Go-Coach 2801 (YJ59 GFG) on 470

[Derek Jones]

In its early years this vehicle (then owned by KCC) had a fairly peripatetic existence, starting off with Stagecoach on e-Line in Ashford (where it entered service in a dark blue livery that became more familiar on the Versas), then moved to Kent Coach Tours briefly for service 13, followed by its first spell with Go-Coach (initially staying blue, then in the mainly silver version of their livery).  A stay with Arriva (allocated to New Enterprise) followed between 2014 and 2017 when the 280/283 services changed hands, after which it returned to KCC and was then sold to Go-Coach who numbered it 2801, and (unless I've missed something) has been there ever since.

On 22nd August 2025 it was in use on service 470. These two pictures show it outside Fleet Downs Library in Lunedale Road, Dartford heading towards Darenth (4139A) and at the same location as the 489 picture at the Ship Inn, Southfleet towards Bluewater (4151A).

The 470 is shortly to be withdrawn entirely, with some sections already duplicated by the 479 (of which more in a separate posting to follow), and other parts including via Southfleet and Betsham not to be replaced, so these lose their direct link with Bluewater from 1st September.  Also losing its only off-peak service from that date is the southern part of the Fleet Estate/Downs Estate in Dartford, served for many years by London Country 499 and later 423 (and last served commercially by Arriva up till October 2022).  KCC-contracted services operated latterly by Go-Coach including 474/475, C1 (from February 2023) and latterly 470 have provided some limited cover, but patronage has been insufficient to justify its continuance, not least because Fastrack B now provides a much more frequent service on seven days a week along Princes Avenue on the northern edge of the estate.

Derek J

[Nicholas King]

This spent three months with Hulley, Baslow last year – see Invicta page 25/239.

 

Nicholas King

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[DerekJ]

Thank you, Nicholas, for reminding us of the loan of this vehicle to Hulleys in 2024 - at the time the rate at which vehicles seemed to be moving to and from Derbyshire meant that for a while it became rather more difficult to tell what was still running locally, but fortunately things have since settled down again to the extent that a fully updated fleet list appeared in the programme for the Swanley open day a week ago.

Derek J

[Nicholas King]

If someone could send me a scan of the listing from the open day programme it would be appreciated, as I haven’t seen anything from the event.

 

Thank you,

 

Nicholas King

 

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[Ken Lansdowne]

Attached

Ken Lansdowne
The M&D & East Kent Bus Club www.mdekbusclub.org.uk
The PSV Circle www.psv-circle.org.uk
Any photograph attached to this message is copyright © Ken Lansdowne

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[Nicholas King]

Thank you, Ken (and others who have supplied directly to my private address).

 

Nicholas King

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