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)
The second brand new '75' plate Tourismo coach has now arrived - BV75HSL
They are both fully PSVR compliant with 53 seats and with lifts
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.
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.
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.
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.
Further to the posting of last week the latest coach on hire to the firm from Llew Jones is YT19KUO
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)
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.
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,
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.
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.
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
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.
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
The buses involved were:-
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Van Hool T916 Astorn GX11PKK has been re-registered to SSV269
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.
Two vehicles have been re-registered
The former Strafford Scania / Irizar PB which arrived in April and was previously SC08GAS is now K30UTW.
Photo courtesy Ifor Bufton
The Neoplan Tourliner that has been carrying the cherished number R1UTW has reverted back to its original number MF11LVR but it is understood that it will NOT be departing from the fleet at any time in the near future.
Wales holds a National Eisteddfod each year and the location rotates between North and South Wales. The festival lasts a week and is always in August. This year the Eisteddfod is based on the City of Wrexham.
Arriva Cymru have been given the prestige work of operating a shuttle service from Wrexham to the Eisteddfod. The field of the Eisteddfod is actually in Isycoed at the side of the Wrexham Industrial Estate some 5 miles east of the City Centre.
The buses run from the Wrexham General Railway Station - to the Bus Station (Stand 5) and then onwards to "Y Maes" (the field). A journey time of 25 minutes.
The buses leave on a 20 minute frequency. The service starts at 0740 and runs until the last bus from Y Maes at midnight. It takes a PVR of 5 but six extra buses have been borrowed from Arriva Merseyside.
The buses, all E400s, on loan have included 4649, 4680, 4682, 4685, 4686 and 4687. There have been some issues with reliability and 4682 was sent back to Speke and has been replaced by 4570.
However the loan vehicles have not been put on the Eisteddfod duties . Some of the home depots E400 Citys have been used with the replacement buses used on the 1 Chester and the 5 Llangollen services.
To accommodate the service running from the Wrexham General Railway Station a number of changes have been made - essentially closing the main car park and also utilising some waste ground for a lay over area. The area around the Station has got many barriers stopping unauthorised vehicles entering the area and a large number of security personnel have been utilised to manage the arrangements.
In addition to the Arriva shuttle service the T3 service has been extended to operate from King Street to the Eisteddfod field. To facilitate this an extra driver is employed to actually work the shuttle from Wrexham to enable the regular T3 drivers to have their statutory break at King Street. Due to a shortage of available drivers an employee of Lakeside has been utilised and he parks his Solo at the Station lay over..
The latest to join the fleet is YN06FWB a Neoplan N316SHD Euroliner (C49Ft) It was new in May 2006 to Slack, Matlock and from April 2022 it was with with Hughes, Gaerwen.
(Photo courtesy Richard Glaister)
The recent fleet list for the partnership includes :-
YN06FWB Neoplan N316SHD Euorliner (may receive a cherished plate soon)
BU54BWS (until recently BN58BKA) - Setra S415HD
YX06AWH Mercedes-Benz 413CDI Sprinter Ferqui
FN52GVE Irisbuss Eurorider 391E.12.35 Beulas Stergo e
EU05AVP Setra S315GT-HD SORN
NX56HBK Iveco 40C12 Daily Advanced Vehicle Builders SORN - for sale
(G M Buses) SV08DHU Volvo B7R Plaxton Profile for sale
LIW1335 Mercedes Benz Vario O814D / Plaxton Cheetah for sale
In addition there are the following heritage vehicles (owned by Simon but kept at the parteners premises in Ruthin - except the Sentinel which is still at Colwyn Bay
PDL518 Bristol LD6G / ECW
TUG20 AEC Regal / Roe
MJA893G Leyland Tiger PD3/14 / East Lancs
ODE182 Sentinel STC6