(23 Feb 2014, 1:44 pm)Dan wrote Richard Smiles has circulated information regarding recent and upcoming Leven Valley changes. These are outlined below:

1. Providing there are no major vehicle shortages ex Lothian Dart 178 (Y178CFS) has again been “Pencilled In“ to go in for repaint this coming week. It may be the last repaint for a little while, given forthcoming cuts to services at the end of March grow ever closer. In addition 178 is the last vehicle that was NOT really in any form of Leven Livery, the others 73, 94 & 191 having now been painted into the New scheme.

2. It has recently materialised that Leven’s final two surviving Enviro 200s (25 & 91), which were initially leased by Leven when first acquired, have now been purchased outright by Leven’s Partner Kevin Procter, so will therefore be remaining with the Leven Valley Fleet for the foreseeable future. In addition, it has been suggested that these two vehicles are likely to be repainted into Leven’s New Overall White Livery during this Summer (2014).

3. It is understood that the Dales & District Arm of Procter’s have lost around 7 buses worth of work, as a consequence of forthcoming Cuts to North Yorkshire County Council Services. As a result of this, it is believed that the two/three Optare Solo’s currently being used within the Leven Operations (YM52TOU) & (T14CRT) plus ? are likely to be exchanged for Dennis Dart MPDs.

As always, thanks to Richard for providing the information.

At present, YM52TOU is the regular Solo appearing on Leven Valley work - T14CRT has mainly been used on Compass Royston work. The other 3 Solos with the merger company (W87NDW, MW52PYX and GX55LNF) have only been used on Compass Royston work. I would say, MW52PYX would be the most likely to move to Dales & District as it moved to Compass Royston from that operation. There's also Esk Valley to add into the equation as they are also looking like losing the majority of their service work (at present, they'll be left with one bus worth of work in Scarborough on the 115, so will free up 2/3s of their fleet)

Additional information that can be added if the route information from the 1st April (the date of the merger taking full affect on routes):
18 Middlesbrough-Marton-Coulby Newham-Hemlington-Stainton-Middlesbrough
19 Middlesbrough - Stainton - Hemlington - Coulby Newham - Marton - Middlesbrough
45 Middlesbrough - Billingham - Wolviston Court
66 Stockton - Teesside Park
436 Middlesbrough - Stockton - Billingham
455/456 Bankfields - Eston - Middlesbrough( - Marton - Nunthorpe) (Bracket section weekdays only)
492 Middlesbrough - South Bank - Eston – Normanby Flatts Lane (Bexley Drive End)
603 Middlesbrough – Coulby Newham– Hemlington – Middlesbrough (Sunday Morning)
604 Middlesbrough – Hemlington – Coulby Newham – Middlesbrough (Sunday Morning)
605 Middlesbrough – Marton – Coulby Newham – Hemlington – Middlesbrough
606 Middlesbrough – Hemlington – Coulby Newham – Marton – Middlesbrough
607 Middlesbrough – Hemlington – Coulby Newham – Saltersgill – Middlesbrough
PR1 Teesside University Park & Ride

They also will still run the 505/506 (Elton Park Circular) and 577 (Stockton - Preston-on-Tees - Eaglescliffe Kingsmead - Yarm - Yarm Station - Yarm Willey Flatts - Yarm) commercially however service numbers are not yet know.