39611 is Missing its Dearne

MAN 14.220 MCV eVolution 39611 (YN56OSO) have been repainted and was operating Service 222 (Barnsley-Wath-Doncaster) today, I must add loosing Dearne Link Brandings. It looks fantastic.

Local Fleet Updates > April 2012

BL Travel, South Elmsall
Noted at this fleet recently is VDL Wright Pulsar 2 Demo YJ59AZA for use on route 223 (South Elmsall-Hemsworth-Wakefield)

Camerons Travel, Sheffield
Ex G&R Travel Scania K113CRB Van Hool Alizee C10 GRT has moved here for a school contract.

First South Yorkshire
Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatine 34054 (P254UCW) has transferd from Olive Grove, Sheffield to Rotherham. Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse 60732 (MV02VDE) has been damaged by fire.

G&R Travel, Sheffield
This operater has ceased trading unfortunaty after the owner passed away, Most of the vehicles are now up for sale on Ebay however Scania K113CRB Van Hool Alizee C10 GRT has been noted at Camerons Travel.

Stagecoach Yorkshire
Volvo B10BLE Wright Renown 21130 (T546AUA) has transferd (On Loan) To Stagecoach West for service trials to replace B10Ms. 21133-5 (T549-51AUA) Are the only ones currently in Service at Wakefield Rd, Barnsley. 21129/31/32 (T545/548/9AUA) are currently in reserve and 3 (Including 21130 if returned) are expected to see use at Chesterfield dueing the Olympics on Express route X17 (Sheffield-Chesterfield-Matlock). DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllennium 26109 (W479MKU) has been damaged by an engine fire (Seen in the photo on the Right operating in Sheffield). New Magic Bus Service 22 Starts on Monday 30/04/12. This will be operated by Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer I 33083 (1619 HE P979LNB) and Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Sprytes 33227/33232/3 (1737 HE R127TWF, 1909 HE S132XHE, 3880 HE S133XHE).

Tate's Travel Group

Volvo B10M-55 Alexander PS 1204/1621 (M204LHP/L621TDY) has been withdrawn and scrapped along with Volvo B6LE Alexander ALX200 1345 (P345JND). Expected to follow are the other Volvo B6LEs in the fleet however this maybe delayed due to this operater winning servral contractings onbehalf of Metro (West Yorkshire PTE) in Wakefield from 28/04/2012 in compertition with Arrivas services in the area and on the Wakefield-Ryhill & Wakefield-Hall Green corridors. It was orringally expected that new vehicles would be on fleet before now however nothing has been said or heard. L621TDY is seen in Staincross operating the 97 (Barnsley-Wakefield). This was on of the better buses in the fleet of Tate's Travel and its a shame to see it been withdrawn. What a beast it was.

Schubwabish Gmund Closes !!!

Schubwabish Gmund Way, Barnsley has closed for a week i understand from today. This is diverting buses down Eldon St North onto Harbour Hill Rd. This makes for a good photo spot on the brow of the very steep Harbour Hill. Certain Buses are struggling to get up Harbour Hill including Stagecoachs Optare Solo M920s (By this afternoon 47288 & 47286 were operating the 1 and some M950s on the 6) But mainly Tate's Travels Volvo B6s which one made for a sight going up puffing smoke out the back about 10mph. Stagecoachs ex Manchester Magic Bus M.A.N 18.220 Alexander ALX300 are also quite slow but the 66 branded Enviro 400 seemed fine as did the M.A.N 18.240s with both Alexander ALX300 & ADL Enivro 300 bodys. The is only in force at the moment one way (Outbound). This is causing disruption to the follow services, (I probably missed some)

