New book on buses in North East Wales

 
A new book has been published that looks at the bus scene in North East Wales / Clwyd since 1986.

The author, Peter Daniels, current Mayor of Ruthin,  has worked in public transport co-ordination with Clwyd County Council since 1988 and all of its 1996 successors. He continues to work as a manager with Transport for Wales, albeit now part-time.

There are some 72 pages with 150 colour photographs each of which have a detailed narrative that informs the reader of the significance in the context of the deregulated bus years from 1986 

Every last penny after production costs will go to the three designated mayoral charities, which are the Denbighshire & Conwy Stroke Association, Vale of Clwyd MIND, and Transforming Lives for Good. 

 Further details including how to purchase a copy are available from the micro-publisher’s site at  hiraethog.co.uk

Price  £15 if obtained via the website above.  The book was to be made available from other sources at  £22.50  but there have not been sufficient copies available for them to be distributed in shops.

former Flintshire County Council - two Electric Buses

 The two electric buses -  Switch (Optare) Solo EV YJ72EVF and EVG which were acquired by Flintshire County Council in September 2022 and were never used in service are now being operated by Llew Jones of Llanrwst.  They see regular service on the 19 Llandudno to Llanrwst service.

 After leaving Flintshire County Council in May 2025 they went for auction in South Wales and were then acquired by Llew Jones of Llanrwst.  It is understood that there was an amount of over half a million pounds between the price paid for them when new compared to the price paid at auction.  During the period of over two and a half years (32 months) they were never used on service and stood parked in one of the County Council yards.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 Leaving the fleet is Scania K360IB4 /  Irizar Century which carried the registration number L100PLL.  It came to the firm in August 2021 from Dodsworth, Rufforth, North Yorkshire and it was new in Oct 2012 to New Adventure Travel, Cardiff  

It has reverted to its original number YR62DZX and is to be exported to Greece.

The latest Tourismo Coach to be delivered to the firm in late September was given the registration number BV75HSL.  Howevere it is likely not to see service during the winter.  As it has not been taxed it may be re-registered with a '26' plate next year.

                                                        (photo courtesy Richard Hughes)
 

 

Townlynx, Greenfield, Holywell

 The firm have had a bit of a tidy up with their older vehicles and yards.

The yard containing the buses donating parts has been cleared and so the following have left the fleet and all have gone for scrap.

LX03OSY        Transbus Trident ALX400  ex Stagecaoch East - with Townlynx since 10/2018

Y213BAW       Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusader ex Dublin  Bus - with Townlynx 9/2012

Y72YSO          Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusader ex Dublin  Bus - with Townlynx 9/2012

Y978WDM      Volvo B6BLE / Wright Crusader ex Dublin  Bus - with Townlynx 9/2012

 

What was a rented out yard is now occupied by Townlynx and 5 buses not in service are currently being stored there.

BX07OOH    BMC Falcon 1100FE    
BX07OPW    BMC Falcon 1100FE      
CN04NLL    Transbus Dart SLF    Transbus
KU02YBP    Dennis Trident  ALX400
LX03OTG    Transbus Trident ALX400
 

One other vehicle is still not being used and that is the all electric YJ64DZS    Optare M890EV Solo

This is still in the prime position in the yard but has not seen service since joining Townlynx in April 2022 

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 A recent arrival is BW11KGE a Mercedes Sprinter 313cdi   with an  Elite Conversions 16 seat body.    It was converted from a van.  It was new in August 2011 and was with Lloyds of Machynlleth from September 2016 who registered it DW11OYD.

The Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516CDI  /  Ilesbus    C19F that recently arrived has been re-registered from V22JRP to J60MKD.

The Scania K360IB4 /  Higer YN22YMR  is currently being repainted out of Shearings livery into the firms smart livery.

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercias Ltd) Eryrys

 The recent arrivals of K121MPR, L121MPR and K28UTW have all received the firm's very smart  livery and look excellent.

 

Volvo / Plaxton Profile  SIG1393 and Scania / Caetano Lavante K11BBT have left the fleet.  It is believed they haveboth  gone to Davies Motors, Ruthin for scrap.

 

 

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 The second brand new '75' plate  Tourismo coach has now arrived - BV75HSL  

They are both fully PSVR compliant with 53 seats and with lifts 

 

                                                                       ( Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

Goodwin Bagillt

 The two BMCs that recently entered the fleet have received vinyls promoting the firms facilities. They have also received fleet numbers.

BX56XBJ has also bee re-registered to WEZ411 and is fleet number M15

 

BX07OPR has not yet been re-registered - it carries fleet number M16  (please note the corrected registration number from a previous incorrect report)

 

The Neoplan Starliner 25EXG that has joined the fleet from Arvonia is currently being painted into the firm's smart yellow livery. 

 

 

Correction re BMC 1100

Last month I reported the transfer of BMC Falcon 1100 BX07OPS had transferred from P & O Lloyd to Go Goodwin in Bagillt.  It was actually BX07OPR that transferred.  OPS is still with P&O Lloyd.

I apologise for this error. 

