Italy & Lithuania Special

As promised here is a selection of photo taken by David Squire while on one of his regular jaunts across Europe. These are much apppreciated, David, and I hope they will continue even when you are working in pastures new - obviously you'll want to know what's going on in your old patch!

We'll start in Genoa, in Italy. David wrtes:

This is Genoa in Italy where I went in the May Day bank holiday, the municipal operator runs a fleet of buses, dual mode trolleybuses that can run with the poles down on a diesel engine and an underground metro system, not all are low floor though, see the photo of a high floor Iveco single-decker!

The aforementioned Iveco high flor single decker       pic (c) David Squire

The catchily named BredaMcnarinibus           pic (c) David Squire

Ah even I know what that one is                   pic (c) David Squire

 And so we move East to Lithuania. I quote David again:

Vilnius is the capital, operating both trolleybuses - mainly high floor with some newer low floor examples, plus a really motley assortment of buses, numerous secondhand low floor examples wear their former operators colours and fleetnames in some cases. There are two trolleybus depots in Vilnius, Kaunus as the second city is a lot smaller but still operates trolleys as well as trams. EU money has improved the rail network, although, amazingly a brand new extremely high floor 2 carriage train operates a shuttle from Vilnius to the airport, the running time is 8 minutes, so using normal rules of scheduling, we'd expect a half hourly frequency to be maintained, oh no, it is hourly with non-clockface departures so the unit sits around for more minutes per hour than it is mobile!!

 

The following pics are from Vilnius.

                 A trolleybus in Vilnus                                  Pic (c) David Squire

This is an officially preserved vehicle             pic (c) David Squire

A much newer Solaris tri-axle            pic (c) David Squire

A Berkhof bodied Volvo bendibus                  pic (c) David Squire

We finish with a trip to another Lithuanian city - Kaunus. David writes;

This selection from Kaunus, the bus park at the station contained what we thought were scrappers only to see them in use on the pm peak!! Enjoy!

 

 

No idea what that is!               pic (c) David Squire

A vintage Scania                pic (c) David Squire

The only positive ID is the VolvoB10M in the middle!    pic (c) David Squire

Once again many thanks to David for the pictures.  Tomorrow a 7/7 tribute

David Squire To Leave First Eastern Counties

It is with sadness that I report that the Managing Director of First Eastern Counties, David Squire is to leave his post next month.

After hearing about the possibility I contacted David, who kindly sent me an email, which I will quote part of here.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Eastern Counties, some terrific people and I'm pleased to have played a small part in moving the company forward, particular highlights for me have been the Ipswich Refurb programme, the heritage liveries, the Norwich repaint and refurb programme plus the better relationship that wow enjoy with all of our stakeholders through getting the basics right, listening to our customers and being more proactive (and reactive) to things, the Norwich travel shop will finally come to fruition in September and we have seen the benefits through much better Passenger Focus scores.

I am meeting with David on Friday, after which a full review and tribute to David's time at the helm of FEC will be published. I'll also be publishing more of his holiday snaps from Italy and Lithuania hopefully on Wednesday.

As yet I don't know if the search for David's successor has begun, but I assume that Chris Speed and Hugo Forster will be in charge for the interim period after David's departure. As I receive more authorised information I will publish it.

On a separate note my thoughts and prayers go out to those involved in the Brighton bus crash today. Bus travel is just about the safest there is, and when an incident like today's happens it reminds us of the skill of the drivers we place our safety in day after day.

Sunday In A Swift & Norwich Bus Station Special

The plan for today was simple - get out of the flat! A planned all day power cut due to tree trimming meant escape was essential. Not easy when the nearest public transport on a Sunday is 6 miles away! But thanks to all round good guy Tim Miller I did manage to get out and had the choice of East Anglian Transport Museum or see Yarmouth's celebrity Swift for the first time at a gathering in the town. With Summer really arriving this week and anticipating a day looking at sights much more attractive than a load of enthusiasts Yarmouth won by a short galaxy.

So it chucked it down all day. And I spent the day with a load of enthusiasts!

However if you're going to spend a day like that you want to spend it on a superb vehicle, with decent company and that is just what happened. AEC Swift WEX685M was making its first public appearance outside the pier at Yarmouth, captained by co-owner Chris Speed (isn't that the most appropriate name for a Swift owner ever). Joining Chris, Tim and I was Jamie Skinner, who had organised the event, ubquitous photographer Cameron Robinson, of whom more later and in the afternoon Sam Larke who managed to do EATM too!

