Wellglade Group

[LowLevel]

New Yutong for the Sprint having some publicity photos taken at Loughborough station this morning.

 

[YX73OUB]

I always thought the 54 plated Tempos were better than the 07 plates ones. I never really had an issue with the Tempo SRs . All of the ex Trentbarton seemed to live a long and happy life with other operators. Lynx Bus, or Ipswich Bus with the SRs. I wonder if TB should have had an extended trial with the Tempo SR. There was a 61 plated one that went to some operators.. Maybe Optare got complacent and "cheapened" the product, much like car manufacturers do. I have a memory of a Black Cat Tempo, where I had a choice. Wait for a replacement bus in Stanley OR hold the door shut till the bus got to Langley Mill depot. Sheared bolt. I can't help wondering if the Plaxton Dart was better than the Enviro 200.

The Plaxton Dart was a fantastic product - for an early SLF. I do think complacency took over as time progressed, as it does in these situations. Wouldn't mind seeing a Scania Chassis on an E200MMC or a B8RLE for that matter, like in the day, maybe even a Merc chassis.

 

[Trainman40083]

The Plaxton Dart was a fantastic product - for an early SLF. I do think complacency took over as time progressed, as it does in these situations. Wouldn't mind seeing a Scania Chassis on an E200MMC or a B8RLE for that matter, like in the day, maybe even a Merc chassis.

I didn't get to travel on many Plaxton Darts, although I do remember a couple of the F1? Ripley to Derby, fairly fast. Also on X38. Sturdy bus for a lightweight. But people say the Volvo B8RLE is worse than the B7RRLE. I see Scania has launched a new chassis, demo on loan to Lloyds of Machynlleth. Think the earlier one had some very high rear steps. Maybe you are just destined for Yutongs. But, the issue remains. Manufacturers cheapen products to make more money. Saw comment about the Mk7 VW Golf. The wing mirror glass falls off. Heated mirror, .glue fails, mirror falls off and smashes. Didn't happen with earlier models. Why reinvent the wheel?

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View attachment 195728
New Yutong for the Sprint having some publicity photos taken at Loughborough station this morning.

It does look tall. Presume no sun roof what with all those batteries on the roof.....

 

[LowLevel]

Sadly didn't get a side profile picture as the photographer was doing his thing and didn't want to put him off but yes, the tall roof and short length make them look very top heavy

 

[BusLink61]

View attachment 195728
New Yutong for the Sprint having some publicity photos taken at Loughborough station this morning.

I like the personalised ‘K’ badge on the front, the colour proportions work well on the front lower section and on the side having seen photos of it. My only criticism is perhaps the colours on the top where the batteries are (in my opinion)

It does look tall. Presume no sun roof what with all those batteries on the roof.....

The roof definitely looks taller compared to the E9’s at Centrebus.

Something I’ve started to wonder, are the batteries located at the same place in these E9’s compared to the Centrebus ones?

 

[Trainman40083]

I like the personalised ‘K’ badge on the front, the colour proportions work well on the front lower section and on the side having seen photos of it. My only criticism is perhaps the colours on the top where the batteries are (in my opinion)


The roof definitely looks taller compared to the E9’s at Centrebus.

Something I’ve started to wonder, are the batteries located at the same place in these E9’s compared to the Centrebus ones?

Need someone to take a picture from above. Do these also have air conditioning? Are the E9 Centrebus ones the ones on the City Centre loop? Maybe these are "bigger" being E9Ls. Hmmmm.

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Sadly didn't get a side profile picture as the photographer was doing his thing and didn't want to put him off but yes, the tall roof and short length make them look very top heavy

I used to encounter that. I used to say "I won't be a minute and I'll get out of your way. At least you are being paid" . Saw him that often

 

[BusLink61]

Need someone to take a picture from above. Do these also have air conditioning? Are the E9 Centrebus ones the ones on the City Centre loop? Maybe these are "bigger" being E9Ls. Hmmmm.

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There’s a visible difference from the ground level. The top is flat and there’s nothing above the destination screen at the front. I haven’t taken any photos of either, this is from other people’s photos.

There’s some E9’s for the hop service in Leicester which were the ones I’m referring to.

Anyway without going off topic, nice to see Kinch having some brand new buses arrive for the Sprint.

 

[cnjb8]

Need someone to take a picture from above. Do these also have air conditioning? Are the E9 Centrebus ones the ones on the City Centre loop? Maybe these are "bigger" being E9Ls. Hmmmm.

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I used to encounter that. I used to say "I won't be a minute and I'll get out of your way. At least you are being paid" . Saw him that often

I think with Yutongs, you can spec wether you want the roof battery compartment fully covered or not

 

[aswilliamsuk]

I think with Yutongs, you can spec wether you want the roof battery compartment fully covered or not

Indeed you can - most recent deliveries have had the roof fairings. (First's original nine Yutong E10s for Leeds were specified without, those that have followed since have the fairings, for example).

The Kinch examples are E9Ls, while the original Centrebus E9s for Leicester's "Hop" service are the E9 type with a centre exit and narrower front entrance and overhang. The E9L was developed to provide the full-width, two-leaf front entrance with a larger front overhang (Newport, among others, have taken these too).

 

[Trainman40083]

Indeed you can - most recent deliveries have had the roof fairings. (First's original nine Yutong E10s for Leeds were specified without, those that have followed since have the fairings, for example).

The Kinch examples are E9Ls, while the original Centrebus E9s for Leicester's "Hop" service are the E9 type with a centre exit and narrower front entrance and overhang. The E9L was developed to provide the full-width, two-leaf front entrance with a larger front overhang (Newport, among others, have taken these too).

