Cotswolds and beyond, year 2.

 

Go Ahead Oxford Wright GB Kite BJ73 WXE.

Back in the Cotswolds and another dry and fine March week. A major and some minor changes: Pulham’s and Swanbrook now under Go Ahead ownership and some minor timetable changes resulting in later start to the days, as the 801 towards Cheltenham now departs Bourton-on-the-Water at 9.25am, five minutes before the travel pass kicks in. Good news for the 801 in the opposite direction, it is now extended beyond Moreton-in-Marsh to Chipping Norton, opening up new travel possibilities.

It is one of the new travel opportunities that was attractive on day 1. Departing Bourton on the 801 10.15am service and arriving into Chipping Norton at 11.05am aboard a Volvo B8RLE with MCV body. The 801 has now been re-routed to Pulham’s depot, situated on the industrial estate to the north of the town, facilitating a driver change. As on the previous visit, the timetable allows for a short layover in Stow-on-the-Wold market square. Tuesday is market day in Moreton-in-Marsh, causing severe traffic congestion in the town centre and by the time we reach the railway station we are four minutes down, but with a quick reversing manoeuvre in the station car park and no passengers to board or alight we are soon making up time. The extension to the 801 follows an almost direct route along the A44, the only diversion off is a left turn into Mosedale, a housing estate on the edge of Morton, for a 100 yards before using the turning circle and returning to the A44. The remainder of the journey is through pleasant, rolling Oxfordshire countryside before a final climb into Chipping Norton and the terminus just off the town square.

The next service departs from the opposite side of the road and is the Stagecoach service S3 Gold for Oxford departing at 11.48am and arriving into Oxford city centre at 12.48pm. The route is operated by Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 double deckers still in Gold livery with the plush seating, although the interiors are starting to look a little tatty. We are soon back on the A44 climbing out of Chipping Norton and get far reaching views of the Oxfordshire countryside. For bus and coach interest, on the south side of Enstone village, there is a bus stop directly opposite Worth’s coach depot. Eventually, we arrive into Woodstock and pick up a large number of tourists at the bus stop nearest to Blenheim Palace. After which, it is a short diversion through the village of Yarnton, before the long slow drag into Oxford via the Woodstock Road. With just over two hours before the next bus, plenty of time to admire the influx of new electric buses, both single and double deckers being operated by Stagecoach and Go Ahead.

A stroll down to Gloucester Green coach station and time for the next bus. Departing from bay 8 at 2.50pm is Stagecoach S2 to Cheltenham via Witney, arriving into Cheltenham at 4.52pm. This time Stagecoach provide a more conventional ADL E40D MMC with slightly less comfortable seats for such a long journey. We start by retracing the inward journey along the Woodstock Road before turning onto the A40 and a very slow journey into Witney, a pleasant market town with many old buildings and a Stagecoach depot, where we wait whilst a driver change takes place and pleasantries are exchanged. The bus service leaves Witney in a southerly direction and enters the village of Curbridge before crossing the A40 to a large new housing development and then returning to the A40 on route to Burford. In Burford we pick up our last passengers, the residue of pupils from the large secondary school still loitering around an hour after the end of the school day. From here the service continues along the A40 with wonderful views from the top deck until the final diversion off into Northleach, a small quintessential Cotswolds village. Despite our bus having a clear destination blind, two people stopped the bus to ask if we were going to Cirencester. From here we return to the A40 travel through the suburbs of Cheltenham, arriving into Royal Well Bus Station on time.

 A stretch of the legs is called for, despite Pulham’s 801 service standing on the stop ready for the 5pm departure. This is an additional departure since Go Ahead acquired the business. We, however, will return to the bus station for the 5.30pm departure. A Mercedes Benz Citaro stands ready for our final ride of the day. Getting out of Cheltenham in the rush hour is a slow process, especially around the hospital and by the time we get onto the A40, retracing our route from the previous journey as far as Andoversford, we are already 12 minutes down. The run through Andoversford is quite lengthy, taking the old Gloucester Road before using a narrow lane to join the A436 and eventually rejoining the A40 heading back towards Cheltenham, then turning right for the final dose of scenery high in the Cotswold hills and dropping down into Bourton. Arriving at the same bus stop 8 hour 9 minutes after we departed.

