My travels with a Bus Pass

New Focus Transport blog

2011-05-20T09:34:00.002+01:00

VISIT OUR NEW FOCUS BLOG SITE

Our apologies that the main Focus website has not been updated regularly, but we have been working in the background to prepare a new section of the site that will deal with the regular postings, covering news items and other topical matters that need to be brought to your attention on a daily basis.
Our new Focus Blogger site www.focustransport2011.blogspot.com will be brought to you by the regular team of contributors and the Focus Flickr site www.flickr.com/photos/focus_on_flickr gives regular updates of photo collections relating to the current transport scene and also shows archive material from slides and prints that are relevant to various subjects under review.
Please bookmark these sites and visit them on a regular basis.
This main Focus Transport site www.focustransport.org.uk will remain in use to cover more in depth articles, reviews and interviews so continue to keep and eye on happenings here as well.
In the meantime we hope you enjoy visiting our three websites and if you have any contributions or comments we would be pleased to hear from you.

Bargain Bus update

2011-05-20T07:35:00.003+01:00

Links to timetables:

BB2: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/large-static/nottsbus/timetables/MIG2.htm

BB4: http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/large-static/nottsbus/timetables/MIG4.htm

Matlock and Buxton

2011-05-19T08:24:00.003+01:00

Way back in 1972 I worked for the Trent Motor Traction Company when it was announced that fellow NBC subsidiary the North Western Road Car Company of 2 Charles Street, Stockport was being broken up and that Trent were inheriting Matlock and Buxton depots. Somehow these two depots never really fitted into the Trent network which was centred on Nottingham and Derby. Matlock was a small town/rural operation and Buxton looked towards Manchester. Over the years all the rural services were withdrawn or replaced by tendered service run by other operators leaving Matlock with the 6.1 service from Bakewell to Derby via Matlock and Wirksworth and Buxton with a cross town local service, the 199 to Stockport and Manchester Airport and a share of the Transpeak Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, Derby, Nottingham service.

Yesterday it was announced that Centrebus subsidiary Bowers of Chapel-en-le-Frith who operate most of the tendered services in and around Buxton and trent barton have formed an exciting new bus company called High Peak. This will have the effect of partially recreating the old North Western company’s Buxton operations with services to Ashbourne, Macclesfield and Glossop.

However these kinds of changes are never straightforward as tb’s Derby depot operates some Transpeak journeys. TM Travel also have a number of tendered services running into Buxton and both TM Travel and trent barton are owned by the holding company Wellglade.

Which will be the dominant partner in High Peak? My guess is that it will be Centrebus as the new company is called ‘High Peak’ and not ‘high peak’.

Former North Western 921, an AEC Reliance on Buxton Market Place in March 1972.

New High Peak bus company

2011-05-18T18:42:00.004+01:00

http://www.buxtonadvertiser.co.uk/news/business/new_high_peak_bus_company_following_merger_1_3392526

Old Derby

2011-05-17T07:14:00.001+01:00

A few old Derby pictures on Flickr.

Leos Bus and Coach tours

2011-05-16T07:44:00.000+01:00

Leo's Bus & Coach Tours has now ceased all enthusiast based operations due to problems on recent trips.

However 'J.B. Tours' have agreed to provide the trips which we had planned over the next few months.

For those of you who are interested in future enthusiast based trips which they are running please visit: http://jb-tours.blogspot.com/

New buses for Spondon Flyer

2011-05-14T16:59:00.003+01:00

Four new Optare Versas entered service on the Spondon Flyer today. In the morning they were displayed on Derby Market Place. The guy in the centre is Ray Stenning, editor of Classic Bus, the guy on the left is Alex Hornby, trent barton's Commercial Director but I don't know who the lady is.

During the morning the service was operated by Wright bodied Scanias and ...

...this Optare Excel arrived back at 12:55 to be replaced by new Versa 808 for the 1:00 pm departure.

Kath boarding 808 on its first journey.

Bespoke interior.

This is the 2:00 pm departure by which time all four Versas were in service.
More pictures on Flickr.

News items

2011-05-13T20:04:00.003+01:00

The Competition Commission has issued its provional report which is riddled meaningless with acroynms like AEC. However Nottingham was used as a case study which may be of interest.
http://www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2010/localbus/pdf/app_nottingham_study.pdf

Tomorrow (Saturday) new Optare Versas are launched on the Spondon Flyer. This info from Trent Barton Live on facebook
'Come fly with us tomorrow at Derby Market Place! See our new spondon flyer buses from 10am, and then in the Bus Station from 12.45 and maiden flights after 1pm. Freebies galore with Mr MANGO and the team :)'
I think the first enters service at 13:00 (sorry 1:00 pm). I hope to publish some pictures tomorrow.

New door mat for Derby bus station http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/163-8-000-replace-doormats-troubled-bus-station-heavy-use-makes-trip-hazard/article-3547787-detail/article.html

A couple of weeks ago trent barton rerouted the Allestree service through the city centre. It now travels in a loop and doesn't call at the congested bus station. However not everyone agrees with this decision.
Protest in Allestree?
Call for watchdog.

