View allAll Photos Tagged Axcess
The second batch of buses delivered in corporate FirstGroup "Barbie" livery arrived in November 1998.
Nos 550 - 561 (S550 JSE - S561 JSE), operated just over three years in the Granite City before transferring elsewhere as they were to become non-standard types in what was to become a Volvo dominated fleet.
The first withdrawals occurred in March 2001 (551 - 554) and by July that year all twelve buses had gone.
Nos 550 - 559 became First Glasgow No 1 Ltd Nos SS163, SS154 - SS162 (later 61567 - 61576), and Nos 560 & 561 became First Manchester Ltd Nos 178 & 171 (later 60222 & 60215).
1998 552 S552 JSE 19990326 ae cpy
Last operated by ConnexionsBuses near York and something of a celebrity in the fleet, Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow N414 ENW is now owned privately by Josh Bickerstaffe and Matthew Thompson and is seen on its first attendance at a bus rally in preservation since passing its MOT in November 2017. Seen here at Stockton high street
A remarkable survivor, this bus was new in late 1995 to Rider York for Park and Ride duties as fleet number 8414 in a distinctive 2-tone blue livery (as had been used on M113SLS, a demonstrator which had been tried by Rider York and they obviously liked the livery so much they then adopted it) and was one member in the very first full batch of low floor buses for Yorkshire. Along with later additions as the P&R operation expanded, this stayed in York for 7 years until 2002 when the entire single decker York fleet had been replaced by inferior Volvo B7L's and B6BLE's - this bus moved to Potteries for a while beofre settling in the Leeds fleet. A rear-end collision almost spelled the end for this, however the decision was made to rebuild and repair to keep it in use. Upon reentering service with Firstgroup, it had been given the new Olympia livery and at the time was the oldest bus in passenger service to gain the livery. Withdrawn in late summer 2014, it was feared this would make a one-way trip to Barnsley - but instead was saved by Craig Temple of Connexions Buses (formerly known as Harrogate Coach Travel); initially bought for preservation, a full inspection revealled it's condition was simply too good for it to not see a bit more use in service. It was last used in stagecarriage service in November 2016 on service 13 in York. Currently in the early stages of its life in preservation, it will eventually be given it's Park and Ride livery back again in addition to destination equipment as close to original as possible (the side numeric display is still the original Bright Tech unit, and an original roller blind from the fleet has been provided by Andy Burbridge). Most of the interior trim is to original Rider York spec, though the seat padding has gone flat which is a bit expected after over 20 years of service use; ceiling speakers were provided and were connected to a PA system so the driver could announce the city centre stops, in the B7L's which replaced the Scanias this PA system was also connected to a radio receiver
Passing by is VDL/DAF SB200 Wright Pulsar 2 NK61 CZE
First Potteries: 60128 (S105 TNB) a Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L94UB, painted in corporate livery and captured here in Hanley Bus Station about to depart on an unidentified service.
© Christopher Lowe.
Date: 11th May 2008.
Ref No. DSCF05628/JL.
Harrogate Coach Travel 'conneXions buses'
1998 Wright Axcess Floline bodied Scania L94UB
new as First Manchester 104
Tockwith depot 16/11/2014
One of a batch, 562 - 567 (T562 BSS - T567 BSS), that entered service with First Aberdeen in July 1999. Some later transferred to "First Edinburgh/First Midland Bluebird". In 2001 all passed to First Manchester becoming 172 - 177 there (later becoming 60216 - 60221).
T563 BSS is currently (July 2016) in service with Harrogate Coach Travel (Connexions buses), having been acquired from First West Yorkshire earlier in the year.
T566 BSS is being restored, hopefully to original condition (see below) at least externally, with longer willows, rather than the shorter version shown, which were introduced to accommodate adverts on the lower panels.
60220 T566 BSS 20160508 ae cpy
Connexions Buses T575JNG is a Scania L94UB with Wright Axcess Floline bodywork. Seen during an enthusiasts tour, T575JNG was new to First Eastern Counties as their 575. This became 65575 in the First fleet.
One of a batch, 562 - 567 (T562 BSS - T567 BSS), that entered service with First Aberdeen in July 1999. It with others subsequently transferred to "First Edinburgh/First Midland Bluebird". In 2001 all passed to First Manchester becoming 172 - 177 there (later becoming 60216 - 60221).
Connexions T563 BSS 20160708 be cpy
The E-Darts and the P&R have had a lot of coverage over the past five photos, but other small developments that don't involve them directly have occurred.
6 is off the road at the moment, and has been for a couple of months actually, having a slow mechanical refurb in which the bits that make it go are taken apart and put back together again, with renewed or replacement parts where necessary.
30, although blinded for the Boots contract here, has been seeing increased use on the P&R along with the other deckers. It is the oldest two axle double decker in the fleet, and although it has an 'R' prefix registration, that is just a private plate and if it had a proper age-related plate it would be an 'X' reg... so actually its current registration makes it look older than it really is (as well as being one year older than when the first Tridents were actually registered).
