2013 RECALLED IN PHOTOS

Welcome to a photo montage edition of the blog recalling 2013 which was a very busy year which included a new operator on Park And Ride, whilst both Bus Stations were refurbished some would say they don't look any different.

First Ipswich received a batch of Scania L94/Wright Solar from First Essex during this year including 65674 SN51 UYH with dealer stock red seating which originated in Scotland.

Ipswich Buses second batch of Dennis Dart/East Lancs Included 134 R134 FBJ seen loading at Broke Hall Shops on the 4.

 Simonds were using at the time on the 113/114 an Enterprise Plaxton Primo YN57 BXM, this was the terminus in Upper Brook Street whilst the Old Cattle Market Bus Station was closed for refurbishment.

Ipswich Park and Ride changed hands from First using above Volvo B7RLE 69428 AU58 FFP to Ipswich Buses using second hand Optare Versa's from Nottingham, 69428 has since carried 3 further liveries all in 7 years!

 New to Beestons YT11 LTA was a Scania N230UD which had a very small time in the fleet it's seen here passing through Crown Street in the Autumn of 2013

During 2013 First Ipswich had a rival on the 64/65 to Aldeburgh in the shape of Anglian which due to low passenger numbers didn't last long seen here is Scania Omnilink YT11 LVF which has stayed in East Anglia with Chambers and is seen frequently on the 753/54 services out of Sudbury.

A YEAR IN A BLOG

Seen heading into Dogs Head Street in Ipswich whilst on the 60A to Greenwich  is First Ipswich Volvo B7TL 32487 AU53 HKE after repaint into Ipswich Reds.

Well i never thought it would be this long since the last blog back in February last year, due to a combination of mental health issues it meant that i could no longer update as previously, so with the lockdown now in effect across the country, i thought i would put in as briefly as possible what has been happening to the majority of major players in the Suffolk and North Essex area in the last 13 months, Ipswich Buses have withdrawn Scania Omnicities 70-75, Transbus Dart SLF 84-88, SPD Dart 134-36, ALX 400 Tridents 7/8 and Plaxton 25/26, whilst coming in was a batch of 13 Optare Tempos from Trent Barton from April/May last year. First Ipswich have re branded themselves as Ipswich Reds with the following re painted so far Enviro 200's 44516-19, Volvo B7RLE'S 69007/08/09, and 69422-28 with additional Felixstowe Flyers branding although in less than a year the majority have either lost the lettering or have unrepainted panels, Volvo B7TL's repainted are 32475 a recent transfer from Colchester, 32480/81 which arrived in September from Essex 32488 and 32651/52/54, other Single Deckers repainted were ADL Enviro 300's 67406 and 67763 previously in Park and Ride Blue livery ,Park and Ride 800 stopped going to Rendlesham every hour now covered by some service 65 journeys . Galloways have retreated from bus work in the Suffolk keeping hold of just the 118 although the 384/85 which passed to sister company Stephensons and is currently being operated by them due to a shortage of drivers. A further blog will follow to update other independents and a raid on my photos to see other parts of the region.

Ipswich Buses Optare Tempo 99 YJ12 GWU on his dedicated branding route 13 to Pinebrook Tesco is seen here heading into town in Dogs Head Street.

Seen in Ipswich on the 118/19 is Plaxton Centro bodied VDL 203 AY09 BYC, which was withdrawn and has been reinstated for work on the 384/85.