Stagecoach Yorkshire/ Sheffield
6 (Barnsley-Doncaster Rd-Kendray)
32 (Barnsley-Cudworth)
33/33A (Barnsley-Cudworth-Grimethorpe-Wombwell (ASOS))
35/46 (Barnsley-Pontefract)
36 (Barnsley-South Elmsall)
47 (Barnsley-Upton)
66 (Barnsley-Birdwell-Hoyland-Elsicar)
67/67A (Barnsley-Wombwell-Great Houghton)
218 (Barnsley-Darfield-Rotherham)
219 (Barnsley-Darfield-Doncaster)
222 (Barnsley-Wath-Doncaster)
226 (Barnsley-Wath-Thurscoe)
229 (Barnsley-Wath-Rotherham)
265 (Barnsley-Chapletown-Sheffield)
X19 (Barnsley-Doncaster-Finningley/Doncaster Airport)

First South Yorkshire
22 (Barnsley-Wath-Rotherham)
219 (Barnsley-Darfield-Doncaster)
X19 (Barnsley-Doncaster)

Tate's Travel Group
8 (Barnsley-Ward Green/Worsborough Dale)
34/34A (Barnsley-Cudworth-Shafton)
X10 (Barnsley-Hoyland-Meadowhall)

RLB Trans/ Redline Buses Barnsley
37 (Barnsley-Grimethorpe)
38 (Barnsley-Hemsworth)

TM Travel, Wellglade Group
7 (Barnsley-Blacker Hill-Pilley)

So Far disruptions have been small with services only 2-5 minutes late however some drivers have failed to notice the disruptions on Tate's Travel, I guess they were not told but i saw P454LWE (1454) Trying to go up and having to Reverse back down this morning and ive heard of another one doing it too :/.

A Sheffield Bash To Doncaster...

Just a few notes from a Good day in Sth Yorkshire on 21/04/12. A Sheffield Bash that took us to Doncaster !.

Firstly It was Solo 47290 (YN03ZXK) Into Town on Townlines 1. This bus has the top half of 1 Townlines branding and is normal allocated to the route allong with Solos 47297-300 (YJ55BKZ/BLF/K/N). Waiting in Barnsley 24 minutes for the next 265 i only managed to see one misallocation, A good day at Stagecoach it seemed. That Missallocation been 47288 on Route 67 (Barnsley-Wombwell-Great Houghton). My 265 was ADL Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer II 35113 (YN06WCP). As we were leaving Barnsley we passed an ADL Enviro 400 Trident 2 on the 66 from Wakefield Rd Depot, Barnsley with a paper route number; The Destination blind showing National Express ?. After arrving into Sheffield and leaving the Dart on the Wicker and meeting Thomas Cousins & Adam Barber we walked to Sheffield Railway Station to photo The Yorkshire Coronation Railtour operated by Steam 46233 'Duchess Of Sutherland' (See Above Photo) & Class 47 804. After getting photos of the tour and leaving the Station we ran up to Fitzalan Sq Tram Stop and got Tram 124 on Yellow to Meadowhall Interchange to video The same Railtour at speed. We were sucsessfull in getting to Meadowhall before the Tour but also getting onto platform 1 about a minute before Network Rails New Messurement Train passed by (Fromed of 43062 & 43013). We stood on Meadowhall about 10 minutes after filming the tour thus managing to get another video of First Transpennine Express 185110. These videos are now on my You Tube Channel and can be viewed here ( http://www.youtube.com/user/YT03AYF?feature=mhee ). At Meadowhall we picked up on information about another Steam Engine in the area about 4 hours later. This been A4 Class 4464 'Bittern' so we choose to get the X78 to Doncaster to try and track this one down too. The X78 was First South Yorkshire Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 37491 (YN08NMX) and this took us from Meadowhall to Doncaster where we took the chance to bash up to Doncaster Dome. We got Stagecoach East Midlands based 18035 (MX53FLR) on Route 29 (Doncaster-Retford) towards the Dome and after a short wait we got Stagecoach East Midlands Gainsborough Based Scania Wright Axsess-Floline 28801 (S801SJV) Back up to Doncaster Frenchgate. In this time it started Raining heavy with some Snow and Hail mixed in. I found 28801 a nice vehicle to travel on and it seemed well looked after like the Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns at Stagecoach Yorkshire. This was one of 3 new to Roadcar at Skegness for Route 6 (Skegness-Horncastle-Lincoln) which has very recently had 6 new Scania N230 ADL Enviro 400 start operating it. This shows the increase in this popular service. We headed into Doncaster Railway Station to see what we could see. 67019 was stabled and Pacers 142086 & 144003 made apperances allong with a few Class 158s an East Midlands Trains Class 153, Cross Country 220030 and an East Coast 225 before 4464 'Bittern' Steamed by with The Great Brittan'y Railtour 30 Minutes Early !. Was a nice supprise as this wasnt planned or expected when i got up. A video of this can also be found on my You Tube page linked above. Then we headed back to Rotherham on Stagecoach Rawmarsh ADL Enviro 200 Dart 36410 (YN11FFA) The driver on here didn't want to accsept the Supertram Explorer ticket of Thomas Cousins, This is Wrong, Explorers can be purchased onboard both Buses & Trams and used on all Stagecoach Yorkshire, Derbyshire & Some Nottingham services as well as Stagecoach Supertram. We got off at Parkgate onto 35116 (YN06WCU), The driver on here also seemed confused by the Tram ticket but also let us onboard. I find it funny how Rotherham Drivers (4 miles away from the Supertram Network) get all confused by the Tram Explorer ticket and Drivers on Stagecoach East Midlands accsepted it ! Something Stagecoach need to recongnise and change !. The driver on 35116 allowed me on with my Explorer purchased on a bus so why not an explorer purchased on a Tram. Its the same bloody ticket ! Com'on Stagecoach, some common sence please. After an X78 on First to Meadowhall we got Tram 123 to Cathedral on Yellow & then Tram 116 on Blue to Hillsborough.

