Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the January 2021 edition of Busmopolitan.

Above: Tenerife, October 2015. (Leah Harrison).

So the end of a tempestuous 2020, and the start of a new year – 2021, and a new beginning – we hope, with a vaccine for Covid-19 and a mass immunization, so society can regain a pre Coronavirus normality. Toasting in a (potentially) Happy New Year, where we can resume some familiarity – including the reopening of transport museums, the restarting of rallies and gatherings, plus the ability to meet up socially once more.

However, before that, another UK National lockdown was enforced, from 5/1/21, until at least early March but likely for longer.

On the railway, Greater Anglia has dispatched the first Class 321 EMUs for scrap. Most of these now 30 + year old trains will be replaced by new Class 720 Bombardier ‘Aventras’. Only the 30 refurbished ‘Renatus’ ‘321s will continue.

In the western borders of Busmopolitan, from 4/1/21, Arriva lost its last direct competitor in Stevenage. Centrebus ceased its 178 town service from that date. Over the past two decades, Centrebus, Stansted Transit and Shephall Express had all vied for custom along this corridor. Centrebus then announced it would be closing its depot in Stevenage, focussing operations on Luton.

24/7, stansted. Peugeout Boxers YJ12 RPY, YJ62 LFZ have passed to Manheim, Frating (dealer).

AIRPORT BUS EXPRESS, STANSTED. The coach fleet is being sold off. Scania K340EB4/Caetano C650s BX65 WBJ/T are now with Premier, Luton.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE. From 17/1/21, all group companies went over to a reduced and temporary Covid timetable.

(Via Tim Webb).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE COLCHESTER. One time operated Scania Omnidekka YN06 TFZ, latterly with Arriva Medway Towns, has passed to Ensign for resale. Odd sightings: 4/1/21: Dart SLF/MPD 1559 on 8; short Dart SLF/Caetano 1563 on 8. 5/1/21: 1563 on 8. 6/1/21: 1562/63 on 8; StreetLite 4261 on 2. 7/1/21: 1563 on 8; 4261 on 1. 8/1/21: 1558 on 8. 14/1/21: 1559 on 8. 15/1/21: 1559 on 8; 3418 on Staff Shuttle. 19, 22, 23, 25/1/21: R133 4323 on 8. 25/1/21: StreetLite 4224 on 1. 28/1/21: 4262 on 1. 29/1/21: 1559 on 1.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE HARLOW. Green Line route 724 (Harlow-Heathrow) is replacing its Mercedes Citaros with ADL/Enviro 200 MMCs from Arriva Kent and Surrey at Maidstone. The Citaros have relocated to Guildford for local bus duties. This is because the Citaros no longer comply with new Low Emissions rules in Greater London, (Uxbridge and Heathrow). It looks like the proposed Stansted Airport-London Green Line is now on hold indefinitely. Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3873 (KE57 EPA) has returned to Harlow from Ware.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE SOUTHEND.

Above: 4229 arrives at Southend Travel Centre on 9/1/21. (John Podgorski).

On loan from Arriva Guildford were Optare Versas 4214, 4227 (KX62 JRZ), 4229 (KX 62 JUV). All in the latest livery. They were moved on to Maidstone on the 19th of January. Heritage liveried Volvo B7RLE/Wright 3816 (GN07AVC) is withdrawn.

Above: Arriva London ENL81 ex Arriva Southend 4001, at Bluewater on 29/7/17. (Simon Austin).

Subsequent histories: The ADL/Enviros 200s which had been originally used on TfL contracts 66 and 370 from Grays, but later transferred to Arriva Kent Thameside (later Arriva London) at Dartford (as ENL80-95); are withdrawn, following TfL contract losses to Go-Ahead, from 23/1/21.

Above: Park and Ride liveried ADL/Enviro 200 4073, one of two on loan to Southend from Colchester, at Chichester Road on 9/1/21. (John Podgorski).

ARROW, MALDON. Ex Hallmark Connections is Mercedes Sprinter/Atlas RX07 OPU.

