Translink Fleet News

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17/12/13 - Some news of former Translink vehicles:-

401 (FXI 401, now JEZ 4092) to Hayes, Bangor 11/13 for preservation, ex Graham, Kesh.
645 (YAZ 8645) to Gill, Ilkeston 9/13, ex WMSNT, Aston 101.
672 (UXI 1672) withdrawn 9/13 with Swift, Knott End following accident damage.
906 (JAZ 906) to Boylan, Banagher 2/07, via Seawright, Carryduff (dealer); registered 96-OY-2758 2/07.
1430 (WXI 4430) to Irvings, Carlisle 10/13, ex Tamworth Coach & Bus, Tamworth 143.
1642 (BCZ 1642) to Swanbrook, Cheltenham 10/13, ex Llew Jones, Llanrwst.
1659 (BCZ 1659) reseated to C57F, ex C49FT by12/13 with Quinn {Quinn's Coaches}, Ardboe.
1660 (BCZ 1660) reseated to C57F, ex C49FT by12/13 with Belfast Bus Company, Belfast.
2201 (WCZ 2201, now SA 04 AGT) to Craig {West Coast}, Campbeltown ex Bowman, Craignure.
1503/4/21 (DAZ 1503/4/21) were noted in Scotland at the weekend, probably on their way to Marbill, Beith (to be confirmed).

Interesting news is that Glenferry {Kearney's}, Little Island have advertised for sale on the Done Deal website two 1996 Volvo B10M Van Hool 71 seat actics which presumably must be 3112/3 (JAZ 3002/3) on their way back to Ireland.

10/12/13 - Further B10BLEs returned to use are 2768 (loan to Metro Falls), 2787 (Omagh - the first of the type to be allocated there) and 2769 (GVS) whilst sisters 2803/33 are now in Reserve (both from Craigavon). Also detaxed are Sacnia coaches 100/6/7 (seasonal for the winter period), and Ayats 2018 (Omagh) after an electrical fire. Scania/Irizars 1725/30 are now Active Reserve at Craigavon. B10M 1548 and fire damaged Ayats 2012 have been sod to Hamill as scrap.

18/11/13 - B10BLE 2784 has returned to service as part of the Active Reserve in Coleraine, whilst B10Ms 1514/6/32 have been sold to Marbill Coaches, Beith.

Dart / Wright 610 (CAZ 6610) renumbered 105072, ex 5420 by5/12 with Dumfries & Galloway Council; 612 (CAZ 6612, now L106 WSW) gone by5/12 ex Dumfries & Galloway Council.

B10M/ Plaxton 1575 (EAZ 2575) gone 7/13, ex Highland Country 52202; 1582 (EAZ 2582) re-registered 95-DL-11334 10/13 with Lough Swilly 571.

Tiger / Alexander 2619 (NXI 4619) to Blowfield, Foest Hill by9/12, ex Elliot & Richman, Rode Heath.

B10M / Van Hool 3110 (DAZ 3000) to United Coaches, Hamilton 5/13, ex Carson (WJC Coaches), Chapelhall.

04/11/13 - Interesting news is the return to service of B10M/Q-type 1529, at Lisburn from the start of November. Also returned to use is Solo 1854 (Newtownabbey - replacing 1841 which is detaxed for repairs) and B10BLEs 2774 (Newtownabbey) and 2769 (Downpatrick - since detaxed at the end of October). Also detaxed are 1734 (GVS - for school bus conversion) and 2787 (Driving School). One solitary transfer is Rural 487 from Lisburn to GVS. Thanks to Stewart Gilmore for a picture of another interesting loaner, Caetano Levante FH06 EAW, which is at Stranraer covering for accident-damaged i6 137. It's NatEx fleetnumber is CY64.

