Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the December, 2014 round up.
Possibly the news of the month is the withdrawal of New Horizon’s 78/A Brightlingsea-Colchester local bus service, in the wake of intense competition from the parallel 87 Hedingham Omnibuses route.
Established by Cedric’s of Wivenhoe in 1988 as 78X, this was relaunched as 78/A in September 2013, following the acquisition of Cedric’s by New Horizon in April of that year. For many years, Cedric’s ran 78X alongside Eastern National/First Essex service 78, but when First ceased providing the 78 commercially in August 2007, Cedric’s became the sole “mainstream” operator over this busy corridor, until August 2012, when Hedingham – then recently bought by Go-Ahead PLC, began its commercial 87 venture. From September 2014, the 87 was retimed to run just ahead of New Horizon journeys.
This leaves New Horizon with just one local bus route; its original no 77 – which has run between Great Bentley and Colchester since December 2010.

Above: In the last week of service 78X, New Horizon Volvo B6BLE/Wright Cadet X974 CNO, was seen at the bottom of Colchester High Street on 22nd August 2013. Low floors had been phased in over previous weeks, prior to the renumbering of 78X to 78/A.

Hedingham ADL/Enviro 200 no L382 (now 263) heads down Colchester High Street on 29th August 2012; the second day of route 87 operation.

Hedingham has also retrenched. From 1st December, the trial extension of the 88 from Halstead to Braintree, and the “semi express” 88X ceased, with service 88 reverting to its traditional format. The 3 month experiment had failed to attract projected new custom.

Hedingham has also launched its new – Chambers inspired fleet livery.

Seasons Greetings and a Happy 2015.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.
317671 appeared on RHTT duty on the GE Main Line, on 17/12/14.
317709 has had its ‘Len Camp’ name removed.
Mk111 carriages repainted into the new livery, ex ONE colours are 10214, 12026/7/30/82, 12146/8.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
Service 265 (Grays-West Horndon), was withdrawn from 1/12/14.

APT, RAYLEIGH.
Former Shearings Volvo B10M/VH A4 APT has passed to Thorns of Rayleigh.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE – SOUTHEND.
Another VDL SB200/Wright received from Northfleet is 3761 (YJ08 DZM).
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Super Pointers 3320/1/6 (T820/1/6 NMJ).
3321 has transferred to New Enterprise at Tonbridge.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Following the loss of TfL34 (Walthamstow-Barnet) to Metroline, several of the DLA class DAF DB250LF/Alexander ALX400s which had been used on that route, have been dispersed. DLA355/75 (LJ03 MJX, MTE) went to Arriva London South at Norwood, while DLA352/3/6 (LJ03 MLE/F, MJY) were sold to Lister (dealer), Bolton.

AVRO, STANFORD LE HOPE.
A minibus has arrived, in the shape of Ford Transit 16 seater SD10 UBU, ex Arnold Clark Rental of Glasgow. This joins one time Charterhouse School 16 seat Transit GR07 RYF. Both came via dealers.

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Acquired from Mc Donald of Dundee is Neoplan Skyliner YN51 XMW.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
In from Docklands Buses is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer LDP194 (SN51 UAG). It is running in London General red/grey/yellow with no fleet names.
The 10 reg ADL/Enviro 200s still retain Docklands Buses fleet names – even though they were transferred over some years ago.

Above: Former Blue Triangle Dennis Dart SLF/MCV ED2; now with London Central – at Blackheath Village on 21/12/14, on the cross river 108 service.

CHARIOTS OF STANFORD LE HOPE.
The orange/yellow fleet livery has been replaced by plain white.

Above: A view of Chariots Corringham yard in May 2004. The coach at the rear is of the Cunningham Carriage Company.

COGGESHALL COMMUNITY BUS.
16 seat Ford Transit AV09 HXO, continued on loan from Robertson Van Hire, into December.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
Ex London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL79, 81 (LF52 ZPK/M) retain Merton (AL) depot codes.
Scania Omnidekkas 944/6 retain Metrobus fleet names.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVL 169, 232 (X569XGK, Y732 TGH) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL251 retain London Central fleet names. WVL 251 also still has Camberwerll (Q) depot codes.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
DAF SB120/Wright Cadets DW1-8 (LF52 TKJ/C/D, TJY/V/X/O/K); DWL15 (BX04 BXM), DWL18/9 (FJ54 ZDP/T) – latterly with London General; have passed to Ensign. DW1 and 8 were resold to Cotswold Green of Nailsworth; DWL15 to Western Greyhound.

Above: DW4 at Ensign on 18/12/14.

Above: In original East Thames Buses condition; sister DW11 on Holloway Road in March 2005.

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: Volvo Olympians P427 UUG and P426 UUG seen in July 2005, when just acquired by Ensign from Yorkshire Coastliner.

Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royale 827 (P427 UUG ex WLT 307) has passed to A2B, Luton, Bedfordshire.
Sister 826 (WLT 916 orig P426 UUG) is on loan to A2B.
The remaining Olympians are being replaced by 04 reg ex Stagecoach London Tridents. LX04 FXU is the first of the Tridents noted. It has been converted to single door, fitted with seatbelts, and led destination plus tachograph installed. LX04 FXR/S/T are understood to be the others.
The latest Heritage Fleet addition is AEC PRV Routemaster RM1843 (843 DYE). Meanwhile, Bedford WTB/Duple EYE 599 has arrived (in unrestored condition), from a preservationist.
Open top Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 395 (P495 SWC) has been exported to Cyprus; being bought by Aphrodites Waves Tours of Agia Wapy. It was repainted cream before delivery.
Futher SLF/ALX200s sold are City Coach Company liveried 729 (Y329 FJN) to Trustybus of Harlow; 743 (Y343 FJN) to Nu-Venture of Aylesford and 772 (Y372 FJN) to Belle-Vue of Manchester.
On Boxing Day, commercial service X10 (Lakeside-Southend), ran for that day only.

Above: Trident LX04 FXU undergoing service prep at Purfleet on 14/12/14. Alongside is withdrawn Dart SLF/ALX200 no 772.

Above: Ensign’s annual running day on 6/12/14, brought out the usual interesting variety of classic buses; including Ensign’s former St Helens Corporation Marshall dual door bodied AEC Swift EDJ 246J; seen here at Brentwood High Street.
(Adam Kelleher).

Above: Bringing back memories of a bygone era, preserved Green Line AEC Reliance/Park Royal RP90 is also pictured at Brentwood, on the running day.
(Adam Kelleher).

EOS LONDON.
A second Optare Excel here is JFZ 8261.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).

Above: ADL/Enviro 200 44519 shows its new Ipswich livery and branding, at Old Cattle Market Bus Station on 17/12/14.

Refreshed Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32488 (AU 53 HKF) has Superoute 66 branding.
ADL/Enviro 200s 44516/7 (YX09 ACV/Y) are branded for route 53 (Ipswich Town Centre-Pinewood).
All of 44516-9 are now in the Ipswich Refreshed livery, which features the First frog, and straplines for ‘Relax and get Connected….’;’Hop into Town’.
Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66977/8/9 have transferred to Norwich.
Ipswich town services 55 (Bixley) and 56 (Broke Hall), ceased after 24/12/14.

Above: First Eastern Counties Volvo B7TL/ALX400 no 32489, on the 56 in August 2012.

FIRST ESSEX.

Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 42551 (S551 WAT) has been withdrawn and cannibalised. Parts have been used to repair SLF/Super Pointer 43736 (S736 TWC).
Scania L94UB/Wright 65569 (S569 TPW) is parked in the old Colchester Borough Transport garage at Magdalen Street (pictured above). Withdrawn sister 65576 (T576 JNG) is in the old Colchester Bus Station parking area, around the back of Queen Street depot.
SLF/Super Pointer 43480 (R680 DPW) is delicensed at Braintree (BE).
SLF/Super Pointers 43448 (P448 NEX) and 43474 (R474 CAH) are now being significantly stripped at Braintree.
The isolated operation at Luton Airport, the 888 ‘RailAir’ shuttle, passed to Go-Ahead London General from 7/12/14.
This was connected with the transfer of the local rail franchise from First to Govia.
Vovlo B7A/Wright artics 10180/1/2 (T3,4,5 FCC), 19031 (T5 FCC) and Volvo B7L/Wright 66358 (Y186 HNH) have passed to London General.

Above; Mercedes Citaro bendy bus T5 FCC at Luton Airport Parkway station in August 2009. The reg mark on this bus was later transferred to Volvo B7LA/Wright bendy no 10182. At the time of this picture, First Northampton ran the Airport-Parkway shuttle, with First Essex taking over after Northampton was closed.
Back in Essex, Dart SLF/Super Pointer 43719 (R719 DJN) has moved from Hadleigh (HH) to Clacton (CN), while 42918 (EU05 AUK) is now ‘Refreshed’.

Above: SLF/Pointer no 43714 at Pier Avenue, Clacton in December 2014.
First’s service 7 is not connected with that of GoRide (see below).
(Adam Kelleher).

FORD, ALTHORNE.
Van Hool Astromega 820 KPO has reverted to its original registration of JEV 245Y.

GO RIDE.
There were changes to the Brightlingsea services from 1/12/14.
The 78A Brightlingsea Circular and 79 Brightlingsea-Clacton ceased to operate at weekends.
Service 7 (Clacton-Holland) ceased from 2/12/14.

HEDINGHAM.
The first bus to appear in the new fleet colours is Volvo B10BLE/Alexander ALX300 480 (S376 MVP).
Received from Konect for spares only is Dennis Trident/EL 711 (T811 RFG). Sister 723 (W823 NNJ) was briefly on loan from Konect.

Above: Hedingham ADL/Enviro 400 no 615, leaves Colchester on an evening peak 88 run to Great Yeldham, on 27/10/14.

Above: Hedingham ADL/Enviro 400 no 615 at Braintree Railway Station on 22/11/14; in the last week of 88 reaching this location.

The Braintree – Halstead section of 88 and the 88X Colchester-Eight Ash Green express variant, were de-registered from 1/12/14. Volvo B10BLE/Wright 481 (R216 HCD) performed the last 88X journey on 28/11/14. The peak hour 88 still runs beyond Castle Hedingham to/from Great Yeldham, however, effectively replacing the 88X with an “all stops” service. Before the 1/9/14 changes, peak hour 88s had run no further than Castle Hedingham. The 88 has also largely reverted to single deck operation again.

Above: Hedingham Volvo B10BLE/Wright no 482, departs Colchester on an 88X journey in October 2014.

Meanwhile, from 8/12/14, Kelvedon (KN) regained operation of Honywood School route 4 (Coggeshall-Easthorpe) from Clacton (CN) – meaning the KN strength is back to 8 buses again.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Service X4 was withdrawn from 8/12/14.
Optare Excel 172 (YG52 DGE) has a super rear advert for Designer Hair Studios.

MANOR TRADING, BENFLEET.
Ex Ensignbus Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 Y339 FJN, has been noted parked at the First Essex depot in Chelmsford.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
From 8/12/14, new service A8 began. This runs between Stansted Airport and London Liverpool Street; by-passing Stratford and running in a clockwise loop via Bow, Mile End, Whitechapel, Shoreditch and Bethnal Green. There are 50 departures daily. As a result, A9 has been cut back from Liverpool Street, to operate as Stratford-Stansted.
Scania K340EB6/Caetano Levante SH03 (FJ07 DVH,) has been re-registered SHZ 5736.

NETWORK COLCHESTER.
Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus 8.8m 1562 (RX07 KPG) is now here, ex loan to New Enterprise at Tonbridge.
Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3311 (S303 JUA) has passed to Panther Travel (qv).
SLF/Plaxton Pointers 3312/5 (S310/3 JUA) have gone from store at Stansted. The site at Ninth Avenue is now cleared of TGM vehicles, and used solely by Panther Travel.
From 1/12/15, Essex CC service 105 (Colchester-Walton) ceased to serve the Bridgebrook Loop, following the reinstatement of service 3 as a commercial venture by Stephensons.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL, FRATING.
Commercial service 78/A (Brightlingsea-Colchester) ceased after 20/12/14.
78 school journeys from Brightlingsea to Colchester, Norman Way will continue, however.
The 78 has been running in one form or another since circa 1935.

Above: New Horizon Trident X331 HLL on the school working of 78, on 1/12/14. Seen on Lexden Road, Colchester.

OLYMPUS/ROADRUNNER, HARLOW.
Sold are Mini Pointer Dart SLFs V198 ERG and Y161 NLK.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Mercedes Sprinter RX54 RRU has come from Hussein of Bradley, West Yorkshire.
Ex Network Colchester is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer S303 JUA. This is for temporary use on a short term contract.
A Standby contract for Abellio Greater Anglia at Norwich has been won – from Smiths of Blofield. AGA Rail Standby is also now done in north Essex and south Suffolk.

PHILIPS OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
Bova Futura YJ08 NTE has passed to Moseley, South Elmsall (dealer).

REDBRIDGE TRANSPORT.
From Metroline, via Ensign is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President LK51 XGL.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Ex Travelmasters of Sheerness, latterly Freedom Travel of Horseheath Trident/ALX400 T697 KPU has been acquired through Ensign.
Solos 201/2/3 (YJ06 YSK, YJ56 AOT/U) have been resold via Ensign to First Devon and Cornwall.
Mini Pointer Dart SLF 601 (YN04 PZY), has had an internal refresh.

Above: 601 in original condition, at Chelmsford in 2008.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: ADL/E40H 12131, in ‘Candy Crush’ overall advert – at Blackwall on 21/12/14.

New Routemasters LT313/4 (LTZ 1313/4) have arrived, ex loan to Stagecoach Bluebird.
They will be used for staff training, in advance of the conversion of TfL55 (Whipps Cross-Oxford Circus) in February 2015.
Moved from Leyton (T) to West Ham (WH) are Tridents 17826/7/8/52/3/5 (LX03 BXZ, BYA/B, BZF/G/H), 17907/8 (LX03 OSA/B), 18210/1/2 (LX04 FWW/Y/Z).
Trident 17551 (LY02 OBC) is reinstated.
Withdrawn are Tridents 17588/9 (LV52 HFX/Y).
Received from Selkent are Tridents 17945-9/59-63 (LX53 JYH/J/K/L/N, JZA/C/D/E/F).
Transferred to Selkent are Tridents 17861/2/3/93/4/5 (LX03 NFF/G/H, ORF/G/H); ADL/Enviro 400 19746; ADL/Enviro 200 36366.
Trident 17454 (Y454 NHK) has gone to Ensign for breaking. Sister 17536 (LY02 OAB) has been resold by Ensign to Cardinal Buses of Staines.
Trident 17790 (LX03 BWD) has transferred to Stagecoach Chesterfield.
Tridents 17528/9/38/53/60/71/82 (LX51 FOM/N, LY02 OAD, OBE/M, LV52 HFC/P) have been returned from Ensign and transferred to Stagecoach South.
Tridents 17489/90/5 (LX51 FMJ/K/U) have been returned from Ensign and transferred to Stagecoach Cumbria.
Super rear adverts noted are:
Trident 17853 (LX03 BZG) – Waltham Forest Culture.
Trident 18277 (LX05 BWK) – Transport for London GPS.
ADL/Enviro 400 19794 – Contactless.

Above: 17893, one of the latest Tridents to migrate to Selkent, seen at Barkingside in October 2004; when still relatively new.

Above: One of the ADL/Enviro 200s displaced from East London to Selkent by the double deck conversion of TfL372 (Hornchurch-Lakeside);
36342 was seen at Blackheath Village on 21/12/14. It had broken down while on a Lewisham bound 380 service and was being assisted by a fitter from its new home at Catford (TL).

STEPHENSONS.
ADL/Enviro 200 demonstrator YX14 RXB is on loan, with fleet no 204.
Long ADL/Enviro 200 465 (EU62 FBO) briefly replaced SLF/Super Pointer 459 (GU52 HKD) as the route 247 Hadleigh outstation bus, in early December. Then SLF/Mini Pointer 413 (EU03 CFX) appeared later in the month.

Above: Stephensons no 459 negotiates Middleborough, Colchester on 17/12/14.

TOWER TRANSIT.
ADL/Enviro 400s DN33778/81/2 (SN12 AVU/X/Y) are in overall adverts for Candy Crush.
Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 VN36105 (BJ11 DSV) and ADL/Enviro 40H hybrid DNH39129 (SN12 ATY) have lost their overall schemes.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
Sourced via Ensign is ex DawsonRentals Super Pointer Dart SLF KP54 BYL, which had been with the now defunct Premiere of Nottingham.
Sold to Ensign are SLF/Super Pointers SNZ 7292/6 and SLF/MPDs TNZ 1186, 1252.
SLF/Pointer PD31 (R744 BMY) is withdrawn. It has passed to Erith Commercials.

UNO.
Accident damaged Scania N230UD/Darwen Olympus SDM206 (PN08 SVZ) has been written off.

WYVERN COMMUNITY TRANSPORT.
From 17/12/14, route SB72 (Great Wakering-Rayleigh) stopped serving Clements Hall Sports Centre and Tesco.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the October blog.
There has been significant retrenchment by TGM Group. Locally the Stansted base has closed, while further afield, the Heathrow Airport operations have passed to OFJ Connections – once part of TGM but now management owned. The TfL bus contract in the area is retained, but managed by Arriva Southern Counties. North East based Classic Coaches has also been closed, but this will continue a a new company, under ex Classic management.
The history of TGM Stansted is quite complex. From 1995 to 2003 it was used by Eastern National/First Essex, to replace previous sites in Bishops Stortford. Then it passed to Excel, a company with the former manager of First subsidary Airport Coach Company as majority shareholder and Stephensons of Essex as the minority owner. In 2006, Excel was bought by TGM Group.
Its local bus work has moved to Harlow or been re-tendered, while the National Express coach activity has passed to Whippet of Swavesey.
Ensignbus has placed into revenue service its retro hybrid Dennis Trident. Converted by Vantage Power as its B320 hybrid drive project, the bus can usually be seen on local routes around Thurrock; particularly 22 – where is runs alongside Ensign’s “conventional” hybrid Volvo B5Hs.
The first brand new buses for First in the Southend area since 1998, are some Wright Streetlites for Hadleigh depot. Two were exhibited to the public in central Southend, before their progressive introduction into service, mainly on routes 22 and 28. They have displaced some of the 1998 Dart SLFs and all of the Volvo B7RLEs to other First Essex depots.
On the railway front, it is now the “leaf fall” season, with the resultant appearance of Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTTs) on the network. Powered by classic diesel locomotives, two of the more interesting examples are illustrated in this blog.
Regrettably, a UNO double decker was involved in a serious accident in mid October, leaving the bus on its side, and many of its occupants injured, fortunately none seriously. The driver was subsequently arrested. We wish those hurt a speedy recovery.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 321439 forms the rear of a London-Southend Victoria service on 18/10/14; seen at the bottom of Brentwood Bank. New Overhead Live Equipment (OLE), to replace the original 1949 installation is in evidence.

