The Regent V News

A site dedicated to news and information on the buses of the United Kingdom, if you have any information, please do let us know at regentfive@zoom.co.uk 

20th February 2000
Metrobus have taken over operation of Route TL1 (West Croydon- Wimbledon) as from the weekend.  The vehicles allocated are 322, 326, 327, 328 & 329 with 324 and 325 as spares. These replace Arriva's operation, but this service will only run until the start of Tramlink which is rumoured to possibly start at Easter.

It has been noted  that Stagecoach Manchester's  Mercedes/Alexander Sprint's 512-5/7 (N656-9/61 VSS) are to be transferred to Stagecoach Oxford.

IOM Transport Dennis Dominators 49 & 53 (CMN 49T/53T)- Ex Hull -  have left the Island, while Dominator 50 (CMN 50T) has been withdrawn as it was badly vandalized The last of the 9 metre Darts 4 (CMN 104L) is undergoing mechanical repairs and is then expected to go to Ensignbus.

Stagecoach Devon have acquired S22-7 (J822-7 HMC) Scania/Alexander from Stagecoach East London. These are being rebuilt to convertible open top for Bayline services and they will be numbered 922-7 and will be CO47/31F. While Stagecoach East London S28-S31 have been transferred to Stagecoach East Kent as their 7728-31, and at least two have already been noted in service. 

After speculation Metroline was sold on 18th February to Delgo of Singapore for £73.8 million.

14th February 2000
The following vehicles are on order for some of the Blazefield Group subsidiaries:
         Harrogate & District               14 Volvo B6BLE/Wright & 5 Volvo BIOBLE/Wt
         Yorkshire Coastliner                7 Volvo Olympian/Alexander

First Bus subsidiaries report new deliveries, with First Bristol having new Dart SLF 1732-8 (V732-8FAE) entering service this week in standard "Barbie" and also taking delivery of 4 Tridents 9702-4/8 (V702-4/8FFB )in a new Park and Ride blue livery. First Bradford have taken delivery of  Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown (B41F) 1059-1064(V759/60/21/62-4 UVY). Additionally First Northampton have 362 - 364 (V362-4CNH). Scania L94UB/Wright B-F.

It is confirmed that the ex-First Centrewest Darts which are now with First Eastern Counties 365(JDZ2398), 366(KDZ5101), 367(JDZ2390), 368(JDZ2399), 369( JDZ2392),370 (JDZ2396) and 371 (KDZ5102)

Stagecoach East London have started to cascade Volvo Olympians to Stagecoach Cambus, initially VN9-15/21/2 have been reported. It is expected that the batch VN6-26 will be transferred and will be numbered 606-26 (P806-26GMU).

It is reported that all Bristol VRs in the Stagecoach Cambus/Viscount fleet have been now withdrawn, the last five being 760/79/80/90/96 and reportedly sold to Rapsons, Scotland.

Three AN68s at Plymouth Citybus are to undergo modifications to Open Top status and will be used for Guide Friday tours in Plymouth. They are understood to be 159-61 (ODV 203W, ATK 160-61W).

5th February 2000
It is reported that First Bradford have started to receive Volvo B10BLE with Wright Renown bodies, 1059-1073 (V759-773JVY) is standard "Barbie" livery. 

More ex Greater Manchester North Leyland Atlanteans with Northern Counties bodies have moved across the Pennines to First York, the details are 6463-5 (SND471/4/98X)

It has been suggested that Reading Mainline Routemaster route A will be withdrawn on the 19th February. Additionally, it is expected the remaining Routemasters may be finally withdrawn by the end of the year. Supplementary to this, it is reported that Cardiff Optare Excels 201-15 (R201-15DKG) new in 1997, are to be acquired, partly to replace Routemasters and for fleet renewal.

Inter company transfers see First Eastern National Mercedes 709D, with Reeve Burgess bodywork H336/9/41/4 LJN, H377/81/9 OHK being moved to First Eastern Counties.

