Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the August 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

ANGUS, NEEDHAM MARKET. This coach operator, founded in 1997, closed on 31/8/20.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. Dart SLF/Caetano 1563 (RX07 KPJ) returned to passenger service in late August, having been on Staff Shuttles since June.
Odd sightings:
5/8/20: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 (EU56 GVG) on 8; R133 StreetLite 4323 (SK68 TWU) on 8.
6/8/20: Dart SLF/MPD 1558 (KX56 HCP) on 8; Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 (HX04 HUK) on 2.
7/8/20: StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 2.
9/8/20: ADL/E200s 4011/18 (GN58 BTO, BUE) on 133.
10/8/20: 1559 on 8; Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1565 on 1; R133 StreetLite 4324 (SK68 TWV) on 2.
11/8/20: 1558 on 8; 1565 on 1; Park and Ride ADL/E200 4074 (SK15 GXU) on 1 + 2; StreetLite 4262 (GN64 DXS) on 2. 14/8/20: R133 4324 on 8. 17/8/20: R133 4324 on 8. 20/8/20: R133 StreetLite 4323 on 1.                                          23/8/20: 1563 on 8. 25/8/20: R133 4324 on 8. 26/8/20: 1559 on 133; 4017 on 133; 4324 on 8. 28/8/20: StreetLite 4224 on 1.

Above: Arriva Colchester’s solitary double decker; VDL DB300LF/Wright Pulsar Gemini low height 4459 (MX61 AXW), on Mersea Road on 28/8/20. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. The new Mercedes Tourismo coaches for the (currently) delayed new 720 (Stansted Airport-London) service have been registered – 7200-15 (BV20 HRA/C-G/J-P/R/U/W). Some have been loaned to Arriva The Shires at Luton for use on Green Line 755 and 757 (Luton-London). They carry the latest Green Line livery.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND. Heritage liveried ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6499 (SN66 WHS), has been named ‘Geoff Arthur’ after a long serving staff member.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
ADL/Enviro 400s T22, 25, 29, 30, 31, 34 have been transferred to Edmonton (EC).
VDL DB250LF/Wright Gemini DW136 has been withdrawn from the training fleet and transferred to Grays (GY) as a staff rest/meal relief vehicle.
Volvo B7TL/ALX400 VLA131 (LJ05 GMF) has passed to Bromley Bus Preservation Group.
Withdrawn VLA57 and VLA116 (LJ05 BKG) are parked up at Barking garage.
As a result of recent TfL contract losses, Stamford Hill (SF) garage has been mothballed.

AVANTI WEST COAST.
6/8/20: 221101 on Ilford-Barton under Needlewood ECS. 21/8/20: 221111 on Ilford-Barton ECS.

BLUE TRIANGLE. Transferred from within GA London were ADL/Enviro 200s SE1 (LX07 BXH), SE2 (LX07 BXJ), SE92 (YX11 CPY).

CHAMBERS.Above: 455 at Osborne Street, Colchester on 28/8/20. (John Podgorski).

Below: 455 with Anglian Bus, in Great Yarmouth on 9/8/17. (Roger Pope).

Scania Omnilinks 454 (YT11 LVF), 455 (AN61 LAN) are in the new livery, ex Anglian. Borrowed from Hedingham Optare Solo 910 (SF04 SKD) has been swopped for 911 (SF04 SKE).
From 3/8/20, for 3 weeks, the B1508 was closed at the river bridge on Bridge Street in Bures. This affected route 754, which was split into 2 shuttles. The section to/from Colchester was covered by Hedingham Kelvedon depot for the duration. This terminated at the Eight Bells pub in Bures Hamlet.

Above: Hedingham Scania Omnidekka 812 (YN55 PZR) blinded for the Colchester-Bures 754 shuttle. (John Podgorski).

COLAS. 17/8/20: 37254 tnt 37175 on 1Q90 Derby-Ferme Park via Liverpool St. 18/8/20: 37175 tnt 31175 on 1Q95 Ferme Park-Shoebury-Ripple Lane; then 1Q96 Ripple Lane-Leigh/Fenchurch St-Ferme Park. 21/8/20: 37254 tnt 37175 on 1Q99 Cambridge-March via Ipswich and Felixstowe. 31/8/20: 70813/817 on 6C60/61 Whitemoor-Woodgrange Park engineers and return.

COOKS, WESTCLIFF. Restarted activities in August.

DAN’S COACH TRAVEL, NEEDHAM MARKET.

Above: Ex First Essex Scania L94UB/Wright Solar YS03 ZKF on Greater Anglia rail replacement to Bury St Edmunds, at Ipswich on 1/8/20. (Simon Austin).

DANS LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY. The fleet at end of trading was: Jasvelin/Plaxton YN57 BWA; Volvo B10M/Jonckhere Y137 CDS; Volvo B12B/Jonckherres YJ07 ADO/X; Volvo B7R/Plaxton Primas YN07 DUH/Y, KGZ; Mercedes Tourismos BK11 CNX, BF16 XRE, BL16 FYV, BN17 JLO, BF67 WKW, YN18 CLY; King Longs BX14 FZY/Z; Volvo B11R/Jonckherres YJ64 HDU, SH15 WWX; Yutong Tc9 YC15 WCT; Yutong Tc12 YG65 APK. Sold are King Long XMQ6130 BX14 FZZ – to Dealtop, Clyst St Mary, Devon, Volvo B7R/Plaxton YN07 KGX; Javelin/Plaxton YN57 BWA – to 1st Choice, Llanelli and Yutong Tc12 YG65 APK – to Mitchell, South Croydon. YN57 BWA was downseated from 70 to 57 before sale.

DBS.
5/8/20: 59004 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66089 on 6L07 Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf and 6V07 return. 66127 on Hither Green-Marks Tey sand yard.
6/8/20: 66051 on 4L45. 66128 at Bow Yard. Blue 66162 on 4M79. 12/8/20: 66206 on Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf. 17/8/20: 66129 on 4L56 Trafford-London Gateway. 18/8/20: 66051 on Wakefield-FLX.  19/8/20: 50102 on Acton-Chelmsford and return on 6V12. 66079 on Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf, and then 6V20 to Neasden. 20/8/20: 66051 on FLX-Wakefield. 66116 on Bow-Heck Plasmor. 66162 on FLX-EM Gateway. 22/8/20: 66162 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway. 24/8/20: 66092 on Acton-Ipswich Griffin Wharf. 66158 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 24/8/20: Blue 66006 on 4L45. 25/8/20: 66077 on 4M70 FLX-EM Gateway. 66133 on Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 26/8/20: 66092 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden sand. 66102 on FLX-EM Gateway.

DOCKLANDS BUSES. Ex Abellio ADL/Enviro 200s SEN53-57 (YX16 NZZ, OAA, NZY/W/S) are here. Transferred from within GA London was ADL/Enviro 200 SE29 (SN57 DWV).

DON’S, DUNMOW.

Above: Ex Ensignbus ADL/Enviro 200 PX12 BSZ, freshly repainted and at Parsonage Down depot on 2/8/20. (Alex Hazell).

Leyland Olympian/Alexander RLs F602/04 MSL, have been sold for preservation.

DRS.Above: 68026 is towed by 57002 through Marks Tey during the afternoon of 19/8/20. They are en route from Stowmarket  to Willesden Brent.  (James Cole).

12/8/20: 57002 on 0Z02 Willesden-Norwich light loco via NLL and GEML. 19/8/20: 57002 towed 68026 on 0Z02 Stowmarket-Willesden Brent light loco. 26/8/20: 57002 on Norwich-Willesdwn Brent light loco. 27/8/20: 57002 on 6Z02 Eastleigh Works-Dagenham Dock empty cartics – 8743750255/438/164/107/461 – then 57002 ran light back to Norwich.

ENSIGNBUS.Above: Trident 339 at Southend Pier on 11/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

ADL/Enviro 200s 717/18 (YX60 EOS/T) have passed to Lloyd, Bagilt. New service 77/A (Aveley-Tilbury) began from 29/8/20. Odd sightings: 1/8/20: Routemaster open topper RM371 on 68. 8-9/8/20: Daimler Fleetline open top 333 (EGP 33J); MCW Metroliner open top 372 (A112 KFX), replica B Type open top 946 WAE – all on 68. 11/8/20: 333 on 68.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Eastern National heritage liveried Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37007, at Greenstead Road, Hythe, Colchester on 6/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Transferred from First South Yorkshire are Volvo B7TL/ALX400s 30564/67 – at CR. From First Eastern Counties at Lowestoft are ADL/Enviro 200s 44513/14 – at BN. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 43846 (SN55 CXF) to First Eastern Counties at Ipswich. ADL/E200 MMCs 67160/61 (YY66 OZV/W) have received Airlink livery, ex X10. Volvo B9TL;/Gemini 37986 (BJ11 ECY) is now in Eastern National Tilling cream and green heritage coach livery, ex X30. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 37009 (WX55 VHU) is currently stored at CF. It has been VOR since fire damage in August 2018. However, 37010 (WX55 VHV) is back in use at CR, ex long term VOR. In late August, exhibition unit Dart SLF/Caetano 41521 (LK03 UEY) appeared at Colchester on Staff Shuttles.

