IB's DEMO + BITS & BOBS

Municipal bus operator Ipswich Buses has yet examined another demonstrator, a representative diesel-powered ADL E200 MMC which was on route 12, Saturday 7th December around 12-ish, and was spotted on Twitter. As I knew this demonstrator was approaching preparatory to Christmas, I quickly rushed out of the flat and directly onto Scania OmniCity 41 which had an appalling crack on the upper-deck window, looked seriously bad indeed, but whilst entering the Princess Street bridge, I saw the E200 MMC and thought to myself, ‘I want a ride like yesterday’, but fantastically, the buses were rerouted to Civic Drive instead of going via Buttermarket due to car parking mayhem. 

YX19ONV at Tower Ramparts

Once on the E200, 12:35 departure but late, first reactions was impressive both exterior and interior wise, chrome-wheels, matchless; however on the move, the interior was even more superior with beautiful flooring, comfortable leather seats, USB charging points, three squared glass roofs, and push buttons at almost every individual seat on the bus, so it's basically sumptuousness comfort creatures. Talking of the bell, it was, err, quite loud speaking truthfully.

Also, on Saturdays and it’s getting somewhat common for one double-decker to be seen on route 8, as 7th December it was Lowlander 54. Between Monday to Friday, a double-decker can be seen doing this route in the morning. 

IB 54 ar Whitehouse Asda

Noted in the Cornhill was ex-Metrobus of Crawley (6473) Scania OmniDekka N94UD YN53RYB which is converted into a Deliveroo bus.  

Ex-Metrobus, now a 'deliveroo' bus

Eastern Counties 32481, AU53HJY is the latest bus to be repainted into the Ipswich Red’s livery. 

Maneuvered 

NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK TRIP

Welcome to another post on the Central Suffolk Bus Blog, and as promised, I have another post with some photos.

On Saturday 19^th October is when some changes came into force with Simonds and Ipswich Buses taking over Galloways routes of Diss and Debenham; with that, on Saturday, I collected the 09:20 departure in the direction of Diss which was a mid-size Enviro 200 with a fantastic bus driver which apparently used to work for Galloway European as he was telling the other passengers. The E200 I caught was MX13BAU which was brand-new to Padarn Bus with ceased operation in 2014 and based in Llanberis, Gwynedd which then the bus passed to Express Motors in 2014 and that besides ended operation in 2017 and based in Wales also, since then, the bus has a innovative operator since, Simonds of Diss, Norfolk. 

MX13BAU at Diss

From Ipswich to Diss, unquestionably fantastic trip including some of the chocolate-box settlements like Mendlesham for example, so much beautiful greenery and scenery at the identical time, it was a good journey, but I also did it before when Galloway done the route. Notwithstanding this decent trip to Norfolk, a dipstick told me that I wouldn’t have any connections when I arrive into Diss, and the answer was: yes there was, what the underworld are you talking about?


Arrival into Diss, I took a look around the town centre and had a quick look around Diss museum which is fantastic with all of the old beer bottles and yes, they were a bit expensive.


I boarded the 13:50 Simonds service to Bury St Edmunds which was a MCV=bodied mated with a Volvo B7RLE chassis and motor, extremely smooth, moderately lovely along small roads in the villages regardless of the driver needed to reverse due to an foolhardy car driver! It was bus BT63UUX which was new to Webberbus of Bridgewater in 2013 before heading to Simonds. I also noticed BN64CNY, an analogous variety but with the B8RLE chassis and that had its’ strip tattered near the rearmost wheel arch, probably due to hitting some bushes or something; that was brand-new as a demon, transferred to Arriva Shires area of Luton, transferred to Diamond North West, and now at Simonds in Diss. 

Interior of BT63UUX, you probably can see part of my finger. 

When into Bury St Edmunds, there were quite a few buses but couldn’t get all of them due to my battery at 30-odd%, so I did take quite a lot. Bus spotting around the Bury St Edmunds is quite decent for taking numerous buses and that, so spotted a couple of Mulley’s including YN54AHE which is an OmniCity saloon and new to Nottingham fleet 211; also noticed YN04GMU which is another OmniCity saloon and besides brand-new to Nottingham, but as fleet number 775. Turners of Great Barton also made a presence with their Mercedes-Benz, possibly an Unvi version which I had to make a rapid educated conjecture about this one, wasn’t 100% guaranteed. Before heading towards Stowmarket to collect my favourite bus company, First Ipswich, I noticed Wright-bodied Scania Solar K203UB and that used to be a demonstrator at one point and also demonstrated with municipal bus co-operation Ipswich Buses in 2009/10 era of earlier. 

