MAJOR CHANGES TO SHOTLEY ROUTE

From today the Shotley route currently run by Ipswich Buses has undergone major changes with the 98/A reduced to a once a day journey in the afternoon, with the 202 now renumbered back to 97 the service for the most part will run every 90 mins with no journeys reaching the Marina, during Monday to Saturday, the Sunday service operated by First will remain as it is currently. Seen above is IB MCV Evolution 156 AY60 BVG today on the 97.

Poking out of the Ipswich Buses depot, this morning was Scania Omnideck YR61 RVF, shame about the barrier.

MORE SCANIAS ARRIVE FOR IB AND ONE TRIDENT DEPARTS

As one Trident 11 LG02 FCX departs Ipswich Buses in exchange for another Scania Omnideck arrives in the form of YR61 RSV photo courtesy of Leon Wells.

Whilst arriving yesterday was YR61 RUW, pictures from Hants and Dorset trim, whilst below YR61 RPV is still to arrive. Whilst the three that arrived some time ago are still to be found in the depot and the yard, these being YR61 RUC/RVF in the yard and YR61 RUH tucked up inside. The final picture shows another restyling of the livery for the Double Deckers, one looks like YR61 RPV which looks like the furthest away from the camera, comments anyone? Also in the yard was Tridents 16/17 and Lowlanders 55/56/58, whilst sister 59 spent the day on the 4 to Broke Hall and Bixley/Martlesham Tesco, also seen was Carters Olympian 42 and Trident 8 and Enviro 101which later appeared on the X3 alongside was Optare Excel 172 and Withdrawn Dart 86, inside was Trident 24 and Lowlander 100 and a ADL Enviro 200 81?, also not out today was Versa 148/152.

IB SCANIA OMNICITY SPOTTED

 It's extremely handy when you just live round the corner from the IB depot, and after being stuck round the back for the last week or so ex Metroline and First London Scania Omnicity YR61 RUH see above was moved to the front of the depot, in the rear of the depot was Transbus Dart 86 which i believe is now withdrawn, alongside sister 85 and three of the ex Lothian Darts although by mid afternoon 2 of the three were in service, also there was Optare Versa 152 and one other, 152 had by the afternoon moved to be spare at Tower Ramparts Lay by, with a shortage of single deckers Trident 11 LG02 FCX see below spent the day on the 4 covering for one of the two Versa's usually on this route, the best routes to spot them are usually the X1/X3/4 and in the afternoon one comes of the X1 and goes on the 6/A.

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