From 2/8/20, Colchester routes 61 (Highwoods-Wivenhoe) and 65 (Highwoods-Tollgate) interworked on Sundays. From 3/8/20, routes 67 (West Mersea-Colchester) and 75 (Colchester-Maldon) interworked, meaning more double deckers on the 67.
Odd sightings:
1/8/20: B7TL/Gemini 32547 (SF54 OSK) on 64. R62 B9TL/Gemini 37136 (SN57 HCU) on 65 + 1A; StreetLite 63344 (SM65 EFC) on 103; X10 ADL/E200 MMC 67161 (YY 66 OZW) on 100; X10 ADL/E200 MMC 67164 (YY 66 PBF) on 100.
3/8/20: R62 37136 on 65 + 1A; R62 B9TL/Gemini 37138 (SN 57 HCX) on 61; B7RLE/Wright 66816 (MX05 CDY) on 75; X10 ADL/E200 MMC 67162 (YY 66 OZX) on 5B; X10 67164 on 8. 4/8/20: R62 B9TL/Gemini 37133 (SN57 HDH) on 75; StreetLite 63335 (SK65 PXR) on 102; X10 67162 on 25; X10 67164 on 8A; B7RLE/Wright 69429 on 70. 5/8/20: B7TL/Gemini 37007 (WX55 VHR) on 64A; R62 37133 on 68; R62 B9TL/Gemini 37134 (SN57 HDJ) on 75; R62 37138 on 64A; R62 B9TL/Gemini 37139 (SN57 HCY) on 104; 63335 on 74B; StreetLite 63341 on 104; X10 67162 on 8; X10 67164 on 25. 6/8/20: B7TL/ALX400 32476 (AU53 HJK) on 174; 32547 on 103; ; 37007 on 64; R62 37133 on 2A; R62 37134 on 61; ; R62 37138 on 68; 42935 on 71A; StreetLite 63337 on 75; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink ADL/E200 MMC 67163 (YY66 PAO) on 100; X10 67164 on 8. 7/8/20: R62 37133 on 68; X10 67162 on 8; Airlink 67163 on 25; X10 67164 on 100. 8/8/20: R62 37134/36 on 61; R62 37138 on 68; R62 37139 on 2A; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 5; X10 67164 on 100. 9/8/20: R62 37133/34 on 65; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 66163 on 251; X10 67164 on 100. 10/8/20:R62 37133 on 65; R62 37136 on 75; R62 37138 on 2A; StreetLite 63339 on 75; B7RLE 66810 (MX05 CDF) on 75; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 25; X10 67164 on 8. 11/8/20: R62 37133 on 75 + 67; R62 37136 on 75; R62 37138 on 2A; R62 37139 on 61; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink 67163 on 8; X10 67164 on 25; ADL/E300 67742 (SN62 AKO) on 62. 12/8/20: R62 37136 on 88; R62 37138 on 2A; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink 67163 on 25; X10 67164 on 8A. 13/8/20; 37027 on 64; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 88; R62 37138/39 on 61; 63332 on 102; 63334 on 62; 63337 on 75; X10 67162 on 5B; Airlink 67163 on 100. 16/8/20: R62 37136 on 61; R62 37139 on 65; X10 67162 on 8; Airlinks 67163 on 100. 17/8/20: B7TL/Gemini 32628 on 104; R62 37133 on 68; R62 37134 on 75; R62 37138 on 61; 37140 on 64; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 25; X10 67164 on 16. 18/8/20: R62 37136/38 on 88; ADL/E200 MMC 44659 on 71. 19/8/20: R62 37138 on 65; ADL/E200 44004 on 13/A/14; B7RLE 66801 on 70 + 71A; ADL/E300 67737 on 62. 20/8/20: 37006 on 102; 37016 on 64; 44004 on 71; 63341 on 74B; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 8; X10 67164 on 25. 21/8/20; 32629 on 64; 37015 on 64; R62 37134 on 61; R62 37136 on 65; R62 37138 on 61; R62 37139 on 75 + 67; Dart SLF/Pointer 42939 (WX05 SVE) on 71; StreetLite 63333 (SK65 PXP) on 62; 63336 (SM65 EEU0 on 2A; B7RLE 66730 (WX54 XCP) on 71; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 5; X10 67164 on 8. 22/8/20: R62 37134/38 on 61; R62 37139 on 75 + 67; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 100. 23/8/20: 32628 on 64; 37010 on 64; 37017 on 102; R62 37139 on 65; ADL/E200 MMC 44659 on 70; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 25. 24/8/20: R62 37133 on 2A; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 8; X10 67164 on 8. 25/8/20: R62 37133 on 65; Airlink 67160 on 5; Airlink 67161 on 25; X10 67162 on 9; Airlink 67163 on 94A; X10 67164 on 25.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 44513 (DK57 SXG), arrives at Basildon from Lowestoft on 30/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

FLAVIN, STANFORD LE HOPE. Volvo B10M/Van Hool K11 FCL has received a “Hearse Coach” livery of black and “Grim Reaper” decals – to highlight the decline of the UK coach industry due to Covid-19.

FREIGHTLINER.Above: 86637 leads a triple header Coatbridge-Felixstowe at Colchester on 25/7/20. (James Cole).

1/8/20: 86604/09 on 4L97 Trafford-Felixstowe. 86607/32 on 4L91 Trafford-Ipswich/Felixstowe.
5/8/20: 86607/32 on 4S88. 86609/39 on 4L89. 86613/22 on 4L91. 86614/37 on 4M45.
6/8/20: 66505 on 4L93. 66517 on 4M81. 86607/32 on 4L89. 86609/39 on 4L91. 86614/37 on 4M45.
7/8/20: 66516 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66592 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 86607/32 on 4L91. 86639/09 on 4S88 FLX-Coatbridge.
8/8/20: 86638/04 on 4L93 Crewe-FLX.
10/8/20: 66511 on 4S88 IPS-FLX section. 86604/38 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 11/8/20: 86604/38 on 4M87. 86607/32 on 4L89. 86608/22 on 4S88. 12/8/20: 86638/04 on 4L91.                                                                                              14/8/20: 66517 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 17/8/20: 66414 on 4L35 Avonmouth-London Gateway. 66536 and 66571 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 66555 + 562 tnt 6X04 Parkeston-Brentwood engineers. 66594 on 4M94 FLX-Lawley St. 86638/04 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford.18/8/20: 66558 on 4M94. 66590 on 6E50 Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 86638/04 on 4L91. 86614/13 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford.  19/8/20: 66601 on 6M81 Marks Tey-Tunstead. 86608/22 on 4L89 Crewe-FLX. 86613/09 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 20/8/20: 66515 on 4M87. 66547 on 4L89 and then 4M87. 66548 on 4L41 Crewe-FLX. 66550 6L80 on Tunstead-Marks Tey. 66565 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66599 on 4M86 FLX-EM Gateway. 86608/22 on 4L91. 86609/13 on 4L97. 86632/37 on 4M45 and 4L45 return. 22/8/20: 66511 on 4L40 Doncaster-FLX. 66523 on 4L41 Ditton-FLX. 25/8/20: 66517 on Ipswich-Lindsay tanks. 26/8/20: 86639/09 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 90042/49 + 86637/32 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX – ’90s detached at Willesden. 26/8/20: 66513 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 66554 on 4L36. 86609/39 on 4M87. 27/8/20: 66543 on 4M87. 86639/09 on 4L91. 28/8/20: 66533 on 4M88 FLX-Ditton. 66545 on 4L36. 66563 on 4L41. 66548 on 4M63 FLX-Trafford. 86637/32 on 4L89 and 4M87. 86639/09 on 4L97. 29/8/20: 86608/13 on 4L91. 30/8/20: 66562 on Colchester-Broxbourne-Whitemoor engineers.

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON. Mb Sprinter 516/EVM GU19 KKE has been reregistered CC64 GAL.

GARDNER, CHELMSFORD. All of the full size coaches have been withdrawn. Scania/Irizars S332 SET, YN04 GPJ, YN55 PXD/W, YR58 SNK; Volvo B10M/Jonckherre V342 JTO. Plus Mb0816D/Plaxton Cheetah2 CX09 FJE.

GBRf.Above: 66770 in the “up” loop at Witham on 1/8/20. (John Podgorski).

2/8/20: 47739/27 on 0Z59 Ferme Park-Ilford light loco.
5/8/20: 66713 on 0Z20 Ipswich-Lowestoft route learner. 66770 on route learner from Peterborough to Cambridge and London Fields via WA lines, then onto NLL and Acton, then return as above – 0Z52 to 0Z58.
6/8/20: 66708 on 4E21. 66749 on 4L18 Trafford-FLX failed at Wembley, and DBS 66128 replaced train loco. 66774 on 0Z30 Peterborough-Chingford route learner.
66740 on 4M29. Biffa 66783 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
7/8/20: 66772 on 4M21 FLX-Trafford with DBS 66128 dit as far as Wembley.
8/8/20: 66783 ‘Flying Dustman’ on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
10/8/20: 66723 on 0Z23 route learning from Ipswich. 66771 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.                                      12/8/20: 66722 on 0Z23 Ipswich-Ipswich via East Suffolk Line route learner. 66759 on 0Z63 Stratford-Hornsey route learner. 13/8/20: 66711 on 0Z52-58 London Fields-Richmond route learner. 66759 on 0Z64 Hornsey-Stratford route learner. 14/8/20: 66759 on Stratford route learners. 17/8/20: 66710 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 66713/51 on 6L37 Hoo-Whitemoor. 66736 on 4M02 FLX-Hams Hall. 66759 on 4M00 London Gateway-Masboro. 66782 on 6V32 Tilbury-Troste. 18/8/20: 66725 on 0Z25 Peterborough-London Fields route learner.        19/8/20: 66725 on 0Z63 Peterborough-Stratford route learner. 66755 on 0Z52 Peterborough-London Fields learner, then 0Z53 to Richmond and back. 20/8/20; 66710 on 0Z52 Peterborough-London Fields/Richmonds route learner. 66723 on 4L18 Trafford-FLX and 4M21 return. 66725 on 0Z63 Ferme Park-Stratford route learner. 22/8/20: 66772 on 4E20 FLX-Masboro. 24/8/20: 66755 on 0Z30-35 Whitemoor to London Fields route learners. 25, 26/8/20: 66755 on London Fields route learners. 66785 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks. 27/8/20: 66702/40 with DBS 66065 on 6L37. 66755 on London Fields route learners. 28/8/20: 66760 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.