35, the Enviro 300, is pretty much in its final stages of prep. Being a model conversion I have to actually finish it, but that basically amounts to making a cab window and entrance door, then doing the swoop on the livery and then fleet names/numbers, so not much at all.
3 had a funny use recently, as although it is withdrawn, stored off-site and no longer fully functional as a vehicle, it has a beefy (and still operable after a quick fix) Sutrak air conditioning system. During last week's heatwave it was fetched by RB's recovery truck and used as a staff break room, since it was cooler on there than inside the depot building!
Robertson Buses 6 - R551 CNG - Wright Axcess Ultralow/Scania L113CRL
Robertson Buses 30 - R400 ALX - ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident 2
First Potteries Scania L113CRL / Wright Axcess Ultralow 60057, S815 AEH, is seen in Hanley whilst running out of service.
Connexions Buses ( Tockwith ), Scania L94UB / Wright Axcess Floline A574 TPW. Heading into Bilton .
Formerly at First Eastern Counties as 65574
Wrightbus Axcess Floline Scania L94UB new, 9/1998, as Newport 12. Taken in Newport Transports Depot..
P106MFS Scania L113-Wright Axcess B47F New November 1996 First Bus Glasgow Fleet No 61478. Ex Strathclyde (Fleet No SS6)
Scania L94UB Wright Axcess with Harrogate Coach Travel T/A Connexions Buses seen here at Wetherby on the Sainsbury's shopper service.
First Manchester Limited 60184 V132 DND, a Scania L94UB built 2000 with a Wright Axcess-Floline B42F body on Watling Street in Bury at the junction with Bolton Road with the 10:18 Bury Interchange to Manchester Shudehill Interchange via Starling, Radcliffe, Whitefield and Prestwich service 98 service. Thursday 14th July 2011
Note, V132 DND was first registered on 25th January 2000 and delivered as number 132. It was officially renumbered 60184 on 9th October 2002 in the FirstGroup plc’s national numbering scheme and transferred to First Potteries Limited as number 60184 in July 2007. First Potteries Limited’s Birkenhead, Chester and Wrexham depot operations, including V132 DND were transferred to First Manchester Limited on 27th March 2011
Ref no Canon EOS50D 7th series - IMG_0030
The second of a possible seven from Newport Transport, Scania L94UB Wright Axcess Floline S118 TDW (formerly Newport 18 and still more-or-less in their livery) is leaving York rail station on route 13 for Copmanthorpe.
Harrogate Coach Travel old hand Scania 5385WX (ex Chester City Transport R83EMB) lays over next to new boy B10BLE S449KCW, ex Stagecoach South Lancs.
Arriva Kent Thameside Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow 3254-N254BKKon route 490 to Valley Drive at Gravesend
Arriva Kent Thameside Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow 3251-N251BKK on route 490 to Fleet Estate at Bluewater
Back where it belongs, on the streets of York is Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow N414 ENW running HCT service 13 to Haxby (which among enthusiasts is affectionately referred to as York's Heritage Bus Route).
A remarkable survivor, this bus was new in late 1995 to Rider York for Park and Ride duties as fleet number 8414 in a distinctive 2-tone blue livery (as had been used on M113SLS, a demonstrator which had been tried by Rider York and they obviously liked the livery so much they then adopted it) and was one member in the very first full batch of low floor buses for Yorkshire. Along with later additions as the P&R operation expanded, this stayed in York for 7 years until 2002 when the entire singe decker York fleet had been replaced by inferior Volvo B7L's and B6BLE's - this bus moved to Potteries for a while beofre settling in the Leeds fleet. A rear-end collision almost spelled the end for this, however the decision was made to rebuild and repair to keep it in use. Upon reentering service with Firstgroup, it had been given the new Olympia livery and at the time was the oldest bus in passenger service to gain the livery. Withdrawn in late summer 2014, it was feared this would make a one-way trip to Barnsley - but instead was saved by Craig Temple of ConnexionsBuses; initially bought for preservation, a full inspection revealled it's condition was simply too good for it to not see a bit more use in service. However, with the DDA deadline at the end of 2015 looming ever closer its days of use on public service are very much limited. Craig may yet decide to keep this on the books for another year but only on 'Closed Door' school services, but whatever decision is made 8414 will be going straight into preservation locally as soon as it is withdrawn.
Seen here on Christmas Eve at york rail station, a stop it would have served many times when new running the White Line P&R route.
New in autumn 1995 to Rider York as Yorkshire Rider 8414 in a batch of 14 vehicles for the relaunched York Park and Ride services, Scania L113 Wright Axcess Ultralow N414 ENW was given a distinctive 2-tone blue livery complete with large P&R vinyls and were also the only vehicles to carry the Rider York name with the mid 1990's 'perspective' style Rider logo. This batch were also the very first bulk order of low floor buses for Yorkshire as a whole, with YR going for the L113 having had two East Lancs examples in use in Leeds initially to trial the low-floor concept... 8414 left York in 2002 after being replaced by inferior Volvo B7L's, and buses of a similar quality to these Scania's did not emerge until the articulated Citaro's arrived in late 2008...
