Fleet News

Bus Fleet News

September 2021

last update 30th September

Many thanks to all who have contributed news and photos to the website. Without this the site would not be possible.

Latest News

Hulleys: More fleet additions, and a heritage livery. ***Harpurs: More Geminis added to the fleet. ***Midland Classic: Most Irizar i3s repainted.

Here you will find all the latest bus fleet news for many bus operators in and around the Derbyshire area. If you have anything to report please contact me by clicking here

Whippets now operate Flixbus services that pass through Derby, often using former National Express Levantes. (BV67 JZN) is seen here in Derby bus station.
(C)Geoff Girling

Andrews of Tideswell

NEWS
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Arriva Derby

NEWS
15th September 2021
Route 38 and route 7 to Sinfin have both had their frequencies reduced at the end of August. The 38 now runs every 12 minutes Mon to Fri, every 15 Saturdays (previously every 10/12) and the 7 reduced from a 15 minute frequency to every 20. Route 4 has been shortened, no longer serving a loop in Alvaston, which is covered by the 1/1a. Route 7 and route 4 now interwork.

E400s 4400/1 have moved to Aylesbury where they are in use complete with Derby route 38 branding.

Old inter urban liveried Volvo Gemini 4204 (FJ08 LVP) is now based at Derby, and Scania Omnicity 3578 (YN55 RCF) has returned from Tamworth.

16th July 2021

E400 4405 now has a wrap around advert saying thank you to NHS/key workers.
(C) Chris Gaskin

7th April 2021
Services are expected to return to December 2020 levels in Derby next week.

The Fast 1 VDLs have had the route branding removed.

New to Derby this Solo SR in now in use with Chaserider following their takeover of the Cannock operations, and has recently been repainted in their livery.
(C) Geoff Girling

New to Derby this Solo SR in now in use with Chaserider following their takeover of the Cannock operations, but has yet to be repainted.
(C) Geoff Girling

CT4N

NEWS
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Derby minibus

27th May 2020

Derby Minibus has now closed following the passing of David Mansfield on 5th May 2020. Starting in 1995 the company operated 7 vehicles.

DW Coaches, Clay Cross

16th September 2021

A recent addition here is former Lawsons Volvo Alexander PS (L623 TDY).

Volvo Alexander PS (L623 TDY).
(C) Chris Gaskin

23rd September 2020

New additions to the fleet here are ex Stagecoach London Trident ALX 400 (LX03 BZC) and ex Arriva London Volvo B7 ALX 400 (LJ05 BJU).

G&J Holmes

NEWS
9th September 2017

Glovers of Ashbourne

NEWS

15th September 2021.

The latest addition to the fleet is former Parks of Hamilton tri axle Plaxton Panther (SA13 YPH).

26th January 2021.

A new arrival here later last year was Volvo B12M (W V02 EUP), which has gained registration (AIG 4549), Ex Panther Travel, Parkeston. It was (AB02 PAN) for a while at Panther Travel.

The Volvo B10M that was (AIG 4549) has reverted back to (W898 RRU) before being withdrawn and possibly sold?

23rd September 2020.

Former Burnley and Pendle Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown (Y162 HRN) is here. Last operated by Square Peg, Leeds.

Harpurs Coaches

28th September 2021

Temsa (YJ13 GUE) has been destroyed by fire.

16th September 2021

2 former Belle Vue (new to London General) Volvo Geminis are here and in use in yellow livery:
(LX05 FBB/D).

Quite a few fleet changes lately, will try to cover the rest soon.

Former Belle Vue Gemini (LX05 FBD)is seen here in Derby.
(C) Chris Gaskin

28th July 2021

Grey Dennis Trident / Plaxton President bodied (SGZ 3536) is a fleet addition within last few months. Believe this was new to London General as (PN03 UMA), before passing to Norse where is was used on park and ride in Norwich. It was later with Belle Vue, Manchester where it was painted yellow, before being painted grey (and re registered) by an unknown subsequent owner?

Disposals late 2020/early 2021 reported to include:
Olympian (S831 DGX),
Volvo coaches (N644 AHP),
(CN55 MUE) - now (ESU 282) , and (FJ55 XBA) now (DSU 130) - both are now in the Shetlands with Andrew Morrison, Whiteness trading as Andrews coaches.
(NX53 UBC),
LDV minibus (PJ53 OEO).

16th July 2021

MPD (BU05 HFA) is now in fleet livery.
(C) Geoff Girling

17th May 2021

Volvo Gemini (LX53 AZU) is here and in fleet livery. New to London General is was previously with Xelabus.

