Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 V11PPC the  Van Hool TX16A Acron has been converted back to a 40 seater with tables and a kitchen.  It is being used for prestige hire such as the Wrexham FC ladies team and is also available for executive work.

                                                          (Photos courtesy Ben lewis)
 

RO71KUW (recently PC71PAT)  has returned to the fleet after a short period with GM Buses.  Unfortunatly its first duties has been to donate some urgent parts to the accident damaged service bus PC74PAT to enable it to return to work the 146 Wrexham to Whitchurch service.  

 Left the fleet -  OOC884    Volvo B7R  /  Plaxton Profile    C70F which has gone to an operator in Telford.  It is likely to be re-registered back to KX56OVF

GM Buses, Ruthin

 The Iveco / Ilesbus RO71KUW has returned to Pats Coaches and was not used on service on the 2 Ruthin to Mold route.

                                                                                 (photo courtesy Ben Lewis)
      

From 23rd February the 2 Mold to Ruthin route via Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys, Maesafn has now been converted to the 22 Llanarmon fflecsi service.  Anyone travelling on this service must now contact fflecsi by either using an app or by making a telephone call to the fflecsi call centre. It is also no longer possible to travel from Ruthin to Mold or from Mold to Ruthin. 

The firm have had on demonstartion loan CU75AZW which is a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 517CDI with a 22 seat VIP Cento Bus body.

 

Unicorn Travel, Wrexham

 Left the fleet is SK02OZJ  the Scania K114EB4 /   Irizar Century II.  It has gone for scrap or spares to Davies Motors, Ruthin.  It came from Coopers Tourmaster in their livery in May 2024 to Pats Coaches and came to Unicorn last July.

Keane's Coaches (DPK Commercials) Eryrys

 Another Caetano Levante has joined the fleet with another on its way.

Arrived is FJ61EYG  a Volvo B9R with a C48FLT body which was new in February  2012 to Premiere, Nottingham; (9/13) Durbin, Patchway; (1/14) Edinburgh Coach Lines, Edinburgh; (2/15) Galloway, Mendlesham, Suffolk; (9/24) Bentley, Buxton 

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 PC22PAT has been given the new Leger 'silver' Livery form the previous blue livery that it has had form new.  The work being expertly undertaken by K C Bodywork who are located at the Pas Coaches depot.

 

 The firm have currently on loan CU75AZW which is a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 517CDI which has a 22 seat VIP Cento Bus body. It is a demonstrator and is staying longer than originally intended as it is being used in place of vehicles that have had to be used on the 146 Whitchurch service as the service bus on that route is currently off the road. 

 

 

GM Buses, Ruthin

 G M Buses Limited (David McAulay) is now operating the 2 Mold to Ruthin service that goes via Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Eryrys and Maeshafn.

Until 22nd February the service will continue with the same timetable as operated by M and H Coaches.  After that date the route is becoming partly demand responsive Exactly how this will work does not yet appear to be published in the public domain.

The vehicle mainly being used by G M Buses Limited is RX18LNH which is a 15 seater  Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDI with EVM bodywork.    It was new in  June 2018 to Arriva Merseyside as their fleet number 1023 and was used on the 'Click' service at Speke.  It later in August 2020 went to the Runcorn depot.  In July 2025 it went to Presidential in Bootle.

 

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials), Eryrys

 A very recent arrival is NCZ855 a Scania K410EB6 / Caetano Lavente II   ( C85L) 

 It was new in August 2014 to National Express.   (7/23) with Jason Edwards, Iver; (11/23) with Endeavour, Aston; (7/25) with Nash, Handsworth.

Originally registered BK14LGF and was C57FT.  Converted to 85 seats by November 2024.

Further coaches have now been given the distinctive fleet livery including the latest Tourismos and the  mini buses.

 

 

 

 

Darren Beacher - Beachers Coaches Alltami

 Darren has changed his coach and now has YJ14CFL which is a Van Hool TX15 / Van Hool Alicron TX    (C42Ft) It was new in March 2014 to Fishwick,Leyland; (4/16) with  Mid Wales, Penrhyncoch (CW) and (8/22) with Bibby, Ingleton, North Yorkshire from where it came.

