IPSWICH BUSES OPTARE DEMO

For those who aren't aware Ipswich Buses have had on trial Optare Metrodecker YJ65 EPU, my reaction to it is that it's an impressive machine, it's literally as quiet as a mouse, the panoramic windows mean you get to see every thing, the interior is spacious, seating is a bit on the hard side but for short journeys such as the X5 who can complain, obviously by the registration it has been around a bit with Yorkshire Tiger, Reading and New Adventure Travel of Cardiff, Borderbus and Beestons. First Group have announced a batch of Electric ones for their Park and Ride scheme.

A SMALL CHAT WITH CHRIS SPEED

First Ipswich Enviro 300 67774 SN62 AXK at Ipswich Dogs Head Street.

Apologies for the lateness of this but due to things being out of my control I have only just got back on the internet. This being the first chance of seeing Mr Speed in a fair while we talked about se
veral things, the main topic being the Park And Ride taken over from Ipswich Buses in July, so far passenger levels have exceed expectation, he did tell me that a further Enviro 300 is due to cover for the current batch as they will be converted to Euro 6 emissions, most routes are gaining passengers especially the Felixstowe routes, which could do with extra Double Deckers however the site at Foundation Street is currently planned to be redeveloped as part of the waterfront scheme, currently Ipswich Depot is unable to take Deckers as it was constructed to only take low height Deckers and the council does want it to be raised any further. Recently First announced that there maybe a threat to other depots in England/Scotland/Wales closing, so for all those out there I can comfortably announce that none in the Norfolk/Suffolk area will be closing.

Finally repainted into the new livery carried by the Optare Versa's is E200 is IB  KX59 GNY.

RURAL VILLAGES TO LOSE BUS ROUTES

Galloway's Optare Solo SR YJ65 EWG one of the buses used on the 113/14 service.

A number of villages in North Suffolk which rely on Suffolk County Council sponsored services will lose there bus from September 4th, Stoke Ash and Thwaite will no longer have a bus while other buses will be cut out on Saturday's currently the two villages use up 14% of it's total subsidy this will affect the 113/14 operated by Galloway's Diss to Ipswich route, other villages will also see fewer stops, the County Council have said they will look again at it's community transport for the places affected by these cuts. The main timetable will cater for the bulk of passengers such as peak times and school times will remain While on Saturday's there will be cuts to off peak services.

14 SCANIA OMNICITY DECKERS FOR IB

With thanks to Justin Wythe at Ipswich Buses I can reveal that 14 Scania Omnicity deckers will replace the current fleet of Dennis Tridents in both the IB/Carter's fleet they will be numbered in the 30 series the first one to arrive is YR61 RPV. Seen here in First days on the White City 207.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/55059449@N06/6621658941/in/photolist-eisTPW-b68Jvt-W51Jpf-WdGLXN-fAvTty-VCt5Bw-WbDScj-e9QUsP

 

The Goodbye

This decision will ultimately hurt but it's time for the blog to close down unless any one decides to take it on most people will know I'm in hospital, this will be for some time I will keep the pages up for reference.

Clive

Hi everyone;

Can I ask you all to remember Clive, the owner of this blog in your thoughts and prayers. An entry on his Facebook page states he is in hospital after attempting the ultimate step. Thankfully he was unsuccessful, and I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say to Clive don't give up, mate. You have more friends you can call on than you realise. Get yourself healthy again, in body, mind and spirit and we look forward to you picking up the reins again.

In the meantime I'll try and keep the blog ticking over whenever anything interesting happens in Ipswich.

Steve.

IBT BRISTOL RE FLASHBACK

A chance to delve into the archive with a flashback of two Bristol RELL's with two different livery schemes, at the top heading into the Cricketers lay by is 119 TRY 119H, near by is a Leyland Atlantean advertising the Britannia Building Society now i believe absorbed into what is now the CO-OP bank, the Greenwich route is still run by Ipswich Buses as the X1 in competition with First Ipswich, the picture below it is of sister 121 TRY 121H which run initially in Leicester livery with the maroon band painted green which was almost identical to the Ipswich livery carried by Atlanteans 1-35, 120/21 were fairly early casualties, the last being 118 which exited Constantine Road depot on a late duty on the 8 to Whitehouse on a June afternoon in 1987, 118 is preserved today in Economic livery which it carried whilst finishing it's career up on Tyne and Wear.