Recent content by Pyromaniac

It is confirmed that Arriva Colchester is losing the Park & Ride tender from late September. https://travelessex-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cms-assets/buspassengernewspdfs/bus_passenger_news_-30-august-2026.pdf This will leave the Colchester depot with only commercial routes...

Very brave if PJN to view and reply on this forum although appreciated. I'm not sure how much sway you have PJN, but if you can feedback to ECC that the current setup of the 63/63A in Colchester is of no use - the Mason Road terminus is quite pointless on weekdays (weekends make more sense for...

The line between Rayleigh and Wickford has always been fairly rough riding in comparison to other stretches of track. Interesting that the disruption includes the Braintree branch, this is signed by drivers from the Southend depot which is effectively cut off. This incident may also displace a...

That footbridge in the distance appears to be the one between Wick Lane and Salcott Crescent south of Wickford station and just after the Southminster line has branched off.

Wow so Stephensons, not who I would've put my money on. If it does go to them I wonder two things: 1. Will Arriva pull out of Colchester again. 2. Will Central Connect try and launch a commercial P&R service here too ;)

Arriva Southend are acquiring 5 Wright Streetdecks for the new 1X service. These are being outshopped in Arriva turquoise livery with a yellow wedge, plus route branding. Quite unlike anything previous of Arriva livery and branding. Of some irony. These 5 Streetdecks were originally part of an...

As of the start of June, the First Essex 28 between Southend and Basildon will become a 24 hour service. Also if I can be slightly pedantic, all of the Arriva routes centered around Stansted Airport (plus 724) are not Arriva The Shires. They are Arriva Herts & Essex. Or Arriva Essex. Or Arriva...

Yes I believe this will see a reduction in depot PVR, although not as steep due to the increase in frequency on the 28. Speaking of which, the 28 has to be single deck due to a low bridge in Pitsea. Interestingly had the Covid pandemic not occured, Hadleigh was due to get brand new double...

Following on from the south Essex changes mentioned previous. Additional detail is provided by Travel Essex forthcoming service changes. https://travelessex-production-bucket.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cms-assets/buspassengernewspdfs/bus_passenger_news_-31-may-2026.pdf What staggers me most is...

The X30 has had a split routing in the Southend area since it was doubled in frequency along the whole route. 1bph via Southend Hospital and 1bph via Southend Airport. This has changed recently to route via Southend Hospital at all times. As for why it changed. Only First know the real reason...

Some fairly severe changes coming up with First Essex in the Southend / Rayleigh area. Reports are from local councillors on Facebook who have been in various consultations with First management. 20: Southend to Hullbridge Withdrawn bar the 20S school variant and some early morning / late...

As I work in IT, I can appreciate this from the technical side. So let's be fair, it is a complete technical overhaul and full backend change, probably a host change too. There will be teething issues and maybe some redundant data (aka route information) but they will have taken data from a set...

I commute from Colchester to Liverpool Street occasionally so can give you my thinking... 3+2 seating on a 720 vs 2+2 seating on a 745. 70 min journey time on a 720 vs 45-50 min journey time on a 745. Therefore, my preference is a 745. Except at 5pm as the 1700 Norwich service skips...

Bingo @JamesC357 it is TVS, thank you I had a mind blank.

Mardens in Benfleet do a lot of First repaints for the East of England, and a very professional job they do too with full decal applications too. 33318 ex-Kernow is currently in their shops being repainted into plain black for the Chelmsford P&R which First are running from next month. Mardens...