December 2003
Arriva Midlands (Derby)
Weds 24th:
One of the oldest East Lancs buses - Volvo Citybus 4381 (A131 DTO) was operating alongside the newest - on DAF routes 22/24/26 today.
Scania 3492 (N433 XRC) brike down at Derby Bus Station on Monday.
Fri 19th:
Scania 3493 (N433 XRC) was on the 111 Pride Park & Ride today. Similar 3492 was on the 109.
Littles Travel
Mon 29th:
Leyland National (TAE 638S) was on route 9 today. This is the Unibus liveried one. The usual white Excel returned later in the day.
Thurs 18th:
Leyland National (TAE 638S) was reported on route 9 today.
The Wellglade Group: Trent Barton - notts + derby and Kinchbus
Wed 31st:
One of the H1 Optare Solos was seen in Derby today looking in a bad way, with the front badly damaged and something dragging along behind!! Thought to be heading for the Derby depot for repairs.
Tue 30th:
Mercedes Vario minibuses 275/7/8/9, 280/3 (R275/7/8/9/280/3 RAU) are expected to be up for sale. 275/7 ex X38 and Villager are currently stored at Langley Mill, whereas 278/9 and 280/3 are expected to be taken out of service in January when they are replaced by Darts on the Ilkeston town service routes 25/27.
Dart 916 (P916 CTO) is reported to be having its engine repaired at Langley Mill and Merc Vario 824 (R824 MJU) is now at Nottingham. Both have been stored at Langley Mill.
Darts 905 (P905 CTO) and 928 (R928 RAU) are on loan to Nottingham depot.
Notts + Derby Mercedes minibus 41 (L811 CJF) is also reported as For Sale.
Today saw Unibus Lance 369 (N369 VRC) on the R62, and B10B/Paladin 138 (M138 PRA) on the Borrowash Flyer.
On Monday Dart 932 (S932 UAL) was on the Transpeak and Excel 204 (V204 ENU) was on the H1. B10B/Paladin 116 (L116 LRA) was on the R62 (on the R71 on Saturday).
Thanks to Duncan, Dave and Chris for much of the above information
Mon 29th:
Notts + Derby Olypian 715 (B715 MVO) and B10B/Paladin 115 (L115 LRA) were on the D1 P&R. One of the N+D Darts was reported on this service on Saturday.
TrentBarton Excel 235 (X235 WRA) was on the Black Cat.
There was a N+D Dart on route 10 to the Wyvern today - didnt get the number but this is usually operated by Mercs i believe.
There was also a TrentBarton Dart on the Rainbow 5 this afternoon.
Wed 24th:
The Borrowash Flyer Mercedes Vario 286 (S286 UAL) has been missing this week. Operating in its place were: Monday: Dart 938 (S938 UAL), Tuesday: 47 (R47 LNU), and Chistmas Eve: Dart 932 (R932 RAU).
Mon 22nd:
Excel 234 (X234 WRA) was on the Rainbow 5.
Dart 939 (S939 UAL) was on the D1 P&R.
Frio Excel 199 (V199 ERA) was on the X38 Derby to Burton.
Fri 19th:
Dart 931 (R931 RAU) was reported on the Borrowash Flyer today.
Thurs 18th:
Excel 234 (X234 WRA) was on the Rainbow 4.
Frio Excel 225 (V109 LVH) was on the Black Cat.
On Driver Training in Derby was a Rainbow 5 Excel (seemed to be heading for Belper up the A6) and a Kinchbus Vecta.
Wed 17th:
TrentBarton Solo 466 (FG02 BGO) was on the H1.
There was also a Kinchbus Merc vario in the back of the bus station with branding as a University Shuttle. The U was missing on the front.
Tue 16th:
Belper Dart 917 (R917 RAU) was on the D1 Meteor Centre P&R.
Mon 15th:
Ex Spondon Flyer Dart 928 (R928 RAU) has been repainted into Trent Barton livery and is now at Nottingham depot.
Dart 905 (P905 CTO) is thought to have been transfered to Nottingham.
Reports for Saturday are of Excels 204 (V204 ENU), 225 (V109 LVH), and 235 (X235 WRA) aswell as Darts 935 (R935 RAU) and 947 (T947 BNN) being on Route 15. This left just one branded Solo on the route. One Trent Solo was out of Langley Mill on the 93 - despite the strike. Scania 624 (FJ03 VWP) broke down with locked brakes on the Rainbow 5 adding to the distruption.
Today saw Excel 198 (V198 DRC) on the Spondon Flyer and Dart 915 (P915 CTO) on the Rainbow 4.
Fri 12th:
199 (V199 ERA) was today on the Red Arrow.
Dart 938 (S938 UAL) was on the Spondon Flyer.
Thurs 11th:
Frio Excel 199 (V199 ERA) was on the Spondon Flyer today.
Wed 10th:
Yesterday saw Dart 940 (S940 UAL) on the Red Arrow.
A rainbow 5 Excel was parked up at Derby bus station this morning. Presumed to be 157.
Fri 5th:
B10B/Paladin 135 (M135 PRA) was on the Transpeak.
Trent Barton Dart 918 (R918 RAU) was on the Red Arrow.
Trent Solo 450 (FE02 KDX) was seen on ITVs Central News on the Black Cat route - i believe the footage was from today.
Trent buses Excel 189 (T789 XVO) was on the rainbow 4.
Barton Excel 253 (Y253 DRC) on the Rainbow 5.
The Rainbow 5 Excel I saw yesterday is reported as 157 (S157 UAL). It was on driver training duties.
Thurs 4th:
A Rainbow 5 Excel was parked up at Derby Bus Station this evening. All branding looked to be still in place - with not in service on the blind - couldnt get the number though.