5th March 2024
Arriva Midlands
Latest repaints into journey mark are VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar 3740 and Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 4203 at Derby.
Former Arriva North West Enviro 400s 4411 and 4419 now at Thumaston have been renumbered 4426 and 4435 respectively. Enviro 400 MMC 4529 has moved in the opposite direction from Thurmaston to Arriva North West, now renumbered 4744.
Arriva North West - Recently transferred from Arriva Midlands, Enviro 400 MMC 4744 is seen in Liverpool on 2nd March 2024. © Dylan Jones.
Centrebus
Enviro 200 548 has been repainted into updated fleet livery at Grantham.
D&G Bus
Enviro 200 YX67VGK has been acquired and numbered 503. It carries the latest fleet livery of red and blue and has entered service at Adderley Green. Enviro 200 MMC 572 has transferred from Cannock to Macclesfield.
Diamond
Wright Streetlite DF 20181 and Optare Solo 20885 have transferred from Diamond North West to Redditch. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter/Ilesbus I-City BD73UAN is currently at Tividale, numbered 20993 in base white. Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urban 30858 has returned to the Midlands at Kidderminster, after spending the last few years at Preston and retains their livery.
Further buses transferred to the West Midlands from Diamond North West are Optare Solo 20000 and 20054, Optare Solo SR 20016, ADL Enviro 200s 20516 and 20824, Wright Streetdeck Micro-Hybrids 40819 and 40825.
Now withdrawn are Optare Solo 20522 at Redditch, Optare Solo SR 30051 at Kidderminster, ADL Enviro 200s 30707 and 30708 at Tividale, Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro 30821 at Kidderminster and VDL SB200/Wright Pulsar 2 32127 at Tividale.
East Yorkshire
Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse-Gemini 791 has received a new version of the ‘Coaster’ livery and branding.
First Hampshire & Dorset
Former Taunton Park & Ride Wright Streetlites 47535/536/537/538 were noted parked at Hilsea depot during early February. Also noted at Hilsea is Wright Streetdeck 35116, which is currently delicensed.
First Midlands
Wright Streetdeck Micro-Hybrids 35933-936 have transferred from First York to Adderley Green, due to displace ADL Enviro 400s 33826-830 to First West Yorkshire.
Further Wright Streetlite DFs to arrive at Worcester are 47435 and 47439 from First West of England, and 47631/641/642 from First West Yorkshire.
Mercedes-Benz Citaros are now extinct here with 64046 and 64047 being the last to be withdrawn during February. Volvo B7RLE/Plaxton Centro 66691 has also been withdrawn at Worcester.
First York - Wright Streetdecks 35934 and 35935 show off the two liveries carried by the York batch of Streetdecks on 9th February 2024. © Dylan Jones.
Megabus/Scottish Citylink
Volvo B11Rs 54218/219 moved from Stagecoach North East (Walkergate), where they had been in Reserve, to Stagecoach West Scotland (Cumbernauld) in January pending formal allocation. Their move to Scotland is expected to allow Volvo B11RLE/Panorama coaches 50450/451 to move to Stagecoach West for Oxford Tube duties. Remaining Megabus Scania/Levante coaches (59223/227) are stored with Stagecoach North East at Slatyford depot with 59226/228 at Walkergate.
It is understod that 12 Volvo 9700 coaches are due imminently for Scottish Citylink services and will be allocated to Stagecoach East Scotland at Perth and will operate alongside Volvo B11R/Elites 54366/367/368. Similar 54360 is expected to move to the Rennies fleet for continued use on Scottish Citylink services.
National Express West Midlands
Scania Omnilinks 1794 and 1798 have formally transferred from Acocks Green to Walsall, having been on loan there for several months.
Volvo B7RLE 2089 has transferred from Pensnett to Wolverhampton, whilst 2116 has transferred from Wolverhampton to Walsall.
Several buses have been on extended loan at Walsall to cover for the continued fuelling issues with the Wright Streetdeck Hydroliners. On loan during February were ADL Enviro 400s 4764 and 4959 from West Bromwich, ADL Enviro 400 MMCs 6108 and 6111 from Acocks Green, and 6761, 6762 from Wolverhampton.
Now withdrawn are Scania Omnilinks 1936 from West Bromwich and 7023 from Perry Barr. Previously withdrawn Dennis Trident 4452 and Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 4664 have been sold to Mikro Coaches of Crewe via Birmingham Busworks. Further buses sold to Birmingham Busworks for resale are Dennis Tridents 4318, 4445, 4538 and 4576.