The Centrebus ones made a strange croaking /frog noise. I wonder how many seats the E9Ls have? 28?

 

[YX73OUB]

Yes they have air conditioning

 

[aswilliamsuk]

The Centrebus ones made a strange croaking /frog noise. I wonder how many seats the E9Ls have? 28?

They do - the stop bells "ribbit" to fit in with the frog-based "Hop" branding!

A similar thing was done on New Mexico Rail Runner Express trains in the US - a Roadrunner is used as the logo, so the door closing alert is the familiar "meep meep" from the cartoons...

 

[BusLink61]

Indeed you can - most recent deliveries have had the roof fairings. (First's original nine Yutong E10s for Leeds were specified without, those that have followed since have the fairings, for example).

The Kinch examples are E9Ls, while the original Centrebus E9s for Leicester's "Hop" service are the E9 type with a centre exit and narrower front entrance and overhang. The E9L was developed to provide the full-width, two-leaf front entrance with a larger front overhang (Newport, among others, have taken these too).

Interesting to hear the differences, I imagine that the remaining batch of the Yutong E9’s that Kinch ordered will have the taller roof.

 

[Trainman40083]

Interesting to hear the differences, I imagine that the remaining batch of the Yutong E9’s that Kinch ordered will have the taller roof.

Well, all 11 E9Ls look the same. We shall have to see what the E12s look like. I presume none have been delivered so far.

 

[mesub]

Very nice to see that at least one Yutong has arrived. I wonder if they'll have a "meet and greet" where the bus is in Loughborough Town Centre for people to look at?

 

[Aethonatic]

Very nice to see that at least one Yutong has arrived. I wonder if they'll have a "meet and greet" where the bus is in Loughborough Town Centre for people to look at?

According to the description of a photograph of the same bus on Flickr, a driver confirmed that an event will happen for the new Yutongs, but only after they're already in service.

 

[BusLink61]

According to the description of a photograph of the same bus on Flickr, a driver confirmed that an event will happen for the new Yutongs, but only after they're already in service.

I am wondering if this would be for driver familiarisation, unless that process has already been completed?

 

[Np13]

I am wondering if this would be for driver familiarisation, unless that process has already been completed?

Pretty sure that's why they had the silver one back

 

[YX73OUB]

Very nice to see that at least one Yutong has arrived. I wonder if they'll have a "meet and greet" where the bus is in Loughborough Town Centre for people to look at?

Yes this is happening - will be publicised on the socials as always. As with the threes launch and with the size of what's going on at Loughborough (and delays) it will happen post launch.

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Pretty sure that's why they had the silver one back

Correct - anyone not type trained will receive extensive training before being let loose, as will those of us who go on loan down there when we do.

 

[Trainman40083]

I guess with the Yutongs E9Ls being numbered 3101 to 3111, it allows Notts and Derby acquisitions to use fleet numbers 1 to 7.

 

[derbyveg]

Well, all 11 E9Ls look the same. We shall have to see what the E12s look like. I presume none have been delivered so far.

3 have been spotted on the M4, so likely heading to Yorkshire.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

At least according to tracking on Bustimes, the first of the E9Ls (3108 - YH75 RVC) has entered service on the Campus Shuttle this morning. Can anyone confirm?

 

[bringiton]

At least according to tracking on Bustimes, the first of the E9Ls (3108 - YH75 RVC) has entered service on the Campus Shuttle this morning. Can anyone confirm?

Yes it has

 

[Deerfold]

3 have been spotted on the M4, so likely heading to Yorkshire.

On the M4?

 

[Trainman40083]

On the M4?

I think they come in through Southampton and at least some have been known to travel to Newport for charging. Then up to Pelican bus, for them to do what they do

 

[mesub]

At least according to tracking on Bustimes, the first of the E9Ls (3108 - YH75 RVC) has entered service on the Campus Shuttle this morning. Can anyone confirm?

It has. Just got off it. Driver said it was very nice to drive. I'll attach a photo later on today.

 

[Trainman40083]

It has. Just got off it. Driver said it was very nice to drive. I'll attach a photo later on today.

I wonder how many seats it has?

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Yes this is happening - will be publicised on the socials as always. As with the threes launch and with the size of what's going on at Loughborough (and delays) it will happen post launch.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jan 2026 ==


Correct - anyone not type trained will receive extensive training before being let loose, as will those of us who go on loan down there when we do.

I think Sutton should send Enviro 200MMC back to Derby.. You can't still need it up there. It would fill one of the many missing diagrams down here. . PS paint it red

 

[mesub]

I wonder how many seats it has?

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I think Sutton should send Enviro 200MMC back to Derby.. You can't still need it up there. It would fill one of the many missing diagrams down here. . PS paint it red

I counted as well!

It was around 20ish (give or take one or two). EDIT: It's 24 seats.
Depending on the maximum loading configuration, it can take another 30-something (low 30s) people standing, to give it a maximum of mid-50s people.

For those not on the Facebook, this is what it looks like. (It does feel quite spacious on the inside because of the taller roof!).
[The image was taken by me]

 

[YX73OUB]

I wonder how many seats it has?

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I think Sutton should send Enviro 200MMC back to Derby.. You can't still need it up there. It would fill one of the many missing diagrams down here. . PS paint it red

You'd be surprised

 

[Trainman40083]

You'd be surprised

No.. Nothing would surprise me.. Give it a few weeks and you might get some Kinchbus Versas "helping out" . The Kinchbus E12 Yutongs are getting nearer.