Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the April 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.

Surprise news was a consultation by First Essex about closing its Clacton depot and Braintree outstation. It was subsequently announced that this would happen – at the end of July.

On the railway front, Greater Anglia’s planned depot at Brantham seems to have “hit the buffers”, due to various legal technicalities. Whether these can be overcome remains to be seen, and an alternative site may have to be sought.
The first of the surplus GTR Great Northern Class 365 EMUs have found a new use – with Abellio Scotrail.

Aviation: Well beyond the Essex area, but of significance was , on 18/4/18, the first fatal commercial aircraft incident in the USA since 2009. South West Airlines Boeing 737 N772SW was on a routine New York to Dallas flight (over Pennsylvania), when the port (nearside) engine exploded, showering the airframe with debris and breaking a window. Due to the subsequent cabin decompression, a female passenger was partially sucked through the hole. Although she was rescued by fellow passengers, she sadly died from her injuries. The aircraft was new in 1998, and an investigation later concluded that a catastrophic engine turbine failure had occurred, with metal fatigue being a possible cause. In Busmopolitan territory, Ryanair and Jet2.com operate large fleets of ‘737s. No doubt safety inspections will be made here also.

Above: The stricken N772SW on the tarmac at Phillidelphia, with the damage clearly visible. (NBC-DFW).

Below: Ryanair B737-800 EI-DPF at London Stansted on 7/1/17, on the FR72 departure to Carcassone in France. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT AND SUSSEX.
An airside contract at London City Airport began on 20/4/18. It initally used ex Malta Optare Solos, which will eventually be replaced with ADL/Enviro 200s.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).
The Park and Ride ADL/Enviro 200s 4071-75 (SK15 GXR/S/T/U/V) have received coloured route branding.
4071/74 have orange branding. 4072 has green branding. 4073 has purple branding. 4075 has blue branding.
There will be revisions to this service from 6/5/18. These include extended operating hours and additional stops.

Above: 4071 turning from North Hill onto High Street, Colchester on 14/4/18. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (HARLOW).
Mb Sprinters 1010/11 (BF67 WGE/J0 have come from Hemel Hempstead, for use on Harlow town routes 6 and 8.
Ex Southend is MAX liveried Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3820 (GN07 AVG).
B7RLE/Wright 3859 (KE54 LPJ) is back in use.

ARROW TAXIS, MALDON.

Above: Ford Transit EJ57 GUH at Colchester bus station on 20/4/18. It is on the shuttle, covering the Great Tey section of Hedingham routes 82 and 83. These can’t be served by larger buses (temporarily), due to roadworks. (John Podgorski).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Has ex Howards Travel Group Neoplan Skyliner CU05 APX.
Ex Oakley of Plymouth is Bluebird RE yellow schoolbus V218 EAL.

BEESTONS.
New are Irizar i6s YN18 ZNL/M. To Irizar, Worksop (dealer) in part exchange were red Van Hool Astrobelle 526 FN and gold Van Hool TD YJ08 EBZ ex 222 GRA. Also new is ADL/Enviro 400 MMC YX18 KOH.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer BT04 BUS, latterly with London General, has passed to Ensign. It was resold to Bear Buses of Feltham.

BOMBARDIER.
Class 08 shunters resident at Ilford depot in April were 08700 in BR blue and 08871 in RMS Locotech livery.
Bombardier occupies the London end of this site, while Greater Anglia and MTR are at the country (Seven Kings) end.

Above: Ilford depot and 08700 on 17/11/17. (John Podgorski).

CHAMBERS.
89X (Sudbury-Braintree) has been revised at Sudbury, to remove the reversal at Chiltern Industrial Estate. This route runs M-F peaks only, with one journey in each direction of “tidal flow”.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 261 at Halstead on an afternoon 89X on 13/4/18. This bus was new to Hedingham at Clacton depot. (Simon Austin).

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
VW LT46/Stanford welfare bus 137 (GX04 FZV) is now with Tahir of Tipton.

COLAS.
2/4/18: 60047 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock cement. GBRf loaned 66741 on Hoo-Whitemoor engineers.
4/4/18: 60047 on 6L44.
5/4/18: 70803 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
13/4/18: 66847/50 topping and tailing 6L37.
15/4/18: 70804 stabled at Dagenham Dock, with DBS 66109/139.
w/c 16/4/18: 56303 on Barringtons.
16/4/18: 66847/850 and 70813 on Whitemoor-Hoo Junction.
17/4/18: 70815 on 6L37.
18/4/18: 60095 on 6L44. 70814 at Dagenham Dock.
24/4/18: 66850 on Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
25/4/18: 37421 propelling Network Rail test train “up” through Kelvedon @ 1445 and hauling back “down” @ 1650 – carriages were DBSO 9708, 977997, 72631, 6260.
60076 on 6L44.
26/4/18: 37421 on 1Q98 Cambridge-Norwich-Cambridge NR test train.
30/4/18: 70813 on 6L37.

DBS.
3/4/18; 66075 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton aggregates.
5/4/18: 66015 at Chelmsford yard.
15/4/18: 66015 on Mountsorrel-Chesterton Redland. 66109/39 stabled at Dagenham Dock, with Colas 70804.
16/4/18: 59101 at Bow Midland. 66023 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich on sand.
18/4/18: 66129, 92011 at Dagenham Dock.
24/4/18: 66158 at Bow Olympic, collecting VTG box wagons.
25/4/18: 66158 at Bow Olympic.
30/4/18: 66093 at Cambridge North with Tarmac wagons. 66109 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX. 66200 at Bow Olympic.

DONS OF GREAT DUNMOW.

Above: A62 OJX is a late model Leyland Leopard with Plaxton Paramount body. By ‘A’ registration, the Leyland Tiger had been in production for 2 years. Pictured at Parsonage Down depot on 10/4/18. (Shaun Kinsella-Ilot).

Below: A very tidy former Stagecoach Leyland Olympian – with Gardner engine. F602 MSL has an Alexander RL body and was also pictured at Dons depot, but on 18/4/18.  This is one of several operated. (Shaun Kinsella-Ilot).

DRS.
1/4/18: 57002 + GA DVT 82114 on Norwich-Bounds Green – via ECML.
3/4/18: 57002 hauling GA 90015 Norwich-Bounds Green. Then hauled DVT 82114 back. Both via GEML.
4/4/18: 37423 and 5 MkIII carriages on 5V91 Norwich-Ilford ECS.
5/4/18: 37608 towed MTR 345003 on 5X50 Old Oak-Ilford ECS. 37608 then ran light to Leicester.
12/4/18: 37407 on 5V93 Norwich-Ilford ECS.
13/4/18: 37608 towed 345013 from Ilford to Old Oak Common as 5Q51.

