My adventures in South Africa - not quite as planned

 I was privileged to be able to have a holiday in South Africa at the end of June visiting such places as Cape Town,Durban, Krugger National Park, Johannesburg, Soweto, Swaziland and Lake Victoria

The below vehicle was one of those that we travelled on the grand tour. It is a Chinese Yutong ZK6938HQ and seated 35 passengers.  It is seen here with our Tour Director

Unfortunately on Monday 24th June on the 10th day of our holiday this coach was involved in a Crash.  Whilst we were overtaking two lorries one of them, a Fire Service Water Tanker, came in to our path and a collision occurred.  Probably due to the skills of the driver our coach never rolled and remained upright.  However most of the damage to the coach and the injuries to the passengers occurred post collision when the vehicle was forced off the road where it first jumped a fence, hedge and an area of rough surface including boulders before rejoining and crossing the highway and then jumping another fence and travelling many yards before eventually coming to a stop.  As can be seen most windows were smashed and there was considerable damage to the underneath of the coach which can be found on the trail left post collision.

Of the 20 persons on board 12, including my wife and myself were conveyed by ambulance to a local regional hospital.  Two people were detained with fairly serious injuries but the rest of us were discharged after a few hours having had x-rays, etc to ensure no significant injuries.  The hospital was brilliant and we have nothing but praise for the treatment that we received,

My wife was struck by the door frame and had to receive a number of stitches in her head,  I, like most of the passengers suffered mainly back injuries with various cuts and bruises - but these injuries have proved to be not too serious and are currently being dealt with by pain killers and should heal in time.

We were given the option by our tour company to arrange immediate passage home but we all chose to continue with the holiday - with certain changes made in view of our physical state.  We have now returned home and obtained medical advice and assistance and recovery is in progress.

One annoying outcome of the accident is that my camera that I have used for many years was damaged but fortunately after it was found in the coach I was able to recover the photographs taken from the SD Card.

Townlynx new eVoRa

 Townlynx new eVoRa entered service today.

Not able to see it myself - many thousand miles away.

 

Thanks to Mark Kearneyfor photo

Voel Coaches, Dyserth, Rhyl

This year sees the 75th Diamond anniversary of this firm.  A logo is being applied to some of the coaches as follows.

8868VC [YJ13HVA, GSU340] which came to Voel from A Lyles and Sons of Batley in December last yeat has now received a new version of the firm's orange livery.

 In addition YJ04HHT which came to Voel in September 2009 from  Bibby of Ingleton and was once with George Edwards of Bwlchgwyn has received the firm's normal livery with the addition of the 75 Anniversary logo.

It is believed that Tourliner OY67DXO which for the last 5 years has carried a white based 70th Anniversary livery is to be given a special 75th livery possibly silver based.

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 I was fortunate to visit this firm yesterday (10 June) just after they took delivery of a brand new bus YX24OZM an Alexander Dennis E20D / Enviro 200 (B40F).  It has chassis number SFDCTAFRBRGYA8760 and body number P252/2

It has arrived in plain white and as it is a leased vehicle it is likely to remain as such although it may gain the firm's name.   

This is the first of two to arrive - the second may not come for a few weeks.

Two of the recent Solo acquisitions KX64AFA and YJ62FMO are in the firms normal service bus livery.  YJ65EVK is about to be painted and YJ65EVL is still in white but has entered service mainly due to problems with the Flintshire County Council fleet that normally work the Deeside Shuttle.

Arriva have announced changes to their service from 30 June

 

Arriva have announced changes to their service from 30 June

 Service 3 Chester – Broughton   will be withdrawn, replaced by revised service 4.

Services 4, X4 Chester – Mold    - Service 4 will be revised to serve Broughton Village every 30 minutes replacing service 3. Providing new links from Broughton Village to Chester Railway Station, Hawarden and Mold. Service will no longer operate via Manor Lane Industrial Estate.   Timetable changes will be made to services 4 and X4 to provide a more consistent 20 minute frequency from Chester.

Services 10, 10A Chester – Flint / Connah’s Quay   - Service 10 will be increased to operate every 15 minutes between Chester and Connah’s Quay Mondays to Saturday (30 minutes on Sundays).   Service 10A will be revised to operate peak times serving Coleg Cambira during term times only. Outside of these times Flint will continue to be served by service 11.

Service 1 Wrexham to Chester  -  Timetable revised, additional morning journeys will be introduced.

Services 2, 2A, 2C Wrexham to Cefn Mawr and Oswestry  -  Minor timetable changes.

Services 12, 14 Wrexham to Brymbo  -  Timetable revised, with some morning and afternoon journeys on service 14 re-numbered to operate as service 12.