07/10/13 - B10BLE 2829 (CCZ 8829) is now withdrawn following an accident, whilst sister 2834 has been loaned to Metro (Falls). Sales see minis 22/3 (UCZ 8322/3) go to Hamill for scrap, along with B10Ms 1505/41 (DAZ 1505/41) and Solo 1851 (SCZ 3851). B10M's 1506 (DAZ 1506), 1592 (EAZ 2592), 1623 (JAZ 1623) have gone to to Spruhan, Bagnalstown and B10M/Van Hool artics 3112/3 (JAZ 3002/3) to North West Bus Sales, Bolton (dealer). Some news of former vehicles is:

446 (SXZ 4094, ex GXI 446) to Young, Belfast by 10/13 for preservation, ex Boyd, Dervock.

2644 (SXI 2644) to County Coaches, Donaghmore ex Leonard, Strabane; to Graham, Kesh 10/13.

890 (AAZ 8890, now 93-DL-5181) sold to a private buyer 7/13 for possible conversion to a motor home, ex McGonagle, Buncrana.

1557 (DAZ 1557, now BIG 2625) to Edwards, Llantwit Fardre 8/13, ex Sandia, Tockwith 016.

1603/13/9/21/8 (JAZ 1603/13/9/21/8) re-registered 96-CW-5005/3/4/7/6 respectively with Spruhan, Bagnalstown.

1639 (BCZ 1639) re-registered 96-C-40068 with Glenferry (Kearney's), Little Island.

1640/59 (BCZ 1640/59) to Quinn (Quinn's Coach Hire), Ardboe 9/13, ex Glenferry (Kearney's), Little Island. 1640 has been seen in use whereas 1659 was offered for sale.

1645/56/60 (BCZ 1645/56/60) to Belfast Bus Company, Belfast 10/13, ex Glenferry (Kearney's), Little Island.

07/10/13 - 30 September marked the end of an era with the detaxing of the remaining B10M/Q-types: 1510/29/50 (Newtownabbey), 1516 (Dungannon) and 1521 (Ballymena). Notably these are the last Alexander (Belfast) single deckers, the last service buses with traditional hand wound scroll destinations and the last in traditional ivory and blue colours. Also detaxed are L94 723 (Downpatrick - repairs), B10BLE 2774 (Downpatrick) and Solo 1854 (Coleraine). Two further Irizar School bus conversions are 1678 (Newtownabbey) and 1714 (Magherafelt). On the move are 1712 (Larne - Downpatrick), 1726 (Newtownabbey - Newcastle), 1713 (Magherafelt - Omagh) and 2434 (Omagh - Antrim). 1517/20/37 have been sold to Marbill, Beith, 1656 to Little Island Commercials (Kearney) of Cork, 1494/9 to Sandy Arthur, Limavady and 16 to Belfast City Auctions.

22/09/13 - 3 more Irizar school bus conversions are 1668 (Newtownabbey), 1708 (Coleraine) and 1709 (Larne). Solo 1871 has returned to use at GVS, as has B10BLE 2774 at Downpatrick. On the move are 36 (Derry - Coleraine), 1529 (Magherafelt - Newtownabbey), 2229 (GVS - Newcastle), 2414 (Newcastle - GVS), 2812/36 - (Active Reserve Craigavon - Craigavon) and 2833/4 (Craigavon - Active Reserve Craigavon). Community minibus 16 (UCZ 9316) is another to go to Belfast City Auctions, Carryduff.

06/09/13 - The remainder of the Scania K320/Irizar i4s interurban buses are now in service: 611/3/5 (NFZ 9611 - Glengall Street 2/8/13), 616 (Bangor- 01/09/13), 617/9 (Derry - 01/09/13), 621 (Magherafelt - 01/09/13), and 623 (Dungannon - 01/09/13). With the finish of the WPFG these have all now moved back to their intended depots:

A number of buses detaxed for the summer period were returned to use early: 408/1776 (Newcastle), 1018/2002 (Dungannon), 2017 (Enniskillen), 2016 (Omagh), 783 (Armagh), and 709 (Downpatrick), with the remainder of the detaxed buses returning to use at the start of September. Also back in service are a large number of Irizar Intercenturies after having been converted to school buses:

1713/8/20/6-8/31 remain as 53 seaters with the others being upseated to B69F. Also returned to use after repairs is Scania 2479 (Newtownabbey). Against this the following have been taken out of use and placed in Reserve: B10Ms 1503 (Ballymena), 1514 (Dungannon), 1525 (Downpatrick), 1656 (Derry); B10BLEs 2768/9/70 (Craigavon), 2774/5 (Downpatrick), 2780 (Ballymena), 2777/8 (Newcastle), 2784 (Coleraine), 2787 (Newtownabbey) and Mercedes O.405s 2100-5/3103 (Derry). Also detaxed is Ayats 2004 (Dungannon), for repairs, whilst B10BLEs 2766(Newcastle), 2776 (Downpatrick), are both withdrawn with engine failure, along with Bangor based community minibus 55. This means the fleet no longer contains any active artics, and the non-standard Mercedes O.405s are also gone, with only a small number of B10M's remaining.

399 ( Newtownabbey - Omagh )	817 ( Antrim - Downpatrick )	2454/5 ( Lisburn - Downpatrick )
400 ( Newtownabbey - Bangor )	825 ( Magherafelt - Enniskillen )	2458/9 ( Bangor - Newtownards )
439/40/59 ( Newtownards - Bangor ),	826 ( Magherafelt - Londonderry )	2803/12 ( Craigavon - Active Reserve [Craigavon] )
495/6 ( Armagh - Londonderry )	1039 ( Dungannon - Magherafelt )	2820 ( Metro - Active Reserve [GVS] )
707 ( Newry - Active Reserve [Downpatrick] )	1053 ( Londonderry - Magherafelt )	2821/2 ( Newtownards - Active Reserve [Newtownards] )
709 ( Downpatrick - Newcastle )	1056 ( Newcastle - Downpatrick )	2823 ( Newtownards - Active Reserve [Newtownabbey] )
720 ( Newtownards - Newcastle )	1510 ( Ballymena - Newtownabbey )	2826 ( Craigavon - Active Reserve [Craigavon] )
723 ( Newtownards - Downpatrick )	1550/1684 ( Downpatrick - Newtownabbey )	2829 ( Coleraine - Active Reserve [Coleraine] )
725 ( Lisburn - Newtownabbey )	1747 ( Bangor - Larne )	2831 ( Coleraine - Craigavon )
726 ( Lisburn - Craigavon )	1759 ( Magherafelt - Londonderry )	2833/4 ( Newtownards - Craigavon )
731 ( Metro - GVS )	1908 ( Newcastle - Downpatrick )	2848/9 ( Ballymena - Active Reserve [Magherafelt] )
732/3 ( Antrim - Londonderry )	2401 ( Bangor - Londonderry )	2989 ( Newtownards - Bangor )
739/88/9 ( GVS - Metro )	2402 ( Newtownards - Bangor )
816 ( Dungannon - Downpatrick )	2434 ( Antrim - Omagh )

21/08/13 - Community minibuses 18/20/1/8/9 (UCZ 8318) have been sold at Belfast City Auctions, Carryduff. Similar 16/9/22/3 are all non runners and were not included in the sale. B10M's 1639/40/5/59/60 (BCZ 1639), Ayats 2001 (BCZ 2001) and Ultras 2747/57/8 (LAZ 2747) have been sold to Glenferry {Kearney's}, Little Island. Some news of former vehicles is Tiger/Wright 1427 (WXI 4427, later SSU 837, now LUI 9693) - sold to Mobbs, Kettering 3/13 for preservation ex Auty & Mobbs, Wymington; Bedford YLQ/Alexander 1859 (LOI 1859) - sold to PVS, Carlton by 4/13 for scrap, ex Curry, Pinxton (preservationist); RELL/Alexander 2386 (UOI 2386) - believed scrapped by 3/12, ex Roulston, Glasgow (preservationist).