BEESTONS, HADLEIGH, SUFFOLK. ADL/Enviro 400 MMC YX18 KOH has passed to Roberts of Hugglescote, Leics, and been re registered OO07 RTG.

BLACKWELLS, EARLS COLNE.

Above: Remembering this Essex independent, who sold to Hedingham Omnibuses in 1965, along with its Halstead-Colchester 88 bus route. This is all lowbridge Leyland Titan PD2 EUH 973, new to Western Welsh and acquired in 1963. (Clive Porter).

C2C.

Above: Bombardier Electrostar 357027 east of Southend Central on 9/1/21. (John Podgorski).

CHAMBERS. School holiday frequencies were introduced from 11/1/21.

COLAS. 4/1/21: 37254 tnt 37099 on 1Q90 Derby-Liv St-Ferme Park. 6/1/25; 37254 tnt 37099 on 1Q97 Ferme Park-Cambridge via Stanford, Liv St, Harwich, Clacton. 8/1/21:37254 tnt 37099 on 1Q99 Cambridge-March via KLN, IPS, NOR, Colchester.

DBS. 12/1/21: 66023 on 6L69 Biggleswade-Peterborough-Bow Plasmor. 13/1/21: 66023 on 6L69. 66025 on 6L43 Mountsorrel-Kennett. 14/1/21: 66013 on 6L35 Fan A & B Sidings-Dagenham Dock Reception. 66025 on 6L74 Mountsorrel-Harlow Mill. 66047 on 4E08 London Gateway-Wakefield. 66051 on 4L56 Trafford-London Gateway. 66078 on FLX-EM Gateway. 66155 on 6L69 Peterborough-Bow-Plasmor. 15/1/21: 66051 on 4L56 Trafford-London Gateway. 66076 on 6M53 West Thurrock-Mountsorrel. 66078 on 4M79 6Z90 FLX-EM Gateway. 66118 on 6L35 DBC Fan A&B Sidings-Dagenham Dock Reception. 66155 on 6L69. 20/1/21: 66125 on 6V07 Ipswich Griffin Wharf-Neasden.

DCR. 20/1/21: 60055 on Cambridge-Stratford-Willesden light loco as 0Z60-62; returned as 0Z60 on 21/1/21.

DON’S OF DUNMOW. Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL J623 GCR has gone to Barkers Motors, Wrexham.

DRS. 37401 went to store in late January. 5/1/21: 37401/02 on 0Z02 Norwich-Willesden light loco. 7/1/21: 37401/02 on 0Z01 Willesden-Norwich light loco. 88001 on Willesden-Norwich light loco – off Garston-Dagenham cars. 15/1/21: 88001 on Norwich-Dagenham light loco. 19/1/21: 68003/034 on Willesden-Southminster CEGB. 23/1/21: 37401 tnt 37402 on 6P01 Whitemoor-Harwich engineers. 66429/430 stabled at Stowmarket.

Above: 37402 + 37401 pass Chitts Hill near Colchester, on 5/1/21. (James Cole).

Above: 37401 at the parcels dock at Norwich on 23/1/21: prior to working the 6P01 Whitemoor to Harwich engineers train. (John Podgorski).

Below: 37402 at Riverside Sidings in Norwich, awaiting the same duty, on 23/1/21. (John Podgorski).

ENSIGNBUS. ADL/Enviro 200 no 702 (PX61 AYA) has passed to Robertson, Shetland.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Airlink ADL/Enviro 200 MMC 67161 at Chichester Road, Southend on 9/1/21. This and sister 67163 can be frequently seen “off route”. (John Podgorski).