Service 27 Wrexham to Mold  -  Journey at 1549 from Mold will be revised to operate at 1540.

Service X51 Ruthin-Wrexham   -  Journeys on X51 will be revised to serve Llandegla village on all journeys.    Route into Wrexham will be revised to operate via the A525, Croesnewydd Road and onto its current road along Watery Road into Wrexham, no longer serving Southsea or New Broughton.

Services 51, 51B, 51S Rhyl – St Brigids    -  Journeys numbered 51S will be withdrawn.

Services 14, 15 Llysfaen -  Conwy   -  Service 14 will be revised to operate via Bryn-Y-Bia Road.  -  Minor timetable changes will be made to services 14 and 15.

Services 83, 83A Rhyl Circular   -  Minor timetable changes.

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham

 The latest arrival CT10OUK reported on 22 May has now received it's vinyls and is looking very smart.  It has yet to be re-registered.

 Seen just after being washed by its now regular driver Geraint.

S W Transport (Oare), Brynford, Holywell

 Joining the expanding S W Transport fleet is Ford Transit YF20WLC which was new to Dales Travel of Sandycroft. 

Leaving the fleet is NK14OLC a Ford Transit new in March 2014 which has been with the firm since 2020.  It has gone to an operator in Wolverhampton.

David McAulay, Rhos-on-Sea; Teithio Seren / GM Buses Limited

 David McAulay of Rhos-on-Sea obtained an Operating Licence in June 2023.  Initially for one vehicle but this was increased to two vehicles.  His Operating Centre is at the Bryn Rodyn Enterprise Park, Dolwen Road, Old Colwyn, Colwyn Bay,   He trades as Teithio Seren.

Earlier this year he made a successful bid to operate the Dolgellau fflecsi service but he elected not to proceed with the venture which is now operated by Lloyds Coaches of Machynlleth

The Traffic Commissioner has called him to a public Inquiry to be held at Caernarfon on 18th June for consideration of disciplinary action.

A new application has been made by the company GM Buses Limited for which David McAulay is a Director.  At this Public Inquiry the Traffic Commissioner will consider whether a new licence should be issued to this company.

 

Dales Travel, Sandycroft - Public Inquiry

 Dale McCarthy has been running a transport business in the Deeside area for a number of years.  In 2019 the company Dale's Travel (North Wales) Limited was formed which had an Operating Licence for up to 7 vehicles.

Unfortunately in March 2024 the licence was surrendered and operations ceased shortly afterwards.

Dale McCarthy has applied for a new licence under his own name with a proposed Operating Centre at The Homestead Garage, Gegin Lane, Llay, Wrexham for 2 vehicles.

The Traffic Commissioner has called a Public Inquiry to be held at Caernarfon on 19th June to determine if the licence should be issued.

The Homestead Garage, Gegin Lane, Llay, Wrexham.  

 

It is believed the two buses seen at this location are no longer with Dale.

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 A surprise new arrival to the fleet this week is SK02OZJ a Scania K114EB4 / Irizar Century II    (C49Ft). It was new in March 2002 to Brown, Edinburgh;  in March 2005 it was with Urquhart, Inverness; in December 2006 with Pamray, Littleport, Cambridgeshire and February 2012 it was with Cooper's Tourmaster, Bedlington where it was registered 325CCE.  It arrived with the Coopers livery.  It is believed that it will just be used for school work.

Both photos courtesy Ben Lewis

Price Coaches, New Broughton, Wrexham

Arrived this week to join the fleet is CT10OUK   It is a  Volvo B12M  /  Jonckheere JHV    (C53Ft)
It was new to Park, Hamilton in March 2010 and it was initially used with Caledonian Holidays livery.  In October 2023 it was with Southgate & Finchley, Friern Barnet, London

It will shortly receive the firm's vinyls and it is anticipated that it will be given a cherished number believed to be SIG2959.

Go Goodwins, Mostyn

 Two recent additions to the fleet are:-

GSU489    Volvo B12B  /  Plaxton Paragon    (C70F)    It was new in April 2006 to Southern, Barrhead; (10/13) D&E Coaches, Inverness; (1/19) Highland Country; (4/19) Ferrymill Motors, Torrance; (6/19) converted from 53 to 70 seats.  It was originally registered SM06SOU.  It is shortly about to receive the company livery.

 

 SF53KUX    Mercedes Benz O814D  /  Transbus   (C33F)    2004/01    2024/04    new to Lafferty, Glenboig in January 2004.  In August 2008 it was with E  Jones and Son, Rhosllanerchurgog, Wrexham. In May 2012 it was with Anderson, Lower Largo and in June 2016 it was with Millers, Airdrie.