GREATER ANGLIA.    Above: 322481/82 are towed past Chitts Hill on 24/8/20, by ROG 37800. (John Podgorski).                                         

322481/82 are ex Northern. This completes the transfer over of the ex Northern Class 321s and 322s. 317660/68 are withdrawn.

1/8/20: 360106 towed Northampton-Ilford between GBRf 47739/27 as 5Q60.
2/8/20: 360111 towed Ilford-Northampton by GBRf 47727/39 as 5Q60.
8/8/20: 360111 towed Northampton-Ilford, between GBRf 47727/39 AS 5Q60. 9/8/20: 360112 towed Ilford-Northampton. 14/8/20: 317660/68 dragged Ilford-Ely for storage, by ROG 37884. 16/8/20: 360108 in 5Q60 Ilford-Northampton ECS between GBRf 47727/49. 18/8/20: 745007 on 5Q90 Norwich-Hornsey ECS for wheel lathe; returned on 19/8/20. 22/8/20: 360108 dragged Northampton-Ilford between GBRf 47739/27. 23/8/20; 360114 dragged Ilford-Northampton between GBRf 47727/39. 24/8/20: 321901/02 on 5V09 Clacton-Ilford ECS. 322481/82 towed Doncaster-Clacton ECS by ROG 37800. 25/8/20: 745004 Norwich-Hornsey ECS for tyre turning – returned on 26/8. 26/8/20: 755421 defective in Colchester yard. 29/8/20: 360114 towed as 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS between GBRf 47727/49. Failed 745010 towed Colchester-Norwich by ROG 47812. 30/8/20: 360121 towed 5Q60 Ilford-Northampton ECS between GBRF 47749/27. 31/8/20: 745109 on Norwich-Hornsey ECS for tyre turning.

Above: 745009 at London Liverpool Street on 29/8/20, on the 1930 to Norwich. (John Podgorski).

Above: 745107 was one of the first Stadler Flirts to appear in service on Stansted Express; the other being 745108. Pictured at London Liverpool Street on 15/8/20. (John Podgorski).

HCT GROUP.
Refurbishment of the ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200s for TfL W13 was completed with the return of 1338 from ADL, Harlow. It had been delayed by the Covid-19 lockdown.

HEDINGHAM.Above: Dart SLF/Pointers 253/57/60 (EU04 BVF, EU56 FLM/R) have received “face coverings”. 257 was at Colchester on 28/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Acquired Volvo B7TL/Presidents are X584 EGK, PL51 LDU – from Go North East, and PJ02 RBY – from East Yorkshire. X584 EGK has fleet no 586; PL51 LDU is 587; PJ02 RBY is 588.

Above: Freshly repainted into the new fleet livery; Scania Omnilink 457 at Greenstead Road, Hythe, Colchester on 6/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: 457 in its days with Anglian Bus. Pictured at Gordon Road, Lowestoft on 12/3/16. (Simon Austin).

Mercedes Touros 1, 2 (BX55 FYH/J) have been reinstated for future schools use.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 570 (W487 WGH) is bis ex SORNED at HD. But 572/75 (W489/516 WGH) are VOR again at HD. In mid August, 572 returned to use at KN, while 568 (W458 WGH) and 573 (W491 WGH) were removed from store at KN, to CN and KN respectively. 574 (W506 WGH) was active again at Clacton from late August. 570 HD to KN by 26/8. 571/74/79 CN to KN on 26/8. 584  CN to KN on 27/8. 565 CN to KN on 28/8/20. Acquired 586 allocated to HD on 27/8. Most of the vehicles which had been SORNED or Reserve during Covid-19 are now back in use. HD Dart  SLF/Pointer 258 (EU56 FLN) unusually appeared at KN from 17/8/20, due to a vehicle shortage and was returned on 26/8.
Optare Solo 911 (SF04 SKE) no longer has the “Olivia cartoon” on its super rear advert for services in Clacton. 911 was loaned to Chambers during August, with 910 (SF04 SKD) coming back.

Above: Scania Omnidekka 814 on Lexden Road, Colchester on 3/8/20, running light to take up the evening part of the 3010 duty on service 63. The Busmopolitan/Bus Fayre editor is driving. (James Cole).

Omnidekka movements:
1/8/20: 802 – Chambers-KN. By 6/8/20: 811 – Chambers-KN. By 7/8/20: 807 – KN-Chambers; 810 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers. 10/8/20: 814 – Chambers-KN. 13/8/20: 811 – Chambers-KN. By 14/8/20: 802/08 – KN-Chambers; 810 – Chambers-KN. 18/8/20: 812 – Chambers-KN. By 19/8/20: 800 – KN-Chambers; 810 – Chambers-KN.
Odd sightings:
4/8/20: Solo 911 on X76. 10/8/20: Omnidekka 810 on D1. 18/8/20: 258 on D1. 23/8/20: 910 on 74 + X76. 24/20; 814 on KN Duty 3011  -15, 83, 82, 15. 27/8/20: 574 on 63.

Above: Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 513 at St Johns Street, Colchester on 4/8/20. The Busmopolitan/Bus Fayre editor at the helm. Note the social distancing measures to the left. (Daniel Pretty).

During the closure of the B1508 at the river bridge on Bridge Street in Bures, route 83 terminated at the Eight Bells pub, instead of Bures Church. This was for the first 3 weeks of August.

IPSWICH BUSES. Ex RATP London, via Ensign are Scania Omnicity  ‘deckers 46, 47,48 (YN08 MRV/X/Y). They were converted to single door and fitted with white led destinations, prior to delivery. They will be repainted into IB livery at Ipswich.
Above: Dart SLF/Super Pointer 137 (SN53 AVP) is still going strong. Pictured at Princes Street/Civic Drive/Franciscan Way junction on 1/8/20. The well known Willis Faber building is to the right. This intersection used to be a roundabout, and up to the 1980s featured a nightclub called ‘Bogarts’. (Simon Austin).

Above: Optare Versa 149 at Pier Avenue, Clacton on ex Panther Travel route 2 on 1/8/20. (Simon Austin).

Above: Optare Metrocity YJ67 FXE at Hythe Tesco, Colchester on 6/8/20. This has regularly appeared on route 4. (Daniel Pretty).

2 demonstrators were trialed in August. ADL/E400 MMC YX19 DNU and Optare Metrodecker saloon YJ67 FXE.
Due to Covid-19, some orders for new/used buses were cancelled. These involved some new ADL/E200s and some ex Wellglade Group Mb Citaros. The ex Bus Eirean ADL/Enviro 200s, 71, 72, 76 – had been outshopped in fleet livery by late August. They have been given Irish girls names – 71 – ‘Ciara’, 72 – ‘Niamh’, 76 – ‘Siobhan’. Meanwhile, ADL/E200s 78-81 (YX14 RWL, YX63 ZVW/V, YX63 LGE) have been repainted and branded for a relaunched service 3 (Ipswich-Euro Retail Park) – from September 1st.

Suffolk CC route 111 passed to Mulleys and 116 passed to First Eastern Counties after 29/8/20. Both on retender.

It is understood that there has been an increase in rail replacement activity for Greater Anglia.

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY.
Reopened from 1/8/20.

KIRBY’S, RAYLEIGH.
Has recommenced operations.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER. Trident/EL PN04 XDL is now C20 DGE. It has received a 100th anniversary livery. Withdrawn are Trident/ELs T273/74/78 BPR, V428 DRA.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH. Ex Abellio ADL/Enviro 200s SEN50-52 (YX16 OAM, NZU, OAG) are here. Transferred from within GA London were ADL/Enviro 200s SE25 (SN57 DWM), SE27 (SN57 DWP).

LONDON OVERGROUND. New are 710101/12.
315806/17/27/36 gone for scrap. 315812/25 withdrawn.
315805/07/08 on Romford-Upminster during August.
4/8/20: 315825/12 on 5Q30 Ilford-Northampton ECS. 13/8/20: 710111/125 to revenue service. 14/8/20; 710104/26 to revenue service. 15/8/20: 315831/03 on 5Q30 Ilford-Northampton ECS. 19/8/20: 315808/22 from Ilford to Northampton for storage. 315812/25 returned to Ilford ex storage at Northampton. 20/8/20: 315812/25 dragged Ilford-Northampton for storage by ROG 37884 as 5Q60. 20/8/20: 315830/01 on 2T44 Liv St-Chingford. 315802/11 on 2T46 Liv St-Chingford. 315859/15 on 2T51 Chingford-Liv St. 28/8/20: 710112/01 on Willesden-Ilford ECS. 29/8/20: 720113/127 to revenue service.

Above: Flashback to April 2005. 315812 at London Liverpool Street in “Make Britain Proud” livery for the 2012 Olympics. The UK was awarded the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games in July 2005, The stadium at Stratford was of course to be in clear view of the GE Main Line. Back in 2005, the 61 Class 315s were one large pool, allocated to both Great Eastern and West Anglia Lines, and when the creation of London Overground and the Elizabeth Line were a mere twinkle. (John Podgorski).

