Ulsterbus Fleet News 2023

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10/12/23 - Buses back in use at after completion of repairs are B9s 2240/89 (Derry), Solo 1934 (Lisburn), Hawk 2547 (Newry), i4 1061 (Ballymena) and Schoolrun 399 (Omagh). Against this a number of vehicles were detaxed at the end of November: Scania 427 (Lisburn, ECU issues), B11R 1244 (Armagh, engine issues), Solos 1942 (Lisburn, to Reserve), 1956 (Enniskillen, engine repairs), B9 2220 (Newcastle, engine repairs), Hawk 2550 (Coleraine, fuel contamination) and Streetdecks 3105 (Ards, engine repairs) and 3150 (Enniskillen, engine repairs). On the move are the following: 1218 (Dungannon - Armagh), 1837 (Derry - Newtownabbey), 2119/20 (MSC - Newcastle), 2229 (Newcastle - MSC), 2230 2229 (Newcastle - MSC and on to Ards), 3138 (Craigavon - Newcastle) and 3141 (Craigavon - Newcastle and back to Craigavon). Scanias 478 and 723 have been sold to Hamill for scrap. Kite 2547 has gained a wrap for the North West Transport Hub, with Streetdeck 3514 due to gain the green Zero Emissions branding also.

06/11/23 - A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: B7RLEs 524/45 (Ballymena), Solos 1942 (Lisburn, previously in Reserve), 1945 (Coleraine, previously in Reserve), Scania 461 (Derry), B7TL 2875 (Ards) and Schoolrun 209 (Derry). Vehicles detaxed / SORN'd at the end of October were : 278 (Armagh, accident damage), 399 (Omagh, crossmember repairs), 460 (Newtownabbey, engine repairs), i4 1037 (Newry, engine repairs), 1934 (Lisburn, engine repairs), 1946 (Newry, to Reserve with defects), 1947/8 (Larne, to Reserve), 1954 (Newry, to Reserve), 2225 (Lisburn, engine repairs), 2240 (Derry, engine repairs) and 2286 (Derry, axle repairs). Scania 2475 is now withdrawn from Ballymena with an axle defect, leaving just 2447 as the sole one of these left in passenger service; sister 2477 has regained it's original KEZ 7477 registration in place of HXI 477. On the move are 1831/2 (Derry - Ards) and 0025/6 (Coleraine - Larne). B5TLs 2111/4 and Streetdecks 3139/40 have been fitted with seatbelts. Sales see 826/9/44/5/2410/75 go to Hamill for scrap, with 830/42/3/6/7/2477 going to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough.

01/10/23 - The Volvo BZL single decker 5024 didn't stay long, being returned to Volvo on 11th September.

Vehicles undergoing commissioning during September are:

2630 YUI 3830 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 11/09/23
2631 YUI 3831 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 11/09/23
2636 YUI 3736 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 11/09/23
2646 YUI 3746 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 11/09/23
3618 YUI 3818 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 26/09/23
3619 YUI 3819 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 26/09/23

Kites 2630/1/6/46/55 have completed their commissioning and are allocated to Foyle, along with Streetdecks 3614/5/7/8/9. This completes the delivery of BEVs for Foyle Metro. Streetdecks 3618/9 have green EV branding applied, with 4 Kites also to get this, and 1 Kite to get branding for the NW Hub to replace Versa 1835. A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: Schoolruns 215 (Omagh), 217 (Lisburn), 280 (Antrim), 307 (Enniskillen), 308 (Ballymena), 324/5 (Coleraine), 359/78 (Dungannon), 336 (Craigavon), 391 (Armagh); Rurals 452 (Enniskillen), 491/3 (Newtownabbey, after PSV), 563 (Armagh); B9s 2235/90 (Larne), 2280 (Ards), 2293 (Armagh), i4's 615/6 (Larne) and Veras 1827 (Derry). Buses detaxed or SORN'd at the end of September are: 494 (Armagh, engine repairs), 830/42/3/6/7/2477 (Derry, To Reserve), 1938 (Newcastle, To Reserve), 2105 (GVS, engine repairs), 2275 (Downpatrick, engine repairs), 2289 (Derry, engine repairs), 2584 (Ards, accident damage) and 2875 (Ards, engine repairs). Scania 2410 is also withdrawn completely from Derry with engine defects (and re-registered from FXI 410 to CYZ 4091), leaving just 2 L94s in service : 2447/75, both at Ballymena. On the move are 2475 (Enniskillen - Ballymena), 1828 (Derry - Metro), 1217 (GVS - Armagh), 1053 (Derry - Magherafelt), 1823 (Derry - Armagh, repainted overall blue), 1961 (Derry - Newry) 2302-5 (Coleraine - Derry), 244 (Derry - Ballymena), 462 (Derry - Ards), 1813 (Derry - Craigavon), 2110 (Omagh - GVS). Streetdecks 3137/8 and B5s 2112/3 are now fitted with seatbelts. Sales during September see B7TLs 2876/7/82 go to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough.