Go Ahead subsidiary Metrobus are acquiring ten Dennis Darts from Isle of Man Transport, the first one has already been noted in Metrobus livery. Ironically these vehicles were in-part replaced by the ex-Stagecoach Olympians on the island. 

1st February 2000
All 27 Connex Tridents have been noted in their depot at Beddington Cross - so they should be all available from the start of the contract on Saturday, 5th February.

London Centrals Camberwell and Peckham garages are placing AVLs into service on routes 45 and 63 before the official start on Monday.

Trent are disposing of its batch of  Metroriders to Yorkshire Traction over the coming months to replace time expired vehicles. The vehicles are expected to be Trent fleet numbers 201 through 241.

Stagecoach Hartlepool have acquired eight Alexander-bodied Dennis Darts from Stagecoach East London , so far noted are 473-6 (N302/3/1/5 AMC) - former East London DAL2/3/1/5

It is also reported that Stagecoach Hull Mercedes 811Ds 303 (HDZ 2603) and 321 (F621 XMS) have been repainted overall blue i.e. Magic Bus style and sign written as "Bransholme Buggys". Both these vehicles started life in London. - thanks to web page "Cleveland Transit" news page http://travel.to/ctnew for this information.

News has come that ex Londonlinks/Maidstone Boroline Volvo Citybuses (F111/114 TML) have been converted to single door and both are now in Arriva livery in the fleet of Arriva Fox County

Metrobus subsidiary Southlands Travel have acquired four fellow Go Northern subsidiary London Central Titans to augment their ex-Arriva Atlanteans  for schools and rail replacement work. Although noted at Southlands base of Swanley garage in red, it is expected that they will be repainted in the standard livery. Details of registration numbers are not yet known.

28th January 2000
London Central's AVL20 was noted in service on route 63 on Friday 28th January. It is intended, however, that route 45 will benefit from them first starting on 7th February, followed by route 63.

Connex Bus - Trident/Alexander ALX400s V301-319 & 322 KGW all so far have been noted at Dennis' in recent weeks. They commence work on route 3 on 5th February.

It is hoped that London United's  first five Volvo B7L/Alexander ALX400s were due to be delivered this week, the first three at least for Shepherds Bush; after training is completed they will be on the 220, no date has been given for a start date.

Southern Vectis have taken delivery of 2 DT class Dennis Dart/Duples from London United. They are painted in a white/yellow livery with route branding for service 10 (Ryde-Tesco) and the name "Ryde Runner" is carried. They are confirmed to be G516YVE and G526YVE, which were London United  DT16 and DT26.

It is confirmed that the purchase of the Ambermile/K-Line/Taylors Group has been completed by Arriva Yorkshire, and will continue run it as a  separate entity. 

24th January 2000
Following weeks of speculation Arriva have purchased MTL Holdings. No further details on how they are going to integrate their existing operations in the North West with MTLs operations have been published.

Another take over, Optare have been purchased by the same holding company that owns Ikarus, the Hungarian bus manufacturer.

21st January 2000
It has been announced that First York has acquired York Pullman and its depot. 

London United has also sold its Airbus operation, now only comprising of the Airbus route A2 and 19 Volvo Olympians with Royale Alexander bodies, to National Express, who it is assumed will incorporate it into their Airlinks subsidiary , based at Armadale Road, Feltham. The transfer will occur on the 5th February. 

A number of Stagecoach Busways Dennis Darts have been cascaded to Stagecoach Cambus, details so far are:-
325 K707PCN
326 K708PCN
327 M771DRG
328 N772RVK
329 N774RVK
330 N775RVK
331 N776RVK
344 L754VNL
347 L757VNL
348 L758VNL

A new batch of Darts have been put into service by Halton, numbered 12-14(V993-995 LLG) they are Dennis Dart SLF with Marshall bodywork Thamesdown have also placed a batch of Darts into service, and they 187-91 (V187-91 EAM) Dennis Dart SPD with Plaxton bodywork.

