RALLY HIGHLIGHTS

Today some of the best photos i have gathered together from the various events i have attended, kicking off in March we had the Norwich Bus Running Day, where Chris Speed threw me in the deep end with my first attempt at conducting on First Eastern Counties AEC Routemaster RML 2480 JJD 480D.

The highlight for the Clacton Bus rally was the beautiful Eastern National Bristol RE/ECW 1516 FWC 439H although it rattled like crazy, the sound emanating from the engine was a joy to be hold, seen here at the old Harwich Bus Depot, now closed!

 Chris Speed and Danny Beales won their first trophy at the ETCS rally in August with Great Yarmouth Swift 85 WEX 685M

Two of the visitors on the very bust ITM 50th event not seen on the blog before are Crosville Bristol RE ERG 53 UFM 53F and Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka LKD 229 OVF 229.

A very proud me was allowed to join the conductors rota this year at the museum myself fifth right with driver John Rawling and conductors Richard Oliver, Maria Moss and Curtis Moss.

BUS DEPARTURES 2015

My time frame was technically buses that have departed in the last year, however this one went in the October of 2014, however as the type finally bowed out during January this year it's certainly worth mentioning the last being Scania/Wright 65670 in January this year, seen here a month before departure to Essex is 65673 SN51 UYG. Ipswich Buses have been slowly withdrawing their East Lancs Darts before the DDA requirements here we see 97 X97 LBJ.

At the end of last year First Ipswich returned the Volvo B10BLE's that were on loan for refurbishment seen in Tower Ramparts in October 2014 is 60618 R781 WKM, however they returned to Graet Yarmouth and Norwich in January pretty much for the rest of the year.

Withdrawn in the Summer was Ipswich Buses East Lancs Lolyne 10 PO51 UMK.

COULD IPSWICH PARK AND RIDE FINISH?

On the first day of the current Park and Ride contract back in November 2013 is Ipswich Buses Optare Versa 146 YK08 EPC.

It seems that the closure of both Park and Ride sites is still a real possibility at a cost to the tax payer of £715,000 per year, Suffolk County Council want to see more value for money in their investment, currently the Council can give 6 months to terminate the current deal with Ipswich Buses the sites at Martlesham and Copdock currently run at 70% capacity of their 1100 spaces, which is 800 cars per day using both sites, the current deal is currently believed to be not economically viable. If both sites were to shut surely this would throw Ipswich back into the dark ages, the towns antiquated road system has shown no signs of improvement since the Travel Ipswich scheme finished, you only have to see how the town copes when the Orwell Bridge shuts. Further to the Travel Ipswich scheme is the council still seem reluctant to install public toilets in one bus station, the Old Cattle Market as it would cost £150,000 to install yet they can right royally mess this town up with more ridiculous traffic lights and as for the refurbishment of both Bus Stations don't get me started.

First Ipswich were the previous holders of the Park and Ride contract from 2008-2013, seen here back in October 2013 is Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 69424 AU58 FFL.

VIEW FROM UP TOP/THURSDAY FLASHBACK

First Ipswich 66984 Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse just inside the running shed last month.

A chance today with not a great lot happening and partly inspired by an article in Buses Magazine this month, now with the growth in the economy it is now noticeable that Bus Companies are struggling to find drivers, First Bristol currently have 150 agency drivers on their books, which they have addressed by raising the pay rates, the problem is now nationwide and companies are beginning to look at making cost reductions elsewhere by cutting service frequencies, fuel costs are now at a record low of under a £1 a gallon meaning passengers are taking to there cars, but if you put up fares passengers will respond by saying"Why", it also means that companies can no longer afford to upgrade their fleets in the way that they used to, Ipswich Buses have experienced this but with recent changes can now invest in buses once again, however companies are being forced out of business not only by this but by lower reimbursable rates from free passes, the change this year and next year from the DDA requirements means it will be a stormy year ahead.

THURSDAY FLASHBACK

Now fully restored at the ITM, is ICT Karrier/Park Royal Trolleybus 105 on the 4 to St Augustines whilst behind is another restored bus in 16 CDX 516 an AEC Regent III, picture would be taken in the early 1960's.

THE DIFFERENCES IN JUST TWO YEARS!

How time flies for a change i'm raiding the archive of photos of the last two year December's and it's interesting to see how in such a short space of time how things have changed, first one is a bus that carried 3 liveries in one year or there about is First Ipswich Volvo B7RLE 69422 AU58 FFV which was in Park and Ride Pink then the new First Olympia livery and of course the now current livery with RAF blue front. Who remembers Ipswich Buses E200's in dealer white well i do here's 80 YX63 ZVV

By 2014 First Ipswich had completed their refurbishment programme and as the saying oh what difference an year makes, seen here on the now abandoned 4 to Ravenswood is Volvo B7RLE 69010 AU05 DMY on Broke Hall Estate.

And then there was one First Ipswich Scania L94 65579 T579 JNG was the very last Scania in Ipswich during the last year and spent it's final days mainly on town services

BEESTONS/GALLOWAY NEWS

Galloway 170 an Mercedes Benz 0814D/Plaxton C30F seen yesterday in Crown Street Lay by.

The following is information taken from this months PSV Circle and Terminus.
Beestons have a new Volvo B9R/Jonckherre registered BF65 WHU, whilst from Ensign Dealer ex Go Ahead London 433/41/42/59 are Scania N94UD/East Lancs, YV03 PZY/PZL/M/DFE whilst going out are 3 Optare Solos previously used on the 39/70/A routes now operated by First Ipswich,  FP02 XMA-C have gone to Summercourt Travel in the Newquay area, whilst new for Galloway is 348 BK15 AJX an Volvo B9R/Caetano C48FLT, I will put up an updated Galloway fleet list tonight there may be some errors so if you spot something let me know.

New Galloway Optare Solo SR YJ65 EWG in the hands of Owen Phillips .

MONDAY BITS AND PIECES

I think i have solved the mystery over the lack of Darts available to use on IB route since the withdrawal of many of the X Reg Darts leaving only 89,92,96 in service the current 4 darts are being used to prop up the 8/13, 12 routes, 86 on the 12 and 84 on the 8/13 today, today saw the use of Tridents 16, see picture above and 21 on the 4. Ironically Dart 89 was needing attention when parked in the Cricketers lay by earlier this morning see below, while blue liveried Trident 19 was parked up in the 4/16 stop.

Galloway Volvo B9R/Plaxton Panther YN13 AVV in Crown Street Lay by.