Scania Solar with Wright-bodied

On a hard-seated Plaxton Pointer long dart, oh my word, a bit rattily, and I couldn’t wait until I got off the bus in Stowmarket, despite a nice driver, he managed to get the bus to its destination without making me heave pugnaciously., nonetheless, the bus 384 doesn’t stop at Bury Street, as the nearest stop is where the Duke of York used to be and now a Prezzo.


From there, it was Ipswich Reds back to Ipswich, Norwich Road where I collect Ipswich Buses. For the service which is 88, it just cruises along Needham Market, Claydon and into Ipswich, with no going around residential areas in Needham Market, Stowmarket, or around the Claydon, Edinburgh Way, it’s principally a direct service which calls at the areas lacking housing areas.


At Norwich Road, Ipswich, waited for the 9 back to Tower Ramparts which was obviously a Optare Tempo SR, get back to the bus station, it switches to a 13, then I glanced a “13 branded” going onto the 12 stand and a Mercedes Citaro onto the 15. On Saturday evenings, Ipswich Buses do have some outlandish goings-on.
- please note that some of the images are a bit distanced, please accept the apologies' -   

ALL CHANGE PLEASE

Welcome to another blog post and I haven’t posted anything in a while, but first and foremost, Ipswich Buses have reduced their times dramatically on the Essex-bound routes and this has directly distraught some of the local residents who would have doctors’ appointments in villages where these poor people need to have alternative transport methods because of this reduction of the routes. Despite the disappointment, the only service which will call at Tattingstone and Bentley is the 15:45 departure from Ipswich; 08:05 departure from Langham, this will copiously influence the elderly residents or individuals who have professions in Ipswich.  



Saturday 19^th October is where Simonds which is based in Diss will be interchanging the service from Galloway and theoretically returning from the dead as I dredge up when I was younger when Simonds had the Plaxton Primo which was ‘07’ and ‘57’regs; nonetheless in 2019, what will they employ, E200’s, MCV-bodied mated with Volvo B8RLE, who knows until the first departure on Saturday, regardless of I’ll be collecting the subsequent bus to Diss. 

Also on 19^th October is when Ipswich Buses will be replacing Galloways 115/116 route between Ipswich & Framlingham via Cobbenham and Debenham



Due to recent mentioning’s in a Transport Society Journal, it has been said that Ipswich Buses be installing seatbelts on Lowlanders 55/6 and Darts 84/6; but they might have changed their minds in the last-minute verdict. Also noticed is that singular bus types like Optare Olympus 68; MCV 156, and E300 83 could be leaving the fleet as Ipswich Buses are rationalising their fleet in the nearer future.



Now Eastern Counties, now known as Ipswich Reds and in my personal judgement, I adore the newest livery despite of their old buses and ear-splitting engines which needs re-engined; although I unquestionably love First Ipswich because they’re pleasant to me and I am pleasant to them; though my friend claims one First Ipswich driver was impolite to him, just because my friend told the driver to hurry up!
All 58-plated Volvo B7RLE’s, long E200’s, 32651/2/4, 67406 have been painted into the newest scheme. Next to be repainted is 67773/32487; 69006 is apparently going to Norwich for the lilac line. 


No photos have been posted on this specific post, I’ll be doing another post next Wednesday with relations to the Simonds and a bit of a trip to Diss/Bury St Edmunds/Stowmarket/

FIRST REPAINTS ~ EATM 50TH ANNIVERSARY ~

I haven't updated the blog for some time now, but welcome to another blog post which is associating repaints of the newest scheme of First Ipswich. One month ago was seen the first repaint which was E200 44517, (YX09ACY) which was painted in the newest livery but headed towards the MOT area which took longer then expected. The first one to actually come onto the route was 44519 on the new Shuttle 60s.