Trident/Presidents 33088/095 (LN51 GMU, NRL) were loaned by Basildon to Hadleigh until more ex First Worcester Volvo B7TL/ALX400s arrive. They replaced Trident/Presidents 33073 (LN51 GOE) (which went to Ensign for eventual scrap to Shelton Motors at Ely) and 33190 (LT52 XAA) which was withdrawn for parts recovery and then also went to Ensign. Trident/President 33178 (LR02 LYX) was withdrawn at Basildon on 14/1/21, leaving 33086 (LN51 GMG) as the very last Trident there. Dart SLF/Pointer 42487 (SN03 WME) was still active from Hadleigh in January. Saturday schedules applied from w/c 24/1/21, with 75 becoming single deck operated. Also due to this, several older buses were parked up. These included 51 to 54 plate Volvo B7TL/ALX400s and some of the 54 reg B7TL/Geminis. Odd sightings: 2/1/21: 32669 on 64A; R62 37133 on 68; R62 37135/38 on 61; 42931 on 71A; X10 67160/62 on 100. 3/1/21: 32673 on 102; R62 37135 on 61; R62 37138 on 70; 44659 on 71C. 4/1/21: 30564 on 74B; 30567 on 65; 32628 on 174; 32673 on 103; 37017 on 102; R62 37138 on 65; X10 67160 on 100; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 8. 5/1/21: 30564 (WU02 KVE) on 62; 30567 (WU 02 KVH) on 64; 32477 on 64A; 32478 on 102; 37006 on 104; 37042 on 104; X10 67160 on 8; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 8A; X10 67164 on 8; 67750 on 62B. 6/1/21: 32476 on 104; 37017 on 66B; 42933 on 71B; X10 67162 on 8A; Airlink 67163 on 8A; X10 67164 on 8; P&R 67196 (SN66 WKT) on 71A. 7/1/21: 30567 on 75; 32476 on 174; 37034 on 103; R62 37134 on 61; X10 67162 on 100; Airlink 67163 on8; X10 67164 on 8. 8/1/21: 30567 on 65; 37005 on 103; 37037 on 174; Airlink 67161 on 8; X10 67162/64 on 8A. 9/1/21: 30567 on 61; 32485 on 64A; 37053 on 67; 37140 on 104; Airlink 67161 on 25 + 100; X10 67162 on 5; X10 67164 on 8A; 67736 on 75/A. 10/1/21: 30567 on 61; 32476 on 64A; R62 37133/36 on 61. 11/1/21: 30564 on 65; 30567 on 104; R62 37136 on 61; 37140 on 103; Dart SLF/Pointer 42940 (MX56 HXZ) on 71A; X10 67160 on 100; X10 67162 on 8; P&R ADL/E200 MMC 67194 (SN66 WKR) on 71. 12/1/21: 32564/67 on 61; 37037 on 103; R62 37134 on 75; X10 67160 on 8; X10 67162 on 25. 13/1/21: 30564 on 61; 30567 on 65; R62 37134 on 74B; 37140 on 66B; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on 8. 14/1/21: 30564 on 61; 37020 on 174; R62 37133 on 65; X10 67162 on 100; X10 67164 on 8. 15/1/21: 30564 on 75; 30567 on 62B; 32087 on 174; 66800 on 62B; 66872 on 62; X10 67164 on 8A. 16/1/21: 30567 on 61; R62 37136 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42944 (WA56 OAU) on 71A; X10 67164 on 8A; P&R ADL/E200 MMC 67196 (SN66 WKT) on 42. 18/1/21: X10 67164 on 8; P&R ADL/E200 MMC 67192 (SN66 WKD) on 36. 19/1/21: Dart SLF/Pointer 42931 (SN05 EAO) on 70; P&R ADL/E200 MMC 67190 (SN66 WKL) on 71B; X10 67164 on 8; 67779 on 75. 20/1/21: 30564 on 1A; X10 67162 on 25; X10 67164 8; P7R 67192 (SN66 WKO) on 36; P&R 67194 (SN66 WKR) on 42. 21/1/21: 42937 on 71; X10 67162 on 8; Airlink 67163 on 8. 22/1/21: 30564 on 62; 32673 on 103; X10 67160 on 100; Airlink 67161 on 8. 23/1/23: 30564 on 65; 30567 on 61; 32477 on 175; 32628 on 67; 37015 on 64A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42956 (WX06 OMO) on 71; X10 67160 on 25; P&R 67194 on 42. 25/1/21: 37004 on 64A; 37007 on 64; 37010 on 67; R62 37133/35 on 65; R62 37138 on 74B; Dart SLF/Pointer 2937 (SN05 EAP) on 71A; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 100; X10 67164 on 8A; P&R 67190 9SN66 WKP) on 31B; P&R 67194 (SN66 WKR) on 71; ADL/E300s 67755/56 (SN62 ASO/U) on 75. 26/1/21: 37027 on 67; P&R 67189 (SN66 WKL) on 71. 28/1/21: 37034 on 64A; 37035 on 102; 37037 on 64; R62 37135 on 61; R62 37138 on 64A; Dart SLF/Pointer 42945 (WA56 OAV) on 71A; X10 67160 on 8A; Airlink 67161 on 8A; X10 67164 on 8A; P&R 67189 on 71; P&R 67193 (SN66WKP) on 31C. 29/1/21: 37017/20 on 64; R62 37133 on 68; R62 37135 on 2A; R6237136 on 70; R62 37138 on 61; Dart SLF/Pointer 42944 (WA56 OAU) on 71A; X10 67161 on 100; Airlink 67163 on 100; X10 67164 on ; 67737 on 758. 30/1/21: 32547 on 64; 32629 on 67; 37004/07 on 64A; R62 37133/34 on 61; R62 37135 on 74B; R62 37138 on 88; R6237139 on 65; Dart SLF/Pointer 42936 (SN05 DZS) on 71; 66816 on 75; X10 67162 on 5A; Airlink 67163 on 100; P&R 67190 on 31C; P&R 67196 on 71; 67756 on 75. 31/1/21: R62 37134 on 65; Airlink 67161 on 100; X10 67162 on 25.

