THE M&D AND EAST KENT BUS CLUB Web-site : mdekbusclub.org.uk e-mail newsgroup : http://groups.google.com/group/mdekbusclub Editor : Nicholas King

Editorial Assistant : Jonathan Fletcher

Invicta is compiled and published for current Club members. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, but the Club and its officers are not responsible for any errors in reports. The Club asserts copyright over information published in Invicta. Established enthusiast organisations with which we co-operate may reproduce this information freely within agreed common areas of interest. Written approval must be obtained from the Secretary before material from Invicta is reproduced in any other form, including publication on the Internet.

Reports for the next issue of Invicta should be sent to the Editor at 42 St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 9NG (e-mail : [email protected]). Those exclusively for “other operators” can be sent direct to the Editorial Assistant at 104a High Street, UCKFIELD, East Sussex, TN22 1PX (e-mail : [email protected]). The deadline in both cases is Tuesday 20th January 2015. Late reports can be considered up to the following Saturday, but we do not guarantee to include them if they are substantial and/or require checking before being published. Topical photographs are welcomed at any time. If sending digital images by e-mail, please confine transmissions to one picture per message, and use low definition to avoid system overload. We will come back to you if we need a higher definition file for use.

DIARY SUMMARY Monday 5th January – Slide show at John Taplin Centre, St. Leonards-on-Sea, 1930hrs. Monday 12th January - Maidstone & Medway meeting, 1930hrs. Tuesday 20th January - Reporting deadline for next Invicta. Saturday 31st January - Planned despatch date for next Invicta.

Front cover illustration : Arriva Kent Thameside are operating an unusual replacement service for the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry on some days. Two of the VDL/Wrightbus Pulsar vehicles recently displaced from the 480/490 have been retrieved from Guildford and have found their way back home to Northfleet to operate this service, of which details are shown on page 14/341. 3757, which had already lost its 480/490 branding during short-term use at Gillingham, was found at the Gravesend terminus of the service. Richard Lewis

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CLUB NOTICES LOCAL MEETINGS : A Maidstone and Medway meeting will be held on Monday 12th January 2015 at 1930hrs in the upstairs room of the "Bush" public house in Rochester Road, Aylesford. Members are invited to bring photographs on any digital media, or slides by prior arrangement. For further information, please contact our Area Organiser, Jeff Tucker ( 01634 241538). A Hastings area meeting will be held on Monday 5th January 2015 at the John Taplin Centre, Upper Maze Hill, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 0LQ at 1930hrs. Further information at terryblackman.co.uk, by e-mail to [email protected], or on  01424 812506. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE BULLETIN : Management Committee met on 1st November 2014 and among the topics discussed were:  Progress with the continuity and succession plans for the Club’s Management Committee and Officers;  Continuing concern over the lack of volunteers to fill various vacancies for Club Officers and measures that might address the shortage;  Healthy sales of Club publications at the Ian Allan bookshop in London;  A status review of the work underway to update and refresh the Club constitution;  An initial draft of a proposed survey of members;  Coverage in Invicta of other operators based outside of but running services into or wholly within the Club’s area;  Storage needs for the Club’s records and other items;  Planned new publications for 2015 and beyond;  The Club’s engagement with electronic communications and social media sites plus “behind the scenes” changes to the operation of the Club’s website;  Involvement with Stagecoach in marking the centenary of East Kent; and  A bequest from a former member and potential ways in which the funds could be used to commemorate their contribution to the Club. Members are encouraged to comment on these matters or raise any other issues for Management Committee to consider. Feedback can be given by email to [email protected] or by post to 2 Gaiger Close, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 6UR. The next Management Committee meeting is provisionally scheduled for 17th January 2015. Lee Crust Secretary MEMBER CONDUCT : We have to remind members that they should contact us first with any queries they may have about operations or vehicles, rather than writing to operators. The major operators regard the Club as the normal point of contact, and Invicta as the approved method of distributing such forward information as is publishable. A case has arisen during the past month when an individual has written to one of the major operators mentioning his membership of the Club and requesting additional information on an upcoming development reported (with official blessing) in Invicta. Such action can lead to forward information being made available to us less readily, to the detriment of all members.

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS 2015 : Thank you to the vast majority of members who have already renewed their subscription for 2015, especially to the large number of you who have renewed on-line, a saving for you in cheque writing and postage, and much easier for me to process. To those of you who have yet to renew, we value your membership and do hope that it will continue, but to avoid the late payment fee of £2, please ensure your payment of £21 is made by 31st December. If there is a red cross on your envelope this month, this means that your payment (or sufficient top-up of an inadequate Credit Account balance) had not been received on-line or at the Grafty Green address by 16th December. John Collins Treasurer 2015 PROVISIONAL TOUR PROGRAMME : Hastings, Eastbourne and Brighton; Salisbury and Swindon area; Portsmouth, Brijans, Eastleigh and Southampton. The above could alter if we take account of major changes in the bus industry. Possible dates (not linked to any specific tour ) are 20th or 27th June, 11th July, 1st August. Fuller details will be provided during the coming year, so watch Invicta. David Cobb Tours Officer OBITUARIES : We are sorry to report the passing on 17th November of John Cumberland. John joined the Club as member 1484 on 17th August 1975. Whilst his name may not be familiar to many, he was a regular reporter from Sheerness. In recent years, his Sunday visits to Bridge Road provided useful confirmation of which vehicles were (or were not) actually running from Sheerness. We must also report the passing on 1st December of Ron Bristow. Formerly member 1798, Ron had remained closely supportive of the continued preservation of HKE 867, to which he was a generous annual donor well beyond the level of subscription request. Terry Johnson (member 557) passed away on 11th December. Our obituary of Brian Smith last month (page 14/296) gave the mistaken impression that Chatham & District was absorbed by Maidstone & District in 1954. This was because the original draft said that Brian started work for C&D in March 1955, and in correcting that date to March 1954 in the light of improved information, we overlooked the subsequent mention in that sentence of “later that year”. We are reminded that Brian’s interest in vehicle preservation included ownership of ex-M&D AEC Regent VKR 470 from 1980 to 1989. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING : Formal notice is given that the Club’s Annual General Meeting will be held at St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Watling Street, Canterbury (about three minutes’ walk from the Bus Station) at 1430hrs on Saturday 14th March 2015. All current, full, honorary, associate and family members are invited to attend.  Nominations are now invited for candidates to serve on the 2015/16 Management Committee, in the three executive posts of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and the four places of Committee member, which will be elected at this meeting. Under the Constitution of the Club, no member may hold more than one of the executive posts.  Any current full member may nominate any other current full member, for each of the seven available posts. Self-nomination is permissible but should at least be seconded by another current full member. If you need help with finding a seconder, please contact the Secretary at [email protected] or by post to 2 Gaiger Close, CHELMSFORD, Essex CM1 6UR no later than Friday 9th January 2015.  A member nominated for an executive post may also be nominated for ordinary membership of Management Committee (to allow for the possibility of unsuccessful nomination to the executive post). - 14/332 -

The present Management Committee post-holders are Richard Mellor (Chairman), John Collins (Treasurer), Lee Crust (Secretary) and Myles Chantler, David Jenkins and Richard Lewis (Committee members) with Nicholas King (Editor) currently co-opted. All of these offer themselves for re-election but other nominations are very much welcomed. Nominations must be received in writing by the Secretary, Lee Crust, at 2 Gaiger Close, CHELMSFORD, Essex CM1 6UR or by e-mail to [email protected] by Thursday 15th January 2015. Each candidate must be nominated by two current full members (which may include themselves and/or a member of the existing Management Committee). The candidate’s agreement should, as a courtesy, have been secured before the nomination is lodged although we can seek this after receipt of nominations if needed. If any post is contested, elections will be held by secret ballot at the AGM. Should there be more than one nomination for any post, details will be given in the February 2015 issue of Invicta together with information about how members unable to attend the AGM may vote. Current full members may raise any items of formal business to the AGM and these should also be notified in writing to the Secretary (either by letter or e-mail as above) by Thursday 15th January 2015. Items received after this date cannot be included within the Agenda, an essential requirement for any discussion to be binding on the new Committee. In this notice, the term “current full member” means a member, other than an honorary, associate or family member, whose subscription has been paid for 2015. As usual, the Agenda, Annual Report and Accounts will be circulated as a single document with the February issue of Invicta. We would also like to hear from any member willing to assist with any of the Club's current activities. The Club needs volunteers to manage the Club's sales stand, including helping with transporting the sales stock and manning the stand at each event, our current Photographic Officer has indicated an intention to stand down in the near future, we continue to have long-standing vacancies for an Area Organiser in each of the Ashford, Gravesend, Sittingbourne/Isle of Sheppey and Tunbridge Wells/Tonbridge areas and further helpers are needed for activities such as preparing HKE 867 (the Club's preserved Bristol K6A) for its annual test and for rally attendances. All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed and the Committee is more than willing to consider splitting roles and duties among a number of people. If you would like to know more about how you can help, whether you have joined us recently or are a longer-standing member, please get in touch. Lee Crust Secretary OTHER NOTICES : This section is published as a courtesy to members. The Club accepts no responsibility for any goods or services offered. ● Leyland Titan T907 (A907 SYE) has not operated in service for many years since withdrawal by London Central. It has been in store with a number of Kent operators over that time but has recently been revived for PSV service by Nu-Venture of Aylesford, who have operated a number of Titans over the last 20 years. On 3rd January 2015, T907 will replace the normal low-floor single-deck bus on service 170 and operate the 0930, 1030 and 1130 journeys from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station (Bus Stop A4) to Medway Gate and Medway Valley Park, returning at 1000/1100/1200. The 170 service passes very close to Strood Railway Station. Nu-Venture's unlimited Medway area 'Pickwick' ticket is available for use on service 170, day tickets being priced at £3.50. English National Concession Passes also welcome! The usual caveats apply about availability on the day but another T will be substituted if the worst happens! The timetable is at http://medway.gov.uk/pdf/ 170_151_171_Sept14.pdf. - 14/333 –

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With restoration work advancing well on former M&D lowbridge AEC Regent V/Park Royal VKR 39, the owner is keen to source appropriate blinds. Remembering that lowbridge vehicles had different blinds from highbridge, because of the smaller aperture area, the ideal would be a lowbridge blind for Ashford, Tenterden or Tunbridge Wells depots (he already has one for Hawkhurst), but a highbridge blind would also be welcomed. A lowbridge blind from Borough Green or Maidstone would also be welcome, even though less authentic for the vehicle. Loan for copying, or photographs, or even a manual transcription which could be recreated, would be welcomed; purchase even more so if anyone has one with which

We are no longer able to give definitive details of GL vehicles working at SH, in the absence of local reports following the demise of our regular reporter at Sheerness. We resist the temptation of some to assume that anything missing from GL is necessarily at SH. Unlicensed fleet. We have no updated reports of 1603 and 3332, last reported stored at Tunbridge Wells. 3706 remains in store at Southend. 4228 remains in use at Sheerness. 6134 (showing 6133) is in use at Tunbridge Wells, 6133 (showing 6134) is stored at Tunbridge Wells, 6135 was in use at Tunbridge Wells by 28th November. 8001 remains in store at Gillingham but available for private hire work if required.

they are prepared to part. If you can help, please contact Paul Baker at [email protected], or write via the Club address.

The latest official list shows 3754 now in use at GF and 3758 away for refurbishment, together with 3755 (previously untraced). 3752/3/7 have remained in use at GF. However, by 11th December 3752/7 were loaned back to Arriva Kent Thameside – see notes under that heading. Storage. 2862 and 3276 remain at Southend. 2904/7 remain at Tonbridge, apparently still in use. 5926 is stored at Dartford. Dismantler 3270 remains at Southend, 3230/45 and 6241 at Gillingham, 3233 at Sheerness, 3219 at an unknown location.