Stagecoach Cheltenham & Gloucester are putting cascaded Busways Olympians with Alexander bodywork into service, noted so far are 130 (C610LFT),131 (C659LFT),132 (C650LFT) and 134 (C624LFT)

17th January 2000 
News has reached us that Stagecoach's subsidiary Circle Line has been closed - no further details have been received on the future of its vehicles. 

11th January 2000 
Ten ex-London General DWs are now entering service with fellow Go Northern subsidiary Wycombe Bus,  but we don't have the fleet numbers or registrations.

All of theBlue Triangle Lynxes have been identified, they are ex Arriva Cymru E34 EVW, E677/8 ECU, E967/8 PME and ex Travel West Midlands F75,F77,F78 DDA.

Chester have received a batch of new Darts - they are fleet numbers 368-374, V368-374 KLG,  Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall B37F

It is report that Stagecoach South have had three ex Hong Kong Darts delivered, HK Numbers are 1402(GM 6631), 1418 (GM 4964) and 1417 (GM 7642).

9th January 2000 
More ex-Hong Kong Darts are reported with Stagecoach Devon General,733 N733XDV,735 N735XDV and 736 N736XDV. They are expected to be used on operations from Torquay.

The Mercedes Minibuses from First Centrewest, MM 1-10, N5217 REW, P488-90 CEG, are now First Leicester 721-730 

The 12 recently acquired Selkent Olympians have received the following IOM Fleet and Registration Nos:-

3 EMN 203U Ex L80
4 EMN 204U Ex L51
5 EMN 205U Ex L57
6 EMN 206U Ex L60
7 EMN 207U Ex L61
8 EMN 208U Ex L67
9 EMN 209U Ex L69
10 EMN 210U Ex L70
11 EMN 211U Ex L71
12 EMN 212U Ex L72
13 EMN 213U Ex L73
44 MAN 44U Ex L105
They are replacing Darts which are being advertised for sale at Ensigns. 

9th January 2000 
More London tenders have been announced - 208 retained by Stagecoach Selkent (to use 22 low floor double deckers), 227 by Stagecoach Selkent also, but using 11 low floor single deckers, and 286 by Arriva Kent Thameside using 13 low floor single deckers. 

A recent report has given an up to date list of vehicles alleged to be on order for London companies

ARRIVA London                                         40 DAF SB120s/Wright Cadet 
ARRIVA Shires / ARRIVA Southend           37 Dennis Tridents/Alexander ALX 400 
ARRIVA Southern Counties                        Nothing but refurbished London Metrobuses. 
Connex Bus                                                30 Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX400
First CentreWest / Capital                         43 Dennis Tridents/Plaxton President - for Route 207
                                                                    80 Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital
London General / London Central             127 Volvo B7Ls/Plaxton President (for routes 37, 77, 77A & 270)
                                                                    13 Dennis Tridents/Plaxton President (for route 88)
                                                                    45 Volvo B7Ls/Alexander ALX 400 (for routes 45, 63 and Sunday 12. 
London United / Westlink                           45 Volvo B7Ls/Alexander ALX 400 (for routes 71 & 111)
                                                                    45 Volvo B7Ls/Plaxton President (for routes 337 & H)
Metroline:                                                    Metroline have, it is believed to have signed an intention to purchase 300 Dennis Tridents.
Stagecoach East London / Selkent             More Dennis Trident/Alexander ALX 400 have been purchased.

9th January 2000 
For VR fans, here is the up to allocation of VRs with First Southern National

8th January 2000 
Bumper crop of news following a weeks holiday

London Central AVL 2-9,11/3 have been noted at Volvos at Beddington, booked registrations are  V101LGC,etc (except AVL 11 which is V211LGC). The order of conversion is understood to have been swapped,  the first route should now be the 45, with the 63 following. London United Dart SLF/Plaxtons DPS 1-16 now all at Shepherds Bush (route 72,etc).Several DRs moved from S to Fulwell, replacing most remaining DTs which are being disposed of, and are turning up with new owners all over the country

Warners, Tewkesbury have ex-London United DT8 (G508VYE) has been registered.RIL9776. Other DTs that they have, DT44 & DT77, await  to be re-registered.