Lichfield

2011-05-12T09:16:00.000+01:00

I'm glad I'm not a student.

Very similar to the buses I saw in Tallinn last week.

The former Midland Red service numbers 112 and X12 are still in use.

Gills Travel of Ilkeston

2011-05-11T07:15:00.001+01:00

Gills operate a half-hourly commercial service between Long Eaton and Sandiacre. The bus is a former NCT Optare MetroRider. The challenge now is to get a picture of this bus alongside the new Optare Versas on the common section of route with 'my 15'.
(Thanks for the correction Peter. I have made the necessary change.)

Former Silver Service number 4

2011-05-10T13:48:00.001+01:00

Number 4 now in the livery of Burtons Coaches of Alfreton at Crich on Easter Sunday.

Number 4

2011-05-09T07:00:00.000+01:00

My old friend Jim Jordan has sent me this picture of Silver Service number 4. Jim writes:

"A Silver Service Regal on the last day of trains through Rowsley until the restorers moved in. Is this No4? Bill Gardener bought their Q but I am not sure about the Regal."

What's going on?

2011-05-08T16:14:00.000+01:00

A few old pictures inclding this one have been published by Focus Transport.
Following on from my Soviet Union theme can anyone remember what is happening here or perhaps suggest a humerous caption? Here is a clue it was taken in Matlock before the days of 'health & safety'.

Swift

2011-05-07T07:40:00.002+01:00

On Monday 9th May trent barton's Swift between Derby and Uttoxeter is to be extended to Tesco in Uttoxeter and the Optare Excels to be replaced by refurbished Wright Eclipse bodied Volvos. (Perhaps the record temperatures in April have enabled the Swifts to fly early this year.)

The next upgrade will be to the Spondon Flyer the following Saturday, 14th May.

Tallinn Autobussjaam

2011-05-06T07:36:00.001+01:00

There is only one long distance train from Tallinn, the overnight sleeper to Moscow, so the coach station is quite busy.

There are several departures to St Petersburg - this was the 14:15.
I have also published some pictures of Tallin Trams.

Tallinn local buses

2011-05-05T07:16:00.001+01:00

In the Soviet Union local city transport was usually provided by trams and trolleybuses owned by the local authority. Buses were used for services to outer suburbs and the surrounding countryside and were separately owned and managed. I didn't see any former Soviet buses.

I suspect this bus is second hand.

There is a basement bus station under a new shopping centre. The bus is a familiar Polish built Scania.

The airport bus is operated by a different company but is integrated into the city network.

A selection of country buses near the railway station.

EU May 2011 - Tallinn

2011-05-04T05:19:00.001+01:00

There were 9 trolley bus routes in 1990 but one closed in 2000. The Soviet era Skodas are being replaced by Polish built Solaris.

USSR June 1990 - Tallinn

2011-05-03T06:20:00.000+01:00

Fewer bargains?

2011-05-02T07:20:00.001+01:00

I think Saturday was the last day of operation for Bargain Bus 4 from Nottingham Broadmarsh to Long Eaton via Stapleford. From Tuesday it will operate from Victoria bus station to Stapleford. I also understand that the 20 minute frequency on Bargain Bus 2 from Broadmarsh to Cotgrave will be reduced perhaps to hourly.

Thhe former Long Eaton terminus outside ASDA.

The Bargain Bus timetable has been removed at Broadmarsh.

Leaving Broadmarsh.

my 15's first day

2011-05-01T08:00:00.002+01:00

The 11:40 from Ilkeston to Old Sawley.

The 12:00 departure.

The interior is very orange. The digital clock thought the time was 20:25 (I'm surprised that tb hadn't specified an am/pm display).

In Long Eaton just after 12:30.

On our return in a completely different bus I saw two new Versas following each other through Stapleford but I wasn't quick enough to get a convincing photograph.. Traffic congestion and badly parked cars and vans plague this route and delays are common.
Focus on Flickr has more pictures of colourful Ilkeston taken on Thursday.

Sheffield in the rain

2011-04-30T07:40:00.001+01:00

Last saturday afternoon there was torrential rain and hail storm in Sheffield. I was in the city centre near Pond Street and Kath was in Hillsborough.

Happy birthday Hulleys

2011-04-29T08:53:00.001+01:00

Hulleys of Baslow are celebrating their 90th birthday today. For the majority of those 90 years their buses were painted red rather than today's blue. This picture was taken in March 1972 in Bakewell.

(I will be happy to publish a birthday picture RichardandKath@gmail.com any offers?

my 15

2011-04-28T13:40:00.003+01:00

Trent barton are introducing new Optare Versas on service 15 from Ilkeston to Sawley on Saturday. The timetable is unchanged but in future it will be known as 'my 15'. One of the new buses was on display on Ilkeston Market Place this morning.

Service 15 is currently operated by Wright bodied Volvos.

