Wellglade Group

[YX73OUB]

I’ll never understand why Trent kept these versas, they are honestly awful vehicles, does anyone remember which versa caught fire in Sutton? Was it 827?

826 when new and 812 in the end. I was in the yard the day 826 perished (and rose again)!

Based on everything going on @Trainman40083 has succinctly answered the above point really well. And as @TheGrandWazoo summises the resale value is poor, lower than a solo where there is still demand across the country for Solos. Their reputation doesnt help, but they are very economical - returning impressive MPG when on the threes - not just when they were off the road. Admittedly there were some dark days when there could be 12 of them VOR at once, but luckily we are through those times now.

 

[Andyh82]

And there is a problem. In a perfect world, one might replace all the Versas, Solos and most of not all of the Volvos.. But I would say that since COVID, the future isn't clear. Well certainly not for massive investment if the returns are not there. .What will happen when the fare cap ends? Is franchising a threat or benefit? Will the EM Mayor have a deliverable plan, following on from over 20000 responses? Are we in such a period of uncertainty where leasing buses rather than buying kicks in? So many great unknowns.

Even before Covid they wouldn’t have replaced 90 vehicles in the same year, especially when they’ve just introduced 60 new vehicles in the past year

 

[Trainman40083]

Even before Covid they wouldn’t have replaced 90 vehicles in the same year, especially when they’ve just introduced 60 new vehicles in the past year

But they might have been able to replace 30 a year for the missing years... Now I would suggest with lower revenue, it is harder to do.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 May 2026 ==

826 when new and 812 in the end. I was in the yard the day 826 perished (and rose again)!

Based on everything going on @Trainman40083 has succinctly answered the above point really well. And as @TheGrandWazoo summises the resale value is poor, lower than a solo where there is still demand across the country for Solos. Their reputation doesnt help, but they are very economical - returning impressive MPG when on the threes - not just when they were off the road. Admittedly there were some dark days when there could be 12 of them VOR at once, but luckily we are through those times now.

There is the term in business.. "Sweat the aseets. Make them work harder". Just. E careful not to finish them off. I see 491/492 made a Swift return to traffic today.

 

[zkyx02]

826 when new and 812 in the end. I was in the yard the day 826 perished (and rose again)

826 was quite new wasn’t it? Like under a year.

There is the term in business.. "Sweat the aseets. Make them work harder". Just. E careful not to finish them off. I see 491/492 made a Swift return to traffic today.

Honestly I have no idea how either are still hanging on, one must be nearly dead by now… I wonder if they’ll sort 846s cooling fans out before it’s out somewhere new…

 

[Trainman40083]

826 was quite new wasn’t it? Like under a year.

Honestly I have no idea how either are still hanging on, one must be nearly dead by now… I wonder if they’ll sort 846s cooling fans out before it’s out somewhere new…

I can only say, I had no idea how sister 462 kept going either. Maybe they are easy /cheap to fix. You think 491 /492 and in the blink of an eye, they appear in front of you on a random route.

 

[zkyx02]

I can only say, I had no idea how sister 462 kept going either. Maybe they are easy /cheap to fix. You think 491 /492 and in the blink of an eye, they appear in front of you on a random route.

I seem to constantly see them on 6.2s or 3s, saw a video of an MP driving around Langley Mill garage just & could see 845 parked up… quite mangled

 

[callum3490]

I seem to constantly see them on 6.2s or 3s, saw a video of an MP driving around Langley Mill garage just & could see 845 parked up… quite mangled

I’d be surprised if they can’t repair it and return it to service especially with those versas being part of the cascade plan, ive seen much worse

 

[YX73OUB]

826 was quite new wasn’t it? Like under a year.

Honestly I have no idea how either are still hanging on, one must be nearly dead by now… I wonder if they’ll sort 846s cooling fans out before it’s out somewhere new…

It was 6 months old and repaired at Optares expense.

The cooling fan thing isn't as bad of a thing as you think it is, on a more 'anorak' level I like it and it adds character!

And just for you @Trainman40083 the 90 has had an 'upgrade' this morning

 

[CN12 AWU]

Maybe 740 will stay until the streetlites enter service with TM.

What Streetlites?

 

[m79900]

2 for Harlequin, 3 for Comet and 5 for Swift is 10 buses. Without 845 there's only 9 Versas, where will the extra come from?

 

[SSmith2009]

2 for Harlequin, 3 for Comet and 5 for Swift is 10 buses. Without 845 there's only 9 Versas, where will the extra come from?

a mango one possibly?

 

[Trainman40083]

2 for Harlequin, 3 for Comet and 5 for Swift is 10 buses. Without 845 there's only 9 Versas, where will the extra come from?

846 or 847?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

What Streetlites?

They may show themselves in time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

It was 6 months old and repaired at Optares expense.

The cooling fan thing isn't as bad of a thing as you think it is, on a more 'anorak' level I like it and it adds character!

