Last step entry buses

[sconehead85]

Looking at the excellent fleetlists section on the last update , barring mini/midi buses and coaches there are the following step entry buses.  How long have they got?

10  Volvo Olympians
3   Leyland Olympians (4545-7)
6   Scania single decks
1   Dennis Dart 2038 (M100 PHA)

I have left out Mercedes minibuses because Im not sure to the extent that they are used in regular public service, but many of those need replacing.

sconehead85

[Bob]

Telford had a 55 plate ex wardles merc that was used in wolverhampton not long back

[sconehead85]

Thanks Bob.  Using the new style registration era as a cut off point, despite the Ulster style registrations of some Wardle minibuses, I reckon TEN Mercedes minis need replacing.  However Wardle seem to be involved in special needs transportation so most if not all the minibus fleet will NOT be in general passenger service so I won't be counting these among the last step entry buses.  Arriva Midlands are nearly there anyway!

sconehead85

[Bob]

2 of the scanias were working out of cannock last week. r416/7 tjw

[sconehead85]

There are clearly enough single decks due after the Olympics to replace the last step Scanias. But I wonder about the last step Dennis Dart 2038 (M100 PHA). Is this being saved as a heritage vehicle or preservation?  As for Scanias they are down to 3415-7/9/89/91.  Once these are gone its wholesale slaughter for the early Dart SLFs.

The double deck fleet is down to 13 step entry buses- are they "safe" for now? 

sconehead85

[nx4737]

The double deck fleet is down to 13 step entry buses- are they "safe" for now?

With the B7 Geminis due after the Olympics, it's hard to say...  Unless anyone has an idea?

[sconehead85]

Depens if theres enough of them I suppose.

Ive just discovered that ALL surviving step Scania single decks and all bar one step Scania double decks have spent some time at Arriva Midlands.

The other single decks are N430/433 XRC and N167/9/72/6 PUT which are all with TGM Harlow or Stansted AFAIK. Most of the double decks are with Arriva NE and TGM Colchester/Harlow.

The double deckers are G35 HKY and H804 RWJ, new to Liverline, Merseyside but via AM are in North Wales (HKY, now open-top) and TGM Harlow (RWJ).

Arriva NE and TGM also have M161/2/70/2/6/7 GRY and N160-2/4 VVO,seven with Arriva NE and three with TGM.

I think most of these may be withdrawn this year, but the TGM ones may last longer.

sconehead85



sconehead85

[Bob]

Some of Cannocks Darts ( SLFS And early MPDS) need to go theyre rattly noisy piles of crap

[sconehead85]

bob- To think that Arriva Midlands sold Volvo Olympians to a dealer IN EXCHANGE for early Dennis Dart SLFs!

sconehead85

[Bob]

says it all.....

[nx4737]

Do we know what routes the Olympians at Wardles are used on?

[sconehead85]

Sorry I'm late nx4737-  The Wardle Olympians are used probably on schools and football specials.

The recent fleet news means that the Wardle operation has most remaining step entry buses.

Of  step double decks  Wigston based 4617 (Volvo Olympian) is the last with AM, along with the five remaining Scania sds which cant have very long left, 3416/7 at Cannock, 3415/9 at Shrewsbury and 3489/91 at Telford.  4620-2 are in reserve.

Wardle has Dart 2038, Olympians  4650/2/87/92 (Volvo) and 4545-7 (Leyland).

Arriva Mids+Wardle are the closest Arriva region to all low-floor.  In theory current deliveries could replace them all.

sconehead85

[tphi12000]

scania 3489 is also still in service at Telford noted on the 55 this morning. Tony

[sconehead85]

Tony-Ive corrected the error now, 3489/91 are at Telford, but on the fleetlist 3489 is marked withdrawn in error.

sconehead85

[tphi12000]

OK ,I think this is because on the last official fleet list it was shown as allocated to head office . Tony