWORTH.
Has opened a base in Essex, at Rochford (Purdeys Wharf boat yard). Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere SIG 4227 was the first vehicle to be kept there, for rail replacement.

IPSWICH BUSES.

Above: Scania Omnicity no 30 enters Tower Ramparts bus station on 13/1/18. (John Podgorski).

The ex Metroline Scania Omnicity double deckers are progressively entering service. Noted in January were 30 (YR61 RPV), 31 (YR61 RPY), 32 (YR61 RRU), 35 (YR61 RTV), 36 (YR61 RUC), 37 (YR61 RUH), 38 (YR61 RUU), 40 (YR61 RUW), 41 (YR61 RVF), 43 (YR61 RVL). YR61 RUV and two others were awaiting service prep and repaint at Constantine Road depot at this time.
Ex Carters Volvo Olympian/NC 29 (ex 42) (P915 RYO) was in store at Constantine Road in January. It was renumbered to make way for the Omnicities.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 15 (LG02 FDK) has gone to Scania, Worksop (dealer) in part exchange for the Omnicities.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 23 (SN51 AXF) has passed to Nu Venture, Aylesford.

Above: SN51 AXF at Chatham on 23/1/18, as Nu Venture fleet no TPL601. (DW Rhodes).

JACKSONS OF BICKNACRE.
Scania K360 Touring/Higer YR16 BNZ, is ex Shaw of Coventry.
DAF SB/Marcopolo PO53 OFA is sold.

JET2.COM.
New are Boeing 737-800s G-JZBG/H.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
AC15 HCL, is a Mb Tourismo.
Kellys worked duplicates on National Express route A6 (Stansted-London Victoria) in mid January.

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

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

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Ex Westbus, Heathrow is VDL SB4000/VH TJ07 JFK.
Mb Tourismo BG58 OLO has been exported to Cyprus and re-registered MTH 0905.

Above: DAF SB200/Wright Commander F20 DGE at Duke Street, Chelmsford, on stage service 17 from Great Dunmow, which runs on Fridays and Saturdays only. Taken on 6/1/18, by Simon Austin.

LONDON CENTRAL.
The SE Class ADL/Enviro 200s from TfL286 (Greenwich-Eltham), have moved to London General, with Wright Streetlites coming the other way. This is to do with the change of the height of a low railway bridge in Battersea.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
BYD SEe65 (LJ67 DKL) has arrived from London Central for staff training, in advance of the takeover of TfL153 (Finsbury Park-Moorgate) from CT Plus in February.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.

This rail maintenance vehicle was seen being craned into Northumberland Park Victoria Line depot, by Alex Hazell in late January, 2018. There is a physical connection between the Victoria and Piccadilly Lines at Kings Cross St Pancras, but there is a length restriction over what stock can use it.

MTR CROSSRAIL.

Above: 345010 at London Liverpool Street on 13/1/18. (Simon Austin).

345005-12/15-17 are so far in passenger service.
345001/2/13/18/22 – Old Dalby.
345003/4/24-27 – Derby Litchurch Lane.
345014 – Ilford – not in service.
345023 – Old Oak Common.
Other deliveries up to 345033 by late January.
6/1/18: 315853 + sister unusually stabled at platform 1 at Shenfield.
20/1/18: 315823 + sister stabled at Shenfield, platform 1.

Above: 315853 at Shenfield, platform 1 on 6/1/18. Also note the Shark brakevan (to the right).
(John Podgorski)

MULLEYS, IXWORTH.
From 7/1/18, the Suffolk CC Sunday/holiday Bury St Edmunds town service contracts were gained from Coach Services.

NATIONAL EXPRESS CONTRACTORS.
Whippet of Swavesey took over 727 (Cambridge-Stansted-Heathrow-Gatwick) from NX Ops from 15/1/18.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.

(John Podgorski).

Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levante BX65 WCO now has a super rear advert for CNN.
Several subcontractors were used on routes A6 and A8 during January. These included Ambassador Travel, Clarkes of London, I Coaches of NW London, Kellys of Nazeing, London United, Semmence of Wymondham.