ARRIVA ARRIVA KENT & SURREY (not including route information for the Guildford area)

VEHICLES IN : Further to page 14/297, 6133 (LJ03 MHX) and 6134 (LJ03 MJE) have arrived with reversed identities. It is therefore 6134 (masquerading as 6133) which was in use at TW by 23rd October. 6133 (masquerading as 6134) is in store at TW. The Arriva London date for the transfer of both of these is 7th November. We (and the Company) are grateful to Colin Evans from Gillingham for noticing this; we understand that the error is to be corrected. 6135 (LJ03 MJK) is shown by Arriva London as transferred on 21st November and had arrived by 2nd December. Now transferred from Arriva Kent Thameside (Essex fleet) (6136) is a further Volvo B7TL/Wrightbus “Eclipse Gemini” H41/25F+20+1 : 6136 (LF02 PSO) YV3S2G5192A002194 F269 new 7/02 This was new to Arriva London North, Wood Green, Greater London (VLW52) and had arrived at Tunbridge Wells by 2nd December, when it was seen on the road (but not in service). Unladen weight is awaited. ALLOCATIONS : Official details for period ending 21st November 2014 are : 1500 (YJ59 GFG) NEu-NE 6134 (LJ03 MJE) Acq-TWu 1562 (RX07 KPG) NE-NEw 6135 (LJ03 MJK) Acq-TWu 3318 (T218 NMJ) GLu-GL 6452 (GN58 BSV) GLu-GL 5926 (P926 MKL) GF-GFw 6453 (GN58 BSX) GLu-GL 6133 (LJ03 MHX) Acq-TWu Subsequently 6242 has been withdrawn at TW. 3242 (see page 14/297) remains officially on strength at TW and had returned to service by 13th November. 6136 entered service at TW on or by 3rd December. Loans. 4061 (M) was in use by GL on 25th November. 4067 (M) returned from TW by 13th November. 6125 (TW) had returned from GF by 22nd November. 6411 (SH, 334 branding) was in use at GL on 27th November. 6413 (SH) was still at GL on 6th December. 6438 (TW) was at GF by 3rd December. 6431 (GL) was at M from 22nd to at least 28th November. 6448 (M) was again at GL on 2nd December; it is not clear whether this was continuous from the last report on 18th October.

VEHICLES OUT : During period ending 21st November 2014, 6241 (S284 JUA) was written off for dismantling, 3110 (T110 LKK), 3177 (P177 LKL), 3282 (T282 JKM), 3705 (S705 VKM) were sold to Wigley, Carlton, South Yorkshire (dealer) – no collection dates have been reported. Dismantler 3202 (P202 LKJ) was sold to A.Weber, Gravesend, Kent (status unclear) and 3270 (R270 EKO) to Scrapco, Romford, Essex (dealer). 6242 (S285 JUA) had been transferred to Arriva the Shires, Luton, Bedfordshire by 30th November 2014. 1562 (RX07 KPG) was transferred to TGMGroup on 5th December following repaint into Network Colchester livery. LIVERY : 3271 and 3287 were repainted by January 2011 (after November 2010); these have escaped previous report. GENERAL : 6453 had returned from Sapphire refurbishment and repaint by 2nd December, when it was noted back in use at Gillingham. It is not reported what vinyls it carries, if any. Please also see Central Government notes on page 14/358. SERVICE VEHICLES : During period ending 22nd August 2014, it has become evident that T141 (RA05 XEC) was disposed and replaced by T140 (RA05 XEB), a Volkswagen Transporter (WV2ZZZ7HZ5X029799) new in 6/05 to an unknown user, last recorded with TGMGroup, Heathrow Airport, Middlesex (4) as a npsv. Official lists show it as unallocated but we understand that it is in use at Maidstone. During period ending 24th October 2014, T704 (S704 VKM) was transferred to TGMGroup, T890 (W359 SKX) was allocated to TWt. During period ending 21st November 2014, V026 (BL04 HBF) was sold to Scrapco, Romford, Essex (dealer) and VF106 (NL04 RBF) to a private owner. T3526 (LF02 PMX) and T3533/6 (LF02 PNO/X) were renumbered T526/33/6. Further to page 14/299, 3524 (LJ51 DDX) was officially renumbered T3524 and allocated to Mt during period ending 24th October 2014, but during period ending 21st November 2014 was transferred to Arriva Kent Thameside at Southend as T524. It was repainted into cream training livery (initially without vinyls) early in December before taking up duty at Southend without ever being used at Maidstone, and so we shall disregard what appears to be an aborted paper movement. - 14/335 -

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SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : M913 MKM (5913) – A&M Coaches, Walton, Merseyside (npsv) by 5/14 ex Hardwick, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (dealer); Huyton Mini Coaches, Widnes, Cheshire (Vision) 5/14. P610 CAY (5939) – McLean, Ballyclare, Co. Antrim 11/14 ex Ensign, Purfleet, Essex (dealer). P273 FPK (3073) – Wigley, Carlton, South Yorkshire (dealer) 11/14 ex Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3073). P279 FPK (3249) – Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3249); written off for dismantling 10/14. P191 LKJ (3191) – Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3191); relicensed at Southend 11/14. P221 MKL (3221) – TGMGroup, Maidstone, Kent (3221); reinstated and allocated to Harlow 11/14. P227 MKL (3227) – Nu-Venture, Aylesford, Kent 12/14 for parts recovery, ex The Bus Doctor, Otford, Kent (dealer). S272/85/91 JUA (6244/2/3) – Arriva the Shires, Luton, Bedfordshire (6244/2/3); allocated

147

to Aylesbury (6243/4) and High Wycombe (6242) 11/14. Further to page 14/298, these are generally being used on normal local service, releasing newer vehicles for rail replacement work between Watford Junction and St. Albans as described. S704 VKM (T704) – TGMGroup, Maidstone, Kent (T704), allocated to Harlow 10/14. FJ07 TKE (2869) – BASE Coach Sales, Chorley, Lancashire (dealer) 9/14 ex TGMGroup, Maidstone, Kent (2869). RX07 KPG (1562) – TGMGroup, Maidstone, Kent (1562); allocated to Colchester 11/14 (arrived there 12/14). Latest reports for disposal vehicles : None. ROUTE CHANGES : Service 368 was introduced from 30th November 2014 as expected (see page 14/300). From Queenborough Corner it serves the Station before Morrison’s (double-run from Rushenden Road via Thomsett Way) on the way to Rushenden, and viceversa. From the same date various minor adjustments were introduced on 360, 362 and 363 on Mon-Sat to improve reliability. These include some Mon-Sat morning outward and Saturday early evening inward journeys serving Morrison’s. On 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December 2014 an excursion is being operated from Gillingham Duncan Road (1000) via Chatham and points to Maidstone East Station, thence non-stop, to Ashford Designer Outlet, returning at 1500. Fares are £10 adult, £5 child/senior citizen, £20 family (two adults and two children or one adult and three children). All forms of concessionary and period ticket are excluded. From 15th December 2014 the 0720 from Tunbridge Wells on service 219 was retimed to 0715, schooldays. From 4th January 2015 on service 5 the 0621 from Cranbrook will be re-timed to 0618 with revised running time, Mon-Fri, and the 0720 from Maidstone will be re-timed to 0710 with revised running time, schooldays. Operation of Mon-Fri 60 and schoolday 607 will pass from New Enterprise to Maidstone. The following will be introduced from 25th January 2015 : 6/A Revised running time in Mon-Fri peak hours; 0714 from Maidstone re-timed to 0704, Saturdays. 7 Revised timings on the Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells section, Mon-Fri peaks. 77 Revised timings on the Tonbridge to Tunbridge Wells section, Mon-Fri peaks. 84 Diverted via South Park Road and Park Way instead of Plains Avenue, Mon-Fri.

228/229 Revised timings in Mon-Sat peaks. 277 Revised timings in Mon-Fri morning peak; 1744 from Sherwood extended from Tunbridge Wells Hospital (1727) and re-timed five minutes earlier, Saturdays. 278 Withdrawn, Sundays. 281 0736 from Rusthall extended to High Brooms, Mon-Fri. 289 Withdrawn, Mon-Fri. 400 Revised timetable with 0715 from Westerham re-timed to 0710, schooldays. 402 Revised timetable to improve time-keeping, and general revisions to short workings south of Dunton Green/Tonbridge, Mon-Sat. 442 Revised timetable with 0715 from Tunbridge Wells re-timed to 0708, 0729 from Sevenoaks re-timed to 0717, schooldays. 452 Revised timetable, Mon-Fri peaks. 502 Revised timetable with 0720 from Riverhead re-timed to 0715, schooldays. 540 Withdrawn, schooldays. 543 Withdrawn, schooldays. 562 Revised timetable with 0747 from Dunton Green re-timed to 0742, schooldays. 615 Withdrawn (revised and transferred to 147 or 582), schooldays. It appears that the Tunbridge Wells to Tonbridge section of Mon-Fri morning positioning journeys on 218 and 219 will be transferred to 402. Christmas and New Year. On 21st December 2014 there will be additional hourly buses on 77 between Tunbridge Wells Sainsbury’s and Tonbridge Castle and on 219, providing 30min headways with existing workings, and a 20min service on 281. On 24th December 2014 there will be early finishes as follows : 5 2320 from Maidstone will not run. 6 2300 from Tunbridge Wells will not run. 12 2215 from Tenterden and 2305 from Maidstone will not run, 2125 from Maidstone will terminate at Headcorn. 71 Last buses 2042 from Maidstone, 2108 from Lunsford Park. 82 Last buses 2115 from Maidstone, 2128 from Park Wood. 85 Last buses 2102 from Maidstone, 2119 from Senacre Wood. 89 Last buses 2114 from Maidstone Hospital, 2145 from Coxheath (terminating at Chequers). 101 Last buses 2110 (terminating at Gillingham) and 2140 from Maidstone, 2107 from Chatham, 2112 from Twydall (terminating at Gillingham).

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148 209 217

218

219

220 221

Revised timings, Mon-Fri; 1545 from Bennett Memorial School extended to Mereworth, schooldays. 1552 from Weald of Kent School re-timed to 1547, schooldays. Withdrawn, Mon-Sat. Existing service withdrawn, and number re-used for existing 219 evening peak journeys (and two new Mon-Fri southbound journeys in morning peak) via Southborough, Mon-Sat. Hourly journeys extended from Tonbridge Station via existing 217 to and from Tunbridge Wells War Memorial (some variations in peaks, including journeys to and from Tunbridge Wells Station), Mon-Sat. See also below. Hourly journeys extended from Tonbridge Station via existing 217 to and from Tunbridge Wells War Memorial (some variations in peaks, including journeys to and from Tunbridge Wells Station), existing evening service transferred to revised 217, Mon-Sat. See also below. Revised timetable with 0706 from Addington re-timed to 0700, schooldays. Revised timetable with 0721 from Wrotham re-timed to 0718, schooldays.

132

Last buses 2130 from Hempstead Valley (terminating at Chatham Bus Station), 2131 from Chatham. 135 This will not run. 140 Last Strood buses at 2100 from Chatham, 2115 from Marlowe Park. The Dockside Outlet service will continue to the normal finishing time. 145 Last bus 2130 circuit from Chatham. 147 2240 from Tunbridge Wells will not run. 151 Last buses 2121 from St. Mary’s Island, 2143 from Medway Valley Park. 155 Last buses 2025 from Chatham, 2120 from Maidstone. 167 Last buses 2128 from Chatham, 2151 from Lords Wood. 176 Last buses 2118 from Walderslade, 2122 from Grange Road (terminating in Walderslade Village). 182 2239 from Twydall will not run. 191 2310 from Chatham will not run. 209 Last buses 2132 from Tunbridge Wells, 2151 from Tonbridge. 219 Last buses 2108 from Willow Lea, 2155 from Ramslye (terminating at Depot). 281 Last buses 2205 from High Brooms (terminating at Station), 2205 from Rusthall (terminating at War Memorial). 700/701 Last buses1702 from Wigmore, 1810 (Wigmore) and 1840 (Princes Park) from Bluewater. No buses will run on 25th December 2014. On 26th December 2014 the only buses will be a special timetable on 700/701 and a Sunday timetable on the Dockside Outlet sector of 140. From 29th to 31st December 2014 Saturday services will run, with the same early finishes on 31st December as on 24th December (minor timing inflections on 71 and 82), and the following other exceptions : 24 Normal Tuesday service on 30th December. 229 2310 from Knights Park will not run. 235 Normal Monday to Friday service. 255 No service on 29th or 30th December. Normal Wednesday service on 31st December. 266 Normal Tuesday service on 30th December. 293 Normal Thursday service on 29th December. 296 Normal Monday service on 29th December. No service on 30th December. Normal Wednesday service on 31st December. 501, 503, 506 Normal Monday to Friday service. 505 Normal Tuesday service on 30th December. Tesco services T11 (Monday), T12 (Tuesday) and T13 (Wednesday) will operate normally. On 1st January 2015 Sunday services will run, except that 6X will not operate and a special timetable will operate on 700/701. On 2nd January 2015 normal services resume, plus a Saturday service on 703. Temporary diversions. On 30th November 2014 334 was unable to serve the slip road at Bimbury Corner. Normal working resumed in Tunbridge Wells town centre on 1st December 2014. The former bus lay-by at Fiveways has been replaced by a wider pavement for waiting passengers. Work will resume on 12th January 2015 at the Monson Road junction, and a pedestrian crossing will be provided at Fiveways. Further diversions will be necessary during this period. - 14/338 -