Also, currently, almost all long-based E200's have been painted into the modern livery, yes, it looks duplicated to the Cymru version in Wales. During the first week of July, Volvo B7RLE 69422 was painted but in 'Felixstowe Flyers' and was authentically spotted on the X7 on its first passenger service which the next day, it turned to the typical 75,76 and 77 routes. On Sunday 7th July, it was spotted on the Ipswich route 4 between Tower Ramparts and Bixley Farm.

(Reversing out of the Cattle Market on 5th July for the 13:40 to Felixstowe; also spotted on 4 route at St Augustine's) The next Volvo B7RLE/E200 to be repainted is 69426 and 44518. 

Similar spotting's with Ipswich Buses with repainted 81 and 82, possibly 78,79, or 80 to be next.

81 in new colours.

Yes, Ipswich Buses will do away with the white stripe now. 

Now, 6 & 7th July saw Carlton Carville do the 50th anniversary of Eastern Counties. Decided to collect the 10:17 service, as I didn't want to get there too early, unlike daft people who get trains around quarter to eight in the morning. Got to Lowestoft Central at 11:42 and bus Leyland National WAH587S which was new in 1977.

When got to the museum, saw the recently repainted Bristol VR OCK985K, which was new to Ribble in 1972 along with front-door Lodekka FLF NTW942C which was new in November 1965 and is currently displayed at the Canvey Island Transport Museum.

In the field, (which will be a new extension in the future), held some heritage-liveried buses from Eastern Counties from the modern era, selling things like stationary commodities such as pens displaying the P&R in Ipswich, also some people said they have seen destination blinds for sale, which is common. Even surprising to see was Delaine's 1995 Volvo Olympian which was doing some duties.

Also, trolleybuses and trams included a Blackpool Tram 11 which was built by Maley & Taunton with the bodywork done by English Electric, completed in 1939. Other buses included a pre-second world war bus from 1933 (VG5541 -  which is a open-topper and it was absolutely peeing it down with rain, which I didn't catch a cold which was strange as I was solitarily wearing a polo shirt and some black trousers. Ipswich Transport Museums' KNG374 and MAH744.

I also had a ride to Beccles on a 1959 Bristol MW5G with ECW-bodied, quite a nice bus to ride on, comfortable and had a chance to get in a photo! This was brand-new to Eastern Counties in May 1959 in Norwich, and since April 1985, it has been preserved by Eastern Transport Collection, very nice coach indeed!

At Beccles

 

GERMANS ON CHANTRYS ~ TEMPO BRANDING ~ AND TRIDENT DEPARTURE

Hello and welcome to another post of this bus blog. I am writing this blog on Monday 20th May at 22:20, and lets get down to buisness! First and foremost, Ipswich Buses Mercedes-Benz Citaro buses have recently been employed on the Chantry (Cambridge Drive) routes and is not a fantastic idea due to some tight corners along the route; OmniCity saloons were better to be honest! Now, the Mercedes buses is perhaps packed with premium motors and massive horses to power them (which makes them expensive), and one Saturday, a driver decided to give one of them a thrash up Birkfield Drive and that was OK. 

Mercedes 155 seen at Rail Station on May 9th

Today, on 20th May, Mercedes 155 was employed on the 13 route between Tower Ramparts and Tescos. 

Also, all Optare Tempo's have subsequently arrived and have been in service (apart from 92, which is having a issue), and have been branded for two predetermined routes and that is for 9 and 10 between Tower Ramparts and Castle Hill/Whitton and the other route is branded for the 13 between Tower Ramparts and Copdock Tesco's, now in my dedicated opinion, I am not a fan of the branding itself, because they are probably to head towards other routes such as the 3's for example. I remember the Scania OmniCity saloons branded for the 13 back in 2007 when they were state-of-the-art back then, and it wasn't long before one of them appeared on another route. And going back to Tempo SR's, each day, I look on bustimes.org to see which buses are on what route, and most recently, a frequency of them does a 4, 1, even a 3 in the mornings before heading towards their actual allocated route.


Before concluding this specific page, I would like to inform enthusiasts that Dennis Trident 8 has left the fleet and headed for a local scrapyard which is presumably Beestons. I seriously loved that Trident. RIP 8 (LX04FYB).  

8 getting prepared to be towed away by the DAF CF tow truck. 

44518 done the 66 on Monday 20th May!

And also, important notice that First E200's will be first to be repainted starting with 44517, and the next one is 44519 as I express. And one of them was allocated to the 66!

