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22/12/09 - One further B7R to enter service before the holidays is 384 at Ballymena on the 21st. Leopard towbus 4111 (TBZ 8399, ex ROI 111) has been withdrawn and sold to Watson, Dundrum - the body is to be removed and the chassis is to be used as a farm trailer. Volvo engined Tiger 1302 (PXI 1302) has gone to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap.

18/12/09 - More Volvo's to enter service are 383 Newry - 17/12, 378 Craigavon - 18/12 and 386 Omagh - 18/12. In addition 382 should go to Newry next week and will be the last delivery before Christmas. Solo 1822 was returned to service at Newtownards whilst Tiger 1302 has been withdrawn following and engine failure. Leopard Towbus 4117 (YAZ 6412, ex ROI 117 - Newtownabbey) has also been withdrawn and has gone to the Kells Transport Museum whilst TE 2520 is the latest vehicle to pass to Lough Swilly.

16/12/09 - Further new B7Rs to enter traffic are 367 - Armagh, 371 - Ballymena and 373 - Lisburn on 2/12, 372 - Dungannon and 375 - Coleraine on 4/12, 374 - Coleraine and 376 - Newtownabbey on 9/12, 380 - Craigavon on 14/12, 379 - Craigavon and 381 - Newry on 16/12 and 377 - Newcastle on 17/12. Tiger 1319 was returned to service at Newtownards on 3/12 only to be taken out of service on 9/12. Ultra 2733 entered service at Craigavon on 11/12 whilst Tiger 1238 returned to service at Downpatrick on 14/12 as its new towbus. Solo 1839 was transferred to Reserve on 30/11 whilst other transfers have seen 114 move from Glengall Street - Derry, 1400 from Lisburn - Bangor and 1499 from Antrim - Magherafelt. Tiger 1271 has gone to the Kells Transport Museum and similar 1268/94 have passed to Spruhan, Bagnalstown for further service. 1297, 1336/63 and 2651 have all gone to Hamill for scrap.

14/12/09 - Just to correct a previous report 2440 has in fact passed from Thorogood of Briantspuddle, Dorset to Hussey, Basingstoke.

03/12/09 - Delivery of the new batch of Volvo B7R/Wrightbus B62FL has ramped up with the entry to service of 362 (AFZ 1362, Coleraine, 12-Nov), 363 (Coleraine 13-Nov), 364-6 (Derry, 27-Nov), 368 (Armagh, 01-Dec), 369 (Antrim, 27-Nov) and 370 (Armagh, 30-Nov). 400 will have out of sequence registration AFZ 5400, with 188/99/200 being AFZ 5188 etc. This batch should replace the majority of the PXI, RXI and UXI native batches of Volvo engined Tigers, together with Endeavours and most of the 26xx ex Citybus vehicles. Q-type 1366/7 returned to use at Newtownabbey during November, although 1366 was detaxed again at the end of the month, together with B10M/Caetano 698 (Derry), the final Leyland engined Tiger 1184 (Magherafelt - for conversion to a towing vehicle), Volvo engined N-types 1319/20 (Coleraine), Cityliners 2636/67 (GVS), Ultra 2700 (Craigavon) and Endeavours 1409 (Craigavon), 1414 (Derry) and 1422 (Newry). Tiger 1380 has moved again, from Dungannon - Lisburn, along with Scanias 2408 (Derry - Derry City), 767 (Derry City - Derry), Solos 1848/9 (Lisburn - Metro Reserve), Tigers 1315 (Coleraine - Ards), 1429 (Derry - Craigavon), 1492 (Derry - GVS) and B9TL 2242 (Derry City - Derry). Volvo engined N-types 1309/13 have gone to the Kells Transport Museum, and 3 more TE's to the Swilly : 2514/6/9.

23/11/09 - Tigers 1337/8 (RXI 3337/8) have passed from Mike Nash, Ockley to York Pullman and it is likely that 1241 (NXI 4241) will be following them in the new year. York Pullman is now part of K & J Logistics, Rufforth, a company that has acquired former Ulsterbus stock in the past. Bristol RE 2440 (WOI 2440) has passed from Mike Nash to Hart, York for continued preservation.

17/11/09 - Former Volvo/Plaxton 1568 (DAZ 1568, now L415 ORS) passed to Campbell, Alexandria in 6/09 for scrap ex Highland Country 52200, the first of the examples to go to the mainland to suffer this fate.