From 8th to 24th December 2014 buses are unable to access Chequers Centre from Romney Place. Affected services run via Lower Stone Street and Mote Road. On 9th December 2014 Ratcliffe Highway was closed between the junction of Avery Way and Fenn Street Corner from 0830 to 1600. Buses to and from Grain ran via the A228, Lower Stoke, Allhallows, then as normal. School buses ran along Ratcliffe Highway to St. Mary Hoo Hall Road where they reversed to return to the A228 and diversion route. The work was due to continue the following day if necessary; we do not know whether this happened. From 11th December 2014 for three days Sheerness Broadway was closed between Invicta Road and Alma Road. 334 and 341 were diverted via Halfway Road, not serving Minster Broadway, Cheyney Rock, Marine Parade or the Broadway, and the 366 at 0732 from Leysdown terminated at Isle of Sheppey Academy West. On 13th December 2014 Sheerness Christmas Market and Lantern Parade closed the High Street and Broadway all day. Buses ran in both directions via Millennium Way. From 5th to 9th January 2015 St. Faith’s Street, Maidstone will be closed for a new water main connection. 79, 101, 155 and 506 will run via Fairmeadow, and the 89 at 0602 from Coxheath will run via Earl Street and Fairmeadow to terminate at the Kent History and Library Centre stop. The 334 at 0617 from Sheerness will run from Lower Boxley Road via the White Rabbit Roundabout and Fairmeadow to the Cannon. ROUTE WORKING : GL – From 23rd November 2014 the Mon-Sat requirement is increased by 2 DE. Type changes on MFTO are 100-1559.1617 132-1705.1800 MPD to DLF, 140-1549.1636.1725.1815.1852.1917 DLF to MPD, 100-0557 140-0608.0626.0653. 0715.0745.0812.1629.1713 DLF to WS, 141-1614.1703 166-0720.0755.0820 WS to DLF, 132-0741.0824 E20 to DLF, 140-0643.0706.0755.0822 DLF to E20. By 24th October a duplicate was in operation on schoolday 668. We have received no reports about this. Correcting page 14/303, part of the MFSH requirement is 10 OV (including up to 4 WS) and 17 WS. The Dickensian Experience and Ashford services are operated by local arrangement and are not scheduled as part of the official peak vehicle requirement. SH – From 30th November 2014 an addition SLF is required on Mon-Sat. Type changes on MFTO are 334-1811 341-1653.1704.1753.1803 Solo to SLF, 334-1621.1710 SLF to Solo, 361-0923 SLF to DLF, 360-1656.1718 363-1800 DLF to SLF, new 360-0725 on MPD, new 368 on SLF. Type changes on Saturdays are new 360-1719 362-1746 on SLF, 360-1858 DLF to SLF, 334-1600.1651 361-1746 DLF to SLF, new 368 on SLF until 1500 and DLF from 1530. Although the timetable might imply that 368 is a single-vehicle operation, it is actually worked by four different vehicles during the day, with buses running on and off service at Minster (or in one case Rushenden on schooldays) for drivers’ change-overs. TW - From 16th November 2014 the MFTO requirement is increased by 1 DLF and reduced by 1 SLF. Type changes are 209-1202.1244.1300.1314.1348.1404.1422.1442. 1502 268-1610 MPD to DLF, 7-1250.1422 209-1722.1745 422-1545 DLF to MPD, 6-2300 77-2129 SLF to MPD, 147-1705 148-1552 217-1053.1132 218-0820.0909.1024.1239. 1354.1509 219-0946.1201.1316.1431 268-0640 SLF to DLF. FARES : During December day return fares from Five Oak Green to both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells are reduced to encourage Christmas shoppers from the village to take the bus to town. From 1st to 24th December vouchers are being offered with single and return tickets issued on services worked by Tunbridge Wells depot, enabling customers to take a friend free of charge on a return ticket on the 403 to Bluewater. - 14/339 -

PUBLICITY : Issue 43 of the 360 group is dated 30th November 2014. This includes some minor corporate stylistic changes, and is printed on a lighter weight of paper than hitherto. A separate 368 leaflet (undated) was issued for house-to-house distribution. Leaflets have appeared for the Ashford Designer Outlet excursion and for service variations over the Christmas and New Year period. Medway Council have produced a leaflet for the Dickens Country Experience tour. AROUND THE AREAS : Maidstone area. On 13th November 4240 was on 85 (E20). On 4th December 6456 was on 8 (DLF). On 5th December 3908 was on 89 (OV), 3539 on 506 (PR). 6449 remains regular on 85.86 (E20). Medway area. On 11th November 1627 was on 132 (E20). On 12th November 1616 was on 116 (WS), 3302 and 4049* on 166 (WS), 3303, 4054* and 6248 on 176 (OV), 4056* on 181 (WS), 4278 on 132 (E20). On 14th November 1653 (116 branding) was on 121.136.191 (DLF). On 17th November 1627, 3292, 3303 and 4051* were on 176 (OV), 3302, 4230, 4231 and 4237 on 132 (E20). On 19th November 1615 was on 121 (DLF), 1617 and 3302 on 176 (OV), 4231 on 116 (WS), 4285 on 182 (E20). On 21st November 1627 and 4049* were on 176 (OV), 4052* on 136.141 (DLF), 4277 on 132 (E20), 6430 on 182 (E20). On 25th November 3293 and 4047 were on 176 (OV), 3303 and 4276 on 182 (E20), 4056* on 141 (DLF), 4057* on 181 (WS), 4061 (loaned from M) on 701 (DLF), 6418 (700/701 branding) on 132 (E20). On 26th November 1610 (145 branding) and 6249 were on 182 (E20), 1617/26 on 116 (WS), 3293, 4051* and 6415 on 176 (OV), 3303 on 166 (WS), 4058* on 141 (DLF), 4230 on 132 (E20). On 27th November 1625 and 4238 were on 116 (WS), 3303 and 4046 on 176 (OV), 4231/74/5 and 6413 on 132 (E20), 4283 on 140 (DLF). On 28th November 3302 and 6437 were on 132 (E20). On 1st December 1617, 3303 and 4288 were on 116 (WS), 3293, 4231 and 6425 on 132 (E20), 4048/50* and 6427 on 176 (OV), 4058* on 700 (DLF), 4237 on 182 (E20). On 29th November 1626 and 4288 were on 132 (E20), 4047/51* on 176 (OV), 3293 on 182 (E20), 1625 and 4230 on 166 (WS). On 2nd December 4054* was on 116 (WS), 6404 on 176 (OV), 6430 on 132 (E20), 1611 (145 branding) on 140 (DLF). On 3rd December 4231 was on 182 (E20), 6420 on 132 (E20), 6421 on 176 (OV). On 6th December 1518 (Capstone Flyer branding) was on 133 (DLF), 1612 (145 branding) on 132 (E20), 1650 (116 branding) on 169 (SLF), 4053* on 166 (WS), 4057* on 176 (OV), 4237 on 182 (E20). On 11th December 3303 was on 181 (WS), 4055* on 166 (WS). On 12th December 3303 and 4231 were on 166 (WS), 6441 (140/141 branding) on 114 (Solo). In these notes, * indicates vehicles with Medway Mainline branding. The use of surplus Sapphire vehicles elsewhere has increased, with 6452 on 132 (E20) and, 6471 on 169 (DLF) on 11th November, 6452 on 136.169.638.660 (DLF) on 12th November, 6451 on 132 (E20) and 6452 on 140.141.689 (DLF) on 13th November, 6452 on 700.701 (DLF) on 14th November, 6471 on 155.169.638.660 (DLF) on 17th November, 6452 on 169 (DLF) on 18th November, 6471 on 142.155.169.638.660 (DLF) and 6472 on 658.659 (DLF) on 19th November, 6452 on 136 (DLF) on 24th November, 6472 on 700.701 (DLF) on 7th December, 6471 on 700.701 on 11th December . Since the schedule changes on 23rd November, they are particularly prevalent on the schoolday diagram which works 155-1403.1422 169-1600.1625.1700.1725.1800 182-1848, 638 and 660. Non-Sapphire visitors on 101 have included 6419 on 25th November and 6405 on 26th November. Park & Ride services for the Dickensian Christmas festival in Rochester were provided by 6404/5/13/5/22/3/33 on 6th December, 6411/5/22/4/5/32/42 on 7th December (6411 later replaced by 6420). These ran from Chatham Maritime/Dockside Outlet Centre and - 14/340 -

Lord Lees coach park-and-ride sites via Medway Tunnel, Medway City Estate, Canal Road, A2, Star Hill, City Way and Bridgewood. However, the presence of rail replacement buses on the Sunday meant that buses diverted via Frindsbury and Station Road. 6448 is the designated vehicle for the Ashford Designer Outlet excursion, being fitted with a tachograph, and was so noted on 6th December. Swale area. On 5th December 4243 (333 branding) was on 347 (MPD). On 14th December 4242/3 (333 branding) were on 334 (MPD). Tunbridge Wells area. On 13th November 4214 (402 branding) was on 219 (MPD). Correcting page 14/305, on 3rd and 4th November 3955 was on 235.280.283 (Solo).

ARRIVA KENT THAMESIDE (Kent operation only; outside formal coverage) During period ending 21st November, 3115 (R211 GMJ) was relicensed at NF. In the unlicensed fleet, we have no updated reports on 3982-90/2-5, except that five (unidentified) remained in store at Dartford early in December. 3760/1 were transferred to the Essex fleet at Southend from repaint at Maidstone (including removal of 480/490 route branding) on 18th November and 6th December respectively. In the stored fleet, 3228 remains in use at Northfleet. We have no updated reports on 3089. Dismantlers 3249/75 remain stored at Northfleet. From 26th January the 403 at 1615 from Bluewater will have revised timings from Tonbridge onwards, Mon-Fri. A shuttle service is operating on 11th to 13th, 15th, 18th and 19th December between Gravesend St. George’s Centre and Tilbury Ferry Terminal whilst the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry is closed because of visiting cruise ships being moored in the path of the normal ferry service. Buses depart each terminal hourly from 0600 to 1700. The service is part-funded by Thurrock Council. 3752/7 have been retrieved for this operation. There will be early finishes to services on 24th December (details as shown in official leaflet). No buses will run on 25th December On 26th December there will be special timetables just on 490, 499 and Fastrack B. Saturday services will run on 29th to 31st December, with early finishes on 31st December as on 24th December. On 1st January Sunday services will operate, with special timetables on 308, 477 and 499. Normal services resume on 2nd January. Further to page 14/306, Greenhithe (Ingress Park) Busway has been closed since October 2013, with Fastrack B diverting via London Road, after subsidence damage which also affected some adjacent properties. However, schedule changes to reflect this were not introduced until 28th September. Work has now started to repair the road and resolution is expected early in 2015, although further subsidence-related work will be necessary at Greenhithe station interchange. Southbound buses had resumed normal route in Vale Road, Gravesend by 20th November. The northbound diversion remained in place at this date. On 27th and 28th November from 0900 to 1500 Flowerhill Way between Biddenden Way and Downs Road at Istead Rise was re-surfaced. 306 and 308 were diverted via Lewis Road. On 6th December Wrotham Christmas Fayre closed the village between 1000 and 1900. Buses were diverted via the by-pass. Operation of the 403 appears to have reverted to the scheduled SLF lately. It seems that most such vehicles do not have “Tunbridge Wells” on their blinds, so they display printed cards in the front windscreen, but it is not known whether this was the reason for recent type substitutions. -14/341 -

On 11th November 4223 (477 branding) was on 308 (SLF). On 25th November 1622 (495/498 branding) was on 308 (SLF).

ARRIVA KENT & SUSSEX SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : E885 KYW (T041) – Unidentified, Batley, West Yorkshire (npsv) by 7/14 ex Studio Three, Royton, Greater Manchester (npsv), by whom withdrawn 4/14. K909 SKR (5909) – N. Moore, Smarden, Kent (preservation) 7/14 ex Gilkes, West Kingsdown, Kent (West Kent Buses) (909). L564 YCU (5564) – South Gloucestershire, Patchway, Gloucestershire 9/14 ex Durbin, Patchway, Gloucestershire (South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach) (change of entity). P210 JKK (1210) – Town & Country, Pontypool, Torfaen; noted on hire to Ace & Ellis, Pontypool, Torfaen 11/14. P193 LKJ (3193) – Hardwick, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (dealer) 9/14 ex Arriva the Shires, Luton, Bedfordshire (3382). Latest reports for disposal vehicles : 10/14 – E885 KYW (T041), L562 YCU (5562), M100 CBB (3174).