Electric loco 90011 has been named ‘East Anglian Daily Times Suffolk and Proud’.
Now in Abellio white with red doors are EMUs 315824/33/4/51; 317714/23; DVT 82121 and MkIII carriages 11092, 12012.
A few Class 360 EMUs still retained the old style ‘Greater Anglia’ branding, in October.

Above: 90011 hurries through Kelvedon on an 0800 Norwich-London Liverpool Street working.

ACME BUS, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Ex Weaver of Newbury is Former Stagecoach London Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 V153 MEV. From Galloway of Medlesham, for spares only is Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beaver T300 CBC.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (GRAYS).
ADL/Enviro 200 4009 (GN08 CHG) has moved to Arriva The Shires – as its no 3818.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Withdrawn is DAF SB220L/Plaxton Prestige 3911 (T911 KKM).
Reinstated is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 3191 (P191 LKJ).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
From Goldenstand, Park Royal is Scania K113/Irizar R971 CUG.

BEESTONS.
Scania Omnidekkas YN54 OAE/H are ex London Sovereign.
Aquired for ancillary use (tree lopper) is open top Volvo Olympian/NC Countybus R631 MNU. This came from Smee of Down Hatherley, Gloucestershire.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Ex London General is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer LDP191 (SN51 UAD).

BLUELINE TRAVEL, SOUTHEND.
Ex First Devon and Cornwall is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 320 N608 APU – which worked in the Southend area when new on the CitySaver service to/from London.
Former Dublin Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH H705 PTW has been sold to Munden, Bristol (dealer).

CARTERS OF CAPEL ST MARY.
The one off Saffle bodied Volvo B10L, L456 JCK, has been purchased from Seaford and District.
This much travelled bus had previously been with Ensign, and before that Stagecoach Yorkshire and Yorkshire Traction.

Above: L456 JCK when with Ensign; and registered GVV 205. Picture dated October 2009.

CHELMSFORD TAXIBUS.
Ford Transit 134 (EY55 DSY) is withdrawn.
Ford Transit/Stanford 11 seater 116 (EY03 NCE), has been sold privately.

COUNTY COACHES, BRENTWOOD.
Volvo B10M/Jonckherre 2786 RU has been re-registered back to its original N547 SJF.
Sold are Volvo B10M/Caetano 2328 RU; B10M/VH L712 PHE, and B10M/Premiere N906 AAS. All these were 67 seaters for school work.

CT PLUS.
Fire damaged SLF/Mini Pointer DPS2 (BU05 HFG), has gone for scrap.

DIRECT RAIL SERVICES.

Above: 57306 heads an “up” RHTT through Kelvedon on 21/10/14.

The leaf fall season has brought Rail Head Treatment Trains (RHTTs) to the Great Eastern Main Line. 37604, 57009/10, 57303/6 have all been running from Stowmarket on this work.

Above: And 37604 brings up the rear ……………….

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
Ex Blue Triangle are Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVL115 (W415 WGH), PVL232 (Y732 TGH); Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL79 (LF52 ZPK).
From London Central is B7TL/President PVL169 (X569 EGK).

EDS MINIBUS HIRE, EAST TILBURY.
Iveco 59C/Mellor welfare bus LX03 GXZ, is ex AH Minibuses at Little Clacton.

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: Ensign’s retro hybrid Trident no 599, at Purfleet depot in October 2014.

The Vanguard Power diesel to hybrid Trident, 599 entered passenger service during October.
The ex Hatts of Chippenham ADL/Enviro 200s have now received fleet livery, and are numbered 706/7/8/9/10/1/2/3 (SN11 FFJ/K/L/M/O/P/R/T).
Trident/ALX400s re-registered are 109 from T87 KLD to UJF 182; 192 from T192 CLO to 392 MBF; 194 from T194 CLO to 864 DYE.
B7R/Plaxton Prima YN54 DDJ is now in fleet livery, ex New Enterprise.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/ALX200s 729/34/39/43/72 (Y329 FJN etc).

Above: Withdrawn SLF/ALX200s 743/39/4 respectively, at Purfleet depot on 12/10/14.

EXECUTIVE MINIBUSES, AVELEY.
Mercedes Sprinter 413CDi/UVM EM04 BUS, has passed to Brunswick Cars of North Cheam.

FELIX OF LONG MELFORD.
Mercedes 709D/Beaver F301 RMH has been offered for sale.

FIRST ESSEX.
New are Wright Streetlite DFs 63161-9 (SN64 CHX/Y/Z, CJE/F/J/O/U/V/X) – all at Hadleigh (HH). 63170 and Micro Streetlite 47526 (SN64 CNC) were displayed at an official launch in Southend. The other Micro Streetlites were delivered in November.
Ex First Cymru is Scania K114/Irizar coach 23020 (YN54 APK).

From First Aberdeen is Volvo B10BLE/Wright 62139 (X618 ESS) – above, which is in green/cream heritage livery. It initially worked from Chelmsford (CF), then Braintree (BE).
Scania L94/Wright 65576 (T576 JNG) is back in use at CR, ex long term VOR at CN.
Displaced by the new Streetlites from HH to CR are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66800/3/4/7/9/10.
66816 has moved to CR from CF. 66801 has transferred from HH to CF.
66817/8 were on loan to CR from CF, but returned by the end of October.
Received from First Eastern Counties are Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65672/3/4 and B7RLE/Wrights 69429/32. 65674 and 69429 retain ‘Ipswich’ fleet names. 69429 also has a super rear advert for CO OP Funeral Service.
B7RLE/Wrights 66977/8/79/82/3/4 have moved to First Eastern Counties at Ipswich.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Super Pointers 42448 (P448 NEX), 43474 (R474 CAH). Both are parked up at BE, and 43448 has been cannibalised – pictured below.

SLF/Super Pointer 43489 (R689 DPW) has gone to Alpha for scrap.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 30902 (W757 DWX) is now in Refreshed livery, and has moved from Braintree to Clacton; seen below. SLF/Caetano 41523, SLF/Super Pointer 42937, Solo 53121 and B7RLE 66801 are also now ‘Refreshed’.


Above: Ex Hadleigh Volvo B7RLE no 66803 at work in Colchester on 27/10/14.

FLAGFINDERS, BRAINTREE AND HALSTEAD.
Acquired from Thompsons of Framlingham is Bova Futura FHD KC55 ABC; new to Kings of Colchester.

GALLEON TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Volvo B12M/Plaxton Panther FJ56 YWB has been sold to Three Star of Luton, Bedfordshire.

GORIDE/CCVS.
The OC has moved from St Runwald Street, to Berechurch Hall Road in Colchester.

HEDINGHAM.
Volvo Olympians 69 (P608 CAY), 73 (R643 MNU) are now at TY ex HD. HD no longer has any Olympians.
Dart SLF/Super Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE) has moved from Tollesbury (TY) to Sible Hedingham (HD).
SLF/MPD 291 (EU06 KCX) and ADL/E400s 615 (EU07 GVY), 616 (SN10 CCV) have transferred from Clacton (CN) to HD.
Trident/ALX400 737 (T107 DBW) is now at CN ex HD.
Volvo Olympians 66/7/9, 71-5, 92/5 and Trident 740 are now all OPO fitted.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
New is S7 stock unit 21433/4.

MALCOLMS BUS SERVICE, CLACTON.
Acquired from Litchfield of Woburn, Bedfordshire is Mercedes 609D/Rebur E343 TYD.
Mercedes 709D/Plaxton Beaver L887 VHT has been sold to A1 Van and Truck (dealer), Clacton.
Toyota Optima M9 KFC is withdrawn.

NETWORK COLCHESTER.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini 6132 (LJ03 MHV) is from Arriva London North.
Dart SLF/Pointers 3312/5 (S310/3 JUA) and Trident/ALX400 5450 (KN52 NDX) are withdrawn. The SLFs have gone to storage at Stansted.
Volvo Oympian/NC 5944 (R614 MNU) is delicensed.

Above: 5944 at Colchester High Street on September 11th 2014; making a relatively unusual appearance of stage work.

NETWORK HARLOW.
Stansted depot closed at the end of October, with local bus work moving to Harlow.
At the end, stage services 301 (Bishops Stortford-Saffron Walden), 308/9 (Bishops Storford-Stansted Airport) and various school/shoppers contracts were operated, with a pvr of 6 and 1 bus spare.
The final allocation was SLF/MPDs BU51 REG, 1559 (EU56 GVG), 1560 (EU56 FTO) and SLF/Super Pointers 3221 (P221 MKL), S701 VKM, 3421 (AY54 FPZ).
The small National Express coach operation (010 London-Cambridge/KingsLynn) has passed to Whippet of Swavesey, but this did not include the vehicles.
The Stansted Airport Northside Shuttle passed to Panther Travel.
Stansted site is now only used for storage.

Above: Variety at TGM Stansted in December 2013.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Another ex Docklands Buses double deck Scania Omnicity is LX08 ECV.

OLYMPUS/ROADRUNNER, HARLOW.
Further ex Stagecoach Devon Dart “short” SLF/Alexander ALX200s, are S467/73 BWC.

P and M COACHLINES, WICKFORD.
From Bristol City Council, is Mercedes 814D/Mellor welfare bus L702 VHY.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Has now taken over most of the ex TGM site at Stansted, along with the Northside Shuttle.
From Network Harlow is Volvo B6BLE/Wright V259 HBH. It has been re-registered to BIG 9807.
Another ex Hedingham Mini Pointer Dart SLF is W799 VMV.
Ex Regal Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur J426 HDS, has been scrapped on site at Matching Tye depot. This was acquired in an accident damaged condition – for spares only.

Above: BIG 9807 (right), at Stansted with Optare Excel BIG 9861 – ex Hedingham V203 ENU.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Sold is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 608 (S104 EGK).
Deroofed Trident/ALX400 1303 (X387 NNO) has gone for scrap.

RICHMOND, BARLEY.
Short Bova Futura FHD EY06 CSU ex 403 NMM, has passed to Moseley, Taunton (dealer).

SOUTH EAST COACHES, SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
Ex Peakes of Pontypool, Wales is Scania K114/Irizar YN55 PVX.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Trident 17454 departs Westfield Stratford City, in August 2013.

Further Scania Omnicities to “cross the river” from Selkent, are 15082/5/93/4 (LX09 AFO/Y, AHC/D).
Also ex Selkent are Tridents 17946/54/7/64 (LX53 JYJ/U/Y, JZG), 17967, ADL/Enviro 400s 19743/4 (LX11 BBN/O).
Withdrawn are Tridents 17454/89/90/5, 17529/53. 17571 is withdrawn, off loan to Norfolk Green.
Trident 17552 (LY02 OBD) has gone for scrap.
Some 04 reg Tridents have passed to Ensign – 18230/1/4/5 (LX04 FXV/W, FYA/C).

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
SLF/Super Pointer 457 (GU52 HJY) was replaced by 459 (GU52 HKD), as the Hadleigh outstation bus in early October.
SLF/Super Pointer 456 (XS 2210), has been re-registered GU52 HJX.

SUPREME COACHES, RETTENDON.
Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas YJ04 XJH has passed to Redwoods Travel of Hemyock, Derbyshire.

TALISMAN COACHLINES, GREAT BROMLEY.
On loan from Evobus at Coventry was Mercedes Tourismo demonstrator BX14 OMC.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Ex Stagecoach East London Tridents LX04 FXJ/L/P/V/W, FYB, are on hire from Ensign, and have fleet numbers TAL33200-5. They are allocated to Westbourne Park, to strengthen the allocation on TfL23 (Westbourne Park-Liverpool Street), while this route is disrupted by CrossRail works.
ADL/Enviro 400 DN326778 (SN12 AVU) now has an overall advert for Relish Broadband, while DN33782 (SN12 AVY) is now adorned for the Poppy Appeal.

TOWNLINK, HARLOW.
Has registered a Harlow-Loughton/Debden service, numbered 16.
This vaguely competes against EOS route 66, but follows a sightly different path.

TRUSTYBUS.
ADL/Enviro 200 EDS23 (BX58 BEY) is now named ‘Niamh-Brooke’.
Dennis Dart/Alexander ALX200 AD20 (FXZ 2162) and Dart SLF/Marshalls MDS13, 15 (LY02 ZDE/O) are sold.
SLF/Super Pointer SPD8 (SNZ 3869) has gone for scrap, via Ensign.

ULTIMATE, ROMFORD.
Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah W358 GSE, is ex Cranberry Coachways of Blackburn.

UNO.
On 20/10/14, Scania N230UD/Darwen Olympus SDM206 (PN08 SVZ) collided with a Vauxhall Corsa and overturned on the A1081 between Barnet and South Mymms, while on route 614 (Kingsbury-Hatfield). 45 people were injured. The bus is withdrawn.

Above: No 206 in better times; on LUL Rail Replacement at Barking in September 2010.

WICKFORD COACHES, BASILDON.
Former Essex County Council Ford Transit 16 seater EA03 XEH has returned “home”, having been acquired from RCS of St Clears, Cornwall.

EDITORIAL PROFILE.
John Podgorski has over 20 years professional experience in passenger transport, stemming from an interest nurtured in childhood. A graduate in passenger transport management from Aston University, John has worked in operational, management and training roles in the bus and coach industry; and in 2012 was elected to Chartered membership of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, with which he is also a regional committee member and local chairperson.
He has been active in transport publishing since 1993, and digital media since 2008.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Highlights for September, include revisions to the commercial networks of Hedingham and Chambers, and the sale by Arriva of its Original London Sightseeing Tour (OLST) operation to French giant RATP.
Chambers Colchester-Sudbury-Bury St Edmunds “main line” service has once again become a through facility, having been split in half in recent years and converging at Sudbury. Hedingham meanwhile, has extended its established Colchester-Halstead route, through to Braintree; terminating at that town’s railway station.
OLST has a base in Metropolitan Essex; at Rainham – on the same industrial estate as Go-Ahead Blue Triangle and Stagecoach East London. It’s main depot is a Jews Row, Wandsworth.
Meanwhile, Regal Busways experienced its second low bridge collision in 18 months, when on 4th September, one of its double deck Tridents hit the railway overbridge at Battlesbridge, while of service 3 (Southend-Chelmsford) – which is scheduled for single deck operation. Back in May 2013, there was a virtually indentical incident, involving another Trident – on the same route, at the arched bridge at Duke Street in Chelmsford. On both occasions the buses were deroofed, and the latest incident resulted in a passenger needed hospital treatment. Surely such record brings into question the competence of the bus operator concerned.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.
Now in the new AGA livery are DVTs 82118/36; Class 90 loco 90005.
315821/46 are now plain white with red doors.

Above: 315846 departs Brentwood on 20/9/14; forming the rear of a Shenfield to Liverpool Street service.

ACME BUS, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Acquired from Galloway of Mendlesham are Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beavers GJ52 GYD, EY53 GPK, HF54 NLE/G.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
From 1/9/14, operation of Essex CC contract 37 (South Woodham Circular) was taken over from Hedingham.

Above: Ambus ex RATP London United ADL/Enviro 200 SK07 HLV, at Brentwood High Street in August 2014.

APT TRAVEL, RAYLEIGH.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Hatts of Chippenham Volvo B7R/Plaxton Prima W218 UMV and ex Fowlers of Holbeach Drove Dennis Javelin/Berkhof N946 LBX.
Volvo B10M/Berkhof Y2 CCH is now with Acorn of Tamworth.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (GRAYS).
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 6122 (LJ05 BKV) has transferred to Arriva The Shires.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
The first 64 reg buses to record are Wright Streetlite Maxs 4261/2 (GN64 DXR/S).

ARRIVA ORIGINAL LONDON SIGHTSEEING TOUR.
Was sold to RATP on 11/9/14.
There are bases at Wandsworth and Rainham (Essex).

Above: The OLST Rainham yard in June 2012, with ex Arriva London North DAF DB250L/Plaxton Presidents DLP42 and DLP48 present.

BLUELINE TRAVEL, CANEWDON.

Above: AEC PRV Routemaster HSL 660 (originally WLT 891), seen at Streatham High Road on 27/9/14, while on a private charter from Cheam.

Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH H705 PTW has been sold, in exchange for ex Munden of Bristol Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 320 N608 APU.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Received from London Central are SLF/Pointer LDP195 (SN51 UAH) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL79 (LF52 ZPK).
Volvo B7TL/Wright PVL115 (W415 WGH), Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2s WVL451/2/3 (LJ61 GWM/N/O) have moved over from Docklands Buses, along with Dart SLF/MCV ED28 (LX07 BYU).
Sold to Ensign are Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVL67/8 (W467/8 WGH), 95-7 (W495-7 WGH),
PVL70 (W578 DGU).
One time B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL91 (LF52 ZNZ) has been resold by Ensign to Travelmasters of Sheerness.

BRENTWOOD COACHES.
Volvo B12B/Caetano BC06 BWC is re-registered to 7947 RU.
Volvo B9R/Plaxton FJ58 LUL is now 1023 RU.

CARTERS OF CAPEL ST MARY.

Above: Carters ex Damory Coaches Leyland Olympian G727 XDL, on a route 94 Hadleigh working, at Osborne Street, Colchester in February 2014.

