Wellglade Group

[43055]

And red arrow...

Also interesting that sixes requires 11 buses, yet will only have 10 branded Volvos, unless 780 gets painted.

But earlier in the week with a mix of Versa's and Volvo's they managed to get 11 branded buses!

Langley Mill's 820 is also helping out on the Harlequin

 

[Trainman40083]

But earlier in the week with a mix of Versa's and Volvo's they managed to get 11 branded buses!

Langley Mill's 820 is also helping out on the Harlequin

I guess the last of the Sixes branded Volvos will enter service, very soon. Then the work can start on the former Versas, to give many more years of trouble free working.

 

[derbybusdepot]

One has to wonder if it's best going forward for them to only have the majority of a routes PVR branded up to allow them to be more flexible with spares.

In the case of the sixes with their PVR of 11 and only 10 branded up.

Obviously didn't apply that logic to red arrow, which has a branded spare, that should all the coaches be on the road has no alternative use.

 

[YX73OUB]

I believe NCT uses this approach with their branding. It gives them more spares and more flexibility while keeping the route brand identity

They do and have for a while, along with rebranding route specifics to groups rather than individuals following the end of GO2 / Network branding.

It's another reason why within the staff circle the phrase 'why don't they just get rid of branding' comes up over and over and over again.

 

[StavBered]

Obviously didn't apply that logic to red arrow, which has a branded spare, that should all the coaches be on the road has no alternative use.

Well judging by the fact that the previous volvo B11RTs (let's be honest) aged like milk, I don't think that trentbarton/wellglade wanted to take any chances with multiple coaches off the road and being forced to use vehicles that are obviously out of their depth on the A52

 

[Trainman40083]

Obviously didn't apply that logic to red arrow, which has a branded spare, that should all the coaches be on the road has no alternative use.

Grey 910 was helping out on Red Arrow on Friday

 

[derbybusdepot]

Well judging by the fact that the previous volvo B11RTs (let's be honest) aged like milk, I don't think that trentbarton/wellglade wanted to take any chances with multiple coaches off the road and being forced to use vehicles that are obviously out of their depth on the A52

Yes, I'm just surprised the spare for red arrow wasn't grey like 910 so that they had 2 versatile spares that could be used on Flixbus or red arrow.

There are pros and cons to branding.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jun 2026 ==

Re x38 changes. Seems odd to remove Stretton deviation on pre midnight trips but retain the post midnight trips? Do the people going home after midnight not use the bus to go out before? Assume most are travelling between Stretton and Derby as a taxi would likely be cheaper for Stretton to Burton - likely the reason most short distance night buses in the area have now disappeared.

I still think the x38 would fair better going through Stretton all the time, would add slightly to the running time but would take in several more stops through the middle of a populated area, and give several people better access to a fast bus to Derby.

 

[bringiton]

Re x38 changes. Seems odd to remove Stretton deviation on pre midnight trips but retain the post midnight trips? Do the people going home after midnight not use the bus to go out before? Assume most are travelling between Stretton and Derby as a taxi would likely be cheaper for Stretton to Burton - likely the reason most short distance night buses in the area have now disappeared.

I still think the x38 would fair better going through Stretton all the time, would add slightly to the running time but would take in several more stops through the middle of a populated area, and give several people better access to a fast bus to Derby.

Villager still goes through Stretton up until midnight so it's not really cut off much, just not a fast way to derby.

They've done that nightbus section now for a while so probably have enough data to back up that its not profitable enough to operate before midnight

 

[43055]

Yes, I'm just surprised the spare for red arrow wasn't grey like 910 so that they had 2 versatile spares that could be used on Flixbus or red arrow.

There are pros and cons to branding.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jun 2026 ==

Re x38 changes. Seems odd to remove Stretton deviation on pre midnight trips but retain the post midnight trips? Do the people going home after midnight not use the bus to go out before? Assume most are travelling between Stretton and Derby as a taxi would likely be cheaper for Stretton to Burton - likely the reason most short distance night buses in the area have now disappeared.

