Been to visit this afternoon and a few bits of news...

New in is Dennis Dart MPD VA02NTK from Leven Valley, it is currently in the paintshop being prepared for painting (photo attached).
Dennis Javelin PUI2570 is withdrawn following accident damage, going for scrap.

will this replace the primo on the 18s

will this replace the primo on the 18s

Likely to replace the Solo I would have thought

fair enough

New in here is Volvo B10M Paragon W489ASB

Sadly Croft have posted on their Facebook page that the 18 is coming off. Last surviving part of the Leven Valley network in Middlesbrough. Thought it seemed to be doing alright. So back to a duopoly in M'bro as it was before Deregulation, apart from the GNE expresses. And apart from the Free TR bus.

From Croft's Facebook:

Please note the last day of operation for the service 18 is the 21st September 2015

Thank you for your support in trying to make this service sustainable.

Regards James.

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And the cancellation is on VOSA today:

PB1065589/9 - BUSES 4 SALE LTD T/A CROFT COACH TRAVEL, CROFT COACH TRAVEL, UNIT 2 CROFTON ROAD, PORTRACK, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, TS18 2QZ

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Middlesbrough Bus Station and Middlesbrough Bus Station given service number 18 effective from 21-Sep-2015.

Levante FJ60EFT has been sold to M&D Travel

EDIT: Thanks to the owner James, purchased recently is Volvo B10M Premiere S45UBO, while written off is Javelin PUI2570

Newly arrived this evening are Neoplan Skyliners 330GGX and R77WES from Go Goodwins of Manchester. These were new as Stagecoach's 50137 (LX05 BWM) and 50142 (KX05 HVF). R77WES is of course sister to Stagecarriage's example.

Photo from Croft Coach Travel's Facebook page

Few photos to illustrate recent happenings...

Neoplan's R77WES & 330GGX have gained Croft "Megadecker" branding

Croft Coach Travel 330GGX & R77WES by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

Paragon W489ASB - will gain fleet livery once S45UBO hits the road

Croft Coach Travel W489ASB by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

As mentioned above Premiere S45UBO has been refurbished and repainted all white prior to vinyl application.
This is a high capacity 71 seater

Croft Coach Travel S45UBO by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

Not noted previously is the sale of Merc mini T45RJL (not sure where to) and Premiere M20BUS (Paul's of Stoke).
Fleetlist fully updated.

MPD VA02NTK has gained viynls for new service 30 which starts sometime in the new year.

More recent additions are

KIW1102 (FE02FBK) 57 seat B10M/Panther
YD65DMO 37 seat Mercedes/Indcar

YD65DMO
Photo @ Adam Nicholson

Oh, and the Skyliners have reverted to their original registrations.

CCT-KX05HVF.JPG (Size 535.24 KB Downloads 50)

CCT-LX05BWM.JPG (Size 538.3 KB Downloads 58)

PB1065589/11 - BUSES 4 SALE LTD T/A CROFT COACH TRAVEL, CROFT COACH TRAVEL, UNIT 2 CROFTON ROAD, PORTRACK, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, TS18 2QZ

Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Stainton Village, Middlesbrough
Finish Point: Corporation Road, Middlesbrough
Via:
Service Number: 30
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 18-JAN-2016
Other Details: Monday to Friday

PB1065589/11 - BUSES 4 SALE LTD T/A CROFT COACH TRAVEL, CROFT COACH TRAVEL, UNIT 2 CROFTON ROAD, PORTRACK, STOCKTON-ON-TEES, TS18 2QZ

Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: Stainton Village, Middlesbrough
Finish Point: Corporation Road, Middlesbrough
Via:
Service Number: 30
Service Type: Normal Stopping/Hail & Ride
Effective Date: 18-JAN-2016
Other Details: Monday to Friday

To be operated by Dart VA02NTK which has now received branding promoting the £1 flat fare on offer.


Croft Coach Travel VA02NTK by Scott Cooper, on Flickr

Do they still have the primo

Do they still have the primo

Yes they do I believe

Yes they do I believe

Thank you

They haven't put the timetable up (available on Croft's own website) but Connect Tees Valley have updated their Middlesbrough Town Centre Map to include stand details for the 30

They haven't put the timetable up (available on Croft's own website) but Connect Tees Valley have updated their Middlesbrough Town Centre Map to include stand details for the 30

They have, on Friday night.

http://www.connectteesvalley.com/data/ti...180116.pdf

Seen at Stainton today on the first day.

Attached Files

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IMG_2631.JPG (Size 2.47 MB Downloads 47)

Seen at Stainton today on the first day.

Shame the screens aren't programmed so technically not DDA compliant

Shame the screens aren't programmed so technically not DDA compliant

Although not really visible in that photo, was showing the number on a laminated sheet of paper. Waiting for someone to sort the destinations out for them I believe I heard on the run (the owner was driving at least the first trip into Middlesbrough this morning). Ticket machine also wasn't set up correct and therefore Middlesbrough Council will likely be seeing some unusually high takings for the Town Riders.

Croft Coach Travel VA02NTK by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

Although not really visible in that photo, was showing the number on a laminated sheet of paper. Waiting for someone to sort the destinations out for them I believe I heard on the run (the owner was driving at least the first trip into Middlesbrough this morning). Ticket machine also wasn't set up correct and therefore Middlesbrough Council will likely be seeing some unusually high takings for the Town Riders.

Croft Coach Travel VA02NTK by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

A laminated sheet of paper in the windscreen still doesn't make the vehicle comply with PSVAR regulations.

Pretty poor if destinations have not yet been programmed - how long have they known they would be operating this service?

A laminated sheet of paper in the windscreen still doesn't make the vehicle comply with PSVAR regulations.

Pretty poor if destinations have not yet been programmed - how long have they known they would be operating this service?

They are seemingly waiting for someone to get them done for them 

They are seemingly waiting for someone to get them done for them 

Appreciate a member of this forum has done them in the past, but a growing bus operator really ought to be making provisions internally to manage destination displays without the assistance of bus enthusiasts.

They are seemingly waiting for someone to get them done for them 

Someone wants to get the Mobitec software then because I haven't got a copy.

Someone wants to get the Mobitec software then because I haven't got a copy.  

Funny, looks like it has been fitted with Hanover screens - or at least it has a side Hanover fitted.

A laminated sheet of paper in the windscreen still doesn't make the vehicle comply with PSVAR regulations.

Pretty poor if destinations have not yet been programmed - how long have they known they would be operating this service?

Not that long actually, since it was introduced with dispensation and without the 56 days notice. They should be congratulated over running the service in the first place without nitpicking over the screen not working. Its not like Arriva never have faulty screens is it?

Funny, looks like it has been fitted with Hanover screens - or at least it has a side Hanover fitted.

Isn't it just 

Glad to say the issues have been sorted now! RJ05WEM and one of the Neoplans now have a new screen list uploaded! The Dart & Solo should be done tonight