This was my first time out spotting in Hillsborough and at Hillsborough Interchange. I managed to take a few good photos of Buses from First, Stagecoach, TM Travel & Sheffield Community Transport and also Stagecoach Supertrams. Seen to the right is a Photo of Supertram 124 operating Yellow (Meadowhall-City-Hillsborough-Middlewood) heading into Hillsborough Tram Stop. The Yellow Service is connected to Deepcar & Stocksbridge by bus operated also by Stagecoach. The Tram Link Service operates every 10 minutes (Connecting with the Tram) and is operated using ADL Enviro 200 Darts. This service has gained popularity recently so much so that larger Enviro 200 vehicles replaced Optare Solo M880s on the route. The Tram Link buses are in the Tram livery and are a great idea by Stagecoach to extend its network onwards and outwards. Also to the Right is a photo of First South Yorkshire 60703 (Y661UKU). This Volvo B7L Wright Eclipse was the first new B7L into the First Manchester fleet and now finds its self in South Yorkshire and cared for by the Olive Grove team. After a short stop in Hillsborough we got the Stagecoach 52 (HIllsborough-Woodhouse). This was DAF SB220 East Lancs Myllennium 26101 (W471MKU). These DAF SB220 Myllenniums rumoured to be Withdrawn shortly when new Hybrid double deckers arrive for the 52 soon. This too us into Sheffield were we got onto route 79 (Ecclesfield-Batemoor) from the City to Olive Grove. We then walked down past the depot and up around the back to get a few photos and see what was in there. Our bus out towards Olive Grove was 22207 (T207TND). After taking a few photos we got 22927 (S927CFC) back into Sheffield Bus Station. This is where i left Thomas & Adam and went back for my bus towards Barnsley. This was 35113 again and after running down the Wicker from the Bus Station where i orringally missed the bus i managed to cacth it. My bus home was 47298 (YJ55BLF). I had a very good day yesterday and overall enjoyed myself. I also managed to keep out of the rain but it was only one heavy shower we got caught up in !.

Stagecoach Go Magic Bus for Rotherham !!!