I still think the x38 would fair better going through Stretton all the time, would add slightly to the running time but would take in several more stops through the middle of a populated area, and give several people better access to a fast bus to Derby.

Even with a frequent evening service the Burton end of the villager can be pretty dead after 7pm. With the X38 going through today I don't think there is much of a market even on a Friday/Saturday evening and going via Derby road gives them more of an evening service. I don't think Stretton needs up to 9 buses an hour going though it. The Jinny, 17 and villager copes well at 5 buses an hour and the road is quite narrow in places which can be fun when a bus comes the other way.

 

[BusLink61]

Even with the addition of the Evora at Derby, we still see services cancelled on villager, mickleover and x38 this morning.

The V3 was down to one bus on Thursday and Friday for most of the day, both 491 and 492 ran into trouble.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Even with a frequent evening service the Burton end of the villager can be pretty dead after 7pm. With the X38 going through today I don't think there is much of a market even on a Friday/Saturday evening and going via Derby road gives them more of an evening service. I don't think Stretton needs up to 9 buses an hour going though it. The Jinny, 17 and villager copes well at 5 buses an hour and the road is quite narrow in places which can be fun when a bus comes the other would really reduce the villager to hourly between Tutbury and Burton, doing so would a

Could reduce the villager to hourly between Tutbury and Burton, that section is over served as you say. That would also allow for a more realistic timetable to be introduced, so buses are not constantly running late, or missing trips to make up time.

My point about the x38 serving Stretton is that it would offer a fast route to Derby that isn't currently on offer, thus increasing patronage and generating new usage (by serving stops nearer to where people live and going directly where they want to go - basically a convenient service). As the service is more frequent than it ever has been, this is vital to gain more patronage to make it viable. There may currently be several buses an hour through Stretton, but maybe people there do not want to travel to Tutbury or sit on a bus for an hour to get to Derby.

 

[43055]

Could reduce the villager to hourly between Tutbury and Burton, that section is over served as you say. That would also allow for a more realistic timetable to be introduced, so buses are not constantly running late, or missing trips to make up time.

My point about the x38 serving Stretton is that it would offer a fast route to Derby that isn't currently on offer, thus increasing patronage and generating new usage (by serving stops nearer to where people live and going directly where they want to go - basically a convenient service). As the service is more frequent than it ever has been, this is vital to gain more patronage to make it viable. There may currently be several buses an hour through Stretton, but maybe people there do not want to travel to Tutbury or sit on a bus for an hour to get to Derby.

But your forgetting that the villager is the main service for Stretton and Rolleston with the others running weekday only or a limited Saturday service and it shows by having busy flows into and out off Burton so cutting to hourly I don't think is a good idea. Whilst most are for Stretton you do still get reasonable flows for Tutbury, Hatton and Hilton.

 

[derbybusdepot]

But your forgetting that the villager is the main service for Stretton and Rolleston with the others running weekday only or a limited Saturday service and it shows by having busy flows into and out off Burton so cutting to hourly I don't think is a good idea. Whilst most are for Stretton you do still get reasonable flows for Tutbury, Hatton and Hilton.

True, but maintaining reliability with the current timetable seems to be proving difficult. Adding a 6th bus is a huge cost. Buses being cancelled all the time will also result in fewer people using the services. Only 4 buses on the villager all day today, and likely other cancellations too.

 

[Trainman40083]

True, but maintaining reliability with the current timetable seems to be proving difficult. Adding a 6th bus is a huge cost. Buses being cancelled all the time will also result in fewer people using the services. Only 4 buses on the villager all day today, and likely other cancellations too.

And fewer people using the bus may well mean they are using their own cars or worshiping the great God, Uber. That might delay buses even more. I've spoken to a few people recently..."Oh we just get an Uber" is the usual reply. Cheaper especially if more than one person, goes direct from A to B, saves walking to the bus stop etc... I had to laugh when one woman said "Only old people catch buses these days".

 

[43055]

True, but maintaining reliability with the current timetable seems to be proving difficult. Adding a 6th bus is a huge cost. Buses being cancelled all the time will also result in fewer people using the services. Only 4 buses on the villager all day today, and likely other cancellations too.