Unicorn Travel, Llay, Wrexham

 Rejoining the firm after over six years since it was last here is :-

PN13TFO   a  MAN Neoplan N2216/3SHD 480 /  Neoplan Tourliner    

It now has a lift and is PSVR compliant.  It was new in April 2013 to City Circle, Hayes (82) and came to Unicorn in October 2017 and returned in January 2019 after the lease had finished.  The firm did want to buy it but it had already been promised to Holmeswood Coaches.

 

It will be given a new registration soon and will have the firm's smart new livery.

The Tourliner that was  MF11LVR;   R1UTW  is now R19UTW and has been given an excellent face lift by the boys at KC Bodywork and currently looks very smart.  It too will be getting new vinyls very soon.

 

 

TrawsCymru Route T51

 The former 51, X51 (Rhyl - Denbigh - Ruthin - Wrexham) services now run under the route number T51 and are part of the TrawsCymru network.  The service is still being operated by Arriva Cymru.  The principal change apart from the route number is that the frequency between Ruthin and Wrexham has reverted to hourly which is what the situation was prior to Covid.

The service has a PVR of 7 and next year a new fleet of TrawsCymru liveried double deckers are expected.  In the meantime one StreetDeck 4725 (DG71VGT) has been transferred by Arriva from Merseyside to the Rhyl depot and has been given the TrawsCymru new livery.  This is the first double deck vehicle to receive this livery.  All other buses operating the new T51 service are from the Rhyl depot and will remain in Arriva livery until the new buses arrive next year.

The T51 service commenced on Sunday 28th September.  One glitch was that despite the regular Arriva vehicles showing T51 on the destination the liveried StreetDeck 4725 still showed the old X51.

On Monday 29th September this had been remedied and as can be seen it was displaying T51. However there clearly was an issue with the StreeDeck as throughout the day it was continually running late anything up to 45 minutes.  None of the other vehicles suffered this problem. The StreetDeck was able to gain some time by not laying over but nevertheless each departure was late.

Today (30th September) it has not appeared so it is presumed any problem is being addressed. 

 

 

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham

 Further to the posting of last week the latest coach on hire to the firm from Llew Jones is YT19KUO

 The Irizar I6 was new in May 2019 to Kings Ferry. 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

The firm are currently operating a Neoplan demonstrator  OY25ZHC and its first task is taking Wrexham football supporters to the Leicester ground for tonight's match.

( Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

 

 

The Mercedes Sprinter / Ilebus recently acquired has had its registration number changed from  

V22JRP to J60MKD.

 

( Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn

 The firn have had on loan from Llew Jones, Llanrwst a former National Express  Scania / Caetano Levante II  BG65TGK.  It has now returned and a second loan vehicle was expected to arrive.

 

Oares of Brynford, Holywell

 A new arrival is Ford Transit BG12HPY.  It was new in June 2012 to Hertz; September 2018 it was with Clarke, Hemel Hemstead and in August 2023 it was with Podmore Weston Super Mare Somerset,

 

Goodwins, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have purchased two BMC Falcon 1100FE, BX07OPR  and  BX56XBJ  from P and O Lloyd.

OPR was new to  P and O Lloyd in April 2007 and XBJ was a demonstrator with BMC when new in September 2009 and came to P and O Lloyd in September 2006.

 

The Neoplan Starliner recently acquired from Arvonia has been re-registered to 25EXG from OU15ZVZ and is to soon be painted into the Goodwin livery.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have recently taken delivery of another brand new Mercedes Tourismo.  BV75HSK is the first to arrive and a second, believed to be BV75HSL, is also expected to arrive in due course.

                                                               ( Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

Three vehicles left the fleet and were entered into Wilsons Auction House at Queensferry but did not sell and have returned to the firm. BMC Falcon 1100FE, BX07OPS  and  BX56XBJ  have however been sold to Goodwins also of Bagillt.   Solo MX07NTO may be sold soon. 

S W Transport (Wayne Oare) Brynford, Holywell

 The firm now has a second Mercedes-Benz O813D Vario / Mellor.  MX08VNP is a month younger than sibling MX08UJY being new in June 2008 and they both were new to the London Borough of Merton.  VNP has until recently been with Williams of Brecon.

The former Price's Coaches Vario DH04EBJ as been sold to D P Owens, Rhiwlas.

S W Transport now have three Ford Transits the latest being HV22HJK which was new to South Pennine Community Transport, Honley

 

                                                   (Photo courtesy Wayne Oare)

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

Joining the fleet is V22JRP a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 516CDI / Ilesbus  (C19F)   It was new in July 2019 to ABC Travel Reading as MR19ABC - In Jan 2022 it was with JRP Direct, Heathfield.

One of its tasks is to be the Wrexham Ladies Football Team Coach.

Vario SF57JSU has been with Pats Coaches for a very short period working only a few days.  It has been with Clynnog and Trefor and is believed to be now going to Anglesey.

 

Crosville Cymru Coastliner

 In September 1965,  60 years ago, Crosville started a limited stop service running from Chester to Caernarfon.

To celebrate this important anniversary of this interesting service 60 years ago a special event was organised on Sunday 7th September where seven former Crosville buses ran on the route.  There was a complex timetable for the event (see below).