Service changes saw the direct Hadleigh-Colchester link withdrawn, and Mistley now longer served. There were further revisions to the 94 Colchester-Ipswich route, which saw some journeys serve Wherstead and Tattingstone instead of Washbrook and Copdock, plus the headway on 94 altered to hourly.
The 193 Ardleigh to East Bergholt schools route, has been taken over from First Essex.

CHAMBERS.
From 1/9/14 through ticketing and travel facilities were re-introduced on the 753/4 (Colchester-Sudbury-Bury St Edmunds) services, while the 84 (Sudbury-Colchester) route was revised, with an 84A variant.
The 84s are now extended from Sudbury Bus Station to the Tesco superstore at Chilton Road, via a new bus only thoroughfare.
Also from 1st September, Braintree-Sudbury (Siemens) works service 111 became available for public use between Braintree and Halstead, with Hedingham tickets valid.
A second ex Plymouth CityBus Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President here is 1449 (Y731 TGH).

Above: Chambers Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President no 570, departs Bury St Edmunds on the 753 service in August 2014.

COACHSTOP, RETTENDON.
Ex LWB of Watford Volvo B12M/Berkhof KC02 EEX has been acquired.

COMMUNITY LINK.
Took over Essex CC 17 (Great Bardfield-Saffron Walden) from Hedingham from 1/9/14. It is to be run of a 6 month trial, in the first instance.

COOKS OF WESTCLIFF.
Bova Futura FHD Y664 HWY is now with Silver Choice of East Kilbride, Scotland.

COUNTY COACHES, BRENTWOOD.
Berkhof bodied Volvo B10M 1023 RU has been re-registered back to R943 SJM, while Volvo B10M/Van Hool 7947 RU haas reverted to its original identity of L712 PHE. The 7947 RU mark is now on a Brentwood Coaches Volvo B12B (qv).
Sold are Volvo B10M/VH 5189 RU; Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beavers 5281 RU, S195 HOK.
S195 HOK is now with Taylor of Stourport-on-Severn.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis WVL81/2 (LF52 ZPM, ZNP) are from London Central.

DONS OF GREAT DUNMOW.
Acquired from a preservationist is BEV 105X; a Plaxton Supreme MkIV Leyland Leopard new to Hedingham. It is for spares only.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Former fleet members resold by Ensign, are Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents VP5 (X154 FBB) (to Redline of Aylesbury), and VP15 (X167 FBB) (to Qualiti Conversions of Southampton).

Above: There are still a lot of former East Thames Buses vehicles at work with Go-Ahead in south London. DAF SB120/Wright Cadet DW7, now with London General, was seen at Streatham Hill on 27/9/14; on a short working of the TfL201 Morden to Herne Hill service. It was unable to use the usual bus stand, due to roadworks – which can be seen to the left of the picture. TfL201 passed to Abellio on retender, a week later.

ENSIGNBUS.

Acquired from the now defunct Hatts of Chippenham (t/a Wiltshire Bus) are ADL/Enviro 200s YX10 ECA, SN11 FFJ/K/L/M/O/P/R/T. These are to replace the Y reg ex Stagecoach London SLF/ALX200s.
The first to receive Ensign fleet livery was SN11 FFM, now fleet no 709. SN11 FFJ/O were being prepared for repaint in mid September.
An addition to the coach fleet is ex New Enterprise Volvo B7R/Plaxton Prima YN54 DCY.
Delicensed is SLF/ALX200 734 (Y334 FJN).
Withdrawn is Volvo B10A/Plaxton Expressliner bendi coach 401 (P671 LWB).
Sold are SLF/”mini” ALX200 649 (Y249 FJN) – to Nottingham Minibus Company and “long” SLF/ALX200 731 (Y331 FJN) to Chambers of Maidstone.

EXECUTIVE MINIBUSES, AVELEY.
Mercedes Sprinter 515CDi EM57 BUS has been re-registered to UU57 BOY.

FIRST CAPITAL.
The shells of Trident/Presidents 32963 (X963 HLT) and 32901 (W901 VLN) have passed to Delta Force Paintball, Woking.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
Further vehicles in the “bottle green” Refreshed livery are B7TL/ALX400 32486 (AU53 HKD); Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66850 (MX05 CHD), 66957 (WX55 TZU). 32486 also has a super rear advert for CO OP Funeral Service.

Above: Volvo B7RLE 69007 shows the “Charcoal Refreshed” (actually bottle green) local First livery, at Ipswich on 26/9/14.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Still with ‘Ipswich’ fleet names, First Essex ex First Eastern Counties Volvo B7RLE/Wright no 69532 passed through Feering, Colchester bound on 2/9/14.

Delivery of the new Wright Streetlite DFs for Hadleigh (HH), began at the end of September.
63161-9 are the vehicles concerned.
Ex First Eastern Counties is Scania L94UB/Wright 65630 (V830 FSC), while from First Hants and Dorset is Optare Solo M850 53008 (W808 PAF).
From 1/9/14, Essex CC routes 8 (Clacton-Walton, eves only), 9 (Great Holland-Walton, Tue/Thu/Fri), 14/15/A (Chelmsford-Wickford), 15 (Colchester North Station-Lexden, M-F peaks), 21 (Bocking-Braintree-Black Notley, eves), 74B, 76 (Clacton-Colchester, eves, Suns/hols), 83/A (Colchester-Colne Engaine/Mount Bures, M-Sat), 352 (Chelmsford-Braintree-Halstead, eves) were gained from Hedingham.
The 14/15/A were initially operated by Solos 53138/9 and short ADL/E200 44900 from CF. Then SLF/MPDs 43845/6 were reallocated from BN. SLF/Super Pointer 42933 has moved from CF to BE. BE needs newer buses for its new Essex CC contracts on 21 and 352.
Volvo B10BLE/Wright 66169 (W369 EOW), latterly at CF has appeared at CR. Sister 66165 (W365 EOW) – repainted into Refreshed livery and then stored, has entered service at BE, (pictured below, at Colchester). 66168 (W368 EOW) is also now in Refreshed colours – also at BE.

SLF/Super Pointer 42482 has moved BE to CF, while SLF/MPD 43356 (V356 DVG) has gone the other way. B7RLE/Wright 69434 (EU58 JWZ) – at CF from new, is now at CR. B7RLEs 66794, 817/8 were loaned to CR from CF at various times during September.
Some of the ex First Manchester Volvo B7RLE/Wrights have been retro fitted with front driving lights; 66801/19 have been so noted. B7RLEs 66817 and 69532 now have super rear adverts for Essex Fire Brigade – Kitchen Safety.
Sold to Alpha for scrap are Volvo B10BLE/Wrights 60766 (R644 CVR) and 60863 (R641 CVR).

Above: Freshly repainted into Refreshed livery, First Essex ex First Wyvern Volvo B7RLE/Wright no 66979 at Southway, Colchester in September 2014.

FREEDOM TRAVEL.
Ex Stagecoach Fife is Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL R754 DRJ.
Trident T697 KPU has passed to Ensign.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: 66420 heads the 4M94 Felixstowe to Birmingham (Lawley Street) Frieghtliner, through Kelvedon on 17/9/14.

66420 now has ‘Freightliner’ branding on DRS livery.
A loco does not now neccessary stable at Dagenham Dock, with Cricklewood being used as an alternative. This is to do with the Dagenham-Cardiff scrap metal train.

GALLEON TRAVEL, HARLOW.
Sold are Dennis Javelin/Berkhof P890 FMO; MAN18.310/Marcopolos T884 JBC, V327 EAL; left hand drive Volvo B10M/Marcopolo X995 JJH; LDV Convoys AD02 HCP , YF03 AGC and former Dublin Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH T570 EGD. P890 FMO and T884 JBC went to MC Tractors, Ramsey for scrap.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
VDL SB180/MCV 337 (YJ60 GDO) has come from Reays of Wigton, Cumbria.

GRAHAM’S OF KELVEDON.
Scania Omniexpress YT09 FLF is ex Bull (KB Coaches) of Pytchley, Northants, via Moseley, Doncaster (dealer).
It had previously served with Little’s of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, and was new to Clarkes of London.

Withdrawn is Mercedes 711D/Onyx P2 BST, (above).

Above: Graham’s has gained contracts for the independant Colchester High School, previously with New Horizon.
Ex Chelmsford Taxibus Mercedes 0814D/Euro Pantera AE54 FMG was seen at the Maldon terminus of one of the routes, on the first day of operation; 4/9/14.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Hedingham Volvo B10RLE/Wright no 484, awaits the 1510 service 88 departure from Colchester to Braintree, on 4/9/14.

From 1/9/14, there were changes to some commercial services.
88 (Colchester-Halstead) was extended to/from Braintree and doubled in frequency. A M-F peak hours/college days 88X variant started; running Colchester-Eight Ash Green, as non-stop, then to Great Yeldham all stops (and visa versa).
89 (Great Yeldham-Halstead-Braintree) was also increased in frequency.
The 87 (Colchester-Brightlingsea) has been revised, with timings adjusted to compete more directly against the New Horizon 78/A (basically 4 minutes ahead). 87 has reverted to saloon operation throughout.
Operation of 88B (Colchester-Great Tey) has transferred from HD to CN. It now inter-works with the evening 88s.
Another Essex CC contract to go is the 417/8/9 (Newport Schools/Saffron Walden – Rayne/Great Saling/Wethersfield); to Stephensons – from 15/9/14.
There have been internal vehicle movements to do with the service changes.
SLF/Pointers 253 (EU04 BVF), 260 (EU56 FLR) have moved from Sible Hedingham (HD) to Tollesbury (TY). SLF/Pointer 251 (PJ02 RHE), SLF/MPDs 281/5 (V250 BNV, W799 VMV); ADL/Enviro 200 292 (EU59 AFF) have relocated from TY to Clacton (CN), (but 285 then back to TY). Volvo Olympians 82/4/6 (M146, 276/94 UKN), Volvo B10BLE/Wright 485 (R232 HCD) and Trident/ALX400 740 (V161 MEV) are now at TY ex CN. Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 560 (EU53 MVZ) from HD to CN.
Ex Anglian is Dennis Trident/EL 724 (W824 NNJ), while from Chambers are Volvo Olympian/NCs 92 (P910 RYO) and 96 (R552 LGH).
Chambers Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 561 (V301 LGC) has been on loan.
Withdrawn are Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL 60 (H160 HJN) and the last Optare Excel, 202 (T789 XVO).
Dennis Lance SLF/Wright 212 (M211 WHJ) has passed to Panther Travel.
Stanway school contracts 091 (Chappel and Great Tey) and 122 (Copford, Easthorpe, Hardys Green, Birch, Heckfordbridge), which had been worked from Little Tey are now operated from Tollesbury (TY). 122 has been renumbered 025 is now saloon worked, ex double deck. New is 026 (Alderman Blaxill Centre-Stanway School), which is subbed to Stan’s of Great Totham.
Two runs; routes 4 (Easthorpe) and 10 (Feering and Kelvedon) on Honywood School, Coggeshall contract 041 (renumbered from 068) have been reallocated from Kelvedon (KN) to Clacton (CN), while Honywood buses 2 (Bradwell and Stisted) and 3 (Silver End) have moved from KN to Sible Hedingham (HD) . The allocation at KN is thus reduced to 7 vehicles.

Above: Newly transferred to TY from HD, SLF/Pointer no 260 traverses Headgate, Colchester on 1/9/14. It is on the 92A Tollesbury – Colchester peak hour variant, which runs via Layer De La Haye instead of the usual 92 Layer Breton and Birch routing.

Above: Hedingham Leyland Olympian no 60 after withdrawal; at Kelvedon on 8/9/14.

IPSWICH BUSES.
Now in the new livery is Trident/ALX400 11 (LG02 FCX).

L and R TRAVEL, BASILDON.
F401 UAD is ex Rendells of Bridgwater.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Acquired from East Yorkshire are Volvo Olympian/NC Countybuses P557/74 EFL.
From Weaver of Newbury are former Nottingham City Transport Dennis Trident/EL Lolynes V434/5 DRA.
All the above are for new school contracts.
Meanwhile, an outstanding arrival is Ford Model T SV6936; bought from a preservationist.

NATIONAL EXPRESS.
Two services serving Essex have swapped numbers.
Clacton-Liverpool is now 305 ex 350.
Southend-Liverpool is now 350 ex 305.
Selwyns of Runcorn remains the contractor.
A new Nottingham-Stansted route has started. Numbered 349 it runs via Leicester, Peterborough, Huntingdon and Cambridge. It interworks with 350; but on Stansted-Liverpool short workings only. Johnson Brothers of Hodsthorpe, Worksop is the contractor, or partner as NX now calls its external service providers.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
Scania K340/Caetano Levante SR60 (FH06 URH) is now with M&D Travel, Stockton.

NEED A BUS, BOWERS GIFFORD.
Mercedes 413 16 seater MX53 PUH has been sold.

NETWORK COLCHESTER.

Colchester town service 4 (Head Street-Tollgate) was taken on as a commercial venture from 1/9/14. It had previously been with Hedingham.
Ex Hedingham commercial service 3 has also been “taken on”, by diverting the Colchester end of the 105 Walton route.
From Arriva London North are Volvo B7TL/Wright Geminis 6130/1 (LF02 PLN/O). They have been refurbished/converted to single door/led destination fitted, and are in TGM livery.
Scania Omnidekka 5373 (YN06 TFZ), has been on loan to Network Harlow.
Withdrawn are Trident/ALX400s 5451/2 (KN52 NCD, NEF) and SLF/Pointer 3315 (S313 JUA).

Above: B7TL/Gemini no 6130 at Queen Street, Colchester on its first day in service with ‘Network’; 1/9/14.

Above; Network Colchester ex Classic of Annfield Plain SLF/Caetano Nimbus no 1565, at Colchester High Street, on 22/9/14.

NETWORK HARLOW.
On loan from Arriva Kent and Sussex is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3701 (S701 VKM), while Trident/EL 5443 (T406 SMV) has been borrowed from Arriva Medway Towns.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL.

Above: New Horizon Dart SLF Y663 NLO, picks up at High Street, Colchester on route 77 on 28/5/13.

From 1/9/14, there were changes to commercial service 77 (Colchester-Aingers Green).
It was revised in Colchester to no longer serve the General Hospital or North Station, terminating in the town centre, but calling at the University of Essex. The Saturday service was withdrawn, and frequency M-F reduced to every 90 minutes.
Withdrawn is ex Cedric’s Scania K124/Irizar FIG 6292.
Ex Cedric’s Optare Spectra M137 KRU has been sold.

OLYMPUS/ROADRUNNER, HARLOW.
Ex Stagecoach Devon is “short” Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 S472 BWC.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/MPD V194 ERG, SLF/Super Pointers Y662/72 NLO and DAF SB3000/VH coach Y314 HUA.
Sold are Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers 202/3/5 (P678/81/5 RWU), 206 (P741 RYL), S117 EGK; SLF/Alexander ALX200 LX51 FHF; SLF/Marshall 208 (P831 BUD); Iveco 65C/UNVI minicoach 402 (EU07 XGL); Iveco Euroider/Beaulas 70 seater coach DCZ 7109 and Iveco 50C minicoach LK03 PZW.

P and M COACHLINES, WICKFORD.
Sold are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount F886 SMU and Mercedes 614D/Crest W538 CDN.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Gained its first local bus contracts from 1/9/14. 103 (Ramsey-Harwich) – from Hedingham and 302 (Bishops Storford-Saffron Walden); previously with First Essex. These are both schooldays only services.
For the new school year, the former Hedingham operations from Parkeston outstation have been gained and a new outbase has opened at Clacton (c/o the First depot).
Optare Solo S627 JRU has come from Yorkshire Tiger.
Acquired from Hedingham is Lance SLF/Wright  M211 WHJ, which is now BIG 7793.
Ex Hedingham Optare Excel V203 ENU has been re-registered BIG 9861.
Sister R835 FNG is being used as a store shed at Parkeston.

PHILIPS OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
Ex Johnsons of Henley-in-Arden Bova Futura FHD YJ08 NTE is here.

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
Overnight on 19-20/9/14 there were thunderstorms which resulted in flooding in the Witham station area.
The old Stanway civil engineer’s yard, near Colchester, closed in the mid 1980s, is now being redeveloped.
Some may remember withdrawn Class 306 EMUs being stored there, in the early ’80s.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 1303 (X387 NNO) collided with the low railway bridge at Battlesbridge, while on a Southend to Chelmsford working on route 3 on 4/9/14, and was deroofed. One passenger was injured. The bus is withdrawn.
Solo S627 JRU is on loan from Panther Travel.
Routine withdrawals are of mini Optare Solo 208 (YJ58 CDE), SLF/Mini Pointer 602 (YN04 PZZ), SLF/Pointer 606 (V124 GBY), Optare Tempos PO1, 3 (YJ56 WVX/Y).

SBC.
Scania K124/Irizar T378 JWA has been sold.

SOLITAIRE TRAVEL, HOCKLEY.
Mercedes 0814D/UVG R711 TRV, is from Heggarty of Bowness, Cumbria.

SJH TRAVEL, CANVEY.
J300 PCT is a LDV Convoy 16 seat minibus, acquired from Allen of East Tilbury.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Some Tridents which had served at the Commonwealth Games, went to Stagecoach regional fleets after the event had ended. One was 17452; seen in Thameside days at Harold Hill in May 2010, but now in Manchester.

Some ADL/Enviro 200s have been retro fitted with front driving lights; 36370 has been noted.
Various Tridents which had been at Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, have reappeared at Stagecoach Manchester – on MagicBus services; while others have stayed in Scotland – (see below).
Withdrawn are Tridents 17460/98, 17508/9/26/36/47/50/2/5/62/5/6/9/70/6/7.
Returned to their lessor are Tridents 18221-31/4/5.
Tridents 17749/98/9, 17802 have moved from T to WH; 17755, 17788 BW to WH; 17796 T to NS.
Transferred to Selkent are Tridents 17797, 17800/23.
Received from Selkent are Tridents 17788/94.
Trident 17571 has been loaned to Norfolk Green.
Now with Stagecoach Manchester are Tridents 17452/84/6/93/4/7/9, 17500/1/4/7/11/6/9/20/1/2/7/35/67/75/8.
Stagecoach Scotland now has Tridents 17425/48/9, 17549/91, 17740-4/85/6/7.
Trident 17525 has been posted to Stagecoach West.
Sold to Ensign is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400s LX04 FXV/W, 18234/5 (LX04 FYA/B).