                                                                (Photos courtesy of Darren)

His former coach YJ11GHY a Van Hool T915 / Alicron T9 which he has had from February 2019 has gone to  Bus & Coach Services, Cork, Ireland 12/2025.  

 

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 The firm have recently acquired two Caetano Levantes.

                                                                                (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)
 

 BX65WCM arrived in December and is a Volvo B11R /  Caetano Levante II  (C48FLt) .  It was new in January 2016 to John Shaw and Son (The Travellers Choice), Carnforth who were the last operators.

                                                                                    (Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

FJ60HXX is a Volvo B9R /  Caetano Levante   (C48FLt).  It was new in December 2010 to National Express [C114]; (1/20) Llew Jones, Llanrwst [not used]; (2/20) Sovereign, Willenhall; (8/21) West Yorkshire Travel, Cullingworth;  (6/23) Bridgnorth Bus & Coach, Wilden; (5/25) Moffat & Williamson, St Fort 

GM Buses, Ruthin and Pats Coaches

 PC71PAT,  the  Iveco IS72C12DA / Ilesbus (C29FL) has been sold bv Pats Coaches to GM Buses of Ruthin and is likely to be used on the 2 Mold to Ruthin service via Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Graianrhyd, Erryrys, Maeshafn which is changing operator from M and H Coaches of Trefnant to GM Buses on 26th January. It has lost its cherished number and regained its original number of   RO71KUW

 

Pats Coaches - Wrexham F C Supporters Coach line Up

 A wonderful sight on New Years Day about to leave for the Blackburn away match outside the Wrexham FC  Racecourse / STōK Cae Ras ground were nine coaches (7 Pats and 2 Unicorn) led by the 'Lager Bus' Tourliner OU17DRN

 

 

New Years Day Wrexham and Chester Charity Bus Running Day

 The Annual New Year's Day charity event was held again mainly centred at the King Street Bus Station.

It was an extremely enjoyable day - apart from the weather which was quite wet and at times very cold.

Well over 20 buses and coaches were involved in the three routes with a number of other vehicles being seen at the Bus Station.  About 50 return journeys were available for enthusiasts and public alike to enjoy.

I am not going to list every vehicle seen but some favourites of the day appear below:-

 

 

 Former Crosville DFG65 (875VFM) owned by Clive Myers

 

 

 

 

 Former Crosville and Crosville Wales EOG207 (C207GTU) owned and driven by Andy Hamer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Chester City 99 (YMA99W) owned and driven by Matt Davies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former  Stockport 93 (MJA893G) Leyland PD3/13 - East Lancashire (H38/32F) owned and driven by Simon Alexander.

 

  

 

 

Delaine 

Leyland Atlantean / Willowbrook (H44/32F) 

 60 (DTL489D).

Unfortunately was not able to ride on this - but looked excellent. 

Keith Davies, Pats Coaches

 Monday 30th December was the day of the funeral of my friend Keith Davies of Pats Coaches.

An indication of the respect and regard that he earned was shown by the vast amount of people that attended the funeral at Pentrebychan.  The Chapel and the out buildings could have been filled five times over with the mourners attending.  The Car Park was full to overflowing and also two coaches brought many others.  

There was a floral tribute in the shape of a coach

 Also led by Ben Lewis a tribute was made by his drivers lining up coaches in the yard with a special message on the destinations.  I believe the hearse drove past these coaches en route to Crematorium.  He would have liked and been touched by this.

 A mighty man in the Bus Industry, a person who was a privilege to know and someone who will be greatly missed by very many.  Thoughts continue to be with his family.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

The latest to join the P and O Fleet is FJ60HXX a Volvo B11R / Caetano Levante II

It was new in January 2016 to John Shaw and Son (The Travellers Choice), Carnforth from who was its last operator. 