Above: 67194 at Lexden Road, Colchester on 11/1/21. Workings of this batch “off route” at Chelmsford have now become quite common, partly due to a drop in demand on their usual park and ride work. (John Podgorski).

FLAGFINDERS. Reinstated is Mercedes Sprinter SG52 RGZ.

FREIGHTLINER. Class 86 operation (officially) ceased on 5/1/21, with the final active examples 86613/39 – going to Crewe for store (or so we thought). Then on 11/1/21, 86607/08 were on 4L60 Garston-Ipswich. And on 19/1/21, 86607/39 were on 4M87. On 20/1/21 86608/39 on 4L91 and 4M87 (possibly last actual ’86 working) . Most of the Class 86s have gone into “warm” storage at Crewe. The new depot at Ipswich has been completed, bar the laying of track. The road entrance from Ranelagh Road breaches part of the old Cliff Quay branch.

Above: The new Ipswich depot on 3/1/21. (John Podgorski).

4/1/21: 90004/046 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 5/1/21: 86613/39 on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 90004/046 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX. 90010/047 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 6/1/21: 66564 on Acton-Chelmsford. 90004/046 on 4L91 Trafford-FLX/4M87 return. 90007/003 on 4L89 Coatbridge-FLX. 90043/013 on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 90049/008 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX. 7/1/21: 90004/046 on 4L91. 90013/043 on 4M45. 90047/010 on 4L89. 90049/008 on 4L97. 7/1/21: 90047/010 on 4M87. 8/1/21: Orange 59206 on Acton-Chelmsford. 10/1/21: Stabled at Ipswich – 66413, 66505/08/20/28/31/39/41/43/51/55/61/96/98, 90009/010/11/45/47. 13/1/21: 66607/567 on 4L97 Trafford-FLX then replaced by 90008/049 at Crewe. 90007/003 on 4L89. 90011 on Ipswich-Norwich driver training and return. 90016/048 on 4L91 and 4M87 return. 14/1/21: 66501 on Acton-Chelmsford. 66543 on 4L75 Trafford-FLX. 66571 on 4M93 FLX-Lawley St. 86604 on 0Z40 Crewe-Trafford light loco. 86607/08 on 4M45 FLX-Garston. 90007/013 on 4L89. 90048/016 on 4L91 and 4M87 return. 15/1/21: 59202 on Acton-Chelmsford. 17/1/21: 66551 tnt 66532 on Parkeston-Brentwood engineers. 90011 on Ipswich-Norwich driver trainer and return. 20/1/21: 66536 on 4L36 FLX-Wentloog. 21/2/21: No services to FLX from Coatbridge, Lawley Street or Trafford due to flooding in those areas. 22/1/21: 66551 on 4M87 FLX-Trafford. 90012/045 on 4L89. 28/1/21: 90045/014 on 4L89. 90046/047 on 4L91. 90049/42 on 4L97. 29/1/21: 90046/047 on 4L89. 90048/016 on 4L89. 90049/042 on 4L97.