I know that very well and would love a 6th bus. With 305 off the road it is down to if a spare is available to cover the 5th bus. I believe there was only one cancelled by late running today which was good going considering the temp traffic lights in Hatton have been a pain!

 

[derbybusdepot]

I know that very well and would love a 6th bus. With 305 off the road it is down to if a spare is available to cover the 5th bus. I believe there was only one cancelled by late running today which was good going considering the temp traffic lights in Hatton have been a pain!

The 5th bus missing all day though, which is poor. I'm not saying it is any individuals fault, I think everyone is doing the best they can with what they have, but there is something fundamentally wrong somewhere if there are not enough buses to cover the services on a regular basis.

 

[43055]

The 5th bus missing all day though, which is poor. I'm not saying it is any individuals fault, I think everyone is doing the best they can with what they have, but there is something fundamentally wrong somewhere if there are not enough buses to cover the services on a regular basis.

I don't think the heat has helped the fleet. It is only in the last week where I have noticed missing buses again.

 

[Mugby]

I had a trip on the Evora demonstrator on Monday (on The Comet) and I didn't like it at all.

The ride quality is excellent, as you would expect from a Volvo, but the interior layout is horrible. Almost all the seats are on different levels and rise progressively towards the rear like seats in a cinema or theatre. Even the first double seat on the offside has a step up from the gangway.
There are tip up seats at the front on the nearside only, they are not possible on the offside due to the emergency door.
I noticed the windows are only single glazed which means they will be streaming with condensation in winter.

All in all, I felt that the interior was nowhere near the standard that Wellglade have sought to offer in recent years, it simply doesn't have a comfortable feel. Behind the driver is a blank bulkhead with no forward vision from the front o/s seat and all the moulded plastic fixtures and fittings are white, creating a clinical feeling and no doubt will get dirty very quickly.
I quickly felt that if this is the best MCV can offer, they need to have a complete re-think, it's starkly obvious that bus designers aren't bus users!

I take it that Evora is MCV and MCV is Evora? If the chassis is available with alternative bodywork, Wellglade should certainly look elsewhere if they are contemplating their future orders.

 

[Ginga]

The demo Trent barton have Is a very basic model. The ones the Welsh government orders are a lot better.

 

[Mr TrainGuy]

I had a trip on the Evora demonstrator on Monday (on The Comet) and I didn't like it at all.

The ride quality is excellent, as you would expect from a Volvo, but the interior layout is horrible. Almost all the seats are on different levels and rise progressively towards the rear like seats in a cinema or theatre. Even the first double seat on the offside has a step up from the gangway.
There are tip up seats at the front on the nearside only, they are not possible on the offside due to the emergency door.
I noticed the windows are only single glazed which means they will be streaming with condensation in winter.

All in all, I felt that the interior was nowhere near the standard that Wellglade have sought to offer in recent years, it simply doesn't have a comfortable feel. Behind the driver is a blank bulkhead with no forward vision from the front o/s seat and all the moulded plastic fixtures and fittings are white, creating a clinical feeling and no doubt will get dirty very quickly.
I quickly felt that if this is the best MCV can offer, they need to have a complete re-think, it's starkly obvious that bus designers aren't bus users!

I take it that Evora is MCV and MCV is Evora? If the chassis is available with alternative bodywork, Wellglade should certainly look elsewhere if they are contemplating their future orders.

You do have to take into account that this is a demonstrator model, so I'd never expect it to be as high quality as one that is directly operator-specced. I mean, look at ADL, their demonstrator 200MMCs are far from the spec that Wellglade have ordered and personally specced. But the post above (4,429) does show that evoras can be specced well, so will probably be a closer representation as to what Wellglade would actually order. Also remember, Kinchbus' Yutongs came with an incredible spec which differed massively from the base models, so make of that what you will.

 

[bringiton]

I had a trip on the Evora demonstrator on Monday (on The Comet) and I didn't like it at all.

