IPSWICH BUSES VERSA 149 AND A SUFFOLK NORSE TRIDENT

The next Ipswich Buses Optare Versa to be repainted into the new style livery is 149 YK08 EPF which entered service during last week, the delay in posting has been due to working out how my new camera works and after several mishaps i managed a decent shot. I must admit the new colours are beginning to grow on me, although i will be always be a fan of the 1990's livery of Green and Cream with a darker green skirt. Today's poor light certainly didn't help, this was taking very quick so it's slightly out of focus caught at Tesco's Martlesham on the petrol forecourt is Suffolk Norse ex Norwich Park and Ride(Norse)Transbus Plaxton President PN03 UME which has been with them for a while this is used on their contract 912.

RIDING THE WHITE SWAN!

I always like to use song titles if it can fit in with what i am reporting, yesterday i experienced the IB Scania/E400 Demo currently into it's last week on the X5 running from Tower Ramparts to Ipswich Hospital, unfortunately i didn't enjoy, i hate to be critical but i will give an honest opinion, it will be interesting to hear other's thoughts, as soon as the bus pulled away, you could hear the panels rattling at the front, the acceleration was particularly slow as was the speed between stops, you also could barely hear the bell when it was rang, now the ADL E400 MMC that was on loan last year was so much better. With thanks to Justin Wythe at Ipswich Buses July 1st will see the end of IB's participation on the park and Ride route with First Ipswich taking over commercially on Monday the 3rd July, buses to be used on the route is currently unknown however you will be the first to know.
A Further Optare Versa has been repainted in 145.
GALLOWAYS DEMO

As i haven't a picture, the best i can do is show said coach at the German Coach show, currently Galloway have on loan a Scania Touring Hyger registered YN17 OMW, meanwhile on the Bus side of the business 354 YJ62 JWF an VDL SB180/MCV has returned to it's dealer after 18 months use, while coming in from sister company Stephenson of Rochford are Volvo Olympian/Northern Counties Palatine M409/10 RVU which have replaced 253 1842 PP a Alexander bodied Olympian and 351 N827 FKK also Alexander bodied. Many thanks to David Green for the update.

IPSWICH UPDATE FOLLOW UP: IB NEW LIVERY

Well this afternoon was rather fortunate, after yesterday's rather idiotic misfortune of leaving of my camera on the train, unfortunately Greater Anglia haven't located it, so no Lowestoft scene feature so until i can afford an new one, it's the I Phone 5 camera, nevertheless i managed to catch Ipswich Buses 152 YK08 EPV now in the new colours, any comments below will most be welcome.

IPSWICH UPDATE

Most of this information has been published elsewhere, but for those who don't view them this is a sort of recap for those who haven't seen the news this will bring you bang up to date, Ipswich Buses have currently two Demonstrators one which was announced on the last blog, which i have to slightly correct being an Scania chassis with an ADL E400 body, also being used currently is Optare Solo SR YJ16 DDA which has been featured here previously with Beestons and is numbered for it's stay as 501 and is mainly employed on the 16 or the 19. Ipswich Buses have also an new version of the current livery with the first recipient Optare Versa 152 YK08 EPV which has been painted out of Park and Ride livery into a new scheme in preparation for the switch over to First, unfortunately at present there seems to be no news on the planned change over. Picture can be seen on David Warren's Flickr pages  //www.flickr.com/photos/77011412@N04/32844712740/in/dateposted/

On another note Ipswich Buses have begun to add IB logos to the Carters Fleet of which i have noted three Buses so far including the below Trident 8 LX04 FYB along with Transbus Trident 26 and MCV Evolution 156 which was done last year.

Galloways have added an a further Optare Solo to the fleet in 360 MX59 AWF this was formerly with Hatch Green Coaches who operate in the Taunton area, with one Solo believed to be withdrawn if anyone knows anymore please contact me through the regular e mail address or via Twitter or Facebook.