Somehow the rain didn't matter, the conversation flowed and flowed, and as a reward for putting up with his dubious shorts all day Chris gave us a ride on the Swift around the town. Yet again a bus older than it's owners (yes hard to believe I know) put the newer models to shame. We were stting on those seats all day and never got uncomfortable, a great engine soundtrack and doors that make the whine Bristol VR doors used to when they open! Oh and no rattles. One of the best buses in Yarmouth in fact. We stopped for a pic opportunity in the rain at Yarmouth Pleasure Beach.

AEC Swift WEX685M at Yarmouth Pleasure Beach

It was actually a very relaxing day so thanks guys.

Moving on and yesterday saw a major incident involving a Sanders Scania. Former Beestons Scania Omnicity Decker YR10 BB0 caught fire near Aylesham and reports suggest that damage was substantial. Sam pointed out ths afternoon that it is all the more ironic because this vehicle was a relacement for a Scania Omnidekka that was destroyed by fire. Perhaps this one should not be replaced! The aforementioned Cameron spent a blistering afternoon at Norwich Bus Station yesterday and by coincidence photographed the Sanders decker as it embarked on what could be its final journey.

Ill fated Scania YR10 BBO leaves Norwich Bus Station    pic (Cameron Robinson)

Now the eagle eyed among you will have noticed that the above Scania isn't leaving from its usual exit. This is why Cameron was in position as the Lord Mayor's Show meant all buses were diverted through the Bus Station, giving some most unusual sights. Cameron took well over 300 pictures in his 3 hours, and remembering how hot it was I think his efforts deserve a bit of exposure. So here is a selection of Cameron's pics of Norwich Bus Station looking like a real bus station!

Purple Line Trident 33003 leads a line of diverted buses out of Norwich Bus Station   pic Cameron Robinson

A Yellow Line bus coming out of the Bus Station just looks odd!      pic (c) Cameron Robinson

There were some odd workings too!     pic (C) Cameron Robinson

That really is the alternative route!   pic (c) Cameron Robinson

Doesn't that look good                           pic (c) Cameron Robinson

Cameron I think you deserve a medal for endurance but you got a great set of pics and thanks for sharing them with us.

Konect P&R Repaint Hits The Road

I was waiting for my bus at Norwich earlier when I saw a shiny Gemini pull up on the P&R stand. On inspection it turned out to be former pink VDL 500 on her first day out in her new regular Konect livery. Well I say first day out - Cameron said it was yet someone on Twitter claimed to have seen her Wednesday. Either way she was still very clean!

Konect 500 VDL YJ05 PXA in Norwich Bus Station

For once I was grateful the traffic lights at the exit to the Bus Station take so long to change as I was able to get rear and better front shots too.

The formerly pink VDL waiting to leave Norwich Bus Station

The best view of the lot, gleaming in the July sun

I must mention the driver, who unlike some at that location gave a big grin and a thumbs up, and even had a little natter agreeing the repaint looked rather good - that's how long the lights stay red! Top man.

Whilst with Konect the font of knowledge that is Cameron Robinson has given me information originating from Konect Supremo Steve Royale, regarding the future of the Konect bendibuses. 3 of them are to be completely refurbished, including new seats with leather headrests, and they will be painted into Park & Ride livery. This I find interesting as everyone was told the new P&R contracts stipulated vehicles no more than 5 years old. Perhaps refurbished interiors count! The other 2 bendibuses will be stored as spares at Anglian Bus's Beccles depot. Whether Anglian use them at all remains to be seen. Many thanks to Cameron for his invaluable contributions.

A couple more repanted vehicles to mention. While leaving Norwich on the 7 this afternoon we passed recently repainted Gemini 2 37172, which was operating on the Red Line's 23A to Heartease. Most photos taken out of bus windows come out absolute pants but this one didn't turn out too bad at all.

37172 taken from a passing gas bus!

Now I got some stick the other day for criticinsg people for criticising First over the repaint of ex Yarmouth Dart 42921. I saw it in the flesh for the first time today, and apart from a rather unsightly black spot around the exhaust pipe I think she looks rather good in her new colours. I can't see what all the fuss is about so stick to every word I said on Sunday. I doubt those families who lost relatives on the beach in Tunisia last week are that worried about a layer of lilac being a couple of milimetres too wide. And on that note well done to First for authorising drivers to observe the minute's silence at midday today in memory of those who died in Tunisia last week. Shame on those companies who didn't. Anyway my attempt of a pic of 42921 was wrecked by a passing Presdent, so Cameron has come to the rescue with this pic of her. Cheers mate.

Looks okay to me.       pic (c) Cameron Robinson

Post Delayed

We would like to apologise to readers waiting for today's post to arrive. This post has been delayed due to excessive cuteness in the garden. Normal service will be resumed when staff have stopped going "Ahhhhh" and going for that perfect shot! SB&TP would like to apologise for the delay and any inconvenience caused.