14/08/13 - Irizar i6's 136-8 (NFZ 9136-8) and i4's 612/4/8/22 (NFZ 9612 etc) all entered service on 1st August at Glengall Street. Further i4's loaned to Glengall Street for the World Police and Fire Games were 601 (Antrim), 603/4 (Larne), 605 (Coleraine), 607/8 (Ards), 609 (Bangor) and 610 (Armagh). Scania 1715 has returned to use at Omagh after its conversion to a school bus with 53 seats. Also returned to use are 1724 (Lisburn - later detaxed again), 193/2766 (Newcastle), 376 (Newtownabbey), 1887 (Newry), 506/1704 (Magherafelt) and 2223/4/2325/2991/2 (GVS). Scania 2479 (Newtownabbey) is detaxed for repairs whilst community minibuses 16/8/9/20-3/8/9 are withdrawn for disposal. Vehicles sold onwards are 1511, 1515, 1527, 1531, 1538, 1542 to Marbill Coach Services, Beith, Ayrshire; 1657 to Eurocoach N.I. Ltd. Dungannon, 1526 to T. Arnold, Waringstown, 1489 to R. Blair, Ballymoney and 1582 to Lough Swilly for spare parts.
1642 has been resold by Glenferry, Little Island to Jones, Llanrwst in 2/13; 1644 has been resold by Glenferry, Little Island to Paddywaggon, Annascaul in 4/13 and has now been re-registered 99-KY-10020; 1655 has been sold to McLaughlin, Convoy in 8/13. and 1428 (WXI 4428, now 92-DL-5747) has been reregistered back to WXI 4428 with Lough Swilly.

11/07/13 - Irizar i6 coach 134 has gained adverts for the forthcoming World Police and Fire Games.

04/07/13 - Scania/Irizar 1705 has returned to service at Larne, having received it's school bus conversion as a 69 seater. Most of the remaining Ulsterbus B10M's were detaxed at the end of June: 1501 (Lisburn) 1504/17 (Coleraine), 1506/1623 (Omagh), 1511 (Antrim), 1515 (Dungannon), 1520 (Ballymena), 1524 (Newtownabbey), 1528 (Bangor), 1532 (Magherafelt), 1537/8 (GVS), 1592/1626 (Craigavon). A small number of B10M's have been kept on at Downpatrick, Ballymena and Dungannon depots for private hire use during the summer. Also detaxed are Irizars 1675/6 (Newtownabbey), 1695/1709/14 (Larne), 1710 (Downpatrick), 1718 (Newcastle), all for school bus conversion, along with Solo 1871 (Larne). B10M/Plaxton 1622 (Enniskillen) is now withdrawn and has been sold to Lough Swilly. On the move are 2880 (Magherafelt - Dungannon), 1860 (Larne - Coleraine) and 1916 (Enniskillen - Downpatrick). As usual over 350 buses have been detaxed for the duration of the school holidays:

Finally £12 million funding has been secured from the NI Executive and EU to purchase single and double deck service buses (most likely for Metro), midibuses and a small number of coaches.