Its now out there that the Magic Bus Brand will from April 30th 2012 been rolled out in Rotherham in compertition with First Bus on route 22 (Rotherham-Wath-Wombwell-Barnsley) The Magic bus will only operate limmited stop between Rotherham and Wath bus station. The 22M will be operated using older Dennis Dart Vehicles that have come from the Reserve Pool. The work on the vehicles has taken place at Stagecoach Yorkshires Chesterfield Depot (Stonegravels) and the vehicles are soon to move to Rawmarsh Depot (Rotherham) where they will be based. The vehicles look smart in the Magic Bus

Livery as seen in the photo to the Right (C) Steve Crossland Signwriting had not taken place when the photo was taken however fleet numbers have been applyed to the vehicles. The grabrails onboard have been painted from Green to the standard Red for Magic Bus and the interiors have been vastly improved and clearned. The 22 Magic Bus will operate Every 20 Minutes between Rotherham Bus Station and Wath Bus Station direct and the full PVR is understood to be 4 however could be 3. Magic Bus i understand will use its own ticking system cheaper then Stagecoachs own on the 229 (Rotherham-Rawmarsh-Wath-Wombwell-Barnsley) and i understand the fare will be between £1-£2. I am not sure at this time if Stagecoach day riders/ weekly tickets will be accsepted on the Rotherham Magic Bus however i understand this is an option on the more astablised Manchester Magic Bus operating on several routes in Manchester in compertition with other operators. The Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Sprytes and Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer I Vehicles are all now in the Magic Bus livery and are understood to be as follows:

Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer I 33083 (P979LNB)

Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33226 (R126TWF)

Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33227 (R127TWF)

Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33232 (S132XHE)

Dennis Dart SLF East Lancs Spryte 33233 (S133XHE)

In the picture above 33232 (S132XHE) is the first vehicle & 33083 (P979LNB) is the Second, The third is another Spryte. The photo also shows the vehicles looking pritty smart, Stagecoach should be apploded to get them up to the Standards they have. Now the Magic bus operation in Rotherham has started me off woundering if this may one day start on the Barnsley-Hospital-Darton corridor where comperition is high with Tate's Travel Group and in Sheffield against first and also more into Rotherham on the Meadowhall-Rotherham corridor currently operated by First & TM Travel (Wellglade Group) only. Personally i would like to see Stagecoach buses serving Meadowhall however the likely hood of this happening is so 1/1000 however a with Stagecoach not having a link Between Meadowhall & Rotherham and a link by bus between Sheffield and Meadowhall the gap in the network is clear. Personally hope the Stagecoach day riders are allowed onto Magic Services as this would allow passengers to use there normal Stagecoach from Barnsley to Rotherham or Doncaster to Rotherham and then the Magic from Rortherham to Parkgate/ Swinton or Wath.

Again the Photo used is Copyright Steve Crossland, Thanks to Steve Crossland for letting me use it on here :)

Stagecoach Yorkshire New Buses & Other Bits

Stagecoach Yorkshire are due to gain quite a few new vehicles from the 2012/13 bus order. These are made up of ADL and Scania vehicles. These are for depots in Barnsley, Sheffield & Chesterfield and are due to be deliverd after the Olympic Games in London. The below list is EXPECTED to happen on paper however this may not occur on the ground.

Chesterfield Stonegravels Depot - Scania N230 Enviro 400 15827-31 - Expected 11/12
Barnsley Wakefield Rd Depot - ADL DART Enviro 200 36713-18 - Expected 08/12
Sheffield Holbrook Depot - ADL DART Enviro 200 36719-26 - Expected 09/12
Sheffield Holbrook Depot - Scania K230 Enviro 300 28674-8 - Expected 11/12
Sheffield Holbrook Depot - ADL Enviro 400H Hybrid *12154-72* - Unknown Expected Arrival Date