Above: The DRS Class 37 diesel electrics are still top and tailing some passenger trains from Norwich to Lowestoft and Yarmouth; as substitutes for ‘Sprinter’ DMUs. 37405 was seen at Norwich on 11/4/18. (Steve Simister).

Below:
And 37423 at Lowestoft. Also on 11/4/18. (Steve Simister).

EASYJET.
New are Airbus A321-214 G-EZRV; A320-251n G-UZHF.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65745 and 61230 at Haven Road, Colchester depot on 27/4/18. They were driven up to Scotland the following day. (Daniel Latus).

Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 61230 (YM52 UWH), 65742/43/45/46/50 (SN55 JVG/H/K/L/A), 65686 (YS03 ZKC) have gone to First Aberdeen. All are returning to Scotland – ableit further north, except 65686, which was at Colchester from new and was also one of the initial First Essex buses to receive refreshed livery. 65686 went because 65748 (SN55 JVO) is defective. This and 65683 (YR52 VEU) are intended to be eventually repaired. 65681 (YR52 VEL) is delicensed due to fire damage.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s 37985/86 (BJ11 XCY/Z) have received X30 livery.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s 32480/81 (AU53 HJX/Y) have been transferred from Chelmsford (CF)/Braintree outstation back to Colchester (CR).
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37010 (WX55 VHV) was on loan from Colchester (CR) to Hadleigh (HH) in April. This was covering for Wright Streetlite 63165 (SN64 CJF) which was undergoing accident repairs.
Withdrawn are the remaining 02 late Optare Solos – 53113/15/17/21/23/25/27/32/33/34/36 (EO02 NDY, NEF/N, NFC/E/G/J/P/R/T/V). All went to store at CF, except 53123 which is now a crew ferry and 53133 which went to CN.
Long term VOR (stored) vehicles are Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33080 (LN51 GNP) at CR and Volvo B10BLE/Wright driver trainers 62195/97, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66829, BMC 68535/51 at CF. 66829 and 68535 have been partially cannibalised.
Streetlite 47649 (SN15 AEY) unusually appeared on route 25 (Basildon-Wickford-Southend) on 9/4/18. This is normally ADL/Enviro 400 operated. On 12/4/18, SLF/MPD 43847 (SN55 CXJ) was unusually on 71A (Chelmsford-Colchester – M-Sat eves). This is usually “midi” ADL/E200 or B7RLE/Wright. ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 67168 (YY66 PBX) was on 31B (Burnham-Chelmsford) on 14/4/18. On 27/4/18, short ex Carters ADL/E200 44900 (AY08 EKT) was on 71A. On 28/4/18, Route 62 B9TL/Gemini2 37136 (SN57 HCU) was on 75.
29/4/18: Dart SLF/Caetano 41524 (LK03 UFB) on 100. On 30/4/18, Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 43847 (SN55 CXJ) on 73; ADL/Enviro 200 MC 44662 (YX 66 WBG) on 70. The 55 reg B7TL/Geminis are now common on weekday evening 1As in Colchester.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 42922 most unusually on Sundays/holidays 71C, at St Johns Street, Colchester on 22/4/18. This is normally the preserve of Wright Eclipse bodied Volvo B7RLEs. (Simon Austin).

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus 41538 at Wickford rail station on 3/4/18. It is on one of the new routes introduced in the 18/2/18 changes. (John Podgorski).

FLAGFINDERS.

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer W138 ULR on the Heybridge to Thurstable School at Tiptree bus 4. This had previously been subcontracted to Stans of Great Totham. This duty is worked from Halstead depot and the picture was taken at High Street, Halstead on 23/4/18. The bus was returning to base. (Simon Austin).

VDL Bova SO15 UBS is now in white/blue fleet livery, ex orange.

FREIGHTLINER.
A new logo has appeared. It is orange and yellow and based on the parent Genesee Wyoming company. It also appears on Pentalver lorries.
1/4/18: 66602 on Canonbury-Whitemoor autoballasters.
4/4/18: 66430 on 6L48 Daventry-Purfleet.
5/4/18: 86610/39 at Ipswich.
8/4/18: 66557 on Parkeston Quay-Whitemoor with half a HOBC.
11/4/18: 66559 leading 66616 at Ipswich.
12/4/18: 66564 in consist of 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor.
15/4/18; 66538 and 66430 topping and tailing HOBCs at Stepleford on WAGN. 66557/564 topping and tailing on PW works on Felixstowe branch at Trimley St Martin.
16/4/18: 66597 on 6L05 Willesden-Barrington.
18/4/18: 66618 on Bow-Tunstead.
19/4/18: 86612/38 failed at Kelvedon on 4L41 Basford Hall to FLX – rescued by 66519 from IPS; disruption to GEML services.
21/4/18; 66419/567 on 4E24 FLX-Leeds. 66614 on Bury St Edmunds-York stone empties.
25/4/18: 66517/523/419 on 4E23 IPS-Leeds FLT.
26/4/18: 66603 at Bow Olympic.90040 on 6L35 Warrington-Wembley-Dagenham.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Mb Tourismo 6399 PP is now in a black ‘Dancing in the Street’ livery.

GBRf.
2/4/18: 66702/27/56/71/74 on 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich light engine. 66766 on 4L22 Hams Hall-Colchester.
3/4/18: 66708 at Bow Midland.
4/4/18: 66702 on Ipswich-North Walsham light engine. 66751 at Bow Midland.
7/4/18: 66702/774 on 0E04 Parkeston-PBO light engine.66771 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
8/4/18: 66702/44/71 on 6P41 PBO-Parkeston Quay plus 2 oil tank wagons.
9/4/18: 66707 at Bow Midland.
10/4/18: 66788 on 6L36.
11/4/18: 66748 at Bow Midland.
12/4/18: 66707 at Bow Midland.
13/4/18: 66748 at Bow Midland.
15/4/18: 66701/722/727 on 0L33, then 66722/727 IPS-FLX. 66707/51 on 6X60 Ruckholt Junction-Whitemoor engineers via GEML. 66749 on 0L06 Cricklewood-Barrington crew training run and 0M03 return. 66765/771 and 2 bogie tankers on 6G66 Harwich-PBO.
16/4/18: 66722 on FLX-Birch Coppice. 66727 on FLX-Hams Hall. 66754 on Parkeston-FLX. 66766 on FLX-Doncaster.
17/4/18: 66768 at Bow Midland.
18/4/18: 66701 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66748 at Bow Midland.
19/4/18: 66701 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks – delayed due to track circuit failure at Stowmarket. 66768 at Bow Midland.
20/4/18: 66748 at Bow Midland.
21/4/18: 66722 on 4L29 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66727 ‘Maritime’ on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 66744 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66753/779 top and tailing 6T66 engineers at Trimley. 66764 on 6T65 Whitemoor-FLX engineers.
22/4/18: 66704/41/56/74 and two oil tank wagons on 6P41 PBO-IPS. 66773 on 4R26 Parkeston Quay-FLX.
23/4/18: 66704/56 on 0L33 IPS-FLX light engine. 66774 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
24/4/18: 66722 at Bow Midland for Bardon Hill. 66774 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66786 rescued failed Freightliner 66592 and towed it to Ipswich. 66786 then worked the return 4E59 IPS-Leeds FLT.
25/4/18: 66758 at Bow Midland.
26/4/18: 66763 at Bow Midland. 66774 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks.
27/4/18: 66768 at Bow Midland on 6M47 to Bardon Hill.
28/4/18: 66774 on 4L02.
30/4/18: 66767 on N Walsham tanks. 66770 on 4L22.