ARRIVA MEDWAY TOWNS SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : G641 BPH (7641) – Amber, Rayleigh, Essex in 8/14 ex Speldhurst, Shefford, Bedfordshire (clarification). L562 YCU (5562) – South Gloucestershire, Patchway, Gloucestershire 9/14 ex Durbin, Patchway, Gloucestershire (South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach) (change of entity). P228 MKL (3228) – Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3228); withdrawn 10/14, although still in use at Northfleet 12/14. R108/12 TKO (1108/12) – Stephenson, Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire (2702/1); believed T919 KKM (3919) – Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3919); delicensed 11/14. T921 KKM (3921) – Wigley, Carlton, South Yorkshire (dealer) 11/14 ex Arriva Kent Thameside, Maidstone, Kent (3921). Latest reports for disposal vehicles : 10/14 – L562 YCU (5562).

MAIDSTONE & DISTRICT SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : VKR 39 (6739) – Baker, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire (preservation); now undergoing body restoration work at South East Coachworks, Faversham 11/14 following mechanical work at Woods, Aylesham, Kent. Latest reports for disposal vehicles : 11/14 – GKE 65 (919), HKL 819 (8001), VKR 470 (5478), 308 LKK (3308).

NEW ENTERPRISE SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : H263 GEV (5403) – Regal Busways, Great Wakering, Essex (1204); withdrawn by 9/14. M54 AWW (2054) – Go-Coachhire, Swanley, Kent; sold to a west London operator 12/14. Further details are awaited.

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R193 DNM (1193) – Archway Travel, Poulton, Lancashire 4/14 ex Widnes Commercial, Widnes, Cheshire; re-registered SUI 2725, 10/14. YN54 DCY (2854) – Ensign, Purfleet, Essex; numbered 603, 11/14. Latest reports for disposal vehicles : None.

STAGECOACH SOUTH EAST EAST KENT (Stagecoach in East Kent) NEW VEHICLES : 15184/7 (YN64 AKO/V) were first licensed on 10th October. VEHICLES IN : Further to page 14/309, 34546-8 are registered GX04 EYY/Z, GX04 EZA and the VIN of 34438 ends 87337. 34543 arrived on 6th December and 34548 on 29th November, both at Eastbourne. 34543 has Peterborough Citi branding on its nearside, and on the offside cove panels. 17691/3 (X701/3 JVV) arrived on 30th November at Thanet and Ashford respectively and are H49/29F+17 adaptable to H49/27F+17+1 with unladen weight 11750kg. These have Hanover “flip dot” destination equipment. 18292 (AE51 VFW) arrived at Thanet on 30th November and is H47/29F+17 adaptable to H47/27F+17+1. Unladen weight is 11890kg. It has LED destination equipment, and was new to Ladbrook & Boor, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire (Huntingdon & District) (1). Nine Dennis Trident/Alexander are being acquired from the Stagecoach London group after modification to single-door format and upgrade to DDA-compliant specification by Ensign, Purfleet, Essex (dealer). As we went to press, the first, 17529 (LX51 FON), was reported at Ashford by 15th December for repaint. Fuller details will follow next month.

16090 16272 16274 16370 16503 16774 17691 17693 18292 22004 33022 33374 33377 33385 34064 34433 34434 34435 34438 34439

(R190 XNO) (S272 VPN) (S274 VPN) (N370 LPN) (R503 UWL) (S774 RVU) (X701 JVV) (X703 JVV) (AE51 VFW) (X604 VDY) (R822 HCD) (T342 PNV) (T458 HNH) (X212 ONH) (S464 BWC) (KV53 EZK) (KV53 EZL) (KV53 EZM) (KV53 EZP) (KV53 EZR)

RES-HB TH-THw RES-RESw EB-HS TH-HB A-RES Acq-TH Acq-TH Acq-A DO-DOw DO-DOw HS-HSw HS-HSw A-Aw TH-THw Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES

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3.12.14 7.12.14 7.12.14 12.11.14 3.12.14 4.12.14 30.11.14 30.11.14 30.11.14 7.12.14 5.12.14 5.12.14 by 15.12.14 4.12.14 10.12.14 15.11.14 15.11.14 15.11.14 15.11.14 16.11.14

34440 34441 34442 34443 34444 34539 34539 34540 34541 34541 34542 34542 34543 34544 34545 34545 34546 34546 34547 34548

(KV53 EZT) (KV53 EZU) (KV53 EZW) (KV53 EZX) (KV53 EZZ) (GX04 EYP) (GX04 EYP) (GX04 EYR) (GX04 EYS) (GX04 EYS) (GX04 EYT) (GX04 EYT) (GX04 EYU) (GX04 EYV) (GX04 EYW) (GX04 EYW) (GX04 EYY) (GX04 EYY) (GX04 EYZ) (GX04 EZA)

Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES RES-A Acq-RES Acq-RES RES-DO Acq-RES RES-HS Acq-RES Acq-RES Acq-RES RES-TH Acq-RES RES-HS Acq-RES Acq-RES

16.11.14 16.11.14 16.11.14 16.11.14 16.11.14 8.11.14 4.12.14 8.11.14 8.11.14 5.12.14 8.11.14 4.12.14 6.12.14 8.11.14 9.11.14 10.12.14 9.11.14 8.12.14 9.11.14 29.11.14

17691 entered service on 8th December (on loan from TH to HB), 17693 at TH on 10th December, 18292 at A on 4th December. On page 14/310, the registrations of 18528-30 should have read GX06 DYS-U. Loans. 17691 (TH) was loaned to HB from 8th December. 16370 (HS) was at EB on 13th December. Reserve fleet. 16360 remains out of use at Dover. 16774 moved from Ashford to Dover on 10th December, although officially listed as due for Herne Bay. 16805 moved in store from Dover to Thanet on 19th November. 20533 and 20650 remain in use at Eastbourne. 20680 remains out of use at Thanet. 40933 remains in store at Herne Bay, except for use on 26th November (see “Temporary Diversions” below) and an engineers’ test run on 2nd December. 34433-5/8-44 and 34539/41-8 remained or are remaining in store at Eastbourne until passing via repaint at Ashford to allocation as shown above. 34434/8 and 34547 are due at Hastings, 34440 at Ashford and 34442 at Eastbourne; these will complete the removal of non-DDA SLFs, due by the end of the month. 34540 moved to Herne Bay on 20th November and entered service there on 4th December. Storage. By 5th December 33022 had been moved from Dover to Eastbourne, 33374 from Hastings to Eastbourne. On 10th December 34064 moved from Thanet to Ashford, continuing to Eastbourne on 11th December. By 15th December 33377 moved from Hastings to Eastbourne.

LIVERY : Further repaints are 27573, 27574, 34539, 34540 and 34544 in November, 27575, 27576, 27577, 34434, 34438, 34541, 34542, 34545, 34546 and 34547 in December. It is a long time since the paintshop worked at such full capacity. Recent SLF repaints, apparently commencing with 34655 last month and all of those this month, have all-red rears instead of the bumpers being blue. We should welcome a particular check on 34844 in view of its retained allover rear advertisement. Major advertisements. 47676 received an allover rear display for the Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund on 27th November and re-entered service after a formal launch event on 1st December. We assume that 34541 lost its allover rear advertisement at repaint? Route branding. 27573-7 lost their Uno branding at repaint, 34438 its Bedfordbus branding and 34539-42/4 their Peterborough Citi branding. By 22nd November 15780 had received an allover rear display for Sussex Used Cars, replacing the previous display for East Sussex County Council Trading Standards Approved Businesses. Further to page 14/311, the rest of the rear display for Ben Bridges had been removed from 36856 by late November. By 11th December 36495 had lost part of its rear Arrows branding. According to our records, 15475/7/8/81/2 remain with Wave branding, 15493/8/500 with Breeze branding, 36122 and 47113/5/8 with Folkestone Hearts branding, 47667/9 with A-Line branding, as a result of recent repaint cycles. No vehicles remain with B-Line or CLine branding. GENERAL : Authorisation PK0000948 for Hastings & District was surrendered on 17th November. 34540 has received refurbished seating before entering service. Destination equipment was removed from 16274 on 21st November. By 11th December all SLFs and some Solos at Herne Bay are reported to have received blue advertisements on their interior cove panels for fares promotions. SERVICE VEHICLES : 20609 (L609 TDY) was still awaiting collection on 12th December. Hire vehicles have included VU62 VXO, a Vauxhall Vivaro at HBt on 19th and 20th November, and FX13 XNT, a Volkswagen Golf at HB from 17th to 24th November.

VEHICLES OUT : 33319 (T467 EGT) was transferred to Stagecoach (South), Chichester, West Sussex on 26th November. Officially an extended loan, it is unlikely to return. 16377 (N377 LPN) and 16593 (S593 BCE) were sold to Hardwick, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (dealer) on 7th December 2014. Both were still in store at Thanet on 12th December awaiting collection. 39640 (AE56 LWD) is in course of sale to Wealden PSV, Five Oak Green, Kent (dealer) for spares. A collection date is awaited. 13991 (V651 LWT) was still awaiting collection on 5th December.

SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : 521 FN now DSL 856 (8521) – Patterson, Kings Lynn, Norfolk (preservation); change of address to Hunstanton, Norfolk by 8/14, then as published previously. G902 PKK (8902) – Stephenson, Tholthorpe, North Yorkshire (5706); believed gone by 10/14. M911 WJK now L80 SGB (8911), FJ56 OBR now L66 SGB (59205), FJ56 OBZ now L55 SGB (59212), FJ56 OCA now NX05 AAA (59213) – South Gloucestershire, Patchway, Gloucestershire 9/14 ex Durbin, Patchway, Gloucestershire (South Gloucestershire Bus & Coach) (change of entity). T467 EGT (33319) – Stagecoach (South), Chichester, West Sussex (33319), allocated to Crondall 11/14. GU52 WTD (53006) – Decker Bus, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire 4/14 ex Thomas, Llangadog, Carmarthenshire. GX02 WXT (35902) – Go-Coachhire, Swanley, Kent; numbered 6104, 11/14. PX03 KCN (53018) – Go South Coast, Poole, Dorset (7096); re-registered HSV342, 8/14.

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- 14/345 -

PX03 KCU (53019) – Go South Coast, Poole, Dorset (7097); re-allocated to Pimperne, 8/14. FJ56 PDX (59201) – Holmeswood, Holmeswood, Lancashire; re-seated to C57F, 9/14. FJ56 PFA (59203) – Holmeswood, Holmeswood, Lancashire ex Scania, Worksop, Nottinghamshire (dealer) 8/14; re-seated to C57F, 8/14. Latest reports for disposal vehicles : 10/14 – CSU 992 now M409 BFG (8409), TSU 640 now FKK 840Y (8840), N951/66/7 NAP (40951/66/7), M911 WJK now L80 SGB (8911), FJ56 OBR now L66 SGB (59205), FJ56 OBZ now L55 SGB (59212), FJ56 OCA now NX05 AAA (59213); 11/14 – GJG 742/57D (7742/57), JJG 1P (7001). ROUTE CHANGES : From 16th November 2014 the 951 from Bus Station at 0833 is retimed to 0837 with revised running time, schooldays. From 22nd November 2014 there is an additional journey on 6 at 2300 from Keynes College to Bus Station on Saturdays during University term. This may have been in unscheduled operation on the previous two Saturdays. From 23rd November 2014 the following were introduced : 10X Additional journey 1557 Harrietsham Ramada Hotel to Ashford, schooldays. This continues as service 10 at 1644; the 10X at 1542 from Maidstone only serves points beyond Ashford required by passengers already on board. 653 0800 from Chartham Station revised to start at Beech Avenue at 0803 with revised running time, schooldays. From 8th December 2014 the new Estuary View, Whitstable service was introduced (see page 14/313), but as Shuttle rather than route 37. Timings are 0810 Whitstable Station to Estuary View, 0826.0851 then x30min to 1721 circuits from Estuary View, 1751 Estuary View to Harbour Street, Mon-Sat. From 11th January 2015 timings are 0810 Whitstable Station to Estuary View, 0836.0904 then x30min to 1534.1559.1629.1659.1729 circuits from Estuary View, 1759 Estuary View to Whitstable Station, Mon-Sat. The incorporation of this service into 36 from 18th January 2015 has been deferred, together with proposed changes on 5. Also from 8th December 2014 the 1548 from Ashford on 121 is re-timed to 1553 from Highworth School (Catholic Church stop), then via Hythe Road schools, Silver Hill Road, Kennington Road, Willesborough Road to Spearpoint Corner, then 10 minutes later than existing, schooldays. University vacation timetables for Unibus and service 26 from 20th December 2014 are unchanged from previous. The following will be introduced on 4th January 2015 :