Above: 90047 + 90046 at Field Sidings, Ipswich on 23/1/21. 90047 sports the latest FL livery Class 86s used to be a familiar sight there. (John Podgorski).

GBRf. w/c 3/1/21: From FLX: 66704 on 4M23/4L23. 66705 on 4E28/4L28. 66712 on 4M04/4L04. 66715 on 4E11/4L11. 66719 on 4M07/4L07. 66720 on 4E21/4L21. 66731, 66735, 66767 on 4E43/4L43. 66727, 66784 on 4M02/4L02. 66733 on 4E14/4L14. 66742 on 4M21/4L18. 66772 on 4M29/4L29. 66787 on 4E20/4L20. From London Gateway: 66701 on 4M47/4L47. 66717, 66725 on 4E00/4L00. 6/1/21: 66733 on 4L04. 66766 on 4E00/4L00. 66769 on 4E14/4L14. 66784 on 6A33 N Walsham-Harwich tanks. 8/1/21: 66736/704 on 4M23 FLX-Hams Hall. 9/1/21: 66726 on 6T62 Whitemoor-Mountnessing Junction engineers. 66753 on 6T64 Whitemoor-Mountnessing Junction engineers. 66777 on 6T63 Whitemoor-Mountnessing Junction engineers. 66788 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Mountnessing Junction engineers. 13/1/21: 66738 on N Walsham-Ipswich light loco. 15/1/21: 66776 replaced 66709 on 4L20 Masboro-FLX at Peterborough. 16/1/21: 66709 on 6T61 Whitemoor-Shenfield/Wickford. 66726 tnt 66728 on 6T65 Whitemoor-Shenfield/Wickford engineers. 66784 on 6T62 Shenfield-Wickford. 18/1/21: 66726 on 0Z38 Peterborough/Clacton/Colchester route learner. 19/1/21: 66788 on 0Z38 Peterborough/Clacton/Colchester route learning. 20/1/21: 66740 on 0Z23-25 Ipswich-Wembley light loco and return. 66788 on 0Z38 Peterborough/Clacton/Colchester route learning. 21/1/21: 66726 on 0Z38 Peterborough-Clacton/Colchester. 66740 on 0Z23-25. 31/1/21: 66711 on Stratford-Whitemoor engineers.

GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 720539 at Southend Victoria depot on 9/1/21. The Liverpool Street-Southend Vic route is the first to see regular ‘720 operation, along with Liv St-Braintree. Training is now ongoing for the Liv St-Ipswich line. (John Podgorski).

Transferred to East Midlands Railway are 360101/02/05/08/09/11/17/19. Withdrawn are 321350/51/56/57/58, 321438/46. 6/1/21: 317514/653 on 5V07. 317649/509 on 5A06. 755331/25 on 5Q54 Liv St-Norwich test. 9/1/21: 360107/116 – CW-IL following failure at Kentish Town. 720551/58 on 5Q88 Wembley-Ilford ECS. 13/1/21: 360109 CN-CW behind ROG 37510. 720556 to Revenue service on 1K59 Southend Vic-Liv St with 720536 also in consist. 14/1/21: 720548/43 on 5Q08 Liv St-Ipswich test. 16/1/21: Stansted Express 745106/107/109 on Norwich-Ingatestones. 18/1/21: 360117 CN-CW behind GBRf 47739 as 5Q21. 20/1/21: 317714/29 towed Wembley-Ilford by ROG 37884. 21/1/21: 317514/653 on 5Q86 Ilford-Eastleigh for scrap behind ROG 37884. 360109/119 CN-CW behind ROG 57305. 360111 CN-IL for repairs prior to going to CW/EMR. 23/1/21: Stansted Express 745106/107/109 on Norwich-Withams. 30/1/21: Stansted Express 745102 on Norwich-Withams.