GREAT NORTHERN.
Are now running Class 700 EMUs from Cambridge, through London and south of the Thames. They have replaced Class 365s.
20/4/18: 365528 at Ilford depot (lathe). 21/4/18; 365513 at Ilford – via Gidea Park.
21/4/18: 365523 transferred to Scotrail – by road from Hornsey depot. Unit split onto 4 lorries.
27/4/18: 365516 on 5X16 Hornsey-Ilford via Gidea Park.
365513 also to Scotrail.

GREATER ANGLIA.
321409 is back in use following accident repairs.
Disruption on 17/4/18, due to sheeting blown onto OLE between London Liverpool Street and Bethnal Green.
3/4/18: 90009 running in reverse formation on 1P23 Norwich-London.
5/4/18: DTSO7750 leading a ‘317 consist “up” past Boreham @ 1730.
6/4/18: 317345/663 on 1617 Witham ex Liverpool St.
7/4/18: 317346/509 on Braintree-Liverpool St.
10/4/18: 317501 on the 1B45 2345 Stansted Express to London.
13/4/18: 317509/668 on 1F13 0729 Braintree-London.
17/4/18: 90011 on Bounds Green-Liverpool Street ECS.
19/4/18: 317346/669 on Stansted Express 1355 and 2040 ex Liverpool Street. 321314 on 5L50 Doncaster-Ilford ECS.
26/4/18: 321403 at Norwich. 321406/427 on 1P04 London-Norwich. 321345/438 at Norwich.
28/4/18: 317501/665 and 317513/6456 on Liverpool Street-Braintrees.

Above: Renatus 321302 at Wickford on 4/4/18. Note the new OLE trackside masts. The ALDI car park is in the foreground. (John Podgorski).

HEDINGHAM.
From Go-Ahead London are Scania Omnilinks 9016/17 (YU02 GHA/D) for driver training. It looks like they have replaced the two Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere Coaches – 8 (R453 FWT) and 9 (S290 TVW). The previous 9016 – Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PJ02 REU – has joined the operational fleet as 584. 584 was VOR and awaiting service prep at CN at the end of April. It had not been used as no 9016.
Scania Omnicity ‘decker 552 (AO57 HCD) has been renumbered 1552.
Scania Omnidekka 1515 (YN55 PZW) appeared at Kelvedon (KN) again on 17/4/18. On 19/4/18 it was swapped with 1513 (YN55 PZU). On 26/4/18 1515 returned to KN with 1518 (YN06 JYC) returning to Clacton (CN).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 262 at Colchester bus station on 20/4/18. It awaits departure on route 82 to Chappel, while Arrow Ford Transit EJ57 GUH will run the shuttle to Great Tey – due to roadworks (see ‘Arrow Taxis’ section also). (John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.
Contactless payment was introduced from 1/4/18.

JET2COM.
New are Boeing 737-800s G-JZBM/N.

JR EXECUTIVE TRAVEL, COPDOCK.
Acquired Volvo B12M/VH Alizees carry the marks JR02 BUS, JR03 BUS – which had previously been on minicoaches. They are initially running in plain white.
Setra S315 JRZ 1140 now has fleet names, but on the rear only. These are black on silver livery.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
Mb Tourismo BP62 PHF is from Lakeside of Ellesmere, Cumbria.
Setra S315 W213 UGX has passed to Horton of Shareshill, Staffs.

KEVENDY’S OF WICKFORD.

(John Podgorski).

Has R958 AEV, a Setra S250 that had been K19 BYS with Kirbys of Rayleigh. It is pictured (above), on GA RRP at Newbury Park on 2/4/18.

KINGS TOURS, COLCHESTER.

New is Irizar i6 tri-axle KC65 ABC. It has this registration to celebrate 65 years of Kings. It was photographed when brand new, on 20/4/18 – at Stanway depot – by Simon Austin.

KIRBYS OF RAYLEIGH.
Setra S250 K13 BYS is now with Webbs of Armcote, Warks.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
New is Mb Tourismo BU18 YUB which was quickly re-registered AL18 OGE.
DAF SB200/Wright bus YJ03 PFG ex E20 DGE is sold.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital DMN1 is reinstated.

METROLINE.
Major building works at Potters Bar (PB) garage have seen the front forecourt enlarged to increase bus parking space. Previously there had been a car park, garden and portakabins there. PB route TfL34 (Barnet-Walthamstow) runs into Busmopolitan territory.

Above: The works at Potters Bar garage on 17/3/18. (John Podgorski).

MTR TfL RAIL.
Aventra deliveries have reached 345039.
345022 latest Aventra to enter traffic, on 4/4/18. It was moved over from Old Oak Common. 345003 moved from OC to Ilford on 5/4/18.
5 x ‘345s are due to go to Old Oak Common to start a Paddington-Hayes service.
13/4/18: 345013 transferred IL-OC behind 37608. 345031 towed to Old Oak Common from Old Dalby, behind ROG 37800 as 5Q79. 345024 and 345030 also seen on GWR.
26/4/18: 345015 transferred from Ilford to Old Oak Common.
315833 is withdrawn.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
Volvo B11RT/Caetano Levante BX65 WCU has a super rear advert for Armed Forces Covenant.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING.
Scania/Irizar S24 NHT has been re-registered back to YN04 GGV. The Stena Line contract at Harwich International Port has ended, with the Volvo B6BLE/Wrights X976/81 CNO being offered for sale. The B6s continue in use on schools etc for the time being.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
A new outstation has been established at the Brentwood Coaches depot at Hutton. 6 buses are kept there for Brentwood school contracts.

ORIGINAL LONDON SIGHTSEEING TOUR.
DAF DB250LF/Plaxton Presidents DP246/53 are now at Rainham, ex Wandsworth.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

(John Podgorski).

Ex Turners Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther YN54 WWT has been re-registered DB54 PAN.
It was pictured (above) at Witham on 9/4/18, with its old registration.

Above: Battlesbridge rail station on 3/4/18, showing the nearly completed works. (John Podgorski).

The Wickford-Battlesbridge-South Woodham Ferrers Greater Anglia rail replacement shuttle was due to finish on 6/4/18. However an overrun of works saw it operate on the morning of 9/4/18 also. Improvements to Battlesbridge station were completed after then, meaning 12 car trains could again call there.