Volvo Gemini (LX53 AZU) on the A6 near Allestree.
(C) Adrian Healey

31st March 2021

(YK06 DNU) now carries fleet livery. Seen here on Ascot Drive.
(C) Rob Hadfield

7th March 2021

A new arrival here is MPD (BU05 HFA), ex Abellio.

17th February 2021

New additions to the fleet reported here are DAF Geminis (LJ05 BHP/V) and Volvo Gemini (LF52 UTJ).

Hawkes Coaches

NEWS

30th September 2021
A new arrival here in all over dark blue livery is Volvo B7/ALX 400 (KP51 WCX). New to First Leicester, it has most recently seen use with First in Cornwall (fleet no 32096). Prior to that it was with First in Bath branded for the Unibus services,in the livery it still carries.

(KP51 WCX) is seen here in Derby, outside the Eagle Centre Market, on a football service.
(C) Chris Gaskin

7th March
Two new additions to the fleet are Autosan Eagle coaches (BX06 NZV/U).

Condor (E10 MDC) reported to have been sold for preservation, whilst the second example is withdrawn.

High Peak

News
17th February 2021
Versa (T23 TYB) reported to now be with D&G, repainted in their livery.

26th January 2021
A number of services are reduced or suspended from 27th January 2021. The 2 hourly Sunday timetable will be in use every day on the transpeak service. Hulleys are covering route 113 (Belper to Ashbourne) and the 394, whilst Andrews are covering the 442 (Ashbourne to Buxton).

23rd September 2020
A fairly new addition to the fleet, in new centrebus livery, is Optare Solo SR 296 (KX14 FHT). This was used in Malta when new.

Scanias 690 (high Peak) and 691/2 (skyline) remain in use here. Others from the batch have moved elsewhere in the centrebus group, including 693 which has had a repaint and in use on the busway in Luton.

Hulleys of Baslow

NEWS + SIGHTINGS
29th September 2021
The new 24 has arrived as Volvo /Wright (BK13 NZT). New to Diamond, it has spent the last year with Andrews, Shetland.

Gemini number 2 confirmed as withdrawn to be replaced by a new number 2 - former Stagecoach Plaxton Pointer Dart (SP05 EKX).

Former Yellow buses Dart number 8 (SN55 DVO) is said to have been withdrawn.

17th September 2021
Unconfirmed arrivals are two former Stagecoach Darts and a further Wright bodied Volvo.

A number of services were cut back/taken off at the start of the month due to a severe driver shortage, and to ensure remaining services can be operated without too much distruption. A casualty of this was the new X1 Ashbourne to Manchester service. D&G and Aimees swiftly restored their 108/109 services to maintain a service to the affected areas.

Solo 9 (MX09 AOF) now carries Express Motors livery and branding for the 110/111 Carsington Connection routes.

Gemini number 2 reported as withdrawn with severe engine problems, unlikley to see further service.

The two Optare Tempos are advertised for sale online.

Solo number 9 now carries Express Motors livery and is branded for the 110/111 Carsongton Connection routes. Express Motors was a company in the area that previously operated this route. .
(C) Adrian Healey

16th July 2021

Volvo number 5 has been repainted pink to promote snake service 57.
(C) Geoff Girling

21st May 2021
A third former Manchester Volvo B7RLE has joined the fleet as number 5 (MX55 FHH), replacing the Solo destroyed by fire. It has entered service in as acquired livery, mainly for use on schools.

19th May 2021
Solo number 5 was destroyed by fire at the garage on Monday evening, Omni 24 also likely to be beyond repair.

A third former First Manchester Volvo B7RLE is expected to join the fleet.

Solo 25 is being used for spares (never entered service here).

18th May 2021
A second former First Manchester Volvo B7RLE has joined the fleet. Numbered 25 (MX55 UAA) is in use in fleet livery.

3rd May 2021

Enviro 200 has been painted into this former Hulleys livery to mark 100 years of operation. Seen here in Bakewell on Thursday 29th April 2021, 100 years since services first began.
(C) Ian Moorcroft

A brand new addition to the fleet is Volvo MCV Evora 21 (Y100 HOB). Seen here in Derby on Rail Replacement work, on its first day in use, Sunday 25th April 2021.
(C) Chris Gaskin

28th April 2021
A brand new Volvo MCV Evora has joined the fleet as number 21 (Y100 HOB). 29th April marks 100 years of Hulleys of Baslow.

Another addition is former First Manchester/Go NW Volvo B7RLE / Wright number 14 (MX55 FFZ). This is now in fleet livery.

E200 (YX09 HZJ) now carries the historic red and cream Hulleys livery, as part of the 100 year celebrations.