01/09/23 - A Volvo BZL single decker arrived for engineering evaluation on 5th September; it is not expected to see public use:

5024 BB72 KPF Volvo MCV BEV York Rd B31F+39 05/09/23

Vehicles undergoing commissioning during August and early September :

2643 YUI 3743 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 07/08/23
2642 GXI 442 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 09/08/23
2648 FXI 418 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 09/08/23
2649 GXI 449 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 09/08/23
2650 GXI 450 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 09/08/23
2639 YUI 3739 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2651 GXI 451 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2652 OXI 523 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2654 GXI 454 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2656 YUI 566 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2657 BYZ 5657 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 15/08/23
2653 PXI 533 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 25/08/23
3615 BYZ 7615 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 25/08/23
3616 YUI 3816 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 25/08/23
3614 YUI 3814 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 31/08/23
3617 YUI 3817 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Rd H73F+22 01/09/23
2655 TCZ 9955 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Rd B41F+47 05/09/23

Kites 2632-5/7-45/7-54/6/7 have completed their commissioning and are allocated to Foyle, along with Streetdecks 3610-3/6, with Solos 0032-5 going to Coleraine. A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: Vsesa 1814 (Craigavon), Caetano 2035 (Enniskillen), Rural 424 (Larne), Solo 1848 (Larne) and B7TL 2308 (Coleraine). Also back in use are the buses detaxed for the school holidays, with the exception of : 209 (Derry, Engine Repairs), 215 (Omagh, Crossmember & Axle Repairs), 280 (Antrim, PSV After Crossmember & Axle Repairs), 307 (Enniskillen, Ramp Repairs), 324 (Coleraine, PSV After Crossmember & Axle Repairs), 325 (Coleraine, PSV After Crossmember & Axle Repairs), 391 (Armagh, Engine Repairs), 452 (Enniskillen, Coolant Leaks), 491/3 (Newtownabbey, PSV Prep). Also off the road are 524 (Ballymena, Engine Repairs), 545 (Ballymena,Turbo Repairs), 1243 (Armagh, Engine Repairs), 1775 (Training Academy, Suspension Defects), 1815 (Craigavon, Engine Repairs), 1828 (Derry, Metro Transfer Prep), 1935/45 Coleraine, To Reserve), 1942/9 (Newry, To Reserve). The draw down of the Scania L94 fleet continues with 819/29/44/5 (all Derry) being withdrawn during August. Buses on the move are : 308 (Enniskillen - Ballymena), 1942 (Newtownards - Newry), 2319 (Coleraine - Enniskillen), 2110 (Coleraine - Omagh), 138 (Stranraer - Metro), 2302-5 (Derry - Coleraine), 2319 (Enniskillen - Dungannon), 1113/4 (Great Victoria Street - Newry), 1050 (MSC - Great Victoria Street), 1955 (Coleraine - Metro) and 1971-3 (Derry - Newry). Scania 2411 has been re-rregistered from FXI 411 to CYZ 3516 with B7TL 2882 gaining CYZ 3522, previously EEZ 2882. Scania 772 has gone to Hamill for scrap, with 819/2411 being sold to Hectares Plant Sales. Schoolruns 342/93/4 have gained overall blue repaints during the school holidays.

01/08/23 - More GB Kites commencing commissioning during July are :

2637 YUI 3737 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 21/07/23
2638 YUI 3738 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 21/07/23
2640 GXI 440 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 27/07/23
2641 GXI 441 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 28/07/23
2644 YUI 3744 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 28/07/23
2645 BYZ 545 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 28/07/23
2647 YUI 3747 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 28/07/23

A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: Solos 1940 (Newcastle, engine), 1963 (Ards, engine) as well as B11R 1231 (Downpatrick, turbo). Also back in use are Scanias 473/4 at Newtownabbey, to cover for a backlog of PSV tests. Similar 461 is detaxed for engine repairs at Derry, along with Versa 1814 (Craigavon, accident damage). Scania 2411 and B7TLs 2877/82 are all detaxed to Reserve from Derry. 754/841 and 2306 have been sold to Hamill for scrap. Scania 2031 has been fitted with a white LED display, at the front only.