Above: Mb Sprinter AB03 PAN at Battlesbridge on 3/4/18. (John Podgorski).

Above: DAF DB250LF/EL FD02 UKR ex AB02 PAN, now with Reading Buses, pictured at their depot on 28/4/18. The occasion was an Essex Bus Enthusiasts Group visit. (Simon Austin).

TGM coloured Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer BIG 7006 has lost its yellow relief and is now in white/blue fleet “livery”.
Mb Sprinter/Koch low floor BX 56 VTE was found to be unsuitable for the Northumberland Park shuttle and has been offered for sale, along with Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 611. Also for sale are Leyland Olympian/ECW coach BIG 4005 and all Leyland Olympian BIG 9249.
Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Premiere BIG 9895 has passed to Maya Travel, Wolverhampton and been re-registered back to N322 NHY.
Ex K Line, Huddersfield Optare Solo S626 JRU has gone for scrap after parts recovery. Ex Hedingham Optare Excel S169 UAL has also passed to the scrapman. Neither had been used operationally by Panther. Takeley Metals was the purchaser.

PRIMERA AIR.
This Nordic carrier has reintroduced transatlantic flights from Stansted, with the launch of a daily service to New York. Airbus A321NEOs are used and it is a “low cost” operation. Primera also has a UK base at Birmingham, which is also running flights to NY.

ROG.
1/4/18: 1Z61 Highbury and Islington to Sizewell railtour. Then 1Z62 Sizewell-Griffin Wharf-Harwich Town. Then 1Z63 Harwich Town-Liverpool Street-Highbury and Islington.
4/4/18: 47736 and 47804 on 5Z74 Southall-Ipswich ECS. 47826 top and tailed with 47772 on Bradford-Cambridge ECS. Then returned as 1Z70.
16/4/18: Colas 66848 on Ilford depot.
26/4/18: 37608 dragged 345015 Ilford to Old Oak Common as 5Q51.

RYANAIR.
New here are Boeing 737-800s EI-GJN/O/P/R/S.

SEE LONDON BY NIGHT, RAINHAM.
The depot is now at Marsh Lane, Rainham.

SOUTH EAST COACHES, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
RL62 RSL is a Volvo B9R/Plaxton Panther, ex Lawmans of Kettering. Also acquired is Ford Transit 16 seater EN66 TNV.
Sold is Scania/Irizar GXZ 4247.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.

(John Podgorski).

The former Newmarket depot, on Depot Road is now used by three new occupants. The building houses charity Time 2 Care, while the the yard is used as a car wash and to park dial a ride minibuses. Picture taken on 7/4/18.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

(D W Rhodes).

The Megasightseeing operation began on 23/4/18. It is operated by Tridents from Leyton depot, which have been converted to open top; details of which were listed in March 2018 ‘Busmopolitan’. 18475 (LX55 ERV) was seen (above) at the South East Bus Festival, Detling on 7/4/18.

Above: Former fleet member Trident/ALX400 17889 (LX03 OPY), now with Nu Venture of Aylesford, and in Chatham and District heritage livery. Pictured at the South East Bus Festival on 7/4/18. (D W Rhodes).

Below: Optare Versa 25309 (LX58 CHV) is now with Go Coach of Swanley. It was at the South East Bus Festival, Detling on 7/4/18. It was new to Stagecoach Selkent (for TfL469) and latterly East London, where is was a regular on TfL62 and 396. (D W Rhodes).

STANSTED CITYLINK.
Mb Tourismo BG65 VXH is now with fellow DelGro subsidiary New Adventure Trabel of Cardiff, for use on TrawsCymru service T1C (Cardiff-Aberystwyth), which has been gained from First Cymru. BG65 VXB/D have moved to Westbus, as fleet nos 173/75.

STEPHENSONS.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 no 432 enters Bury St Edmunds bus station on 7/4/18. (John Podgorski).

ADL/Enviro 200s 431/32/33 (EU10 NVP/R/S) now have Bury Breeze branding. These are  regular Bury St Edmunds outstation buses. This outbase (at Greyfriars Road, Moreton Hall) has a pvr of 3; with the third usually being a Dart SLF drawn from Haverhill.
Scania Omnidekka 636 (YN55 NJF) unusually appeared on route 105 (Walton-Colchester) on 6/4/18. This is normally worked by an ADL/Enviro 200 saloon.
From 30/4/18, new route 71C (Brentwood-Soames Place) – M-F only.
At Bury St Edmunds during April were ADL/E200s 431/2/3 (EU10 NVP/R/S), SLF/MPDs 414/17 (EU03 CFY, SN56 AYH), SLF/Pointer 456 (EG02 NZO).

Above: Stephensons Bury outbase on 7/4/18. (John Podgorski).

Sold Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 827 (N827 FKK) is now with The Bus Shelter Homeless Charity of Ipswich, and is kept at the Wheatsheaf pub, Tattingstone, Suffolk.
Odd sightings:
6/4/18: Scania Omnidekka 636 (YN55 NHV) on 105 (Walton on the Naze-Colchester) – due to failed ADL/Enviro 200 464 (EU62 FDF).

SUB ZERO and WOLF, HEYBRIDGE.

Above: GGA 670 is a former Gray Line of Clackmannan 1948 Foden PVSC6/Plaxton converted into a classic/racing car transporter. Sub Zero specialises in high end cooking and refrigeration systems. (David Arnold Collection).

SWALLOW, RAINHAM.
Has new Irizar i6s AA18 WEB ‘Sheila’, BB18 WEB ‘Amy’, CC18 WEB ‘Kylah’.

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
Noted operational in April were Scania/Irizar YT13 WLH; Setra S315 TSU 182; Setra S416s BJ08 KNM, UL11 ULM, BU13 ZUA, BU14 SYE; all Leyland Olympian H48 MJN; Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royales N119/20 UHP.
Leyland Atlantean/ECW RVW 90W; Leyland Royal Tiger Doyen CAZ 2747; Leyland Titan OHV 747Y, A620 THV; Van Hool Astromegas DSK 107, NUH 933 are parked up out of use at the depot.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH open topper J343 BSH is now with Slater and Bowden of Torquay.

Above: Leyland Titan A620 THV on Clacton Seafront on 24/8/17, on the Airshow Shuttle. (Simon Austin).

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Setra S315 LSU 788 is now in fleet livery, ex plain white.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Has Renault Master 14 seater SY14 HPO.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Optare MetroCity electric demonstrator YJ65 EOV is on loan, and on TfL236 (Hackney Wick-Finsbury Park).
TfL31/N31 passed to Metroline on 28/4/18. This has enabled the withdrawal from passenger service of the last 04 reg ex First Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis.