It is yet to enter service and it is not clear where it will be based.

One example of the heritage fleet is currently at the Mostyn depot - ETC760B    Bedford VAS2    Plaxton Embassy II    C29F

P and O Lloyd, Bagillt, Holywell

 Due to certain contract changes the fleet of P and O Lloyd is changing.  Currently the firm have a fleet of Optare Solos |(YJ68FSA/C-F) provided on loan by Flintshire County Council.  These buses operate the Deeside Shuttle (D1-3) and the Mold - Treuddyn and Hope (LT7) service.

From the end of June these Solos will return to the Council and the services will be operated by the firm's own vehicles.  To enable this four Optare Solo SRs have been acquired - see below and two brand new AD Enviro 200s will join the fleet in a couple of months or so. 

It is understood that following the awards of new contracts for local services P and O Lloyd will operate all its existing services with the only exception of the Holywell Fflecsi which will pass to R Williams of Flint from the end of June.  The Council owned Mercedes-Benz / Minibus Options (M16) FP18FEV will leave the fleet.

The Solos acquired are :

KX64AFA    Optare M960  /  Solo SR    (B36F)   This was new in November 2014 to Airbus Operations, Filton  and was used at Broughton - being operated by Unicorn, Wrexham.  The mileage of this vehicle is remarkably low.

YJ62FMO    Optare M780SE / Solo SR    (B27F) New to Henderson, Hamilton [362] and then in April 2019 to Japheth (Berwyn Motors), Trefor, Caernarfon.

YJ65EVK/L    Optare M7900SE / Solo SR (B27F)     2015/12    2024/05    New to Stuarts, Carluke  (EVK 12/2015 and EVL 1/2016). 

They are all to receive the P and O Lloyd standard livery (AFA has already been painted and vinyled).

AFA was due to commence service on the Deeside Shuttle on 21 May.

Keanes Coaches (DPK Commercials) Eryrys

 A recent addition to the fleet is :-

RT14RTT    Neoplan N2216/3SHDC / Tourliner    (C53FLT).  New in June 2014 to Symphony Chauffeurs,Hayes; May 2018 with Richard Taylor Travel, St Ippolyts, Hertfordshire; 

(Photo courtesy Darren Beacher)

Also with Keanes Coaches is :-

FJ07DWO    Scania K340EB4 /  Caetano Levante    (S70FL) It was new in August 2007 to Swanbrook, Cheltenham -  Nat Ex livery. In June 2014 it was with Llew Jones, Llanrwst and in April 2021 with Davies, Leeswood from where it came.

 

It is due to receive some work but its long term future is not clear. 

Davies, Leeswood

 The firm now have JJ08OXF    Volvo B12B /  Plaxton Panther    (C70FL)   It was new in March 2008 to City of Oxford [99]; in May 2015 it was with Go North East and then in September  2015 it was with Shaw of Carnforth.

Left the fleet is FJ07DWO  -  Scania K340EB4  /  Caetano Levante    (S70FL)

It has gone to Keanes Coaches, Eryrys

George Edwards, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham

The new addition to the George Edwards fleet is BU18YNJ  a Mercedes-Benz  Tourismo  C49Ft    It was new in March 2018 to Leons, Stafford [232]

It was seen in use today working a schools bath run.

A superb day out on a fantastic former Crosville 'KSW'.

 One of the major advantages of being a member of the Crosville Enthusiasts Club is being able to partake in the tours the Club organises using former Crosville preserved vehicles running around the former Crosville routes.

Saturday (13th) was such an occasion and the bus involved was a superb Bristol KSW6B /  ECW    (L27/28R).  When new in February 1953 it had the fleet number MW476 with registration number OFM634.  With the changes in 1958 it became DKB476.  It spent virtually all of its working life at West Kirby depot until it was withdrawn in 1967.  It then went as a contractors vehicle with General Industrial Cleaners, Borrowash before it was purchased by its current owner Graham Thorogood in 1982.

The condition of the vehicle is superb and carried an almost full load of well over 40 members very well throughout the day.  We travelled from Chester to Wrexham, Cefn Mawr, Llangollen, St. Martins, Oswestry and then back to Wrexham and finally we returned to Chester.

A brilliant day enjoyed by all of us.  

Townlynx, Greenfield, Holywell

 In October last year Townlynx purchased two former UK Coachways (Vision) 26 seater Darts.  