A REVIEW OF THE TEMPO SR AND NEWS.

These are the current Tempo SR's in service: 87,88,89,90,91,94,96,97,98, and 99. Whilst 92 and 93 are already getting prepared for service; but nobody has found 95 unless there is something wrong with it, I don't know, although I am writing this blog at 21:53 on Sunday 5th May. 

Latest withdrawls: 8,70,71,72,73,75,87,88,134,136,137, 244. Although Monday 6th May, more could be withdrawn from service. Another point could be that 84 and 135 be a spare bus if a Tempo SR is out-of-service. 

But the review of one Tempo SR. 6/10.
Boarded 99, YJ12GWU, one of the nice drivers who I commonly chitchat to, and the driver didn't actuall like the bus as he was protesting about hard drivers chair, back hurts because of it, and also the bells are exceedingly quiet. I'd rather be on a MCV Evolution to be honest. In my personal opinion, for a customer (well, enthusiast), was satisfactory as the whole engine was level-headed which is powered from Mercedes-Benz. 

Now some of these photos are actually from myself with 99 at Tower Ramparts alongside with an interior shot take at Copdock Tesco's. Also one of the photos was on a Saturday when Lowlander 58 was employed onto the 8 service. Also, recently, Versa 152 going through the Old Cattle Market bus station due to closure of Dogs Head Street.

Also a photo of Tempo SR 94 employed onto the 16 service which this done 1 trip only and returned to the depot, and the next time is came out was 2 days later. Also, Dart 137 seen on its last day service with Ipswich Buses on the 13, the remaining Dart is brother 135 which remains as a spare.

Also 84, which was the first bus to be painted in that livery with the 'Waterfront' signage on the window, it was taken on May 1st. 

Also with Ipswich Buses, their travel office has changed their timings for customers who usually comes in for assistance if required. Monday to Fridays: 09:00 to 12:30 - 13:00 to 17:00. Saturday is now between 10:00 and 14:00. 

And before finishing this blog, I have some news regarding First Ipswich. 44517 is to return from Lowestoft, and also thanks to a nice driver from First who I seemed to bumped into the local shop, she told me that 4 Enviro 300's are coming from Colchester Depot, so probably get rid of those 2005 buses which needs a bit of a steam clean and interior clean. Also no news on replacing the B7TL's. 

69011 done a quick detour via Tower Ramparts bus station as driver disremembered to go down Civic Drive when Museum Street was closed, but will 69011 leave the fleet (Taken 8th April), meanwhile, SN62AHV, 67736 could even join the Ipswich fleet. (Taken 9th April)

TEMPO SR FLEET LIST

I have the current fleet list for the Ipswich Buses Optare Tempo SR's. 

87) YJ12 GWA 
88) YJ12 GWC 
89) YJ12 GWD 
90) YJ12 GWE 
91) YJ12 GWF 
92) YJ12 GWG 
93) YJ12 GWK 
94) YJ12 GWL 
95) YJ12 GWM 
96) YJ12 GWN 
97) YJ12 GWO 

98) YJ12 GWP

99) YJ12 GWU 

All of these buses are due within service after the Easter holidays as they need to be looked at before going onto a town service, and getting the branding of 'Ipswich Buses Taking You Places' which is plainly their latest eblem. At the moment (17th April), only 87, 88, 91, 94, 96, 98, and 99 are already here.

And in other news, Leyland Atlantean 9 has been sold you a new titleholder which was purchased at the tariff of £6,000 which is a bargain. 

Ipswich Observations and News

Hello and welcome to another post on this blog. First and foremost, Ipswich Buses' Tempo SR's have been arriving into the newest livery and have been spotted in the depot and also driver training commencing 2nd April 2019. Tempo SR's are unusual with only 17 been produced (13 for Trent Barton - now at Ipswich Buses - and some are still getting prepared) and also the remainder goes to Manchester Airport. 

Optare Tempo SR 99 doing driver trainng duties. (02/04/2019)

Monday, Optare Tempo SR 99, YJ12GWU has been doing fundamental driver training duties. When all Tempo SR's come into ceremonial service, they'll spontanously replace Darts (84/7/8) 85 will remain as a driver trainer which has replaced Excel 170. Lothian Darts 134/5/6 will also be leaving which 137 (SN53AVP) to remain as a spare.  