6th April 2021
Versa number 5 has left the fleet.

New arrivals are two former Newbury buses Solos:
5 (YN53 ZWV) - in service in Newbury livery.
25 (YN53 ZWP) - not yet in use.

Solo SR 13 now back in fleet livery, with former Leasks Streetlite 12 and Enviro 7 away for painting. Number 4 also now in fleet livery.

The former accident damaged 13 has gone for scrap.

7th March 2021
Solo SR (WK11 APY) is a new addition to the fleet as number 13. This was new to Western Greyhound, and was more recently in use in Scotland with Blue bus, Shotts.

17th February 2021
Former Leasks of Lerwick Streetlite (W60 JLS) reported to be here, although not expected to enter service straight away.

Johnson Bros / Redferns

NEWS & SIGHTINGS

8th August 2020 A recent addition is (YN55 NHZ), ex London Sovereign as SLE40626 still in London red livery. Omnidekka (YN56 FFU) has recently been repainted into it's base silver livery and will soon receive West Nottinghamshire College branding. (YN56 FFV) is also due to get the same treatment soon, currently in Brighton & Hove livery.

Former Nottingham City Transport (YN04 UJF) is now in operation with Redferns and is seen here in Chesterfield.
(C) Tony Wilson

Linburg

21st May 2021

Van Hool (L29 URG) now carries joint Flixbus / Linburg branding for use on the expanding Flixbus network of routes. Whippets are another operator that now pass through Derby on these services, often using former National Express Levantes.
(C)Adrian Healey

Littles Travel

NEWS + SIGHTINGS

Midland Classic

NEWS
21st September 2021

16 reported to have gone for repaint.

Versa 20 has been retrimmed and now reregistered (JB08 MCL).

51 reported to have been sold to Mikro Coaches, Crewe.

The modern look for Midland Classic. Brand new Volvo Evora 21 rests outside the garage alongside former Reading buses Irizar i3 number 14.
(C)DBD

17th September 2021

Irizar I3 Scania 16 remains in use in allover red. The other 5 now carry fleet livery.

56 reported at Connexions, and 51 reported as sold - this has reverted to the (D10 SLT) registration which it carried when it arrived here.

24th August 2021

Heritage running weekend - Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th August 2021

Saturday 28th August.
To mark 15 years of operation on route 21, a selection of vehicles will operate the service up to every 10 minutes.

Sunday 29th August.
To celebrate what would have been the 95th anniversary of Stevensons of Uttoxeter, a free bus service will operate between Burton and Uttoxeter. There will also be a display of vehicles at the Midland Classic garage in Burton.

Burton Corporation Daimler CCG5(TFA 987) has recently been restored, and is seen here near Sycamore Rd in Burton. This is one of the fine vehicles that are expected to be used during the heritage weekend.
(C)Geoff Girling

Scania i3 number 15 is now in use in fleet livery.
(C)Geoff Girling

30th July 2021

E200 34 (YX12 AYZ) now carries the new style livery..

6 longer Scania Irizar i3s have joined the fleet from Reading buses (Reading fleet numbers 21 to 26). They have been numbered 14 to 19 in the Midland Classic fleet. Number 16 has entered service in Reading red livery, and 2 are reported to be away for repaint into fleet livery. The 6 additions are:

14 (YN17 ONF),
15 (YN17 ONG),
16 (YN17 ONH),
17 (YN17 ONJ),
18 (YN17 ONK),
19 (YN17 ONL).

A mid week arrival from Reading buses, now number 16 in the Midland Classic fleet, was quickly pressed into service on route 9 which connects Burton and South Derbyshire to East Midlands Airport. It is seen here in Stapenhill, Burton.
(C)Geoff Girling

16th July 2021

A brand new vehicle to join the fleet is Volvo MCV Evora (BV21 OPM).

30th June 2021

Scania i3 fleet numbers 24 and 26 are now in use here.

18th June 2021

Scania i3 number 26 now in use, with a second not too far behind.

The first of 6 Irizar i3 Scanias has entered service in the form of fleet number 26, seen here in Uttoxeter. Previously used on airport work, it now has a new seating configuration, with this example having high back seats, as seen through the nearside windows. The seats towards the back are very high, with most having an elevated position. It will be interesting to see how these unusual short heavyweight vehicles perform. From the passenger point of view, personally i think they portray a more upmarket image, somewhere between the regular bus and a coach, which has to be a good thing.
(C)Geoff Girling

17th May 2021

Former Trent and High Peak Scania 221 (FN04 HTU) is currently on loan.
(C)Geoff Girling

22nd April 2021

Scania (FN04 HTU) reported in Burton but has not been in use.