Below: ROG 57302 drags GA Class 360s from Clacton for EMR, through Hythe, Colchester on 20/1/21. (James Cole).

Above: The first GA Class 321s to go for scrap (321446/357), are towed through Marks Tey on 26/1/21, by ROG 37884. They are going to Sims Metals at Newport, South Wales. (James Cole).

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 288 leaves Kelvedon for the last time on 4/1/21. (John Podgorski).

School holiday frequencies were introduced from 11/1/21 until further notice, with a few local variations for residual schools. Short ADL/Enviro 200 296 (SN10 CCY) has come from Konect at Dereham. Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 288 (HW54 BUF) is withdrawn and went to Clacton for parts recovery. Sister 287 (HW54 BUE) remains as an Operational spare at Kelvedon. Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 517 (LX05 EZR) returned to Sible Hedingham from Clacton ex loan. Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 563 (V307 LGC) was sold intact to a private owner. B7TL/President 581 (W956 WGH) went to Alpha Recovery for scrap. Omnidekka 811 has transferred from Chambers to Clacton for maintenance and is now used at CN or KN. It retains Chambers fleet names. Omnidekka movements: 5/1/21: 811 – KN-CN. 6/1/21: 814 – KN-CN. 11/1/21: 812/15 – CN-KN. 12/1/21: 813 – CN-KN; 815 – KN-CN. 18/1/21: 811 Chambers-KN. 19/1/21: 805 – Chambers-KN. 22/1/21: 800 – Chambers-KN; 805 – KN-Chambers. Odd sightings: 15/1/21; B7TL/President 572 (W489 WGH) on Duty 3009 82/83/50 – usually small saloon. 19/1/21: 523 on Covid Stanway School – usually small saloon; Solo 910 on 69 due to failure of ADL/E200 298. 21/1/21: Omnidekka 811 on Stanway School. 22/1/21:B7TL 569 on Stanway School am; Omnidekka 800 on Stanway School pm. (As January progressed, the vehicles on Stanway School became mixed saloon/double deck).

Above: Optare Solo 910 on Berechurch Road, Colchester on 19/1/21. (James Cole).

IPSWICH BUSES. Another acquired ADL/Enviro 200 is 75 (DU60 KOJ). DAF DB250LF/ELs 55-59 were taken out of use after 8/1/21. Odd sightings: 3/1/21: Nacton Nippers ADL/E200 78 (YX14 RWL) on 15. 51/21: Short ADL/E200 72 on 4 + 11 in Colchester. 6/1/21: Short ADL/E200 73 (LX58 LMM) on 4 + 11 in Colchester. 15/1/21: Short ADL/E200s 70 and 72 on 4 + 11 in Colchester. 16/1/21: ADL/E200 77 on 92. 21/1/21: ADL/E200 75 on 93. 29/1/21: ADL;/E200 104 on 4 + 11. (short ADL/E200s have now replaced Optare Versas on Essex routes 2, 4, 11).

Above: 73 on Maldon Road, Colchester on 29/1/21. (John Podgorski).

LONDON OVERGROUND. 10/1/21: 710101 on 5Z12 Ilford-Shenfield ECS.

LONDON UNDERGROUND. Central Line 1992 Tube Stock set 91111+92111+92446+93446 was returned from Bombardier at Derby, following pilot inspection and tests for the forthcoming 1992 Stock refurbishment programme.

Above: 1992 Tube Stock 91349 at Leytonstone on 30/1/21, on an eastbound service to Hainault. (John Podgorski).

M&M STAFFING, CHELMSFORD. Wright StreetLite DF SN68 AGF is ex Passenger Plus, Tadworth and replaced similar SK68 TXP. Neoplan Tourliner PA66 LFX returned to BASE, Leyland (dealer) off loan – after Tourliner MM68 BUS returned from Neoplan, after PSVAR modifications..