The ride quality is excellent, as you would expect from a Volvo, but the interior layout is horrible. Almost all the seats are on different levels and rise progressively towards the rear like seats in a cinema or theatre. Even the first double seat on the offside has a step up from the gangway.
There are tip up seats at the front on the nearside only, they are not possible on the offside due to the emergency door.
I noticed the windows are only single glazed which means they will be streaming with condensation in winter.

All in all, I felt that the interior was nowhere near the standard that Wellglade have sought to offer in recent years, it simply doesn't have a comfortable feel. Behind the driver is a blank bulkhead with no forward vision from the front o/s seat and all the moulded plastic fixtures and fittings are white, creating a clinical feeling and no doubt will get dirty very quickly.
I quickly felt that if this is the best MCV can offer, they need to have a complete re-think, it's starkly obvious that bus designers aren't bus users!

I take it that Evora is MCV and MCV is Evora? If the chassis is available with alternative bodywork, Wellglade should certainly look elsewhere if they are contemplating their future orders.

Also a point about the windows that I had a problem with was how small the openable ones were. They seemed to barely let any air in and they looked substantially smaller than the ADL windows (about half the size atleast)

 

[joieman]

I take it that Evora is MCV and MCV is Evora? If the chassis is available with alternative bodywork, Wellglade should certainly look elsewhere if they are contemplating their future orders.

I wonder if it would even be at all possible to twist Wrightbus's arm into making new Eclipses... it's been seven years since they last made one

 

[adrianjohnson]

Also a point about the windows that I had a problem with was how small the openable ones were. They seemed to barely let any air in and they looked substantially smaller than the ADL windows (about half the size atleast)

I thought they had air con?

 

[bringiton]

I thought they had air con?

No, it's an optional extra, which the demo doesn't have

 

[YX73OUB]

I'm really pleased that people have highlighted that it is a demonstration vehicle and as such will be basic to show the operators the functionality of the vehicle, from speaking to staff at Derby it's very popular.

816 is close to returning to service after receiving its latest (4th) engine replacement.

 

[Mollman]

I wonder if it would even be at all possible to twist Wrightbus's arm into making new Eclipses... it's been seven years since they last made one

They seem to have given up on diesel single decks. It would also require agreement from Volvo which may be impacted by whatever agreement they have with MCV.

 

[Trainman40083]

I'm really pleased that people have highlighted that it is a demonstration vehicle and as such will be basic to show the operators the functionality of the vehicle, from speaking to staff at Derby it's very popular.

816 is close to returning to service after receiving its latest (4th) engine replacement.

Yes. I am sure many of us remember previous demonstrators over the years. You can do all sorts with the interiors. You can spec them how you like. Is the bus more reliable? Is it more cost efficient. Some have told me (from other operators) that they got more ventilation from an EvoRa than they did an Eclipse. Trentbarton might opt for the 46 seat version. It is a principle to test, not a finished product. It might win new business, or lost business, from people who refuse to travel on the current Enviro 200MMCs. Look at it this way. In 2016, Trentbarton carried out a survey of Villager bus users. 35% had alternative modes of travel, but chose the bus. Then that is a huge market for growth in passengers, and the bus companies have to consider all options. In a matter of years, more people will turn to public transport, and their perception will be very different. But they will have a choice; the bus operator will hope it is them.

 

[callum3490]

Its interesting that the evora only seems to be seeing use on the comet - maybe they’re having second thoughts about the suitability of the versas?

 

[Trainman40083]

Its interesting that the evora only seems to be seeing use on the comet - maybe they’re having second thoughts about the suitability of the versas?

Apparently CWT Recovery expressed serious concerns, that they may need more trucks, if Versas were used. I'd have thought the use on the Comet might be because such is more needed on longer routes. The ADL can then just potter around Cities.

 

[YX73OUB]

Its interesting that the evora only seems to be seeing use on the comet - maybe they’re having second thoughts about the suitability of the versas?

There are no plans for changing that part of the fleet cascade plan; Versas for comet, harlequin and swift.

Cummins Versas no longer planned for connect.