Dart 222 (DE54 LUX) is currently here on loan.
(C)Mark Kinson

Scania 79 seen here working in Manchester, at Shudeshill Interchange.
(C) Geoff Girling

Some vehicles are currently on loan here.Near normal school day timetables resuming this week and three vehicles are still being used in Manchester daily, covering services effected by the ongoing Go North West strike. Vehicles on loan are:
Dart Plaxton Pointer 222 (DE54 LUX) - White (from Deluxe coach hire).
DAF Wright Commander 220 (FD52 GGV) - Arriva livery (ex Chase, now privately preserved).
VDL Centro 120 (FJ56 YBW) - Centrebus livery.

the former Ipswich Versa is number 20 (YK08 EPA).

Commander 220 (FD52 GGV) is currently on loan to Midland Classic. Previously operarated by Arriva, then Chaserider, it understood to now be preserved.
(C) Geoff Girling

A new addition to the fleet is former Ipswich buses Optare Versa (YK08 EPA). It entered service yesterday, Thursday 8th April 2021.
(C) Keith West

Nottingham buses

6th April 2016

Paul S Winsons Loughborough

NEWS
16th August 2020

Volvo (FJU 973) seen here in Loughborough. New to Anglian,Beccles as (AU06 BPK), it was recently acquired from Blackpool Transport.
(C) DBD

Skills, Nottingham

NEWS
21st September 2021
Two more Volvo B9 Geminis have arrived in the form of former Lothian 907 (SN08 BXX) and 910 (SN08 BYA). Now upseated to 83 and fitted with belts. BYF/G are getting the same treatment.

16th September 2021
Former Lothian Volvo B9 Geminis here so far are their former 914/5 (SN08 BYF/G). 4 more are expected at some point.

6 brand new Tourismo coaches are on their way. 3 tri axle and 3 two axle. Two (one of each variation) is expected to join the Silverdale fleet, with the rest going to Skills. These will replace the 12 plate Neoplans once in service. The first two to be painted are:
(BF21 EOT/U) - Skills.

Former McGills and lately Copelands Gemini (LJ05 BNB) now carries fleet livery. Seen here in Derby bus station.
(C) Chris Gaskin

16th June 2021
4 DAF / Geminis have arrived here for school contracts. New to London they were last operated by Copelands. The 4 are:
(LJ05 BNB), (LJ05 BNE), (LJ05 BNL), (LJ05 GKX) .

Lots of vehicles going for scrap. Many were advertised for sale last year, and others have been vandalised whilst being stored:

Olympians (T437/9/77 JJF).

(W752 DOE) - next to last Olympian chassis.

Olympians (S456 ATV) , (EIG 4331).

(R471/4 RRA),

(SFZ 5768) former (X198 FOR), and (RUI 8263) ,

Beaulas (YN55 KWR) former (SIL 7029) and (SIL 9543) former (ET06 LCT).

22nd April 2021
Former Bilborough College owned B7TL GX55 NHY is now registered SIL 7029 and in the fleet livery.

Olympians (S457 ATV) and (T438 JJF) still see use.

8th December 2020
(SIL 7025) now carries fleet livery.

(SN53 EUZ) has been reregistered as (SIL 7947), this and (S457 ATV) are now back in use.

SKills have purchased former Bilborough college owned (GX55 NHY).

(YD14 GDU) has bee registered as (PUJ 925).

All the 61 plate levantes plus (BK15 AHN) are now in the Skills fleet.

19th October 2020
Forest team coach (YD14 GDU) now carries (N1 SMC). (L8 GER) now carries fleet livery, ex Luxuria as Forest director coach.

One vehicle remains in Lothian livery, (SIL 7025).

Skills have the 16 vehicle contract to run the NEC shuttles, once they start operating again. The 16 vehicle contract was previously operated by De Courcey, Coventry who went into administration in August. The 16 Citaros have transfered to Skills. They will be outstationed at NEC, but maintained in Nottingham.

5th October 2020
(regs corrected from last week)
(SIL 7028) now carries fleet livery.

(BV19 LNJ), (BV69 XYO) and (BV69 XYR) are now in the new Shearing livery, ready to start work in October.

Scania Higers (YT15 AVO/M/N/) and (YN15 ENC/E/F) are returning to Scania off lease.

The Volvo team coach for Forest is reported to be (N11 SMC).

All the 61 plate leavantes are now in use on schools.

TM Travel

NEWS:
See Wellglade section.

The Wellglade group
trent barton, kinchbus, notts+derby and T M Travel.