Then Information above is expected to happen however again may differ. It is expected that Sheffield will gain massively from the order with upgrades to routes 25 (Woodhouse - Richmond - Manor Park - Sheffield City Centre - Woodseats - Bradway), 52 (Hillsborough - Crookes - Broomhill - Sheffield City Centre - Darnall - Handsworth - Woodhouse) & 123 (Lodge Moor - Fulwood - Broomhill - Sheffield City Centre - Manor Top - Woodhouse - Beighton - Waterthorpe - Crystal Peaks) and leaving Holbrook depot with a mordern new fleet. It is expected that when the new vehicles arrive some of the older Dennis Dart vehicles will finally be withdrawn from service or be found new contracts and routes to work. Its is expected the new Scania N230 Enviro 400 (15827-31) For Chesterfield will operate on route 43 as they are standard spec. I would have thought the newer Scanias would be used on the X17 (Sheffield - Chesterfield - Matlock) Limmited Stop service moving older Scanias onto other routes including the 43 (Sheffield - Woodseats - Dronfield - Chesterfield). In Barnsley the new Enviro 200 vehicles are expected to gain Barnsley Townlines brandings for Route 1 (Barnsley - Mapplewell & Staincross Circle) currently operated by overcrowded Optare Solo M920s and M950s with 47298/99 (YJ55BLF/K) Branded for the service. In Sheffield the ADL Enviro 400H Hybrid Deckers will go into service on Route 52 as mentioned above. These vehicles purchased after recent Green Bus Funding wins for Stagecoach Sheffield. The Scania Enviro 300 are expected to see use on route 123 with the ADL Enviro 200 vehicles due to see use on route 25 if all goes to plan. *The ADL Enviro 400H vehicles fleet numbers still need to be confirmed but are likely to be as posted above*

In other news TM Travel (Wellglade Group) are expecting 5 or 6 ex London Dennis Trident Alexander ALX400 vehicles to replace older Volvo Olympians. These are expected to be from the

V---MEV bacth from Stagecoach London and may possible loose some of the older vehicles and Plaxton Centros to other Wellglade operation Notts & Derby. Also after many rumours that Tate's Travel were to withdraw and scarp there P Reg Volvo B6BLE type Vehicles and two Volvo B10M-55 Alexander PS at least 1712 (P712BTA), 1454 (P454LWE) are still in service both noted yesterday. There was also a rumour that Tate's where due more brand new buses in April however i havn't seen or heard anything regarding these apart from hearing they would be ADL Enviro 200 vehicles (Preditable !). Ive also seen Volvo B10M 1754 (K754DAO) twice in the school hoildays (Spring Brake) So far once operating route 97 (Barnsley-Staincross-Woolley-Hall Green-Wakefield). From April 28th 2012 Tate's Travel have gained work in West Yorkshire from Arriva Yorkshire. More infomation on these tenders will be posted closer the date when things are finally confirmed. The photo above shows both P reg Volvo B6BLE noted in service in one shot with 1712 been closeist to the camera and 1454 been on the layover bays in the background.

Stagecoach East Midlands New Buses

Recently Stagecoach East Midlands have invested in 19 new vehicles for two depots and also transferd newer buses to other depots to replace older vehicles. The New buses are for Mansfield & Skegness depots and consist of 36509-22 which are ADL Dart SLF Enviro 200 vehicles build to the 2011 style and bodywork and 15807-11 which are Scania N230UD Enviro 400, There highly specified for InterConnect route 6 (Lincoln-Horncastle-Skegness). The Scania N230UD Enviro 400s have started to be deliverd to the head depot located on Deacon Road, Lincoln and are soon to relocate to Skegness depot on the East Coast. They have new style leather seating and are in the purple InterConnect 6 Livery. They will replace the current Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini double deckers on InterConnect 6, These will be re-allocated onto InterConnect 7 (Skegness-Boston) & InterConnect 9 (Skegness-Mablethorpe-Louth). The ADL Dart SLF Enviro 200 vehicles are for Mansfield depot. These are 36509-22 and out of these 36509-13 (FX12BNJ/K/U/SO/U) have enterd service. The photo shows Mansfield Enviro 200 36512 (FX12BSO) operating route 53 (Mansfield-Sheffield) on Tuesday 03/04/2012 in Sheffield Bus Station. All but 1 of the Enviro 200 for Mansfield have arrived at the depot (36521 accordinly). Due to the new arrivals many older vehicles have been pushed into the Reserve pool. Vehicle movements include 33104 (R104KRG) to Skegness and Some Volvo B7TL East Lancs Vykings to Grimsby from Skegness and Scunthorpe. Worksop depot have lost 22188 (T188SRJ).