TRUSTYBUS.
Acquisitions via Ensign are:
Ex Golden Tours Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 part open top X336 NNO; ex Go-South Coast Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointers SN03 EBP, ECA.
Previously acquired Optare Solo SF05 NXE and Dart SLF/Mini Pointers NK53 UNY, HW54 BTZ are now in fleet livery.
Now withdrawn are all of the ex Go North East Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns.
From 3/4/18, Herts CC 383/4 (Hertford-Stevenage) were gained from Centrebus.

UNO.
New are Volvo B8RLE/MCV EvoRa 360-65 (LF18 AWH/J/M/N/R/P), for route 610 (Luton-Hatfield-Cockfosters). They have ‘Dragonfly’ branding and are the first of this type in the UK.
Mb Citaro 302 (BX56 VSK) and Wright Streetlite 54 (MX12 CFO), have super rear adverts for University of Hertfordshire.

VICEROY, SAFRON WALDEN.
Has Neoplan Skyliner S102 SET, which is now TUI 9810.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, D Arnold, S Austin, A Barham, A Broughton, EBN, A Hazell, S Kinsella Ilot, D Latus, LOTS, PSVC, D Rhodes, RM.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the March 2018 edition of Busmopolitan.
The new 18 registration plate has come out, and first local vehicle noted is an Irizar i6 of South East Coaches at South Woodham Ferrers.
Ensignbus has revised its Thurrock and Brentwood  networks and published timetable booklet no 30.
First Essex has upgraded its Colchester fleet with some ex West of England Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis.
On Good Friday, Hedingham ran an X76 special, using 2 Volvo B10M coaches. It is understood this type will be retired from pcv use later in 2018.
The month ended with drama at Stansted Airport, when one of the car park shuttle buses caught fire – outside the terminal building. There was much disruption to flights (and trains), and the airport was criticised over how it handled the situation.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).

Above: VDL200/Wright 3379 (KX09 KDU) at Southend Travel Centre in March 2018. (Connor Hamilton).

VDL200 3379 was used in Southend between 6/3/18 and around 25/3/17. It had been in Short Street workshops for the previous 6 months as a major rebuild project. It has now returned to Stevenage.
ADL/Enviro 400MMCs 6501/4/15 were loaned to Arriva Colchester over the Easter weekend for a Colchester-Hythe Rail replacement. DAF SB120/Wright Cadets 3529/34 (LF02 PNJ/U) were borrowed from Colchester in exchange.

Above: 6515 at Hythe rail station, Colchester on 31/3/18. (Simon Austin).

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Ex Arriva London Sojuth ADL/Enviro 200 ENL3 was allocated to Barking (DX), but quickly moved onto Grays (GY). Sister ENL6 also came to DX. Both had previously been at Wood Green (WN).
Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis VLW467/91/92 have been allocated to Edmonton (EC) for TfL123 (Wood Green-Ilford).

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital 142 is reinstated.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 566 (W428 WGH) has seatbelts.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Van Hool accessible coach 3 (M655 KVU).

CITYJET.
New is CRJ900LR EI-FPX.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Volvo B10M/Berkhof R319 NRU is ex Avalon of Gladstonebury.

COLAS RAIL.
6/3/18: 60002 on 6L44 Oxwellmains-West Thurrock.
7/3/18: 66848 on 6L37 Hoo Junction-Whitemoor.
8/3/18: 60026 on 6L44.
15/3/18: 66848 on 0L47.
22/3/18: 60076 on 6L44. 66846 on 0L37.
26/3/18: 70805 on Acton Lane-Barnetby via Cambridge.
29/3/18: 66848 on 6o36 Whitemoor-Hoo Junct.

CT PLUS.
Returned to their lessor are ADL/Enviro 200s DA2-12 (YX62 DHC/D/Y, DKD/E/L/ DMU, DPF, DSZ, DTV/Y).

DBS.
37606 has been stored at Derby.
6/3/18: 59001 on 0L21 from Dagenham to Acton, light through Leyton Midland Road @ 1919. 66170 on Wakefield-Felixstowe.
7/3/18: 66053 on Potters Bar-Whitemoor autoballasters.
13/3/18; 90034 at Ilford.
14/3/18: 66080 on Wakefield-FLX.
19/3/18: 66167 on 4L45 Wakefield-FLX.
21/3/18: 66012 on Chelmsford stone.
25/3/18: 66075 on Knebworth-Whitemoor engineers. 66152 on Whitemoor-Alexaner Palace engineers.
27/3/18: 59101 on 6L21 Whatley-Dagenham. 66035 on 4L18 Trafford Park-FLX.
28/3/18: 66086 on 4L40 Cowley-Purfleet.

DE VERE, SIBLE HEDINGHAM.
Has acquired ex Turners of Essex Leyland Olympian/NC K735 ODL, ex loan.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
From Blue Triabgle are Scania N230UD/Olympuses 741/44/47-51.
ADL/Enviro 200/MCV Evolution AE56 OUK has gone to Shelton Motors, Ely, for scrap – via Ensign.

DRS.
19/3/18: 37405 with 5 GA MkIIIs on 5P82 Ilford-Norwich. 57312 with 1 DVT on Cardiff-Norwich via GEML. 88008 on 0Z88 Norwich-Crewe via GEML, after visiting MNR gala.
22/3/18: 37405 on 1Z99 Norwich-Liverpool St light engine, to collect ECS back to Norwich as 5P04. Dead GA 90015 was on rear.
23/3/17: 37607 + DBSO 9701 in Felixstowe area – late at night.
24-25/3/17: 37607 + 9701 on 3Z66 Colchester-Derby.
27/3/18: 90034 at Ilford depot.
29/3/18: 37608 on Old Oak-Ilford light engine.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Former Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LF52 THG, latterly with London General; has gone to Shelton Motors, Ely, for scrap – via Ensign.

EASYJET.
New are Airbus A320-214s G-EZRP/U, A320-251n G-UZHE.
ES-SAP is an A320-323 wet leased from Smart Lynx Airlines.

EASYJET EUROPE.
New are Airbus A320-214 OE-LJE; A319-111s OE-LKG/J/I, LQB-F/L/R/S/U.

EASTERN NATIONAL.
It’s 45 years since the depot and bus station at West Mersea closed.

Above: The West Mersea bus station office, seen around 30/3/1973. (Ron Green Collection-Mersea Museum).

Below: Staff line up at West Mersea depot/bus station on 30/3/1973, the penultimate day of operations. The Bristol MW in the background was the last bus kept there. (Ron Green Collection-Mersea Museum).

Above: Bristol K5G/ECW no 1294 (MPU 17), on the forecourt of West Mersea garage/bus station. Worked as am outbase of Colchester, the premises had been acquired with the Berrys business in 1935. (R A Jenkinson-Mersea Museum).