NEWS

21st September 2021
Former sixes Scania 683 now resides at Ladywood Junior School in Kirk Hallam.

TM Travel Scania (YN56 NRY) now carries red fleet livery.

Former sixes Scania 683 now resides in Kirk Hallam at Ladywood School.
(C)Peter Gough

Former Uno Scania (YN56 NRY) now carries fleet livery.
(C)Geoff Girling

16th September 2021
Former sixes Scania 684 (FJ55 ABV) reported in use with Connexions, still in sixes base livery. It has been reregistered as (789 FAY). It is the third ex sixes Scania to join the fleet joining 687/8 (FJ55 BZO/P) now reregistered (JSU 721 / ESU 912).

15th September 2021
Former Unibus Centros 763/4 now carry the new notts and derby livery as do 761/2.

The Derby Unibus services start on Monday 20th September. The 6 has been replaced by service U1, running every 15 minutes at peak times, and just hourly in between and at non term times. Passengers are advised to use the Allestree as an alternative. U2 is the other route replacing the 4. U1 will only require 3 deckers at peak times, and U2 requires two Solos. New buses are expected for these routes from early 2022. Timetables and maps can be found on the notts and derby website. The university website is still advertising the previous services.

11th August 2021
Kinchbus are temporarily reducing service levels on some routes from Monday due to a shortage of drivers.

Former Unibus liveried Centros 761 to 763 now carry the new notts and derby livery.

Scania 654 (red) and 685 (ex sixes) are now working from Sutton, along with former sixes 659 and red 669/71/7/81. Former sixes 657 still in use at Nottingham, and red 678 remains at Langley Mill.

16th June 2021
Volvo 747 is now back in use in Mango livery based at Langley Mill.

Notts and Derby Centro 762 is the second of its type to carry the new livery.

Scania 654 remains in use at Derby with former sixes 685. Solo 500 has recently reappeared after a good spell off the road. 679 potentially withdrawn?

16th June 2021
Scania 654 currently based at Derby.

21st May 2021

Centro 761 now carries the new style notts and derby livery.
(C)Geoff Girling

17th May 2021
Centro 761 should return in new notts and derby livery soon.

Swift and the Sixes to Bakewell are having improved Sunday services from the end of May.

22nd April 2021
Scania 679 is now based at Langley Mill as an additional spare for school duplicates. Former Sixes Scanias remain in use for the same reason, 657 (Nottingham, 659 (Sutton) and 685 (Derby).
Versa 851 in service at Sutton.

16th March 2021
All of the sixes Scanias have now been replaced by Versas on this route. 686 was being used as a spare at Derby, primarily for the Villager dupe, but has since been withdrawn, replaced by 685. 685 was the last Scania to be used on the sixes, making one last trip from Belper to Derby early on Thursday 11th March 2021. Unbranded 657/9 continue in use as spares at Nottingham and Sutton.

Scanias 670 and 680 are recent additions to the TM Travel fleet. 676 is also now there. Former i4 Scania 667 has been withdrawn with a major fault. Any surplus newer Scanias seem likely to replace the slightly older ones here if and when it is unviable to repair them.

7th March 2021
670 and 674 now withdrawn at Langley Mill. 679 withdrawn at Derby.

Sixes Scania 686 has been debranded and now carries the "im helping out" message like 657/9 - for use as a temporary "covid spare". It is likely to be based at Derby for the Villager duplicate.

Versa 850 has entered service at Sutton.

685 remains the last sixes Scania in use, with 840 set to be its replacement any day now.

Former sixes Scania 688 has entered service with Connextions (not sold to Cumbria Classic Coaches as previously reported).

Former Kinch Optare Tempo 322 (YJ07 VSY) reported in use on rail replacements with Rambler coaches.

Former Sixes Scania 688 is now in use with Connexions branded for the X1 Harrogate to Knaresborough route. it is seen here on its first day in service.
(C) David Russell

24th February 2021
Volvo 735 has moved from Sutton to Langley Mill, swapping places with Scania 654.

Versas 850/1 also now in Mango livery, but not in use / allocated yet. Volvos 746/7 are also currently being repainted.

17th February 2021
57 has been sold for preservation locally.

Versa 849 now in Mango livery and in use at Sutton.

58 left Meadow Rd for scrap last week.

E400 number 11 in the new notts + derby livery.
(C) Chris Gaskin

Yourbus, Nottingham

NEWS
YOURBUS ceased trading on Friday 4th october 2019

For a list of former vehicles, where they moved on to, and one or two photos see previous news pages. Last Months News

Last Months News

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