And just for you @Trainman40083 the 90 has had an 'upgrade' this morning

Anymore of that, and we will send 491 to Sutton .. Well if it can get off the V3

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

I seem to constantly see them on 6.2s or 3s, saw a video of an MP driving around Langley Mill garage just & could see 845 parked up… quite mangled

I was sat in a cafe in Belper one day. I saw 5 red Solos go past on the trot. Okay, some of them were Notts and Derby ones. Walked past Meadow Road yesterday, no shortage of Sixes Versas in and one driver kept bringing 837 back.

 

[43055]

846 or 847?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==


They may show themselves in time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==


Anymore of that, and we will send 491 to Sutton .. Well if it can get off the V3

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==


I was sat in a cafe in Belper one day. I saw 5 red Solos go past on the trot. Okay, some of them were Notts and Derby ones. Walked past Meadow Road yesterday, no shortage of Sixes Versas in and one driver kept bringing 837 back.

837 was probably on a test run to see if it's been fixed.

 

[CN12 AWU]

They may show themselves in time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

Any idea what Streetlites TM have aquired and where from or have they not bought them yet

 

[Trainman40083]

837 was probably on a test run to see if it's been fixed.

When you see the same driver (rather than engineer) on it, you do wonder ... Especially when they say "I've broken it".

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 May 2026 ==

Any idea what Streetlites TM have aquired and where from or have they not bought them yet

Not sure yet. Just know, two of them are WF for Littles. One in service, one and Langley Mill. Others are said to be DF models.. Could see off the last TM Travel Scania.

 

[Davidsb3]

2 for Harlequin, 3 for Comet and 5 for Swift is 10 buses. Without 845 there's only 9 Versas, where will the extra come from?

As said before 846 will take the place of 845

 

[Trainman40083]

As said before 846 will take the place of 845

It will probably be a better drive as things stand.

 

[StavBered]

With all this talk about versas, is there any plans for 801 to return from kinchbus? The my15's are down a branded bus (due to 804s "fiery" incident last year) and unless there's plans for new(er) buses to take over the current 11-plate versas, then would return to trentbarton and be put back into the my15 livery or it being potentially passed down to notts + derby?

 

[Trainman40083]

With all this talk about versas, is there any plans for 801 to return from kinchbus? The my15's are down a branded bus (due to 804s "fiery" incident last year) and unless there's plans for new(er) buses to take over the current 11-plate versas, then would return to trentbarton and be put back into the my15 livery or it being potentially passed down to notts + derby?

Versa 801 has been at Langley Mill depot since about 17th March 2026. I think it has finished with Kinchbus, so there is every chance it will appear with Trentbarton as a "new " bus. I think I am right in saying that 801 was the only Optare Versa to receive the darker red generic livery.. But not for long.

 

[YX73OUB]

Versa 801 has been at Langley Mill depot since about 17th March 2026. I think it has finished with Kinchbus, so there is every chance it will appear with Trentbarton as a "new " bus. I think I am right in saying that 801 was the only Optare Versa to receive the darker red generic livery.. But not for long.

And the only one with an Aesys destination screen too

 

[joieman]

Well, Kinchbus tried to put 107 on the Skylink this morning, but I spotted it on the A6 broken down outside Broadnook with smoke coming out of the back.

According to Bustimes, 3206 was then sent out to run the remainder of the next trip back to Derby, but (to my disappointment) was then switched with another MMC when it got back to Loughborough.

 

[zkyx02]

Well, Kinchbus tried to put 107 on the Skylink this morning, but I spotted it on the A6 broken down outside Broadnook with smoke coming out of the back.

Well wellglade are about due another fire… wonder if they’ll go for 3 in a day this time..

 

[StavBered]

Well wellglade are about due another fire… wonder if they’ll go for 3 in a day this time..

I don't think that smoke coming out of the back of the bus is guaranteed to result a fire...

 

[Trainman40083]

I don't think that smoke coming out of the back of the bus is guaranteed to result a fire...

Could be steam.

 

[43055]

Well, Kinchbus tried to put 107 on the Skylink this morning, but I spotted it on the A6 broken down outside Broadnook with smoke coming out of the back.

According to Bustimes, 3206 was then sent out to run the remainder of the next trip back to Derby, but (to my disappointment) was then switched with another MMC when it got back to Loughborough.

Yes, wasn't expecting to see an electric at the bus station when I pulled in this morning.

 

[YX73OUB]

Could be steam.

Could be regenning

 

[Trainman40083]

Could be regenning

Ah yes, that again....

 

[StavBered]

Could be steam.

I was simply going off of what the other user said but it very well could've been steam

 

[derbybusdepot]

Well, Kinchbus tried to put 107 on the Skylink this morning, but I spotted it on the A6 broken down outside Broadnook with smoke coming out of the back.

According to Bustimes, 3206 was then sent out to run the remainder of the next trip back to Derby, but (to my disappointment) was then switched with another MMC when it got back to Loughborough.

Maybe 107 didn't want to go back to Meadow Road.

 

[Trainman40083]

Maybe 107 didn't want to go back to Meadow Road.

Or Leicester