ENSIGNBUS.
There were changes to the main Thurrock network from 3/3/18.
12 – revised to run between Aveley The Village Estate and Ockendon Station to a revised timetable. It finishes on Friday 25/5/18 when funding ends.
22 – will operate via Lakeside Tesco and Retail Park at all times to a revised timetable with reliability measures.
22A – ceased. Sun and hol service covered by 22 and 66.
33 – Additional M-F peak journeys, revised timetable.
44 – Additional M-F peak journeys, revised timetable to improve reliability.
66 – revised timetable and new Sunday service. M-F, every other journey will be a 66A which will take a different route between Grays and Lakeside.
66A – revised timetable. Between Grays and Lakeside, buses will operate between London Road, Weston Avenue and Lakeside Tesco.
73/A, 83 – Revised timetables to improve reliability. Some additional M-F journeys.
88 – Withdrawn from Lakeside. M-F off-peak frequency altered to 60 mins.
88A – new M-F service Stifford Clays-Lakeside.
X80 – new Sunday service introduced.
Changes to the Brentwood network from 26/3/18:
21 – M-F, 10:50 and 19:08 from Ongar extended to Lakeside as X21. X21 returns to Ongar @ 09:48, 16:05.
81 – M-F, all peak journeys extended to/from Warley Eagle Way.

Above: Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 131 at Ongar on 21/10/17. (John Podgorski).

Fleet news is that ex Stephensons of Easingwold ADL/Enviro 200 SK15 HBB has been added, as no 719, while short ADL/E200 650 is reinstated.

EUROWINGS.
New is Airbus A319-112 D-ABGP.

EUROWINGS EUROPE.
New Airbus A319-132s OE-LYU/V/W.

FIRST ESSEX.

From First West of England at Bristol are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 37009/10 (WX55 VHU/V), 37015 (WX15 VJC), 37016/17 (WX55 VJD/E), 37020 (WX55 VJJ) – all allocated to Colchester (CR). 37009 (seen above) at Highwoods Square, Colchester on 14/3/18 by Simon Austin.
Scania Omnicity 65028 (YN06 TDO) is now in refreshed livery. 65031 (YN06 TDX) is the last of the type at Chelmsford.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65689 (YS03 ZKJ) has move from CR to Clacton (CN). 65748 delicensed due to chassis failure.

Above: Omnicity 65028 at Colchester bus station on 12/3/18. It is on the fast 76A service, which competes against Hedingham X76 and by-passes Little Clacton and Weeley. (Simon Austin).

Optare Solo 53123 (EO02 NFE) is now a crew shuttle at Chelmsford (CF). Pictured (above) on 11/3/18 by Simon Austin. It is not that long ago that new cars and minibuses replaced old buses as crew ferries at First Essex.
Optare Solos 53113 (EO02 NDY), 53133 (EO02 NFR) are withdrawn. 53133 has gone to store at Clacton. Indeed, all of the 02 reg Solos looked to have been taken out of revenue service, by the end of March. They have been replaced, in the main by the ex London/Potteries Dart SLF/Caetanos. Regular haunts for the 02 Solos had included routes 14/15 (Chelmsford-Wickford), 37 (Warley-Brentwood-Bishops Hall), 40 (Galleywood-Chelmsford-Broomfield), 41 (Galleywood-Chelmsford-Chignal), 351 (Chelmsford-Brentwood). Also occasional appearances on 73 (Chelmsford-Heybridge-Maldon) and even the odd run on 71 (Chelmsford-Colchester).

Above: Optare Solo 53136 outside Chelmsford bus station on 10/2/18. (John Podgorski).

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 42900 has lost its super rear advert for Haynes International Motor Museum.

From 26/3/18, was rerouted in Chelmsford, due to forthcoming appearance of double deckers. All journeys from Southend revised to run via Parkway, Rainsford Road to the bus station. Towards Southend, via Coval Lane to Parkway. This is to avoid the arched railway bridge on Duke Street.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32476 (AU53 HJK) at the top of Market Hill, Halstead on 2/3/18, on a Colchester bound 88. (Simon Austin).

Below: Wright Streetlite 63334 at The Commons, Prettygate, Colchester in March 2018, on a Sunday working of Essex CC 1A. (Daniel Pretty).

Ancillary vehicles: Ford Transit NA64 CDV is in use as a staff shuttle.

FLAGFINDERS.
VDL Bova SO15 UBS is here. It arrived in orange livery.

FREIGHTLINER.
7/3/18: 66619 at Bow Olympic. 66621 on Chaddesden-Broxbourne.
15/3/18: 66618 on Bow-Tunstead.
18/3/18: 66602/597 top and tail through Cambridge North on 6Y71 Finsbury Park-Whitemoor engineers.
22/3/18: 66516 on 6L04 Wembley-Barrington and 6M07 return.
23/3/18: 66516 on 6L04/6M04 again. 66617 at Bow Olympic.
26/3/18: 66532 on 6L04/6M04.
27/3/18: 66428 on 6L48 Daventry-Purfleet.
28/3/18: 66532 on 6L04/6M04.
29/3/18: 66540 on Whitemoor-Parkeston.

GBRf:
Ex DBS 66783 has received Biffa red/orange livery and named ‘The Flying Dustman’.
4/3/18: 66725/40/45/58 on 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich-Felixstowe/Parkeston Quay light engine.
6/3/18: 66724 on 4MO6 Felixstowe-Hams Hall. 66725 on 4M23. 66740 on 4M29 Felixstowe-Birch Coppice. 66725 on FLX-Hams Hall. 66747 on 4Z33. 66757 on 4R03 Hams Hall-FLX. 66758 on Harwich-North Walsham tanks. 66765 on FLX-Doncaster.
7/3/18: 66724 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 66726 at Bow Midland.
8/3/18: 66728 dead in 4M02.
9/3/18: 66714 on 4L18 Trafford Park-FLX. 66758 on 4L02. ‘Large logo’ 66789 at Bow Midland on 6O60/6O74 from/to Tonbridge empty hoppers.
12/3/18: 66770 on FLX-Hams Hall.
13/3/18: 66702 on Parkeston-N Walsham light engine.
14/3/18: 66740, 66758 at Bow Midland.
15/3/18: 66726 on 4L02. 66740 at Bow Midland.
16/3/18: 66789 on 6L36 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
18/3/18: 66740/727 top and tail on 6T60 Straford-Whitemoor engineers.
19/3/17: 66732 on 6P40 Parkeston-N Walsham tanks, unusuall routed via Chelmsford, Stratford, Tottenham Hale, Audley End, Cambridge, Ely, Thetford. 66740/727 on 0L33. 66751 on 0M02 PBO-FLX light engine. 66754/701 on 4Z26.
20/3/18: 66761 at Bow Midland.
21/3/18: 66701 on 4L02. 66764 at Bow Midland.
22/3/18: 66702 at Bow Midland.
23/3/18: 66703 on 4M21 FLX-Trafford Park. 66754 on 4Z02 Masboro-FLX. 66765 on 4M04 FLX-Hams Hall.
25/3/18: 66727/51/55/73 on 0L33.
26/3/18: 66751 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66753 on 4L22. 66781 on 6L37 – on hire to Colas.
27/3/18: 66701 on 6L36. 66761 at Bow Midland on 6M47 aggregates to Bardon Hill.
28/3/18: 66751 on N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 66756 at Bow Midland on 6M47.
29/3/18: 66751 on Harwich-N Walsham. 66774 on 6T60 Whitemoor-Romford engineers.
30/3/18: 66702 on engineers at Gidea Park. 66772 on 4L02.

