West Country Independents

[TheGrandWazoo]

On their facebook page

I am deeply suspicious because of the date (1st April) and recent new purchases have switched away from ADL but Faresaver enthusiast site is saying they have 2 x Enviro 400MMCs arriving this month

Fleet & Service Updates

Please visit faresaver.co.uk/fleet-explorer/ for fleet information. An update from the editor Faresaver have recently published a fleet explorer page on their website, which can be accessed...

faresaverenthusiasts.weebly.com

Fleet & Services Update

Page Updated 01/04/2025
- Two brand new Enviro 400MMCs are rumoured to be joining the fleet this month


Faresavers own Facebook site also shows a picture of a fully liveried E400MMC in Scarborough with a 25 plate registration

Faresaver Buses

Faresaver Buses. 7,374 likes · 162 talking about this. Faresaver is an independent, privately (family) owned bus company based in Chippenham, Wiltshire.

www.facebook.com

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2025 ==


Further to the above, it is not an April Fool, saw both buses parked up.at their depot earlier, regs not viewable.

 

[37114]

On their facebook page

They look very nice.

 

[820KDV]

Further to the recent introduction of 2 Enviro400s by Faresaver, ADL's news item today says that 2 more are due in the autumn.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/fa...-are-low-emission-alexander-dennis-enviro400/

Alexander Dennis, a subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., a leader in propulsion-agnostic bus and coach mobility solutions, today announced that it has delivered two new Enviro400 double deck buses to English independent operator Faresaver Buses. Two further identical vehicles are due to follow this autumn.

The Enviro400 are the first ever brand-new double deckers and the first Alexander Dennis double deckers for the family-owned company, which was established in 1979 and provides bus services across North and West Wiltshire and Bath.

High-Res Image
Built to a length of 10.9m with 77 seats, they are fitted with Alexander Dennis SmartPack efficiency technology to bring down emissions and improve fuel economy.1 Low-emission bus certification allows Faresaver Buses to benefit from enhanced Bus Service Operator Grant (BSOG) payments.

Passengers will enjoy a high-quality interior with Altro wood-effect flooring and Lazzerini Pratico high-backed seats fitted with USB-A and USB-C charge points. Hanover Displays has supplied destination equipment as well as interior monitors. Information accessibility is further enhanced by the provision of an Ardent induction hearing loop system.

Faresaver Buses Managing Director Justin Pickford said: “As we continue to invest into our modern fleet to further enhance the travelling experience for our passengers, we are proud to have bought brand-new double deck buses for the first time. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400 offers us a great vehicle that combines plenty of comfortable seats with highest standards of accessibility and an economical driveline that further cuts our operating costs with enhanced BSOG eligibility.”

Mark Taylor, Regional Sales Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “Faresaver Buses’ investment in new double deck buses is a great example of investment by a respected family business providing quality journeys for its customers. Alexander Dennis is honoured to have been chosen as the supplier with two of our Enviro400 already in service and another two due to follow. It’s been a pleasure to work with Justin and the Faresaver Buses team and we look forward to continuing the relationship.”

High-Res Image

High-Res Image

Two Enviro200s in 2022, 4 Volvo B8s in 2023, 6 more in 2024 and now 4 Enviro400s in 2025 is an impressive achievement. Not only that, but as right hand edge of ADL's lead photo shows, Faresaver are also investing in an additional 2 maintenance bays and a dedicated body shop to bring all their engineering on to one site.

 

[t rex]

Another new arrival to big lemon a 3rd electric fiat sj21nle
The previous two have returned to Stafford bus centre for repaint

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Further to the recent introduction of 2 Enviro400s by Faresaver, ADL's news item today says that 2 more are due in the autumn.

https://www.alexander-dennis.com/fa...-are-low-emission-alexander-dennis-enviro400/


Two Enviro200s in 2022, 4 Volvo B8s in 2023, 6 more in 2024 and now 4 Enviro400s in 2025 is an impressive achievement. Not only that, but as right hand edge of ADL's lead photo shows, Faresaver are also investing in an additional 2 maintenance bays and a dedicated body shop to bring all their engineering on to one site.