LONDON UNDERGROUND. Stepney Green station (District Line) reopened on 31/8/20.

MTR ELIZABETH LINE.Above: 345014 at Mile End on 22/8/20. (John Podgorski).

7/8/20: 345022 OC-IL.
8/8/20: 345017 OC-IL. 18/8/20: 315818/20 on 2W55 Shenfield-Liv St. 315829/19 on 2W63 Shenfield-Liv St.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.Above: Galloway Scania K410/Caetano Levante III 106 (BF68 LCL) at East Hill, Colchester on 11/8/20. (John Podgorski).

From 1/8/20, new route 482 started. It combined the old 250 and 481 and runs Ipswich-Colchester-Marks Tey-Braintree-Stansted-London Victoria, daily. There are 4 return trips to Stansted and 2 through to London. Galloway of Mendlesham is the operator. Some ‘A’ Services from Stansted Airport have also restarted. However, Liverpool Street rail station in London is no longer served, with the stop on Bishopsgate being replaced by a widened pavement for social distancing.      Start Hill based Scania/Levantes have been seen working from Luton Airport depot on route A1 (Luton-London). Contractor De Courcey of Coventry went into administration on 24/8/20. This ran the 777 (Birmingham-Stansted Airport).

NETWORK RAIL.
Proposed 97304 ex 37217 ‘John Tilley’ on 1Q18 NR Test Train with 9708 and 975091.
5/8/20: Milton Keynes-Ferme Park, then to Southminster/Colchester. Unfortunately Essex section cancelled due to staff shortages and only ran to St Albans.26/8/20; 950001 on Derby-Ipswich move.

NEW HORIZON, FRATING. Has ex Seaford and District Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis SFZ 525 ex LF52 TGO, SFZ 818 ex LF52 TJO – via Ensign. They retain their cherished registrations and green/cream livery. They were new to East Thames Buses and subsequently Go-Ahead London.

NIBS, WICKFORD. Transferred from Stephensons is Scania Omnidekka 634 (YN55 NHF).

OLST. Rainham depot reopened in August.

Above: A mothballed OLST Rainham depot on 4/7/20. (John Podgorski).

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BFJ has been re-registered DB10 PAN. DAF DB250LF/EL DC52 PAN has passed to Lloyd of Machllyneth, while Volvo B12M/Plaxton Paragon AB02 PAN has been sold to Glovers of Derby after re registration back to WV02 EUP.

PHILIPS, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS. Solod is Mb 411D/Olympus MF51 CLJ.

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS. Yeoman liveried JHA bogie hopper wagon 19316 was in the “defective” siding at Bow in late August.

Above: JHA19316 on 22/8/20. (John Podgorski).

REGAL BUSWAYS, CHELMSFORD.
MAN NL273F/Wright Meridians WX08 DFN and RG09 BUS, are now with Hattons of St Helens.

ROG.
6/8/20: 37608 on Manningtree-Norwich light loco, then visiting Gt Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Harwich International and back to Manningtree as 0Z01 etc.
7/8/20: 37608 replaced 37611 at Orient Way. 37611 dragged GA 745103 on 1P16 Liv St-Norwich ECS.
8/8/20: 37601 on Old Oak-Ilford MTR Class 345 EMU drag.
10/8/20: 37800 dragged GWR 387140 Reading to Ilford. 12/8/20: 37608 dragged failed GA 745101 Liv St-Norwich, then 37601 light loco with 37611 to Orient Way as 0F03. 17/8/20: 37611 on 0P99 Norwich-Parkeston light loco. 18/8/20: 37601 dragged GWR 387130 Reading-Ilford and 387140 Ilford-Reading. 21/8/20: 37601 dragged HEX 387141/16 Oxford-Ilford. 24/8/20: 37800 dragged ex Northern 322481/82 Doncaster to GA Clacton depot, then light loco to Wembley. 26-27/8/20: 47812 dragged failed 755421 Colchester-Clacton for repair – then 47812 back to Manningtree.

Above: 37800 with 322481/82 at Chitts Hill on 24/8/20. (John Podgorski).

SBC LEISURE, BASILDON.
New is Mb Tourismo tri-axle MC20 SBC.

Above: Mercedes Tourismo KC19 SBC at Victoria Circus, Southend – on the Amazon staff service to Tilbury. This is worked by SBC, on behalf of Ensignbus. Pictured on 11/8/20. (Daniel Pretty).

SJH TRAVEL, CANVEY. Ex First Eastern Counties is Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 W743 DWX.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS. There were major service revisions from 30/8/20. There were some new routes, including 915 (Royston-Cambridge), CITI15 (Cambridge-Fenstanton).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
The first of the new ADL/Enviro 400 MMC Smart Hybrids to enter revenue service was 11380 (SK20 BBO). This was on an N25 in the early hours of 8/8/20. This was followed by 11376/77 (SK20 BBE/F), 11378/79 (SK20 BBJ/N), 11381/82/84 (SK20 BBU/V/Z), 11385/86/87/88/89 (SK20 BCE/F/O/U/V), 11390/91/92 (SK20 BCX/Y/Z). Although intended for TfL425, they are appearing on 25, 205, 277 also.

STANS, GREAT TOTHAM. The O licence was surrendered in August, bringing the close on this long standing Essex operator.

STEPHENSONS. Braintree and Maldon bases reopened on 10/8/20, when full service was reinstated on routes 38/A and 90. During the Covid-19 restrictions, these had been run from Boreham. White liveried ADL/Enviro 200 449 (YX10 FFK) is now at Maldon ex Haverhill. Withdrawn is Optare Solo 319 (YJ06 YRN).

SWALLOW, NORTH WEALD. Scania Omnicity saloon 701 (YR10 AZO) passed to Ensign, and was resold to Cymru Coaches, Swansea..

TENDRING TRAVEL, THORPE LE SOKEN. Coaching restarted in late August, with Scania/Berkhof RY57 ZKJ being seen.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON. From Yellow Buses, Bournemouth are Optare Tempo X1200s YJ10 MDE/U. Reregistered are Optare Solos YJ05 XNV to RGZ 7806, YJ55 YGN to RGZ 7807, YG07 EGE to SGZ 2218; Scania Onicities YN56 NNE/G to SGZ 1087/89.

WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS. 11/8/20: 172335 on 5Q72 Tyseley-Ilford ECS. 13/8/20: 172342 on Ilford-Tyseley ECS. 28/8/20: 172331 at Ilford depot.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, J Cole, A Hazell, London Bus Group FB, LOTS, R Pope, D Pretty.

Edited by John Podgorski, BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the July 2020 edition of Busmopolitan.

Lockdown measures continued to be lifted during July.
Bus companies further increased frequencies, returned vehicles to service, and took staff off furlough. During July, social distancing was also reduced.
Ipswich Buses has raised some eyebrows, by further entering the north Essex bus scene from 27th July, when it began three council contracts it had won through the retender process.
However, the coach industry remained largely dormant. National Express restarted a limited network from 1st July, but in Essex only serving the London-Stansted-Cambridge-Norwich corridor – and still on a “skeleton” headway.
There are reports of some small coach companies ceasing to trade. Some of these are subject to verification.

ACME, STANSTED:
Has ex RATP London Scania Omnicity ‘decker YN08 DHO, via Ensign.

ADVANCE, SOUTHEND.
It is reported that the fleet has been offered for sale.

AH MINIBUSES, CLACTON. Ford Transit 16 seater HT18 YMZ is ex Eng, Park Royal – via Ventura, Cranfield (dealer).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (COLCHESTER).

Above: 1562 at Osborne Street on 20/7/20. (John Podgorski).

Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1562 (RX07 KPG) returned to use – but only as a crew ferry, at the start of July.
ADL/Enviro 400 MMC 6503 (SN66 WHW) was returned to Southend in mid July. Sister 6504 (SN66 WHX) was last used on 27/7/20, but was then parked up at Colchester. Short Dart SLF/Caetano 1564 (HX04 HUH) and Dart SLF/Pointer 3420 (AY54 FRC) also went to Southend, but for storage. Meanwhile, 1565 (HX 04 HUK) and 3421 (AY54 FPZ) were returned to service, ex SORNED, but 1565 has only so far seen occasional use. P&R ADL/E200 4072 (SK15 GXS) returned to use on 21/7/20.
From 6/7/20, the Colchester Park and Ride reopened. ADL/E200s 4071/3-5 returned to service with this. 4072 did so later – see above.
Routes 4 (Tollgate-Colchester-Hythe), 11 (Highwoods-North Station), passed to Ipswich Buses from 27/7/20, with the 24th being the last day by Arriva. ADL/E200 4017 worked the last Arriva journeys on the 11 and 4.
Odd sightings:
1,2/7/20: Dart SLF/MPD 1558 (KX56 HCP) on 8.
2/7/20: ADL/E400 MMC 6504 (SN66 WHX) on Staff Shuttle.
3/7/20: StreetLite 4224 (GN62 HMY) on 2.
6/7/20: 1558 on Staff Shuttle. ADL/E200 4019 (GN58 BUF) on 4.
7/7/20: Short Dart SLF/Caetanos 1562/63 (RX07 KPG/J) on Staff Shuttle.
9/7/20: 1563 on Staff Shuttle; StreetLite 4262 (GN64 DXS) on 2.
10/7/20: 4224 on 4.
14/7/20: 1563 on Staff Shuttle.
15/7/20: 1559 on 8.
20/7/20: 1562 on Staff Shuttle; StreetLite 4262 on 2; R133 StreetLite 4324 on 8.
21/7/20: 1562 on Staff Shuttle; Park & Ride ADL/E200 4072 (SK15 GXS) – bis.
30/7/20: StreetLite 4261 on 2.
31/7/20: StreetLite 4224 on 2.

