More from Transit Way

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1011 HF54HFR

1010 HF54HFY

Brightening the mood

Its nice to see yet another bit of Brighton & Hove back on our streets. I still miss the old Tridents which were firm favourites of mine. I missed the chance of catching this one on my first bus trip out since March as it didnt appear on the tracker so I caught the earlier bus for my appointment. It did at least give me 20 mins outside Tesco in the pouring rain to get some pictures…

1204 seen at Tesco Transit Way this week on the 51, at least one other was also on the route.

My own bus was this fine example looking good in full swoops

It does seem really odd catching buses under the new rules. Apart from the fact that wearing masks is horrible (but I did keep it on) it was very lonely. For much of my ride I was the only one on the top deck – but then when a young lady got on she had the choice of the whole top deck and yet still managed to sit less than two meters away!

The Londoner which didnt stay

With more ex Go-Ahead London buses due to arrive at Plymouth Citybus it seems a good time to have another look at one former GA London bus which didnt stay…

MAL112 BL57OXP August 2010

They were sadly not suitable for Plymouth but eventually this one along with others ended up with Go North East

©Ian Roberts May 2012 [Creative commons]

Social Media Highlights – selected posts from the last few days

#PCB33 Diversion Monday5th/Tuesday6th 0930-1530 buses will operate from town via Wolseley Rd-Henderson Pl- Royal Navy Ave-Moor View- Station Rd- Warliegh Ave-St Levan Rd-Saltash Rd-Admiralty St-Royal Navy Ave-Henderson Pl-Wolseley Rd to town. (see map for details) pic.twitter.com/ZPZpEYCy0H

— Plymouth Citybus (@plymouthbus) August 4, 2019

SERVICE 24 DIVERSION - From 05/08/19 - 16/08/19, we will be unable to serve Charlestown on Service 24 due to roadworks at Holmbush Arch Road. Please wait on the main A390 at Holmbush and near the ARC car wash. Service 25 is unaffected by this closure. (AK)

— Cornwall by Kernow (@by_Kernow) August 4, 2019

Just Landed at Milehouse

There is quite a tradition of buses from Oxford heading down to the South West for the summer holidays. For many years Thames Transit sent Brookes Bus Tridents to Exeter for example.

Its not just Stagecoach, as Go Ahead do the same with their coaches. I am sure this is not the first time we have had Oxford coaches on loan at Plymouth Citybus.

Currently here is Oxford 47 UF61OXF Plaxton Panther 2 bodied Scania. It is possible that one or two more may arrive.

© Jason Beverley - with thanks

Streetdeck Demo in service

Thanks to Richard Smith I can bring you a few pictures of the latest demo for Plymouth Citybus SN64CTU which is currently in service. Mostly appears to have been used on the 21 and 50 services so far.

Optare Demonstrator YJ57EHD

The second Optare demonstrator in Plymouth at the moment is this Solo SR which is the new version with the styling from the new Versa. Apparently there is a Versa around too!

Thanks again to Michael Dodd for the pic

Enviro 300 trial for Citybus

©Brian George - used with permission

I am very grateful to Brian George for supplying these first photos of the new Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 currently on loan to Plymouth Citybus.

Thanks!

Alexander Dennis

© Nick Rice

Thanks to Nick I can post this excellent night shot of Alexander-Dennis Enviro demonstrator which is currently on loan to Plymouth Citybus. It is belived to be staying for a while as work is carried out on the other three Enviros.

Evolution of the Bus

There's a new bus in town which has been noted by Nick Rice who reports:
Tracked down the First demo which was at work on the 7A today, its a MAN MCV Evolution reg AE06 OPG with the wording 'Demonstrator on loan to First' in the windscreen.

I have managed to track down a photo of this bus on Ben Morrolls Fotopic site here

Mercedes on loan

This plain white Mercedes Citaro is on loan to Plymouth Citybus at the moment. Its seen on the 43 which is the route used to trial new buese in Plymouth, although of course Citybus already has a fleet of these. I guess its to help cover warranty work on the other Citaros as often seems to happen with new buses these days?

Plymouth goes to Darlington

© Mark Harrington

Thanks to Mark Harrington for allowing me to post this photo of his. It shows one of the first generation minibuses to hit Plymouth - the Renault S56 which were purchased in bulk in 1986 and saw off many of the older double deckers. Shame! They started off in his bland livery too which didn't help one bit. The ride quality was really bad too. They didn't last too long and the Mercedes 709s which started to arrive in 1990 were a lot better, and there are still a fair few left in service today.
This picture is even more interesting as it was taken in Darlington in 1989. Presumably on loan to the local municipal bus company.


didbygraham

Borrowed dustbin lorries

Was suprised to see this Dennis Elite / Phoenix2 dustcart this morning. Tuesday morning is out normal refuse collection and today was also the 'green bin' day so I was expecting to see two Plymouth City Council dustcarts. In fact both duties were performed by WCR vehicles as VX55KMK had just gone up the hill when this one came down it. Not sure why PCC have to borrow dustcarts at the moment but it makes a nice change!
dbygraham

Target Travel

N94BNF and N95BNF are both on loan to First Devon & Cornwall at the moment and being used on various services. They don't even have any notices explaining they are on hire. This has already confused some passengers!

More secondhand buses

News of buses sitting at the Ride presumably for service with FDC. 31542 B115MSO is an Olympian from Aberdeen and another Hong Kong Dart 40957 S372SUX. Photos if and when I get to see them!
Also noted at the depot was Target Travel N94BNF which is confirmed as being on loan to First!