Now sent for scrap are Dennis Tridents 4427, 4454, 4464, 4551, 4558, 4580, 4587, 4614, 4619, Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Geminis 4648, 4658, 4659 and arson damaged ADL Enviro 400 MMC 6137.
Latest buses sent for repaint are Volvo B7RLE 2149 from Coventry, ADL Enviro 200 MMC 2210 from Acocks Green, ADL Enviro 400s 4773 and 4954 from West Bromwich, 4776 from Yardley Wood, 4909 from Birmingham Central and 4987 from Wolverhampton.
Enviro 400 4764 is pictured at Walsall on route 51 on 21st February 2024, whilst on loan from West Bromwich. © Dylan Jones.
Peoplesbus - Pictured on Merseyrail replacement services on 2nd March 2024, are Enviro 400 V1 BUS (former Metroline ‘TE1095’ LK60AHC) and Trident WA04 FOF (former Stagecoach 18115). © Dylan Jones.
Select Bus Services
Enviro 200s SN16OSW and SN16OSX have been acquired, numbered 42 and 26 respectively.
Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
MAN/Enviro 300 22782 at Carlisle is now confirmed as withdrawn for disposal. Transferred from the main fleet to the Reserve Fleet at Carlisle is MAN/Enviro 300 22882 with Enviro 300 27142 moving from Carlisle Reserve Fleet to the main fleet.
ADL Enviro 400 19574 was back at Carlisle by 8th February following open top conversion at Ferrymill Motors. It has been painted into base Lakes livery and awaits application of branding and certification. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 44009 has transferred to Stagecoach South Wales.
Stagecoach East
Having been earmarked for use as an apprentice training vehicle, Enviro 200 36060 was being prepared for a return to the operational fleet in mid-January ahead of service revisions at Bedford.
Now repainted into ‘Local’ livery is Enviro 400 19694. It is pictured on 26th February 2024. © John Abbott.
Stagecoach East Midlands
Enviro 400 19204, transferred here from Stagecoach North East, had entered service at Skegness by 16th January, whilst 19380 and 19384 were in service from Lincoln a few days later. Further Enviro 400 transfers from Stagecoach North East have been 19114, 19211, 19381 and 19383, with 19114 allocated to Grimsby allowing 19382 to transfer from Grimsby to Hull.
Transferred from Hull to Gainsborough are Enviro 200s 37197/198. Reserve Fleet vehicles returned to main fleet service are Enviro 200 37205 at Gainsborough and MAN/Enviro 300 22799 at Hull. Withdrawn President-bodied Tridents 18028/033 are at Grimsby where they have donated engines to Enviro 400s.
The planned transfer of Volvo B7RLEs 21221/222 from Skegness to Lincoln in exchange for Enviro 400s 19117/118 which was planned for December last year had not taken place by 2nd February - 21222 did transfer a few days later. On the same date Skegness was still operating five Enviro 300s on loan from Hull - 27192/197/204/205/882. Three Enviro 400s from Lincoln, 19113, 19384 and 19692 were reported operating from Skegness on 10th February 2024. One is believed to be an exchange for Volvo B7RLE 21222, with the other two operating on loan.
Vehicles scrapped and the remains sold to A H Hardwick are Volvo B7RLE 21216, Tridents 17730 and 18028/042 and MAN/Enviro 300 22764. Volvo B7TL 16939 at Skegness has been authorised for disposal and we understand fire-damaged Enviro 400MMC 10743 is also now for disposal.
Now in the Reserve Fleet at Gainsborough is Enviro 200 37205 whilst Enviro 400 19060 is officially reported as being transferred from Gainsborough to Scunthorpe in exchange for 19379. Enviro 400H Hybrids, 12030/050, for open top conversion were stored
at Skegness in early February along with withdrawn Trident 18054 from Worksop which had donated its engine to Enviro 400 19196.
Stagecoach East Scotland
Withdrawn Tridents 18114 and 18115 were collected by Birmingham Busworks from Arbroath on 15th January and delivered to Liverpool-based Peoplesbus.
Transferred from Stagecoach South East in late-January were Scania/Enviro 400s 15180/183/184/185/187/188/189/750, with 15731 also transferring here from Stagecoach West. Tridents 18061 and 18097 were on loan at Arbroath from Rennies in late January. Trident 18071 is now with the Midlands Bus Preservation Group.