EX

NEW ROUTE. Two Mon-Sat morning peak journeys from Ashford town centre direct to Eureka Park Northdown, and Mon-Fri evening peak journeys between Eureka Park Northdown and town centre loop. G-Line NEW ROUTE. Godinton Park Louden Way via Springwood Drive (no longer serving Cypress Avenue), Sweet Bay Crescent, Evergreen Way, Laurens van der Post Way, Repton Avenue, Repton Park and as E-line to Elwick Road, Bank Street, Station and Orbital Park, returning direct from Ashford Station to Elwick Road and Godinton Park, with 30min headway; some variations during peak hours, Mon-Sat. On Sundays, hourly service (widened at lunchtime) between town centre loop and Godinton Park/Repton Park loop. These changes follow the failure to achieve a satisfactory result from last year’s KCC tender round. A de minimis award has been made with a revised timetable. Optare Versas 25242/3 will be re-branded for new G-Line. Existing 517 and E-Line were originally de-registered from 4th January but will now continue for a further fortnight. Christmas and New Year services. On 24th and 31st December 2014 there will be early finishes on most evening services, except at Eastbourne, as follows : 2 2005 and 2205 from Ashford, 2049 and 2249 from Rolvenden will not run. 3 group (Canterbury) Last buses 1900 from Canterbury, 1936 from Bysing Wood. 16 Last buses 2005 from Canterbury, 2005 from Folkestone (terminating at Swingfield Minnis). 17 Last buses 1740 from Folkestone, 1850 from Canterbury. 20 Last bus 2014 from Hollington Tesco. 20A Last bus 2052 from Ore Down Farm. 21A (Hastings) Last bus 2030 from Hollington Tesco. 22 (Hastings) Last buses 2011 from Malvern Way, 2048 from Harley Shute. 22B Last bus 2029 from Ore King’s Head. 22A (Canterbury) 2141 and 2241 from Bus Station will not run. 25A 2117 and 2217 from Bus Station will not run. 61 2114 from Menzies Road and 2300 from Pencester Road will not run. 71 Last bus 2035 circuit from Bus Station. 89 2157 from Dover and 2227 from Elvington will not run. A-Line Last bus 2045 circuit from Bank Street. B-Line Last buses 2100 from Bank Street, 1940 from Park Farm. E-Line 2313 from Ashford Station will not operate. Breeze Last buses 1945 (8) and 2023 (8X) from Margate, 2037 (8X) from Birchington, 2040 (8) from Canterbury.

253 254 305 917 918

Withdrawn, schooldays. 0753 from Johns Cross and 1536 from Wadhurst withdrawn, schooldays. 1604 from Hawkhurst withdrawn, schooldays. 0730 from Hillsborough re-timed to 0723 with revised running time, schooldays. Revised running time on 0743 from Whitstable Station, schooldays. The following will be introduced on 18th January 2015 : 517 Withdrawn, Mon-Sat.

Diamond Last buses 1925 (13A) from Canterbury, 1934 (14) from Deal, 1903 (15X) from Sandown, 2020 (15) from Canterbury. Loop (Thanet) Last buses from Margate clockwise at 2000 (full circuit), 2015, 2030 and 2045 (terminating at Westwood), anti-clockwise 2015 (full circuit), 2030, 2045 and 2100 (terminating at Ramsgate), 2115 (terminating at Westwood). Triangle Last buses 2015 (4A) from Canterbury (terminating at Herne Bay), 2035 (6) and 2105 (6A) from Canterbury (both terminating at Herne Bay); -the 6A at 2005 from

E-Line Revised to operate from Little Burton via Faversham Road, Trinity Road, Eureka Park, alternately Cineworld or John Lewis store, Repton Park to Elwick Road, then Bank Street, Ashford Station, Elwick Road and return to Little Burton, with 30min headway; some variations during peak hours, and existing pattern of evening services broadly maintained, Mon-Sat. On Sundays, hourly service (widened at lunchtime) between Cineworld, John Lewis store (in both directions), Repton Park and town centre loop.

Canterbury will also terminate at Herne Bay. Wave Last buses 1845 (101/100), 1915, 2000 and 2035 (terminating at Folkestone) (all 102) from Dover, 1901 (100/101) from Hastings (terminating at Folkestone). 111 will operate a Thursday service. There will be no buses on 25th December 2014. On 26th December 2014 there will be a daytime 20min service on Thanet Loop. No other services will run.

- 14/346 -

- 14/347 -

On 1st January 2015 a Sunday service will operate on 2A, 3 group (Canterbury), 10/ 10X, 21 (Canterbury), 22/22A (Canterbury), 25A and 335. No other services will operate. Note that unlike Arriva, normal Mon-Fri services operate on 29th to 31st December. Park & Ride. Clarifying page 14/313, extra Thursday journeys from 20th November to 24th December 2014 are 1940.2000.2020 inward and 1950.2010.2030 outward on P1, 2000.2020 inward and 1950.2010.2030 outward on P2, 1942.2002.2022 inward and 1952. 2012.2032 outward on P3. On Sundays from 30th November to 21st December 2014 all of P1, P2 and P3 operate inward journeys at 0900 x15min to 1745, outward at 0915 x15min to 1800. Temporary diversions. Further to pages 14/273 and 14/313, Sandwich Road, Cliffsend was reopened by 1600 on 4th November 2014 but had been closed again by 25th November 2014 when buses were again operating via Hengist Way and performing a U-turn at the Sportsman. On 13th November 2014 services in Canterbury were disrupted severely from c1115 because of a bomb scare, resulting in the closure of Broad Street and Lower Bridge Street. Some inward buses on Breeze and Triangle were trapped by this closure, and outward buses were diverted via West Gate and Kingsmead (it is presumed that inward buses ran via Kingsmead, St. Dunstan’s, London Road and Rheims Way). Further to page 14/313, St. Dunstan's Street, Canterbury was still closed on 26th November 2014, on at least weekdays. It was re-opened on 28th November 2014. Further to page 14/315, the diversion in Whitstable on 26th November 2014 was slightly different from published. Service 4 group journeys operated from Northwood Road to Tankerton Road via St. Anne's Road and service 6 group journeys operated from Priest and Sow Corner via Bennells Avenue to Northwood Road. These journeys then operated from Church Street to the Thanet Way via Ham Shades Lane and Foxgrove Road. Service 5 operated between the railway station and Oxford Street via the lower part of Cromwell Road. 40933 and 47684 were the vehicles allocated to operate the shuttle but unfortunately 40933 broke down at about 1330 and alternative arrangements had to be made to serve Whitstable which resulted in two Triangle journeys in either direction, plus one shuttle journey, per hour operating via the shuttle route. Also most, if not all, school journeys operated through Whitstable via the shuttle route. On 17th November 2014 Hoads Wood Road, Hastings was closed. Services 23, 23A, 340, 342 and 343 were diverted via Wilmington Road and Linley Drive. On 20th November 2014 Grinsell Hill, Minster was closed between 0900 and 1600 for tree felling work. Service 42 was diverted between St Augustine's Cross and Bedlam Court Lane via Cottington Link Road, A299, Tothill Street and Foxborough Lane. Shalmsford Street, Chartham was closed from 1600 on 20th November 2014 so repairs could be made to a burst water main. It was reopened the following afternoon. Buses were diverted via A28, Station Road and Bolt's Hill. On 24th November 2014 Callis Court Road, Broadstairs was closed for an estimated period of twelve weeks between Grange Road and Reading Street for footway repairs. Service 56 is being diverted from Stanley Road via Callis Court Road, Lindenthorpe Road and Kings Avenue to Lanthorne Road. When the work has passed Lanthorne Road service 56 will revert to its normal route. The work will be suspended for a two-week period over Christmas. On 24th November 2014 Northwood Road, Ramsgate was closed, at the junction with Margate Road, for three days for carriageway repair work. Services 9 and 56 operated between Westwood and The Silvers via Westwood Road and Northwood Road and services 39, 42A, 933, 946 and 965 operated via Pysons Road and then either Rumfields Road or Fairfield Road. - 14/348 -

On 24th and 25th November 2014 Parker Road, Hastings was closed for re-surfacing and buses were diverted via Hoads Wood Road and Elphinstone Road. On 25th November 2014 the A20 was closed between Newingreen and Otterpool Lane until early afternoon because of a fatal accident. Buses were diverted via Lympne. On 27th November 2014 an accident closed Dover Road, Folkestone, in the one-way section, during the late morning. Buses were diverted via Foord Road, Black Bull Road and Canterbury Road. On 29th November 2014 Whitstable High Street was closed between 1530 and 1730 for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. Triangle services were diverted between Long Reach and Tankerton Graystone Road via Thanet Way, Church Street (return via Ham Shades Lane and Foxgrove Road), Castle Road, Northwood Road and St. Anne's Road. Service 5 operated between the railway station and Oxford Street via the lower part of Cromwell Road. An accident on Hill Road, Folkestone during the early evening of 29th November 2014 between Dover Hill and Dover Road closed the road for a short while. Drivers found their own way around the closure with at least one 'Wave' journey in either direction using Joyes Road. On 30th November 2014 Station Road, Westgate was closed until early evening for the Christmas Lights event. Service 8 journeys from Margate were diverted via Westgate Bay Avenue and St. Mildred’s Road. Buses returned to their normal routes in Tunbridge Wells on 1st December 2014 on completion of the Fiveways Improvement work. However work will recommence in mid January on the Monson Road junction. On 4th December 2014 Pett Road, Guestling was closed between 0930 and 1530 for two days for urgent BT repair work. Service 347 could only operate as far as the Royal Oak public house. On 6th December 2014 Hailsham held its Christmas Market which closed the High Street up to 0900 whilst it was set up and again between 1600 and 2100 whilst it was being taken down. During these closures buses diverted via Vicarage Lane, Vicarage Road and George Street. On 8th December 2014 West Cliff Drive, Herne Bay was closed for up to five days for re-surfacing. Service 36 operated via Grand Drive, Sea Street, Greenhill Bridge Road and Greenhill Roundabout in order to serve the St George's Avenue bus stop. From 8th December 2014 for four evenings between 1830 and 1900 Mayfield High Street was closed for the Mayfield Live Crib event. The 1842 (252) to Tunbridge Wells and 1844 (252) to Eastbourne operated via the A267. On 8th and 9th December 2014 the A28 was closed between St. Nicholas roundabout and Brooks End for road modifications in advance of the implementation of a 50mph speed limit. The carriageway towards Margate was closed from 2000 on the 8th with the Canterbury-bound carriageway being closed from 2000 on the 9th. Buses were diverted via A299 and Seamark Road with Seamark Road being made one way in the direction of the diverted traffic flow. On 9th December 2014 for up to four days Mount Pleasant Road and Priory Road, Hastings were closed for roadworks between 0930 and 1600 each day. Services 28 and 347 could not serve West Hill and were diverted via Breeds Place, The Bourne and Old London Road. Service 22 was diverted from Ore Kings Head via Old London Road, Market Cross, The Bourne, Seafront, Albert Road and Queens Road, turning back onto Queens Road and the normal route at the roundabout at Elphinstone Road. Service 22A operated from Ore Kings Head via Clifton Road and Frederick Road to Old London Road and then as service 22. Journeys to Ore operated from Havelock Road via Albert Road - 14/349 -

and Queens Road turning at the Elphinstone Road roundabout to operate the diversion route from Ore in reverse. The operation of these services along Queens Road was so that they could serve Morrisons. From 11th to 13th December 2014 St. John's Road, Elvington was closed between Adelaide Road and Chaucer Road for drainage work. Buses from Eythorne diverted from Adelaide Road via Chaucer Road and buses from Nonington operated direct via Adelaide Road and did not serve St. John's Road. On 11th December 2014 Cheriton Road, Folkestone was closed from 2200 for a detailed inspection of the railway bridge to take place. Buses were diverted between the Bus Station and the Radnor Park Road/Cheriton Road roundabout via Foresters Way, Foord Road and Radnor Park Road (return via Radnor Park Road, Pavilion Road, Foord Road, New Street, Bradstone Road, Dover Road, Grace Hill and Shellons Street). ROUTE WORKING : C/HB – From 22nd November 2014 on Saturdays during University term new 6-2300 is worked by Uni. From 7th December 2014 an additional Solo is required at HB on Mon-Sat for Shuttle. DO – On Thursdays from 20th November to 24th December 2014 the extra Thursday journeys on P1 and P2 are worked by DLF and those on P3 by E30. On Sundays from 30th November to 21st December 2014 two additional E30 are required for P2. FK – On schooldays from 23rd November 2014 10X-1557 is worked by E20, 10-1644 (see commentary) above is changed from DLF (remaining as duplicate if required) to E20, and 91-1710.1745 from E20 to DLF. PUBLICITY : Leaflets have been produced for Christmas services in East Sussex, Thanet and the rest of East Kent. FARES : From 8th December Smartcard holders can buy Dayrider (including Dayrider Gold) tickets in “bundles” of five at a 10% discount. The tickets are stored on the smartcard and are valid for up to a year. As a point of information, day tickets are valid on Nitebus up to the close of service the following morning. AROUND THE AREAS : Ashford area. On 14th November 36124 was on 123 (SLF). On 20th November 16014 was on E-Line short workings (Solo). On 27th November 36124 was on 111 (SD). On 4th December 47665 was on 111 (SD), 20642 on 10 group (E20). SLFs are regularly on E20 workings of 10 group. Visitors on A-Line (Solo) have included 17402 and 33176 on 14th November, 18165 on 20th November, 16012 and 18164 on 25th November, 16024 on 29th November, 22943 on 1st December, 34071 on 2nd and 4th December, 33175 on 6th and 7th December. Canterbury/Herne Bay area. On 29th November 15903 was on Unibus (Uni). On 1st December 15904 was on Unibus (Uni). On 2nd December 22057 was on Triangle (DLF) until mid-afternoon. On 3rd December 15553 was on Unibus (Uni), 18167 on Triangle during the morning peak instead of a Scania. On 8th December 18163 was on Triangle after the morning peak, replacing a missing Scania. On 9th December 18160 and 18163 were on Triangle instead of Scanias. On 10th December 16388 was borrowed from Thanet layover for the lunchtime working on 89B. On 12th and 13th December 15903 was on Unibus (Uni). We understand that double-deckers have been cleared for operation on journeys of 36 via St. Nicholas village from 3rd November. - 14/350 -