Above: On the soon to change operator route 4; Wright StreetLite 4224 at The Commons, Prettygate on 10/7/20. A StreetLite was always unusual on this. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 4017 at North Station on 24/7/20, on the very last Arriva journey on route 11. (John Podgorski).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).

Above: Normally used at London City Airport, ADL/Enviro 200 MMC YX68 UUN was stored at Southend during the lockdown, and was on Staff Shuttle on 11/7/20. Pictured at Victoria Circus. In the background is the site of the old Eastern National Southend bus depot, now a Sainsbury’s. (Simon Austin).

VDL 200/Wright Pulsar 3777 (KX09 CDN) is in the new Arriva livery.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 3816 (GN07 AVC) has been named ‘Jan Roy’.
Optare Versa 4203 (YJ61 CHV) has returned from Guildford & West Surrey.
Sapphire ADL/E400 6529 (YX17 NFG) has moved to Arriva Guildford and West Surrey.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH. From Arriva London South were ADL/Enviro 400s T22, 26-30, 32-35. T22, 26, 34, 35 have been allocated to Edmonton as driver trainers.

Above: VDL DB300LF/Wright Pulsar Gemini DW251 at Heathway, Dagenham on 4/7/20. (John Podgorski).

BALFOUR BEATTY.
9/7/20: Robel DR97506/606/806 on York-Romford.
10/7/20: Robel DR97504/604/804 on York-Romford.

Above: Matisa B41UE tamper at Romford depot on 18/7/20. (John Podgorski).

BLUE TRIANGLE. Transferred from London Central is Mercedes Citaro MEC14. From London General North are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL249/50.

Above: New Routemaster LT930 at Ilford Hill on 13/7/20. Maximum socially distanced capacities on London buses changed from the start of July. See TfL section at bottom of this page. (Simon Smiler).

BURGERS WINGS AND RIBS LIMITED, COLCHESTER.

Above: Has ex First South Yorkshire Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President LT52 WUC. It has been converted into a mobile eatery. Pictured on 29/7/20. (John Podgorski).

COLAS.
1/7/20: 67023 tnt 67027 on 1Q08 NR Cambridge-Reading test past Broxbourne @ 1825 and through Gidea Park @ 1902.
8/7/20: 37612 + 9714 with 99666, 72630, 9801, 62384 on 3Q70 Ferme Park- Colchester via KX and Liv St NR test train.
9/7/20: 37612 on 3Q69 Colchester-Colchester NR test via Norwich.
10-11/7/20: 37612 on 3Q66 Colchester-Derby via Felixstowe and London.
13/7/20: 43013/62 on 1Q66 Heaton-Cambridge NR test.
16/7/20: 37254 on 3Q11 Derby-Ferme Park via Southminster and Upminster branches.
18/7/20; 37254 on 3Q01 Ferme Park-Derby test via NE London.
21/7/20: 37175/254 on Derby-Ferme Park via LTS.
22/7/20: 37175/254 on 1Q18 Ferme Park-Cambridge via LTS and GEML Essex NR test train.
24/7/20: 37175 tnt 37254 with 975091, 72631, 977997, 9523 on 1Q18 Cambridge-Mrch via Felixstowe, Ipswich, Manningtree, Colchester.
26/7/20: 70811 on 6C61 Ripple Lane-Whitemoor.

DAN’S LUXURY TRAVEL, WALTHAM ABBEY. This company has been wound up by its administrators.

DBS.
1/7/20: 66050 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway. 66051 on 4E45 FLX-Wakefield. 66188 on 6L38 Hither Green-Marks Tey sand yard and on 6O79 departure to Crawley.
2/7/20: 66012 on 6L43 Mountsorrel-Kennet. 66017 on 6L74 Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66119 on 4M79. 66162 on 6L69 Bigglewade-Bow Plasmor.
4/7/20: 66127 at Dagenham Dock.
8/7/20: 66039 on Tilbury-Ince sand train. 66113 at Griffin Wharf, Ipswich on 6V07 to Neasden.
9/7/20: 66119 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 66164 on 4M79 FLX-EM Gateway.
14/7/20: 66013 on 4E25 Bow-Heck Plasmor.
15/7/20: 66149 on Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden.
17/7/20: 59004 at Dagenham Dock. 59202 on 7Z29 Acton-Bow. Maritime 66005 on 6L39 Mountsorrel-Kennett. 66165 on 6L35 Mossend-Dagenham Dock car transporters.
20/7/20: 66051 on 4L45. 66075 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden.
21/7/20: 59205 on 7Z29 Acton-Bow. 66031 on 4M07 Tilbury-Daventry Tesco. 66120 on Mountsorrel-Kennett.
22/7/20: 66112 on 6O79 Marks Tey-Crawley sand.
28/7/20: 66005 on 6L41 Mountsorrel-Kennett. 66080 on 4L76 EM Gateway-FLX. 66136 on 6L69 Biggleswade-Bow Plasmor.
29/7/20: 66100 on Dagenham Dock-Mossend car transporters.
30/7/20: 66192 on 6L38 Wembley-Marks Tey sand; then failed at Shenfield and assisted by ROG 37608. 59004 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford.
31/7/20: 66104 on 6L69. 66176 on Peterborough-Chesterton Junction.

DCR.
2/7/20: 56103 on 0Z57 Ferme Park-Cambridge route learner.

DOCKLANDS BUSES. Transfeered from within Go-Ahead London are ADL/Enviro 200s SE23, 86.

DON’S, DUNMOW. Ex Ensignbus, Purfleet is ADL/Envrio 200 PX12 BSZ. Leyland Olympian/Alexanders F602/04 MSL have both gone for preservation.

Above: Irizar i6 DH18 DON participating in ‘Honk For Hope’ on 20/7/20. (Alex Hazell).

DRS.
21/7/20: 66422 moved GA 745102 Parkeston to Norwich.
24/7/20: 66304/05 on West Ealing-Norwich.
29/7/20: 66429 stabled at Dagenham Dock.
31/7/20: 66305/04 on 0Z66 Norwich-Willesden Brent light loco.

EASYJET.
It was announced that the bases at Southend and Stansted were to close.

ENIGMA TRAVEL, COLCHESTER. Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah T639 JWB has been sold to Car and Van Central, (dealer) Coventry..

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: Trident 339 at Leigh station on 11/7/20. (Simon Austin).

Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 open topper 339 (TSU 639) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini open topper 392 (392 MBF) have been repainted red/silver, ex plain red and plain blue respectively.
From 11/7/20, operation of the seasonal Southend seafront service 68 began. In the past, this had been run by Go-Ahead London from Northumberland Park.
392 is the regular bus for route 68, with 339 as back up.

Above: Volvo B7TL 392 on Southend seafront on 11/7/20. (Simon Austin).

ADL/Enviro 200 704 (PX12 BSZ), has been sold to Don’s of Dunmow.
ADL/Enviro 400s SN09 CDV/Y, CEX, CFM have passed to Warrington’s Own Buses after temporary rail replacement use.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
The 88 Ipswich-Stowmarket routes have been branded as ‘Stowmarket Swift’.
Route 66 is being branded too, as ‘Mainline 66’.

Above: Volvo B7TL/ALX400 32655 with ‘Mainline’ branding at Foundation Street depot on 30/7/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Above; Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclispe Urban 69005 (AU05 DME), awaits repaint at Simon Morris, Ipswich on 24/7/20. (John Podgorski).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Westcliff on Sea Motor Services heritage liveried Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 37985 (BJ11 XGY), at Victoria Circus, Southend on 11/7/20. (Simon Austin).

Below: 37985 at Prittlewell on 6/6/20; just prior to repaint. (John Podgorski).

From 6/7/20, the Chelmsford Park and Ride reopened. ADL/E200 MMCs 67190/91/92/96 were put back into use on this, but their sisters remained working at Hadleigh on normal bus routes. 67189 joined them at the end of July.
Dart SLF/Pointer 42956 (WX06 OMO) has come from First Eastern Counties and is at CF.
ADL/Enviro 200 44004 (LK57 EJG) appeared at CF from HH again in mid July. B7RLE/Wright 69518 (BJ11 ECT) returned to HH from BN.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Genmini 37007 (WX55 VHR) has been repainted out of First Bristol colours, into Badgerline era Eastern National yellow/green heritage livery. Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 37986 (BJ11 ECY) has been repainted out of X30 colours. ADL/E200 MMCs 67167/68/71 received First Interurban livery ex X30. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69532 (PL05 UBR) also repainted. B7RLE/Wright 66846 (MX05 CGV) is back in use ex SORNED.
Wright StreetLite 63165 (SN64 CJF) has returned from repairs at WrightBus/Bamford Bus Company. It went to Ballymena in April 2019, and was subsequently delayed by firstly the collapse of Wrightbus, and secondly by the Coronavirus lockdown. 63165 will re-enter service at HH, replacing Dart SLF/Pointer 42487 (SN03 WME).
Sold to Ensign were Dart SLF/Mini Pointers SN55 CXH/J, WX05 RVF; Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urbans 66802/27/29 (MX05 CCK, CFD/G).
Resold by Ensign to Shelton Motors, Ely for scrap were Trident/President 33080 9LN51 GMO), Dart SLF/Pointer 42557 (WX05 UAN), Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 62408 (YS03 ZKE), Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urbans 66802/07/27/29 (MX05 CCK/Y, CFD/G), ADL/E300 67641 (VX54 MRV).
ADL/Enviro 300 67641 (VX54 MRV) was taken away from Ensign for scrap on 7/7/20.

