Arriva Leicester

[47609FireFly]

I snapped these views of 4536 on 03/12/2017:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJsW8fXcAAdizI.jpg - sitting inside South Wigston depot.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJsVh1XcAcEkXI.jpg - at the stop of Station Street, South Wigston.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJsYg9XUAEchtj.jpg - rear end view of Blaby Road. Despite having a large rear destination display, the Arriva's programming doesn't make the most of it.

The bus didn't look to have a ticket machine fitted so don't know where it was going.

[47609FireFly]

And here are some snaps of 4537 which I also took on the same day:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJw_eIXkAE0nvO.jpg - on Charles Street. Got to keep that light blue clean!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJxDtmWsAAI4M_.jpg - St. George's Way turning into Charles Street.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJxDqmWkAIiq5b.jpg - railway station.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQJxDqjW0AAOMfW.jpg - railway station.

These are the first vehicles in service in Leicester with white LED destination displays.

[47609FireFly]

On 04/12/2017, 4538, 4539 and 4542 were all noted in service. I managed a few quick pictures:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQPT0WIXkAAjcP5.jpg - 4538 on Charles Street.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQPVNlUWsAEaDB2.jpg - rear of 4542 on Charles Street.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQPVNlZXcAAhUwl.jpg - 4542 on Charles Street.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQPVNlXW4AApaZP.jpg

4536 appeared later on in with the day with a revised destination programme which uses a different font for the route number and destination text. Looks much better. It also corrects how the rear display is used, to show both the route number and destination.

Meanwhile, as the existing Sapphire vehicles are being used elsewhere (namely routes 44/44A & 49), old tat is being used on the 31/31A until all of the new kit is in service. That said, poor vehicle allocation in the past often meant the wrong vehicle type on routes 31/31A and the Sapphire bus used elsewhere.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQPOJUDW4AAF_pe.jpg - 4020 on Charles Street on 04/12/2017.

[mikestone]

Appeared to be only MMCs and one or two Gemini still branded today.

[leepenfold30]

Also The Sapphires are launching on 158 soon the streetlites will be coming off and they be on Leicester routes

[Bob]

What they gonna use on the 158?

[leepenfold30]

Pulsars as Streetlites be coming off

[Bob]

Not cannocks sapphire streetlites then?

[leepenfold30]

No Bob 3313-3318 & 3300

[Bob]

No i know that i meant as its rumoured still that Cannocks streetlites are shortly going i thought they might be headed leicester

[Tony]

3807 is the first one refurbished for the 158

[Bob]

So theyre refurbing older buses for an upgrade that involves taking newer ones off? Maybe NX will refurb some tridents for Platinum 😂😂😉😂

[47609FireFly]

3807 is the first one refurbished for the 158

Yes it is 3807 and it arrived back at Thurmaston today (05/12/2017). Arriva's refurbished kit versus the brand new E200MMCs of Stagecoach...

Regarding the B7TLs still in use on routes 31/31A, I make it that 4005, 4008, 4009 & 4010 are still branded for the route. I snapped 4005 today, at the London Road / Evington Road junction:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTstPaWAAAfSmA.jpg

Also taken today, here's the revised destination programme:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTselpXUAARvO1.jpg - 4536 at London Road / Granville Road inbound.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTu6llW4AAIv06.jpg - 4537 at London Road / Evington Road outbound.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTxOaJXcAEAr8N.jpg - 4536 at St. James the Greater outbound.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTxOc8W0AEqlcG.jpg - 4539 at St. James the Greater inbound.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTg8uXWsAISBgD.jpg - the rear signs now showing destination information too.

I don't think 'Leicester' is really needed. Which other city centre would the bus be going to? Less is more.

Also grabbed a quick snap of 2516 on Gravel Street:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQTgNyuW0AMTGGW.jpg

[47609FireFly]

Noted today (06/12/2017), 4005, 4008 & 4009 were noted in service with the 31/31A route branding removed.

[47609FireFly]

I've just passed a 'Sapphirized' 3804, at Leicester Forest East, doing a route 158 towards Nuneaton. Rear destination display was a full size, orange LED unit.