This picture of a Plaxton bodied Leopard was taken in Feb 1983 when buses terminating in Ilkeston used to park on the Market Place. The earliest reference I have seen to service 15 (Long Eaton to Ilkeston) is in June 1929.

Clay Cross bus station

2011-04-28T07:39:00.002+01:00

In Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire most tendered services are operated by small businesses and here are three examples. This TM Travel Solo is trying to tell us that it is on service 150 to Matlock via Alfreton.

A narrow Solo belonging to Hulleys of Baslow.

Finally a local bus belonging to G & J Holmes of Clay Cross. The Morrisons referred to is in Chesterfield.

Alfreton late afternoon

2011-04-27T18:27:00.002+01:00

These pictures were taken looking into the bright spring sun.

Derby Bus Station - July 2010

2010-07-17T07:41:00.005+01:00

The first three pictures show work in the street outside the bus station. Temporary bus stops are being removed and replaced by a taxi rank and blue badge parking (I think).

The last picture shows passengers queuing in the rain between the bus station doors and the bus door to get on their bus.

Clay Cross and Chesterfield

2010-07-06T18:17:00.002+01:00

TrentBarton still have some Dennis Darts in service. The Transpire web site has reported that service 241 may be upgraded shortly.

I understand that this Stagecoach bus was acquired with the business of Dennis Coaches of Manchester.

A former London bus now with TM Travel. It is unusual for TM buses not to have some form of destination blind.

A high tech experiment

2010-07-04T19:10:00.004+01:00

Today we tested the WiFi on the Red Arrow by trying to watch the Wimbledon final on the bus. It worked!

We caught the 13:40 from Ripley to Chesterfield and saw the start of the game before we lost the signal. We then went to Wetherspoons where there was a better signal and some nice beer that was slightly too cold. There was also a silent big screen TV so we had an analogue picture with slightly delayed sound from the computer.

We then caught the 16:20 back to Ripley. The signal was great near to Chesterfield but broke up on the more rural section to Clay Cross and between Clay Cross and Alfreton by which time the game was over.
To me it is amazing that I can nearly watch real time TV on a cheap 'toy computer' whilst travelling on a bus.
Finally having seen the warning on the BBC website does each Red Arrow need a TV licence?

Oh dear!

2010-07-01T20:42:00.004+01:00

A loose exhaust on the 11:05 9.3 from Derby.
(Thanks for the comment. I don't know why the pictures sometimes disappear. All I can do is reload them.)

Nottingham Broadmarsh 30/06/2010

2010-06-30T16:58:00.001+01:00

There have been some changes at Broadmarsh with a partition between the main waiting area and the buses.

Individual stopping bays have been marked out for the buses.

The two centre platforms are pretty much the same as they always were.

Sunday bus wars in Ripley

2010-06-27T21:44:00.001+01:00

Starting today TrentBarton have introduced hourly journeys on service 9.2 between Derby and Mansfield operating 5 mins in front of Stagecoach service 92.
The 5:45 pm southbound TrentBarton followed 5 minutes later by the 17:50 Stagecoach.

The 5:50 pm TrentBarton to Mansfield.

Finally the 17:55 Stagecoach to Mansfield had no passengers at all when waiting for time in Ripley.

Ripley & Chesterfield 3/6/2010 - TrentBarton

2010-06-04T10:37:00.002+01:00

Yesterday in the space of 5 minutes around 9:30 I saw four TrentBarton journeys operated by the wrong type of bus.

Service 90 is usually operated by Dennis Darts and the 1A is usually an Optare Solo.
The Sixes are usually route branded Scanias and The Red Arrow should be a route branded coach. I wonder if the Excel on RA was deliberate as we had about 10 standing passengers on arrival in Chesterfield.

Local buses at Wythall Museum

2010-06-01T12:38:00.005+01:00

One of the first Midland General Bristol VRs.
[left] In the early 1970s I made a small donation towards the purchase of this bus for preservation.

[below] Willowbrook bodied AEC Regal.

Former NCT Leyland National sales stand that I had seen at Crich the previous day.

Blue Bus Services operated an immaculate fleet - mostly Diamlers.

Newark 29/5/2010 - Marshalls, Premiere, Travel Wright, Stratford Blue (Stagecoach)

2010-05-29T16:47:00.001+01:00

Former TrentBarton Optare Excel.

This Routemaster belongs to Stagecoach company Midland Red (South) and was used on several local services to mark the closure of the bus station. I was issued with a zero value Setright ticket for my OAP pass. The last time I saw a Setright machine in use was in Ireland on the Lough Swilly service from Derry to Letterkenny.

Newark 29/5/2010 - CentreBus, KJB, Stagecoach, Travel Wright

2010-05-29T16:34:00.000+01:00

Newark Bus Station

2010-05-29T16:22:00.001+01:00

Newark bus station is closing today and the site is to redeveloped by Asda icluding a new bus station.

de Courcey - a disappointment

2010-05-23T17:42:00.001+01:00

I had been hoping for a ride on one of de Courcey's new double deckers or failing that as single deck coach as advertised.