LK07ELJ entered service almost immediately but the second vehicle LK07BEY was purchased only for spares and repair although the firm did have consideration for carrying out repairs.  It has now been prepared for service and passed its MoT on 13 April.  It is now in service and today it was working the 6 to Pantymwyn.

Lloyds Coaches of Machynlleth - GHA Coaches

 In June 2015 three Scania N280UD / ADL Enviro 400 double deck buses were acquired new by GHA Coaches for use on the TrawsCymru T3 and were given the green and white livery of the time. They were SN15 ETD/E/F

When GHA Coaches ceased trading in July 2016 the three deckers were seized back by the finance company and eventually offered for sale through Ensign of Purfleet, Essex and in November 2016 they were acquired by Lloyds Coaches , Machynlleth for further use on the T3 service which Lloyds had taken over from GHA.

 These three deckers have recently been withdrawn from service and are being replaced by a fleet of new Volvo B8RLE /  MCV eVoRas.

They have now been sold to Stephensons of Essex.  The firm may have found the vehicles attractive as they have a similar livery and have a large fleet of E400s deckers for school services.

 

An interesting recent purchase by Lloyds is a 72 seater Volvo B8R / Sunsundegui.   BV22HBG was new to Happy Days of Stafford and is to be used on a new contract operating from Dolgellau.

(Photo credit Charlie Williams)

There has been a delay in Lloyds Coaches receiving delivery of the new fleet of 11 Volvo B8RLE /  MCV eVoRas.  The first two were received in November 2023 BV73MLN/O.  In view of the delay with the remaining 9 buses two similar vehicles have been on loan to Lloyds since January of this year -BV73MMK/U.    A further three of the batch arrived a few days ago at the beginning of April BV24LME/F/J.  The new eVoRas have arrived with the new TrawsCymru livery but the loan vehicles are in plain white.

E Jones and Son, Rhosllanerchrugog

Just acquired as an addition to the fleet is WN23THF a  Mercedes Benz 519CDI /  Ilesbus    (C22F) which was new in May 2023 to Highway Coaches Limited, Southall,

Dale Travel, Deeside

 Further to my Blog of 8th March where I reported that the company Dales Travel Limited has surrendered their licence - I can now report that a licence application from Dale McCarthy is currently being considered by the Traffic Commissioner. 

Application PG2072117 SI       Dale McCarthy
24 North Street, SHOTTON, Shotton, CH5 1JR
Operating Centre: SHED C, THE HOMESTEAD GARAGE, GEGIN LANE, WREXHAM, LL12 0NU
Authorisation: 2 vehicle(s)
Transport Manager(s): Dale McCarthy 

 

 DT02BUS and YN55NYC at Gegin Lane, Llay

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 LIL8045 (Van Hool T915 / Alicron) has been converted to a 70 seater and has also retained its toilet facility (now C70FLT).

 

                                                                   (photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

Acton Coaches, Wrexham

 Acton Coaches which is operated by David Evans is essentially a one vehicle firm - but at this moment there are two vehicles.  The former Stratford's Mercedes Vario / Cheetah YN04WSV is now in use.

The replaced vehicle Mercedes Beaver has now been withdrawn and has lost its cherished plate of BXI33 and reverted beck to its original number of P398MDT.  (The cherished number has now been sold to Pats Coaches. 

Go Goodwins Mostyn

 A new arrival to Go Goodwins is Temsa HD12RHD which is currently showing the registration number YJ24AYF.  It appears to be C53FLT.

It has been given a livery indicating the firm Seemore Travel which is the tours subsiduary of the Go Goodwins Group.

It is believed that this will operated from Warrington.

                                                          (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)

It is seen here shortly after arrival at the beginning of March still with trade plates

 

The DAF SB3000 / Van Hool T8 Alizee which came from Voel as M573RCP is now 772URB and has been given the Go Goodwins yellow livery.

                                                          (Photo courtesy Richard Hughes)

 

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham

 This week the Leger liveried Van Hool TX17A / Acron TX has been having some TLC with paint touch ups.

It has also bee re-registered from YG67FZK to SSV269.

                                                           (Photo courtesy Ben Lewis)

Dales Travel, Sandycroft

  Dale's Travel (North Wales) Ltd trading as Dales Travel started running buses in 2015 when the company were issued with an Operating licence.

 

 Until recently he has been undertaking some school and college contracts including to and from Deeside College.

For the last few weeks his yard at Sandycroft has been empty and this week the following appeared in this weeks Office of the Traffic Commissioner -  Notices and Proceedings

It is presumed that the company still retains its private hire licence to operate minibuses.

No disposals of his fleet have yet been recorded and the fleet details within the website will be updated when this occurs.