Arriva the Shires

Nigel Peach writes "On 22nd March, I saw 4722 (PN52XBG) on the 37. It is a third DAF DB240 with East Lancs Lowlander N73F bodywork to arrive at Wycombe, joining 4711 and 4721. Effectively it means that these buses replace 6242-4 which were withdrawn at the end of December. These arrivals from Arriva Midlands have latterly been at Luton, covering for Tridents away for DDA compliancy. 4711 came in Jan, 4721 in Feb and now 4722 in March.

Initially we had 3 vehicles on loan to replace 6242-4, two Optare Solos 2546 and 2550 and Dart 2289. I think 2546 went in Jan, and 2550 in Feb, so my guess is that 2289 has now also gone.

I also saw DAF/Wright Cadet 3512 (KE51 PUX) on 14th March, but not since. We've had that in Wycombe before as a loan a couple of years ago."

Since Nigel wrote those notes 4722 has moved to Aylesbury to replace DAF DB250 6012 which suffered an engine fire near Berkhamstead whilst working a 500 service. This bus will not be repaired due to its age.

An especially interesting working took place on Sunday April 16th, when Citaro 3018 from High Wycombe was caught working the 280 in Oxford in the lens of Gavin Francis. My sources in Arriva advised of a significant rail replacement operation on that Sunday. All of Aylesbury's deckers were used on that operation.

 
Pictures by Gavin Francis.

Various pictures are available for this issue which keep readers up to date with happenings in Arriva the Shires.

A somewhat elderly bus now, 3452 is seen on a 31 working in the centre of High Wycombe on April 13th by Gavin Francis.
Note that it still has branding for the Reading services!

Another branded bus somewhat off track, 3914 on the 300  in the centre of High Wycombe on April 13th by Gavin Francis.
Only after taking the picture did Gavin notice the 150 Milton Keynes branding!!

Seemingly a more permanent resident of Wycombe, 4721 is seen on a 37 working in the centre of High Wycombe on April 13th by Gavin Francis.

Again not on its intended route, 3014 is seen leaving the Eden Bus Station on the 34 for Cressex on April 7th by Malcolm Crowe.
Well, it is heading in the notional direction of Reading !!

3930  is seen leaving the Eden Bus Station on the X30 to Aylesbury on April 7th by Malcolm Crowe. 

A late note is that on April 21st Van Hool 2970 (see below) was working the 757 !!!!! Still with 758 branding as well!
Seen on the afternoon of April 24th by Gavin Francis.

Arriva Southern Counties

The unexpected arrival of four new Van Hool coaches for the 758 route has doubtless been welcomed by the regular commuters. Details of the coaches are as follows:

Van Hool TX17 Astron 14m tri-axle with sunken toilet and drivers bunk - C59Ft

The pictures below, taken by Gavin Francis, give an idea of the coaches both outside and inside.

The coaches each bear the names of regular commuters as can be seen in the picture below of 9001.

Maybe readers can advise me of the other names of commuters so acknowledged?

One wonders what will happen to the older fleet of coaches until now used on the 758? Interestingly the older two axle coaches, such as the one below, were renumbered by ASC, however the tri-axles from the 757 were not.

Renumbered to 2970 by Southern Counties, this coach was once in National Express colours with Midlands and then was 4070 with Arriva the Shires.
Seen loading at Marble Arch/Park Lane on March 20th by Malcolm Crowe.

Here it is 9 years ago in its past life


Operating the 440 on May 13th 2008 - picture by Gavin Francis.

On April 21st one of the old 757 tri-axles was working the 758 again!!!

An other interesting development in Hemel is the trial of a Mercedes Sprinter BT66UAL being considered for local services Routes 3 and 4 - BT66UAL is seen on the 3 in Bridge Street on March 29th in this picture from Adam Green.

Use the menu on your left to view other content.