MTR ELIZABETH LINE. 7/1/21: 345013 OC-IL; 345039 IL-OC – both by ROG 37601.

NATIONAL EXPRESS. Operations were again suspended from 23:59 on 10/1/21, due to Covid-19.

PANTHER TRAVEL. Withdrawn is Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale BIG 9210. It has reverted to N592 BRH.

Above: Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante JCN 822, has reverted to its original FJ08 KLZ mark. Pictured at Manningtree on 3/1/21. However, by the end of January, it has passed to Angies Tours of Lowestoft and been re registered to P24 PJO. (John Podgorski).

Above: The latest bearer of the cherished DB09 PAN registration mark is ex Metroline ADL/Enviro 200 YX10 BDY. It was seen on High Street, Colchester on 29/12/20. Former Eastern National man Dan Lord is driving. (Daniel Pretty).

RONDA, SOUTHEND. This company has ceased, upon retirement of its owner, Mr Hallum. It had been trading since 1969. Its fleet of two minicoaches was still present at the Rochford depot in early January.

ROG.

Above: 57305 crosses Seven Arches Viaduct, near Colchester on 20/1/21, en route from Wembley to Clacton to collect GA Class 360 EMUs for transfer to EMR. (James Cole).

1/1/21: 37608 dragged GA 745106 as 5H02 Norwich-Orient Way, via West Anglia, due to engineering blockades on the GEML.

SOUTH EAST COACHES, WICKFORD. Has ex Eavesway of Wigan Van Hool TD921 Altano YJ12 CKC has been re-registered K123 SEC. It is in plain silver.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON. More new BYD ADL/Enviro 400evs for TfL174 (Dagenham-Harold Hill), are 14130/31 (LF70 YVG/H), 14132/33 (LF70 YVJ/K), 14134/35 (LF70 YVL/M), 14136/37/38/39 (LF70 YVN/O/P/R), 14140/41 (LF70 YVS/T), 14142/43/44 (LF70 YVU/V/W), 14145/46/47 (LF70 YVX/Y/Z). The electric conversion of TfL174 has taken preference over TfL173 (Beckton-Goodmayes). The new BYDs allocated for this are 14110-29 (LF70 YUE/O/H/J/K/L/N/O/R/S/U/V/W/X/Y, YVA-E).

Above: 14109 (LF70 YUD) at Harold Hill (Gooshays Drive) on 2/1/21. (John Podgorski).

STEPHENSONS. Acquired are 9.6m ADL/E200s 438/39 (YY15 FZC/D) from Mistral (dealer), but ex Omniserv at Heathrow Airport. From 4/1/21, routes 310, 311/A (Bury St Edmunds-Exning) were gained.

Above: January 2021 saw lots of rain. Here, ‘Three Rivers’ ADL/Enviro 200 477 (EU66 AVB) negotiates flooding on the A131 at Halstead on 28/1/21. (Steven Quy/Simon Austin).

SULLIVAN BUSES.

Above: Revised schools services due to the tier 4 Covid restrictions. (Via James Sadd).

TOWER TRANSIT. Acquired from Ensign is ADL/Enviro 200 YX10BDV.

TRUSTYBUS, ROYDON.

Above: Ex RATP London (Quality Line) Optare Solo YJ09 MHO at Two Brewers, Ongar on 6/12/20. On a Sunday working of route 420. Solos now regularly operate this on Sundays and holidays, rather than larger saloons. (Robert Downton).

Other Optare Solos acquired through Ensign, are ex First Cymru WX05 RUC/O.

VECTARE, CHELMSFORD. Further accessible Mb Sprinters are RE70 EZU, 204 (RX70 SKZ). Ancillary vehicles: FV12 UAW is a Ford KA numbered 110. Mb 709D 409 (T371 OHL) has also been used as a crew ferry.

With thanks to: Angliagen, S Austin, J Cole, R Downton, EBN, Ensign, L Harrison, A Hazell, J Lidstone, London’s Transport, C Porter, D Pretty, RE, J Sadd, T Webb.