Above: Trident no 18242 at Silvertown in June 2014.

STANS COACHES, GREAT TOTHAM.
The excursions have passed to Lodge of High Easter, while all but 2 of the school contracts are now with Fords of Althorne.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.

Above: Stephensons ADL/Enviro 400 no 466 at Colchester Bus Station, on the first day of operation of ex Beestons route 247; 1/9/14.

New are “short” ADL/Enviro 200 423 (EU64 CVT) and Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s 607/8 (EU64 CVP/R).
Ex London United Scania Omnidekkas YN55 NHV, NJE, NJK/V, YN55 NKG/H asre numbered 636/7/9/40/4/5.
Dart SLF/MPD 412 (SK02 XGP) was “on loan” at Boreham, from Rochford.
SLF/Super Pointer 457 (GU59 HJY) has transferred from Haverhill to Boreham.
SLF/Super Pointer 459 (GU52 HKD) replaced ADL/Enviro 200 466 (DK57 OPZ) as the Hadleigh outstation bus, at the end of September.
Many schools services are now low floor operated.
Commencing 1/9/14, the following Essex CC contracts were won.
9/10 (Great Notley Skyline Business Park-Braintree-Great Bardfield) – from First Essex.
And from Hedingham:
1 (Ashen-Sudbury).
8 (Toppesfield-Haverhill).
10 (Braintree-Cornish Hall End).
23 (Braintree-Steeple Bumpstead).
59 (Haverhill-Clavering).
89B (Halstead-Haverhill).
176 (East Mersea-Colchester).
417/8/9 (Newport Schools-Saffron Walden-Rayne/Great Saling/Wethersfield) – (from 15/9/14).
A commercial route taken over from Hedingham is 80 (Boxted-Colchester-Fordham).
Gained from Beestons was Essex/Suffolk CC 247 (Colchester-Dedham-Hadleigh), and a new outstation has been established at Hadleigh. However, on Saturdays the 247 is worked from Boreham depot.

Above: Scania N230UD/Olympus no 511 is the regular Stephensons vehicle on service 80.

Also from 1/9/14, there were revisions to the ‘Breeze’ network of town services in Bury St Edmunds. There were adjustments to Breeze 1 and 2, while Breeze 3 was withdrawn. Horringer Court Estate is now served by Breeze 2 as a result.
Stephensons has been running local routes in Bury since First pulled out in March 2012.

Above: Stephensons ex Souls of Olney SLF/Pointer no 455, on ‘Breeze’ service 2 at Out Risbygate,
Bury St Edmunds, on 23/8/14.

SULLIVAN BUSES.

Volvo Olympian/NC NV26 (N426 JBV), latterly with Falcon of Enfield; was parked in “withdrawn” condition in the highway maintenance yard next to Sullivan’s South Mymms depot in 9/14.

Above: Sullivan Buses Trident ALX3 disguised for BBC TVs ‘East Enders’.

SWALLOW OF RAINHAM.
Commenced new commercial bus routes in the Harlow and Loughton areas from 1/9/14.
Operated under the title of EOS London, there are two services.
66 runs between Debden and Harlow, via Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Upshire, Epping and North Weald – M-Sat, while 66A served Upshire to Debden, via Waltham Abbey and Loughton M-F.
The EOS fleet wears an orange and black livery.

Above: EOS London SLF no 777 departs Loughton, on 20/9/14.

Apart from the main fleet, listed in August, 2014 ‘Busmopolitan Blog’, two temporary vehicles have appeared, in the shape of Plaxton Primo BU08 ACV and Dennis Trident/EL W832 NNJ.

TERRAVISION.
New are Scania/Irizar tri axles YN64 AMO/U/V/X.
Some coaches have received green rear three quarter super rear adverts reading ‘When in Italy – do as Italians do’.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
Acquired from Sanders of North Norfolk is Mercedes 0814D/Robin Hood L111 ANT, which had previously been with Neaves of Catfield, (who Sanders acquired during 2014).

TOWER TRANSIT.
Lea Interchange (LI) allocated Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini2 VN36105 (BJ11 DSV) is in an overall advert for David Gandy underwear.

TRUSTYBUS.
From 15/9/14 there were enhancements to Harlow-Waltham Cross commercial routes 410/411/412.
This includes more through buses to Waltham Cross, a 410A variant serving Hunsdon/Brookfield Centre and limited stop journeys numbered 410X.
Fleet numbers have been allocated to the following buses: Mercedes 0814Ds EIG 1357, KV51 KVD – MP5, MP7;
ADL/Enviro 200s YX08 HCC – EDL34, MX10 DXY – EDS36.
SLF/Pointers SPD1 (SNZ 7259) and KM51 BFZ have been resold (via Ensign) to Heritage Coaches of Brighton, for its Sussex Bus operations. SLF/ALX200 AD21 (FXZ 2175), SLF/Pointer SPD4 (NFZ 3255) are now with Charlton of Maidstone – also through Ensign.
SLF/Pointers AD21 (FXZ 2175), NFZ 3255 are now with Runwood Green Farm, Langley (Kent).
SLF/Pointer SPD2 (GRZ 4522) has passed to Laurenson, Preston (dealer).
SLF/Pointer S91 EGK and ex Logic Bus SLF/Pointer V125 GBY have gone to Erith Commercials for scrap.

UNO.

Above: UNO Wright Streetlite no S1 on the PB1 in June 2012.

The Herts CC PB1 (Potters Bar Town Service) contract has passed to Metroline, who will run it “interim” until March 2015.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Took over working of Essex CC 318 (Thaxted-Bishops Stortford, Thu only), from Hedingham from 1/9/14.
Scania K114/Irizar GO02 CLA is now SUI 9014.

AND FINALLY ……………..

(NJ Hodges).
What is this smartly dressed man doing standing in the road, holding a length of barrier tape ?
Answer: Controlling movement of trams during the Zurich Film Festival in Switzerland.
In the UK, such an event would probably result in a road closure !
Where is his hi-vis, by the way ?

EDITORIAL PROFILE.
John Podgorski has over 20 years professional experience in passenger transport, stemming from an interest nurtured in childhood. A graduate in passenger transport from Aston University, John has worked in operational, management and training roles in the bus and coach industry; and in 2012 was elected to chartered membership of the Institute of Logistics and Transport, with which he is also a committee member and local chairperson.
He has been active in transport publishing since 1993, and digital media since 2008.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

The main news this month, is of significant retrenchment by Hedingham.
Since its acquisition by Go-Ahead in March 2012, Hedingham has reviewed its business strategy, and now all “loss making” activities are being jettisoned. A total of 27 services were de-registered at the end of August; mostly council subsidised, but also 3 commercial routes, along with one commercial service from the associated Chambers fleet. It appears that Hedingham and Chambers’ future goal is to eventually focus on commercial local bus routes only.
First and Stephensons have taken on many of the ex Hedingham services.

On the railway scene, the first of the new Class 68 diesel locos has appeared in the area (with Direct Rail Services), while a number of Freightliner Class 66s have been inter loaned between Heavy Haul and Intermodal. A class 70 and two ’66s have also been hired from Colas !
(Although Busmopolitan Blog focuses mainly on passenger trains, any interesting goods train activity will be noted !).

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: In unbranded National Express colours, DVT 82107 calls at Colchester on a Norwich bound service in December 2011; two months before Abellio took over the ‘Anglia’ rail franchise.

Repainted into the new livery are loco 90010 (from ONE), DVT 82107 (from National Express); 82118 (from ONE); EMUs 315825/30, 317655/8, 317708/29 and MkIII carriages 10228, 11082/8, 12019, 12116/8/29/47.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
For the Ambus fleet is Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbus HV52 WTG – ex KJB of South Hykenham, Lincolnshire.
Bova Futura WA54 HXZ is now with PPH of St Albans.

APT COACHES, RAYLEIGH.
Scania K114/Irizar YR02 ZYV is now with Mulleys of Ixworth, Suffolk.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (GRAYS).

Above: The old order on TfL route 66. ADL/Enviro 400 no 4068 at Newbury Park amidst an April shower in 2012.

From 30/8/14, TfL66 (Romford-Leytonstone) was converted to double deck, using ex Arriva London North VDL DB300L/Wright Geminis DW201-212, which now have provincial fleet numbers 6201-12. Registrations are LJ09 KRO, SUO/U/V/X/Y, SVA/C/D/E/F, SSO. They had previously worked from Clapton.
ADL/Enviro 200s 4071/2/5 (GN10 KWH/J, YX10 EBO) have gone to store at Southend depot.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).

Above: Arriva Southend Optare Versa no 4253, at London Road, Westcliff in August 2013.

Received from Arriva Medway Towns is Optare Versa 4226 (KX62 JPJ).
Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3073 (P273 FPK), has returned to Medway Towns, off loan.
SLF/Pointers 3277/80/9 (T277 JKM etc), now have led destinations – ex roller blinds.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Received from Arriva London South is ADL/Enviro 200 ENL10 (LJ58 AVT). It is allocated to Barking (DX).

BARKERBUS, ROYDON.
Neoplan Skyliner A105 MWT, is ex Huyton Minicoaches of Widnes.

BILERICAY CARRIAGES.
LJ60 MKP is a Fiat Ducato 16 seater, ex Cobra of Guildford.

BLUE TRIANGLE.

Above: Blue Triangle Trident/President PVN12 at Barking, on London Underground District Line replacement, in October 2013.

Above: Blue Triangle B7TL/President PVN17, working “on loan” to Docklands Buses, at Cyprus in May 2014.

Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL97 (W497 WGH) has passed to Ensign.
Sold to Rossendale Transport (Rosso), via Ensign are Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVN11/2/6/7 (LK03 NJJ/N/Z, NKA).
Ensign has resold B7TL/President LK03 NJE to Stanley Travel in County Durham.

Above: Ex PVN17 awaiting collection from Ensign by Rosso, on 30/8/14.

BROWNS OF BASILDON.
The depot has moved from Crays Hill to East Tilbury.

CARTERS, CAPEL ST MARY.
Via Ensign is Volvo Olympian/NC P915 RYO. It had previously been with Classic Bus North West of Blackpool.

CHAMBERS.

Received from Plymouth CityBus is Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 1450 (X507 EGK).
Dennis Trident/EL 726 (W826 NNJ) has gone back to Hedingham. 727 (W827 NNJ) has also moved to Hedingham.
Optare Solo 907 (YT51 EBF) has come from Hedingham.
Commercial service X16 (Chappel-Bury St Edmunds) – Weds only, ceased after 27/8/14.

DBS.
Most of the Class 08/09 shunter fleet has been “withdrawn” and replaced by Class 60 and 66 diesel main line locomotives from a “shunter pool”. In practice though some shunters remain active. This includes 09017 at Dagenham Dock. Some ’66s were used on yard duties at Dagenham during 2013; while the ’09 was under repair.

DRS – DIRECT RAIL SERVICES.

Above: 68004 at Norwich Thorpe station on 16/8/14.

68004 was outbased at Norwich during August; the first of this new generation diesel to appear in the area. Later in the month, it was replaced by 68009.

EAST THAMES BUSES.
Former Easylink Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President VP5 (X154 FBB), latterly with London Central, has passed to Ensign.

ENSIGNBUS.

An interesting fleet addition is ex Metroline Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 599 (T199 CLO). This has been “retro converted” to a hybrid, and will eventually undergo in service trials.
The 99 Tilbury Town Circular, has a “new” bus; ex Lloyds of Bagilt “short” ADL/Enviro 200 650 (DK09 OBH). It’s predecessor, “short” Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 649 (Y249 FJN) is withdrawn.
Dennis Dart SLF/MCV 785 (AE55 EHM) is delicenced.
Volvo B10A/Plaxton Expressliner 401 (P671 LWB) has returned from Swallow of Rainham, off loan.

FIRST CAPITAL.

Dennis Trident/Plaxton President TN32963 (X963 HLT) has been cannibalised by Ensign.

Above: In it’s First Centrewest heyday, TN32963 at Paddington in March 2002.

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: First Essex SLF 42932, one of those moved from Chelmsford to Braintree, for new Essex CC local bus contracts, at Braintree Bus Park on 30/8/14.

Received from First Eastern Counties are Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 43489 (R689 DPW) and Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 69532/3 (PL05 UBR/S). 43489 is at Clacton, and has replaced the last of the ADL/E200s cdestined for FEC – 44516 (YX09 ACV). 69532/3 are at Chelmsford.
Transferred to First Eastern Counties are Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66985/6 (KX05 MHO/U).
Repainted into the ‘Refreshed’ livery are Optare Solo 53127 (EO02 NFJ); Volvo B10BLE/Wright 66165 (W365 EOW); Volvo B7RLE/Wrights 66817 (MX05 CDZ), 66979 (KX05 MHF). Upon repaint, Chelmsford based vehicles are now getting ‘Essex’ instead of ‘Chelmsford City’ fleet names.
Internal transfers, connected with service changes from 31/8/14 are SLF/Pointers 42483/5 (SN03 WLK, WMM) from BE to CF; 42931/2 (SN05 EAO/P) from CF to BE.
In the early hours of 23/8/14, B10BLE/Wright 66177 (W377 EOW) was stolen from Magdalen Street yard, Colchester and found abandoned 2 miles away. Scania L113/Wright 65574 (S574 TPW) was also damaged in the incident. Then, in the late evening of the 23rd, Scania L94UB/Wright Solar 65682 (YR52 VEP), was taken from the Haven Road site in Colchester; and found abandoned a few hundred yards away. All the above have been repaired.
Dart SLF/Marshall 41239 (S239 KLM) has gone to Alpha for scrap.
On the ancillary vehicle front, new Vauxhall Zafira FG14 WUV (pictured below), has replaced Bluebird yellow school bus 68000 (Q275 LBA), as Braintree crew ferry.

FLAGFINDERS.
Repainted into fleet colours is SLF/Pointer W138 ULR – from Imperial Bus Co green.
Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL R141 EVX is now in a livery of Coaches Etc base colours with ‘Flagfinders’ fleet names.

FLORIDA, HALSTEAD.
Volvo Citybus D10M/EL G659 DTJ, is now a caravan in Cornwall.

FREIGHTLINER.

Above: Freightliner Intermodal 70009, at Ipswich in December 2011.

On loan from Heavy Haul to Intermodal, have been 66509/26/9/95-99. These have not all been hired at once.
Three locos have also been hired from Colas (70803) and two Class 66s; for extra capacity – caused by engineering blockades at Watford and on the GE Main Line between Ipswich and Norwich. This is due to continue until the end of September.
66416 is now in ‘Powerhaul’ colurs, ex DRS.
Other DRS liveried ’66s here have been repainted blue; 66413/4/8/20.

Above: DRS Blue liveried 66420 heads the 4M94 Felixstowe-Birmingham Lawley Street ‘Freightliner’ through Kelvedon, in March 2012.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Dennis Dart SLF/UVG 188 (1440 PP) has been re-registered back to its original R558 UOT; prior to sale.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Hedingham SLF/MPD L334 at Wickford; the southernmost point to be served by this operator, on route 15 in March 2013.

On loan from Chambers in mid August was Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President 572 (W506 WGH).
Withdrawn and cannibalised is Volvo Olympian/NC Countybus 68 (P606 CAY).
Also withdrawn is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 250 (W312 CJN).
The routes de-registered after 31/8/14 were as follows:
Essex County Council contracts:
1 (Ashen-Sudbury) – Thu only (a former Jennings service). To Stephensons.
5 (Sible Hedingham-Sudbury) – Thu only. To Community Link.
8 (Clacton-Walton) – evenings only. To First Essex.
8 (Toppesfield-Haverhill) – Fri only. To Stephensons.
9 (Great Holland-Walton) – Tu, Thu, Fri only. To First Essex.
10 (Braintree-Cornish Hall End) – Weds only. To Stephensons.
14/15/A (Chelmsford-Wickford) – M-Sat. To First Essex.
15 (Colchester North Station-Lexden) – M-F peaks. To First Essex.
17 (Great Bardfield-Saffron Walden) – Tu, Fri, Sat only. To Community Link, on 6 month trial.
17/18 (Clacton-Point Clear) – evenings only. To First Essex.
21 (Bocking-Braintree-Black Notley) – M-Sat evenings only. To First Essex.
23 (Braintree-Steeple Bumpstead) – Weds only. To Stephensons.
37 (South Woodham town service) – M-F. To Amber.
59 (Haverhill-Clavering) – M-Sat. To Stephensons.
74B (Clacton-Colchester) – evenings, Suns and hols. To First Essex.
76 (Clacton-Colchester) – evenings, Suns and hols. To First Essex.
83/A (Colchester-Colne Engaine/Mount Bures). To First Essex.
85 (Mistley-Brightlingsea) – Weds only. Withdrawn.
86 (Aingers Green-Colchester) – Weds only. Withdrawn.
89B (Halstead-Haverhill) – M-F. To Stephensons.
103 (Ramsey-Harwich) – schooldays only. To Panther Travel.
176 (East Mersea-Colchester Highwoods) – Mons only. To Stephensons.
318 (Thaxted-Bishops Stortford) – Thu only. To Viceroy.
323 (Greenstead Green-Sudbury) – Thu only. To De Vere Travel.
352 (Chelmsford-Braintree-Halstead) – M-Sat evenings only. To First Essex.
Plus commercial services:
3 (Colchester-Hythe) – M-F. Withdrawn. Replaced by a re-routing of part of Network Colchester service 105.
4 (Colchester-Tollgate) – M-F. To Network Colchester.
80 (Boxted-Colchester-Fordham) – M-F. To Stephensons.

Above: Hedingham SLF/Pointer L339 descends East Hill, Colchester on service 3 in July 2005.

Above: Hedingham ADL/Enviro 200 L380 on route 4, at Southway, Colchester in September 2011.

Above: Hedingham Dennis Trident 729, on the 80 at Head Street, Colchester in October 2013.
A double decker was used in term time, as the 80 interworked with a Stanway School service.