After yesterday’s exertion, day two is more leisurely, starting at 10.25am in Bourton aboard Pulham’s 801 to Cheltenham. A beautiful clear morning to enjoy the view again, progress is swift, stopping to allow one passenger to alight at the Notgrove turning, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. No new passenger board until we reach the outskirts of Cheltenham, we finally alight at the General Hospital to enjoy a stroll in the park and a cup of coffee. It is a short walk from there to stop 9 on Clarence Street for Stagecoach service 41A to Tewkesbury. It is a slow crawl out of Cheltenham and we pass the previous 41, the driver exchanging details with a car driver, both examining the rear of the bus as they do so. As a consequence of the accident, we pick up several passengers, happy to take our driver’s advice about reaching their destination. We make good time once on the A38 dual-carriageway before turning off and visiting two new housing developments to the south-east of Tewkesbury. From there, it is a short journey into the town centre. The town sits at the confluence of the Avon and Severn rivers and has a beautiful Abbey built by the Normans. Plenty of time to take all this in and enjoy a good lunch before boarding the four times a day 351 Stagecoach service to Gloucester. This is the indirect service taking 62 minutes rather than the 30 minutes on the direct service. Departing at 2.35pm, this is the last service of the day, using many of the narrow lanes between the A38 and A471 the service takes in several of the small villages always with the backdrop of the Malvern Hills. Many of the lanes are single track and the mums on the school run seem content to reverse, obviously this is a daily occurrence. In the village of Staunton it is the turn of the bus to reverse, having entered a small housing estate and travelled a few hundred yards the bus reverses into a close which has its own bus shelter, and we return in the same direction back onto the main road for a short fast run until the next turn off by the BP petrol station. The village of Ashleworth is the next stop before yet another return to the A471 at Hartpury where three passengers board. The bus is now approaching Gloucester city centre, but not before one final turn off. This time into what appears to be the B&Q car park, it is however the entrance to a large retirement village and after driving though the car park to the main entrance, we execute the second reverse of the journey, returning through the car park and back onto the main road for one final time. From there it is a short journey through school traffic to the bus station. Just two bus journeys remain, the first is a take your pick, a 94 or X94 from Stagecoach or the 99 from Pulham’s. The first to arrive is a Gold livery decker on the X94 and we are soon away to Cheltenham, via the impressive GCHQ buildings. The final bus of the day is a surprise, an Optare Solo on Pulham’s 801 5pm departure, for another slow crawl through Cheltenham, just like yesterday.

Stagecoach YT21 DVO in Cheltenham.

For the third and final day we are back at the bus stop in Bourton for the 10.20am 801 towards Chipping Norton, this time alighting in Moreton-in-the-Marsh. The 801 is due to arrive at Morton Station at 10.45am, exactly the same time as the Stagecoach 2A to Stratford-upon-Avon is due to depart from the station. To gain a minute we jump off at Moreton Corn Exchange and dodge the traffic to cross the road to the opposite bus shelter ready for the 2A. This is an irregular service which along with the 2 serves many of the villages in this part of the north Cotswolds. The largest residential area is   Chipping Campden, a pretty town which provides the last two passengers before the large  new development of Meon Vale just south of Stratford where the final passenger of the journey boards. We arrive into Stratford on time at 11.52am. Attempting to leave the bus takes some effort, the bus stop being directly outside McDonalds where the world and his wife are queuing for lunch. Having an hour before our next bus we set off for a more tranquil spot. 12.58pm and back at the bus stop, this time without the crowds and we are waiting for the Stagecoach service 28 to Evesham which arrives six minutes late. A rather tattie AD E40D caters for a good loading, the local college having just turned out and we set off ten minutes late for the 1hr 7mins journey to Evesham. After the Cotswolds, the scenery is rather bland, consisting of flat farmland and small unremarkable villages. We alight at the rather grandly described Evesham Bus Station, which consist of two bus shelters in a layby and a number of the local undesirables occupying the seats whilst enjoying their tins of alcohol and smoking some unusual looking roll-ups. At 2.18pm a plain white Wrightbus Streetlite DF, with the driver enjoying a picnic spread out over the steering wheel, is waiting for our next departure: the 540 to  Tewkesbury. This being a service operated by Rotala Diamond there is a degree of scepticism as to whether it would run, as the company is not renowned for reliability or professionalism and our fears are justified when an attempt is made to start the bus. The click, click of the starter motor followed by some frantic pushing of the gear selector buttons doesn’t bode well. Eventually the bus is coaxed into life and with just three passengers on board we set off. As if to emphasize our concerns, the first bus we pass coming in the opposite direction is sitting forlornly at the side of the road, passengers looking into middle distance, with the driver standing on the pavement with his mobile phone in hand. Our bus takes an indirect route through several villages all with a backdrop of the Bredon Hills and we lose our other passenger in Ashton under Hill, leaving just the two of us to continue into Tewkesbury. The uncertain element of the day out of the way, it is time to relax, better still time for a cup of tea. The next bus can be any Stagecoach service heading for Cheltenham, which turns out to be a 41. From there, it is, for the final time, Pulham’s 801 back to Bourton.