01/07/23 - Vehicles undergoing commissioning during June and early July are :

0033 GXI 433 Switch Solo BEV York Road B29F+13 13/06/23
0035 BYZ 3585 Switch Solo BEV York Road B29F+13 13/06/23
2632 YUI 3832 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 21/06/23
2634 YUI 3834 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 21/06/23
2635 YUI 3735 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 21/06/23
3611 YUI 3811 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Road H73F+22 21/06/23
3612 BYZ 4272 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Road H73F+22 21/06/23
3610 YUI 3810 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Road H73F+22 23/06/23
0030 EEZ 2900 Switch Solo BEV York Road B25F+21 30/06/23
0031 GXI 431 Switch Solo BEV York Road B25F+21 30/06/23
0032 GXI 432 Switch Solo BEV York Road B29F+13 05/07/23
0034 GXI 434 Switch Solo BEV York Road B29F+13 05/07/23

Green liveried 0030/1 have completed their commissioning and are allocated to Coleraine for use at the Giants Causeway.A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: Schoolrun 373 (Dungannon), i4 1033 (Foyle), L94 2475 (Foyle), Rural 557 (Lisburn) and Solo 1942 (Ards).Buses detaxed at the end of Juney are 452 (Enniskillen, gearbox), 563 (Armagh, gearbox), 615 (Larne, floor), 616 (Larne, clutch), 1231 (Downpatrick, turbo failure), 1824 (Derry, engine), 1948/2235 (Larne, engine), 2280 (Ards, engine), 2290 (Larne, axle), 2293 (Armagh, gearbox) and 2547 (Newry, engine).With the end of the 2022-23 school year the following vehicles were de-taxed on the 30th June for the duration of the school holidays:

Milewater Ser Cent 342, 393, 394
Great Victoria Street None
Lisburn 197, 202, 203, 218, 239, 240, 262, 263, 264, 329, 330, 331, 343
Newtownards 181, 310, 395, 396Bangor 198, 199, 200
Craigavon 201, 251, 252, 253, 274, 275, 305, 306, 333, 334, 335, 355, 356, 357
Downpatrick 194, 195, 196, 211, 237, 238, 293, 294, 341
Armagh 224, 225, 226, 276, 277, 278, 292, 368, 391, 494, 2249
Newcastle 193, 210, 234, 235, 236, 265, 295, 296, 340, 353, 354, 392
Newry 180, 189, 190, 191, 232, 233, 257, 258, 259, 267, 268, 269, 290, 291, 318, 319, 327, 328, 332, 344, 345, 346, 347, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383
Dungannon 216, 222, 223, 250, 283, 314, 315, 326, 358, 372, 373, 377, 386, 397, 398
Pennyburn 192, 208, 209, 244, 247, 298, 300, 309, 348, 349, 364, 365, 366
Omagh 214, 249, 301, 302, 303, 304, 385, 399
Enniskillen 212, 213, 307, 311, 387, 388, 2315, 2326
Coleraine 204, 205, 221, 245, 246, 248, 272, 273, 284, 285, 286, 316, 320, 321, 324, 325, 361, 362, 363, 374, 375, 400
Ballymena 188, 227, 228, 229, 287, 288, 289, 297, 299, 313, 317, 322, 337, 338, 367, 370, 371, 376, 384
Larne 185, 186, 187, 230, 231, 312, 323, 339, 389, 1948
Magherafelt 182, 183, 184, 219, 220, 241, 242, 270, 271, 282, 350, 351, 352
Antrim 206, 207, 243, 254, 255, 256, 260, 261, 279, 280, 281, 369, 390, 418, 428, 556, 2261
Newtownabbey 429, 430, 431, 473, 474, 486, 491, 493, 1820, 1821

Scania L92 826 is withdrawn completely from Derry, along with B7TLs 2306 and 2876. On the move are 1790 (Stranraer - Metro), 136 (Reserve - Metro), 225 (Armagh -Dungannon - Armagh), 411 (GVS - Armagh - Dungannon - GVS), 1217 (Dungannon - GVS), 2110 (Derry - Coleraine), 1113/4 (Newry - GVS), 1050 (GVS - MSC), 1942 (Lisburn - Ards) and 2475 (Derry - Enniskillen).Vehicles sold during June 2023 are i4s 1005/52 to Hectares Plant Sales and B7TL 2886 to Hamill for scrap.