Above: Hedingham ADL/Enviro 400 615 (EU07 GVY) departs Colchester North Station, on the penultimate evening of 74B operation.

LADYCARS.
The Essex school bus base, has moved from East Tilbury to Grays.
The old location, (at the Bata Business Centre) was occupied by Dart SLF/EL Spryte P989 AFV and Browns of Basildon Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH J849 TSC, during August.

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Scania K94/VH E20 DGE has passed to Weavaway of Newbury.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
C77 stock driving motor car 5720 has been donated to the Plumcroft Primary School at Plumstead; for static use.

M and E COACHLINES, ROCHFORD.

Above: M and E Bristol VRT/ECW FKM 875V, at Leigh on Sea in September 2004.

ECW bodied Leyland Olympian C205 GTU, has been sold for scrap.
Also sold is Leyland Olympian/ECW “Big Bertha” coach HSB 312Y.

MASTER TRAVEL, HERONGATE.
Setra S315 W252 UGX, has come from Ashford Minibuses in Kent.

METEOR, STANSTED.
Sold are Iveco 59-12Marshall P713 MLD and Optare Solo M850 YJ06 FYF.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
Has new Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levante tri-axle coaches SH177-183 (BK14 LFR/S/T/U/V/W/X).

NETWORK COLCHESTER.

Above: Network Colchester Omnidekka 5373, seen at St Osyth in March 2009, on the 660 school service from Point Clear to Bishops Park College, which subsequently passed to First.
At the time of this picture, the old fleet no 102 was still carried, along with now removed route branding and old style ‘NC’ fleet names.

Ex Classic of Annfield Plain are Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses 1564/5 (HX04 HUH/K), 1562/3 (RX07 KPG/J). 1562 is currently on loan to New Enterprise at Tonbridge.
Scania Omnidekka 5373 (YN06 TDZ) is back in use, ex long term VOR.
Crew ferry LDV Convoy minibus AE53 KVB has been on loan from Network Harlow.

NETWORK HARLOW.
Fire damaged Volvo B6BLE/Wright Cadet 3255 (V255 HBH) has gone for scrap.

Above: B6BLE no 3257 at Harlow Bus Station in March 2012. A sister to the now withdrawn 3255, only 5 out out of the original batch of 8 of these buses are now left.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL.

Above: When still in Cedric’s ownership, Volvo Olympian R549 LGH at Ardleigh depot in February 2013; with Leyland Olympian G285 UMJ.

Now in NHT livery are Volvo Olympian/NC R549 LGH, (ex yellow) and Dennis Tridents T97, 118/20 KLD, X331 HLL – all ex Cedric’s.
Cannibalised all Leyland Olympian K815 HMV has gone for scrap.

OLYMPUS/ROADRUNNER, HARLOW.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Pointer 206 (P741 RYL) and Mini Pointer SLFs V195 ERG, Y153 NLK.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Ex Hedingham Optare Excels R835 FNG and V203 ENU were parked at the Parkeston yard during August.
Meanwhile, one time Hedingham Mini Pointer Dart SLF X346 YGU is now in the operational fleet; re-registered to BIG 9856.
Volvo B12T/Plaxton Panther SF07 YTP is now AB07 PAN.

RAILWAY MISCELLANEOUS.
The remnants of various long disused infrastructure, can still be found along the London end of the Great Eastern Main Line. These include (heading from Essex); the siding at the “factory” at Gidea Park – opposite the EMU stabling point; the disconnected non electrified loop between the fast and slow lines, to the west of Romford Station; extensive remains of tracks around the old Goodmayes goods yard – stretching from Chadwell Heath to Seven Kings; traces of trackbed linking to the old Bishopsgate High Level; the platform of the old Bishopsgate Low Level station.
Meanwhile, the sand yard at Mile End has been partitioned off for some form of civil engineering.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: East London Dennis Trident 17001 at the 2009 Canvey Museum Open Day; when under Macquarie ownership.

Pioneer Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 17001/TA1 (S801 BWC) has been withdrawn from normal service, and will be retained as a “heritage” vehicle. It has been placed on long term loan to the London Bus Museum at Brooklands, Surrey. Newer Trident 17524 (LX51 FOM) has been presented to the Glasgow Vintage Vehicles Trust, in thanks for it’s help in accommodating buses used for the Commonwealth Games.
More new hybrid ADL/Enviro 400s at Bow (BW) are 12328-33 (SL14 LNU/V/W/X/Y/Z).
From Selkent is ADL/Enviro 400 19834 (LX11 BMY) – joining others at Rainham (RM).
Scania Omnicities 15121/2/3 (LX09 FZT/U/V) have gone to Selkent.
Trident 17756 (LX03 BUA) has moved BW to Romford (NS). 17757 (LX03 BUE) BW to West Ham (WH).
Withdrawn are Tridents 17451 (LX51 FKR), 17523/54 (LX51 FOD, LY02 OBF).
Trident 16071 (T671 KPU), latterly with Brighton and Hove, has been resold via Ensign to Wheelers Travel of Southampton.

STEPHENSONS.

Above: Stephensons Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer no 459, on the 75S at Tiptree on 14/8/14. The roadworks neccessitating this shuttle, can be seen in the left background.

From 16/8/14, the 75S Tiptree circular was subbed to Arrow Taxis of Maldon.
Run due to a road closure caused by drainage works, this free shuttle ran until 31/8/14.
AEC Routemaster FPT 590C and Metrobus KYV 633X have been sold to Ensign.
Leyland Olympian/NCs 864/9 (J564/9 HAT) are now with MacPherson of Donisthorpe, Leicestershire, while Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 953 (L953 MSC) has passed to a school in Maldon for non pcv use.

SUPREME COACHES, RETTENDON.
MAN 18.350/Noge YN54 JSZ and Iveco Eurorider Beaulas YN07 EBS, have passed to a dealer.

SWALLOW COACHES, RAINHAM.
Acquired via Ensign are former Bus Eirean ex Pennine of Gargrave Dart SLF/Pointers W943/7/8 ETW, and ex London Central Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents X158/9 FBB.
These are for new local bus routes in the Harlow and Loughton areas; to commence in September.

TERRAVISION.
New is Scania/Sunsundegui tri-axle coach BL14 LSX.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.

Above: Trustybus SLF/Pointer SPD1 (SNZ 7529) at Broxbourne on Abellio Greater Anglia rail replacement in November 2013. Keeping it company is Regal Busways MAN NL270F/Wright no 801 (RG09 BUS).

Acquired via Ensign for the Galleon Travel fleet are ex Metroline Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents LK03 CEV, GCF, GJZ, GKA/C.
SLF/Pointers SHZ 2046, SHZ 2691 are numbered PDS32, 33.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Pointers SPD5 (SNZ 4016) and S91 EGK.
Sold to Ensign are Dart SLF/”super” ALX200 AD21 (FXZ 2175) and Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer SPD1 (SNZ 7259).
Previously disposed SLF/Super Pointer SPD8 (SNZ 3869) is being cannibalised by Ensign.

TWH, ROMFORD.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President W556 RSG is now with London Bus Group, Ruislip.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Optare Solo M920 YJ55 BLV is from Courtney of Bracknell.

WARD’S OF ALRESFORD.
Former Stagecoach Busways Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL N703 LTN, has been acquired from Watts of Bonvilston, Wales.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the round up for July.
The start of the month saw two significant happenings on the local bus scene.
In the London area, from 6/7/14 fares went “cashless”. This meant that all bus tickets had to be pre-paid/bought before travel. The majority of bus journeys in Greater London now utilise Oyster or Travelcards anyway, with cash fares falling to a negligible amount – 1% of total journeys. Fares can also be tendered with contactless bank (credit or debit) cards, and facility is available where if one is out of credit on their Oyster Card, they have a “spare journey” available, before they need to top up again. Transport for London reckon a saving of £24 million will be made from the abolition of cash fares. However, some “cross border” TfL routes will still take cash transactions; for example the Essex sections of 370, 372 and 498, and the 84 in Hertfordshire.
Meanwhile, just for the day, on 7/7/14 the Tour De France came to Essex, on its stage three, from Cambridge to Buckingham Palace. The cyclists raced through the county in a “zig zag”, passing Saffron Walden, then south east through Finchingfield to Braintree; then sharp west to Felstead, before striking to south to Chelmsford, the county town. After this, the western path was regained, towards Epping, though Loughton and on into the Metropolis. Not surprisingly, there were significant alterations to bus services along the “tour” route, with curtailments and some suspensions.

Over the weekend of 12th to 13th July, there was a celebration of six decades of the London Routemaster, with the ‘Routemaster 60’ event at Finsbury Park. It must be remembered that Routemasters were common in Metropolitan Essex up to the mid 1980s (route 86 from Limehouse to Romford was one of their last haunts) – in the case of the red RMs, while their green RML country cousins lasted until 1979 – latterly around Grays. Red Routemasters also used to visit rural Essex hinterlands, such as Lambourne End, in days past. ‘Busmopolitan’ (just) managed to get to Finsbury Park, to admire the Routemaster extravaganza, before the event closed on the Sunday.
Later in the month, it was “the end of an era” in Colchester, with the cessetation of bus operations from the Hedingham Omnibuses outbase at Little Tey. This was the former C and R Coaches depot, which Hedingham bought in January 1982. The Church Lane site had continued as a “full depot” until 2001, when most activity moved to Kelvedon, and it became a 2 vehicle “dormy shed”. Mr and Mrs Copeman, son and daughter in law of one of the C and R founders have now decided to retire; their Stanway School runs joining the Tollesbury fold from September. The old C and R premises survive as workshops – for JD Racing and the Copeman’s own classic military vehicle and tractor engineering business.
C and R stood for Copeman and Raven, being founded in 1953. Mr Raven only stayed in the partnership for two years. The base at Little Tey was established in 1955.
Hedingham’s outbase at Parkeston also closed. This was a relic of Partridge Coaches, who Hedingham acquired in 1989. Back then, there was a school bus outstation on some wasteland (now built on) at Harwich Bathside. Hedingham then moved the 2 vehicles to Harwich Bus Station, until a yard off Europa Way at Parkeston became available in the early 2000s. The work at Parkeston was partly lost and partly transferred to Panther Travel, along with the 2 staff.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 379007 made a most unusual appearance on the Great Eastern Main Line on 30/7/14, when it formed the 3G01 Norwich-London working. It was pictured at Kelvedon.

321442 has been named ‘Crouch Valley – 1889-2014’; to celebrate 125 years of the Wickford-Southminster line.
From 21/7/14, a new Cambridge to Stansted Airport service began; complementing that already provided by Cross Country, from the Midlands.
New branding on stock by the end of July, looked something like this:
All of the Class 90 + DVT sets; the Class 153, 156, 170 DMUs and Class 317, 321, 379 EMUs had been rebranded. Some of the Class 360 emus were being rebranded at this time, while all of the Class 315 EMUs had no branding at all – possibly reflecting the changes to this type’s operation in the not too distant future.
DVT 82103 has been outshopped in the new AGA livery, ex ONE.

Above: Cross Country Turbostar DMU 170638, calls at Audley End on a Birmingham-Stansted Airport service in August 2008.

Above: With the latest ‘AGA’ branding, Spinter DMU 156409 at Marks Tey on 26/6/14; awaiting departure for Sudbury.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.
For the expanding Ambus operation are ex RATP London United ADL/Enviro 200s SK07 HLN/V. They were sourced via Ensign.
“Short” ADL/Enviro 200 KX58 BGY has returned to Dawsonrentals, off loan.

APT, RAYLEIGH.
BMC 1100 yellowschool bus BX07 OPH is ex Bishops Burton College, East Yorks.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (GRAYS).
Transferred from Arriva London North, is Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini LF02 PSU.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (SOUTHEND).
Received from Arriva Medway Towns are Optare Versas 4224/5 (KX62 JNV, JPJ).

ARRIVA OLST.
Open top Leyland Olympian/Alexander RHs OA323/5 (J323/5 BSH), have been resold via Ensign, to Mc Gill’s of Glasgow.

Above: Leyland Olympian J325 BSH, in its OLST days; at Tooley Street in May 2005.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL91 (LF52 ZNZ), which had been returned to London General; has now passed to Ensign.

BLUELINE, CANEWDON.
Bought from a preservationist is ARC PRV ‘RML’ Routemaster NML 613E.

CARTERS, CAPEL ST MARY.
Volvo Olympian/NC Countybus P915 RYO, is ex Bowden and Slater of Torquay.

CHAMBERS.
Received from Hedingham is Trident/EL 726 (W826 NNJ).
Transferred from Konect is Trident/EL 727 (W827 NNJ).
On loan from Hedingham was Trident/EL 702 (T802 RFG); this was returned at the end of July.
Withdrawn are the last Volvo Olympians; NC bodied 92 (P910 RYO) and 96 (R552 LGH).

Above: In pre Go-Ahead days, Chambers Volvo Olympian/NC P901 RYO picks up at Head Street, Colchester in August 2005.

CT PLUS.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointer DPS2 (BU05 HFG) has been withdrawn due to fire damage.

DOCKLANDS LIGHT RAILWAY.
Units 83 and 88 were specially reliveried for the finish of Tour De France stage 3 in London.
83 was repainted yellow, and 88 green. These were the colours worn by the two leaders at the start of stage 3; neither of whom unfortunately completed the race.

ENSIGNBUS.
Volvo B10A/Plaxton Expressliner 401 (P671 LWB) is on loan to Swallow Coaches, Rainham (Essex).
Heritage fleet Leyland Tiger/Harrington DUF 179 is delicensed due to engine failure.

FIRST CAPITAL.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents TNL32901/2 (W901/2 VLN) have been cannibalised by Ensign.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
On loan from First Hants and Dorset, for rail work are Scania K340EB4/Irizar coaches 23312/4 (YN54 NYT/V).
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 32479 (AU53 HJV) is now in post privatisation “heritage” livery.
ADL/Enviro 200 44519 (YX09 ADO) and Volvo B7RLE/Wright 69008 (AU05 DMV) have appeared in a revised “Refreshed” livery – featuring a ‘charcoal’ front.
Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66959 (WX55 TZM) has been transferred in from Norwich.

FIRST ESSEX.
All the Volvo B10BLE/Wrights have left Basildon, and been dispersed amongst Braintree (66165/8-W365/8 EOW), Chelmsford (60809-S660 RNA, 66169-W369 EOW), Clacton (60766-N644 CVR, 60811/63/5-S662 RNA, R641/3 CVR), Colchester (60767-S667 RNA, 66177/9-W377/9 EOW).
Those at Clacton are all stored, along with 66165 at BE, while 60809 is Reserve cum crew ferry at CF.
On 13/7/14, there was an attempted theft of Scania L94/Wright 65631 (V831 FSC) from Magdalen Street yard, Colchester. The bus ended up across the road outside, facing into the building opposite. Minor damage was caused.
Withdrawn are Dart SLF/Marshall 41239 (S239 KLM) and Volvo B10BLE/Wrights 60810/65 (S661 RNA, R643 CVR).
Volvo Olympian/NC 43014 (P554 EFL) has gone to Alpha for scrap.
Bluebird staff bus 68000 (Q275 LBA) is now with First Aberdeen.
Service 193 (Ardleigh-East Bergholt), was de-registered from 27/7/14. This was a schooldays only operation.
There were changes to the Colchester United football shuttles from 26/7/14. The 123 route (St Michaels Estate-Community Stadium) ceased, and was replaced by the existing 120/1 (Bruff Close-Community Stadium) routes.

Above: First Essex Scania/Wrights parked at Magdalen Street depot in Colchester in December 2012. The incident described above, happened in the yard to the left of where this picture was taken.

Above: Now withdrawn First Essex Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL 34288, passes through Lawford on a morning journey of route 193, in May 2005. The bus was working from Harwich depot at the time; also now closed.

FLAGFINDERS.

Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL J333 ETC has reverted to its original R141 EVX mark. Convertible open top Leyland Olympian/ECW A990 XAF is now with Romer of Bear Cross, Dorset.

FLORIDA COACHES, HALSTEAD.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Caetano J663 CDT.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 308 (R80 PSW) has been re-registered back to its original R925 RAU; prior to sale.

GRAHAMS OF KELVEDON.
The only stage service worked by this operator; 383 (New Rickstones Academy-Witham) ceased after 25/7/14. In practice, this was a school contract registered as a local bus service.

Above: The regular vehicle on the 383 was “dual purpose” Mercedes 811D/Plaxton Beaver N376 EAK.
However, this view shows in on a wedding charter at Bocking in May 2008.

HAILSTONE TRAVEL, WICKFORD.
Sold is Iveco 45C minibus MX57 FGD, to Mortons of Little London, Hants.

HEDINGHAM.

Above: Hedingham Volvo Olympians 71 and 65 at Little Tey, on the last day.

Little Tey outstation closed after 22/7/14. The final allocation was Volvo Olympian/NCs 65 (L109 LHL), 71 (R626 MNU).
Parkeston outbase also ceased at this time, with Optare Excels 200/3 (R835 FNG, V203 ENU) being the last buses active there. Panther Travel has taken over the work and staff at Parkeston.
Transferred from Anglian, is Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 743 (X386 NNO).
Dennis Trident/EL 702 (T802 RFG) has moved from HD to CN, along with being loaned to Chambers (qv).
Sold to Panther Travel (as dealer) are Leyland Olympian/Alexander RLs 61, 62 (K508/10 ESS) and Optare Excels 200/1/3 (R835 FNG, S169 UAL, V203 ENU); Dennis Lance SLF/Wright 212 (M211 WHJ) and Dart SLF/Mini Pointer 286 (X346 YGU).

LODGE, HIGH EASTER.
Scania K94/Irizar E20 DGE has passed to Weaver of Newbury, Berkshire.
All Leyland Olympian G294 UYK is now a playbus in Birmingham.