For the second year in a row Bourton-on-the-Water has proved a great location for a bus trip short break and the Cotswolds were as beautiful as ever.

Pulham's GG73 BUS Volvo B7RLE with MCV body in Cheltenham.

ROTALA Diamond Bus Wright Streetlite DF in Evesham.

 Omnibus World

Malta 2024 – Bring a cushion.

 

BUS 111, King Long XMQ6127J entering Marsaskala seafront at high tide.

A third visit to this wonderful island and a third operator in charge of the public transport network. During the first visit the buses were operated by independents and their eclectic mix of vehicles; Arriva were in charge during the second visit and this year it was ALSA, using the Malta Public Transport (MPT) brand. The 430 buses are now a modern mix of King Long (diesel and electric) and Otokar, with Mercedes Benz making up the majority of the rest.

Pre-planning a trip is easy using the MPT website, and purchasing a travel card from the airport information desk could not be simpler. For €25 you get seven days unlimited travel on the network in Malta and Gozo, a single trip cost €2.50. Unfortunately, what you do not get is a comfortable seat as the buses are fitted with Kiel seats covered in moquette without any padding, hence the title of this article.

Stepping outside the airport terminal, the bus stops are directly in front of you. We were staying in Valletta, so required the X4 which operates every 30 minutes to the central bus station, although in reality you alight on Vjal Lr-Re Dwardu VII, just in front of the Triton Fountain.

Valletta Bus Station is a modern L shaped open-air concourse with the majority of local routes departing from the ‘A’ bays nearest to the Triton Fountain, whilst longer routes depart from ‘B’ bays, around the corner from the main concourse. Day 2 and the first bus of the day departed from bay A2, the 10.10am No.1 to Isla with a journey time of 23 minutes. Isla (Senglea) with an area of just over half a square mile is the most densely populated locality in Europe. The bus terminates in the heart of the town by reversing into a two-bus bay in the town square. After an extensive walk around the undulating streets, the next journey was to be on the 12.56pm departure of route 124 from Isla to Marsaskala. However, the bus failed to arrive and some quick thinking was required to find an alternative way between the two towns. The next departure was service 1 to Valletta and the solution was to take this bus until it reached the main road and then change onto service 91 coming from Valletta and terminating in Marsaskala, which runs every 12 minutes. Service 91 enters Marsaskala along the sea front, passing the bus terminus and doing a loop around the headland before returning to the bus terminus. Once a Roman port, Marsaskala is home to around 12,000 inhabitants and a pleasant place to while away a couple of hours. Service 91 would provide us with a final journey of the day back to Valletta, departing Marsaskala through the narrow back streets before entering an area of open countryside and returning to the densely populated villages of Fgura and Paola. 