16/11/09 - B7R/Wrightbus 362/3 (AFZ 1362/3) have entered service at Coleraine. Returned to service are Solo 1839 at Newry on 9/11 and Tiger 2659 at Downpatrick on 4/11. Solo 1929 (XEZ 3361) was re-registered AFZ 4988 on 11/11. Transfers are 1380 Dungannon - Lisburn; 2417 Newcastle - Enniskillen; 2431 Newry - Omagh; 2442 Omagh - Newry; 2452 Enniskillen - Newcastle. The reshuffle of the Scanias is to do with providing additional exposure for the mega-rear adverts currently on two of them. Metro reserve Ultra 2733 (LAZ 2733) has been sent to Ulsterbus Craigavon where it is to be prepared for service. It will replace prototype 2700 (HAZ 4809) which has been proving troublesome of late.

04/11/09 - Tiger/Wright 1432 is the latest of these vehicles to join the Lough Swilly fleet.

03/11/09 - A few more of the ex Ulsterbus coaches have resurfaced on the mainland: 695 (ICZ 6695) to Kent County Council, Aylesford 8/09 and 2507/8 to Stephenson, Tholthorpe 10/09.

02/11/09 - 4 further Tigers have been detaxed at the end of October: 1304 (Craigavon), 1309 (Newtownabbey), 2659 (Derry) and 2661 (Downpatrick). On the move are Solo 1857 (Newcastle - Downpatrick), Ayats 2002 (Derry - Dungannon), 2016 (Derry - Omagh), Scania's 1726/42 (Dungannon, Omagh - Derry), 767 (Derry - Derry City), 2407 (Derry City - Derry) and Tigers 2660 (Newcastle - Downpatrick), 1380/95 (Magherafelt - Dungannon). The latest sales see Tigers 1276/2646 go to Hamill for scrap, 1288/1310 to the Kells Bus Museum and 1247 to Haughey, Newry.

19/10/09 - Former Ulsterbus Mercedes/Wright minibus 892 (AAZ 8892, now 93-DL-5006) has been withdrawn by McGonagle, Buncrana and is being used for spare parts.

18/10/09 - Another Tiger/Endeavour to go to the Swilly is 1415 (WXI 4415) which becomes their 529; a further one is to be collected shortly.

15/10/09 - Interesting news is the first secondhand acquisitions for some time. These are 2 28-seat Plaxton Primos which are to replaced the 2 leased examples at the Giants Causeway. The 2 vehicles are MX07 BBF and MX07BBJ which will take fleet numbers 3 and 4. These were previously with Princess, West End and were bought through Plaxton Sales. Both are currently being prepared for use and should enter service before the end of the month, when the lease on 1 and 2 expires; both are likely to be given 'cherished registrations' in due course. An image of BBJ in use in Oxfordshire can be found here. Also new at Coleraine is the first of the new batch of B7R/Wrightbus, 361; unusually this has been given the XEZ 3361 registration previously caried by Solo 1929, which will be re-registered in due course. Tiger 2667 returned to use at GVS on 5th October and 1410 at Ards on the same date, replacing Scania 2401 which has gone to the driving school for a period of 2-3 months. This vehicle is fitted with a fuel management system which will alert drivers to inefficient driving techniques. Volvos 1632/3 have moved from Glengall Street to Larne and the Driving School. On the sales front Dart 642 (DAZ 7642) has been sold to Kyle, Ballyclare for conversion to a 'Disco Babes' bus and Tiger 1267 (OXI 1267) is the latest to go to the Kells Transport Museum.

08/10/09 - Tiger/Endeavour 1411 is the latest to be collected by the Swilly.

01/10/09 - The forthcoming batch of 60 Volvo B7R/Wrightbus Schoolruns will take fleetnumbers 181-200, 361-400 and presumably will have new Belfast AFZ registrations. Quite a few vehicles have returned to service in the last month: Volvo B10M 1620 (Armagh - later transferred to Enniskillen), 1632/3 (Glengall Street), 1647/8 (transferred to Metro Short Strand); Tigers 1309 (Newtownabbey), 1428/9 (Derry), 1430 (Ballymena), 2660 (Newcastle) and Solo 1860 (GVS). Tiger 1313 (Ballymena) and Solo 1822 (Lisburn) are now in Reserve. Accident damaged Tiger 1490 has been sold to Lough Swilly for spare parts. On the move are 1414 (Omagh - Derry), 843 (Derry City - Derry), 2283-6 (Derry - Derry City), 770 (Larne - Bangor) and 2445 (Bangor - Larne).

