Bluewater Blues

[David Jenkins]

Fading away now is the faithful fleet of Volvo B7TLs delivered new as part of Operation Overdrive. Arriva's certainly got its moneysworth from these, and for an 18 year old vehicle, the passenger experience is still reasonable too. Certainly better than an 18 year old R type.

Also fading away from the top left hand corner of Kent is the independent operation of Ensign, which sees First take control this week - and quite possibly means we will see green liveried buses on this route in the future..

[Neil Gow]

And Arriva will continue to get their money's worth out of them, as it's escaped record here up to now that four of them (6439, 6447, 6448 and 6449)  have been transferred to Arriva The Shires at Luton (joining 6403) to replace even older Dennis Tridents and a DAF DB250/East Lancs there. A low bridge in the area prohibits the use of anything higher than a provincial (not London) specification ALX400/EL Lowlander which is why the Tridents lasted so long. It seems likely that a couple more may make the move as there are still two Tridents running.

NG.

[inp...@gmail.com]

Maidstone had it's remaining 3 out today : 6406 and 6438 on the 12 and 6422 on the 82. Cracking ride back from Tenterden on 6438 along the Headcorn straight. 

Ian P