Dover area. On 19th November 16022 was on 15B (E20). On 22nd November 16367 was on 15B (E20). On Sunday 23rd November 10063 was on P1 (E30), 10066 on P3 (E30). On 28th November 36855 (Diamond branding) was on 12 (DD). On 1st December 16740 was on 15B (E20). On 3rd December 47377 (Hearts branding) was on 15B (E20). On 13th December 19056 was borrowed from TH for 87 after 36856 failed at Ramsgate. Eastbourne area. On 10th December 27579 (Uno branding) was on Loop (E20), 36907 (Loop branding) on 56 (DLF), 19049 on 1/A (SLF). Folkestone area. E20 and SLF continue to appear regularly on 71, 73, 77/78 and 160 (all Solo), E20 and Solo on 127 (SLF), and SLF on the prescribed E20 workings. DLF are common on 18 (DD) and 91 (DD), as implied last month. On 17th November 16390 was on 17 (DLF). On 25th November 16390 was on 17 (DLF). On 27th November 15484 was on 71 (Solo), 16130 on Wave (DLF) from Old Romney. On 2nd December 16013 was on 127 (SLF), 19023 on 77.78 (Solo). On 4th December 47112 was on 10 group (DLF). On 6th December 19026 was on 127 (SLF), 16386 (from HS) on Wave (DLF). On 7th December 15478 (Wave branding) was on 17 (DLF). On 9th December 16386 (from HS) was on Wave (DLF). On 11th December 19005 was unusual on Wave (DLF) instead of a Scania. Hastings area. Vehicles with Wave 99 branding remain regular on Wave 100 group, with isolated DD, E20, SD or SLF on 99 (DLF) instead. One or two variant types also remain common on Arrows (E20) each day. On 15th November 16386 was on 26 (SLF). On 17th November 16745 was on Wave 100 group (DLF). On 19th November 16366 (from FK) was on Wave 100 group (DLF). On 22nd, 24th and 25th November 16013 (from FK) was on Wave 100 group (DLF), including the Old Romney working on 24th November. On 24th November 16013 (from FK) was also on Wave 100 group (DLF). On 8th December 36491 (Arrows branding) was on 347 (SLF). Thanet area. On 13th November 16271 was borrowed from C for Breeze (DLF) to retrieve operation during the bomb scare in Canterbury. On 21st November 34778 was on Loop (E20) from late morning. On 22nd November 20956, replaced by 36859 at lunchtime, was on 38 (Solo). On 24th November 16387 was on Breeze (DLF) during the evening peak. On 25th November 16188 was on Breeze (DLF) during the evening peak. On 27th November 16387 was on 32 (Solo), 16388 on Breeze (DLF) from mid-morning. On 5th December 20010 was on Breeze (DLF) during the morning, 15503 on Stars (Solo) in the evening peak. On 9th December 36896 was on Breeze (DLF) during the evening peak.

HASTINGS & DISTRICT (Stagecoach in Hastings) ROUTE CHANGES : Registrations for services 328 and 504 were cancelled from 9th November 2014. These had been worked from 20th September until 29th October 2006 (pages 06/279 and 280 refer), so this appears to be a technical tidy-up.

SOUTH COAST BUSES SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : M313 YSC (673) : Jenkins, Milkwall, Gloucestershire (Crystal Travel) 9/14 ex Quantock, Bishops Lydeard, Somerset. Latest reports for disposal vehicles :10/14 – M313 YSC (673).

- 14/351 -

EASTBOURNE BUSES (Stagecoach in Eastbourne) UNLADEN WEIGHTS : It has been pointed out that we did not publish unladen weights for many vehicles which passed subsequently to East Kent and/or Hastings & District, where this information is part of our normal coverage. This was because detailed coverage of the Eastbourne fleet was very much “under tolerance” until fairly recently, when a more relaxed approach became possible in expectation of the eventual absorption within the main East Kent fleet. We now repair that situation. To conserve space, registration numbers are omitted. 13991-4 were 11280kg, 19978 was 7t 19c 0q, 22107/87 were 9480kg, 26129 was 10880kg, 27099 was 9020kg, 27571-82 were 8710kg, 33315-7 were 7050kg, 33318 was 6833kg, 33319 was 6728kg, 33320 was 6820kg, 33321 was 7420kg, 33370 was 6820kg, 33372/3 were 7200kg, 33384 was 6740kg, 35901-6 were 7100kg, 39632-41 were 8620kg, 39911 was 7t 5c 0q. Ex-Cavendish 33387 (not operated here) was 6820kg. Others are unknown.

MAIDSTONE CORPORATION TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SUBSEQUENT DISPOSALS : BDY 809 (86) – London Trolleybus Preservation Society, Lowestoft, Suffolk (preservation); motor removed and returned to working order, missing front panel restored, paintwork being stripped in preparation for repaint, 11/14. Latest reports for disposal vehicles : .None.

OTHER OPERATORS

The previous V29 BAY was re-registered back to FY52 NTX by 12/14. Is it still in the fleet? Commuter service 799 (Deal to Vauxhall Cross) was withdrawn on 28th November. It had been diverted at Wapping from 24th September, but the proposed additional service was never introduced. Bovington, Cliftonville (P.D. Mini Coaches / Bovy Tours) : Vehicle in : NH56 BLN Fd Tt (TTFD6B64710) Fd 16 2/07 white with black Bovy Tours fleetname; ex Somerset Travel, Paulton, Somerset 10/14. Vehicle out : EF05 JTU sold by 12/12. Buzzlines, Lympne : New vehicles : KX14 FHK MB 0816D (?) Pn Cth 2 (?) C29F 6/14 white with dark blue and turquoise fleetnames. OY64 KKN Npn N2216/3 SHDL (?) Npn Tolr (?) C53FT 11/14 OY64 KNB Npn N2216/3 SHDL (WAGP22ZZXET021188) Npn Tolr (P22-0779) C53FT 11/14 both dark blue with turquoise lines and fleetnames. Two Irizar i6 coaches arrived in early December but we do not know their registrations or any other details yet. They carry a white and green livery branded "Unilever sustainable travel" for use on the Unilever staff transport contract at Leatherhead, Surrey. Previous arrivals BL14 BUZ and BT14 BUZ are correctly Neoplan N2216/3 SHDC at 13.2 metres long, while all others of this year's Neoplan "Tourliner" deliveries are the longer 13.8 metre N2216/3 SHDL model as already recorded. EX64 XZO is another non-psv Ford “Tourneo” / Ford 8-seater. Similar EK64 CTV reported last month was a misidentification and is correctly EK64 CFV. Another Citroen C4 "Grand Picasso" 7-seat MPV in fleet livery is GF14 VJL. Vehicle out : KX13 DZO gone 8/14.

Vehicle notes prepared by Jonathan Fletcher

(Those with operating centres within the Club area)

247, St. Leonards : Vehicles in : KIG 8460 MB 0815D (6703742N105651) Sit Bga (1822) C29F 3/03 ex McMackin, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire 6/14; ex MT03 MTT 4/13 DX06 ZLV MB 616CDI (9056132R877176) UNVI Riada (?) C22F 4/06 ex Elliott, Golborne, Greater Manchester 8/14; ex F1 MLC 7/14, 06-MH-5832 (Eire) 10/09 SN05 HTL MB 616CDI (9056132R693965) UNVI Riada (?) C23F 5/05 ex Carr, Maghull, Merseyside 9/14; ex 3333 WA by 5/07, SN05 HTL 2/06. Allen, Gillingham (now ceased, as previously reported) : Vehicle in : BJ03 FLV LDV Cv (DN095762) LDV ex Booth, Chatham by 5/14. Vehicle out : BJ03 FLV to Smith, Molash by 8/14.

16

5/03

Ashford Minibuses, Ashford : GB11 AMB has an EVM body conversion. Autocar, Five Oak Green : GP55 DEC is an Optare "Solo" M880SL. Bayliss, Deal : Vehicle in : V29 BAY MB 0816D (6703742N133851) Pn Cth 2 (088.5MBJ7827) C29F 6/08 white with grey and black; ex Richmond, Epsom, Surrey 8/14 as YN08 DMX and reregistered to V29 BAY by 12/14. - 14/352 -

Carosa, Hoo (Farleigh Coaches) : The timetables of services A (Walderslade Impton Lane to Aylesford School), D (Burham Court Road to Strood Academy and E (Wouldham to Snodland Holmesdale School) are revised from 5th January 2015. Chalkwell, Sittingbourne : The timetable change on 327 (Sittingbourne to Chatham) from 29th November is the withdrawal of 327 from Otterham Quay Lane on Saturdays, it now follows the same route as on Mon-Fri. From 12th January 2015 the route, stopping places and timetable of 320 (Sheerness to Sittingbourne schools) are revised. It appears that this now incorporates 321 (Leysdown to Sittingbourne), which is itself deregistered from the same date. New timetable leaflets are reported for 7, 8 and 343/344/345 dated 3rd November, and for 326 group dated 29th November. Channel Tunnel, Folkestone : 1-5 (GN57 EKR) are Mercedes-Benz 0816D.

(GN59

EOO/EWD/EWE/EOM/EWF)

Clarke's, Biddenden : New vehicles : RX62 CNV MB 516CDI (9066572S691052) EVM W300 WWW MB 513CDI (9066552S789103) EVM new as GK63 ODR and re-registered to W300 WWW in 11/13. Crosskeys, Folkestone : GN64 AZZ has Volvo chassis number 167788. - 14/353 -

C22F C16F

and 8

10/12 10/13

Dosanjh, Strood (A.S.D. Coaches) : Y10/19/20/22 ASD are all in white and dark blue with turquoise crescent. Their arrival date with Dosanjh is not entirely clear and we propose to record 8/14 for all of them, unless anyone has any conclusive information to the contrary. They were also all re-registered from SN03 EAG/EBJ/EAP/EAX in 8/14. 168 (YJ64 DYP) has been re-registered to AD64 ASD during October. It had been seen carrying AD64 ASD plates during August, but they were removed before it entered service on 1st September. Vehicle out : 101 (S870 NOD) sold 7/14. Timing changes were introduced on 783 (Wigmore to Rainham Station) from 6th October; these appear to be those registered from 20th October. The route and timetable of M1 (Lordswood to Hempstead Valley) are revised from 29th November. Express Cabs, Maidstone : Non-psv GK62 XTC is a Renault "Trafic" / Renault 8-seater. Ham, Flimwell : Vehicles in : MX03 ABN Vo B12M (000785) VH T9 Aze H (33737) C48FT 3/03 M6 HAT Vo B12M (000789) VH T9 Aze H (33741) C48FT 3/03 both in maroon with gold lines at skirt level; ex Hillier, Foxham, Wiltshire 9/14; M6 HAT previously registered MX03 ACF until 4/13. MX03 ABZ was also acquired in 9/14 along with the two above. DW54 HAM has been repainted into maroon with gold lines at skirt level. Hayden, Acol : AF13 OJS was acquired in 12/13. Heather, Smeeth (R & J Coaches) : FP53 JYD was re-registered to RHZ 1376 in 9/14. Howe, Ramsgate (Carol Peters) : V133 LGC was re-registered to P19 CPT in November. BD02 HDK is also being re-registered to P18 CPT, but it was reported as BD02 HDK on 7th December so its plates may not have been changed yet. Kent Coach Travel, Sheerness (Travelmasters) : FY10 AVV and FY10 AVW were acquired in 2/14. Kings Ferry, Gillingham : New vehicles : 601 YJ64 AVK VH TDX21 (YE2X21SU368D55487) VH TX Altano CH63/5FLT 11/14 602 YJ64 AVL VH TDX21 (YE2X21SU368D55488) VH TX Altano CH63/5FLT 11/14 both are in Kings Ferry livery. 416 (FJ13 EBX) was repainted into Kings Ferry livery during November. Vehicle out : 102 (Y20 CHT) sold 2/14. The stopping places and timetable of 722 (Beechings Way to Gravesend Road section) are revised from 12th November. A revised timetable book for commuter services is dated 27th October 2014. As has become traditional, the 723b service is running on Thursdays 11th and 18th December in addition to the usual Friday service. The Christmas timetable is similar to last year and can be downloaded from the company website; neither 725 service will operate. North Street in Sittingbourne was scheduled to be closed from 10th to 28th November, leading to services being diverted via Saffron Way and Mill Way. Coaches diverted initially, but as the roadworks were delayed indefinitely coaches resumed normal route from the afternoon service on Wednesday 12th November. Further to page 14/322, from 27th - 14/354 -