30/09/09 - The Leyland engined Tiger has made a minor comeback, with 1184 being returned to service at Magherafelt on 7th September. Scania 722 has gone to Metro Short Strand (after fire damage repair), whilst further Tigers sold are 1233/6 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap and 1299 to the Kells Transport Museum. Also sold is Mercedes 711D/Alexander 907 to McLaughlin, Convoy. News of former vehicles is 530 (OXI 530, now 89-DL-6637) passed from McGonagle, Buncrana to Reilly, Kilcogy in 10/06 and 828 (NXI 6828) was withdrawn in 6/09 by Horrocks, Brockton. Former Flexibus 60 (FAZ 3060, ex K736 PAB) has been reregistered 93-DL-3497 with McFadden, Bunbeg.

03/09/09 - A number of vehicles detaxed for the school holidays were returned to service early to cover additional service requirements: 1692 (Ballymena), 1343/2651 (Newtownabbey, 2651 ex Reserve), 2240/1, 2301-3/5/6 ( Metro - returned on 17th August), 3113 (Derry), 1425/6/97/2677 (Dungannon) and 1623 (Newcastle). The remainder of the vehicles detaxed for the summer returned to use on 1st September. Tigers 1309 (Ballymena), 2651 (Newtownabbey), 2660 (Newcastle) and Solo 1839 (Newtownabbey) were placed in Reserve at the end of August. Vehicles on the move are 774/5 (Craigavon - Newry), 2812/3 (Newry - Craigavon), 1434 (Omagh - Derry), 712 (Newtownabbey - Newry), 1634 (Newtownards - Metro Short Strand), 2230/1 (GVS - Newtownabbey), 2248 (Armagh - Newtownabbey), 2279 (Lisburn - Newry) and 2814 (Newry - Ballymena). Tigers 468 and 1003 have gone to the Kells Transport Museum and 462/1106/21/1273 to Hamill for scrap.

04/08/09 - Tiger 1121, one of the original three purchased by Mike Nash, has gone to Hamill for scrap. The other two remain in the driving school yard. Mercedes/Plaxton 3 (OCZ 8003) is another former Ulsterbus vehicle to find a new owner, it is now with Longstaff, Amble. Former Tiger/Plaxton 501 (RXI 5501, ex B503 UNB and now reregistered back to B501 UNB) had gone from Thomas, Maesycoed by12/08 for scrap. Mercedes 870 (TXI 7870) had gone from Woodside Continental, Norton by7/09 and similar 874 (TXI 7874) is now with Fowler, Holbeach Drove ex Alder & Wood, Clacton-on-Sea. B10M/Plaxton 1568 (DAZ 1568) had gone from Highland Country by 6/09 but may well turn up elsewhere in the Stagecoach group.

03/08/09 - Tiger 1356 and Volvo B10M 1547 both returned to service in early July at Newtownabbey, along with B10M/Plaxton 1631 at Craigavon; against this 1270 (Larne) and 1310 (Ballymena) are now in Reserve and 1637 (Craigavon) is detaxed for the school holidays. On the move are 843 (Derry - Derry City), 2283/4/5 (Derry City - Derry), 2231 (Newtownabbey - GVS) and 2478 (GVS - Newtownabbey). Tiger 459 is another to go to Hamill for scrap.

31/07/09 - Tigers 1241/2, 1324/37/8 have been sold to Mike Nash, Ockley. They are understood to have been shipped at the weekend. His previous purchases, 1003, 1106 and 1121 will not now be going to the mainland and will be disposed of locally. 1245/51/9 are three further examples which have passed to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap.

29/07/09 - A photo review of the Trust Final Growl tour to commemorate the end of Leyland engined Tiger operation here.

26/07/09 - The last B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis, 545 (VXI 3545) has finally entered service at Ballymena on 2nd July. Further Tigers to go to Hamill for scrap are 1141/50, 1244/58 and the first Volvo 1306. Endeavour 1418 has also been sold to Lough Swilly. 694 (ACZ 6694) is the first of the recent sales to Plaxtons to surface, it is now with Bell, Hull.