The additional maintenance bays are getting to near build completion (steels, cladding but with a level of fitting out, wiring etc still to do). Surprised they decided to develop there as it's a very compact site.




In other news, Centurion Travel have recently received a new Irizar (to add to their numerous examples) registered CT25CTL - it also carries logos celebrating the centenary of the business. Not mentioned before is that one of the ex Reading Omnidekkas now has Centurion livery but with Abus names (though the other example is still in Reading claret).

 

[Citistar]

Speaking of depots, Centurion have also recently taken on some additional parking space in the WB&B site which has made life at the main depot site considerably easier. I think the refreshed Scania took rather longer than expected in the worshop, which is why only one got done. I'm not sure if ex-Somerbus one Billy is expected to be redecorated too, but given how tight Winterstoke Road Sainsburys Car Park can be, it may well not be!

 

[-Colly405-]

Are Centurion running to that Sainsbury's now? Or have they always done so?

 

[t rex]

Are Centurion running to that Sainsbury's now? Or have they always done

Abus routes are r2 r3 which is ralph allen school in bath and then sainsburys is inbetween school runs run from centurion/abus depot in Welton
Normally 704BYL that does r2 then goes on to sainsburys

Abus Bristol Bus Services

 

[Citistar]

Are Centurion running to that Sainsbury's now? Or have they always done so?

Since having transferred from First at Winterstoke Road for Abus (yeah, that long ago), it has in practice been operated by Abus, North Somerset Coaches, Carmel Bristol and now Abus again. Regular turn for the Sainsburys trips is off the back of R2 in Bath.

 

[-Colly405-]

So Abus R2, R3 and Sainsburys 160-165 are operated on behalf of Centurion? Didn't realise that!

 

[Citistar]

No, sorry i didn't explain that very well. They're operated from the same operating centre as Centurion, all the contracts and vehicle licences remain with Abus.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Hatch Green Coaches have a new ADL E200MMC for the 99 - YX25 OEZ. It entered service on 7/4/25.

OEZ - YX25 OEZ

ADL Enviro200 MMC

bustimes.org

 

[YorkRailFan]

Country Bus has announced some extra services on the 182 from 16 June:

From 16th June extra journeys will run between 09:30 and 14:00 Mon-Fri only (shown in blue).

The current journeys timings have been altered.

News – Country Bus Devon

countrybusdevon.co.uk

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Eurocoaches have acquired an ADL E200 MMC from Atlantic Travel (YX71 OHB), for use on the 207 which they took over from Newport Bus from 28 July. It also does a return trip on the 62 between its 207 journeys.

YX71 OHB

ADL Enviro200 MMC

bustimes.org

 

[wiltshirebloke]

In the latest round of timetable changes, effective from 31st August 2025, Faresaver look to have lost all Trowbridge Town Services to Frome Bus. FromeBus currently operate 60 & 65 services in the town, but will also be taking the 63, 65A, 66, 67/67A, 68A, X47.

West Wiltshire Shopper buses X84/X85, X88, 39 transfer from Libra to Faresaver.

Will be interesting to see if FromeBuses fleet will be expanded in anyway as they tend to operate smaller type minibuses than Faresaver, which sometimes causes trouble for example on the 60 route which travels areas in the town populated with young families and the elderly, so sometime can be 'wheels at dawn' between prams, wheelchairs and shopping trollies.

Also welcome to see later buses on Faresavers 231 Bath - Chippenham route.

 

[37114]

In the latest round of timetable changes, effective from 31st August 2025, Faresaver look to have lost all Trowbridge Town Services to Frome Bus. FromeBus currently operate 60 & 65 services in the town, but will also be taking the 63, 65A, 66, 67/67A, 68A, X47.

West Wiltshire Shopper buses X84/X85, X88, 39 transfer from Libra to Faresaver.

Will be interesting to see if FromeBuses fleet will be expanded in anyway as they tend to operate smaller type minibuses than Faresaver, which sometimes causes trouble for example on the 60 route which travels areas in the town populated with young families and the elderly, so sometime can be 'wheels at dawn' between prams, wheelchairs and shopping trollies.