 

01/06/23 - 2 Electroliners commenced commissioning during May :

2633 YUI 3833 Wrightbus GB Kite BEV York Road B41F+47 15/05/23
3613 YUI 3813 Wrightbus StreetDeck BEV York Road H73F+22 19/05/23

A number of buses have re-entered use after the completion of repairs: 269/1954 (Newry), 192/2286 (Derry), 356/432 (Craigavon), 1944 (Larne), 0014 (Lisburn) whilst Scania/Irizar PB 125 has returned to use at Coleraine for private hire work, after nearly 3 years off the road. Buses detaxed at the end of May are 136 (Stranraer, to Reserve), 215 (Omagh, Crossmember & Rear Axle Repairs), 217 (Lisburn, Crossmember Repairs), 723 (York Road Engineering, To Reserve), 822 (Antrim, To Reserve), 1061 (Ballymena, Engine Repairs) and 1947 (Larne, Engine Repairs), whilst Scania 754 (New Ticketing Project) and previously detaxed i4s 1005/52 (Magherafelt) are now withdrawn. On the move are 2319 (GVS - Derry and onward to Coleraine), 137 (Reserve - Metro), 2110 (Armagh - Derry), 1256 (Larne - Omagh) and 2567 (Omagh - Larne). Scanias 820/38 and B7 2323 have gone to hamill for scrap, whilst i4 1040 and Scania 2469 have been sold to Hectares Plant Sales and i4 1057 going to John Hill Coach Sales. Sunsun 1257 has gained 'Xpress' branding for use on the Dublin run.

01/05/23 - No new buses were received during April, although production of the current batch of Wrightbus Electroliners should be more or less complete by now:Wrightbus Kite Electroliner : 2645 BYZ 545, 2648 FXI 418, 2649-51 GXI 449-51, 2652 OXI 523, 2653 PXI 533, 2654 GXI 454, 2655 TCZ 9955, 2656 YUI 556, 2657 BYZ 5657.B5TL 2110 has re-entered service at Armagh (ex Reserve), whilst Solo 1948 is back in use at Larne, after completion of repairs, as is Schoolrun 387 at Enniskillen. Against this i6 137 has gone to Reserve from Stranraer (to go to Metro along with 136/8), whilst a number of buses were detaxed at the end of April : 336 (Craigavon, engine repairs), 1033 (Derry, gearbox repairs), 1942 (Lisburn. air pressure repairs). 841 (Derry, to Reserve) and 2286 (Derry, ABS and rear axle repairs). On the move are 2319 (Craigavon- GVS), 1053 (Magherafelt - Derry), 1267 (Newcastle - Stranraer), 1794 (Coleraine - Craigavon), 1796 (Craigavon - Coleraine), 1019 (GVS - Newry) and 1813 (Craigavon - Derry).Vehicles sold during April 2023 are 2322 to Hectares Plant Sales and 2413/2995 to Hamill for scrap.

01/04/23 - No new buses were received during March, although production of Wrightbus Electroliners and Optare Solos is ongoing:

Wrightbus Streetdeck Electroliner: 3610/1/3/4/6/7/8/9 (YUI 3810), 3612 (BYZ 4272), 3615 (BYZ 7615)
Wrightbus Kite Electroliner : 2632-4 (YUI 3832), 2636-9/3/4/6/7 (YUI 3735), 2640-2 (GXI 440-2)
Optare Solo EV : 0030 (EEZ 2900), 0031-4 (GXI 431-4), 0035 (BYZ 3585)

Returning to after the completion of repairs are B9s 2222 (GVS), 2271 (Ards), Schoolruns 298 (Derry), 385 (Omagh), 235/392 (Newcastle), Solo 1941 (Enniskillen), Rural 449 (Lisburn), i4 1073 (Antrim) and Volvo B11R 1790 (Stranraer, receive from Metro after completion of accident damage repair). Also received from Metro at Stranraer is Volvo B11R 1793, with Scania/i6 142 going the other direction. Detaxed at the end of March are Schoolrun 356 (Craigavon, engine repairs), Rural 557 (Lisburn, engine repairs) and i4s 1040 (Armagh), 1057 (Stranraer), both to Reserve. On the move are 1274 (Colerine - GVS), 1794 (Craigavon - Coleraine), 1037 (GVS - Newry), 1104/5 (Newry - GVS) and 1059 (Ballymena - Newcastle). Vehicles sold during March are Scanias 809/2480 and B7 2994 to Hamill for scrap; i4s 1012/4/45/54/6/8 to John Hill Coach Sale and Scania 828/2420/38/9/64/6/79, i4 1043 and B7s 2884/8/2978/96/9 to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough.