Above: 67641 at Ensign on 4/7/20. (John Podgorski).

Odd sightings:
The appearance of double deckers on route 65 in Colchester is currently a daily occurrence, with most of this service being run as such. Likewise, Route 62 Volvo B9TLs seen ‘off route’ is now common. The X10 branded ADL/E200 MMCs 67160-62 and their Airlink liveried sister 67163 are now often found on Basildon routes such as 8, 94 and 100. The sole remaining X30 liveried ADL/E200 MMC – 67171 is used on various routes at Chelmsford. An Airlink X30 double decker appeared on a regular duty on 70 during July.
1/7/20: R62 B9TL 37136 on 61; ADL/E200 MMC 44660 on 71; ADL/E200 44910 (YX09 AFZ) on 71A. 2/7/20: B7TL/Gemini 37027 on 102; R62 37134 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42922 (EU05 AUO) on 71. 3/7/20; R62 37133/34 on 61; R62 37136 on 68; R62 37139 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42937 (SN05 DZT) on 71. 4/7/20: B7TL/Gemioni 37062 on 64; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37136 on 65. 7/7/20: X30 Scania N280UD/E400 City 36839 on 70. 8/7/20: X30 Scania N280UD/E400 City 36841 (YN69 XYB) on 70; R62 37134 on 68; R62 37139 on 2A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42936 (SN05 DZS) on 71A. 10/7/20; X30 Scania N250UD/E400 City 36842 on 70; R62 37138 on 71A, but not via Duke Street bridge ! 11/7/20: Dart SLF/Pointer (MX56 HXZ) 42940 on 71A. 12/7/20: B7TL/Gemini 32642 on 42;  R62 37134 on CR Staff Shuttle; Short ADL/E200 MMC 44660 on 71A; X10 67161 on 100; CF P&R ADL/E200 MMC 67191 (SN66 WKM) on 71A. 13/7/20: X30 36838 on 70; R62 37134 on 68; R62 37138/39 on 61; X10 67160 on 8A; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 94; X30 67171 on 36. 14/7/20: X30 36840 on 70; R62 37134 on 2A; R62 37138/39 on 61; X10 67161/62 on 8A; X30 67171 on 31B. 15/7/20: R62 37134 on 2A; R62 37139 on 61; 63344 on 75; X10 67161/62 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 94; X10 67164 on 100; X30 67167 on 42; X30 67171 on 71. 16/7/20: X30 36842 on 70; R62 37134 on 2A; R62 37136 on 68; R62 37139 on 61; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 25; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 100; X30 67171 on 71 + 351. 17/7/20: X30 36840 on 70; R62 37138 on 2A; R62 37139 on 61; X10 67161/62 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 94A; X30 67171 on 71A. 18/7/20: R62 37133 on 68; R62 37136 on 61; R62 37138/39 on 61; X10 67161 on 9; X30 67171 on 42A. 19/7/20: 32672 on 42. 20/7/20: X30 36838 on 70; R62 37138 on 2A; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 8A; X10 67164 on 94A; X30 67171 on 36. 21/7/20: X30 36841 on 70; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37138 on 2A; 44661 on 71; X10 67161 on 8; X10 67162 on 100; X10 67164 on 94A; X30 67171 on 31. 22/7/20: X30 36841 on 70; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37136 on 2A; X10 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 94A; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 100; X30 67171 on 36. 23/7/20: X30 36837 on 70; 37020 on 65 + 104; R62 37133/34 on 61; R62 37138 on 2A; X10 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 94A; X10 67164 on 100; X30 67171 on 36. 24/7/20: X30 36840 on 70; R62 37133 on 61; R62 37134 on 68; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 100; X30 67171 on 36. 25/7/20: R62 37133/36 on 61; X10 67161 on 25; X10 67164 on 100; ADL/E200 MMC 67167 on 700 Chelmsford P&R; X30 67171 on 36. 26/7/20: B7TL/Gemini 32672 on 42; R62 37134 on 61. 27/7/20: X30 36838 on 70; R62 37134/36 on 61; B7RLE 66730 on 45; x10 67161 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 25; X10 67164 on 8; X30 67171 on 36. 28/7/20: R62 37133 on 61; X10 67161 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 8A. 29/7/20: R62 B9TL 37134 on 66. 30/7/30: X30 36840 on 70; B7TL/Gemini 37054 on 64A; R62 37133 on 2A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42934 on 71; Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66846 (MX05 CGV) (Basildon) on route learning on Lexden Road, Colchester – westbound @ 1420; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 8; X10 67164 on 94A.
31/7/20: X30 36839 on 42; R62 37133/34 on 61; R62 37136 on 68; R62 37138 on 61; 63335 on 103; 63338 on 104; X10 67161 on 94A; X10 67162 on 25; X10 67164 on 94A.

Above: On loan to Basildon from Chelmsford for Airlink X10; Scania N250D/Enviro 400 City 36839 in Chelmsford on 11/7/20. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: The ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs previously used on X10 and X30 are now used on ordinary bus routes. They will eventually received standard fleet livery, (except 67163 which is in Airlink). 67160 in Chelmsford on 11/7/20. (Daniel Pretty).

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 86632 leads a “down” intermodal past the engine shed at Colchester in July 2020. (James Cole).

Ex Greater Anglia 90014 has been repainted into the new orange livery and named ‘Over the Rainbow’. 90041/49 were at Ipswich in late July for training purposes. This was for staff to regain Class 90 traction knowledge, which had lapsed.
1/7/20: 66510 on 6Y34 to Parkeston. 66534 on 4L92 Ditton-FLX. 66557 on 6X04 to Parkeston. 66560 on 4L57 Birch Coppic-FLX. 86607/09 on 4M53. 86608/32 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 86613/22 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 86622/13 returned on 4M87 FLX-Trafford with 66956 dit.
2/7/20: 66549 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX.
5/7/20: 66557 tnt 66504 with March-Harwich HOBC.
6/7/20: 66537 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 66542 on 4L90 Trafford-FLX. 66545 on 4L57 Birch Coppice-FLX. 66597 on 4L36 Wentloog-FLX. 86607/39 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 86608/32 with 86609/28 dit on 4S88 FLX-Coatbridge.
7/7/20: 66957 on 4L36. 86614/38 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 86639/07 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX.
8/7/20: 66597 on 4L36. 86608/09 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX.
9/7/20: 66420 on 6L30 Acton-Chelmsford. 66516 on 6E23 FLX-Leeds. 66561 on 4M94 FLX-Lawley St. Pink 66587 on 4M81 FLX-Crewe. 86638/14 on 4L89.
10/7/20: 86607/14 on 4L91. 86608/09 on 4L89/4M87.
11/7/20: 86607/14 + 86632/37 dit on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 86608/09 on 4L91.
13/7/20: 66424 on Seabrook-Dagenham car transporters then 0Z48 to Norwich.
14/7/20: 66505 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66537 on Ipswich-Linsay tanks. 66561 on 4M86 FLX-EM Gateway. 66596 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 86637/07 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 86622/13 on 4L89.
15/7/20: 66952 on 4M94. 66544 on 4E24 London Gateway-Leeds. 86622/13 on 4L91. 86638/39 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX and 4M87 FLX-Trafford.
16/7/20: 66516 on Acton-Chelmsford. 86608/09 on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 86613/22 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 86632/38 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX.
17/7/20: 66430 on 4M07 Tilbury-Daventry. 66513 on Acton-Harlow Mill and return. 66545 on 4M94. 66546 on 6V12 Chelmsford-Acton. 66552 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 66568 on 4L52 Garston-London Gateway. 66590 on 4M56 London Gateway-Garston. 66607 on 6L45 Hope-Dagenham cement. 86607/37 on 4L89. 86608/09 on 4M45.
20/7/20: 66422 on 0Z66 Willesden Brent-Colchester light loco. 66587 on 4L93 Lawley St-FLX. 86604/32 on 4S88. 86607/37 on 4M87. 86613/22 on 4M53. 86638/39 on 4L60.
21/7/20: 66414 on 4M94. 66422 towed 745102 Parkeston-Norwich. 66528 on 4L91. 66549 on 4L52 Garston-London Gateway. 66587 on 4L32 Wentllog-FLX. 66590 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66594 on 4L89 instead of 2 x ’86s. 66610 on 4M81 FLX-Ditton. 86622/13 on 4L97.
22/7/20: 66422 on 0E37 Norwich-Willesden Brent light loco. 66501 + 86637/07 dit on 4L91.66546 on Acton-Chelmsford. 86632/14 on 4L89. 86637/07 on 4L91.
23/7/20: 66955 on 4L32 Wentloog-FLX. 86622/13 on 4L89 and 4M87. 86632/14 on 4L91.
24/7/20: 66510 on FLX-Ditton. 86604/09 on 4L89 and 4M87. 86614/32 on 4S88. 86622/13 on 4L91. 86632/14 on 4L97.
25/7/20: 86604/09 on 4L91.
28/7/20: 66528 tnt 66548 on 6X04 Parkeston-Brntwood engineers. 66544 on Wentloog-FLX. 86632/14 on 4L91. 86639/38 on 4L91.
29/7/20: Orange 66623 on 13:18 West Thurrock-Tunstead. 90041/049 on Ipswich-Norwich training and return.
30/7/20: 66514 on 4L89. 90041/49 + 86613/12 on 4M45 FLX-Garston.
31/7/20: 66566 on Acton-Chelmsford. 86607/32 on 4L91. 86614/37 on 4L89.