04/07/09 - Solo 1847 returned to service at Bangor in early June, whilst newer 1883 has gone from Reserve to Metro (Short Strand). Following the completion of the Ballymena - Coleraine railway line upgrade, the special replacement serivices have ceased, resulting in a number of Tigers being put in to Reserve at the end of June: 1048/9 (Larne), 1245/76 (Omagh), 1269 (Newtownards) 1337/8/1428/32 (Coleraine) and 1360/2/1429/30 (Ballymena). Also in Reserve is Renault Master 47, formerly used by the Driving School. The final active Leyland engined Tiger is therefore 1270 at Larne. Also at the end of June the usual large number of vehicles were detaxed for the school holidays, this year consisting mostly of high capacity vehicles:

Gt. Victoria St. 342 343 1533 1534 1537 1538
Lisburn 203 217 218 239 240 262 263 264 727 728 738 757 810 1348 1357 1583 1601 1615 1642 1654 1660 1822
Newtownards 201 202 265 266 310 1344 1627
Bangor 1349 1354 1358 1359 1610
Craigavon 251 252 253 274 275 305 306 355 356 357 1408 1409 1589 1591 1592 1630 1631 1641 2700 2737 2741 2742 2744
Downpatrick 210 211 237 238 292 293 294 1626 1629
Armagh 224 225 226 276 277 278 1456 1457 1458 1463 2655 2656
Newcastle 234 235 236 295 296 341 353 354 1462 1602 1623 2660 2672
Newry 232 233 257 258 259 267 268 269 290 291 344 345 346 347 1353 1412 1413 1422 1624 1625 2647 663 2664 2665 2674
Dungannon 216 222 223 358 359 1425 1426 1497 1514 2677
Londonderry 208 209 244 245 246 247 298 300 309 348 349 1346 1418 1491 1503 1504 1505 1613 1614 1621
Londonderry 1864 2001 2301 2302 2303 2305 2306 2511 2659 2746 2747 2748 2751 2752 2753 2754 2755 2756 2757 2758 2759 2760 3112 3113
Omagh 214 215 301 302 303 304 1414 1421 1424 1603 1616
Enniskillen 212 213 248 249 250 283 307 308 1612 1619 1622
Coleraine 204 205 221 272 273 284 285 286
Ballymena 227 228 229 287 288 289 297 299 1404 1599 1608 1692 2648 2668
Larne 230 231 312 323 339 770 771 1523 1526 1536 1606 1611
Magherafelt 219 220 241 242 270 271 282 350 351 352 1609 1617
Antrim 206 207 243 254 255 256 260 261 279 280 281 709 732 1531 1604 1605 1607
Derry City 1878 1917 2240 2241
Newtownabbey 1343 1345 1356 1511 1512 1539 1540 1547 1548
Driving School 1632 1633

On the move are : 2231 Gt. Victoria St. - Newtownabbey, 2478 Newtownabbey - Gt. Victoria St., 1649 Enniskillen - Newtownards, 2008 Ballymena - Londonderry, 2232/50 Coleraine - Larne, 2233 Ballymena - Magherafelt, 2267/8 Coleraine - Omagh and 1857 Downpatrick - Newcastle. Further sales see Tigers 461, 1048/9, 1168, 1243/56/77 go to Hamill for scrap and 1250 to Curry, Nottingham.

30/06/09 - Tiger 1269 was returned to service at Newtownards at the start of June but will no doubt be detaxed today. Further Tiger's to go to Hamill for scrap are 1169, 1207/24/46/65/72/9 and 2525 (the first TE to go). Some news of former vehicles is Mercedes 91 (ICZ 4723) was with Quinn, Ardboe by 5/09, via Loughshore Autos; Leopard 129 (FEZ 8627, ex ROI 129), has been re-registered to RUI 129; 258 (XOI 2258) has passed to Graham, -?- by 5/09 for continued preservation, ex Roulston, Glasgow; Leopard 336 (GEZ 4737, ex BXI 336) passed to Wigley, Carlton for scrap in 2/09, ex Goodridge, Rawmarsh; Tiger 556 (CXI 1556, as 83-LS-432) had gone from Healy, Rochfortbridge by 12/05, probably for scrap; DAF 671 (AAZ 1671, as 93-DL-5382) passed to O'Donnell, Manorcunningham 5/08, ex McGonagle, Buncrana; Mercedes 843 (NXI 6843) was withdrawn 9/08 by Tankard, Stone; Mercedes 914 (JAZ 3914) passed to Highwayman, Leitrim by 5/09, via Wilsons Auctions, Mallusk; Mercedes 918 (JAZ 3918) passed to Rohan, Ballonahowan 1/09 as 96-OY-3862, via Wilsons Auctions, Mallusk; Volvo 1580 (EAZ 2580, as M681 BNO) passed to Lloyd, Bagillt 3/09, ex Olympus, Harlow. It has subsequently been re-registered 5182 PO. In addition Mercedes 912 (JAZ 3912) has been seen carrying passengers in the Ballymena area so presumably is with an as yet unknown local operator.

