Wellglade Group

[Mr TrainGuy]

One E9L must be for the campus shuttle.

'7x E9Ls for the sprint'.... 5 for sprint, 2 for campus shuttle.. although I'm assuming all 7 will be branded up for sprint hence the merging.

 

[Trainman40083]

'7x E9Ls for the sprint'.... 5 for sprint, 2 for campus shuttle.. although I'm assuming all 7 will be branded up for sprint hence the merging.

11 seem to have been delivered so far. I have only seen 8 of them, and neither of the YE75 pair.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Several buses off the road at Derby. Short of buses into the double figures for the second day in a row?

 

[callum3490]

Several buses off the road at Derby. Short of buses into the double figures for the second day in a row?

I definitely think the b7rles are starting to show their age

 

[BusLink61]

Several buses off the road at Derby. Short of buses into the double figures for the second day in a row?

I can tell it’s getting a bit desperate at Derby as Solo 500 has been allocated to the Xpress 38 today, not seen a solo on there for a while! just two of the branded Xpress 38 Volvos are out today.

V3 only running with one bus for the second day in a row, not ideal for passengers waiting in this cold weather!

The Comet is down to two buses also for the second day in a row.

The Swift seems to be getting the spares on it at the moment!

 

[YX73OUB]

It's not exclusive to Derby or older buses - we've had 7 nines out of 14 off over the last two days & 5 threes off, too. Even a 90 missing at one point today. The weather has really taken it out of our fleet and the depot being so exposed to the elements doesn't help in the mornings when it comes to getting services going.

 

[Trainman40083]

It's not exclusive to Derby or older buses - we've had 7 nines out of 14 off over the last two days & 5 threes off, too. Even a 90 missing at one point today. The weather has really taken it out of our fleet and the depot being so exposed to the elements doesn't help in the mornings when it comes to getting services going.

This is where you tell us, loan Enviro 200MMC 277, won't be leaving in a hurry .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

I can tell it’s getting a bit desperate at Derby as Solo 500 has been allocated to the Xpress 38 today, not seen a solo on there for a while! just two of the branded Xpress 38 Volvos are out today.

V3 only running with one bus for the second day in a row, not ideal for passengers waiting in this cold weather!

The Comet is down to two buses also for the second day in a row.

The Swift seems to be getting the spares on it at the moment!

Yes, the X38 got Solo SR 500 by taking it off the 6.3(making the route two hourly).. A customer asked about said 6.3 working and was told the bus had technical problems. Best send it to Burton then.. Walked past Meadow Road earlier. Three X38 Volvos being worked on, Volvo 780 visible by the wall in B garage. The old C garage site was nearly all Versas. Two from Sixes, one of which was 839. Scania coach 76, Allestree Enviro 200MMC 265 which went for engine replacement , three red Versas and Notts and Derby Versa 825.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

It's not exclusive to Derby or older buses - we've had 7 nines out of 14 off over the last two days & 5 threes off, too. Even a 90 missing at one point today. The weather has really taken it out of our fleet and the depot being so exposed to the elements doesn't help in the mornings when it comes to getting services going.

Best stop buying Enviro 200MMCs then. You'll never get rid of Solos 480 and 483 at this rate

 

[YX73OUB]

This is where you tell us, loan Enviro 200MMC 277, won't be leaving in a hurry .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==


Yes, the X38 got Solo SR 500 by taking it off the 6.3(making the route two hourly).. A customer asked about said 6.3 working and was told the bus had technical problems. Best send it to Burton then.. Walked past Meadow Road earlier. Three X38 Volvos being worked on, Volvo 780 visible by the wall in B garage. The old C garage site was nearly all Versas. Two from Sixes, one of which was 839. Scania coach 76, Allestree Enviro 200MMC 265 which went for engine replacement , three red Versas and Notts and Derby Versa 825.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==


Best stop buying Enviro 200MMCs then. You'll never get rid of Solos 480 and 483 at this rate

After spending yesterday with both 480 and 483 I shall maintain a dignified silence at this point.

Original plan stands for 277 to vacate end of January. Might not be Jan 2026 though.

 

[Trainman40083]

After spending yesterday with both 480 and 483 I shall maintain a dignified silence at this point.

Original plan stands for 277 to vacate end of January. Might not be Jan 2026 though.

Oh joy. A whole day with 480 and 483.. Didn't realise they lasted a while day. Might as well just paint 277 red. I seriously doubt they can do without it

 

[YX73OUB]

Oh joy. A whole day with 480 and 483.. Didn't realise they lasted a while day. Might as well just paint 277 red. I seriously doubt they can do without it

They are very tired now, with the basic interiors too. Looking forward to seeing some branded Versas on connect and getting some sort of service identity back.

 

[callum3490]

I think I have marked my words a few times but I really cannot see how TB will shift all of the solos any time soon without a serious cohort of new buses coming in somewhere this year and if they want rid of them all whats going on harlequin and rushcliffe villager?