Over the weekend was quite interesting though as Lowlander 54 done an 8 duty for probable extra capacity due to the football - although Ipswich lost per usual. And it was also the weekend when First Eastern Counties done the 4 service which started a new-fangled contract for Bixley and didn't have a desination display. 

Also for Ipswich Buses, IB 77 (KX59GNY) will be leaving the fleet in September but currently has engine failure.

For the time being, I will get a Optare Tempo SR fleet list for Ipswich Buses as soon as possible. 

IB to Become Exact Fare

As a lot of you would know that municipal bus company Ipswich Buses to be 'Exact Fare' only scheme. Already, many customers ain't very pleased about this as many rely on the Credit Voucher which is ending and more information is here: www.ipswichbuses.co.uk/credit-vouchers-ending-on-31st-march/

In my personal views, its a bad and good idea because more people have technological solutions when acquiring a typical bus ticket from contactless and Ipswich Buses smartcard and its a useful solution as its quicker and more competitive, but the only problem IB don't have is M-Tickets - unless they have something in mind for the upcoming months and years. The bad thing however, is that customers still pay by cash and change and that's the upmost issue - this could basically cause quarrels between bus driver and customer as this will cause delays to their services. 

Some other bus companies do this as well, Cardiff Bus, and probably some more bus companies. 

As an employee at the Ipswich Transport Museum, AEC Swift 82 has signs, 'Exact Fare Only, No Change Given' and also Leyland Atlantean 6 has also git the same signs, and will those signs be seen on Ipswich Buses. 

IB's second-hand purchases

As the previous post raised about brand-new purchases, this blog post will raise about second-hand buses. 

First thing is first, I remember Ipswich Buses opting for ex-London Buses which were Dennis Tridents and they were numbered between 64 and 67, and also 49 - which done the 192 if anyone would remember. Now I loved the classic Dennis Tridents because they had splendor in them and were quite comfortable for the passengers and the driver. However, they then decided to re-number them between 11 and 17 (LG02FCX/DC/F/J/K/N/EM). However, an additional two Dennis Tridents were opted and were numbered 20 and 21 (Y436/58NHK). That was years 2010 and 2012 if I had that memory that far. 

Also in 2011/2, Ipswich Buses opted for Dennis Darts SLF's which were predominantly for the X1, X3, X5 and Fab 4 - these were numbered 138 to 144 (Y262/71/72/73/02/92/94/95FJN) and these buses were shockingly comfortable but some of the legroom where the wheelarch was was so extremely crammed, it was awful.

In 2012, came the arrival for an ex-demo E300 SK07DYA which was on-loan to Ipswich Buses around 2008/9.  

The next second-hand orders were Optare Versa's V1110's and these were only for the P&R services between London Road Copdock and Martlesham Heath P&R, and these were very comfortable indeed - coach style! These were numbered 145 to 152 (YK08EPA/C/E/F/J/U/V) and were painted in a horrific light blue scheme, a darker blue would of been much more nicer. Nowadays, these are allocated on Ipswich Buses town services and painted in purple and green livery. 

In 2015, Ipswich Buses purchased from Scotland anf these were Plaxton Presidents and Super Pointer Dennis Darts, and these were numbered 23 to 25 (Presidents) and 134 - 137 (Darts). Today, President 25 can be seen doing route 15 and the route 914 on weekdays. 134, 135, and 137 have had replaced engines due to their failures and continue to have problems to this accurate day. 

September 2016 also came the arrival of E200 KX59GNY which was Premiere Travel which is based in Nottingham and ex-Dawsons bus and coach. 

Also, Ipswich Buses subidiary Carters have also got two Dennis Tridents 7 and 8, MCV Evolution 156, and did have a Volvo Olympian 42, but renumbered 29. They all do Essex routes still, but in IB's brand. 

And in February 2019, it has it that Optare Tempo's have been opted to replace the Optare Excels and potentially the Scottish Darts and Vykings. Don't know if this is Nottingham or Yellow Buses.