Whilst a number of people were involved in the achievement of the day the event was planned by Andy Hamer who has to be congratulated for the success of the event.

He produced an excellent Souvenir Brochure and these can still be obtained by emailing him at 

cymrucoastliner60@gmail.com

 The buses involved were:-

 

 

 

ENL930 (HFM186N) - the Leyland National is owned by Andy Hamer - see leaving Rhyl Bus Station.  It was driven by Matt Davies.

 

DFG65 (875VFM) is owned by Clive Myers seen at Prestatyn Bus Station. It was driven by Keith Valla and conducted by Owen Sadler.

 

CRG106 (AFM106G) was a last minute replacement for CRG530 (AFM105B). 530 was actually one of the coaches used for the inaugural journey in 1965.  They are both owned by Stephen Graham. CRG106 was driven by Geoff O'Brien on the day.

 

EOG207 (C207GTU) is another bus owned by Andy Hamer.  As can be seen from the livery 207 was used on the Coastliner for a number of years based at Llandudno Junction.  It is seen at Rhyl Bus Station driven by Andy.

 

A last minute visitor to the event was former DVG467 (WTU467W) which is now owned by Philip Higgs and has returned to the North West from a long stay in the West Country.  IT is seen leaving Llandudno. A few brave souls did ride on the top deck despite the unfortunate weather.

ERG52 (UFM52F) is seen at the roundabout near the Palladium and it is owned by Carl Richards and was being driven by Glyn Plevin.

 

ERG3 (OFM3E) is seen laying over on Gloddaeth Avenue, Llandudno just about to depart for Rhyl.  EOG207 can be seen behind.  ERG3 is owned by Clive Myers but was being driven by Tim Hines on the day and he was accompanied by a conductor Steve Jones. 

Go Goodwin, Bagillt, Holywell

 Goodwins have acquired OU15ZVZ a Neoplan N5217SHDC  Starliner IIC    (C53Ft) which has come from Arvonia of Llanrug who had it new in April 2015.

It is about to be given the Go Goodwins livery, be given a cherished number and will be used on tours.

                                                                            ( Photo courtesy Richard Glaister )

 

Leaving the heritage fleet is WSV553  a DAF MB200DKFL600 /  Jonckheere P50  (C49Ft)2020/01    [] It was new in Feb 1984 as A375UNH to Roman City, Bath.  It was with various owners before coming to Goodwins in January 2020.   It has been sold to an individual who will keep it in preservation.  

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials), Eryrys, Mold

Keanes Coaches have now taken delivery of a second Tourismo which is a sibling of the one that arrived recently.   K121MPR was new in Aug 2015 to Kings Ferry [424]  as BT15KNB. In December 2019 it was exported to Ireland to  Kavanagh, Urlingford as 152-D-30313.  In April 2023 it was back in the UK and was with  MPR Park Royal, London NW10 having been with Llew Jones of Llanrwst but it was never used by them.

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 Pats Coaches have a brand new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo   PA75BWS.  It is fully PSVR compliant and is C53FLT.

The vinyls shown below have not yet been fully completed.

 

The coach is expected to be in use straight way on 1st September being used on a Leger holiday.

Go Goodwin, Bagillt, Holywell

 The Bova Futura reported as being acquired in May has now been given fleet livery and has been given the fleet registratio0n number of WEZ522.

 

 

GSV904 Volvo B10M-61 / Plaxton Viewmaster IV  C48FT (originally WFX75X)  has been sold to Travel master.

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea Wrexham

 The firm is just about to receive a brand new Tourismo that will carry the number PA75BWS

 

The service bus normally used on the 146 Whitchurch route Iveco Daily / Ilesbus I-City Max PC74PAT  has now been given the Pats fleet livery.  Since it was new in  November 2024 it has just been in dealer white.

 YG67FZK which served the company from July 2022 in Leger Silver livery and has recently been re-painted into grey has, as a result of a last minute plan,  left the fleet.  It was recently registered SSV269 and briefly V11PPC but has reverted to its original number.  It is now with Rothwells Super Travel, Heywood, Greater Manchester.

  Van Hool TX16A Acron which was JK10JNK has now received the cherished number V11PPC and is shortly to receive tables and will be used as an executive coach.

 

 Van Hool T916 Astorn GX11PKK has been re-registered to SSV269

 

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials), Eryrys, Mold

 Recently arrived is Mercedes Tourismo  C49FLt   L121MPR.  It was new in Aug 2015 to Kings Ferry [425  as BT15KNC, in December 2019 it went to Ireland and was with Kavanagh, Urlingford as 152-KK-1440; In April 2023 it was with  MPR Park Royal, London NW10 where it gained its cherished number.

Also joining the fleet is Ford Transit CV17LFS This 16 seater was new in April 2017 to Gwalia Hire, Ross-on-Wye; in March 2019 it was with Local and National Minibus, Stockton-on-Tees and in August 2019 it was with Local Minibus, Linthorpe, Cleveland. 

 Left the fleet is SV09EGC  Volvo B7R / Plaxton Profile  which has been with firm since April 2022