Local Fleet Changes March 2012

This is just a round up of Fleet changes for local operaters for the month of March 2012:

Stagecoach Yorkshire:
This operater will start a Magic Bus operation in Rotherham from the end of April using Dennis Dart vehicles 33083 (P979LNB)/33232/3/6/7 (S132/3XHE/S136WKY/T137JKY). Route 22M in direct compertition with First South Yorkshire will operate between Rotherham & Wath every 20 Minutes. 33083 & 33232 are the first vehicles that have been painted into the Magic bus livery as well as cleaned up inside and look very good indeed. M.A.N 18.240 HOCL-NR Alexander ALX300 22446 (YN07KSO) & Enviro 300s 22535/42 (YN57MXB/J) have been repainted into Beachball 22446 loosing its Townlines 11 brandings. Dennis Mini Dart Alexander ALX200 34082/6 (S482/6BWC) are in use at Holbrook & Barnsley depots respectivly.

Tate's Travel/ South Yorkshire Rider:


Soon to be withdrawn Volvo B6LE
1454 P454LWE in Rotherham

A Notable new arrivel is that of this operators first Optare Solo. This been B33F seated M920 8341  (MIL8341 (X231MBJ)) The vehicle is in full Tates livery and has now enterd service. Dennis Dart SLF Plaxton Pointer 2 KX05KFE has arrived onloan covering for RTA Damaged 1959 (X959CNO). New Vehicles are expected at this operater and as a result certain vehicles are been or have been withdrawn recently. Volvo B10M Alexander PS 1204 (M204LHP) and one other Volvo B10M Alexander PS are expected to go as well as Volvo B6LE Alexander ALX200 1345/1712 (P345JND/P712BTA) and Volvo B6LE Wright Crusader 1454/5 (P454/5LWE). It is not yet know what vehicles are due at this operater however its possible these will be ADL Enviro 200 vehicles.

One of the 43 New VDL DB300 Wright
Geminis for Arriva Yorkshire

Arriva Yorkshire:
VDL DB300 Wright Gemini 2 1548 (YK12AWR) has finally arrived and enterd service. This vehicle should have been 61 registared however it was deliverd late and after 1st March 2012 thus gained a 12 plate. This bus follows on from 42 other vehicles to the same spec (The first 15 having leather seating for Route 110 (Leeds-Wakefield-Hall Green).

BL Travel, South Elmsall:
Wright Pulsar 2 Demonstator YJ59AZA has returned to this operater for a second time and is in allover white livery and has been used on Route 223 (South Elmsall-Hemsworth-Wakefield).

Abbeyways Coaches, Halifax:
This Operation has ceased trading

Ross Travel, Featherstone
Two new ADL Enviro 200 Darts have been noted with this company, These are YX61DRZ & SN12AVM. Both are in use on service 125 (Pontefract-Wakefield) I understand SN12AVM is numberd 3.

