Chester BusFest April 2026

 Following the successful BusFest in 2025 the team involving Matt Davies, Andy Lowe and George Walker provided a brilliant BusFest 2 on Easter Monday.  6 former Chester City buses and 4 former Crosville buses worked numerous services around Chester with over 70 journeys available for enthusiasts and members of the public to enjoy.  The buses were in brilliant condition and a true credit to their various owners.  The event was well supported and over £2,500 was raised for the excellent duo of charities Cancer Research UK and Alzheimer’s Society.  Even the weather was perfect.

 Making its first appearance at such an event was SNL816 (WFM 816L) which has been through a period of restoration.

 

The oldest bus on duty was KG147 (LFM 726) a mere 76 years young. Always an absolute pleasure to ride on this magnificent example of  the buses I went to school on.

 One of the most comfortable buses to ride on is this beautifully preserved Leyland Olympian EOG207 (G207GTU)

 Another excellent example of our bus heritage reminding me of my Summers on the Buses is DFG65 (875 VFM)

 

The former Chester City buses on duty were  1 (RFM  641), 4 (B204 EFM), 35 (FFM 135C), 50 (JFM 650J), 52 (J52 EDM), 80 (TMB 880R), 94 (SDM 94V) and 99 (YMA 99W)

 

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 In September last year the firm took delivery of two brand new Merecedes-Benz Tourismos.  BV75HSK went into use straight away but the second was stored until 1st April and has now emerged as BV26HTA.

It's first duties was a tour based at Llandudno. 

                                                                                (Photo courtesy of Richard Hughes)

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 Pats Coaches have taken delivery of PC26PAT a brand new Scania I8 / Irizar.  

It is the 3rd coach in the fleet which is branded Leger Luxuria and has 33 2 x 1 luxury seating with numerous tables, VDUs in the back of seats, a coffee machine and much much more.  It is absolutley stunning.

 

 

Also on loan to operte the 146 Whitchurch service whilst the regular service bus is being repaired is demonstrator Ilesbus GO22TKT

 

Unicorn Travel, Llay, Wrexham

 Unicorn have taken delivery of a brnd new Yutong T122HDH - UN26ORN

It looks absolutely stunning.  It is fully PSVR  compliant with a wheelchair lift.

 

In addition the Temsa that came from Pats (PC20PAT) has been re-registered from R27UTW to DF20VPL

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 A third Caetano Levante has joined the fleet.  It is BK14LDZ  a Volvo B9R  / Caetano Levante    (C48FLt).  It was new in April 2014 to Bennett ,Gloucester; in 10/20 it was with Sovereign, Willenhall

                                                                                     (Photo courtesy David Lloyd)

Keane's Coaches (DPK Commercials) Eryrys

 The latest Levante to join the Keane's fleet is FJ61EVP    

It is a Volvo B9R / Caetano Levante  (C48FLt)   It was new in September 2011 to Galloway, Mendlesham [301] wher it was used on National Express work.  In 9/24 it was with Bentley of Buxton

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.