GALLEON TRAVEL, ROYDON. Acquired from EVM, Crawley (dealer) is Mercedes Sprinter/EVM GU19 KKE.

GBRf.

Above: 66740 at Colchester on 18/7/20. (John Podgorski).

1/7/20: 66722 on 4L43.Cemex 66780 on 0L43 Peterborough-FLX light loco, then on 4E43 FLX-Doncaster replacing failed 66727.
4/7/20: 66768 tnt 66773 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Blackhorse Road engineers.
6/7/20: 66710 on 4L18 Trafford-FLX. 66785 tnt 66755 on 6T70 Whitemoor-Hockley engineers. 66789 on 4E00 London Gateway-Masboro.
7/7/20: 66755 tnt 66785 on 6T72 Whitemoor-Mountnessing engineers. 66779 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall.
8/7/20: 66775 on 6P40 Harwich-N Walsham tanks.9/7/20: 66735 on 4L00 Masboro-London Gateway.
9-10/7/20: 66764/711 on 4Z35 Doncaster-FLX with 66711 detaching at Peterborough.
10/7/20: 66751 on 0Z72 Peterborough-London Fields light loco. 66764 on 4E21 FLX-Doncaster.
13/7/20: 66786 on 0Z72 Peterborough-Broxbourne route learner.
14/7/20: 66708 on 4M02 FLX-Hams Hall. 66722 on Doncaster-FLX. 66735 on 4E00 London Gateway-Masboro. 66743 on 4L00 Masboro-London Gateway. 66766 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX. 14-15/7/20: 66786 on 0Z72-75 Lea Valley lines route learners.
15/7/20: 66743/38 on 4L00 Masboro-London gateway, but replaced by 66786 at Peterborough.66752 on 4L02 Hams Hall-FLX.
18/7/20: 47727 tnt 47749 with GA 360118 on 5Q60 Northampton-Ilford ECS. 66731 ‘Sir Tom Moore’ on 6O60 Bow-Tonbridge.
20/7/20: 66713 on 4L18 Trafford-FLX. 66730/40 om 0L33 Peterborough-Ipswich light loco. 66786 on London Fields route learner.
21/7/20: 66740 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
22/7/20: 66754 on 6L37 Hoo Junct-Whitemoor.
27/7/20: 66719 on FLX-Doncaster. Rainbow 66720 on 4M02 FLX-Hams Hall. 66745 on Birch Coppice-FLX. 66789 on Masboro-FLX.
28/7/20: 66722 on 0Z21 Ipswich-Lowestoft route learner. 66780 on 4Z81 Masboro-FLX replaced 66789 from Peterborough.
29/7/20: 66751 on Harwich-N Walsham tanks.
31/7/20: 66722 on Ipswich-Lowestoft route learner.

Above: 47749 at Stratford on 18/7/20. (John Podgorski).

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 379013 at Bishop’s Stortford on 25/7/20. These will be replaced on Stansted Express by new Class 745/1s. (Simon Austin).

Above: 745002 at Colchester on a Liverpool Street to Norwich on 18/7/20. (John Podgorski).

Class 745/1s debuted on Stansted Express on 28/7/20.
321903 and 322483/84/85 have come from Northern Rail.
317659/62/71, 317888 are withdrawn.
720537/38 are new.
745001 to revenue service in last week of July.
Some new ‘Flirts’ have been stored at Parkeston sidings.
1/7/20: 720536/17 on 5Q24 Liv St-Colchester test. 745103, 755407/09 all at Orient Way.
3/7/20: 745103 to revenue service. 755338 on 5E01 Norwich-Hornsey and 5L02 return.
4/7/20: 36017 Northampton to Ilford between 47727/49 as 5Q60.
5/7/20: 360102 Ilford-Northampton between 47727/49 as 5Q60.
From 6/7/20, 18 extra services were reintroduced between Norwich and London Liverpool Street.
6/7/20: 321901/02 on 5M14 Liv St-Orient Way ECS. 745108 to revenue service.
7/7/20: 321901/02 on 1N50 Liv St-Clacton.
8/7/20: 720509 Ilford-Worksop for store as 5Q48.
11/7/20: 360102 Northampton-Ilford between 47727/49.
12/7/20: 360118 Ilford-Northampton between 47727/49 as 5Q50.
13/7/20: 317662/88 moved from Wembley to Ely Papaworth for storage by ROG 57312 as 5L46. 321903 and 322484 transferred from Northern – Doncaster Belmont to Clacton ECS move.
14/7/20: 745101 to revenue service. 755410 on 5Q91 Norwich-Liv St.
15/7/20: 720517/36 on 5Q02 Ilford-Southend Vic test.
18/7/20: 720537/38 delivered to Ilford.
19/7/20: 360106 towed Ilford-Northampton by GBRf ’47s.
21/7/20: 755325 to revenue service.
24/7/20: 317886 towed Kilmarnock-Ilford by ROG 37884. 745001 towed Bounds Green-Norwich by ROG 37608.
25/7/20: 755328 failed on 1K28 Norwich-Stastensred at Wymondham and rescued by Class 37.Stansted Express 745108 on 1530 Liv St-Norwich.
27/7/20: 317649/64 on 1F84 Liv St-Colchester.
28/7/20: 745102 towed to Crown Point via GEML by ROG 37608. 745103/06/08 in first day of 745/1s on Stansted Express.
30/7/20: 321483/85 on 5L50 Doncaster-Clacton ECS.
31/7/20: 317659/71 on 5E46 Ilford-Ely Papworth for storage, behind ROG 57312.

Above: 322483 + 485 at Chitts Hill on 30/7/20. (John Podgorski).

HCT GROUP.
BYD/ADL E400EV demonstrator LF69 UXJ moved on to Metroline at Holloway from 10/7/20.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 no 262 at The Naze, Walton on 2/7/20. It is on Sundays/holidays/evenings route 99. (Sonny Milton).

Open top Volvo B7TL/President 500 (PL51 LDJ) was moved from storage at KN back to CN on 1/7/20. The Clacton seafront service operated again from 10th July, now branded as ‘Clacton Breeze’, with no 500 carrying this. Volvo B7TL/Gemins 510 (LB02 YWX), 520 (LX05 EZC), 523 (LX05 EZF), Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents 565 (W425 WGH), 572 (W489 WGH), 575 (W516 WGH), 584 (PJ02 REU); and Omnidekka 815 (YN55 PZX) are bis ex SORNED/Reserve.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 285 (SN03 EBV) is withdrawn.
Omnidekka movements:
1/7/20: 810 – Chambers-KN. 6/7/20: 808 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN. 13/7/20; 800 – KN-Chambers; 807 – Chambers-KN. 16/7/20: 807 – Chambers-KN; 814 – KN-Chambers.
22/7/20; 808 – Chambes-KN; 809 – KN-Chambers. By 31/7/20: 800 – Chambers-KN; 810/11 – KN-Chambers; 814 – Chambers-KN.
From 6/7/20, more services returned to basically a normal frequency, post lockdown.
Omnicity ‘deckers 850 (AO57 EZM), 852 (AO 57 HCD) have received the new fleet livery, ex yellow/blue.

Above: 851 in the new livery at South Courts, University of Essex on 23/7/20. It is working ex First route 74. (Sonny Milton).

Odd sightings:
7/7/20, 17/7/20: ADL/E200/MCV 268 (AJ58 PZS) on 50, 69A etc. 27/7/20: ADL/E200 265 (EU10 AOX) on 50 etc. 28/7/20: ADL/E200 264 (EU59 AYM) on 50, 69A etc.
Ancillary vehicles:
Long withdrawn (at HD) Ford Transit van 8034 (EK56 MGE) and Mercedes Vito crew van RO06 TUU have gone to DJ Spall at Wickham Market, for scrap. Vauxhall Combo van 9004 (W761 TRE) has passed to Suffolk Fire Service at Nayland, for rescue training purposes.
HD based Ford Transit van EJ13 UHR is delicensed due to accident damage.

Above: RO06 TUU is collected from Sible Hedingham by Spalls on 3/7/20. (John Podgorski).

IPSWICH BUSES.

Above: Optare Versa 149 at North Hill, Colchester on the first day of route 4. 27/7/20. See below. (Daniel Pretty).

Above: Ex Bus Eirean ADL/Enviro 200 AM17, awaits repaint at Simon Morris on 24/7/20. (John Podgorski).

Acquired via Ensign are ex Bus Eirean ADL/Enviro 200s 09-D-3524 – an 8.9m version which will be fleet no 71, and 09-D-3732 a 10.m model which will become no 76. A third 8.9m will be no 72. They will all be re-registered and repainted. Simon Morris Paintshop repainted them into Ipswich fleet colours.
Ensign has taken Scania N230UD/Olympus 68 (YJ60 KGX) for resale, while ADL/Enviro 300 83 (SK07 DYA) and VDL 200/MCV Evolution 156 (AY60 BYD) were sold direct to HTL Buses, Liverpool. 156 was one of the last ex Carters vehicles.
ADL/E200 79 (YX63 ZVW) has been repainted. Sister 77 (KX59 GNY) is bis ex SORNED.
From 27/7/20, routes 4 (Tollgate-Colchester-Hythe Tesco), 11 (Colchester North Station-Highwoods) were gained from Arriva Colchester and 2/A (Mistley-Clacton) came from Panther Travel – all on Essex CC contract. On the first day, Versa 145 was used on 2/A, while 149/150 appeared on 4 and 11.
Prior to this, Omnidekka 60 (PJ54 YZT) did route surveys on 4 and 11 on 1/7/20. Optare Solo 245 was seen on route 4 surveying on 12/7/20.