01/03/23 - No new buses were received during February, although delivery of the 10 Streetdeck Electroliners starting with 3610 (YUI 3810) and 28 Kite Electroliners (starting at fleetnumber 2630) is imminent. Returning to after the completion of repairs are B7RLE 533 (Dungannon), i4 1059 (Ballymena), B9 2223 (GVS), Caetanos 2030 (Omagh) and 2037 (Derry), Scania 469 (Lisburn) and Schoolrun 225 (Armagh). Also detaxed in at the end of February are 192 (Derry, Crossmember Repairs), 269 (Newry, Engine Repairs), 373/8 (Dungannon, Engine Repairs), 424 (Larne, Engine Repairs), 841 (Derry, Radiator Repairs), 1780 (Training Academy, Fuel System Issues), 1827(Derry, Engine Repairs), 1941 (Enniskillen, Exhaust System Repairs), 1948 (Larne, Engine Repairs) and 1963 (Newtownards, Engine Repairs). Very unusually, there were no vehicle moves during February. Scanias 2475 has been re-registered from HXI 475 to KEZ 7475. Vehicles sold During February are Scanias 2467/71, booth to SOS Bus. Finally, Versa 1835 has received a promotional livery for the official opening of the North West Transport Hub.

01/02/23 - No new buses were received during January. Returning to use are B5 2115 (Omagh, cascade from Metro and repaint), Schoolrun 201 (Craigavon, engine repairs complete), Streetdeck 3189 (Coleraine, accident repairs complete), B9 2255 (Foyle, engine repairs complete), B7 2326 (Enniskillen, bodywork repairs complete) and Sunsu 1775 (Training Academy, engine repairs complete). Buses detaxed during January are : 235 (Newcastle, Adblue Fault), 385 (Omagh, Crossmember & Axle Repairs), 387 (Enniskillen, Engine Repairs), 392 (Newcastle, Axle Repairs), 449 (Lisburn, Engine Repairs), 809 (Ballymena, Reserve), 1059 (Ballymena, Engine Repairs), 1940 (Newcastle, Engine Repairs), 1954 (Newry, Compressor Repairs), 2030 (Omagh, Gearbox Repairs), 2222/3 (GVS, Engine Repairs), 2271 (Ards, Engine Repairs), 2323 (Coleraine, Reserve) and 2475 (Larne, Reserve). Scania L94 2445 (Ards) is nw withdrwan with gearbox defects. On the move are 1264 (GVS - Newcastle), 1287 (Derry - Larne), 1131 (Larne - Derry) and 2326 (Dunagnnon - Enniskillen). Further buses re-registered are: 2466 (HXI 466 to KEZ 7466), 2479 (FXI 399 to KEZ 7479) 2888 (EEZ 2888 to BYZ 8701) and 2445 (FXI 391 to BYZ 9346). Vehicles sold During January are 831 and 2445 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap.

02/01/23 - No new buses were received during December. Returning to use are i4 614 (Larne, accident repairs complete), Streetdeck 3173 (Derry, accident repairs complete) and ALX 2875 (Ards, replacing 2308). Also in use at Ards is B5 2127 cascaded from Metro. 2110 has also arrived from Metro and is in Reserve pending completion of engine repairs. Buses detaxed in December are 225 (Armagh, engine repairs), 460 (Lisburn, engine repairs), 1005 (Magherafelt, engine repairs), 1073 (Antrim, gearbox repairs), 2037 (Derry, axle repairs), 2308 (Ards, Reserve with suspension defects), 2322 (Derry, Reserve with bodywork defects) and 2466 (Bangor, Reserve). On the move are B11Rs 1132 (Larne - Derry) and 1286 (Derry - Larne). Further buses re-registered are: 2467 (HXI 467 to KEZ 7467) and 2471 (FXI 381 to KEZ 7471). B5 2127 and Streetdeck 3136 have both been fitted with seatbelts. A solitary sale during December was Scania 2446 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap.

01/01/23 - Happy New Year from Irish Transport Heritage.

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