Wellglade Group

[StavBered]

Mickleover Enviro 200MMC 315 has been involved in a road traffic accident close to the Royal Hospital in Derby. It joins sister 314 awaiting such repair.

It didn't look very good for 315 itself after seeing photos. That's definitely going to join 305 (and 314 as you say) for a few months awaiting repair

 

[Trainman40083]

It didn't look very good for 315 itself after seeing photos. That's definitely going to join 305 (and 314 as you say) for a few months awaiting repair

One picture looked like the doors were being cut off. I do hope the driver is okay. At least Trentbarton keep the place busy doing rebuilds.. There was the H1 one too, recently. 321 at Oakwood . Was 160 another?

 

[StavBered]

One picture looked like the doors were being cut off. I do hope the driver is okay. At least Trentbarton keep the place busy doing rebuilds.. There was the H1 one too, recently. 321 at Oakwood . Was 160 another?

The nearside looks to have taken the brunt of it, so the driver hopefully is okay. As for 160, it definitely involved in an incident in Langley Mill in around March. Apparently a short while after a previous repair

 

[JD2168]

TM Travel Streetlite 90, SK18 TKA has entered service in Red, same colour as 91

 

[Davidsb3]

990 has noe finished its trials on the comet and has been handed back to volvo.

I drove it twice and I must say from a drivers view point very good to drive and a Turning circle which makes Alfreton bus station even easier than in the current fleet of volvos. We can only hope some get ordered to add to the fleet

 

[Mugby]

I drove it twice and I must say from a drivers view point very good to drive and a Turning circle which makes Alfreton bus station even easier than in the current fleet of volvos. We can only hope some get ordered to add to the fleet

When I got a broadside view of the Evora, travelling along Victoria Street in Derby, it looked to be shorter than I'd imagined.
Was it a shorter length than Trent's own Wright/Volvos? The legroom between seats was very tight compared to Wellglade's usual standards.

 

[callum3490]

When I got a broadside view of the Evora, travelling along Victoria Street in Derby, it looked to be shorter than I'd imagined.
Was it a shorter length than Trent's own Wright/Volvos? The legroom between seats was very tight compared to Wellglade's usual standards.

Looked to be a 10.8m length. A demo vehicle obviously has a bog standard spec, if trent do order any (seems increasingly likely) they can obviously specify length, seating options etc

 

[Trainman40083]

When I got a broadside view of the Evora, travelling along Victoria Street in Derby, it looked to be shorter than I'd imagined.
Was it a shorter length than Trent's own Wright/Volvos? The legroom between seats was very tight compared to Wellglade's usual standards.

Yes, it is only a 38 seat demonstrator. Any internals can be specified. They may opt for the 46 seat version and spread the seats out more.

 

[Davidsb3]

When I got a broadside view of the Evora, travelling along Victoria Street in Derby, it looked to be shorter than I'd imagined.
Was it a shorter length than Trent's own Wright/Volvos? The legroom between seats was very tight compared to Wellglade's usual standards.

I would imagine trent would order longer variants of the evora even though tge 10 8m length one we had was a fun size

 

[9143180]

I would imagine trent would order longer variants of the evora even though tge 10 8m length one we had was a fun size

How did it feel build quality and performance wise? Any comparisons to the new ADLs?

 

[Davidsb3]

How did it feel build quality and performance wise? Any comparisons to the new ADLs?

In my eyes the build is far superior like for example the cab on a adl feels and sounds cheap the on the evora was solid and good quality.

Performance wise for me it's night and day the evora does not have the adls very slow pull away so it felt very responsive and genallery a nicer place to be.

 

[Trainman40083]

In my eyes the build is far superior like for example the cab on a adl feels and sounds cheap the on the evora was solid and good quality.

Performance wise for me it's night and day the evora does not have the adls very slow pull away so it felt very responsive and genallery a nicer place to be.

So does the ADLs very slow pull way impact on the timetable. Example, the Villager compared with when Volvos worked it.

 

[Davidsb3]

Not really it's more annoying for example trying to enter some roundabouts are awful because of the slow pull away.

 

[Trainman40083]

Not really it's more annoying for example trying to enter some roundabouts are awful because of the slow pull away.

Ah yes. Then you get the motorists that get annoyed even though they are some distance away. They should try driving a bus or a lorry. That would open their eyes.

 

[BULLSAREMAGIC]

Ah yes. Then you get the motorists that get annoyed even though they are some distance away. They should try driving a bus or a lorry. That would open their eyes.

Dear God no. The idea of some of those idiots loose with a bus or coach is frightening. After 45 years of bus coach and lorry driving I could write a book on the things I’ve witnessed. People forget how hard a job driving a large vehicle is today

 

[Trainman40083]

Dear God no. The idea of some of those idiots loose with a bus or coach is frightening. After 45 years of bus coach and lorry driving I could write a book on the things I’ve witnessed. People forget how hard a job driving a large vehicle is today

I remember having a lesson driving an artic. I was quite enjoying myself, although I never wanted to do it for a living. Got asked to make a 90 degree turn. The instructor said "well clearly you have driven a big vehicle before". Yep, a double decker bus. You can't take corners like you do in a car But I suspect car drivers think you can.