Instead they sent a totally unsuitable service bus. Even I at five feet seven inches could only just get my knees between the seats. It arrived in Leicester 10 mins early but needed to cool down prior to the rigors of the M69.

Rugby 22/5/2010 - Stagecoach, Geoff Amos

2010-05-23T17:38:00.000+01:00

Leicester 22/5/2010 - Arriva, First, CentreBus and Kinch

2010-05-23T17:31:00.001+01:00

Thanks for your comment Martin. It will be interesting to see where former London bendy buses end up. I think that P+R and student services will be ideal. Don't forget the Craven bodied RTs and DMSes that ran happily in other towns after London had kicked them out.

Crich 20/5/2010 - YourBus

2010-05-21T07:47:00.001+01:00

I saw this bus at side of the road yesterday morning at 10:20. At first I thought it must have run off the road into the wall. I was in a hurry and couldn't stop to find out more.

Beware of Buses

2010-05-16T09:45:00.001+01:00

Kath thought that this was a statue of a Bus Inspector warning people to 'Beware of Buses'.

This is the first bus that I have seen advertising Free WiFi. I will have to take my toy computer for a ride from Leicester to Coventry one day. I suspect that the last time I did that was on a D9!

Ashbourne 13/5/2010 - TM Travel, Bowers, Glovers & Arriva

2010-05-13T20:51:00.003+01:00

Today I travelled on the scenic village bus service 111 from Matlock to Ashbourne with TM. This bus in unusual in having a manual gearbox.

Bowers, a Centrebus subsidiary, operate between Ashbourne and Buxton.

Glovers service 443 to Alstonefield runs on Thursdays only.

Finally Arriva operate service 409 to Uttoxeter.

All of these rural services are subsidised by Derbyshire or Staffordshire County Councils.

Mansfield 12/5/2010 - Stagecoach, Veolia and TrentBarton

2010-05-12T19:46:00.001+01:00

Examples of a newish Stagecoach decker (top) and an oldish one (bottom).

Does anyone know why Veolia buses have three legal owners?
Rainbow 3 must have TrentBarton's largest allocation of Optare Excels.

France

2010-05-07T09:37:00.001+01:00

Ownership of Transdev Yellow Buses is to be transferred to RATP the operator of Paris buses.

Derby bus station 5/5/2010

2010-05-05T20:08:00.004+01:00

Precision timing - one Red Arrow leaves for Nottingham just as the next arrives.
This Chesterfield bound Red Arrow was not so lucky as a Mickleover bus was blocking its stand so it pulled into the coach park.
The offending Mickleover bus swopping stands.

I think all the customers realised what was happening.
In answer to Peter's query, I don't know what happened to the pictures so have added additional copies.
With regard to NET and NCT, I don't think that they will be affected in the short term. Transdev and Veolia will merge and the new company will have a stake in NCT and NET. However Veolia as a UK bus operator is a complete mystery and 'basket case' to me so we have to hope that Transdev managers are allowed to continue their successful business and are not trashed by Veolia environmental's garbage trucks.

Derby 5/5/2010 - Notts & Derby

2010-05-05T19:51:00.000+01:00

Kath in Ashbourne 1/5/2010

2010-05-01T17:05:00.001+01:00

Kath went to Ashbourne today. TM's driver told her that there is a new timetable on service 411 to Matlock from tomorrow.

We didn't realise that Warrington's of Ilam had such a posh coach.

She was not impressed by this minibus and glad that she was going to Derby and not Macclesfield.

TM Travel 29/4/2010

2010-04-30T08:08:00.000+01:00

Ripley 28/10/2010 - TrentBarton

2010-04-28T16:33:00.000+01:00

Just a reminder that service 90 to Mansfield is still operated by red Dennis darts.
Bus and bicycle.

24/4/2010 Nottingham NCT

2010-04-24T19:20:00.000+01:00

Two pictures of today's buses.

Two pictures of next week's bus.

Nottingham and Radcliffe 23/4/2010 - YourBus and TrentBarton

2010-04-24T07:20:00.001+01:00

I saw this Diamond bus from the West Midlands on service 81 to Bulwell.

TrentBarton's new Solos on the Radcliffe Line. This was my first ride on a 10 registered bus and rather a contrast from Ukraine.

Who would have beleived it?

2010-04-22T13:23:00.001+01:00

When this picture of a Derby trolleybus was taken in the 1960s who would have beleived that 50 years later the bus service to Alvaston would be provided by a subsidiary of the German railways?

Ukrainian minibuses

2010-04-22T13:12:00.001+01:00

Minibuses are a vital part of public transport in Ukrainian towns and cities. In the Soviet Union trams and trolleybuses provided urban passenger transport along with bus services to smaller towns and villages. Over the past 20 years the tram and trolleybus networks have declined because of a chronic lack of investment and the minibuses have filled the void.

Odessa bus station

2010-04-10T19:47:00.004+01:00

Towns and cities in the former Soviet Union usually have a bus station in the suburbs and Odessa is no exception. This one is at the terminus of tram route 5.
Buses stop at the exit for forms to be completed.This one is an Ikarus.
Ukraine is the land of the minibus. This one is on an international service to Chisnau in Moldova passing through the breakaway republic of Transdinistria.