LONDON CENTRAL.
There have been calls to increae the frequency of TfL108 (Stratford-Lewisham), due to serious peak overcrowding problems. One suggestion is to introduce aditional North Greenwich-Lewisham short workings; thus reintroducing a sort of route 108A, which last ran in 1970.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
The last self propelled working of C stock occurred on 9/7/14, when 5721 + 5531 + 5578 were moved from Hammersmith H and C depot to Ealing Common District depot.
5721 has joined the London Transport Museum Collection, at Acton depot; while 5701/29 were donated to Royal Greenwich University Technical College.
The remainder all went (by road), to Booth Roe at Rotherham for scrap.

MALCOLMS BUS SERVICE, CLACTON.
Mercedes 709D/Plaxton Beaver L887 VHT, has come from Blue Diamond of Harlow.

NATIONAL EXPRESS OPERATIONS.
New are Scania K410EB6/Caetano Levantes SH176-9 (BK14 LFP/R/S/T).

P and M COACHLINES, WICKFORD.
Former Lothian Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH (J849 TSC) is ex Brown of Basildon.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Ex Yorkshire Tiger is former Preston Bus all Leyland Olympian J114 KCW.
Plaxton Primo YX07 GVD is from Bebbs of South Wales.
Leyland National YEV 307S has been re-acquired from a preservationist.
On loan to Purple Parking, Southall are Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere BIG 611, and Volvo B7R/Plaxton Prima BIG 6002.
On hire to Regal Busways are Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL BIG 7758 ex F640 LMJ; Dennis Dart/Alexander Dash BIG 8843 ex P390 LPS and Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer SIL 6719 ex P508 RYM.

Above: Panther Travel Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL BIG 7596, ex F639 LMJ, at Hedingham Tollesbury depot in March 2014.

RICHARDS TRAVEL, GREAT BADDOW.
Arrivals are VH T917 integral YJ06 LGC, from Evesway of Manchester, and Setra S415 BK08 XYG ex Wheadon of Ely.
Scania K114/Irizar PB YN55 PZB has been named ‘RAF Earls Colne’.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: New Stagecoach East London hybrid ADL/E40H no 12325, at City Road in July 2014.

More new ADL/Enviro 40D hybrids at Bow are 12315-27 (SN14 TYS/T/U/V, SK14 CSX/Y/Z, CTE/U, SL14 LRO, LNP/R/T).
Two more New Routemasters for TFL8 (Bow-Tottenham Court Road) are LT271/2 (LTZ 1271/2).
Ex Selkent is Scania Omnicity 15089 (LX09 AGV).
Further Tridents moved from Bow to Leyton are 17751-4/81/2 (LX03 BTF/U/V/Y, BVT/U) 17785 (LX03 BVY), 17855 (LX03 NEU).
Trident 18217 (LX04 FXE) has transferred to Stagecoach Western (Scotland).
A large number of Tridents were loaned for use at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow;
17451/2/60/93/4/9, 17501/9/16/20-24/75/8, 17740-44/86/7, 18202-10/12-16/18-31/4/5.
Tridents 17400/6 (Y514/7 NHK) are now with Southern Transit, Brighton – via Ensign.
One time Tridents 17069/70 (T669/70 KPU) – latterly with Brighton and Hove; have been resold by Ensign to Wheeler’s Travel of Southampton.

Above: Stagecoach East London silver New Routemaster LT272, passes The Old Bailey on 30/7/14.

STAN’S OF GREAT TOTHAM.
This operator is “down sizing”, and will run only a couple of school contracts in the next academic year.
Bova Futura VWH 836 has been sold to Acme Travel of Molehill Green.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH 972 (K872 CSF) has passed to a private owner at Tunbridge Wells, Kent – for conversion into a mobile recording studio ! NC bodied Leyland Olympian 866 (J566 HAT) has also been sold.
From 28/7/14, a circular shuttle service was provided around Tiptree; centred on Maypole Road (north end), and running anti-clockwise via Church Road, Station Road, Kelvedon Road and Oak Road. This was a daily operation, linking into First routes 75/A (Colchester-Tiptree/Maldon) at ‘The New Times’, and ran 0700 to 1900 M-Sat and 0900 to 2200 Suns/hols.
This was due to roadworks on the B1022 Maldon Road between Smythes Green and Tiptree, and was scheduled to run until 31/8/14. No fares were charged.

Above: The frontage of Stephenson’s new Boreham depot, seen on 13/7/14.

SULLIVAN BUSES.
Withdrawn are AEC PRV Routemaster RML2429 (JJD 429D) and “Short” Dart SLF/Caetano Nimbuses DN3, DN4 (DN, SC02 SUL).

TERRAVISION.
New are Volvo B12T/Sunsundegui SC7s BL14 LSV/X.
They are operated by Excalibur Coaches of London.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
Ex London United is 8.8m ADL/Enviro 200 SK07 HLR.
Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer RX51 FNU is now with Travel Express of Wolverhampton, via Ensign.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the June 2014 round up.
Some interesting and contrasting developments, on the Essex bus and passenger rail scene.
The first New Routemasters to appear in metropolitan Essex, (as opposed to the East London postcode area) are being used by Stagecoach East London on the N8 from central London to Hainault. During the day, they only work as far east as Old Ford. It will be interesting to see what other East End TfL routes receive ‘Borismasters’.
At the other end of the ‘Busmopolitan’ patch, Harwich depot of First Essex completely ceased, after arrival of the last bus on 28th June. The premises at Harwich bus station had been an outstation since 1/12/2013, when the garage building was locked; leaving access only for staff facilities and the buses parking on the forecourt. The depot was opened in 1974, to replace the previous site at Kingsway, Dovercourt – hence the ‘DT’ garage code. The Kingsway building was converted into a public library, a role which it still serves today.
And, on the northern fringe of ‘Busmopolitan’ land, Stagecoach has relaunched its Haverhill-Cambridge service 13, under the premium ‘Gold’ brand.
On the railway front, the National Express Group franchise for c2c has been extended for 15 years. Once dubbed ‘The Misery Line’, the London to Shoeburyness route has now become one of the most efficient rail networks in the UK.
And the London Undergound C Stock has finally bowed out, after nearly 40 years service. The Hammersmith and City won’t feel the same without them.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.
Class 315s are now starting to lose their old style ‘Greater Anglia’ branding, (repaints excepted). Recent repaints into white have been of 315807/20/44/52/4.

Above: Abellio Greater Anglia hires some locos from Direct Rail Services, mainly for use as ‘Thunderbirds’; rescuing failed passenger trains. 47828 was pictured running light on the “up” line past Church Lane level crossing, Kelvedon in June 2014. This loco had previously been with Cotswold Rail.

ADTAX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Has ceased pcv operations, but still runs taxis.

AMBER COACHES, RAYLEIGH.
On hire from Ensign, for use by Ambus is plain white Dart SLF/Pointer KP02 PVN.
Reinstated is DAF SB/VH G382 RCW.

ANITA’S COACHES, STANSTED.
Vehicles are no longer named.

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (Southend).
On loan from Arriva Medway Towns is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 3191 (P191 LKJ).
Optare Versa 4228 (KX62 JTV) was also loaned from Arriva Medway Towns, for a few days in early June.
3502 (KE51 PUA) is the last of the ex TfL DAF SB120/Wright Cadets to arrive at Southend on Sea.
It had previously been used from Grays and has been refurbished to “provincial spec”.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3323 (T823 NMJ).
Resold via Ensign are Volvo Olympian/NCs 5935 (P935 MKL) – to Mc Clean, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland and 5396 (P936 MKL) – to Buses Etc, Merstham.

Above: Arriva DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 4504 at Southend Travel Centre in December 2013.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
New Routemaster LT176 (LTZ 1176), was badly damaged in a collision at Clapton on 4/6/14; while working TfL N38 from Victoria to Walthamstow. It will be repaired.
All the LTs for the 38 conversion had entered traffic by the end of June.

ARRIVA OLST.
Sold to Ensign are open top Leyland Olympian/Alexander RHs OA321/3 (J321/3 BSH).

BEESTONS.
Ex RATP London United Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 W122 EON is now here.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Received from London General are DAF SB120/Wright Cadets DW11, 12 (LF52 TKN/A) respectively.
The ex Metrobus Scania N230UD/Optare Olympus are 872-96. 878 is on loan to Docklands in exchange for 870/1. These, along with ex First ADL/Enviro 400s EN25-7 have replaced PVNs and WVLs.
Sold to Ensign are PVN class ex First Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVN7-16 (LK03 NHY/Z, NJE/F/J/N/V/X/Y/Z). PVN7 and 13 were quckly resold to Stanley Travel of Oxhill, County Durham.

Above:
Blue Triangle ex London General Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL91, lays over at Brentwood High Street in June 2013, shortly after Go-Ahead took over TfL 498 (Romford-Brentwood) from First.

C2C.
Operator National Express has had this rail franchise extended for another 15 years. The £1 billion deal includes 17 new trains and improvements to stations.

Above: C2C ‘Electrostar’ 357025 calls at West Horndon, on a London Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness service, in May 2014.

CHARIOTS OF STANFORD LE HOPE.
From Barnett of West Drayton is K155 SBC, an Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas.
Smaller arrivals, from Davian of Enfield are LDV Convoys BU02 XOY and ML02 NLY.

COUNTY COACHES, BRENTWOOD.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 2629 RU has been re-registered back to N906 AAS.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.
Transferred from Blue Triangle are Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer LDP194 (SN51 UAG) and Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini WVL92 (LF52 ZND).

EAST THAMES BUSES.
One time B7TL/Presidents VP4-8 (X154/7/8/9 FBB), latterly with London Central – have passed to Ensign.

ENSIGNBUS.
Acquired for the Heritage fleet is former JMT Leyland PD1 J6332.
Volvo B10A/Plaxton Expressliner 402 (P563 MSX) is reinstated. It has been in use on private charters.
Heritage fleet Daimler Fleetline/Weymann open topper CRU 184C has passed to Romer of Bear Cross, Dorset.

Above; Showing its ‘Buggybus’ branding, Ensignbus Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 no 734, was pictured at Orsett in March 2013, on the now withdrawn X1 Basildon-Lakeside service.

In the livery department, most of the low floor double deckers are now in the latest scheme which consists of the classic blue and silver base colours, with changes to the sign writing.
The revised layout no longer shows the website address below the main fleet names, and at the front, the ‘Buggybus’ branding has been replaced by an ‘Ensignbus’ title. Those still in the old identity are Tridents 105/9/43/92/4 (V115 MEV, T87 KLD, X343 NNO, T192/4 CLO) – 194 is no longer a ‘Buggybus’; B9TL/Olympus 121 (PL08 YLZ). Step entrance Volvo Olympian/Alexander Royales 826/8 (WLT 916, WLT 428) also retain the older livery style.
The Dart SLF/ALX200 saloons however, still mostly retain the ‘Buggybus’ decals on their front dashes.

Above: Volvo B9TL/Optare Olympus no 116, in the revised Ensignbus livery, at Purfleet depot in March 2013.

FIRST CAPITAL.

The ADL/Enviro 400s displaced by the closure of Dagenham, have now entered squadron service with First Leicester.

FIRST EASTERN COUNTIES (IPSWICH).
On loan from First South Yorkshire are Volvo B10BLE/Wrights 60618/22 (R781/5 WKW), 62143 (R589 SBA).

FIRST ESSEX.

Above: Bluebird 68000 on staff shuttle duty at Braintree, in October 2013.

Received from First Eastern Counties at Ipswich are Scania L94UB/Wright Solars 65690/1/2 (YS03 ZKK/L/M). ADL/Enviro 200s 44517/8/9 (YX09 ACY/Z, ADO) have gone in exchange. Also from Eastern Counties is Scania L113/Wright 65631 (V831 FSC).
Ex First Hants and Dorset is Optare Solo 53008 (W808 PAF) – at Chelmsford (CF).
Internal transfers have seen Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents 33001/2 (LK51 UZO/P) move from HH to BN, while Volvo B10BLE/Wright 66177/9 (W377/9 EOW) have gone on loan to CR from BN, and Scania L113/Wrights 60766/7 (N644 CVR, S667 RNA) have gone from BN to CF; with 60767 then loaned to CR; in the longer term Basildon will lose all of its B10BLEs. Bluebird crew ferry 68000 (Q275 LBA) is now at CF ex BE. On loan from CN to CR were SLF/Pointer 42937 and Scania L113/Wright 65538. SLF/Super Pointer 42918 is now at CN ex CF.
Withdrawn are Volvo Olympian/NC 34014 (P554 EFL) and B10BLE 60766.
Developer sponsorship for Colchester local service 63 (St Michaels-Tuffnell Way) has ended, and the route is now run commercially. It has been extended at its southern end, from St Michaels to Roman Way.
Evenings only 61C has ceased, and is now covered by the parallel 62 (North Station-Wivenhoe).
Harwich outstation closed after 28/6/14, with its remaining work moving to Colchester or Clacton. Following this, there have been revisions to Harwich-Colchester 103/4 services, with them now doing a loop of Colchester town centre. Additionally, there are now early morning/late night “positioning” journeys between Colchester and Harwich, registered as service 106 (Colchester-Harwich “direct” via Ipswich Road in Colchester and then along the A120).
From 30/6/14, seasonal services began again around Clacton; 16 (Clacton-Bockings Elm) and 19 9Clacton-St Osyth Beach). They will run until 31st August.

Above: First Essex Harwich site, in April 2014.

FLAGFINDERS, BRAINTREE AND HALSTEAD.
Ex Imperial SLF/Super Pointer W138 ULR has entered service from Halstead – still in green livery. Ex Coaches Etc Volvo Olympian J333 ETC has entered traffic from Braintree – still in white/turquoise.

Above: Flagfinders SLF W138 ULR at Coggeshall in June 2014.

FORDS OF ALTHORNE.
New is YN14 FXX, a Scania K400EB6 with double deck VDL coachwork.

GALLOWAY, MENDLESHAM.
National Express Volvo B9R/Caetano Levante 300 (FJ61 EVN), has a super rear advert for the Latitude Festival.

HEDINGHAM.

Ex Konect is Trident/EL 726 (W826 NNJ). It was pictured (above right) at Tollesbury on 24/6/14.
Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH 85 (M282 UKN) has moved from CN to TY.
Volvo B10BLE/Wright 485 (R232 HCD) has transferred from TY to CN, and was subsequently delicensed.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL 61 (K508 ESS) is withdrawn.
Also withdrawn, due to mechanical failure, is Dennis Dart/Plaxton Mini Pointer 286 (X346 YGU).
“Short” Dennis Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 280 (Y347 FJN), is now with Freedom Travel of Ely, via Panther Travel (as dealer).
Privately owned Leyland National YEV 307S, which had been stored in Tollesbury depot, has moved onto pastures new.

Above: Leyland Olympian 61 leaves Kelvedon depot for the last time, on 17/6/14.

KLANER COACHES, COLCHESTER.
Setra S415 T50 KCL now has branding for Essex County Cricket Club.

LCB, HARLOW.

It is reported that commercial services LCB1 and LCB2 are only operating erratically.
(Source ‘Harlow Ride’).

LONDON UNDERGROUND.
New is S7 Stock unit 21427/8.
The last C Stock train ran on 3/6/14. Duty 074 , formed of 5517 + 5533 + 5592 departed Wimbledon for Edgware Road at 0905, arriving at 0930. It then ran light to Neasden depot. As a result, Hammersmith closed as a depot, but remains as a stabling point.
On 29/6/14, 5531 + 5578 + 5721 worked the ‘C Stock Classic Tour’. This took in all of the C stock’s old haunts.
(Source: ‘District Dave’).
C stock withdrawn are C69s 5517 + 6517; 5522 + 6522; 5524 + 6524; 5529 + 6529; 5531 + 6531; 5533 + 6533; 5545 + 6545; 5549 + 6549; 5552 + 6552; 5555 + 6555; 5578 + 6578; 5592 + 6592; 5594 + 6594.
(5522 + 6522 were part of the first C stock train to enter public service on 28/9/1970 – with previously withdrawn 5523 + 6523).
And C77s 5720 + 6720; 5721 + 6721; 5726 + 6726; 5733 + 6733.
5721 has been earmarked for the London Transport Museum collection at Acton.

Above: C69 unit 5532, in ‘Back The Bid for London 2012’ livery, forms the rear of a clockwise Circle Line service, at Victoria in March 2005.

MULLEYS, IXWORTH.
Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beaver accessible bus SF55 FVP, has passed to Welham Travel of Welwyn Garden City.

NETWORK COLCHESTER.
From 2/6/14, ‘SxConnect’ route 133 (Colchester-Stansted Airport) ceased to be sponsored by BAA and became a commercial venture. The frequency was also reduced from hourly to every 2 hours.
Back on loan from Network Harlow is SLF/Plaxton Pointer 1555 (V231 HBH).

Above: SLF 1555 at Colchester High Street, in June 2014.

NETWORK HARLOW.
The TGM Stansted local bus operations, now come under Network Harlow.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL.
Now provides a student shuttle bus, between the University of Essex, and the halls of residence at Greenstead.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Withdrawn are Scania N113/Alexander RHs H229/45 LOM.

Above: NIBS Scania N113 H237 LOM, on National Express rail replacement at Southminster in August 2007.

OLYMPUS, HARLOW.
Withdrawn is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer S117 EGK.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Acquisitions are all Leyland Olympian J114 KCW, from White Rose of Castleford, West Yorks and Volvo B12T/Plaxton coach SF07 YTP – from Shaw of Canforth, Lancs.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton coach Y5 TRU was on loan to Regal Busways in late June.
Similar T2 TRU has been sold to Whincop of Peasenhall, Suffolk.
Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount G737 REG is stored.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Metroline Dart SLF/Super Pointers KP02 PVD, PUH. They are plain white.
From 30/6/14, service 553 (Basildon-Ramsden Heath) was extended to/from The Mayflower School at Billericay, on schooldays.

SOLITAIRE, ROCHFORD.
YN05 WJO is a Scania K114EB4/Irizar PB, ex Lowe of Hucknall, but new to National Express.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.
Services 13/A/X (Cambridge-Haverhill) were relaunched as ‘Stagecoach Gold’ from 1/6/14.
Scania N230UD/Enviro 400s 19950-60 (YN14 OXA-H/J-L) are used, and 6 Tridents have been displaced from Cambridge to Bedford, as a result.
The Goldline E400s also appear on 16A (Cambridge-Thurlow).