01/06/09 - Leyland engined N-types 1245 & 1276 have returned to service at Omagh, along with Cityliners 1360/2 at Ballymena and Volvo B10M 1649 at Enniskillen. Against this Tiger 1299 and Volvo 1647 (both Newry) are in Reserve. This leaves 5 Leyland engined N-types in use: 1246/76 (Omagh) and 1048/9/1270 (Larne).Tiger/Wright Endeavour 1419 (Omagh) has been withdrawn and sold to Lough Swilly, along with similar 1417, the first of these vehicles to be sold. Other sales see Tiger 1274 and ex Clydeside Leopard towbus 4891 (OSJ 606R) go to the Kells Transport Museum and Tigers 1203/62/3 to Hamill for scrap. Transfers are Solos 1849 (Downpatrick - Lisburn) and 1867 (Lisburn - Downpatrick), Tiger 1390 (Ballymena - Enniskillen), Ayats 2003/6 (Ballymena - Derry) and Tiger 1418 (Omagh - Derry).

11/05/09 - Former Tiger 540 (HAZ 3540) is now owned by Alpine, Llandudno and has 59 seats (3+2) for school work. It has also been converted from manual to semi automatic.

06/05/09 - New arrivals in April are Volvo B7RLE / Alexander-Dennis B55F+18 540 (VEZ 3540 - Omagh - 07/04), 542 (Enniskillen - 03/04) and 544 (Ballymena - 09/04), leaving only prototype 545 outstanding. Scania/Irizar 124-9 (ROI 134/45/26, BXI 337/28, ROI 129) entered service on 1st May. Vehicles returned to service are Atlantean 2901 (Coleraine - seasonal), 1260 (Derry - for towing) and Volvo 1613 (Derry - after repairs). Less palatable news is that service reductions at the start of May have seen a major reduction in the fleet strength with over 60 vehicles put in to Reserve:

Tiger (Leyland engine)

468 Ballymena
1141 Magherafelt
1169 Coleraine
1207 Ballymena
1233 Craigavon
1238 Craigavon
1241 Newtownards
1242 Newtownards
1243 Coleraine
1244 Coleraine
1245 Omagh
1246 Newcastle
1250 Craigavon
1251 Coleraine
1255 Ballymena
1256 Newtownards
1258 Newcastle
1259 Londonderry
1267 Londonderry
1269 Newtownards
1271 Craigavon
1273 Coleraine
1274 Ballymena
1276 Omagh
1281 Craigavon
1282 Londonderry
1285 Dungannon
1286 Dungannon
1288 Coleraine
1292 Newtownards
1295 Newry
1296 Newry
1297 Newry
1298 Newry

Tiger (Volvo engine)

1306 Armagh
1322 Gt. Victoria St.
1324 Gt. Victoria St.
1328 Bangor
1336 Lisburn
1360 Londonderry
1362 Londonderry
1363 Lisburn
1366 Newcastle
1367 Newcastle
1410 Newtownards
1411 Newcastle
1415 Newtownabbey
1417 Londonderry
2651 Bangor
2658 Londonderry
2667 Gt. Victoria St.
2679 Gt. Victoria St.

Volvo B10M

1648 Newry
1649 Downpatrick

Solo

1819 Larne
1828 Omagh
1838 Dungannon
1847 Newtownards
1860 Newtownards
1861 Newry
1869 Bangor
1883 Craigavon
2646 Gt. Victoria St.

Mercedes 709

907 Larne

Leopard towbus 1902 has been withdrawn, along with the remaining 2 of the little used Plaxton Cheetahs 3/4 which have been sold to Plaxton Sales, along with Volvos 687/8/9/91/3/4/5/7/2507/8/9. Leopard 1902 has gone to the Kells Transport Museum. along with Tiger (4)434 and Gardner engined 2610. Tigers 1142/94/1206/16/7/26/9 have gone to Hamill for scrap. Vehicles on the move are:

2005 Ballymena - Larne
401 Larne - Ballymena
501 Ballymena - Larne
1389 Enniskillen - Craigavon
1391 Omagh - Newtownards
1745 Newtownards - Armagh
2021 Armagh - Newtownards
401 Ballymena - Larne
501 Larne - Ballymena
1769 Armagh - Gt. Victoria St.
2022 Gt. Victoria St. - Armagh
702 Gt. Victoria St. - Metro (Short Strand)
703 Gt. Victoria St. - Metro (Falls)
716 Newtownards - Lisburn
717 Newtownards - Lisburn
718 Newtownards - Lisburn
739 Newtownabbey - Gt. Victoria St.
1327 Bangor - Newtownards
1337 Lisburn - Coleraine
1338 Lisburn - Coleraine
1390 Enniskillen - Ballymena
1392 Larne - Newry
1394 Dungannon - Newry
1395 Dungannon - Magherafelt
1418 Londonderry - Omagh
1419 Londonderry - Omagh
1422 Armagh - Newry
1432 Armagh - Coleraine
1458 Newry - Armagh
1498 Antrim - Newry
1671 Downpatrick - Newry
1849 Lisburn - Downpatrick
1857 Enniskillen - Downpatrick
1881 Londonderry - Dungannon
1882 Londonderry - Omagh
2245 Coleraine - Ballymena
2262 Coleraine - Antrim
2263 Coleraine - Antrim
2270 Dungannon - Armagh
2271 Dungannon - Armagh
2279 Newtownards - Lisburn
2311 Antrim - Coleraine
2312 Antrim - Coleraine
2316 Armagh - Dungannon
2317 Armagh - Dungannon
2328 Lisburn - Newtownards
2329 Ballymena - Coleraine
2650 Bangor - Newtownards
2821 Lisburn - Newtownards
2822 Lisburn - Newtownards
2823 Lisburn - Newtownards
707 Londonderry - Newry
1686 Londonderry - Newry

04/05/09 - Solo 1928 currently carries incorrect registration plates EXZ 3354 both front and rear.

22/04/09 - Optare Solos 1924-9 are now rather untidily re-registered XEZ 3357/6/3/4/9/61.

02/04/09 - More new B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis B55F are 512 (VEZ 3512 - Coleraine - 26/03), 520 (Dungannon, 26/03), 539 (Omagh 26/03), 530 (Coleraine 27/03), 541 (Enniskillen 27/03) and 543 (Ballymena 01/04). Tigers 1142 (Ballymena), 1194 (Downpatrick), 1268 (Magherafelt) and 1279 (Omagh) are now in reserve, whilst 1209 is withdrawn from Enniskillen. However quite a number of Tigers have been returned to service to allow higher capacity vehicles to be cascaded to Ballymena and Coleraine depots to operate the rail replacement services between Ballymena, Cullybackey, Ballymoney and Coleraine whilst the railway line is relaid over the next 3 months: 468, 1207/55 (Ballymena), 1048/9/1270 (Larne), 1243 (Coleraine) and 1245 (Omagh). Also returned to service are B10M/Plaxton 1645 (Derry) and B9TL 2254 (Newtownabbey - after completion of repairs). Another notable event that Crumlin depot has become a sub-depot of Antrim (previously of Lisburn), resulting in the reallocation of the following vehicles to Antrim: B7R 260/1, K230 417/28, Scania L94 758, Tiger 1498/9/1500 and B10M 1502. Other moves see the following: 1532 (Antrim - Magherafelt), 1331 (Armagh - Newry), 1259 (Armagh - Derry), 1276 (Newry - Oamgh), 1268 (Armagh - Magherafelt), 1355 (Omagh - Newcastle), 698 (Glengall Street - Derry), 843 (Dery City - Derry), 1169 (Dungannon - Coleraine), 1614 (Derry City - Derry), 2003/6/8 (Derry - Ballymena), 2005 (Larne - Ballymena), 2232/50 (Larne - Coleraine), 2233 (Magherafelt - Ballymena), 2267/8 (Omagh - Coleraine), 523 (Antrim - Ballymena) and 773 (Ballymena - Antrim). The new Scania coaches will be numbered 124-9, reusing the numbers allocated to the ill-fated Sunsun's last year, and will take the cherished numbers off Solo's 1924-9, which will be re-registered (ROI 134/45/26, BXI 337/28, ROI 129). Finally, Tigers 1176, 1209/14 have gone to Hamill for scrap.

01/04/09 - Former Tiger/Duple coach 536 (IXI 1536) has been destroyed by an electrical fire with Glengormley Methodist Youth Choir. The first of the new Scania coaches has been delivered to Ulsterbus and four more are at the dealers in Larne - all are due to be in service by Easter. They will be numbered 124-9, reusing the numbers allocate to the ill-fated Sunsun's last year.

