National Express Coventry - Unusual Workings

[JoNi]

When Metrobuses and Daimler Fleetlines operated in Coventry in the 80s and 90s schedules were compiled deliberately with newest buses on all day workings.
Fleetlines were allocated to daytime and peak workings. Routes 3 and 4 serving the backstreets around Terry Road had Metrobuses allocated to all workings.

There were many more peak buses those days as works buses still existed, far more school buses were operated and additional journeys were operated at 09:30 to cater for large flows of OAPs.

A culture now exists were buses are allocated to cost centres routes rather than using the most modern buses to the maximum benefit of passengers and drivers. Convincing NX to use the most modern buses on Sundays in Coventry didn't prove to be too difficult but evenings requires co-operation between commercial and engineering functions of NX. ;)   

[lauren1993]

2155 on the 2/3 and 23, out all night.
1655(?) on the 10 (pm)
Todays 21 branded enviro 400 on the 12 was 4837.

[Valandil]

Well it's certainly an interesting day for the 18(a), with at least two ALX400's and an Eclipse on there!
(There may be other things as well: I haven't seen the other vehicles on there).

[JoNi]

The other two 18s are just run of the mill 1579 and 1635

Other rare workings

4 -   4421 (only 7 Bendys out today)
16 - 4830

[Kiewii]

Well it's certainly an interesting day for the 18(a), with at least two ALX400's and an Eclipse on there!
(There may be other things as well: I haven't seen the other vehicles on there).

Eclipse Gemini or Eclipse Urban 2?

[Valandil]

Eclipse Gemini or Eclipse Urban 2?

It was one of the unbranded B7RLE's (fleet number 2156).

[JoNi]

Further unusual workings

6/A -  1571
8 evening working - 1591
11/12 - 1548 seen departing to Leamington

[lauren1993]

Todays 21 branded enviro 400 on the 12 (pm) was 4835.

[JoNi]

2/3 - 2153 (out all night)
4 -    4410, 4214 (only 6 Bendys today)
10 -  1608
13 -  1680

Ran out vehicles this morning at least one 12 was cancelled.

[lauren1993]

Today:
1612 - 10
4451 - 21
2153 - 2/3
2155 - 23

[paulb1973]

When Metrobuses and Daimler Fleetlines operated in Coventry in the 80s and 90s schedules were compiled deliberately with newest buses on all day workings.
Fleetlines were allocated to daytime and peak workings. Routes 3 and 4 serving the backstreets around Terry Road had Metrobuses allocated to all workings.

There were many more peak buses those days as works buses still existed, far more school buses were operated and additional journeys were operated at 09:30 to cater for large flows of OAPs.

A culture now exists were buses are allocated to cost centres routes rather than using the most modern buses to the maximum benefit of passengers and drivers. Convincing NX to use the most modern buses on Sundays in Coventry didn't prove to be too difficult but evenings requires co-operation between commercial and engineering functions of NX. ;)

I can certainly recall the 3 & 4 (Holbrooks/Hen Lane - Stoke Aldermoor via City) prior to the major route changes of 1985, being solidly Metrobus operated. I can still see a Mk1 Metro turning around at the Whitworth Avenue/Acorn St terminus.

It wasn't until after the changes of April '85 that a few Fleetline-operated peak workings came into being - normally around 4.00-5.30pm. I do remember catching a Coventry Transport ordered East Lancs Fleetline on the 3/4 from Ernesford Grange into town - probably one of the last of its type (presumably between May '85 - until deregulation in October '86). Slightly later-on, I saw Park Royal bodied Fleetline 6637 meander along Langbank Avenue, when Coventry had No's 6582-91 & 6635-37 on its books for a short period.

[lauren1993]

4842 - 7
1566 - 20

[JoNi]

4 - 4410, 4214 and 4417 replaced 6014 (down to 5 Bendys today)
13 - 1680 A relieving Driver turned the corner in Burges and saw what he'd got and said to me "Blimey this ought to be in the Museum", to which I replied "I doubt if they'd have it"!

[OH25]

Unusual Workings (not from Coventry so I don't know if they are unusual)
4830 on the 6
Gemini on the 4E to Rowleys Green, Hen Lane

[Trident 4609]

Unusual Workings (not from Coventry so I don't know if they are unusual)
4830 on the 6
Gemini on the 4E to Rowleys Green, Hen Lane

Yes they are certainly noteworthy :) The 6 is usually Tridents/B7TL ALX400's and Gemini's
And the 4 is Citaro Bendi-Bus operated and Trdents on Sundays/sometimes in the week