Above: 60 at Shakespeare Road, Colchester on 1/7/20. (James Cole).

Above: 245 at Scott Drive, Colchester on 12/7/20. (James Cole).

Service 94 (Ipswich-Colchester) was de-registered in July, although in practice it had ceased after 24/3/20.

KINGS TOURS, STANWAY. Van Hool TX16 CT14 LCT has been returned to Procter, Leeming Bar – off loan.

JET2.
Was due to resume flights from Stansted on 15/7/20.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER. Bedford VAM/Duple DJL 126D has been stripped of parts and the remains scrapped.

LONDON GENERAL NORTH.
New are ADL/E400ev Ee46 (LF20 XNR) – seen on 212; Ee47 (LF20 XNS) – seen on 357; Ee48 (LF20 XNT) – on 212; Ee49 (LF20 XNU) – seen on 106. Transferred from London General are ADL/E400s E7, E281-83, EN1-3; New Routemasters LT458, 512; Volvo B7TL/Presidents PVL391/98. Transferred to Metrobus at Croydonare Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL204/38/39.

LONDON OVERGROUND.

Above: 315812 + 805 at Liverpool Street on 18/7/20. (John Podgorski).

315801/06/08/33 on Romford-Upminster during July.
315824/30 were transferred from MTR, to replace 315817/36.
315806/17/27/36 withdrawn.
710111/125 are new.
710102/03/05/07/08/17/19/20/21/24/29 accepted for service.
10/7/20: 710109/128 to revenue service.
21/7/20: 315827/806 on 5Q20 Ilford-Northampton ECS. 710116/130 on test.
29/7/20: 315806/27 on Northampton-Ilford ECS.
31/7/20: 315806/827 to Sims Metals, Newport Docks for scrap, behing ROG 37800 as 5Q60.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
A S7 Stock carriage was “decorated” by well known alternative artist ‘Banksy’ in support of the Covid-19 effort, but officialdom had it quickly removed.
Redbridge Central Line station reopened w/e 25/7/20.

Above: 1992 Tube Stock 91221 at Redbridge, westbound on 9/5/17. (John Podgorski).

M&M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD.

Neoplan Tourliner MM10 BUS has reverted to MX10 DFK, and been sold to Greenslades Tours, Exeter. Ex Blackpool Transport Trident/EL PN04 XDK, has received fleet livery.

(Mark Hough).

MTR ELIZABETH LINE.
14/7/20: 315852/18 on 5V85 Gidea Park depot-Ilford depot ECS.

Above: 345011 at Liverpool Street on 25/7/20. (John Podgorski).

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
Services resumed from 1/7/20. These were to a limited network of 106 routes nationwide. In the Busmopolitan area, only 075 (ex 010) (Cambridge-Stansted-Stratford-London) and 491 (Gt Yarmouth-Norwich-Stratford-London) operated. London Victoria Coach Station reopened at the same time, but with entry limited to customers and staff only, with Covid-19 secure features in place. More services will return later.

PANTHER TRAVEL. ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BFJ has ben re-registered DB10 PAN. Leyland Olympians B693 BPU, J114 KCW ex BIG 9249 have been sold to preservationists.
Route 2/A (Mistley-Clacton), passed to Ipswich Buses from 27/7/20, on Essex CC retender.

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 SB09 PAN on route 2, at Pier Avenue, Clacton on 23/6/20. (Simon Austin).

ROG.

Above: 37608 with 745001 passes Colchester on 25/7/20 on a BN to NC ECS move. (James Cole).

6/7/20: 57310 to Ilford as 0L50, then towed GWR 387138 Ilford-Oxford as 5Q74.
8/7/20: 37608 on Orient Way-Norwich light loco.
10/7/20: 37608 on Norwich-Orient Way light loco.
13/7/20: 37608 on Manningtree-Orient Way light loco.
15/7/20: 37611 at Manningtree.
19/7/20: 37608-11 on Norwich-Manningtree light loco.
20/7/20: 37611 on Manningtree-Orient Way light loco.
21/7/20: 37608 on 1Z99 Manningtree-Diss light loco and return. 37611 on Orient Way-Stansted light loco to collect failed GA 745103.
24/7/20; 37608 on Manningtree-Norwich light loco. 37611 on Orient Way-Manningtree light loco.
25/7/20: 37608 towed GA 745001 Bounds Green-Norwich.
27/7/20: 37611 on NorwichOrient Way light loco.
29/7/20: 37608 on 0Z99 Mannigtree-Cambridge light loco. 37608 thaen towed GA 755411 Cambridge-Norwich via Stratford and Colchester. 37611 on 0M01 Norwich-Orient Way light loco.
31/7/20: 37800 + 57312 on 0L53 Leicestr-Ilford. Then 37800 on 5Q60 to Sims Metals, Newport Docks; 57312 on 5E46 to Ely Papworth Sidings.

SBC LEISURE, WICKFORD. SDcania N230UD/Optare Olympus PN10 FNO is ex Courtney, Bracknell.

SOUTHEND PIER RAILWAY.
Two new electric trains have been ordered for delivery in 2021. They will be built by Severn Lamb and be in a green/cream livery. They will replace the current rolling stock; two Servern Lamb diesel push/pull units, dating from 1986.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
More Guided Busway and ex Busway vehicles have received the new sea green livery, ex two tone green.

Above: Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 15216 departs Drummer Street, Cambridge on 25/7/20. (Tracy Carpenter).

Above: Volvo B8TL/Enviro 500 MMC 13912 at Emmanuel Road, Cambridge on 25/7/20. This was delivered new in sea green. (Simon Austin).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
TfL425 (Ilford-Stratford-Clapton) was gained from Tower Transit from 4/7/20. New for this were ADL/Enviro 40H MMCs 11376/77 (SK20 BBE/F) 11378-399. However, due to late delivery of some of these new buses, older vehicles were initially used. As a result of this change, the daytime TfL277 (Blackwall-Finsbury Park) moved from BW to WH, with ADL/E400s 12403-425. Also new are BYD D8UR electric buses 29201/02 (LF20 XKO/P), for the forthcoming conversion of TfL323. Received from Selkent were ADL/Envioro 40Ds 11069-074 (YX68 UTM/N/O/P/R/T) and ADL/Enviro 40Hs 12300/03 (SN14 TXV/Y) – all allocated to Bow. ADL/E40H 12344 is withdrawn. ADL/E400 19137 (LX56 EAP) has received driver training livery.

Above: Scania Omnicity 15019 (LX58 CFK) does a crew change at South Hornchurch on 4/7/20, with Hyundai MPV ferry DV68 TTZ from Rainham depot. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS.

Scania Omnilink trainer 7054 (YN54 AHC) has been reregistered A19 SOE.
In early July, the Great Bromley allocation was ADL/Enviro 200s 425 (MX62 APK), 440 (SN16 ORS), 469 (SN66 WLL). By the end of July, 425 had been swapped with 422 (EU60 CAV) from Boreham.

Above: Recently repainted out of Your Bus into fleet livery, 469 at Stanwell Street, Coclhester on 20/7/20. (John Podgorski).

TfL.
From the start of July, social distancing rules were relaxed to 1 metre from 2 metres, meaning that capacities on buses could be increased. On double deckers from 20-25 to 30-35. On large single deckers from from 10 to 14-18. On small single deckers from from 7 to 11-14.
The reversion to front door boarding on multi-doored buses was completed during July.
A £5bn operational shortfall has been reported due to Covid-19. This has delayed certain capital projects, including Crossrail yet again.

TOWER TRANSIT.
TfL425 (Clapton-Stratford-Ilford) was lost to Stagecoach on retender from 4/7/20. The last Tower Transit workings on 425 were by ADL/Enviro 400 DN33793 – on the 0015 from Clapton, and Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini VN37853 from Ilford.

Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis VN36125-29 have moved Lea Interchange (LI) to Westbourne Park (X). VN37995/96 moved X to LI.
The hydrogen buses, VDLSB200/Wrights WSH62991-98, along with BH13101/02, were still stored at Lea Interchange depot in July. They are owned by TfL, who will be responsible for their disposal. Various withdrawn DN Class ADL/Enviro 400s and VN Class Volvo B9TL/Wright Geminis were also parked up there.
A large number of ex First London buses were sold to Ensign.
They were Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s BJ11 DVC, DUA, DUV, DVM, DTF, DVF, DUU, DSY, DRZ, DSE, DSU, DTV, DVL, DVP, DZX, EBP, EAM, EAG, EAX, EBG, EBL, EAK, EAW, EAO, EAE, DVX, DZZ, DZY, EAG, EBA, EBO, DSX, DTZ;
ADL/Enviro 400s SN13 CGY/Z, CHC/D/F/G/H/J/K/L.
Ensign resold BJ11 DUV, DVM, DTF, DVF, DUU, DSY, DRZ, DSE/U, DTV, DVL/P to Vision Bus, Bolton. BJ11 DVU went to MP Travel, Warrington.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON. Reregistered are Optare Solos SF05 NXD/E to RRZ 5463, 5654; YJ05 XOR to RGZ 7808; AE06 TWN to RGZ 7810.

WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS.
4/7/20: 172342 on 5Q50 Tyseley-Ilford ECS.
25/7/20: 172334 on Ilford-Tyseley ECS.

With thanks to: AngliaGen, S Austin, T Carpenter, J Cole, M Hough, S Milton, D Pretty, S Smiler, R West.