Scania/Enviro 300s 28602/605/646 have been allocated to Aberhill ousting Enviro 200s 36194 and 36741/744 to the Reserve Fleet. With Volvo B5H 13113 at Perth out of service for major repairs, it has temporarily being replaced by Trident 18507. The allocation of more Scania/Enviro 400s to Dunfermline is allowing Enviro 400s 19045/150/152/155/157/177/191/223 to move to the Rennies fleet as Trident replacement.
Trident 18099 from Dunfermline is in the Reserve Fleet but 18061/096/097 are being withdrawn. For withdrawal from Rennies are 18083/130/131/132/133/179/195/389/390. Also now for disposal is Enviro 400 19556.
13 new Volvo 9700 coaches are due for the X24 and X27 services (Glasgow-St Andrews/Leven) and will be allocated to Aberhill and Glenrothes.
Stagecoach London
Open Top ADL Enviro 400s 19131/132/133/134 have been sold. Now for scrap here are Scania Omnicity 15042/045/047/110 and also for disposal is Enviro 200 36348.
Enviro 200 36651 is for long term repair, and similar 36369 is now part of the West Ham Training Fleet.
Stagecoach Manchester
Transferred to Stagecoach South East are Enviro 200 36110 along with Optare Solo SR 48025 from the Reserve Fleet with Optare Solo SR 48024 and short Enviro 200 37073 due to follow. Enviro 400 19336 has received extensive damage following a collision with a tree in Chorlton on 2nd February, when the Fire Brigade had to completely cut off the roof.
Sold to PVS (dealer) have been Enviro 400 19332 and Optare Solo 47671.
Enviro 400H Hybrid 12066, transferred from Stagecoach North East has received ‘Bee Network’ yellow livery ahead of a return to service as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Tranche 2 franchising award. Now being repainted yellow is 12075, which also came from the North East fleet. The repaints are being done by Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire at their Rock Ferry depot as it is a TfGM requirement that buses are spray painted.
Enviro 400 Hybrids 12063/064/084, from Stagecoach North East, are currently at Ashton depot. One of those, 12064, is seen on 14th February 2024. © Phil Sowter.
Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire
Transfers from Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird) have been MAN/Enviro 300s 22780 and 22785, with 22781 and 22791 to follow.
Stagecoach Midlands
Enviro 300 27218, transferred here last year from Stagecoach East Scotland, entered service at Nuneaton in late-January. Scania/Enviro 400s 15677 (Leamington) and 15841 (Northampton) have received ‘Poppy’ livery/branding. Following servicing and MOT, Trident 18401 returned to service at Leamington on 26th January.
The remaining operational Dart SLFs in the fleet, 34833 and 35222/224 were officially withdrawn from service at Kettering on 2nd February, although only 35222 was in service on the last day. All three have been transferred to Stagecoach North East. Replacements at Kettering are Enviro 200s 36167/168/169, which have transferred from Leamington.
Withdrawn Tridents 18103/198/405 were collected from Northampton on 5th February by A H Hardwick (dealer) with 18152 following on 7th February. Also sold to A H Hardwick are Tridents 18102/108/128/151/155/158/198/322/339/400/403/406/409 along with Dart SLFs 34835, 35177/225 and Enviro 200 36946. MAN/Enviro 300 22838 is now with Viscount Travel.
Scania/Enviro 300 28626 at Northampton has been repainted in ‘Distance’ livery for use of the X7 Leicester service with others to follow. Damaged Scania/Enviro 400 15678 from Leamington is now being stored at Rugby. We can confirm that Dart SLF 34880 remains operational with the training school at Nuneaton.
We understand that a handful of Tridents and Enviro 400s are due to be reinstated, one of those (Trident 18410) is seen in Northampton on 21st October 2023. © Dylan Jones.
Stagecoach North East
Enviro 400MMC 10633 is a further transfer from Walkergate to South Shields, being exchanged for Enviro 400 19644. Enviro 400s 19432-435 are all now allocated to Slatyford. Enviro 300 27739 has transferred from Slatyford to South Shields.
Disposals to Alpha Recovery have been Enviro 300 27508, MAN/Enviro 200 39660/662/711/716/717, MAN/ALX300 22344 and Scania/Enviro 300 (Gas) 28016. Sold to T Wigley are MAN/Enviro 200s 39667/702/719.
Further Enviro 400s transferred to Stagecoach East Midlands have been 19114, 19211 and 19383. Transfers from Stagecoach Midlands are Dart SLFs 34833 and 35222/224, which were taken to Sunderland depot on 3rd February, 34833 was subsequently moved to South Shields.
Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird)
Enviro 300s 27533 and 27602 and 27799 along with short Enviro 200 36324 and standard Enviro 200 36034/049 have transferred to Stagecoach South West. MAN/Enviro 300s 22780/785 are transfers to Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire with 22781 and 22791 to follow. Further planned transfers are Enviro 36035 and Enviro 300 27534 to Stagecoach South West. Volvo B9R 53628 has been sold
Stagecoach North Scotland (Highlands)
Formerly part of this fleet, Volvo B7RLE/Wright 21204 (730 DYE SY07 CYA) has been re-sold and was with for sale again through Birmingham Busworks at the end of January. Volvo B8RLE/MCV 21412 has transferred from Aviemore to Inverness in exchange for short version 39509.
Stagecoach South
Reserve Fleet Enviro 200 36132 was moved from Winchester to Chichester at the beginning of February.
Trident 18514 has now recieved Local Livery, whilst Enviro 200 MMC 26146 and 26147 have recieved an all over wrap branding for the service 23 and Enviro 400 19986 has recieved an all over wrap for the Portsmouth Apprenticeship Bus.
Stagecoach South East
Transfers from Stagecoach Manchester are Enviro 200 36110 (parked at Hastings) along with Optare Solo SR 48025 (parked at Eastbourne). Also expected to transfer from the Manchester fleet is Optare Solo SR 48024 and short Enviro 200 36073.
Scania/Enviro 400s 15188/189 were taken out of use at Dover in mid-January and moved to Eastbourne in preparation for transfer to Stagecoach East Scotland, moving north a few days later along with 15185 and 15750. They were followed a week later by 15180/183/184/187. By 5th February only 15181/182/186 remained to be transferred north.
Tridents no longer recorded by the company and believed sold are 18160/165.
Stagecoach South Wales
Now here from Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire is Mercedes- Benz Sprinter 44009.
Stagecoach South West
Further arrivals here from Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird) have been Enviro 300s 27533 and 27602 (now parked at Plymouth), 27799 (at Exeter) and short Enviro 200 36324 along with standard Enviro 200s 36034/049 (which were taken to Exeter). 36324 entered service at Exeter on 30th January. Earlier transfer MAN/Enviro 300 22572 entered service from Exeter at the end of January. Also due from Stagecoach North Scotland (Bluebird) are Enviro 300 27534 along with Enviro 200 36035.
Recent transfer from Scotland, Enviro 200 36324 is seen in Exeter on 30th January 2024. © David Tozer.
Stagecoach West
There have been reports that Volvo B11RLE/Panorama coaches 50450/451 are expected to transfer from the Scottish Citylink fleet with Stagecoach East Scotland at Perth to Oxford for Oxford Tube use. A further Scania/Enviro 400 to transfer to Stagecoach East Scotland is 15731.
Optare Solo 47688 has been returned to service at Stroud whilst other transfers are reported are Enviro 400MMC 10985 from North Bristol to Swindon, Scania/Enviro 400s 15880 from Cheltenham to Stroud with 15985 moving from Swindon to Gloucester. Enviro 200 37008 is at Cheltenham from Stroud.
The first of the Enviro 400 EVs on order for Oxford are expected soon, these will be 88001-010 (SK73CZE/F/G/H/J/L/M/N/Q/P)
With many thanks to Dave Russell & Deric Pemberton for much of the information provided in this report.
Stagecoach West Scotland
Accident damaged Enviro 200MMC 37601 has now been written off.
Transfers advised are Scania/Enviro 300 28669 from Ayr to Ardrossan whilst Reserve Fleet Volvo B9R 53723 is for allocation to Arran.
Stagecoach Yorkshire
The first of the Yutong electric saloons arrived in the UK in late January. They will be allocated to Rawmarsh and are expected to enter service during the second quarter of 2024.
Further ADL Enviro 400H Hybrids allocated to Chesterfield are 12177/179 whilst Enviro 200MMCs 37608/615 are now at Barnsley. MAN/Enviro 300s 22646 at Chesterfield and 22648 at Barnsley are now in the Reserve Fleet. Enviro 200 transfers from Chesterfield are 36413 to Rawmarsh and 36721 to Holbrook.
Viscount Travel
Former Stagecoach Midlands MAN/Enviro 300 22838 (KX09 BHE) is now in this fleet. It has been registered P1 OTL, a mark which was originally allocated to Delaine Buses Volvo B10M/East Lancs 101. It has received a yellow and white livery based on the 1989-launched Viscount livery and branding introduced by Cambus for its Peterborough operations. It is also named ‘Marcus S W Parry’ after a former Peterborough Transport Officer and local enthusiast who passed away last year.