October services affected by the closure of Wigmore Road continued to serve the car park, not as reported. Drivers were allowed discretion about diversions, but coaches were not planned to operate via Medway Services. Lehane, Sturry : FJ55 DYS/T have been re-registered to LIG 1753/4 (order unknown), and FN52 HRR to LIG 1755, by 11/14. Luxtravel, Biddenden : Authorisation has been revoked without a public inquiry. Operations ceased in July 2011. M.C. Personnel, Gillingham : The Traffic Commissioner has called a public inquiry at Eastbourne on 10th December on two counts of disciplinary action and one of the Transport Manager’s repute. Nu-Venture group, Aylesford : Vehicles in, but not yet in service : 895 AU05 FKD Ibs Agora Line (VENPS09D200000406) Ibs B44F 3/05 898 GX07 BAU Ibs Agora Line (VENPS09D200000426) Ibs B44F 5/07 ex Go West, Kings, Lynn, Norfolk (39895, 39898) 11/14. 743 (Y343 FJN) (Dennis "Dart SLF" / Alexander "ALX200" B37F) was loaned from Ensign, Purfleet, Essex (743) in November. T552 (NUW 552Y) has been relicensed and returned to service on 12th December. Vehicles out :S527 KFL sold for scrap 11/14; R150 RSN withdrawn 11/14; (w)87 (M87 WBW) sold for scrap 12/14. Photographers are alerted that 268 (V268 DRC), 327 (P327 HVX) and 425 (N425 MBW) will not survive into 2015 as they are not DDA-compliant. Service 102 (Chatham to Gillingham Strand) is de-registered from 16th January 2015 (although a company notice gives 11th January as the last date of operation). During a local event on 6th December, buses 23/26 were unable to serve Yalding after the 1437 departure from Maidstone. 23 ran only between Maidstone and West Farleigh, and 26 ran non-stop between Maidstone and Laddingford. 282 and 285 resumed their normal routes in Tunbridge Wells town centre on 1st December, but 282 no longer serves Southborough Kibbles Lane as already recorded. There will be no buses on 25th and 26th December. Saturday services will operate on 29th to 31st December, and 53 runs a Tuesday timetable on 30th December. Sunday services will operate on 1st January. OCS, Morecambe : Authorisation was surrendered on 18th November. No vehicles were ever reported at the local operating centres. Packard, Tonbridge (St. George's Transport) : Vehicle out : MV55 ZFO gone 5/14. Rambler, St. Leonards : Vehicle in : 07 S775 BLG MB 0814D (6703742N070212) Pn Bvr 2 (988.5MXV8610) B31F 9/98 ex Finney, Heron Cross, Staffordshire 9/14; ex N6 WGC 7/14, S775 BLG 7/10, J108021 (Jersey) 4/08, S775 BLG 12/06. Vehicle out : 07 (N191 LPN) sold 8/14. Regent, Whitstable : On 24th and 31st December Dover town services will finish at 2100. A timetable leaflet for KCC Kent Karrier services in the Canterbury area has just been found, dated April 2012. - 14/355 -

Rehberg, Iwade now trades as Peter Orchid Minibuses. New vehicle : NK14 NWX Fd Tt (TTFDDD09186) Fd white with red and black fleetname. Renown, Bexhill : Vehicle in : V132 MVX Ds Dt SLF (SFD212BR1XGW13959) Pn Ptr 2 (9910.1HJB1547)

16

3/14

B36F

11/99

white with dark blue skirt, blue, red and orange (Stagecoach colours); ex Red & White, Cwmbran, Torfaen (34132) 11/14. T109 KLD has fleet number 44. 14 (SN04 EFL) and 36 (V560 JBH) are now in cream with two-tone green, and V560 JBH has been renumbered to 16. Vehicle out : Y331 HUA sold 7/14. Smith, Molash : BJ03 FLV was last operated by Allen, Gillingham. Star Limousines, Horam : L11 MNO is silver. Streamline, Headcorn : Vehicle out : BB05 SET sold 12/13. Strood Cabs, Strood : Vehicles in : HX05 OFG Io 50C13 (D266411) Emv (?) 16 L 6/05 ex Royal Borough of Kingston, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London (npsv) 4/12 VN09 UFH Nn Interstar (UB020904) ? 15 L 6/09 ex unknown operator by 9/14. WA57 OMV was acquired in 5/14 and had fleet number 884-62 with Somerset County Council. Tracey, Chatham (Accord Minibus Group) : K. Tracey, 192 Wayfield, Chatham, ME5 0HG has applied for 1R vehicle under PK1134510 with operating centre at 195 Wayfield, Chatham, ME5 0HG. Twicerecall, Tonbridge : BX54 AUP is white. The authorisation at Tonbridge has been revised to 5N vehicles; that at Borough Green, Sevenoaks, TN15 8PX is unchanged as 1N vehicle. This notice confirms that the previous trading name of Tonbridge Taxis is no longer used. Victor Hire, Minster-on-Sea : YT13 CTU had been downseated to 12 by 11/14. Workpartners, Hoo : Vehicle out : WA06 GRK sold by 7/14.

OPERATORS OUTSIDE FORMAL COVERAGE (Those with licensed address but no operating centre within the Club area, those operating into the Club area without either therein, operators of stretched limousines, and significant npsv developments)

Station, Lakeside, Aveley and Corbets Tey to Upminster Station on a 30min headway. On 24th December X80 will run a Saturday service with last buses at 1855 from Chafford Hundred and 1925 from Bluewater. There is no service on 25th December, a special timetable on 26th December (hourly, widened to 90min at start and finish), Saturday service on 29th to 31st December (with early finish on 31st December), no service on 1st January, Saturday service on 2nd January. Other days are as normal.

Jenkins, Newick (Coastal Coaches) : Further to page 14/324, authorisation was formally surrendered on 17th November. Redroute, Northfleet : Revised running time was introduced on 408 (Swanscombe to Knole Academy via Borough Green) from 13th October, together with its extension to and from Riverhead Tesco. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Tunbridge Wells : A Dotto train (LX64 BKD) is operating from 27th November to 24th December as a Father Christmas World Express Road Train, leaving the Assembly Hall Theatre at 1000 x20min to 1600 via the Ice Rink, High Street and Pantiles. Travel is free of charge. The train is two-man-operated. Further reports would be welcomed.

NATIONAL EXPRESS TRAFFIC : The usual arrangements apply for withdrawal of late journeys on 24th and 31st December 2014, and for Sat-Sun timings to apply in peak hours on 29th to 31st December 2014, as shown in public timetables. The following will operate within our area on 26th December 2014 : 007 Dover Pencester Road via Ferry Port, Canterbury Bus Station, Hempstead Valley (H) or Bluewater (B), Eltham and all normal points to Victoria 0550H.0805H.1005B. 1205B.1405H.1605H.1850H, returning at 0930H.1200H.1400H.1600B.1800B. 2000H.2230H. No other points will be served. 021 Dover Pencester Road via Ferry Port, Folkestone, Sandgate, Seabrook, Hythe, Ashford, Maidstone, Eltham and all normal points to Victoria 0840.1240.1640, returning at 1300.1700.2100. No other points will be served. 022 Ramsgate Harbour via all normal points to Canterbury (journeys coded W including Herne Bay, Greenhill Bridge and Whitstable but not University), Hempstead Valley (H) or Bluewater (B), Eltham and all normal points to Victoria 0640B.0820W.1040H. 1220W.1440B.1640B, returning at 1100B.1300B.1500W.1700H.1900W.2100B. The following will operate on 1st January 2015 : 007 Dover Pencester Road as above to Victoria 0705H.1005B.1405B.1750H, returning at 1100H.1400B.1800B.2130H. 021 No service. 022 Ramsgate Harbour as above to Victoria 1120W.1540B, returning at 1600H.2000W.

Ensign, Purfleet : The annual Vintage Running Day on 6th December saw service X55 run from Gravesend West Street via Northfleet, Swanscombe, Bluewater, Greenthithe

On up 007 journeys, Ferry Port is only available for pick-up and points from Eltham onwards only for set-down, and vice-versa on down journeys (also Hempstead Valley and Canterbury only for setdown on the last Boxing Day trip). On up 021 journeys, points from Ferry Port to Ashford are only available for pick-up and those from Eltham onwards only for set-down, and vice-versa on down journeys. On up 022 journeys, points from Dumpton to Birchington or Whistable are only available for pick-up and those from Eltham onwards only for set-down, and vice-versa on down journeys. No services are being offered within our area on 023 or 024 on either day.

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Cuckmere Community Bus, Polegate : On 1st January a special service will operate between Hailsham and Eastbourne.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT Announcements were made last autumn (pages 13/291 and 13/348 refer) about grants from the Government Clean Bus Fund to Swale Council (in conjunction with Chalkwell, Sittingbourne) for five vehicles to receive exhaust gas treatment and to Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (in conjunction with Arriva Kent & Surrey) for four Volvo B7TLs to be trialled with new pollution abatement equipment. We understand that one Arriva B7TL at Tunbridge Wells has been fitted with an experimental pollution abatement system. This is currently undergoing trials in service, the results of which will dictate whether the system is extended to a further three buses. Nothing further has been heard about the Swale project.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES KENT COUNTY COUNCIL TENDERS : Tenders for services due for renewal (not necessarily in their present form) from 12th April 2015 have now been issued. We will publish details when awards have been confirmed. From March 2015 the Swale Unitary Network (SUN) will be worked by Compaid, Tonbridge (see page 12/95 for further information) instead of Chalkwell, Sittingbourne.

EAST SUSSEX COUNTY COUNCIL TENDERS : The County Council has recommended that the proposed reductions in contracted services be rejected by the Cabinet at its meeting on 16th December. However, delegated authority applies, so this is not necessarily final. A Press release says that the proposals have been changed because of feedback from the consultation process. It is now proposed that supported Dial-a-Ride services will continue to operate at least three days a week and the school transport services, which were under threat, will also continue to run. There are 23 supported services which operators plan to take on commercially; ESCC are prepared to support a further 67 to some extent, so that 90 of the 101 supported bus services would still run.

MEDWAY COUNCIL

TOUR REPORT

by Lee Crust

THE FOUR COUNTIES EXPLORER – 2nd August 2014. First stop was Tunbridge Wells where a number of Arriva’s recent ex-London acquisitions were seen plus Solo SRs, Enviro200s and a Versa on the 402 service. Also in evidence were Brighton & Hove Scania Omnicity deckers, a Metrobus single deck version and Darts from Go Coach, Nu- Venture and Stagecoach, the last-mentioned also producing a Trident/ALX400 and Uno- branded Enviro300. Next was Southdown PSV at Copthorne where dealer stock included ex- London Alexander-bodied Tridents and Plaxton-bodied Volvo B7TLs, ex-Dublin Olympians, an exNottingham Versa and various Darts. The smartly presented operational fleet featured Plaxton and East Lancs bodied Volvo B7TLs, Enviro200s and Plaxton bodied Darts. Also present was a preserved Metrobus ECW-bodied Leyland Olympian. From Copthorne we moved to Crawley where the predominant operator, Metrobus, has a number of Scania Omnicity vehicles (in both single and double-deck form) interspersed with Volvo/Wright saloons for the “Fastway” guided bus services, Enviro200s and some older Darts. Travelling onwards to Guildford produced a variety of operators. Alongside Arriva with a mix of Darts, Volvo B7TL/Alexander (ex-Medway), Enviro200s and ex-M&D Olympians 5926/32 (the former in Green Bus colours), Stagecoach fielded various vehicles including East Lancs-bodied Darts on Park and Ride duties. Outside the two major groups Safeguard’s smart fleet was represented by Optare Tempo, Excel and Versa saloons, Buses Excetera turned out ex-London Volvo/Plaxton deckers, Enviro200s and Darts while Abellio made an appearance with one of its Darts. Staff at Arriva’s depot very kindly positioned ex-M&D 5932 for members to photograph. Our final stop was Reading where, courtesy of James Freeman, we visited the Reading Buses depot. This multi-coloured, council owned fleet includes Scania Omnicity, Enviro400, Streetlite DF and East Lancs Scania vehicles as well as Scania/Enviro300 gaspowered buses. Also on site were ex-Lothian Trident/Plaxtons, Dart trainers with charming names, an exceptionally long Optare Versa of Newbury & District plus coaches belonging to Weavaway and TK Travel as well as First in Rail-Air livery. A short stop in the town centre gave members the chance to photograph Reading’s vehicles on the road as well as an ex-London Trident/Plaxton of First plus Solos and Citaros of Thames Travel. Thanks go to David Cobb for another enjoyable tour, blessed with good weather at all the right times, and to Dudley Rhodes for a souvenir picture postcard. We apologise for the late publication of this report, only just received by your Editor.