Obviously a former German owned Neoplan.

This Mercedes has Russian number plates and is bound for Volgograd which is a long way.

Finally a visitor from from Riga in Latvia.
For some pictures of the roads these buses have to negotiate see my tram blog - http://www.tramways.blogspot.com/

Derby and Long Eaton 2/4/2010

2010-04-05T10:14:00.002+01:00

Just for the record, here is a picture of the former temporary bus station offices which I assume will soon be removed.

There have been a number of adverse comments about the pedestrian approach to the bus station entrance and the lack a taxi rank on the same side of the road.

Arriva services to Mackworth (above) and TrentBarton services to Ripley and Heanor don't use the bus station.

Finally I had another ride on Gill's service from Sandiacre to Long Eaton. This time on one of their own buses which was equipped with a Wayfarer ticket machine.

Manchester 1/4/2010 - Haytons, Stagecoach, Finglands, Burnley & Pendle

2010-04-03T08:14:00.000+01:00

Derby bus station 29/3/2010 (2)

2010-03-30T06:55:00.001+01:00

These pictures show that there are a lot of buses moving around with conflicting paths. On the whole the bus station was working well but queues of buses do build up particularly on the hour. Another problem is late-running buses blocking stands causing the next bus to be delayed whilst it circles round. I saw one instance of two buses on the same stand (bottom picture).

Derby bus station 29/03/2010 (1)

2010-03-29T18:49:00.001+01:00

These pictures were taken on the first weekday afternoon. One or more white vans were parked in Bay 1 most of the time. I only saw two cars wander into the bus station - one by mistake but another deliberately.

Derby bus station open

2010-03-28T19:24:00.009+01:00

The formal opening ceremony was on Saturday 27th March and the long awaited new bus station came into use at 7:30 on Sunday 28th March. The first departure was reported to be a KinchBus Skylink. I arrived at 13:15 on the Red Arrow and took these pictures.

I am updating this sitting in a Red Arrow in the new bus station. I forgot to bring the camera lead so I will add some more pictures this evening.

Poland

2010-03-28T08:42:00.003+01:00

I have just spent a few days in Poland.
This yellow Hungarian built Ikarus must be about 20 years old as production ceased in 1991.
The following three pictures are of modern Polish built buses in Krakow.

Thanks for your comments Peter. I have added this picture of an Ikarus in Katowice bus station which claims to have Voith automatic transmission. When built most of this type of bus had heavy looking manual transmission.
Ikarus bus manufacturing and Tatra trams didn't survive the shock of the loss of their markets in the former Soviet Union and both no longer manufacture vehicles.
I have just looked up Jelcz and they went out of production in 2008 with the last bus being supplied to MPK Krakow.
Solaris started as Neoplan Polska in 1994 and produced its own first design in 1999. Solaris have been successful and sold motor buses to Berlin and trolleybuses to Rome. I have ridden on a tri-axle bus in Riga and a trolleybus in Rome and was impressed by both of them. It is a pity they are not imported into the UK.

Long Eaton 17/3/2010 - Littles on hire to Gills

2010-03-17T17:26:00.002Z

I learned a bit more about Gills today. They have three buses but two are going for MOTs tomorrow so they have hired this Optare Metrorider from Littles. The service operates every 30 minutes between Sandiacre and Long Eaton. The young lady driving stopped all stops where people were waiting with a friendly 'Hello Duck'. If you click on the top picture to enlarge it, you can see a simple duplicate book instead of a complicated ticket machine.

The bus it self is ex ~~TrentBarton~~ NCT (thanks Peter).

Sandiacre 17/3/2010 - TrentBarton

2010-03-17T17:20:00.001Z

Erewash Council's own van blocking access to a magnificent brick built bus shelter. Perhaps the van driver believed the Star Trak system which states the bus won't be here for another 3 minutes.

Crich 16/3/2010 - YourCity

2010-03-16T13:55:00.000Z

Crich is a Derbyshire village which seems have delusions of grandeur. In heyday of CB radio it was called Tram Town and now it has a city bus service.

Hucknall and Nottingham 12/3/2010 - TrentBarton, NCT, NET (tram)

2010-03-14T07:51:00.001Z

Trent Barton operate two connecting services with the trams at Hucknall.

The Lacemarket is one of the few places where trams and buses share the same street.

Veolia operate a connecting service to Ilkeston from Phoenix Park.

Long Eaton 11/3/2010 - Gills, Doyles, Notts&Derby

2010-03-12T17:55:00.002Z

I don't know anthing about Gills who are running a half hourly service number 8 to Sandiacre commercially. I don't think the driver of the second bus was very keen on having her photograph taken. I must return to Long Eaton for a ride on this servce.

I didn't realise that Doyles from Alfreton operated this tendered service.
This Notts&Derby bus had been left with its engine running and the driver was nowhere in sight.

