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It makes me sad to see some of the Johnsons fleet now. 
Grew up with Johnsons when they used to do school trips from my school many years ago back in the 90's and as I have an interest in buses/coaches always followed them. 
Since the Johnson family have stepped down I see the fleet on a regular basis as the depot is near where I live. There's coaches with scrapes down the side and alloys in need of refurbishment etc. One of the double decker Vanhools had the rear bumper taped up and it's sad to see what was a great fleet start to lose its way now! 

YJ70 EWC - Optare Metrodecker 
Ex Johnsons of Henley has been repainted into Diamond colours. No logos yet, but paintwork has been done. 

Apologies if this has been asked before, but working in Coventry, I travel along the A45 most days. I often see buses on the X1 running out of service both into and out of Coventry. It made me wonder why BC and CV don't work this route together. I'm sure there's plenty of reasons why that I don't know about but surely working together would save buses running empty between both cities and save on fuel costs?

Tony, I don't know if it's my eyes playing tricks on me but has 734 got the right Reg Plate? It looks like it's on a 16 plate and not 61 in it's fresh coat of paint.

Couple of questions on Johnsons if anyone knows anything about them....

Every morning on my commute into work I always pass around 5/6 of the companies coaches coming out of Birmingham along the Aston Expressway onto the M6 heading what I assume is back to base. This is at around half 6 every morning. What kind of contract would they be operating this early. Is it anything to do with Amazon? Around the same time I see a Catteralls of Southam with LED display saying Amazon so not sure if related. Either way good to see that during this climate they are getting daily work even if it's not to the demand it once was!

Also, I saw one of the 08 or 09 plate Scania Irizars debranded of the Johnsons name. It still had the rest of the livery. It was parked up in Birmingham next to a Whittles Coach. Has this been removed from Johnsons fleet and transferred to Whittles or has it left the company entirely and just purely a coincidence that they were next to each other?

Many thanks for my curiosity being cured!

4576 was out on the X12 this evening. Was good to see a Trident back on the route after LH used to operate them on the 966 previously. Out of interest is there a minimum amount of platinum buses that must be out on a platinum route? I appreciate that breakdowns occur and servicing etc but didn't know if there was a set number? Just curious, I'm all for seeing different buses appearing from time to time!

4900 was on the X12 this morning. Great to see an Enviro on the route.

I saw a Crimson branded Trident on Damson Lane yesterday (11th). I've heard through the forum that the X12 is going to BC? Could this have been a BC trident doing route training or are my sums of 2+2 just not making 4?

1791 only a week or so out of paint caught fire at Chelmsley Wood yesterday evening. I'm guessing by the photos it will be a write off!

7539 was involved in a RTC today. First and Foremost hope everyone involved is ok but having seen the damage, what will the chances be of it being repaired. Understand it's only just happened so will be a few days before it's properly assessed but it looks like it could be quite expensive as the floor looks badly damaged.
With it being new I would imagine it would be worth the repairs but with no knowledge of this world it would be quite interesting for an opinion of someone who does!

Thank you for the reply Tony, my naivety in this field is clear! Appreciate the response, so many thanks.

I am a real fan of this livery but I feel that it gets let down by the state of the wheels! I completely understand that this a minor point and not really a significant one! But is there a reason this is? Forgive me if it's an obvious answer and I'm sure cost probably plays a part especially when you see some operators with the chrome wheels but obviously don't have the fleet size NXWM have! Just wondered what other people's opinions are!

Would these be solely for JLR contract work or could they end up on AG operated routes from time to time? Will they be painted into corporate livery too?

Will they be using the second hand buses that Tony mentioned are due into the fleet? Or is it all too early to say?

I see on the news that a platinum bus caught fire in Birmingham City Centre today.