Still little but not so Often - 2
In 2018, Stagecoach in South Wales received six of the Mercedes Sprinters that had been introduced a couple of years previously by the South East (East Kent) fleet to increase local bus usage in Ashford. The batch of 30 proved too small and too costly to operate at high frequencies and were replaced by older Optare Solos.
The initial half dozen transferred to South Wales (44001-6) were allocated to Porth, Aberdare and Blackwood depots for services that could justify small capacity vehicles.
44003-6 have since moved on and 44022 and 44025 arrived in early 2023 from the Highlands fleet. All four are now based at Porth depot, predominantly for Services 121 (Tonypandy-Treorchy-Cwmparc-Treherbert) and 152 (Tonypandy-Tonyrefail-Gilfach Goch), the latter operating as a pre-bookable Fflecsi service.
This shot from December 2023 depicts 44001 as she arrives at Tonypandy Bus Centre when operating Service 121. Whilst I'm not a fan of Stagecoach's latest corporate livery, I think it suits a smaller vehicle better.
Still little but not so Often - 2
In 2018, Stagecoach in South Wales received six of the Mercedes Sprinters that had been introduced a couple of years previously by the South East (East Kent) fleet to increase local bus usage in Ashford. The batch of 30 proved too small and too costly to operate at high frequencies and were replaced by older Optare Solos.
The initial half dozen transferred to South Wales (44001-6) were allocated to Porth, Aberdare and Blackwood depots for services that could justify small capacity vehicles.
44003-6 have since moved on and 44022 and 44025 arrived in early 2023 from the Highlands fleet. All four are now based at Porth depot, predominantly for Services 121 (Tonypandy-Treorchy-Cwmparc-Treherbert) and 152 (Tonypandy-Tonyrefail-Gilfach Goch), the latter operating as a pre-bookable Fflecsi service.
This shot from December 2023 depicts 44001 as she arrives at Tonypandy Bus Centre when operating Service 121. Whilst I'm not a fan of Stagecoach's latest corporate livery, I think it suits a smaller vehicle better.