Also welcome to see later buses on Faresavers 231 Bath - Chippenham rouroute

Maybe related but Faresaver have sold one of their Solos to Fromebus recently (Yj15AYF)

 

[Citistar]

In the latest round of timetable changes, effective from 31st August 2025, Faresaver look to have lost all Trowbridge Town Services to Frome Bus. FromeBus currently operate 60 & 65 services in the town, but will also be taking the 63, 65A, 66, 67/67A, 68A, X47.

I note a new 60A appears at the end of the day from Trowbridge to Southwick via some hideous combination of the 60 and 67. Given that some of the passengers struggle to understand the concept of the evening peak 960 which has been running for years, this could tip them over the edge.

West Wiltshire Shopper buses X84/X85, X88, 39 transfer from Libra to Faresaver.

The shoppers' bus package now makes rather more sense operationally than it did when the X79 was in place of the 39, even if the timings on the Bath routes are pretty ludicrous.

Will be interesting to see if FromeBuses fleet will be expanded in anyway as they tend to operate smaller type minibuses than Faresaver, which sometimes causes trouble for example on the 60 route which travels areas in the town populated with young families and the elderly, so sometime can be 'wheels at dawn' between prams, wheelchairs and shopping trollies.

The regular vehicle for the daytime run on service 60 is already one of the two largest vehicles that FromeBus have. Part of the problem is that the 60 and 65 services which work on the same duty are rather unbalanced. The 60 route is simply doing too much on each circuit. It's a shame that Studley Green, which supplies the highest demand of the route has such poorly designed and maintained traffic calming throughout which makes it so difficult to serve.

 

[wiltshirebloke]

I note a new 60A appears at the end of the day from Trowbridge to Southwick via some hideous combination of the 60 and 67. Given that some of the passengers struggle to understand the concept of the evening peak 960 which has been running for years, this could tip them over the edge.

The regular vehicle for the daytime run on service 60 is already one of the two largest vehicles that FromeBus have. Part of the problem is that the 60 and 65 services which work on the same duty are rather unbalanced. The 60 route is simply doing too much on each circuit. It's a shame that Studley Green, which supplies the highest demand of the route has such poorly designed and maintained traffic calming throughout which makes it so difficult to serve.

Lordy! That 60A makes no sense. Going to Studley Green first, then circling back through College Road then into North Bradley (all request stops of course, so may not actually run the full route!) I can't see that its covering off any deficit, as the D1 would still be running at that point along Bradley Road into North Bradley? It would have made more sense to route it along the traditional 60 route through Dursley Road and Wiltshire Drive as this area isn't served after the 960 goes though. It take it may be a commercial service rather than a Wiltshire subsidised route.

 

[Marcus Fryer]

Also acquired (recently?) for the 207/62 is Eurocoaches ADL Enviro200 P6 EUR (formerly Newport Bus 321 - MX09 MHY and new to SK Solutions of Cheadle Heath).

Vehicle edits – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

Vehicle edits​

Operator code:
Vehicle ID:
User ID:
Status: --------- approved

• P6 EUR · 2 months, 3 weeks ago · 220 · Report
  previous reg to MX09MHY
  Missed off user 4718"s edit
  
  
• P6 EUR · 2 months, 3 weeks ago · 4718: Theapc06 ·Report
  type to ADL Enviro200
  livery to White
  reg to P6EUR
  MX09 MHY with its new custom plate, P6 EUR
  Approved · DVLA agrees
  

 

[Callum15632]

Also acquired (recently?) for the 207/62 is Eurocoaches ADL Enviro200 P6 EUR (formerly Newport Bus 321 - MX09 MHY and new to SK Solutions of Cheadle Heath).

Vehicle edits – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

That bus was acquired quite a few months ago before they got the 207. It was acquired as the 62 spare vehicle when YX18 KNK isn't available. YX71 OHB ex Atlantic Travel has been acquired for the 207 recently. Hope this clears that up.