HISTORY CORNER

PUBLICITY : A revised timetable leaflet for Dosanjh 783 is dated 6th October 2014.

AT THE RALLIES The following vehicles of local derivation are reported : Alton Running Day and Bus Rally, Alton, 20th July 2014 - K909 SKR.

740/1 – M&D LOWBRIDGE VEHICLES. This item discussed the introduction of staggered pairs of upstairs lowbridge seating (rather than straight rows of four) on M&D AEC Regents DL35-42 following an experimental modification to Leyland Titan DL30, and the subsequent modification of Bristols DL2-22. Sadly, there was never any response from anyone as to whether the other lowbridge Titans (DL23-9, DL31-5) were modified similarly. A by-question arose in subsequent correspondence about the upper saloons of lowbridge Leyland Atlanteans DL43-56, which were of conventional highbridge paired - 14/359 -

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layout with central gangway at the front but had four rows of lowbridge seats at the rear, with nearside (rather than offside) gangway. At the time we were told there were no official interior photographs to confirm whether these lowbridge seats for four were in staggered pairs, so we did not pursue this. We have now discovered an official picture in Inside Only (the M&D staff magazine) of October 1958, showing the upper deck layout of DL43 following its appearance at the Commercial Motor Show that year. It seems that the rearward four rows of lowbridge seats were straight rather than in staggered pairs, though the picture is none too clear. Can anyone comment please? The forwardmost of these four rows was at normal floor level, the other three rows on a raised platform. Note that the back row was for four rather than five; the gangway extended to the very back of the vehicle. AEC Regents DL35-42 accommodated 30 passengers upstairs. Can anyone remember whether this was six rows of four (staggered pairs) and two straight rows of three, or seven rows of four (staggered pairs) and one row of two? Information in this respect will be helpful towards the current restoration work on the former DL39. 747/2 – EAST KENT AT SANDWICH. David Morgan confirms that the Inspector at Sandwich had a relief double-decker at his disposal on Saturdays in the 1960s. This was normally used on, for instance, the heavily-loaded 13A at 1344 from Ash to Sandwich and the last bus from Sandwich back to Ash. It would not have been used on the 75, on which loadings rarely justified even the Dennis Falcon allocated. Indeed, that Falcon was often used as a duplicate on the 74 at 1325 from Westmarsh. On the wider matter raised last month, Peter Jaques has unearthed some sharper detail. On 2nd March 1927 the East Kent Board received a report that Ames “was offering his rolling stock, consisting of one Morris and two Ford Omnibuses, as he was desirous of retiring from the business”. At the meeting of 12th April 1927, the Secretary reported “the purchase of the vehicles recently operated by Mr Ames from Sandwich, namely 2 Ford 14 Seater Omnibuses purchased through the United Motor Finance Corporation Ltd, for the sum of £130 for the 2, they having taken possession under the terms of the Hire Purchase Agreement, and a Morris 14 Seater Omnibus purchased from Mr Scarlett for the sum of £250, having taken possession under the provisions in a Bill of Sale, which purchases were confirmed." The Agreement of 23rd March 1927, the date which we have recorded for the acquisition of the Scarlett business, is the common type of agreement which includes acknowledgment of receipt of the cash by one party and the goods by the other. It seems therefore that there can be no doubt that the Morris was acquired on this date. It seems likely to Peter that Ames got into financial difficulties and maybe had to dispose of the Morris to Scarlett in order to get some cash. As the vehicle was offered by Ames on or shortly before 2nd March and purchased later in the same month, it seems safe to say that the sale from Ames to Scarlett could be quoted as March 1927. We shall never know whether the two Fords were re-possessed or returned voluntarily by Ames, but the hire purchase agreement was obviously terminated in some way. The actual transfer date to East Kent must have been between 2nd March and 12th April 1927, and we are tempted to assume 23rd March 1927, which would mesh in with the legal quarter day; but this is only hypothesis. 748/1 – M&D SITES AT OXTED AND EDENBRIDGE. Evidence is inconclusive whether the Oxted outstation coincided with the acquisition of former Sargent’s work on 30th September 1951. There is no reference to an Oxted outstation in contemporary - 14/360 -

accounts of Sargent’s closure, nor the temporary cover of their operations by Southdown. As regards the Edenbridge parking arrangement from August 1950, Eric Wills believes that AYE 389 (which became M&D CP1) was previously owned and driven by a Mr. Franklyn, and that he may have previously worked for Rickards of London, the previous owners of the vehicle (as recorded in our M&D Fleet History); further, that he operated the vehicle under some business arrangement with T. W. Smith (correction to page 14/327), who held a PSV licence so that they could use their lorries to transport hop-pickers in the season from Edenbridge to a hop-farm at Bough Beech (and possibly elsewhere). M&D only acquired the coach business and not the general haulage and coal merchant business from Smith. Eric thinks that by 1952, when CP1 was only in use in the summer, it may no longer have been used at Edenbridge but at Tunbridge Wells itself. Mr. Franklyn became a touring coach driver. M&D had a contract with Leroy Tours, Tunbridge Wells, which involved European tours, and he tended to take the modern coach allocated for this work to his home just outside Four Elms and park it in a lay-by just up the road and round the corner from his house on Ide Hill Road, but Smith’s yard may have continued as the official location. Eric’s recollection is that the vehicle was for some time CO272, though acknowledging that this was not allocated to Tunbridge Wells at any stage; he more confidently remembers a succession (up to two at any one time) of the Leyland-bodied Royal Tigers being at Edenbridge, but does not recall any other coach outstationed or operating at Edenbridge up to the opening of the M&D depot in January 1955. Smith’s, whose yard was in Mill Hill, had an office in the High Street (near the bridge) where they took orders and payment for coal deliveries, and it also acted as a booking/parcels office for M&D, continuing in this role after the opening of the new depot. 749/1 – M&D AT CRANBROOK. In June 1950, as part of a re-organisation of routes following the opening of Hawkhurst bus station and the new depot there, service 97 assumed three prongs at Ashford, Hawkhurst and Tunbridge Wells, all converging at Cranbrook. The basic service was hourly between Tunbridge Wells and Cranbrook, then alternately on the Ashford or Hawkhurst prongs. Buses crossed at Cranbrook, allowing connections from one limb to another, though there were also some early and late journeys linking the Ashford and Hawkhurst sections. (There were also numerous short workings at the Ashford and Tunbridge Wells ends, also an extension from Tunbridge Wells to East Grinstead from 1955 to 1958, but those do not impact on what follows). The A229 ran through the centre of Cranbrook between Wilsley Pound and Goddards Green. Journeys on 97 linking the Ashford and Tunbridge Wells prongs ran in and out of Cranbrook via Stone Street, crossing to the “wrong” side of the road as they turned into the High Street and then reversing into Carriers Road before pulling forward into Stone Street again. This would probably also have affected the occasional Cranbrook short workings on the Hawkhurst and Tunbridge Wells limbs, and those on the 5 from both north and south. By 1957, Angley Road had been upgraded to become the A229, and the former A229 through Cranbrook became the B2189 (it has since been de-classified). The query has arisen as to when the Ashford to Tunbridge Wells journeys on 97 were revised to run around Cranbrook via High Street and Angley Road, and reversals at Carriers Road ceased. With thanks to Roy Simmons, this has now been dated to 1st July 1962. However, there remained some short workings on 5 and 97 terminating in Cranbrook, and it seems from timetables that these did not run round the town via Angley Road. Does anyone know how they turned after this date?

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749/2 – EAST KENT GUYS. We are glad to know that several members who subscribe to Classic Bus have followed the recent correspondence on this subject with interest. Thank you to them for expressing their appreciation of your Editor’s corrective input to this correspondence, and to Classic Bus for having published that input in full. The final chapter in that correspondence mentions the long-standing use of GFN 908 from Canterbury depot on service 68. Tony Smith points out that this was the only vehicle at Canterbury to carry a season ticket for the toll bridge at Sandwich, hence this dedicated use. There is a separate article to be written some day about that aspect of operations. 749/3 – M&D EARLIER AEC REGENTS. John Haynes observes that the 1947 picture of DH244 on page 21 of publication M.11 has a caption comment about the aperture for a number blind. Having seen all six of this batch many times during their career, he is confident that the spaces were always painted over on all of them. John adds that the picture of 99 on the same page is interesting as it is in wartime livery, yet the service 81 blind is set as “Tonbridge via Southborough and High Brooms”. Service 81 was not extended from Southborough Common to Tonbridge until 11th June 1947, so was this a wartime service variation not previously recorded, or a late case of wartime livery still being carried?

♫ SEASONAL GREETINGS ♫ As usual at this time of the year I write on behalf of Stagecoach in East Kent and East Sussex to offer a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Club officers and members and to thank all those of you who have supported us by travelling on our buses, contributing to the Club's meticulous records, or speaking up for buses within communities. We hope to provide much activity to keep everyone interested in 2015 and we will be actively planning to mark East Kent's centenary with appropriate celebrations in 2016. Jeremy Cooper All at Nu-Venture send Seasons’ Greetings to our many friends in the enthusiast world. 2014 has seen marked changes to the fleet as we move towards full implementation of DDA across all shapes and sizes of buses, and there will be plenty more to report to your Editor in 2015 and 2016 - so keep your eyes peeled! As road traffic volumes increase and the pace of development quickens, 2015 is also likely to see a strong focus on timetable and route changes to improve the reliability of bus routes so that they are as attractive as possible for users. We warmly thank the many members who have made helpful suggestions in the recent past about how we can provide an even better service! Norman Kemp

If you are short of a New Year's resolution (or even if you're not), could you help us to clear this list of outstanding questions, so that our historical records are complete? We have arranged the list by current allocation to help members to identify those in their own locality. Dartford : 4000-8, 4023-7 adaptable seating capacities. Gillingham : 1517/8, 3318, 6471/2 adaptable seating capacities. Guildford : 1507 adaptable seating capacity; 1508 unladen weight and adaptable seating capacity; 3109, 3707, 3733-5 adaptable seating capacities; 3827/8 unladen weights and adaptable seating capacities; 3901-3, 3923-35/7/8/40-4, 3970 adaptable seating capacities. Maidstone : 3535/8/9 basic and adaptable seating capacities; 3910 unladen weight and adaptable seating capacity; 5442 adaptable seating capacity. Northfleet : 1553, 1556/7, 1600, 1618-23, 1631, 3115, 3801-14 adaptable seating capacities. Tonbridge : 2861, 2862/3, 2878/9, 2880 unladen weights; 3321 adaptable seating capacity. Tunbridge Wells : 6123-9, 6133-35 adaptable seating capacities.

Back cover illustrations upper : Most of the Scania/Caetano Levante coaches formerly used on National Express work by East Kent have found eventual new owners. FJ56 OBX, formerly 59210, is one of several now in Scotland, and was tracked down at Buchanan Bus Station in Glasgow working for Glasgow Citybus on 9th August. It has since been re-registered to J60 WCM. Michel Crisp lower : East Kent are in course of acquiring a substantial number of vehicles from elsewhere to progress the upgrading of the fleet to DDA compliance. 18292, a Dennis Trident/Plaxton President received from Cambus, originated with Huntingdon & District and was photographed at Strangers Lane, Thanington on 4th December, its first day of operation at Ashford depot. Martin Smith

Printed by Kall Kwik, 103 Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP1 1LF

INVICTA 749 : Copyright © 2014

470C/16 DEC 14. - 14/363 -

Thank you to all members and other contacts who have supported Invicta with regular reports during the past year. Their input is valued, and a full list of their names will appear in the Annual Report as usual. There are several long-standing queries regarding the finer details of some Arriva vehicles, and it has been suggested that these questions are being 'lost' in the surrounding news, particularly in news-heavy months.

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