Page 9 - MBF Supplement Demo

ADL400 and DAF DB300 are being prepared for service, both having arrived in Arriva livery. Tillingbourne's Mercedes Citaro 4602 has also just entered the paint-shop to receive standard livery in place of a 'special' low floor livery since new.
Work completed for other operators includes Barnet Bus Wright NBfLs for modification of rear door, fitting opening windows and pre-delivery inspection, City Transport Enviro 500H HNL570 (livery application) and for an Irish operator, VWL3 Volvo/ Wright Gemini tri-axle, out-shopped in a CIE commemorative two tone green livery complete with white lining out and period advert.
Significant service changes came into effect on 2nd April with new routes X1 (Maidstone King Street - Kings Hill Asda)(Mon-Fri) and X2 (Kings Hill - West Malling Station), 3 Daily (Maidstone Chequers - Maidstone Hosp), 4 (Maidstone Royal Star - Downswood)(Mon-Sat), 66 (East Peckham - Maidstone Hosp)(Mon-Fri), 73 (West Malling Airfield Estate - Kings Hill Asda)(Mon-Sat offpeak), and 509 (Downswood - Oakwood Park)(SDO). Also introduced are privately sponsored Mon-Fri demand responsive operations based on Sittingbourne, the boundary being Sittingbourne Stn and Kent Science Park, initially using Optare Solos from reserve.
Increased headways have been introduced on routes 6, 7, 71 and 277 daily and 12, 72, 85, 89 and 281 on Sundays. Routes 6A, 17, 18, 70, 84, 86, 216(Sun), 217, 442 and 452 have been withdrawn. Most other routes at M and TW are subject to revised timetabling with the 77 & 147 becoming SDO services whilst some services have revised routings.
Moody's Coaches - Depots: Ebbsfleet (EF) /Edenbridge (E) /Stansted (ST) outstation
Moody's have received a Mercedes Atego Plaxton Cheetah to be numbered 81. This and recently delivered 145 are expected to receive a new style of livery.
SDO routes 540/1/2 have been lost. Routes 442, 577, 578, 579 & 607 have been absorbed into Kentline services 402, 148, 148A and 147 respectively but using Moody's DLFs and crew. Similarly, the 562 has been renumbered 403 and is now a stage service, whilst the 581/2 have been combined under 582. The change from contracts to SDO services will lead to the further culling of step entrance vehicles.
Network Essex t/a Sureline - Depots: Colchester (C), Southend (SD), Harlow (HW)
Back in service following overhaul are Scania Omnitowns 4209/10. Volvo B10M/ Duple 300 3602 was sold to a preservationist at an auction at Ruislip. Double deck operation at Colchester is coming to an end with some or all of the Volvo BT7L/ Wright Geminis expected to move to Southend. Similar but East Lancs bodied 6821/2/33-5, which have been on long term loan to Tillingbourne, were returned last September and placed in reserve, whilst 6836 is now with Kentline. With the downturn in Airline operators using Southend Airport the Scania Artics operating airside see less and less use.
Following withdrawal by other operators, routes 392 and 505 are now back in the hands of this subsidiary on a commercial basis, least to say with a greatly reduced PVR. Once the 392 required 3 full size single deck and the 505 a pair of midi size vehicles. Now the services are operated by a single Solo or MPD from Harlow.
A tri-axle Volvo/Wright Gemini in CIE livery to commemorate the 30th anniversary of its passing, being readied for its trip to Ireland, the work having been carried out at Counties South East Gravesend Works.
The museum now has its own workshop area. Undergoing internal refurbishment is ex M&D DH493 (DKT493) Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 now with new flooring, seating re-upholstered in period moquette and currently being re-glazed. Nearing completion for other preservationists is the restoration of ex Red & White UC1042, a Guy Arab/Duple Roadmaster and ex Maidstone & District CO328 AEC Reliance/ Harrington Wayfarer II.
Kentline - Depots: Northfleet (NF), Tunbridge Wells (TW), Maidstone (M), Gillingham (GL), Sittingbourne (S), Sheerness (SH)
New vehicles delivered for this fleet but not yet in service are 3 short Wright Streetlite DF B32F(+ 6 tip- ups) to be numbered 3125-7 (GP17FNK/PK/RK). These are due to go to Northfleet to replace ageing Optare Solos.
Expected in service shortly are an additional ADL400, a DAF DB300 and 2 Scania Omnicitys to cover for PVR increases on routes where the chassis type is already in service. A further vehicle added to this fleet is ex Sureline Volvo BT7L/ East Lancs Millenium Vyking 6836 (PN03OCR) now at Tunbridge Wells.
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