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Yet despite previous orders, First still hang on to 20+ y.o double deckers.  The only step entry double decks should be Volvo Olympians by now.

sconehead85

Any news on the Leyland Olympians and Volvo Citybus 38125, which may now be the last closed top one with First given the demise of Northampton depot.

sconehead85

The demise of 2000-2 (P-MLE identified in Arriva Stafford thread) eliminates the step entry Dennis Dart from Arrivas empire.  Of course Hinckley depot brought with it some Mercedes Benz Varios but counting full size buses only means just five step-entry single deck Scanias are left with Arriva Midlands and as a whole.

sconehead85

The OFT decision is to happen on 3rd December.   I think Whittle may be sold, obviously not to First, as EYMS is probably going to focus on its own area.
If First are not allowed  to buy Finglands then there will be a Stagecoach monopoly on the Manchester- Wilmslow Road corridor, so the OFT inquiry is a no-brainer.

sconehead85

As stated on the fleet news section Dart 2038 has finally been withdrawn, but
Hinckley's 2000/1 are now the Arriva groups final step Darts.  Getting closer to 100% low floor........

sconehead85

There are HUNDREDS of them in Merseyside!  Not all of the following are based in Merseyside, but many are- Arriva NW and Cymru have 2620-2700 and 2900-3155.
All Voith gearboxed screamers!

sconehead85

Any recent Scania step entry sightings?

sconehead85

As indicated on the Fleet  News section the last step-entry double decks (Volvo Olympians 4687/92) are withdrawn leaving just 5 Scania and three Dennis Dart single decks (2000/1/38) with step entrances.

sconehead85

Tony- My info was wrong!

sconehead85

#trainbasher- Didn't you see my topic?  It might be an idea to put your post on my thread.  Have the Volvo Citybuses finally gone?

sconehead85

Thanks folks but its statistics I am after however manky or not the vehicles may be! Hopefully they will appear in the Arriva Midlands fleet list soon.

To part answer my own question I have this Hinckley allocation which dates from December 2012 which I wouldn't mind correcting.

Dennis Dart step  128/32/48/70/81/82
Volkswagen 207
Optare Solo 220-2/9-32, 350/69/72/84/6
Mercedes Vario 430/3/4/8/9/41/2/6/7/9/50
Dennis Dart SLF 517/8/70/91
Optare Excel 687, 715/6..

This list could still be out of date.  It looks as if 2038 wont be the only step Dart with Arriva although it is possible they may be replaced by drafted/reinstated Dennis Darts.  The Varios are split between R reg, but the last three are 54-plate.
The Centrebus part takeover will bring a large batch of Optare Solos to Arriva.
Any corrections feel free to make.  This has been edited from the original post.


sconehead85

I have put the list of vehicles transferred to Arriva on the front page of the main site. This has been kindly supplied by Arriva so should be correct, although it was sent to me as a pdf of a handwritten note so could have an error in

Tony Ive seen the list but the only doubt is 2200-2 as there is an existing 2201/2.
still in service AFAIK.

sconehead85

Thanks folks but its statistics I am after however manky or not the vehicles may be! Hopefully they will appear in the Arriva Midlands fleet list soon.

To part answer my own question I have this Hinckley allocation which dates from December 2012 which I wouldn't mind correcting.

Dennis Dart step  128/32/48/70/81/82
Volkswagen 207
Optare Solo 220-2/9-32, 350/69/72/84/6
Mercedes Vario 430/3/4/8/9/41/2/6/7/9/50
Dennis Dart SLF 517/8/70/91
Optare Excel 687, 715/6..

This list could still be out of date.  It looks as if 2038 wont be the only step Dart with Arriva although it is possible they may be replaced by drafted/reinstated Dennis Darts.  The Varios are split between R reg, but the last three are 54-plate.
The Centrebus part takeover will bring a large batch of Optare Solos to Arriva.
Any corrections feel free to make.  This has been edited from the original post.


sconehead85

Does anyone know what type of vehicles are allocated to Hinckley?  Thanks

sconehead85

Newcastle-under-Lyme depot need four double decks, but for schools only Volvo Olympians are needed for the next year or so.

sconehead85

According to uk uses fleet list Leyland Olympian G758 XRE is withdrawn, leaving G753/5/7 XRE.

sconehead85