Derby 11/3/2010 - TrentBarton

2010-03-11T17:11:00.001Z

Street loading in Full Street will soon be a thing of the past. National Express (left) and TrentBarton's Sixes and Allestrees will transfer to the new bus station. The Notts&Derby operated Shopper Hopper (rear) is being withdrawn.
The Villagers will also move from Albert St to the bus station.

The Harlequin will continue to turn round in Gower Street.
Dennis Dart's don't usually run on the Spondon Flyer which will also move to the bus station.

Alfreton 9/3/2010 - Doyles, TrentBarton, Stagecoach, TM Travel

2010-03-09T13:45:00.001Z

I'm sorry I haven't updated this blog recently. I must get out more often.
Both these two buses are going to Nottingham with different levels of comfort and ambiance.
Stagecoach sent a great big double decker from Mansfield. They needn't have bothered as all the customers rode downstairs.
A slightly shabby TM Solo going to Matlock.

Nottingham 25/2/2010 - Dunn Motor Traction

2010-02-25T17:28:00.004Z

Dunn Motor Traction started a competing service with NCT's 36 to Chilwell via QMC and Beeston. It uses the same stops and operates every 20 mins at 15, 35 and 55 from Milton St.

The buses used are Wright bodied low floor Scanias with Irish registrations to disguise their age which is said to be about 15 years. The orange fronts are almost exactly the same shade as used by NCT. The single leaf door is unusual.
The single fare of £1.20 undercut's NCT's £1.50 and the special £1.00 fare for students and nurses reminds you that the 36 passes both a major hospital and a university.

The buses and the PIDs at key stops display service number Y36 but the printed timetables use 36. The interiors are bright with retrimmed seats and route branding but they are competing with much newer buses.

Alfreton 23/2/2010 - Doyles, YourBus and TrentBarton, Stagecoach, TM Travel

2010-02-23T14:02:00.001Z

Blackwood 20/2/2010 - Rail Linc, Super Shuttle, Islwyn, Stagecoach

2010-02-23T13:37:00.002Z

A selection of buses leaving Blackwood bus station.
There are a number of Rail Linc services in South Wales for the exclusive use of rail passengers. This one is operated by Clarkes Coaches.
Harris Coaches operate a number of local services in competition with Islwyn Borough Transport.
IBT were taken over by Stagecoach on 12/1/2010.

Service 151 to Newport operates every 10 minutes.

Blackwood 20/2/2010 - Islwyn Bourough Transport

2010-02-23T08:02:00.000Z

Stagecoach recently acquired IBT which was the last of the small council owned bus fleets in the Valleys.

Aberdare 20/2/2010 - Stagecoach

2010-02-23T07:52:00.001Z

Aberdare UDC, later Cynon Valley, buses were acquired by Stagecoach who now operate a network of local services with Optare Solos.

I think this poster is rather frightening.

Aberdare 20/2/2010 - Veolia, Glamorgan Bus and a mystery

2010-02-22T07:38:00.001Z

This Merc had both Veolia and Dunn Line as the legal owners.

I know nothing about Glamorgan Buses.
A mystery bus with no legal owner's name, fleetname or destination.

Rather shabby for an 07 registered bus.

Swansea 19/2/2010

2010-02-21T12:33:00.001Z

Swansea and Derby have something in common - both have bus stations closed for reconstruction with buses loading in the streets.

Most bus services are operated by First but there are few Veolia contracts.

Finally service 36 was mostly operated by First buses branded for services 82/82A.

Swansea 19/2/2010 - ftr?

2010-02-21T09:48:00.000Z

During one day I saw two conventional buses operating ftr journeys.

Swansea 19/2/2010 - ftr

2010-02-20T18:19:00.001Z

Service 4 between Morriston Hospital in the north and Swansea University in the south is operated by articulated ftr buses and known as 'Metro'. In the evenings and on Sundays conventional buses are used.
The Metro stops (stations) all have high kerbs which are good for passengers and a hazard for parked cars. However the buses don't always bother drawing forward to the stops.

The two-way bus lane through the city centre is shared with conventional buses, taxis, hire cars and white vans. The interior layout is different, both doors are used for boarding and alighting and the conductors were unfailingly polite and helpful. We were surprised by the lack of real time information both at the stops and on board the buses.

Walsall 16/2/2010 - West Midlands part of National Express

2010-02-17T07:42:00.001Z

Two examples of the current National Express livery.

I have never seen a bus going to 'NOW AVAILABLE' before. Where is it?
A feature of Midland Red single deckers fifty years ago was a 'have you forgotton anything' notice near to the door.

Walsall 16/2/2010 - Rotala, Liyell, Thandi

2010-02-16T18:24:00.003Z

Black Diamond and Central Connect are both part of the Rotala group which claims to be the second largest bus operator in the West Midlands.
'Midland' is a trading name used D&G subsidiary Liyell Ltd formerly known as Choice Travel.
I'm not sure of the relationship, if any, between Thandi Executive and Thandi Coaches that used to call in Derby enroute from Southall to Bradford.