GOLDSMITHS OF SICKLESMERE.
A visit on 31/3/18 found the old depot now occupied by Limelite Graphics Company, having previously been used as a car sales lot. All of the remaining coaches have gone, except for the Bedford/Plaxton in the lean to, which has been there since at least 1975.

Above: A view of the rear of Goldsmiths premises in November 2004. The Dutfield bodied Vulcan in the foreground went for preservation, as did ex Surrey Motors of Sutton AEC Reliance/Plaxton Panorama Elite II LGH 431P (right).  The lean to is out of the picture to the left. (John Podgorski).

GREAT NORTHERN.
The Class 365 Networkers are now being withdrawn, as new Class 700s come on stream for the Cambridge services.
14/3/18: 365503/19 through Cambridge North to Ely @ 1649 for storage behind 47301.
15/3/18; 365529/35 through Cambridge North @ 1321 behind 47301 and to Ely for storage.
365501/505 also stored at Ely.
The Class 700s employ ATO (Automatic Train Operation) on the section through central London, between Kings Cross Thameslink and Blackfriars. This is a first on the UK main line railway.

GREATER ANGLIA.
Ex Great Northern 321403 has been received.
To the new livery are Turbostar DMU 170205 and EMU 317512. Now in Renatus colours are EMUs 321312-14/16.
321312 is no longer named ‘Southend on Sea’.
4/3/18: A Class 317 headed by DTSO 77068, leading a UID 321 “up” through Ingatestone @ 1653. Also of note that the GEML south of Witham was closed for engineering that day.
8/3/18: 321323/305 on 5M70 Ilford-Wolverton ECS.
On 14/3/18, there were two incidents which disrupted train services.
There was a landslip on the Clacton line between Alresford and Great Bentley, while on the Felixstowe branch, there was a collision between a freight train and road vehicle on the level crossing at Liberty Park, between Derby Road (Ipswich) and Trimley stations. Replacement buses ran Colchester-Thorpe Le Soken and Ipswich-Felixstowe respectively and rail tickets were valid on parallel local bus services. Normal rail services did not resume until w/c 19/3/18. There was a second, smaller landslip on 28/3/18.
15/3/18: 90003 + 82133 and set running in reverse formation. 321313 on Doncaster-Ilford ECS.
16/3/18: 90003 + 82133 again running in reverse.
19/3/18; 170202 running with 2 rather than 3 cars.
26/3/18: 321426 on 1P24 1130 LST-NOR. 322484 on 5E22 Ilford to Leeds Neville Hill ECS.
29/3/18: 321316 on Doncaster-Ilford ECS.

HAILSTONE, WICKFORD.
New is HT18 BUS, an iveco 60C/Excel 16 seater, named ‘Storm’.
Iveco 45C15/Excel 16 seater FJ09 NEO has passed to Richards of Cardigan. Sister MX07 UFB is now with Woodlands School, Basildon.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere no 5 at Ridgewell on 19/3/18. It is on an ex Turners of Essex contract to Hedingham School. (Laurence Kinsella-Ilot).

Above: B10M/Premiere 8 at Colchester on 30/3/18. See text below. (John Podgorski).

On 30/3/18, Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premieres 8 (R453 FWT) and 10 (S291 TVW) worked a Good Friday Special on X76 (Clacton-Colchester). Takings went to charity. X76 doesen’t normally run on Suns/public holidays.
From Konect is former Anglian Scania Omnicity double decker 552 (AO57 HCD). It is at Clacton (CN). It normally works on the ST2 Stanway School run.
Another driver training vehicle is ex London General Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 9016 (PJ02 REU).
Three Scania Omnidekkas have been used at KN during March. 1512 (YN55 PZR) and then 1514 (YN55 PZV) were there at the end of the month, alongside regular 1518 (YN06 JYC).
ADL/Enviro 200 262 (EU58 JCJ) was in use at Kelvedon (KN) for the first time during early March. It is a HD vehicle. Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 290 (EX02RYR) was on loan from HD to CN in early March.
Withdrawn Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 739 (T117 DBW) has been cannibalised. Parts have been used to repair 737 (T107 DBW).
Volvo Olympian/NC 95 (R279 LGH) was collected from Kelvedon by Alpha Recovery on 20/3/18.
Some CN route 63 duties are now covered by HD. There is also a Saturday 63 duty where CN drivers crew KN vehicles on meal reliefs.

Above: Ex London General North Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 517 in Halstead on 13/3/18. Note is currently retains dual doors, limiting it to school contracts. The site of the old Eastern National bus garage is just out of the picture to the left. (Simon Austin).

HIRE YOUR TRANSPORT, TADWORTH.
R436 FWT is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere, ex International Coaches of Thornton Heath and understood to be on loan. It was at Rochford outstation in late March.

Above: R436 FWT at Ingatestone on Greater Anglia rail replacement on 30/3/18. (John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.
Two more ex Metroline Scania Omnicity ‘deckers 46/47 (YR61 RPX, RVA).
Withdrawn are Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 6 (LG02 FCE) and DAF DB250LF/EL Lolander 58 (PJ53 OLA).
Trident 14 (LG02 FDJ) went to PSV Recycling, Hadleigh for scrap, while also sold are Tridents 4, 17 (LG02 FEV/M) respectively and Dart SLF/EL Myllenium 86 (PJ53 OLG).

JET2.COM.
New are Boeing 737-800s G-JZBK/L.

KELLYS OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
Setra S315 IJZ 474 has reverted to its W213 UGX mark.

KIRBYS OF RAYLEIGH.
Setra S250 K19 BYS has been re-registered to R958 AEV and sold to Kevendy’s of Wickford. Sister K100 BYS is now 761 UAR and with Stainton of Crooklands, Cumbria.

KLM CITYHPPER.
New are Embraer E175TSTDs PHEXW/X, E190STD PH-EXY.