20/03/09 - A further Volvo B7RLE to arrive is 538 (VEZ 3538) at Omagh on 9th March. More Tigers to go to Hamill's are 1192/3, 1221/91/3 whilst sister vehicle 1200 has gone to Kells Transport Museum, Cork for preservation. Mercedes Minibus 900 (JAZ 3900) is now with Matthews, Hilltown via Wilsons Auctions, Mallusk. Finally Leopard towbus 4107 has been transferred from Antrim to Enniskillen where it is to replace the Y type Leopard based there, 1891 (OSJ 606R) which has given a respectable 21 years service to Ulsterbus.

17/03/09 - A number of coaches have been sold to Plaxton, Anston (dealer) and indeed some have already departed:- Volvo B10M/Plaxton 687/8/9 (JAZ 6687/8/9), 691/3/4 (ACZ 6691/3/4), 2507/8/9 (GAZ 2507/8/9) and Volvo B10M/Caetano 695/7 (ICZ 6695/7). Further disposals to Hamill are 368 (DXI 3368) and 1030 (JXI 1030). Before departing 368 donated its 3+2 seating to the Downpatrick railway to assist in the restoration of the SLNCR railcar. News of former vehicles is Volvo 510 (GAZ 5510) was re-registered 95-DL-6049 in 10/08 by McLaughlin, Convoy, whilst loan B12B 2037 (SF 05 XZL, ex HSK 650) passed to Hookways, Meeth in 12/08 ex Plaxton, Anston.

03/03/09 - Further new Volvo B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis Enviro 300 B55F+18 are 516/35/6 (Armagh) and 537 (Magherafelt). Dates of entry in to service for the recent arrivals are:

445 UEZ 2445 Scania K230 Newcastle 05/02/2009
513 VEZ 3513 Volvo B7RLE Coleraine 05/02/2009
515 VEZ 3515 Volvo B7RLE Armagh 05/02/2009
522 VEZ 3522 Volvo B7RLE Newry 05/02/2009
523 VEZ 3523 Volvo B7RLE Antrim 05/02/2009
525 VEZ 3525 Volvo B7RLE Armagh 05/02/2009
526 VEZ 3526 Volvo B7RLE Coleraine 05/02/2009
527 VEZ 3527 Volvo B7RLE Magherafelt 05/02/2009
517 VEZ 3517 Volvo B7RLE Magherafelt 10/02/2009
524 VEZ 3524 Volvo B7RLE Ballymena 10/02/2009
529 VEZ 3529 Volvo B7RLE Newry 10/02/2009
531 VEZ 3531 Volvo B7RLE Coleraine 10/02/2009
519 VEZ 3519 Volvo B7RLE Dungannon 12/02/2009
534 VEZ 3534 Volvo B7RLE Dungannon 12/02/2009
528 VEZ 3528 Volvo B7RLE Omagh 19/02/2009
532 VEZ 3532 Volvo B7RLE Dungannon 19/02/2009
533 VEZ 3533 Volvo B7RLE Dungannon 19/02/2009
516 VEZ 3516 Volvo B7RLE Armagh 27/02/2009
535 VEZ 3535 Volvo B7RLE Armagh 27/02/2009
536 VEZ 3536 Volvo B7RLE Armagh 27/02/2009
537 VEZ 3537 Volvo B7RLE Magherafelt 27/02/2009

Ayats Bravo 2008 has returned to service at Derry following repairs. Vehicles detaxed to reserve at the end of February are: Dart 642 (Dungannon - this was the final one of this type with Ulsterbus), along with Tigers 1048/9 (Dungannon), 1133/66 (Armagh), 1206 (Magherafelt), 1221/94 Coleraine, 1223 (Ballymena), 1226 (Omagh), 1243/70 (Magherafelt),1247/55 (Newry), 1272 (Craigavon), along with 1460 (Newtownards - with accident damage). Similar 1232 (Dungannon), 1234 (Magherafelt) have been withdrawn, as has Q-type 1490 (Derry - with accident damage). 1271 has moved from Magherafelt to Craigavon. These changes remove the final 10xx vehicles from the fleet and leave just 1141/2/69 from the 11xx series and only 33 Leyland engined Tigers active. 1133 was also the last of the 30 former express vehicles in use. Similar 369, 1099, 1133/66, 1225/32/4 have gone to Hamill for scrap.

26/02/09 - An unregistered tri-axle Scania / Irizar PB has been in use for driver familiarisation. 6 of these are on order for the Tours fleet.