Loughborough 13/2/2010 - Kinchbus, Centrebus, Paul S Winson, Arriva and Thurmaston Bus

2010-02-14T08:25:00.004Z

Loughborough is a town of many bus operators.
Kinchbus, a Wellglade subsidiary, operate the local town services commercially. Centrebus from Leicester run some tendered services.

Paul S Winson operates at least two routes and Arriva have the trunk route from Leicester to Shepshed. I can't remember seeing a service bus with air horns on roof before.

Thurmaston Bus operate a tendered service to Leicester on Saturdays only.
Veolia have a service number 8 to Grantham via melton Mowbray.
Finally there are three commercial services to Nottingham:
1 South Notts (NCT) via Gotham every 30 mins
X99 Premiere via Bunny every 30 mins
Indigo TrentBaton via EMA and Long Eaton hourly.

Premiere 13/2/2010

2010-02-13T16:53:00.002Z

Today we caught the 10:30 service 65 from Nottingham to Normanton on Soar. It left on time but was 2 or 3 minutes early leaving all stops after the QMC arriving 2 minutes early. We were the only passengers most of the time but the driver said it was busier on weekdays. It was modern, clean and well presented little bus but rather noisy. The picutres are at Normanton and Kegworth.

In the afternoon we caught the 14:35 service X9 from Loughborough to Nottingham. This was a former NCT Scania tri-axle. I thought it rode smoothly and it was on time through the villages arriving in Broadmarsh 1 minute early. Both pictures are in Loughborough.
I was surprised that neither TrentBarton nor NCT were interested in this route when Arriva withdrew the 99.

Ripley, Derby, Matlock 11/2/2010 - TrentBarton, Notts & Derby

2010-02-11T18:55:00.001Z

A cold but sunny day.
Modern destinations are difficult to read in the winter sun. Compare the Solo with the traditional blind on the Excel. Both could do with a clean.

This decker had arrived on a 17A from Darley Abbey and was about to set out on as a 17 to Duffield with one elderly lady. For me a nostalgia scene - the former North Western garage at Matlock.

Midland Classic 6/2/2010

2010-02-07T08:13:00.002Z

Yesterday we went to Burton on Trent and I took a ride to Swadlincote on Midland Classic.
Two ex TrentBarton Dennis Darts were operating on service 9. 917 operated the 11:20 from Burton to Ashby which was 6 mins late from Burton and 4 mins down arriving in Swad.

I saw three newish Wright bodied buses on service 21. The 12:10 from Swad to Burton was on time but arrived 2 minutes early.

TM Travel journey - 4/2/2010

2010-02-05T13:42:00.002Z

Yesterday I rode from Chesterfield to Sheffield on service 293 and then from Sheffield to Eckington on service 252.
The 10:49 293 left Chesterfield 7 minutes late with the driver appologising that he had never driven on this route before. He relied on passengers to point out the stops and to tell him the route until we reached Millhouses. To add to the delays the bus failed at a stop in Bradway. The driver could not engage the gears. He tried the obvious things and then rang the depot. They advised him to turn off the engine, check that the engine compartment and all doors were closed and try again after a few minutes. This he did and off we went arriving in Sheffield at 12:28 - 23 mins late.

The 13:14 from Sheffield to Eckington was on time throughout and I was pleased to rideon a familiar Dennis Dart. My only comment is that the interior is rather bleak without any posters.

More TM fleet numbers - 4/2/2010

2010-02-05T13:27:00.001Z

All of these buses have fleet numbers except the last one.

Where is this bus going? The lady in black was trying to find out.

I wonder if this bus will be painted green and transferred to Dove Holes.

TM Travel fleet numbers 4/2/2010

2010-02-05T09:17:00.001Z

All the TM buses in these pictures now carry four digit fleet numbers although you have to look very closely on the two single deckers where white figures have been applied to a cream background.

4/2/2010 - Dennis Darts

2010-02-05T08:56:00.002Z

Service 90 between Ripley and Mansfield is one of the last TrentBarton routes to be operated by Dennis Darts. (949 on the 9:30 departure from Ripley).
TM Travel have acquired two of these buses recently. (921 about to leave Eckington at 14:36 for Sheffield).

Belper 3/2/2010 - TM Travel & TrentBarton

2010-02-05T07:47:00.002Z

TM 1158 departing as the 20:08 service 138 to Kilburn.

Parked for the night in Belper garage.

Look very carefully down this row of four buses parked in the old entrance to Belper garage and you can see TM Solo 1141 and the preserved PD3. I understand that a TM bus operating on service 411 between Matlock and Ashbourne will be out stationed in Belper on a regular basis. The question is where next? Matlock, Dove Holes or Sutton must be candidates.

The Big Bus Company - London and Dubai

2010-02-02T08:12:00.000Z

London 30/1/2010 - whos who

2010-02-01T07:50:00.004Z

Fifty years ago London buses were standardised with RTs everywhere. Now there is a great variety of operators and vehicle types.