Arriva Yorkshire has 20 Volvo B7LT/Alexander AX400's on order for Castleford depot for use on the new East Leeds guided busway.

1st January 2000 
Millennium Dome services M1 & M2 commenced on 1 January as planned using London Central MD 1-17 (V1-17 GMT) DAF SB220/EL Myllennium B33D. However the guided busway is not yet in use, and the vehicles use normal roads. 

Emergency standby services for the Dome (to replace the Jubilee Line service if necessary) are being provided by Thorpes using ten ex London United refurbished Leyland Nationals, and by Blue Triangle with eight Leyland Lynxes. All are usually parked in a special secure compound at North Greenwich.

London Coaches is supplying all-white Darts for a park and ride service between Woolwich and the Dome supplied from Arriva stock. reported to be the  ones previously used on the special Heathrow shuttle prior to its completion. 

31st December 1999
Surrey County Council has awarded the following tenders which take effect from 22nd January -  293 (Morden-Epsom) to London General,  408(Sutton-Epsom-Cobham) to Epsom Buses - this will be linked with (and replace) the existing 562 (Epsom-Cobham).   

29th December 1999
East Midland and Chesterfield are gathering ex-Stagecoach London vehicles. Seen so far are N416/9/21/4/6/7 MBW and K113/5/6SRH. The Beaver bodied versions are expected for Chesterfield and are still in LT red.

28th December 1999
London Centrals Spectra, SP17, has been seen operating Go Northern route 723, freshly repainted into the red and blue livery. It is also reported that the rear number box has been paneled over.

20th December 1999
Tendering awards from LT Buses announced this week will see the transfer of routes 200 & 201 from London General to Mitcham Belle - no date has been given yet.

Arriva.North West have acquired Nova Scotia in Manchester recently. 

Following delivery of new vehicles, there are only two Lynx in service with Travel Dundee, and they are 305/8 (G105/58EOG). Withdrawal is immanent.

During re-certification work on their East Lancs bodied Scanias Brighton and Hove have the following vehicles on loan, Nottingham Scania with East Lancs L351MRR(351) and 
Scania Coach Sales Scania with Wright Axcess S350SET.

Two more ex Selkent Leyland Olympian / ECW delivered to Isle of Man Transport are L61 and L105.

More London Centrals B7L's have been noted at Beddington, they are AVL2-6.

Stagecoach Fife Buses have acquired a further Dennis Dart with Alexander bodywork originally in London, N308AMC is now in Stagecoach stripes and allocated number 684.

All of the ex London & Country Dennis Arrows 501-510 have now entered service with Arriva Yorkshire after protracted delivery and repainting, 

19th December 1999
Seamarks of Luton have now been taken over by Dunn Line of Nottingham. 

15th December 1999

Ex London Central Darts with Wright bodywork, DW class, have been completely refurbished by Brighton and Hove prior to re-introduction to service. 

Further Darts with Alexander bodywork from Stagecoach East London, the DAL class, are being replaced and sent on to other Stagecoach subsidiaries. At the moment Grimsby seems to one recipient but this will probably change in due course. 

Twelve ex-Stagecoach Selkent L class Olympians have been sold via Ensign to Isle Of Man Transport. Delivery dates are unknown at this stage. As further TAs are being introduced into service in Selkent, L's are being stockpiled for disposal. Ironically, despite London Central and Selkent disposing of its L's, Arriva South London are undertaking major refurbishment of its L's both internally and externally, and are having new Voith 3 gearboxes installed. This is for continued operation on London Buses tendered bus work.

Ensignbus has sold its bus routes to Town & Country, along with most of the vehicles to operate them. It is understood that Ensignbus will retain only a few historic buses.

There are reports of Harris of Grays going into receivership. Although still operating, plans are being made for other operators to take on their work in the London Area. Unofficial reports state that Stagecoach Selkent will take on the work south of the Thames, but no name for the north Thames routes has been forthcoming.

First edition, bringing you up to date news from news groups, press and publicity for all aspects of British Buses. 

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