Centrebus West Yorkshire (Huddersfield, Halifax & Leeds):

Huddersfield Bus 652, The other MCV
eVolution M.A.N 14.220 in the fleet

Allover white VDL Plaxton Centro YJ07JSZ is believed to be onloan from Arriva Bus & Coach Dealer to Huddersfield Bus Company and has been noted holding fleet number 627. Also operating here in March was YJ07JSX however i believe this was replaced by YJ07JSZ. I understand the only ex Coastliner and Yorkshire Traction Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatines left now are 804/7 (K4/7YCL). Simaler 810 (WLT 528) has been reported scrapped after suffering damage to the near side on the upper deck/ front. Optare Solo 380 (MX04VMC) Has receved a full repaint and has been used out of Elland, Halfax depot but onloan from Waterloo, Huddersfield depot. Some soruces suggest Huddersfield Bus Company M.A.N 14.220 MCV eVolution 651 (BV55HYO) sufferd a major engine fire and its future is uncertain.

E. Stotts & Sons, Milnsbridge:
 This operator has recently receved two brand new Volvo B9R Plaxton Elite Coaches. One of these i noted on the M1 on Thursday of last week. These are YN12BVD & YN12BVE. Both coaches were used at a press event at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield which RouteOne attended.

Saturday 31/03/12, A West Yorkshire Day Rider




Started yesterday on Stagecoach Solo 47297 (YJ55BKZ). This one started life in Huddersfield with Yorkshire Traction as 517 based at Waterloo depot. When the depot in Huddersfield closed the bus and bacth 47297-300 (YJ55BKZ/BLF/K/N) moved over the Wakefield Rd Depot. Arrving into Barnsley nothing really was out of the ordanary. So onto M.A.N 18.240 HOCL-NR A69 ADL Enviro 300 22632 of Stagecoach (YN08JFU) to Pontefract on a service 35 (Barnsley-Hemsworth-Pontefract). Arriving into Pontefract and having 20 minutes until the next bus i went outside in hope that the Ross Travel Enviro 200 was there new 12 plate one However it wasn't and was there other Enviro 200 (YX61DRZ) which is shown in the photo on the right leaving Pontefract Bus Station. There was also a few M Travel vehicles to be seen, Mainly ALX400 Dennis Tridents which replaced Spectras and MCW Metrobuses on there main routes. As i went back inside onto stand D i noticed as everyone did a large group of people in the bus station waiting at a stand. Suddenly they all started clapping and cheering and after some confusion i realised they had been waiting for a Selby bus as the last one failed to operate due to a brakedown apperntly. I purchased my Arriva West Yorkshire Day Rider (£4.40) on Arriva Yorkshire VDL Wright Pulsar 1453 (YJ59BSO) which moved with the rest of the bacth to Castleford Depot when the 43 New VDL Wright Geminis enterd service. The Pulsar didn't really suite route 150 (Selby-Knottingley-Pontefract-Wakefield) as much as other vehicles but at least it got me to Wakefield on time so i could make the connection (2 Minutes later) onto the 127 which was VDL Wright Gemini 1529 (YJ61OBC). At Ossett i changed onto the 126 which was VDL Wright Gemini 1527 (YJ61OBA) To Dewsbury. In Dewsbury as normal i had missed the 202/203 by about 1/2 minutes and had to wait. Intesting times however as Ikarus Citibus thingy 11 (R10 WAL) was loading on one stand and DAF ALX300 443 (R443KWT) on another. As i waited a National Express Plaxton Elite operated by Stagecoach Yorkshire from Stonegravels Depot (Chesterfield) Arrived onto stand. The correct National Express stand which is also shared by Free Town Bus in Dewsbury which saw a FTB Optare Solo stuck waiting to get onto stand until the coach moved however it took about 8 minutes for the National Express driver to load the elderly passengers so by that time 2 Free Town Buses had arrived. The first one then left without loading leaving the second one to pull up onto stand. Recently Arriva Yorkshire have replaced the East Lancs Lowlanders on routes 202/203 (Leeds-Dewsbury-Huddersfield) with Volvo B9TL Darwen Olympus vehicles recently cascaded off Wakefield flagship service 110 (Leeds-Wakefield-Hall Green Express). 1801 (YJ57BEU) was my vehicle onwards to Huddersfield where i had a KFC for lunch and then took afew photos until it was time to get the bus back to Dewsbury. The photos i took in Huddersfield went really well concidering it was overcast. 
Noted in Huddersfield bus station was a ALX200 Dart which are based at Halifax Depot. This was parked on Layover bay 3 in the bus station all the time i was there and i didn't get chance for a photo. It looked to me (With my not so good eyes) It was showing 900 Halifax on its blind however this i know is operated by K Line (A Centrebus Operation) With First in Huddersfield been 90% Wright Eclipse/ Wright Gemini bodies and 10% Plaxton Pointer Darts, Volvo B7 ALX400 & Volvo Olypian Alexander Royales the ALX200 stuck out like a sore thumb. Also worth noting is the branding of the cascaded Volvo B9TL Darwen Olympus for the 202/203 as showing in the photo on the Right. The branding isn't clear on the photo however it is clear that the bottom of the window is now coverd with the Arriva buses, here to take you there vynal that is popping up on most branded Arriva deckers nowdays. I noted 1804 (The vehicle in the photo), 1805, 1808, 1809 & about 5 more branded however 1801 wasn't branded. The branded looks good on the Darwens. Same Arriva didn't purchase anymore of these type as there very nice buses with great views from the front on the upper deck with the large window. The only problem with them is that they rattle and the seats could do with a retrim but thats not bad to say there 5 years old now. They look mordern too ! Huddersfield is well known for having its fair share of modern low floor vehicles however its the unfair share of High floor and Step entrance vehicles in the fleets of Stotts and other