Above: London United Scania K340/Caetano Levante SL65014 at Stansted on 7/1/18. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: A classic pairing at Colchester outstation on 5/1/18. All Leyland Olympian BIG 9249 ex J114 KCW and Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer BIG 7006 ex S303 JUA. The Olympian was new to Preston Bus and ex Regal, the SLF was new to TGM Group. BIG 9249 is on the Manningtree High School contract 30, which is subbed from Hedingham Omnibuses. (Chris Sampson).

Above: The enlarged depot at Parkeston, on 1/1/18. Volvo B10M/Plaxton Panther Y5 TRU, Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 611 ex S314 SRL and Mb Sprinter engineer’s van AD08 PAN are visible, along with the photographer’s Ford Focus. In the background is the railway line from Harwich International to Dovercourt and Harwich Town. (John Podgorski).

Above; Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale BIG 9210 at Dovercourt Boating Lake on 18/1/18. The seafront is in the background – beyond the beach huts. (Alex Hazell).

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Commercial route 3 (Southend-Chelmsford) has been taken over by Arrow Taxis owned Essex and Suffolk Dart CIC, using a 16 seat minibus. There is no replacement for service 1 (Canvey-Chelmsford) however. The First Data staff shuttle in Brentwood has passed to NIBS of Wickford. Route 10/A (Pleshey-West Hanningfield) has passed to Arrow Taxis.

Above: YJ03 PGZ at Ingatestone on 28/12/17. (John Podgorski).

DAF SB3000/VH YJ03 PGZ worked the last Regal provided GA rail replacement, the 0052 Shenfield-Ingatestone – early on 2/1/18.
All operations ceased, with the withdrawal of the 900 Braintree Freeport Shuttle and 3A/D Sweyne Park school runs after 26/1/18. 900 passed to Arriva Colchester (see above). Cooksmill Green depot, and the outstations at Braintree and Rochford have closed. Braintree and Rochford were the last in use. The fleet is up for sale. Rail work has passed to Hire Your Transport of Kingswood, Surrey – who has opened an additional base in Essex. (qv).
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 616/17 (KP02 PUH, PVD) were retained until the close of the Regal business, but the rest of the fleet was withdrawn from 2/1/18.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LF52 ZSD was at MC Truck and Bus, Witham in mid January.
Dwennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 1302 (X312 NNO) has passed to Coach Stop, Rettendon. DAF SB3000/VHs YJ03 PGZ, PKK are now with Harris of Accrington.

Above: KP02 PVD at Ingatestone on 31/12/17, working the shuttle to Shenfield. (John Podgorski).

Below: KP02 PVD on the Braintree Freeport Shuttle on 6/1/18. (Simon Austin).

ROG.
47815/48 on Barrington spoil as per usual.
9/1/18: 56301 on 6T02 Barrington-Wembley.
13-14/1/18: 56301 stabled at Barrington.
17/1/18: 47815 stabled at Barrington after failure.
19/1/18: 37884, 47813/15 at Barrington.
w/c 22/1/18: 56303 on Barrington-Wembley.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Bova Futura YJ11 ANU has passed to Moseley, South Elmsall (dealer).

RYNANAIR.
More new Boeing 737-800s are EI-GDP/R/S/T/V/W.

SOUTHERN STAR, HARLOW.
Now has SS58 PAT ex BN58 AJU, an ex Lodge of High Easter Setra S415 tri-axle,  named ‘Miss Jessica’. Sold is Neoplan Tourliner YR02 UOG.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Withdrawn are the last of the MAN18.220/Alexander ALX300s; 22058/59/60 (KV53 FAF/J/K), 22332 (AE51 RZL) and the final closed top Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 17452 (Y452 NHK), 17484 (LX51 FMC), 17500/4 (LX51 FNC/G). The MANs had latterly been mostly used on route 26 (Cambridge-Royston) and have been replaced by ADL/Enviro 200s, while the Tridents were for a closed contract. The open top Trident/ALX400s continue in use. Also withdrawn is ex Reserve Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 34422 (KV53 EYY).
A clearout at Cambridge depot has seen the following dispatched 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). 22330 had been stripped of parts following accident damage.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above; ADL/Enviro 40D MMC 12424 at Lauriston Road shopping centre, Victoria Park on 6/1/18. (John Podgorski).