 

[Trainman40083]

They are very tired now, with the basic interiors too. Looking forward to seeing some branded Versas on connect and getting some sort of service identity back.

But can they afford to get rid of them? Remember when they painted the four in the brighter red livery? Wasn't long before they gave up. I guess they could get handed down to Notts and Derby

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

I think I have marked my words a few times but I really cannot see how TB will shift all of the solos any time soon without a serious cohort of new buses coming in somewhere this year and if they want rid of them all whats going on harlequin and rushcliffe villager?

I'm more concerned about what type any new buses would be ... Hopefully ones without the sun roof. . Maybe some have already been ordered. I could actually see that new Notts and Derby bus depot being ideal for electric bus charging. So much space.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

Just 12 Optare Solos left in the Trentbarton fleet now.... Okay, 496 has been off since August. I guess the electric Yutongs will release the Kinchbus Solos. Not sure what might release the Solos at Notts and Derby and TM Travel. In terms of Trentbarton, I actually expected there to be more, given how often I see them. They certainly don't owe the company anything. Even 491 has opted to spend the evening on the Comet.

 

[BusLink61]

They are very tired now, with the basic interiors too. Looking forward to seeing some branded Versas on connect and getting some sort of service identity back.

If it’s 480 and 483 you are referring to with the interiors, I found them to be pretty comfy compared to a lot of the other buses I go on. It was during their time at Derby so I can understand if it’s looking a bit tired a few years later.

But can they afford to get rid of them?

I think it will end up being transfers which would result in the Solos going, buses from Kinch and the Versas from the Sixes (providing those hold up) would put a dent in the Solos at Trent and perhaps some of the red base liveried ones at N+D.

 

[Trainman40083]

If it’s 480 and 483 you are referring to with the interiors, I found them to be pretty comfy compared to a lot of the other buses I go on. It was during their time at Derby so I can understand if it’s looking a bit tired a few years later.


I think it will end up being transfers which would result in the Solos going, buses from Kinch and the Versas from the Sixes (providing those hold up) would put a dent in the Solos at Trent and perhaps some of the red base liveried ones at N+D.

Yet there is a suggestion that the Sixes Versas will go on the Comet and the Swift, to release Volvos. They won't last forever. The Solos had a design life of 14 years. They keep hanging on. Amazing to think new ones were supplied to High Peak, those being 25 plated.

 

[callum3490]

Yet there is a suggestion that the Sixes Versas will go on the Comet and the Swift, to release Volvos. They won't last forever. The Solos had a design life of 14 years. They keep hanging on. Amazing to think new ones were supplied to High Peak, those being 25 plated.

The versas struggle with the sixes and I can’t see them holding out much better on the comet or the swift

 

[Trainman40083]

The versas struggle with the sixes and I can’t see them holding out much better on the comet or the swift

Out of sight......You could say they already are on the Comet and the Swift. I'm not overly convinced that Volvo B8RLE, 780 is that much better Time will tell.

 

[BusLink61]

I’m not sure if this was mentioned previously, but could the Sixes Versas be split and have half go to TM Travel being Euro 6 compliant, and the other half be used at Trent for the likes of the Comet and the Swift.

I know they have been heavily used, and it may not be a good idea for the Comet/Swift but if they didn’t go on those routes, which seem to be the most in need of newer buses, where would they go to?

Derby would definitely benefit from some more buses, so sending all the Versas from the Sixes to TM Travel wouldn’t make sense dependent on what happens to the buses exiting the Kinch fleet at some stage.

 

[Trainman40083]

I’m not sure if this was mentioned previously, but could the Sixes Versas be split and have half go to TM Travel being Euro 6 compliant, and the other half be used at Trent for the likes of the Comet and the Swift.

I know they have been heavily used, and it may not be a good idea for the Comet/Swift but if they didn’t go on those routes, which seem to be the most in need of newer buses, where would they go to?

Derby would definitely benefit from some more buses, so sending all the Versas from the Sixes to TM Travel wouldn’t make sense dependent on what happens to the buses exiting the Kinch fleet at some stage.

I guess you could send some to Barnsley. Well, it would provide a float of valuable spares. Maybe 845 will be first to go . 839 had been off for a while. Now you talk about more buses for Derby. That would only be justified if the profit was there to cover operation of extra vehicles. How many of Derby's routes make enough profit?

 

[SSmith2009]

Derby would definitely benefit from some more buses, so sending all the Versas from the Sixes to TM Travel wouldn’t make sense dependent on what happens to the buses exiting the Kinch fleet at some stage.

In an ideal world the E9Ls would release the Mango branded buses first so they can help out across TB.

As a stop gap I'd use the sprint solos (debrand them) at Kinch as replacements for the mango ones.

Now you talk about more buses for Derby. That would only be justified if the profit was there to cover operation of extra vehicles. How many of Derby's routes make enough profit?

Allestree or nines as their E200s are nearing 8/9 years old perfect time for replacement.