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.

Above: Just before New Routemasters began appearing on TfL8, Scania Omnicity 15116 was pictured at Shoreditch, in June 2014.

Above: Prior to the hybrid conversion of TfL205; Scania Omnicity 15131 departs Paddington in May 2014.

The ex Stagecoach Selkent Scania Omnicities have replaced Tridents on TfL262 (Stratford City-Galleons Reach) and TfL473 (Stratford-North Woolwich), from WH.
More Omnicities received from Selkent are 15076/8/9/84/7/90-2 (LX09 AFA/F/J/V, AGO/Y/Z, AHA).
Omnicity 15124 (LX09 FZW), has meanwhile gone to Selkent.
The ex Selkent ADL/Enviro 400s have enabled TfL372 (Hornchurch-Lakeside) from RM, to go 100% double deck.
Further ex Selkent ADL/Enviro 400s are 19831-3 (LX11 BMO/U, BKE).
LTs are now being delivered for the conversion of TfL8 (Old Ford-Tottenham Court Road). They entered service w/c 15/6/14. Meanwhile, TfL205 (Bow Church-Paddingdon) is receiving new hybrid ADL/Enviro 40Hs to replace its Omnicities.
New ‘Borismasters’ for TfL8 are LT239-270 (LTZ 1239-1270). They have Stagecoach “national” fleet nos 61239-70 “on paper”. LT253-5/68-70 are in overall adverts for Adidas.
New ADL/E40Hs for TfL205 are 12304-14 (SN14 TXZ, TYA/B/C/D/F/G/H/K/O/P).
Tridents displaced by the 8 conversion, were 17750/83/4/8/9 (LX03 BTE, BVV/W, BWB/C), 17879 – moved from BW to Leyton (T), and 18202/5/7-9/11/4/16-8/35 (LX04 FWM/R/T/U/V/Y, FXD/E/F, FYB) – which were delicensed.
On 12/6/14, Trident 17563 (LV52 HDU) was destroyed by fire, while running light on the M11 northbound at Littlebury. It had been en route from West Ham to Glasgow, for the Commonwealth Games. Both this and 17568 (LV52 HEU) have gone for scrap.
Transferred to Selkent are SLF/Pointer 34372 (LV52 HGK) and ADL/Enviro 200s 36338/9/41/2 (LX09 ACU/V/Z, ADO). These moves were connected with the double deck conversion of TfL372.
Trident 17404 (Y404 NHK) and SLF/Pointer 34362 (LV52 HKO), have been received from Selkent for storage. They are to become driver trainers.
Trident 17102 (V102 MEV) has been cannibalised by Ensign and the remains gone for scrap, to Ripley of Carlton.
Sister 17400 (Y514 NHK) remained stored at Ensign in 6/14.
Transferred to Stagecoach Western (Scotland) are Tridents 17425/97, 17500/19/27 (LX51 FJZ, FMY, FNC/Y, FOK); 17535/49/50 (LY02 OAA/Z, OBB); 18201.11 (LX04 FWL/Y).

Above: Stagecoach East London ADL/Enviro 400 19788, on 372 at Rainham in June, 2014.

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Leyland Olympian/Alexanders G706 TCD and J722 GAP, are now with North Somerset Coaches.
Olympian/NC 856 (H156 BKH) is now privately owned at Horncastle, Lincs. Olympian/Alexander RH 985 (K885 CSF) has passed to Pygall of Hutton Henry, County Durham, while 990 (K890 CSF0 is now a playbus in Shrewsbury.
Olympian 953 (L953 MSC) is withdrawn.

Above: Leyland Olympians are now a diminishing breed at Stephensons. NC bodied former East Yorkshire no 958, was laying over at Norman Way, Colchester when pictured in November 2011.

TALISMAN COACHLINES, GREAT BROMLEY.
An interesting arrival is ESU 815X, a Bristol LHS/Plaxton Supreme midi coach; for continued preservation.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Has applied for planning permission for a new depot at Enfield (Picketts Lock).
This is for recent TfL tender gains, commencing March 2015.
The new routes are 212 (Chingford-Walthamstow St James Street) – from CT Plus and 444 (Chingford-Turnpike Lane) – from Arriva London North.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
An interesting acquisition (via Ensign) is a former Enviro 300 test rig. New in 2001, it was registered in 2008, as LY58 PFX. Also sourced via Ensign are ADL/E300 SN61CYY (ex Meteor Parking) and ex Proctors of Leeming Bar “short” ADL/E200 MX10 DXY.
Ex Hansons of Stourbridge is ADL/Enviro 200 BX58 BFA.
Sold to Ensign are Dart SLF/Pointers SNZ 3869/7259, RX51 FNU.
Re-registered are SLF/Pointers T312/3 SMV, to SHZ 2046, SHZ 2691.

VICEROY OF ESSEX, SAFFRON WALDEN.
Volvo B10M/Caetano NK51 ZSU is now RUI 9515.

Edited by John Podgorski BA Hons, MSc, CMILT.

Welcome to the Busmopolitan Blog; which covers bus, coach and passenger rail happenings, across Essex and around its borders.
This is a prelude to hopefully, relaunching the Busmopolitan website.
A lot going on, as per usual. Amber Coaches has become a significant player on bus routes in south west Essex, under its Ambus brand, while Network Colchester has launched a new style of fleet name. Colour and nostalgia has come to the streets of Southend, with the appearance of a First Dennis Trident in the hues of Westcliff on Sea Motor Services, while Ensignbus has completed its major (5 month) long C2C rail replacement contract – notable for the use of bendy coaches.
On the railways, the new Abellio Greater Anglia identity continues to appear on stock; ranging from full repaints to rebranding, and London Underground will shortly be retiring its last C Stock sub surface trains, although they ceased to run into “London Essex”, earlier in 2014.

ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA.

Above: 90014, in the new Abellio Greater Anglia livery, propels the 0830 London-Norwich through Kelvedon in March 2014.

90001 has been named ‘Crown Point’.
It has been announced that the fleet of MKIII carriages on the London-Norwich corridor are to be “refreshed”, in a £20m project. The upgrades will included installation of wi-fi and the conversion of RFM restaurant cars into TSOB buffets.
The new ‘Abellio Greater Anglia’ branding is now appearing across the fleet. All the Class 90 + DVT ‘Inter City’ sets have been so treated, with it being progressively applied to other stock.
The first DVT into the new Abellio colours is 82152; with 82136 following. Repaints are being done by Brush at Loughborough. MkIII hauled coaching stock to don new Abellio hues are 10216, 11087/91, 12051, 12139/56/71.

Above: Unbranded 315828, calls at Turkey Street on a Cheshunt-Liverpool Street working in May 2014. This route is due to transfer to London Overground in May 2015.

ACME BUS, MOLEHILL GREEN.
Bova Futura VWH 561 is ex Stan’s of Great Totham.

AMBER, RAYLEIGH.

Above: Ambus Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano KU02 YBE, at Brentwood High Street in April 2014, on an ex Regal Busways service.

The ‘Ambus’ local bus portfolio continues to expand, with the gaining of Essex CC routes 11 (Basildon-Purfleet) and 374 (Basildon-Grays), from Imperial Bus Company, from 6/4/14.
Acquired via Ensign, are former Brighton and Hove Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointers N209/10 NNJ. Former Mitcham Belle/Centra Dart SLF/Caetanos HV52 WTA/K are also now here.
From Courtney of Bracknell is ADL/Enviro 200 KX58 BGY.
Mercedes 709D/Alexander M668 FYS is withdrawn.

APT COACHES, RAYLEIGH.
Ex Hartwool of Bicester, Oxfordshire is FD03 YON, an Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas. It has been re-registered to PT03 APT.
From Pat’s Coaches of Southsea has come Scania K114EB4/Berkhof BT06 LCT; which was new to Leon’s of Stafford.
Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas FD03 YON, has been re-registered PT03 APT.

ARRIVA LONDON NORTH.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 VLA103 (LJ54 BCV) has left Barking (DX), for Arriva London South at Brixton (BN).

ARRIVA SOUTHEND.

Above: Arriva Southend Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1609, at Lakeside in April 2013.

From 6/4/14, Sunday/holiday operation of Thurrock Council contracted route 44 (Grays-Purfleet), transferred to Ensignbus, while 201 (Grays-Basildon) went to First Essex.
From 13/4/14, all Arriva Southend ops were merged into Arriva Kent Thameside.
On loan from Arriva Medway Towns is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 3073 (P273 FPK).
Ex Arriva London is DAF SB120/Wright Cadet 3514 (LJ03 MZE). It has been converted to “provincial” spec.
Former Southend Transport all Leyland Olympian 5404 (H264 GEV), latterly with New Enterprise at Tonbridge, has gone for scrap.
Withdrawn is DAF SB220L/Plaxton Prestige 3921 (T921 KKM).

Above: Sister to 3921 – no 3916, at Southend Travel Centre in April 2010.

BEESTONS.
Scania N230UD YT11 LTA has passed to City Sightseeing, Glasgow.

BLUELINE, CANEWDON.
Acquired from M and E Coachways, Rochford are Leyland Olympiann/Alexander RH H705 PTW and MAN24.460/Berkhof double deck coach Y329 NWP.

BLUE TRIANGLE.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL264 (PN02 XBM) has come from London Central.
Volvo B7TL/Plaxton Presidents PVL66/9 (W466/9 WGH) have gone on loan to London General, to cover a vehicle shortage at Sutton.
A new ancillary vehicle is Ford Transit SWB mid roof engineers’ van EA63 VRW.

Above: Blue Triangle Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President PVL68 on London Underground rail replacement, at Barking in September 2010.

BRAILEY, CANVEY.
Scania K114/Irizar ET03 LCT has passed to Nichols of Carlton, South Yorkshire.
Scania L94/Irizar W354 MKY is now with Warden of Caly Cross, Derbyshire.

BRENTWOOD COACHES.
Sold is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere P20 HMC – to Bland of Ryhall, Lincolnshire.

BROWN, BILLIRICAY.

Above: Brown of Billericay Leyland Olympian J846 TSC, was a long way from home, when pictured in August 2012. It was at Barry Hall, Lincoln for fitment of seatbelts. Alongside is Shorey of Maulden, Bedfordshire, former Kentish Bus Leyland Olympian/NC G555 VBB.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander RH J846 TSC is now with Martin of Pitsea.

CHALKWELL OF SITTINGBOURNE.
London Commuter coach services 731 (Sittingbourne/Medway); 781/2/4 (Maidstone/Kingshill), may be routes through nEssex along the A13, via the Dartford Crossing, if the Blackwall Tunnel is badly congested.

CHAMBERS.
Volvo Olympian/NC N531 LHG, has been resold by Ensign, to Delta Force Paintball, Manchester – where it will likely end its days.

CHARIOTS, STANFORD LE HOPE.
From Hailstone of Basildon is Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Cheetah YN53 EHU.

CLARKES OF SYDENHAM.
Medway to London Commuter coach services 761/2/3/4 may be routed through Essex, along the A13 to/from the Dartford Crossing, if the Blackwall Tunnel is badly congested.

COACH SERVICES, THETFORD.
Now has the Suffolk County Council contracts for Bury St Edmunds town services on Sundays and Public Holidays.
New are short ADL/Enviro 200 YX14 RXJ and long ADL/Enviro 200 YX14 RXK, which appear on these routes as part of their duties.

COACH STOP, RETTENDON.
Setra S315 BU03 LXZ is now T19 PVC.

DOCKLANDS BUSES.

Transferred from Metrobus are Scania N230UD/Optare Olympuses 870/1/3 (PN09 EKR/T/V). 870/1 have been seen running for Blue Triangle. 871 is pictured above at Brentwood, in May 2014.
Volvo B7TL/Wright Gemini PVL53 (LF 52 ZPO) has gone back to London General, while PVL72, 84 (LF52 ZPB, ZNS) have returned to London Central.
Dart SLF/Pointer LDP196 (SN51 UAJ) has also gone to London Central.
TfL541 now runs as Keir Hardy Estate-Canning Town-Prince Regent; meaning it covers the missing part of TfL147 (Ilford-Prince Regent) in its current form; the section to/from Canning Town being temporarily curtailed, due to the closure of Victoria Dock Road for CrossRail works.

EASYBUS.
A new Stansted Airport to London City (Old Street, not the airport) service has commenced, using new 16 seat Ford Transits – of which BK14 XLB, XOO, XRO have been noted. This joins the existing route to/from Baker Street.

Above: One of the earlier generation of Easybuses; Mercedes Sprinter/Optare YX08 HWE arrives at Baker Street from Stansted, in June 2008.

ENIGMA TRAVEL, COLCHESTER.
MAN 18.310/Noge V323 EAL is ex City Travel of Cullingworth, West Yorks.

ENSIGNBUS.

Above: Volvo B10A no 401 at Upminster in January 2014. It is awaiting departure for Laindon and Basildon.

From 6/4/14, Ensign became the sole operator of 44 (Grays-Purfleet), with the gaining of Sunday/holiday Thurrock Council contracted journeys from Arriva.
Night workings on 73 (Lakeside-Tilbury) ceased after 14/4/14.
A recent addition to the commercial school/college network is 27 (Little Thurrock-Stanford Le Hope). I understand it competes against Avro Coaches of Stanford.
On 27/4/14 only, Ensign provided a stage service between Basildon and Canvey Leigh Beck numbered C2C1. This was connected with works on the railway bridge at Benfleet station; which prevented a full “regular” local bus service being operated by First. Ensign had operated a similar service over the Xmas-New Year period in 2012-2013, when the Benfleet railway bridge had been replaced.

Volvo B9TL/Optare Olympus 115 (PO58 NPP) has lost its orange ‘Intu Lakeside’ livery, in favour of fleet colours.
Withdrawn are Volvo B10A/Plaxton Expressliner artics 401/2 (P671 LWB, P563 MSX) and Volvo B10M/Jonckherres 601/2 (S808 BTT, S662 JSE). This follows the end of the C2C rail replacement contract, for which they were acquired.
The last day of the C2C contract was Sunday 18/5/14. For the occasion, several heritage vehicles operated between Basildon and Southend Central. These were Ensign’s former LT Metrobus M1 (THX 101S); former Southend Transport Tiger/Duple Carribean 250 (A250 SVW) and Leyland Fleetline/NC 233 (MRJ 233W); former Green Line Routemaster RMC1513 (513 CLT). Plus privately preserved former Crosville Bristol RELL/ECW UFM 53F and Stephenson’s of Essex former Southdown ‘Queen Mary’ Leyland Titan PD3/4/NC 424 (424 DCD).
Vehicles sold are Trident/President 108 (X602 EGK) – to Central Buses of Birmingham; Trident/ALX400 193 (T193 CLO) – to Bear Buses of Feltham; while Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premieres 603/4 (R783/1 CDW) went to Solus Coaches of Tamworth.
Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 191 (T191 CLO), which passed to Golden Tours of London for spares, has now gone for scrap.
“New” ancillary vehicles are ex ISS Ford Transit minibuses HN10 VRX/Y. Mercedes Sprinter crew ferry P185 OLC, has gone for scrap.

Above: Ensignbus Mercedes Sprinter crew ferry P185 OLC, at Canada Water on LUL Jubilee Line Rail Replacement duty, in November 2010.

FIRST CAPITAL.
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President VN32929 (W929 VLN), which had been cannibalised by Ensign, has now gone for scrap.

FIRST ESSEX.
From 6/4/14, First gained Thurrock Council Sunday/holiday contracted service 201 (Basildon-Grays) from Arriva. From the same date, there were enhancements to the 100 (Lakeside-Basildon-Chelmsford) route and a weekend service was introduced on the 300 (Basildon-London Gateway shuttle).
From 20/4/14, there were revisions to local services in the Southend area, affecting the 20 group (Southend-Hullbridge), 21 group (Southend-Canvey), 23 group (Southend-Eastern Avenue), 24 (Southend-Southchurch), 25 group (Southend-Basildon), 26 (Southend-Hadleigh), 27 group (Southend-Canvey), 28 (Southend-Basildon). Around Basildon, there were changes to 8/a (Laindon-Pitsea), the 15 group (Basildon-Wickford) and 22 (Basildon-Canvey). In Colchester, 61C (Town centre-University of Essex) was withdrawn, and replaced by existing 62A (North Station-Wivenhoe). 75 (Maldon-Colchester/University of Essex) was increased to 30 minute frequency M to F 0900 to 1500.
Ex the now closed First Capital operation are ADL/Enviro200s 44001/2/5/77/9/81 (LJ57 EJD/E/J, YX58 HVG/J/L).They have been rebuilt/repainted to “provincial”specification, and allocated to Hadleigh. They have displaced R and S reg Dart SLF/Super Pointers to Clacton, to replace other types of Dart, (see below).
Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 33191 (LT52 XAB) is now in red/cream Westcliff on Sea Motor Services ‘heritage’ livery.
Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400s 32651/2 (AU05 MUO/P) now have super rear adverts for East of England CO OP, while 32654 (AU05 MUW) is similarly adorned for CT-1 – (industrial adhesive). Volvo B7RLE/Wright 66813 (MX05 CDO) has a super rear for Fairfield BMW at Leigh on Sea.
Withdrawn are the last of the Alexander ALX200 bodied Dennis Dart SLFs; 43741-4 (V741-4 GPU). 43742 was the final one in use. They have gone to Alpha Recovery for scrap, along with earlier withdrawn Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 43738 (S738 TWC) and Dennis Trident/Plaxton President 32807 (T807 LLC).

Above: ALX200 bodied SLF no 43742 at Station Road, Clacton in October 2009.

FLAGFINDERS, BRAINTREE AND HALSTEAD.
Additions are ex Metroline Dart SLF/Pointer W138 ULR and ex Coaches Etc of Croydon Volvo Olympian/Alexander RL J333 ETC (orig R141 EVX); both via Ensign.
Leyland Olympian/Alexander tri-axle J590 CEV is now in Flagfinders livery, ex Florida colours, while sister (and also ex Florida) F493 LNA has been repainted out of Megabus blue.