 

[jammy36]

Sadly another long-standing westcountry independent has had to cease trading due to financial issues, this time Filers Travel (Ilfracombe, North Devon).

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Sadly another long-standing westcountry independent has had to cease trading due to financial issues, this time Filers Travel (Ilfracombe, North Devon).

Facebook

www.facebook.com

BREAKING: Shock as major North Devon coach company goes into administration

Filers Travel in Ilfracombe has announced it has ceased trading and gone into administration after operating for 56 years

www.northdevongazette.co.uk

North Devon coach tour operator Filers Travel has shocked the region today (Monday, September 1) by announcing it has gone into administration. The coach operator, which has been run by the Filer family for 56 years, confirmed rumours that have been circulating since the weekend by posting on its website this afternoon: “Filers Travel Limited has entered administration and has ceased trading.

“We regret to inform you that all bookings have been cancelled.”

The business is well-known to most people in North Devon and operated day trips to attractions and events, coach excursion holidays, coach hire and provided school bus services for Ilfracombe Academy among others.

 

[nick291]

BREAKING: Shock as major North Devon coach company goes into administration

Filers Travel in Ilfracombe has announced it has ceased trading and gone into administration after operating for 56 years

www.northdevongazette.co.uk

Didn't they also have a secondary depot in Somerset? Or is that a separate company altogether?

 

[richard13]

Didn't they also have a secondary depot in Somerset? Or is that a separate company altogether?

Filers Coaches is a separate company in Bristol. Whether they are related I don't know.

 

[Citistar]

Filers Coaches is a separate company in Bristol. Whether they are related I don't know.

They're not related, although Pat Filer (the Pensford one) often referred to Roy's business as "his Devon depot" in jest. When i popped in today, they were busy preparing for the return to school this week.

 

[JD2168]

Filers Travel Streetlite SK16 GXW is now with South Pennine in plain white

 

[Marcus Fryer]

From bustimes.org:
Faresaver have now put into service the two more Alexander Dennis E400MMC forecast in post #2283. These are YX75 KTE and YX75 KTF.

Vehicle edits – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

Vehicle edits​

Operator code:
Vehicle ID:
User ID:
Status: --------- approved

• YX75 KTE · 3 days, 10 hours ago · 1937 · Report
  type to ADL Enviro400 MMC
  livery to Faresaver
  USB-A USB-C
  Approved

YX75 KTF

ADL Enviro400 MMC

bustimes.org

Vehicle edits​

Operator code:
Vehicle ID:
User ID:
Status: --------- approved

• YX75 KTF · 4 days, 6 hours ago · 401 · Report
  type to ADL Enviro400 MMC
  livery to Faresaver
  USB-A USB-C
  Approved

 

[37114]

From bustimes.org:
Faresaver have put into service two more Alexander Dennis E400MMC, YX75KTE and YX75KTF.

Vehicle edits – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

YX75 KTF

ADL Enviro400 MMC

bustimes.org

Yep, saw KTF yesterday, I think the press release when they put the 2 x 25 plate on the road alluded to 2 more on order. I saw One of the Volvos (PSV444) last week was plain white so presumably going soon.

 

[Snow1964]

Faresaver have 4 more Volvo B8, MCV Evora single decks
BU75WOA
BU75WOB
BU75WOC
BU75WOD
so now have 14 of the type

seem to be taking some 13 year old E200s out of service, presumably their oldest (don't know details)

 

[37114]

Faresaver have 4 more Volvo B8, MCV Evora single decks
BU75WOA
BU75WOB
BU75WOC
BU75WOD
so now have 14 of the type

seem to be taking some 13 year old E200s out of service, presumably their oldest (don't know details)

2 Enviro and 2 Volvo B9s going:

Fleet & Service Updates

Please visit faresaver.co.uk/fleet-explorer/ for fleet information. An update from the editor Faresaver have recently published a fleet explorer page on their website, which can be accessed...

faresaverenthusiasts.weebly.com

Enviro200s YX62EDO & P and Volvo B9TLs RRU345 & NUH527 have now been withdrawn