Day 3 is another warm sunny October day and this morning’s departure is 9.50am on route 74 from bay A5 in the bus station, alighting in Zurrieq. Not the prettiest of routes as it skirts the industrial warehouses around the perimeter of the airport before serving the villages of Mqabba and Qrendi. The majority of passengers alight at the Ħaġar Qim Park Visitor Centre just before the bus turns onto the coast road and the remainder of the passengers alight to walk down the hill and visit the Blue Grotto. We opt to remain on board and continue to Zurrieq in the hope of getting a seat on the next bus which is coming from the airport. Zurrieq town square with its public toilets and cafe claims to have a bus station, in reality it is a bus stop used by seven routes. This morning, the first bus to arrive is a Mercedes Benz Citaro driver trainer, departing just ahead of our bus which is the 10.54am service 201. The 201 is a scenic route along the south west coast road, retracing our previous route 74 as far as the turning for the Blue Grotto. This time turning off the coast road and travelling downhill to the village of Wied Iż-Żurrieq, passing several passengers who alighted from the 74 thirty minutes earlier. Thirty-four years ago at this point the driver stood up, touched the effigy of the Virgin Mary, made the sign-of-the-cross, sat back down, released the handbrake and coasted down the hill on a road more rustic than it is today. The remainder of the journey has far reaching sea and coastal views followed by historic towns and villages before climbing to the hill top city of Rabat and the fortified citadel of Mdina 47 minutes later. The evening return to Valletta is a case of standing at the central bus stop in Rabat and boarding the first bus that comes along, having a choice of six routes. However, on this evening there are wide gaps in the services, and by the time a bus arrives it becomes a scrum to board. Not for the first time we will learn that in Malta there is no such thing as a full bus.

ALSA, Malta Public Transport BUS 650, Otokar Vectio C (9.6-metre). Sitting at the Isla terminus.

Day 4 and the longest day. Service 41 departs from bay B6 at 9.30am heading for Cirkewwa, the departure point for the Gozo ferry. A journey time of 1hr 53mins with much of the first half through urban sprawl between Valletta and Mosta, before hitting open countryside on route to St. Paul’s Bay and the coast, climbing to Mellieħa before descending to Cirkewwa. The next challenge is running the gauntlet of sightseeing ticket touts that stand between the bus and ferry ticket office, with just enough time to purchase a €4.65 return ticket to Gozo. Once on-board, time for tea and buns before arrival at Gozo and facing the next line of sightseeing touts and scrum for the service bus. From this point the day is flexible, getting on the first bus that comes along. A surprise to find a new Foton electric bus, operating the short park & ride service to the top of the hill, is sitting at the bus stop. First normal service bus to arrive on the stop was operating route 323 to the capital Victoria via several small villages either side of the main road. Victoria (Rabat) is the capital of Gozo: it is known for the medieval Citadel and has a bus station in the town centre. After lunch and a good walk, by late afternoon we are back at the bus station in time to board service 310 for the eleven-minute journey to the seaside resort of Marsalforn. We remain onboard whilst the bus makes a one-way loop around the town and alight at a central bus stop, just a few yards from the seafront. This is a ‘bucket & spade’ resort with a pleasant promenade filled with bars and cafes. The final journey on Gozo is service 322 back to the ferry and it is a real surprise. This is the most scenic bus route on Gozo/Malta, climbing through open countryside visiting the villages of Xagħra and Nadur before descending into the ferry port. Once back on Malta it was another case of first bus to come along heading in the direction of Valletta or Sliema, and it turned out to be the 41. The twilight ride gave the opportunity to see how the urban areas transform after dark.

Final full day and a short 23-minute journey on service 2 from stand A2 in the Valletta bus station to Birgu. The route was scheduled to terminate in the town square, however after serving the waterfront we returned to the main road and headed up hill to the coach park outside the Inquisitors’ Palace. No word from the driver, but as the engine was turned off we assumed this was the end of the route. A short walk down into town explained all, the square was under reconstruction with no vehicular access. Birgu, population 2633, is an ancient maritime city known as ‘Citta Vittoriosa’ and is packed with history, artistic and architectural interest as well as moorings for large super yachts. Late in the day, we rejoined service 2 on the waterfront, heading for a ten-minute layover in the coach park before returning to Valletta. 

It’s the final day and after spending the morning mooching around Valletta, as the rain set in, we head for one final time to the bus station and stand B3 for the X4 back to the airport. 

Malta is a wonderful out of season destination, with mild sunny days and easy to navigate by bus. At €25 the seven-day bus ticket is great value, provided you don’t mind a numb bum.

BUS 294, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 516CDi about to depart the bus station on service 133 Valletta Circular.

BUS 216, King Long Amigo Electric departs Valletta Bus Station.

BUS 892, arrives into Zurrieq on service 201 to Rabat.

GVN 834, Foton C10 EV operating the Mġarr (Gozo) park & ride service.

Victoria (Gozo) bus station.

Omnibus World

Unexpected electric.