FREEDOM TRAVEL.

Above: Solo MX07 BBU at the Audley End terminus of Essex CC route 18 from Haverhill in July 2012.

Optare Solo MX07 BBU, has passed to Ensign. This bus was new to Alton Towers.

GO RIDE.
Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointers KN52 NFP/R are now with Western Greyhound.

GODWARD, WICKFORD.
LDV Convoy YN03 HKF is from Brazier of Winslow, Bucks.
Similar R944 DDM has been scrapped.

GRAHAM’S OF KELVEDON.

Ex Chelmsford Taxibus are Autosan BX56 XAD and Mercedes 816/Euro AE54 FMG. The pair were pictured (above) at Kelvedon depot, shortly after acquisition in April 2014.

A revised livery has appeared, featuring a new style of fleet name, and a reduction in the amount of blue on most vehicles – except the 2 Scania coaches. As illustrated on Scania K114/Irizar YN03 DDE (below).


Above: And YN03 DDE, as it was in it’s original Graham’s livery. Pictured at Dover in July 2003.

HEDINGHAM.

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 250 ex L312 (W312 CJN), has had its livery modified with a red front bumper, and black headlight surrounds (pictured above). Meanwhile, ADL/Enviro 200 263 ex L382 (EU59 AYM) now sports fleet numbers in “traditional” gold font.
Dart SLF/Mini Pointers 285/6 (W799 VMV, X346 YGU) have been outshopped, ex collision repairs.
Both retain Brighton and Hove based livery, but 286’s has been slightly altered.
Delicensed are Optare Excels 200/2/3 (R835 FNG, T789 XVO, V203 ENU).
Sold are Optare Excel L391 (V205 ENU) and Optare Solo 909 (YJ51 XSM). Both had been stripped for spares. They passed to Panther Travel (as dealer).
Leyland National YEV 307S has appeared at Tollesbury depot. Privately owned, it is there for storage only – and not for service.

IMPERIAL BUS COMPANY, ROMFORD.

Above: A nocturnal shot of ex Imperial Mini Pointer Dart SLF no D319 at Ensign’s Purfleet yard, in May 2014.

Following the loss of Essex CC contracted services 11, 374 to Ambus; all the Dennis Dart SLFs (R446 LGH, R874 MCE, W138 ULR, X312/9 KRX, Y251 NLK, VU52 UEG) have been sold to Ensign – along with Mercedes 814/Plaxton Beaver W996 JNF. All of the SLFs were Plaxton Pointer bodied; except R874 MCE which has Marshall bodywork. Of the other low floor Darts; R446 LGH and W138 ULR were “long” Darts, with the others being “mini” Darts.
Y251 NLK and VU52 UEG were quickly resold to Redline of Aylesbury, while X319 KRX went to Grant Palmer of Dunstable.

IPSWICH BUSES.
New is ADL/Enviro200 78 (YX14 RWL). It is branded for the 111 Ipswich to Hitcham service.
Optare Solo 245 (YJ05 XNY) has appeared in a red and pink ‘All About Ipswich’ livery – ex silver. It continues to be used on the Suffolk County Hall free shuttle (Monday to Friday), as well as a new Saturdays only town centre Ipswich Waterfront free shuttle.

JONES, BRAINTREE.
This operator provides hotel shuttles within Stansted Airport.
From Discover Dorset of Weymouth is Optare Versa YJ57 EHY, which is liveried for the Hilton Shuttle.

KEANE, MUCKINGFORD.
Sold is Ford Transit 14 seater NJ57 YRW.

KELLY’S OF ESSEX, NAZEING.
Setra S215 K40 TCC has gone for scrap.

KEVENDY, WICKFORD.
Volvo B10M/Caetano F878 TNH has gone for scrap.

KINGS TOURS, COLCHESTER.
New is Van Hool Alicron integral coach KC14 ABC.

KIRBY’S OF RAYLEIGH.
Withdrawn is Setra S215 F993 MTW.

L and R TRAVEL, BASILDON.
Scania K113/VH WIL 3636 has passed to Abbot of Newton Abbot.

LODGE OF HIGH EASTER.
New is Setra S416 EU14 GXR.
Acquired from Ryder (dealer) are MAN 18.310/Marcopolos MB04 TCY/Z.
Setra S416 BX05 UWS has been sold to Travel Master of Carrington, Greater Manchester.

LOGIC BUS, BROADLEY COMMON.
SLF/Pointer W143 WGT has passed to Teeside dealer Buses 4 Sale.

LONDON BOROUGH OF HAVERING.
Interesting arrivals are ex Brighton and Hove Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents Y862/9 GCD; sourced through Ensign.

LONDON UNDERGROUND.

Above: C69 stock car no 5532 leads an eastbound Hammersmith & City train into Farringdon, in April 2004.

The last scheduled working of C stock is due on 3/6/14; on the Edgware Road-Wimbledon branch of the District Line. The type ceased working into ‘Busmopolitan’ territory (the Hammmersmith and City Line to Barking), from February 2014.
C stock trains withdrawn since the beginning of 2014 are C69 units 5501 + 6501; 5511 + 6511; 5516 + 6516; 5518 + 6518; 5521 + 6521; 5534 + 6534; 5538 + 6538; 5543 + 6543; 5546 + 6546; 5547 + 6547; 5551 + 6551; 5553 + 6553; 5557 + 6557; 5560 + 6560; 5564 + 6564; 5565 + 6565; 5570 + 6570; 5572 + 6572; 5580 + 6580; 5586 + 6586; 5591 + 6591; 5596 + 6596; 5598 + 6598; 5601 + 6601; 5606 + 6606. C77 units 5702 + 6702; 5703 + 6703; 5705 + 6705; 5709 + 6709; 5712 + 6712; 5715 + 6715; 5717 + 6717; 5727 + 6727; 5728 + 6728; 5729 = 6729. All went to Booth Roe at Rotherham for scrap.

Above: C69 5546 at Earls Court in April 2005.

Meanwhile, new deliveries of S7 Stock continue, with 21417/8; 21419/20; 21421/2; 21423/4; 21425/6 being the latest units to arrive.

M and E COACHLINES, ROCHFORD.
Now withdrawn are Leyland Olympian/ECWs HSB 312Y and C205 GTU. HSB has gone for scrap.
HSB was a coach, new to Alder Valley as YPJ 503Y and latterly with Reliance of Benfleet, while GTU was new to Crosville and came via Happy Al’s of Birkenhead.

NETWORK COLCHESTER.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Mini Pointer 1559 (EU56 GVG) went on loan to Network Harlow; in exchange for 1551 (V231 HBH). Both had returned by the end of May 2014. Then Volvo Olympian/NC 5944 (R614 MNU) came from Harlow, in exchange for Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 5451 (KN52 NCD).
Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer 3416 (SN54 HXC) is back in service, ex accident repairs following a collision at Severalls Park in March 2014.
Dart SLF/Caetanos 3407/8/10 (HX51 LRJ/K/N); Volvo B10BLE/Alexander ALX300 3831 (W907 UJM) and Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400 5450 (KN52 NDX) (below), have appeared with new style fleet names.

NETWORK HARLOW.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer 3317 (S304 JUA), is back here from TGM Stansted.
There were revisions to Harlow town services from 6/5/14. These affected routes 2, 3/A (Stewards), 6, 7 (Church Langley), 8/A (Old Harlow), 10 (Church Langley).
7A and 20 (both Church Langley) were withdrawn. 7A was replaced by 6; 20 by 10.

NEW HORIZON TRAVEL.

Ex Cedric’s all Leyland Olympian K815 HMV, is dumped – cannibalised, at Frating depot, (pictured above).

A15 FRX is a Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 70 seater, ex Witte of Calne, Wiltshire.
SLF/Pointers Y658/9/68 NLO are now with APL of Crudwell, Wiltshire.
The old Cedric’s workshop at Ardleigh has closed.

NIBS, WICKFORD.
Ex London United is Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer SN55 DVR.
From Docklands Buses (via Ensign) are Scania Omnicity double deckers LX08 ECD/N. They retain London red and now sport yellow ‘NIBS’ fleet names.
Scania N113/Alexander RL N833 SDA is withdrawn.
Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointer R506 SJM has gone for scrap. Its BIL 9406 “cherished” mark is now on Scania Omnidekka YN04 YJU.

Above: NIBS SLF BIL9406 at Billericay in March 2009.

OLYMPUS/ROADRUNNER, HARLOW.
Received from Arriva The Shires are Dart SLF/Pointers S307/16 JUA.
Withdrawn is SLF/Pointer Y161 NLK.
Also withdrawn (and scrapped) is Dart SLF/Mini Pointer V189 ERG, which collided with the rear of First Essex yellow BMC 68521 at Epping.

P and M COACHES, WICKFORD.
Acquired from Swift of Great Yarmouth is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere N962 DWJ.
Withdrawn is Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount F886 SMU.

PANTHER TRAVEL.
Recently acquired is much travelled Leyland Olympian/ECW CWR 512Y. New to West Riding, it had latterly been with Invincible of Tamworth. It has been re-registered to BIG 9210.
From Regal Busways is Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Premiere N320 NHY; which is now BIG 9895.
Ex CT Plus is Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer P508 RYM.
Dennis Dart/Alexander Dash P390 LPS has been re-registered BIG 8843.
Acquired in a dealer capacity is ex Enigma Travel of Colchester Volvo B10M/Plaxton Paramount SIL 6719. It has reverted to its original G737 REG mark, as its SIL mark in now on Dart SLF P508 RYM. Also bought as dealer stock is ex Regal Busways Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur SIL 2172. This has gained its original registration of J426 HDS. SIL2172 is now on Mercedes 0814D/Plaxton Beaver W577 JVV.
Withdrawn are Leyland Olympian/Alexander RL K518 ESS; Volvo Olympian/Alexander RH R941 YOV.

PHILIPS OF SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS.
Mercedes 811D/Dormobile K203 FEH is withdrawn.

REGAL BUSWAYS.
Is getting involved in National Express contracts. For this, VDL SB4000/Van Hool YJ03 PGZ has arrived from South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach.

Withdrawn is Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointer 511 (M91 WBW) – one of the last step entrance saloons here. The picture shows it at Leigh on Sea, in August 2010.
Accident damaged Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excaliber SIL 2172 has passed to Panther Travel (as dealer). Dennis Javelin/Plaxton Premiere N320 NHY has also gone to Panther, for use.
Also sold are Dart/Pointers 511/3/4 (M91/3 WBW, N414 MBW).

RICHARDS TRAVEL, GREAT BADDOW.
Scania K114/Irizar tri axle YN55 PZB is ex Phoenix of North Wembley.
Setra S250s N882 JLW and N207 PUL have been re-registered N80 RCT and N90 RCT respectively.

RICHMOND OF BARLEY.
New is Van Hool Alicron YJ14 CDN.
Temsa Safari YJ09 CWX has been sold to Coatham of Lingdale, Cleveland.

SBC, SOUTHEND.
New is Scania K400/Irizar tri-axle HC14 SBC.

STAGECOACH CAMBUS.

Route 13 (Cambridge-Haverhill) is to be upgraded to ‘Stagecoach Gold’. In advance of this, suitably liveried and branded Scania N230UD/Enviro 400 15950 (YN14 OXA), appeared at Cowley Road, Cambridge depot, in late May 2014.

STAGECOACH EAST LONDON.
Scania Omnicity ‘deckers are due from Selkent; to replace more Tridents. The Scanias have been displaced south of the river by new hybrids. 15073/4/80/1/3/6/8/95 (LX09 AEW/Y, AFK/N/U/Z, AGU, AHE) had moved over by the late May. Also received from Selkent are ADL/Enviro 400s 19828/9/30 (LX11 BLN/V/Z). The Scanias are at WH and the E400s at RM.
Trident 17507 (LX51 FNK) has transferred to Selkent.
Trident 17568 (LV52 HEU) is withdrawn due to accident damage.
Tridents 17542/6 (LY02 OAP/U) have gone for scrap.
A subsequent history sees Dennis Trident/Alexander 17072 (T672 KPU) now with Buses Etc of Merstham, via Ensign. It had latterly been with Brighton and Hove, via a sojourn at Stagecoach South, whose Lewes operations later passed to ‘B and H’.

STAGECOACH MEGABUS.

Above: The Norwich-London Megabus service is usually operated by Freestones of Beetley, but on 24/5/14, Stagecoach B12/Jonckherre no 53637 appeared, and was seen at Norwich. (Colin Lloyd).

STEPHENSONS OF ESSEX.
Moved into its new depot at Boreham from 12/5/14. It is located close to the old Boons site. This replaced the ex Fargo premises at Witham. Witham is still used for storage purposes.
All work moved from Witham to Boreham, although ‘Blackwater Link’ service 90 (Witham-Maldon), is now worked jointly by Boreham and Maldon depots.
Withdrawn are Leyland Olympian/NC 866 (J566 HAT); Leyland Olympian/Alexander RHs 972/4/90 (K872/4/90 CSF).
Leyland Olympian/NCs 855/9 (H155/9 BKH) were sold to JP Travel of Middleton, but soon passed to Stagecoach Manchester, upon the sale of JPT. Leyland Olympian 974 (K874 CSF), is now a playbus in Aylesbury.

SUFFOLK NORSE.
Dennis Lance/Optare Sigma N408 MPN is now with Elliot and Richman of Rode Heath, Cheshire.

SUPREME COACHES, RETTENDON.
Iveco Eurorider/Beaulas PN09 CWO has passed to Holmeswood Coaches, Cheshire.

SWALLOW COACHES, RAINHAM.
Neoplan Starliner N516SHD HSK 176 has been re-registered back to YN05 BWA and been sold to Thandi of Smethwick.

SWIFT TRAVEL, NORTH WEALD.
Has Mecedes 0815D minicoach Y1 CHT, from The Kings Ferry ‘Land Yaucht’ fleet.

TALISMAN COACHLINES, GREAT BROMLEY.
New is BU14 SYE, a Setra S416 tri-axle coach.

TERRAVISION TRANSPORT.

A King Long X1200 accessible coach (BK63 ZTC) is at work on Stansted-London services.

THE KINGS FERRY, GILLINGHAM.
The Medway/Swale and Maidstone to London Commuter coach services, may be routed through Essex, along the A13 to/from the Dartford Crossing, if the Blackwall Tunnel is badly congested.

TONY GLEW, COLCHESTER.
LDV Convoy YX53 CPO is now in fleet colours, ex DC Travel white/blue.

TOWER TRANSIT.
Received for storage are SLF/Pointer DP42603 (KP02 PUF) from Abellio London and DP42604 (KP02 PVO) from Metroline.

TOWNLINK, HARLOW.

Above: SM Coaches ex Go North East SLF/MPD V191 ERG, at Harlow Bus Station in March 2012, with Arriva and Roadrunner vehicles.
Ex Arriva The Shires are Dennis Dart SLF/PLaxton Pointers S307/9/16 JUA.
Townlink is now operator of services previously registered to SM Coaches.

TRAVELUX, GRAYS.
Has Optare bodied Leyland Olympian E155 OMD.
It was ex Hampshire operator Hankin, but new to Maidstone Boroline and latterly Arriva Southern Counties.
It is used on school/college contracts around Thurrock.

TRUSTYBUS, HARLOW.
Acquired via Ensign are ex Brighton and Hove Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Super Pointers T312/3 SMV and ex Metroline West Dennis Trident/Plaxton Presidents LK03 CGV, GFX, GJY.
Noted are Mercedes 814D/PLaxton Beaver buses EIG 1357 and KV51 KZD. Both had been with Beestons of Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Repainted into Trustybus livery is “long” Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 AD21 (FXZ 2175). This bus was new to Stagecoach South as R821 HCD. But sister AD20 (FXZ 2162) has passed to Erith Commercials.
Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointers S93 EGK and X501 WRG are now RHZ 2264 and VJZ 3283, respectively. DAF SB220/Optare Delta S403 JUA is now NFZ 5318.
Galleon Travel gold/red liveried Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President X649 LLX is now G11 GTL; while Volvo Olympian T569 EGD has gone to Ensign.
“Mini” Dart SLF/Alexander ALX200 Y248 FJN, has passed to Travel Express of Wolverhampton.
Also sold is Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer P980 LNB.

Above: Galleon Travel B7TL X649 LLX at Broxbourne in November 2013, on Greater Anglia rail replacement.

TURNERS OF ESSEX, WICKHAM ST PAUL.
Now runs the ‘Halstead Hopper’ town service, previously with Florida Coaches.
Dennis Dart/Marshall M452 LLJ was acquired with the route.

TWH.
Part open top Leyland Olympian/NC G551 VBB is now with Discover Dorset – in a black/white “zebra” livery.

UNO.

Optare Solo 407 (YA02 YRS) is now in a yellow contravision overall advert for ‘Buslink’. It’s front remains in fleet livery. Sister 405 (YJ 58 PHO) is branded for ‘Hatfield Local Links’ services 607/8/9. It appears on other routes at weekends.
Now with Sunny Travel of Willenhall are SLF/Super Pointers V563 JBH, W573/7 XRO and SLF/Caetano T102 KGP.
Several Dart SLF/Pointers have been re-registered with “cherished” C-UNO registration marks.
Class prefixes are now only displayed on offside fleet numbers.

VICEROY OF SAFFRON WALDEN.
Neoplan Transliner IIG 3840, has come from Poole Bay Travel in Dorset.

WICKS OF BRAINTREE.
The Wicks O licence has been surrendered, and operations continue under the JSM Vehicle Services O licence.

‘Bradley the Bus’ is the creation of Inderjit Puaar. ‘The Magic Puzzle’ charts the adventures of this globetrotting London bus, as he travels around the world, searching for missing pieces to complete a magic puzzle.

The book is aimed at pre-school and Key Stage 1 children. It is supported by Transport for London.

Copies are available at the shop at London’s Transport Museum at Covent Garden, as well as other selected bookshops. Also see http://www.bradleythebus.com

‘Bradley’ is pictured at Covent Garden, with Inderjit, his creator, (in the bowler hat). 14/12/2013.

With many thanks to Ensignbus, for supplying the Routemaster.