Demonstrator In Ipswich

Thanks to Trevor Arbon for alerting me that an ADL E400MMC is currently on loan to Ipswich Buses for Evaluation. YN66 BBV has gained the usual fleet number 500 and is being used on the rather short X5 between Tower Ramparts (OK Sailmakers if you insist) and Ipswich Hospital via Foxhall Rd. I was in Ipswich yesterday and waited an hour for it to grab a ride there and back. However the bus never showed up, it started hammering down so I gave up Then magically when I was driving past the hospital myself it emerged from the ether. A quick U turn and park up and I managed to snap it as it came out of the hospital. I don't know how long IB have it so if anyone knows I'll be grateful.

I don't know if it's significant that IB are trialing a decker, but it would seem the crazy idea to make the fleet all single decker promoted by the last MD has been consigned to the bin where it belongs!

E400MMC demonstrator at a very wet Ipswich Hospital.     pic (c) Steve W

The rear view                                            pic (c) Steve W

Also in Ipswich yesterday was a real sight for sore eyes. Ex Dublin Bus Volvo Olympian S678 PAG was parked up outside Crown House. Now with JR Travel of Copdock the bus was formerly with Proctors of Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire. More than that I can't trace so assume it must have been re-registered. Good to see one of these brilliant Ollies still working, even if us mere mortals can't get on it for a ride!

JR Travel's Volvo Olympian S678 PAG        pic (c) Steve W

Finally, and this is a bit late, First's Eastern Counties liveried VA479 has returned from its loan spell at Norwich. Here she is back on home territory last Wednesday.

VA479 at Old Cattle Market last week back on the 66;s.      pic (c) Steve W

HAPPIER TIMES

This has been a long time coming, i didn't think i was ever going to do another blog full stop, after the last 2 weeks, this is a sort of a tribute to my father, who tolerated my love of Buses and actually encouraged me to keep on with it, this blog is a reflection of where my memory drifts back to with determination and hope for the future, some things won't be the same again, i won't have time to dedicate my passion of Buses like i have done, my dream was always to find a job within the Bus or Travel industry, sadly this hasn't happened, so if there is anyone out there willing to give me a chance! The picture above is a fond memory of the one place i go to that is Felixstowe, where we had a beach hut, as a 7 year old i was fascinated by the strange bus that travelled up and down Golf Road that being Eastern Counties Bristol Lodekka OT 2 VDV 753, i just missed out on going on the Lodekkas as they were on their way out, although there are vague memories of them on Felixstowe Road on Fireworks night in 1979. I can also remember one of the first Leyland Nationals in Felixstowe heading towards Western Avenue that year. For now this is goodbye, i will return at some point, RIP Dad.

Monday Round Up

A few things to report so here goes.  Firstly - literally - First Ipswich have once again had their heritage livery B7tl kidnapped by First Norwich, this time for a few weeks. I was in Norwich on Saturday and as luck would have it managed to snap 32479 back on her original turf.

32479 changing drivers in Castle Meadow, Norwich

It must be said that all buses are grubby within minutes of leaving the depot at the moment so don't take much notice of 32479's outer appearance.

32479 departs for Attleborough

Also observed in Norwich was former First Ipswich (yes and Essex) Volvo B7rle 66980, in my view looking much better with a Yellow Line front than Ipswich Grey - sorry RAF Blue!

66980 in St Stephen's Street Norwich

In other news it has been revealed that Jeremy Cooper, who left his post as Managing Director of Ipswich Buses in December, has taken up the post of Acting Commercial Manager at Konect/Anglian. Mr Cooper was always welcoming to this blog and we wish him luck in his new post. As yet Ipswich Buses have not advertised for a successor to Mr Cooper.

My thanks to Toby Pearson who has informed me that Stephensons' Northern Counties bodied Olympian M409 RVU, new to Metrobus, has moved to Galloway, presumably for school work. Perhaps someone from Galloway can confirm that?

Finally I'm grateful to Cameron Robinson for alerting me that Ipswich Transport Museum have revealed details of this year's Heritage Bus Day, to be help in Portman Rd on Sunday 9th April. Entrance and bus rides are free, and there are events taking place at the museum as well as Portman Rd. See Ipswich Transport Museum's Facebook page for more details.

That's it for today, again our thoughts are with Clive at this difficult time, and if anyone has any news and/or pics relevant to Ipswich please let me know by emailing me at busandtrainpage@gmail.com and I'll be happy to publish them.