Last step entry buses

[sconehead85]

Arriva Midlands are SO CLOSE to being all LF. AFAIK all thats left of step buses are Wardles 2038 (Dennis Dart), 4545-7, 4687/92 (Leyland /Volvo Olympian) , and main fleet Scanias 3417/9/89/91.   Five ex London DDs and five single decks should complete the job.

31 December would be a good last day for them but I can see the Wardle fleet lingering into 2013.

sconehead85

[NXWM Spectra]

I'm expecting it to be over by March, when the Midland takeover finally gets finalised, that cascades around lots of Darts, which could replace the step entrance ones.

[Bob]

Surely most Midland Darts will go? Theyre tat! Id say thata lot of the step entry buses ( scanias / olympians/ etc) are far better buses than some of the low floor buses of a similar vintage, eg a journey from Cannock to Walsall or Wolverhampton would be much more pleasant in a Scania than it would in a Low floor Dart! Theyre really rubbish buses

[sconehead85]

NXWM-  I dont think the Midland takeover clearance would have any effect as the step entry fleet is now down to 14 vehicles.  2038 I think is being retained as a "heritage" bus, otherwise why has it survived so long?

bob- The job is almost complete now anyway and the slaughter of SLF Darts is under way.

sconehead85

[Bob]

Not at blood

NXWM-  I dont think the Midland takeover clearance would have any effect as the step entry fleet is now down to 14 vehicles.  2038 I think is being retained as a "heritage" bus, otherwise why has it survived so long?

bob- The job is almost complete now anyway and the slaughter of SLF Darts is under way.

sconehead85





Not at Cannock depot it aint! lol

[staffsdave]

3415 R415TJW is now in Wardles colours and is currently being worked on at Stafford (MOT prep). Bus has had 2+3 seating fitted for a school contract.

Dave

[arrivaaston]

I saw 3419 in Shrewsbury saturday with a dodgy destination blind and where's 3417, its no longer at tamworth and the only R/TJW scania in Cannocks yard is 3416 wich is unused, surely the last 3 or 4 of these would be ideal training buses to replace ageing K/OHF volvos??

[tphi12000]

I saw 3419 in Shrewsbury saturday with a dodgy destination blind and where's 3417, its no longer at tamworth and the only R/TJW scania in Cannocks yard is 3416 wich is unused, surely the last 3 or 4 of these would be ideal training buses to replace ageing K/OHF volvos??

3416 was parked at the front of Derby depot sunday morning. Tony

[arrivaaston]

 Any idea what its doing at Derby and any ideas where 3417 is??

[sconehead85]

It looks as if Wardle will be the last refuge for step-entry buses. 3415's conversion to a school bus is surprising given the bus's age and now rarity in Arriva.

sconehead85

[arrivaaston]

What's happening to 3416 and where is 3417 these days??

[Ashley]

Just wondering if any are left in passenger service and where would be the best chance of finding them?

[arrivaaston]

From what others have posted, the knowledge I have on them is as follows

3415-Wardle Transport
3416-Withdrawn (At Derby Garrage)
3417-Shrewsbury (Unsure if its in service or not)
3418-Gone
3419-Shrewsbury
3420-Gone
3421-Gone
3422-Arriva North East
3423-Now Fleet no. 9000 (Exhibition Bus)
3424-Scrapped
3425-Scrapped
3426-Gone
3427-Tamworth Coach And Bus
3428-Gone
3429-Gone
3468-Telford
3489-Telford
3491-Telford

[Ashley]

Thank you

[arrivaaston]

The 1's with 'Gone' I'm not sure if they've been scrapped or sold or transfered to another Arriva Group