20/02/09 - Volvo/ALX 2307 is now in an overall advert for Brennans Bread. Further Volvo B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis Enviro 300 's to enter traffic are 517 (VEZ 3517 - Magherafelt), 519/32/3/4 (Dungannon), 524 (Ballymena), 528 (Omagh), 529 (Newry) and 531(Coleraine). Tigers returned to traffic are 1209 at Enniskillen, 1242 at Ards and 1349 at Bangor (the latter following accident repairs). The oldest remaining Tiger, 1022, has been withdrawn and dispatched straight to Hamill's along with 1213/28/52 whilst minibus 905 has gone to McLaughlin, Convoy. Transfers have seen 510 move from Larne to Magherafelt and 1769 from GVS to Armagh with 2022 moving in the opposite direction.

19/02/09 - Tiger / TE 2528 did not pass to Lough Swilly as it did not have a complete set of seat-belts, but was replaced by 2529.

15/02/09 - Tiger / TEs 2527 (PXI 5527) and 2528 (PXI 5528) passed to Lough Swilly earlier in the week and N-type 1200 (NXI 1200) to the Kells Transport Museum.

06/02/09 - Further new arrivals are the final Scania K230/Wrighbus B55F 445 (UEZ 2445 at Newcastle) and B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis B55F 514/21/2 (VEZ 3514 - Newry), 513/26 (Coleraine), 515/25 (Armagh), 523 (Antrim) and 527 (Magherafelt). Vehicles detaxed at the end of January are B10Ms 687/8/94 (Glengall Street), 689/2509 (Driving School), 1613 (Derry City - chassis defects) along with more Tigers: 1150 (Magherafelt) 1184/1225/9/91 (Newry), 1194 (Downpatrick), 1199 (Coleraine), 1209 (Enniskillen), 1214 (Newcastle), 1224 (Dungannon), 1293 (Newtownards). Also detaxed are Solo 1823 (Ards) and Scania 722 (Derry - electrical fire). Tigers 1188/96 (Newry) and 1239 (Craigavon) are withdrawn, along with 1303 (Craigavon) which was became the first malicious loss of 2009 last Saturday. Solo 1838 has moved from Derry City to Dungannon along with Tigers 1241 (Magherafelt - Newtownards), 1267/82 (Enniskillen - Derry). Tigers 1188/96/1239/54/78 have been sold to Hamill for scrap.

28/01/09 - More new B7RLE/Alexander-Dennis are 506 (VEZ 3506 - Enniskillen, 16th Jan), 507-9 (Newry, 16th Jan) and 511 (Enniskillen, 23rd Jan). A number of Tigers have returned to service during January: 1194 (Downpatrick, 5th), 1209/67 (Enniskillen, 6th) along with Solo 1823 at Ards on the 12th. Also returing to use is Tiger 1183 which becomes the third of the type to be converted for engineering use. Unusually it is allocated to Newcastle which has not had a towbus for many years (it's last one was Bristol LH 1637). 1239 was withdrawn on 19th January following a major mechanical failure and was dispatched to Hamill for scrap along with 1174/8/9/89/97 and 1218. Other disposals are 699 to Shiels, Fanavolty, Co. Donegal, 900/8/12/4 to Wilsons Auctions, Mallusk and 'Portrush Puffer' 4900 to R & S Tonks Ltd., Birmingham. Transfers are 1413 (Armagh - Newry), 1405 (Ballymena - Coleraine), 1233 (Armagh - to Craigavon), 739 (GVS to Newtownabbey) and 2784 (Newtownabbey - GVS).

15/01/09 - Volvo engined Tiger 1330 has been sold to Lough Swilly and was collected today.

12/01/09 - The Volvo/Alexander rural buses have finally started appearing, with 7 being released to service last Friday: 501 (VEZ 3501, Ballymena), 502 (Dungannon), 503 (Armagh), 504/5 (Magherafelt), 510 (Larne - on a temporary basis) and 518 (Dungannon). 501-5 are Euro 5 engined, with the remainder being Euro 4.

08/01/09 - Expressions of interest have been invited for the supply of 2 hybrid midibuses for use at the Giant's Causeway, to be delivered early 2010. An option is included for a further 5 for use in Belfast.

06/01/09 - Scania K230/Wrightbus B55F+18 444 (UEZ 2444) entered service at Newcastle on 19th December. More Tigers to be taken off at the end of December are 461/2/8 (Derry), 1192/3/4/1245 (Newcastle), 1260 (Coleraine) and Volvo engined 1330 (Ards). All the 4xx Tigers are now out of use and 1133 at Armagh is the only 62-seat N-type left. 1241 has moved from Ards to Magherafelt, whilst sisters 1198/1202/12/90 have gone to Hamill for scrap.

01/01/09 - Seasons Greetings and a Merry New Year from the Irish Transport Trust.

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