Received from Selkent is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17844 (LX03 BYW).
Trident/ALX400 17844 transferred internally to Barking. Withdrawn are 17788, 17993, 18480.
Latest overall adverts:
New Routemasters LT239 – Amex Rewards; LT241 – Converse; LT360 – Mango; LT367 – Red Bull.
Back to red fleet colours ex overall adverts: LT244/47/56/70, 362/65/75/84. LT244/70, 362/84 were ex Xmas adverts.
Vehicles out: ADL/Enviro 40H 12304 (SN14 TXZ) – to Selkent; Trident 18202 (LX04 FWM) – to Metropolitan Police; Trident 18207(LX04 FWT) – to Stageocach South for spare parts only; Trident 18210 (LX04 FWW) – scrapped by the company; ADL/Enviro 400 19748 (LX11 BCF) – to Selkent.

STEPHENSONS.
Acquisitions are ex Express Motors of Penygroes, Wales Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s CY12 EMS, CX14 EMS. Express recently ceased trading.
Withdrawn are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointers 411/12 (SK02 XGO/P). 411 has been cannibalised, while 412 has gone on hire to Galloway. Also withdrawn is accident damaged Dart SLF/Pointer 457 (GU52 HJY).

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer no 456 at High Street, Halstead on 3/1/18. It is working from Braintree depot. (Simon Austin).

Braintree depot has been relocated from Benfield Way to Driberg Way (the Wicks Coaches/Britannia Removals yard), on Skitts Hill Industrial Estate in the south of the town.

SULLIVAN BUSES, SOUTH MYMMS.
Has taken over the TfL Rail/Crossrail replacement contract from Ensignbus.

THORNS OF RAYLEIGH.
Ex Viceroy of Saffron Walden Volvo B10M/Jonckherre M618 ORJ, is now L80 PCC.

TITAN AIRWAYS, STANSTED.
New is Boeing 737-436 G-POWS.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Van Hool hydrogen fuel cell buses BH63101/2 entered service on RV1 in late January.
ADL/Enviro 400 DNH39113 (SN12 ARF) has an overall advert for Air India.
Withdrawn are Volv oB7TL/Wright Geminis VNW32362.72.73.94, 32407/17.

Above: ADL/Enviro 40D DN33624 departs Victoria Park on 6/1/18. (John Podgorski).

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
Via Ensign are ex Docklands Buses Dennis Dart SLF/MCV Evolutions AE56 OUP/S.
Withdrawn are Scania Omnilink/ELs NNZ 7336 ex YR52 VFH, YR52 VFN; Volvo B10BLE/Wright WNZ 1490 ex X913 WGR.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar YN05 WKJ has passed, usused to Harogate Coach, Tockwith.

TURNERS OF ESSEX.
Was due to cease trading at the end of January. Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther YN54 WWT was noted working at Stansted Airport on 28/1/18.
Setra S315 LSU 113 has suffered a major engine failure. It has been broken for spares.
Sold for scrap are Dennis Javelin/Neoplan Transliner X293 AKY, Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Excalibur R123 XWF. Also sold are Setra S315 MY53 TRA and the Scania/Irizar SN57 BKD.

Above: Former Lothian Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH K873 CSF at High Street, Halstead on 18/12/17. (Simon Austin).

ULTIMATE, BULHAN.
VDL Bova YN07 EDX has passed to AP Travel of Cowbridge, Wales.

VICEROY, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre M8 HCT has been re-registered back to M618 ORJ and sold to Thorn of Rayleigh.

WICKS OF BRAINTREE.
The Driberg Way depot is now shared with Stephensons. Vehicles also park at Turners depot. At Driberg Way in January were Dennis Javelin/Neoplan Transliners PIB 2344 ex DUI 672, X294 AKY and Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas X638 GJU. All were in withdrawn condition.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, S Austin, EBN, Essex Buses Yahoo, A Hazell, J Sadd, C Sampson.