 

[YX73OUB]

In an ideal world the E9Ls would release the Mango branded buses first so they can help out across TB.

As a stop gap I'd use the sprint solos (debrand them) at Kinch as replacements for the mango ones.


Allestree or nines as their E200s are nearing 8/9 years old perfect time for replacement.

No plans whatsoever to replace nines ADLs as of yet

 

[Trainman40083]

In an ideal world the E9Ls would release the Mango branded buses first so they can help out across TB.

As a stop gap I'd use the sprint solos (debrand them) at Kinch as replacements for the mango ones.


Allestree or nines as their E200s are nearing 8/9 years old perfect time for replacement.

Are the Sprint Solos big enough for those other routes? Allestree Enviro 200MMCs? Well some of them are just having new engines, so I doubt they are going anywhere. But as 67/66 plated, there are many, many older vehicles.

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

11 seem to have been delivered so far. I have only seen 8 of them, and neither of the YE75 pair.

That would be all of the E9Ls then, I would hold out for a bit for the E12s to arrive though!

In an ideal world the E9Ls would release the Mango branded buses first so they can help out across TB.

As a stop gap I'd use the sprint solos (debrand them) at Kinch as replacements for the mango ones.

Seems likely that this is what will happen, unless the sprint solos head off first, although all mango spares will be gone in a few months anyway so it may not even make that much of a difference.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Are the Sprint Solos big enough for those other routes? Allestree Enviro 200MMCs? Well some of them are just having new engines, so I doubt they are going anywhere. But as 67/66 plated, there are many, many older vehicles.

Yes put the sprint solos on allestree,back where they started.

Arrival run a clapped out fleet in Derby, and haven't had a new mop since the 90s, but they keep the fleet on the road and don't drop nearly 20% of their services.

 

[cnjb8]

Yes put the sprint solos on allestree,back where they started.

Arrival run a clapped out fleet in Derby, and haven't had a new mop since the 90s, but they keep the fleet on the road and don't drop nearly 20% of their services.

Exactly, Arriva don’t try to maintain an image of ‘luxury’ like Trent do, and at a certain point that doesn’t hold up when the reliability isn’t there

 

[Trainman40083]

Exactly, Arriva don’t try to maintain an image of ‘luxury’ like Trent do, and at a certain point that doesn’t hold up when the reliability isn’t there

Been a few times I've been waiting for a bus where Arriva and Wellglade both run. Arriva has always turned up first, and I got on .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2026 ==

Yes put the sprint solos on allestree,back where they started.

Arrival run a clapped out fleet in Derby, and haven't had a new mop since the 90s, but they keep the fleet on the road and don't drop nearly 20% of their services.

I remember 1 to 6 very well. When I caught one in Loughborough on the Sprint, I caught my shoulder in exactly the same place, as I did when they worked the Allestree. I'd say, now, they could cope with the loadings ..well except for the pupils at Woodlands School. The buses get fairly busy, so much so pupils do the grand tour to be able to get on. Surely Arriva have had a new mop since the 90s. Engineers probably twack them with a hammer and off they go. Park the odd spare bus in the bus station, and all seems fine. But Notts and Derby have a fairly old fleet, yet they keep running well.

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

Yes put the sprint solos on allestree,back where they started.

Arrival run a clapped out fleet in Derby, and haven't had a new mop since the 90s, but they keep the fleet on the road and don't drop nearly 20% of their services.

Although over 97% of trent's services ran last year....

 

[Aethonatic]

If it's of any interest to anyone, there's a chance the Skylink Nottingham service may be altered to serve the Isley Woodhouse development if it does go underway, as is indicated by the Nottinghamshire County Council. https://plans.nwleics.gov.uk/public...TM-NOTTINGHAMSHIRE_COUNTY_COUNCIL-1184857.pdf

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

If it's of any interest to anyone, there's a chance the Skylink Nottingham service may be altered to serve the Isley Woodhouse development if it does go underway, as is indicated by the Nottinghamshire County Council. https://plans.nwleics.gov.uk/public...TM-NOTTINGHAMSHIRE_COUNTY_COUNCIL-1184857.pdf

That'll be great for tightening up the timetable into a worse state that it is currently in!

 

[43055]

I can tell it’s getting a bit desperate at Derby as Solo 500 has been allocated to the Xpress 38 today, not seen a solo on there for a while! just two of the branded Xpress 38 Volvos are out today.

V3 only running with one bus for the second day in a row, not ideal for passengers waiting in this cold weather!

The Comet is down to two buses also for the second day in a row.

The Swift seems to be getting the spares on it at the moment!

Yes not been a good couple of days at Derby. I think only the villager and red arrow have had a full service. There was a picture on Facebook of Mickleover 315 helping on the comet last night.

 

[Trainman40083]

Yes not been a good couple of days at Derby. I think only the villager and red arrow have had a full service. There was a picture on Facebook of Mickleover 315 helping on the comet last night.

Solo 491 might not have done so well on the Comet tonight.