The pictures on the last three posts were owned by the following operators:
WHY 2 & MAL72 - Go Ahead (a British company)
RM1735 - First Group (a British Company)
RM1968 & 18479 - East London (owned by an Australian bank)
9492 - Abellio (owned by the Netherlands railways)
SP 155 - Transdev (a French company)
MA 124 & VLA 146 - Arriva (a British company)

London 30/1/2010 - Busy 15s

2010-01-31T09:50:00.000Z

The first two pictures were taken at the Tower of London where visitors from Euroland were not familiar with our quaint habits of forming an orderly queue at bus stops. Similarly there were 4 adults and 2 children standing upstairs!

London 30/1/2010 - Hybrid bus and a Routemaster

2010-01-31T07:50:00.000Z

East Midlands Trains had a special offer yesterday so we went to London. I wanted to see the hybrid buses on route 360 from Elephant & castle to the Albert Hall. However most of the buses on the 360 were Dennis Darts and I only saw 2 hybrids.

Loading at Vauxhall bus station and interior view from the rather cramped and noisy back seat.

Arriving at the Albert Hall and lay over at the rear of the Albert Hall.

These hybrid buses have an electric drive system and a diesel generator and also regenerative braking. When the generator was not running it was similar to a modern trolleybus but on my journey, mostly in traffic on level ground, the generator at the back was running most of the time. The bus accelerated well and the braking was smooth.
I took the picture of the Routemaster because RMs replaced most of the London trolleybuses. Will hybrids replace conventional diesels?

Mansfield 29/1/2010 - National Express, TM Travel, Veolia, Midland General

2010-01-29T18:19:00.000Z

The National Express driver could only just reach the top of his mirror to clean it.
A TM Tesco bus displaying its new fleet number 1190.
Veolia arriving - the bright sun was a hazard for drivers and photographers.
A non standard Wellglade bus using the Midland General fleetname.

Nottingham (Friar Lane) 28/1/2010 - TrentBarton and Premiere

2010-01-28T16:14:00.000Z

Premiere seem to be expanding with a mix of tendered and commercial services. The 'X1' or 'Red1' now runs every 15 minutes between Nottm and Bingham in competition with TrentBarton departing from the same stop.

Nottingham (Milton St) 28/1/2010 - NCT and YourBus

2010-01-28T16:00:00.000Z

Three pictures of typical NCT buses in the bright winter sun. The city terminus for YourBus service 81 has moved to Milton St. Today I saw a Wright bodied Volvo as used on the Crich services and this double decker.

Derby Bus Station - in and out

2010-01-25T11:22:00.000Z

The third way in to the new bus station is to turn right from The Moreledge.
The exit is at the river end and buses going over the inner ring road bridge simply turn left but others turning right get mixed in with cars for the multi-story car park and inbound buses as can be seen from pictures 2 and 3. I think that it will be better if this road is widened to have three lanes: buses in; buses out; cars.

Derby Bus Station - entrance

2010-01-25T07:48:00.000Z

The entrance area seemed congested with inbound buses having to wait until a reversing outbound bus cleared the space. The inbound bus then has to swing accross the same area. The entrance from The Moreledge is much easier.

Derby Bus Station - a glimpse of the future

2010-01-25T07:35:00.000Z

On Sunday morning the new bus station was tested by TrentBarton, Arriva and Felix buses.

October 1986 - Deregulation!

2010-01-24T15:46:00.000Z

Way back in 1985 the local bus services from Derby to Ripley and Alfreton were operated by Trent. Weekday services continued to be operated by Trent but other operators won tenders for Sunday work.
The August 1985 timetable shows:
243 Derby - Ripley - Leabrooks - Alfreton - Mansfield (hourly on Sundays)
244 Derby - Ripley - Alfreton - Chesterfield (hourly on Sundays).
Deregulation in October 1986 changed everything:
243 Derby - Ripley - Leabrooks - Alfreton - Mansfield operated by East Midland until 14:30 and then Trent (hourly)
245/246 Derby - Ripley - Leabrooks - Alfreton - Chesterfield operated by Maun International (hourly)
248 Ripley - Alfreton - Chesterfield operated by Chesterfield Corporation (hourly)
In May 1987 things changed again:
243 Derby - Ripley - Leabrooks - Alfreton - Mansfield operated by East Midland until 13:25 and then Trent (hourly)
244 Ripley - Alfreton - Chesterfield operated by Chesterfield Corporation (hourly)
This pattern of services continued until 1990. By May 1993 East Midland were operating all of the 243.

The Sevens

2010-01-24T15:33:00.000Z

The first bus to arrive in Derby on service 7.1 (formerly service 71). Stagecoach still run hourly on Sunday service 92 to Mansfield although the daytime journeys are not shown in the new TrentBarton leaflet.

Sunday buses on service 9.1

2010-01-24T13:00:00.000Z

For the first time since October 1986 TrentBarton are running buses from Mansfield to Derby via Alfreton and Ripley on Sunday mornings. The pictures show the first bus arriving in Ripley at 9:20 and then on arrival in Derby. The last picture is the 11:50 arrival in Derby.