Ipswich Buses Purchases (1997 to Today)

In 1997, I was born at the Ipswich hospital and didn't know what a bus was because I didn't know like any other new-born child, however when I was born, Ipswich Buses purchased quite a few buses then which were East Lancashire bodied Dennis Dart Sprytes (P-reg), Optare Excel Mk1 L1150 also P-reg as well as a Optare Spectra which was ostensibly going to Istanbul originally but the order got aborted which then Ipswich Buses acquired it and it was fleet number 50. Today, the P-reg buses are presumably scrapped, preserved or left in a field already decaying to eradication. 

A year later, in 1998, Ipswich Buses acquired two further Dennis Dart Sprytes, and these were R133FBJ and R134FBJ which were 39 seated. They did numerous routes and with the rest of the Darts, these were quite positive in everyway. They were nicknamed Caroline and Coronation. But in 1999, IB acquired yet another 3 Dennis Dart Sprytes which were T135KPV, T136KPV & T137KPV 

in 2000 were possibly the largest acquisitions as these were Optare Spectra with DAF DB250LF chassis, and alongside with Dennis Darts between 89 and 99, which lasted until 2018 (93, 94 & 98). I adored them, but didn't authentically love the 'purple and green with white striped livery', preferred them with the classic white and green. 

From 2001 to 2010, Ipswich Buses glanced the purchases of DAF Lowlanders, Scania OmniDekka's, Scania OmniCity saloons, ELC Vykings/Minelliums, Optare Excels, Optare Solo's, and Optare Olympus's. Now these-days, the majority of these purchases can be seen in 2019, apart from the 02/03/04 reg Solo buses, alongside with DAF 100 which 'isn't' returning to service as its sadly going to the scrapyard. (Note: PN52XBM was originally numbered 54, but renumbered 100 due to the anniversary - PF04WML is now 54)

2011 to Present, Ipswich Buses saw the purchases of Enviro 200's, Mercedes-Benz Citaros, now I am not a fan of the Mercs' as they are too expensive and bloody uncomfortable - even the bell is so quiet, it rings once, you can't press it continuously!

Now the fleet, today, sees some of the buses still in service like Lowlanders, OmniDekka's, three Optare Solo's, but the Excels have officially been withdrawn. 

This blog post doesn't mention second-hand purchases. 

The Changes, and other bits and bobs.

First and foremost, Happy New Year!


The previous post was about changes from the commercial manager of Ipswich Buses confirmed via email that there are some changes, to get larger vehicles out on routes during busy routes when the rush-hour. The main answer is a 'monoscopic' OK for the busy hospital route, the 5; normally, it would be a E200 doing the 5, but from 7th, it was a double-decker working.

Some other news which does include Ipswich Buses, this morning, I gained some news that Ipswich Buses isn't convinced if Leyland Atlantean 9 will be coming during the Summer Bus Tour 2019. 9 returned to the 2018 Summer Bus Tour during the last day of the extremely hot summer we had, but when we had rain on the eventual Wednesday before the last day of the Summer Bus Tour, 41 took over and IB claimed 9 had a failure when it didn't.

Also, First Ipswich are increasing bus tariffs later during the month of January (13th) and are persuading more customers to use their services using digital tickets; but the good broadcast is that they are freezing tariffs for weekly, monthly and annual tickets. The increase on a typical fare will rise to either 10p or 20p and that is the same of return journeys. The same procedure will also occur on Park & Ride services which operates between London Road P&R and Martlesham Heath P&R. 

Its certainly obvious that between the two main rivals of Ipswich Buses and First Ipswich have risen their fares as this is due to fuel rocketing through the roof, and wanting to invest in more environmentally and more fuel efficient diesel buses; it would be nice to have hybrid buses as well - even London are getting rid of some E400's which some are hybrid! 

And for First Ipswich, I don't think they'll get new buses anytime soon as they have 2003/5 B7TL's, 2005 B7RLE's, and 2008 B7RLE's, and a few E200's.

72, YN56NVD broken-down, awaitng for the spare bus

Ipswich Transport Museum update:

• The floors are being grinded and will gain new coats of paint to look fresh for the official opening day on March 17th.
• Dennis the bus is having a repaint from blue to green to match and identify the Ipswich Buses old colour scheme and new coated brown floor. 
• 1880 Cambridge horse tram is almost accomplished but might not go on display on the main hall during the 2019 season, as we ain't certain as the museum would have to move half of the museum - its a 50/50 possibility. 
• The hearse is receiving attention in the restoration hall.
• The shop is to gain some extra shelves.