                                                                  (.Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

It is believed that joining this new vehicle shortly will be another Levante  FJ60HXX 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 Two coaches have left the fleet this month - both have gone to Llew Jones, Llanrwst

405UPJ / BU18YRX    Mercedes Benz Tourismo M2    (C53FT)    It was new to Pats in June 2018 and originally had Leger Silver Service livery but was changed to Shearings in October 2020. It later reverted back to Leger Silver livery in 2022.  It has reverted to its original number BU18YRX

 

K7WXM /   KX56OVG  Volvo B7R  / Plaxton Profile  (C70F) It was new in January 2007 to Corbel, Edgware and came to Pats in November 2020.  IT has also reverted to its original number.

 

Unicorn Travel, Llay, Wrexham

 Left the fleet is N268PTL    Volvo B10M-62    Plaxton Premier 320    C49FT.  It came to Unicorn in September 2023 and was given the name Nora.  It has gone to Davies Motors, Ruthin

Voel Coaches, Dyserth, Rhyl

 Two new acquisitions are LA13TWU  and  LA13TYC.  They are both Volvo B9R / Plaxton Panther 2    C70F   New in July 2013 to the MoD and from August 2025 with Mistral, Knutsford.  They originally carried the numbers RX13CYF and NU13TWG.

TYC has entered service and has been converted to 70 seats.  It is currently in white but will receive the orange livery shortly.

TWU has yet to enter service.  It has been painted orange and is being up-seated to 70 seats

                                                                             (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)

 

Left the fleet is  YX14EGU    Mercedes-Benz  O816D  /  Plaxton Cheetah    C29F which came to the firm in November 2021.

Keith Davies, Pats Coaches - R.I.P

 

It is with a deep feeling of shock and tremendous sadness that I record the untimely death of my friend Keith Davies.

I have had the privilege to know Keith for a considerable period of time and he has always warmly welcomed me to his business and been extremely helpful and informative.

At the age of 60 he has been taken far too early and he and his family have not been able to enjoy the benefits of all his hard work in building up such a successful business that is highly respected by everyone in the bus and coach industry.

He is already and will be even more greatly missed by all who ever met him. At this difficult time my thoughts are especially with his family.  

It has been an honour to have known him, to have witnessed his openness and friendliness in dealing with everyone he had dealings with and seeing the respect he earned from his employees and everyone involved in the bus and coach industry.

Rest in Peace Keith

 

 

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 There has been a couple of coaches receiving a new livery.

MAN Neoplan Tourliner OU17ORN has been given the All-Over-Advertisement for Wrexham Lager.  This is due to the link between the Lager Company and the Wrexham Football Club.  This coach is used for conveying supporters to away mataches but during the week is used on school contracts - usually to Penley School.

                                                                 (Photos courtesy Ben Lewis)

 YN22YMR which has sported a Shearings livery since new in March 2022 has now been repainted into the firm's livery which looks good on this Scania K360IB4 / Higer.

   

                                                                               (Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

Tourismo BU18YTK has left the fleet and gone to T M Travel, County Down.  It was new in June 2018 to Shearings and came to Pats in October 2020 following the collapse of the original Shearings company.  It was given the new Shearings (Leger) livery shortly after joining the Pat's fleet.

 

 

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn

 As has been posted in September the firm have had a coach on loan from Llew Jones, Llanrwst.

The reason for this is that they have agreed to purchase a Tourismo coach from Llew Jones.  This is believed to be BT66 UAB a Mercedes Benz Tourismo C49FLT which was new in January 2017 to Kings Ferry, Kent. From February 2020 it went to Ireland with B Kavanagh of Urlingford and later with Barrys of Cork.  During that period it was registered as 171-D-51762.

It has already been painted into the George Edwards fleet colour of red and is currently being up-seated.  However the delay in completing the transaction is thought to have been a paperwork difficulty due to the importation of the coach from Ireland.

In the meantime since September George Edwards has been using a loan vehicle from Llew Jones  YT19KUO - This Irizar I6 was new in May 2019 also to Kings Ferry.