 Warrington BV24 LUJ, Volvo BZL with MCV body departing from Warrington bus station.

The uncertainty began the moment I stepped outside the front door. The first service of the day was the 22 between West Kirby (Wirral) and Chester operated by Al’s: they lost the Happy a few years ago. The problem with this service is that early running is the norm rather than the exception and is linked to how long and how frequent the drivers like for a cigarette break. Unfortunately, speed and driving style also leave a lot to be desired. Previous experience had shown that the three-minute connection with the Traws Cymru service at Chester bus station was possible. But, the best laid plans……….

Today the bus came along on time (Optare Metrocity V1010MC B36F, ex New Adventure Travel), the journey was sedate and by the time we arrived in Chester, with a full load of passengers, we were seven minutes late. As the bus pulled into the bus station, the driver of the service into Wales gave our driver a cheery wave, and that was the connection gone. However, I had a plan B, by the time I strolled around the bus station concourse, waiting on the same stand as the bus I had just missed, was an Arriva X30 heading for Warrington and the opportunity to look at the new Volvo BZL/MCV electrics. The bus was standard Arriva DAF/Wright for the 1hr 22mins journey to Warrington via Frodsham and Runcorn. Saturday running times leave plenty of slack and there was time to admire Frodsham farmers market before circumnavigating the Runcorn Busway, a road system that always confuses me. We travelled at a leisurely pace, arriving a few minutes early into the modern Warrington bus station, with its adjoining large indoor shopping centre. At first glance, things did not look hopeful, only one electric bus and that was parked up, out of service. But first-things-first, lunch and loo.

What a difference a day makes: sorry wrong song. Thirty-minutes later and there was a sea of yellow in the bus station, with the electrics coming and going on several routes. Time for a ride, as befits the developing theme of the day, whatever comes in next will be the bus to board. As luck would have it, it turned out to be a 32 to Widnes Market, a convenient location for an onward service to Liverpool. The Volvo BZL did not disappoint, with a pleasant interior, well-spaced seats and clear audio-visual presentation and no intrusive rattles. The driver, whilst professional, was very keen to take advantage of the rapid, smooth acceleration, and on corners, there was a sensation that the bus was compensating for all the weight in the roof by somehow forcing itself into an upright stance. Not an unpleasant sensation, just unusual. The 32 proved an interesting route with plenty of variation over its short distance. Passing through traditional housing alongside the Old Liverpool Road, before a short sprint on a dual-carriageway and a one-way circuit of Penketh village which the audio-visual informed us was a hail and ride area. The final section was a tour of two large housing estates before entering Widnes via the old high street and finally the new edge of town shopping centre. Objective achieved and we arrived at Widnes. As per the theme of the day, whatever Liverpool bound service comes along first, I will jump on.

It turns out to be an 82A, operated by Arriva. Taking 1hr 18min, the route heads out of Widnes through two housing estates before hitting open countryside, passing through the villages of Halebank and Hale. Just a few yards after leaving the conservation village of Hale is the perimeter fence of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and it was a strange sight to be confronted by an Airbus A320 taxing to the end of the runway, ready for take-off. Before reaching the airport proper, there was the delight of Speke, a large housing estate that you would not want to linger in. The bus entered the airport via a back gate, requiring permission from security to pass through two barriers, with warning signs on the roadside telling drivers of financial penalties if they stop on the road. Plenty of time to spare at the airport bus station with the driver inviting any passengers who fancied a smoke to join him on the concourse. The final stretch of the bus journey started with a drive through the rundown area of Garston before turning onto the A561 for a long start/stop drag towards the city centre and into Liverpool One Bus Station.

After all that sitting down, a chance to stretch the legs, with an enjoyable walk along the waterfront before heading across the city centre to Sir Thomas Street and the final bus of the day. It was a case of boarding either the 471 or 472 whichever came along first. However the primary objective was to achieve a front seat on the top deck, this being the first double-decker of the day and enjoy the ride through the Mersey Tunnel. On weekdays this is not a problem because the services start at Cook Street, a quieter stop at the top of town, but at weekends the services turns short and boarding becomes a scramble. As luck would have it a 471 is the first bus to come along and one hour later it delivered me to the same stop I departed from eight hours earlier.

Phew, must be wine time.