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

Sixes Volvos 777 and 778 both on Meadow Road depot today. Presume 772 is hiding somewhere, as I saw that before 778. Soon be all in service, to be followed by the Harlequin Versas. Scania coach 74 was also parked facing the Inner Ring Road. I wonder what the future holds for that?

 

[Np13]

772 has entered service today

 

[callum3490]

With 777/778 spotted at depot yesterday they’ll all be out shortly.

Doesn’t seem to be any signs of 846 being pulled for the comet yet though… unless 845 is being repaired and returned to service

I also wonder what the plan is for 107/108

 

[Trainman40083]

With 777/778 spotted at depot yesterday they’ll all be out shortly.

Doesn’t seem to be any signs of 846 being pulled for the comet yet though… unless 845 is being repaired and returned to service

I also wonder what the plan is for 107/108

A few Optares seemed to be off yesterday. 495/824/847 apart from some Sixes Versas. I really can't see 845 being repaired, but it could be a useful supply of parts.

 

[Davidsb3]

With 777/778 spotted at depot yesterday they’ll all be out shortly.

Doesn’t seem to be any signs of 846 being pulled for the comet yet though… unless 845 is being repaired and returned to service

I also wonder what the plan is for 107/108

845 will not be repaired

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2026 ==

A few Optares seemed to be off yesterday. 495/824/847 apart from some Sixes Versas. I really can't see 845 being repaired, but it could be a useful supply of parts.

824 is long term VOR

 

[Trainman40083]

845 will not be repaired

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2026 ==


824 is long term VOR

I can well understand why 845 is not being repaired. 824 did appear to have missing panels. Maybe the best solution is an order for 50 EvoRas for every Derby route except the Mickleover.

 

[BusLink61]

Maybe the best solution is an order for 50 EvoRas for every Derby route except the Mickleover.

I certainly think that in future the Xpress 38 would benefit from some Evoras, a bit too early for talking about new buses for that route I know but if Arriva are investing with new MMC’s later this year maybe it’s an opportunity for Trent to follow with some Evoras. As good as the current B7RLE’s are, they won’t last forever!

Are there any plans for the Swift/ Comet Volvos after they are replaced, or are we to see the first Volvos withdrawn from non faults?

I guess they may still have a few months left on their respective routes and then there’s also covering for some Versas…

 

[Trainman40083]

I certainly think that in future the Xpress 38 would benefit from some Evoras, a bit too early for talking about new buses for that route I know but if Arriva are investing with new MMC’s later this year maybe it’s an opportunity for Trent to follow with some Evoras. As good as the current B7RLE’s are, they won’t last forever!

Are there any plans for the Swift/ Comet Volvos after they are replaced, or are we to see the first Volvos withdrawn from non faults?

I guess they may still have a few months left on their respective routes and then there’s also covering for some Versas…

I remember seeing the first of the Volvos delivery in Indigo base livery. At the time, they still had 08 plates (circa May/ June 2008), but were re-registered as 58 plates before entering service.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jul 2026 ==

Not all Wellglade buses are long. Not all are big.. But very few are small. Indeed, 1026 is probably the smallest. Showing a card for RR5, one of the Rolls Royce shuttles, 1026 passes through Belper ready to work service 137.

 

[SSmith2009]

Are there any plans for the Swift/ Comet Volvos after they are replaced, or are we to see the first Volvos withdrawn from non faults?

One has to wonder if any will get sent to TM travel or even Notts+Derby...

 

[Trainman40083]

One has to wonder if any will get sent to TM travel or even Notts+Derby...

I am sure some could end up with Notts and Derby. As for TM Travel, 1) are they compliant for Sheffield 2) do they have a use for them and 3) with franchising, will there be a TM Travel?

 

[joieman]

I am sure some could end up with Notts and Derby. As for TM Travel, 1) are they compliant for Sheffield 2) do they have a use for them and 3) with franchising, will there be a TM Travel?

That's a slightly disturbing thought to me...

 

[Trainman40083]

That's a slightly disturbing thought to me...

Well, as I understand it, 8 companies have been shortlisted to run services in South Yorkshire. Not sure who. . Certain depots will form part of the franchised services, of which one is Holbrook just up the road from Halfway... I don't know whether services can be run, that fall outside the franchise, such as cross county services. Time will tell

 

[zkyx02]

i heard 725 has been sent away for conversion to a driver trainer…

 

[Trainman40083]

i heard 725 has been sent away for conversion to a driver trainer…

I'd think the Scanias would be ripe for replacement.

 

[woodhouse122]

i thin

Well, as I understand it, 8 companies have been shortlisted to run services in South Yorkshire. Not sure who. . Certain depots will form part of the franchised services, of which one is Holbrook just up the road from Halfway... I don't know whether services can be run, that fall outside the franchise, such as cross county services. Time will tell

Cant see TM Travel surviving to be honest ,they are already starting to lose tendered work (they lose the M44.M45 and M55 services to newcomers SMT from the end of the month)