local to Huddersfield companies people don't seem to recognise. Ive noticed fellow Enthusiasts much more resently saying Huddersfield is just low floor vehicles with a selection of Volvo Olympians. I do have to disagree with that Yes First have Volvo Olympian Alexander Royales on the Holmfirth Routes including the one in the photo which was painted in this livery of former Huddersfield Transport back in the day in 2008/2009. The bus 30843 (T663VMU) has retained the livery ever since and it looks very nice indeed. But also to be found in Huddersfield & Holmfirth alike are the intresting vehicles on Centrebus Huddersfield Bus Company including East Lancs Myllennium bodied DAF SB220 731-5

(X211-5HHE) new to Yorkshire Traction for Route 212 (Barnsley-Athersley South) which moved to Huddersfield before the sale of Stagecoachs Waterloo depot to Centrebus Huddersfield Bus Company. There is also the very intresting Bluebird Mini Pointer Dart 540 (NK53TJV) which has recently arrived from Go North East. This is the only one of its kind in the UK with any company. There are also the Mercedes Minibuses operated by Stotts Coaches, Milnsbridge. These operate local services and can mainly be found in Holmfirth, Well worth a visit if you are in the area. Holmfirth is a nice little village which is in and around the valley and made famous by the great TV Comady Last of the Summer Wine. The bus station is great for photos and quite busy for the size of the town. One of the Stotts Mini Mercs can be seen in the photo on the Right just above this text. After leaving Huddersfield on Arriva 1808 to Dewsbury it changed onto 1805 (Misallocated) on Route 126 to Wakefield. A 30 Minute wait reveled to me just how many of Arrivas DAF ALX300 have survived after the VDL Wright Geminis enterd service and also how bad Wakefield Bus Station is. Firstly i sat on the wrong stand reading the overhead information which is above the wrong stand. The problem is Wakefield isn't owned by West Yorkshires PTE (Metro) and isn't maintained by them ether. It is owned and operated by Arriva. The roof was leaking, Stand information is all wrong and out of date and above the wrong stand too which doesn't help the tired commuter. The problems of Wakefield Bus Station can wait for anyother day. I left Wakefield on Stagecoach Yorkshire 22540 (YN57MXG) operating route 59 (Barnsley-Royston-Wakefield). One of my favorit routes on the Stagecoach Yorkshire network. After this it was time to go home, 47297 again home and at that i will conclude i had a great day in the West of Yorkshire, a lovely part of the county and country alike.