BV24 LRJ parked in the bus station.

Omnibus World

Two days in Dunedin, New Zealand 2011.

 

Otago Road Services Ltd AQW935. Leyland Leopard PSU3E/2R with NZMB/Hess B45D body, new 1980 to Dunedin City Council Transport Department as JK3010. Transferred to Citibus Ltd in 1991, sold to Otago in 2002. Sold to Otago Heritage Bus Society Incorporated, Dunedin.

Dunedin is the administrative centre for the Otago region and the second largest city on the South Island of New Zealand after Christchurch. It is a harbour city of about 134,000 people, almost one fifth of residents are students. Famously, Dunedin is home to Baldwin Street, which, according to the Guinness Book of Records, is the steepest street in the world. The first trolleybuses operated in 1950 and by the 1960s the city had 76 trolleybuses, however by 1983 all trolleybuses had gone.

Otago Road Services Ltd. FSM635, MAN SL202, Coachwork International B45D, new in 1986. ex MT9705; ex (620) MT9705, Red Bus Ltd, Christchurch. Sold to Tramway Historical Society Inc, Ferrymead, Christchurch.

Buses in Dunedin are organised by the Otago Regional Council. A total of 64 buses currently operates on 25 bus routes. Dunedin City Council-owned operator Citibus was the major operator until 2011 when Passenger Transport (New Zealand) purchased Citibus from Dunedin City Holdings, and was subsequently bought by Go Bus. In 2024 the operation is part of Kinetic NZ.

Otago Road Services Ltd. FDN478, MAN SL202 with CWI B57D body, new 1986 as NF2114 to Christchurch Transport Board later Red Bus (a City owned company). Changed registration November 2009. Sold to Otago Heritage Bus Society Incorporated, Dunedin and a later sale to Ferrymead Mens Shed (Canterbury Bus Museum), Christchurch.

In 2011 driving into the city centre from the south, you immediately came across the bus depot which is located at the junction of Princes Street and Melville Street, just south of the city centre and a short distance from the Octagon where most services passed through. One of the few advantages of cruise ships docking in a city is the amount of extra passenger traffic they create: a great benefit to the bus enthusiast as it proved on day two of our visit when vehicles from the second largest operator in the area, Otago Road Services, were out and about.

Passenger Transport Services CHW222, MAN 12.223 with Designline B39D body, new 2004. ex Citibus Ltd, Dunedin and Red Bus Ltd, Christchurch. In 2024 with Kinetic NZ at the Invercargill depot.

Established in 1947, Otago Road Services operated buses commercially and under contract to Otago Regional Council. The private routes that had run since the 1950s from Dunedin to Green Island, Abbotsford and Fairfield were lost in 1991 as a result of tendering by Otago Regional Council who took responsibility for the network of bus services in the late 1980s. Otago Road Services were successfully in regaining some routes in the 2002 tender round, however, were lost to Dunedin City Council-owned Citibus, in 2006 round of tenders. Otago continue to operate a fleet of private hire and school bus vehicles.

Passenger Transpot Services ATS393, MAN 10.155 with Ansair Orana B27D body, new 1997.

2024 update, gathered from local press reports.

The central bus hub, established in 2019, is now located on Great King Street. In 2023 Go Bus were reported to be planning to move the depot from Princes Street to Portsmouth Drive making way for residential development. Go Bus is introducing 16 new buses on urban routes, these will be Volvo B7 with Kiwi Bus Builders bodies. In early February 2024, Ritchies introduced 11 Yutong E10 battery electric buses to its fleet. 

Passenger Transport Ltd CHW221, MAN 12.223 with Designline B39D body, new 2004. Ex Citibus, Dunedin and Red Bus Ltd, Christchurch. In 2023 with Kinetic NZ at the Dunedin depot.

Citibus Ltd WA1240, Dennis Dart with Designline B39D body, new 1997 to Ritchies. Ex Red Bus Ltd, Christchurch. Now sold for non-PSV use.

Line-up at the Dunedin bus depot, located at the junction of Princes Street and Melville Street. Just a short walk from the city centre.

Dunedin bus depot with DZG301, MAN 10.150 with Designline B33D body dating from 1989 for sale. It was sold for non-PSV use. Note the Bristol VRT, registration TQ7480 in the background. 

Omnibus World