As they were not required in York, the whole batch were dispersed far and wide across the Firstgroup UK fleet; now as 60133 it went to Potteries Motor Traction (PMT) for a while before ending up with First Leeds. It did get involved in a collision with another vehicle, but was rebuilt and then given Olympia livery - which at the time of it being repainted made it the oldest vehicle in the group to get the livery.
Now as the last surviving member of this first batch, 8414 has been purchased by ConnexionsBuses and these are the very first photos of it having just left the HCT workshop with a brand new coat of paint into the Connexions livery and having had some mechanical checks and work done in preparation for this entering service on January 5th. There are still some odds and ends to finish off, but from what I could see and hear it is looking well.
When this was withdrawn by First in late summer 2014 the worst was feared, however the boss of Connexions purchased it with the intention to preserve it; but on a full inspection, the bus was in such good condition that it was just too good to place in a semi-idle state of preservation just yet. At the time of writing this, P436YSH (Rider York 8436) is also withdrawn and is at the Cherry Row depot in Leeds ('Death Row'), and this was part of the batch that made up the very last buses to ever have Yorkshire Rider specification and not Firstgroup's.
As a York-based enthusiast, it is great to see this still in use - especially as my interst in buses only really became evident in 1995 and so these being introduced further bolstered my interest. I also have a personal affinity with 8414... with family circumstances as they were when I was a child, I only saw my father on sporadic occasions. On one visit, my dad wanted to take me to the National Railway Museum - however the car park was full and so was the reserve car park. I suggested using the P&R site up at Clifton Moor (that tells you how long ago this was!)... and it was 8414 that took us to and from the NRM.
First Manchester: 60209 (X265 USH) a Wright Axcess-Floline bodied Scania L94UB, painted in corporate livery. This vehicle is captured here in Leigh Bus Station about to operate a journey on Service 26 to Manchester.
© Christopher Lowe.
Date: 24th February 2007.
Ref No. 0014130/CL.
Preserved Scania L113CRL / Wright Axcess Ultralow N414 ENW (8414), in First York / Rider York Park & Ride c/s, attending the SYTT Open Day & Running Day, Rotherham, 24/07/22
Parked up at HCT's Tockwith depot is Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow N414 ENW. A remarkable survivor, this bus was new in late 1995 to Rider York for Park and Ride duties as fleet number 8414 in a distinctive 2-tone blue livery and was one member in the very first full batch of low floor buses for Yorkshire. Along with later additions as the P&R operation expanded, this stayed in York for 7 years until 2002 when the entire singe decker York fleet had been replaced by inferior Volvo B7L's and B6BLE's - this bus moved to Potteries for a while beofre settling in the Leeds fleet. A rear-end collision almost spelled the end for this, however the decision was made to rebuild and repair to keep it in use. Upon reentering service with Firstgroup, it had been given the new Olympia livery and at the time was the oldest bus in passenger service to gain the livery. Withdrawn in late summer 2014, it was feared this would make a one-way trip to Barnsley - but instead was saved by Craig Temple of ConnexionsBuses; initially bought for preservation, a full inspection revealled it's condition was simply too good for it to not see a bit more use in service for now. So it has beenr epainted into fleet livery, minus fleetnames, and is getting a bit of use around their network.
It's original Yorkshire Rider fleetnumber can be seen to the nearside of the destination display.
Most notable about this photo is that the bus has now gained fleetnames and logos, so it now looks less transient.
New to Chambers of Bures as W89 HRT, Scania N113DRB East Lancs Cityzen WX 6025 is in the Middle, only just having come back to the yard - we were going one way on a trip and Craig came along the other way with this.
Scania L113CRL Wright Axcess Ultralow new to Yorkshire Rider as 8452, R452 JSG is on the right
Seen here at Sharp House is First West Yorkshire Wright Axcess Floline bodied Scania L94UB which is registered T825 SFS and carries the fleet number of 60067, pictured working service 74 to Leeds. 28/10/17
Scania L94UB / Wright Axcess-Floline 60067 (T825SFC) is pictured in Leeds on the 55.
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The second batch of buses delivered to First Aberdeen Ltd in corporate FirstGroup "Barbie" livery arrived in November 1998.
Nos 550 - 561 (S550 JSE - S561 JSE), operated just over three years in the Granite City before transferring elsewhere as they were to become non-standard types in what was to become a Volvo dominated fleet.
The first withdrawals occurred in March 2001 (551 - 554) and by July that year all twelve buses had gone.
Nos 550 - 559 became First Glasgow No 1 Ltd Nos SS163, SS154 - SS162 (later 61567 - 61576), and Nos 560 & 561 became First Manchester Ltd Nos 178 & 171 (later 60222 & 60215).
61567 S550 JSE 20070405ce2 cpy