MTR CROSSRAIL/TfL RAIL.
Class 345 deliveries have reached 345034. 345020/22/23/29 have appeared on the GWR for staff training. 022/23 at Old Oak Common and 029 at Maidenhead. 020 was seen running at Ealing Broadway on 7/3/18.
Withdrawn are 315855/58.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
On 30/3/18, one of the Mb Citaro bendybuses, 8541 (R500 LSA ex KX58 GUA) was destroyed by fire at Stansted Airport. The terminal was evacuated as a result. There was damage to some surrounding infrastructure. Flights were delayed or cancelled.
An application has been made to put the Stansted and Luton operations on the West Midlands Travel O licence.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Essex CC contracted Sun/hol Route 501 was withdrawn after 25/3/18. Replaced by Trustybus service 420 from Good Friday 30/3/18.

PANTHER TRAVEL.

Above: Mb Sprinter AB03 PAN at South Woodham Ferrers rail station, on the shuttle for Greater Anglia to Battlesbridge and Wickford. Taken before dawn on 9/3/18. This runs M-F Peak hours only and is because platform works at Battlesbridge are temporarily preventing 12 car trains from stopping there. (Alex Hazell).

Above: Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer KV51 KZK on a rural stretch on the X15, between the Oakleys and Wix on 2/3/18. (Chris Sampson).

Above: The new Northumberland Park outstation at Meridian Way. Plaxton Primo SB07 PAN and Mb Sprinter LF/Koch BX56 VTE get ready for another day’s duty in March 2018. This is located in the Meridan Waters construction compound of Volker Fitzpatrick.  (Alex Hazell).

Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther AB53 PAN is back in use. Sister ex Turners YN54 WWT entered service at Great Dunmow outstation in late March. YN54 WWT has been fitted with a led destination and is initially running in plain white.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
The Rochford compound had been cleared by early March. It to be occupied by Southend Airport Car Parking.

ROG.
15/3/18: 47848 at Ilford.

ROMAN COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Irizar i6 YN67 VDD has received silver lettering on its metallic light blue base livery.

RYANAIR.
New are Boeing 737-800s EI-GJE-K/M.

SOUTH EAST COACHES, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.

New is Irizar i6 YN18 ZNY. It was pictured (above) at Witham on 25/3/18, on Greater Anglia rail replacement to Newbury Park. (John Podgorski).

Scania K114/Irizar GRZ 4247 is now with Sovereign Coaches of Walsall.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: The only Plaxton Pointer Dennis Dart SLFs left with Stagecoacgh East London are driver trainers. In a new livery is 34362 (LV52 HKO), at West Ham depot on 28/3/18. It contrasts with 34353 (LV53 HKE) in “tradional” colours. (D W Rhodes).

For the new Megasightseeing Tour are Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 18467/71/73-75/77/82/96/97 (LX55 EPV, ERK/U/V/Y, ESF, BDZ, LX06 AHC/D). They were converted to open top by ADL at Harlow and are in the blue/yellow Magabus livery.
Trident/ALX400 driver trainers 17363/64/68/95-97/99, 17426/27/34, 17834 have moved from West Ham (WH) to Rainham (RM). Tridents 18467/71/75/77/82/96/97 have moved to Bow (BW).
Also reallocated from WH to RM are driver trainer Optare Versas 25301-5 and Daer SLF/Pointers 34535/55/57/58/62.
Withdrawn are Trident/ALX400s 17788 (LX03 BWB), 17845 (LX03 BYY), 17993 (LX53 KCA), 18215 (LX04 FXC), 18480 (LX55 ESO), 18452, 18477.
Trident 18202 (LX04 FWM) has been donated to the Metropolitan Police, while 18210 (LX04 FWW) has gone for scrap.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 17820 (LX03 BXR), 17907 (LX03 OSA) have gone to Shelton Motors, Ely, for scrap – via Ensign.
17889 (LX03 OPY) is now with Nu Venture, Aylesford – via Lister PSV, Bolton (dealer).

Above; Engineering Training Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s 17810 and 17807 at West Ham depot on 28/3/18. (D W Rhodes).

Below: Still in the old livery are Dennis Trident/ALX400 driver trainers 17397 and 17363 at West Ham depot on 28/3/18. (D W Rhodes).

Overall advert changes:
ADL/Enviro 40H 12142 (LX61 DDV) – back to red.
New Routemasters LT239 to Go Kerela; L241 to Michael Kors; LT249 to Ralph Lauren; LT367 to Coach; LT385 to Breyers Delight; LT387 to DKNY.

STEPHENSONS.
From the now defunct Stephensons of Easingwold are ADL/Enviro 200s SN66 WKF/G.They have been numbered 467/68, with 468 posted to Rochford.
Ex Express Motors Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s CY12 EMS, CX14 EMS are numbered 609/10. They are allocated to Rochford and Haverhill respectively.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 455 (EG02 NZO) has been on loan to Galloway. This is from Stephensons Reserve fleet.
The Bury St Edmunds outstation allocation at 31/3/18 was:
ADL/Enviro 200s 431/32 (EU10 NVP/R); Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 414 (EU03 CFY).

SUFFOLK NORSE.
No longer provides rail replacement control for Greater Anglia.

SWISS.
New are CS300s HB-JCH/J.

TALISMAN, GREAT BROMLEY.
Sold are Scania K360/Irizars YR10 BEO, YT10 WLH.

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN.
Has ex Turners of Essex Setra S315 LSU 788.

THOMAS COOK.
G-TCVC/D are Airbus A321-231s leased from Aviation Capital.
Leased from Avion Express are A320-214 LY-VEF, A320-233 LY-VEN.

TOWER TRANSIT.

Above: Van Hool electric bus BH63102 at London Bridge on 13/3/18. (Simon Austin)

Sold to Ensign are ADL/Enviro 400s SN12 AVR/T/U/V/W/X. SN12 AVU/V/W/X. They were quickly resold to Sullivan Buses.

Above: SN12 AVV/U await collection by Sullivans from Ensign on 24/3/18. (John Podgorski).

Dennis Trident/Plaxton President TN32822 (T822 LLC) has passed to the Bromley Bus Preservation Group.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.
Supplied via Ensign are ex Go South Coast Dennis Dart/Plaxton Mini Pointers SN03 EBU, HW54 BTZ. EBU ex Bluestar, BTZ ex Salisbury Reds.
Scania L94UB/Wright Solar NK53 UNW entered traffic in March, after repaint.
From 30/3/18, a Sun/hol service was introduced on 420 (Harlow-Ongar/North Weald).
There had been this facility on the now withdrawn 420A. The new order replaced axed NIBS 501.

TURNERS OF ESSEX.
The Great Maplestead depot has been sold, via Rightmove to a building design company.
Scania K340/Irizar SN57 BKD is now with Guru Travel of Warley.

WOW AIR.
New is Airbus A321-211 TF-CAT.

With thanks to: Anglia Gen, S Austin, EBN, Ensignbus, R Green, C Hamilton, A Hazell, Hedingham, RA Jenkinson, LOTS, Mersea Museum, Panther Travel, D Pretty, PSVC, DW Rhodes, J Sadd, C Sampson.