Page 8 - MBF Supplement Demo

Claremorris Independent Transport Systems David Rowe
An additional coach to be delivered here is a Caetano bodied Volvo B9R, 76 (162MO2536), acquired from a dealer. This C49Ft coach is allocated to Claremorris where it will be a most welcome addition. At present it is in dealer white as there was not time to even consider repainting prior to use.
Sadly, problems beset Bus Eireann, the state bus operator, in its 30th anniversary year. This has culminated with a strike that commenced on March 23rd. CITS is running additional vehicles on its own services that parallel those of Bus Eireann, but will not cover routes or journeys of that operator.
Arrivals this quarter include four new, five dealer stock and two second hand vehicles in the shape of 3 new Wright Streetlite DFs, a Mercedes Atego/ Plaxton Cheetah, 3 unregistered stock built ADL Enviro 200s and one ADL Enviro 400 (all classic design), a DAF DB300/ Wright Gemini 2 low-height and two second hand Scania Omnicity double decks. None are in service yet. Three of the vehicles turned up in Arriva livery, casting rumour as to a possible take-over.
Route rationalization continues with the latest round affecting Kentline and Moody's Coaches. Private sponsorship though has led to a new dial-a-ride in the Sittingbourne area. Over in Essex, Sureline take on two of their old routes commercially, although double deck operation at Colchester appears to be out of favour. Across at Thames Gateway, Grays Depot sees the requirement for double deckers increase as new contracts have been secured, whilst at Tillingbourne a new route and increased frequency offsets to some degree the loss of a lucrative contract.
Gravesend Works and Museum
Scania 'Omnitown' 4209/10 have been overhauled for Sureline with 4211/4 now undergoing similar treatment. Ex Sureline Volvo BT7L 6836 has been repainted into 'Kentline' livery, whilst newly acquired
CITS Bedford OB has been used as a relief vehicle during the Bus Eireann strike. It is seen with a youthful DAF / Optare Delta.
The Plaxton bodied Dennis Darts mentioned last time as still at Letterkenny, although unused for some months, proved to be worth holding on to as these are being used during the strikes. CITS also resurrected some of the withdrawn fleet, as well as utilising preserved vehicles giving unsuspecting passengers a treat when the Bedford OB, a PDR type Atlantean or Leyland National turned up in place of a more modern vehicle.
Additional vehicles have been provided by Aldenham Bus sales to all three CITS depots. These included types new to this fleet in the form of Neoplan Cityliner and VDL Bova Futura coaches. Plaxton Presidents from West London Transport have gone to both Wicklow and, more significantly, the Swilly operation at Letterkenny, making these the first double deckers in this fleet for many years. As the hire of these vehicles is expected to be short term they all retain their UK registration numbers.
Transferred to Town & Country (Devon) is 4108 (WA64CCG), a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter C16F for use on a new Holsworthy town service.
Reinstated onto contract work is Volvo Olympian/ Northern Counties 1467 (S247BDV).
Before and after - Volvo BT7L/East Lancs 6836 whilst with erstwhile Network Colchester - now part of Sureline, and in Kentline livery having transferred to that subsidiary and working out of Tunbridge Wells Depot.
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Counties South East
Steve Ditchburn - Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Essex & SE London
Cornish Pixie Michael & Stephen Read - Cornwall