22/06/13 - 601 - 10 (NFZ 9601 - 10) were placed in service on 17/6. Although nominally allocated to Glengall Street, 601 - 6 were based at Enniskillen and 607 - 10 operated out of Metro Short Strand depot. These showd now enter service at their respective depots on Monday, 601/2 at Antrim, 603/4 at Larne, 605/6 at Coleraine, 607/8 at Newtownards, 609 at Bangor and 610 Armagh. Other vehicles allocated to G8 work were 100/1/5/12 (Glengall Street), 1031/48 (Omagh), 1034/5/53 (Derry), 1045/6 (Enniskillen), 1051/2 (Newry), 1054/1777 (Newcastle), 1059-61 (Ballymena), 1075/6 (Larne), 1078/1778 (Downpatrick), 1774/85 (Coleriane), 1781/2 (Armagh), 1784/6 (Magherafelt) as well as Enniskillen towcar 1296 and Duncrue Street towcar 2640. A number of Irizar's were returned to service to help replace them, 1665/1713 - Omagh, 1667/93 - Ballymena, 1668/1731 - Enniskillen, 1669/1718 - Downpatrick, 1673/9 - Armagh, 1678/1712 - Newcastle, 1695/6 - Larne, 1708/27 - Coleraine, 1715 - Magherafelt, 1720 - Newry and 1724 - Derry. Most if not all of these will be detaxed again at the end of the month. 1728 was also to return to service but was found to be defective. Other Irizars returned to use after school bus conversion are 1670 on 10/6 at Newtownabbey and 1719 at Magherafelt on 18/6, along with Solo 1864 at Newtownards on 18/6 ex Reserve. Volvo/Alexander 'Q' types 1522/47/9 (DAZ 1522/47/9) have all been sold to Marbill, Beith, with 1611 going to Lough Swilly for further use. Other former Ulsterbus vehicles on the move are 111 (SCZ 7111) to Horton {Majestic}, Shareshill by 4/13 ex Lainton, Gorton and 1642 (BCZ 1642) to Jones, Llanrwst by 4/13 ex Glenferry {Kearney's}, Little Island. With the end of the school term approaching it is likely that all the remaining Volvo B10M/Alexander 'Q' types will be withdrawn at the end of next week. Their demise will also spell the end of the blue and ivory fleet livery. A weclome innovation from the start of June is route X4, which runs from Derry to Dublin Airport and City Centre via Maghera, Cookstown Dungannon and Armagh, providing much better connections south from these Mid Ulster towns. 3 journeys are provided on a 7 days a week basis.

16/06/13 - A number of the new Irizar I4's have been sent down to Fermanagh for use at the G8 summit.

04/06/13 - B10M 1632 has returned to use with the Driving School. Also back in use after being seasonally detaxed is Coleraine based Olympian open topper 2000. Scania/Irizars returned to service are 1710 (Downpatrick), 1718 (Newcastle), 1673 (Armagh), 1695 (larne) and 1711 (Dungannon). The final Tiger 1489 was detaxed from the end of the month, bringing to an end 30 years of passenger service. Also detaxed are more B10Ms: 1522 (Ballymena), 1531 (Magherafelt), 1547 (Newtownabbey), and 1611 (Larne), along with Craigavon based B10BLE 2765. B10M/Plaxton 1602 (Newcastle) has been withdrawn and sold to Lough Swilly, whilst 1603/19 have gone to Spruhan, Bagnalstown. On the move are 709 (Downpatrick - Newcastle) and 1550 (Newry - Downpatrick).

27/05/13 - Delivery of Irizar i4's 601-23 (NFZ 9601-23) should now be under way, but it seems none will enter service until September. Also due from Irizar in the middle of June are 3 more i6's, but this time two axle variants for National Express work. These will be numbered 136-8 (NFZ 9136-8). Older Scania/Irizar 103 (MCZ 6103) has gone to Halpenny, Blackrock where it has been re-registered 02-LH-11095. 1440 (XXI 1440), 1502 (DAZ 1502), 2645 (SXI 2645), 2753 (LAZ 2753), 2754 (LAZ 2754) and 2759 (LAZ 2759) have all gone to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap. Former B10M/Plaxton 1631 (BCZ 1631) has passed to Manning, Croom ex Glenferry, Little Island and has now been re-registered 99-LK-11017.

12/05/13 - Ths week will probably see the end of Tiger operation, with the PSV on the sole remaining example, Downpatrick based 1489, expiring on the 19th.

09/05/13 - B10Ms returning to use during April are 1524 (Newtownabbey) and 1656 (Derry); also returned to use were Scania/Irizars 1675/6/1720/6 (Newtownabbey), 1707 (Antrim - school bus 69 seat conversion), 1717 (Antrim), 1677 (Newtownards - school bus 69 seat conversion) and 1722 (Newry - as school bus 53 seater). At the end of April Tiger 1440 (GVS) was detaxed, along with B10Ms 1512/40/1 (Newtownabbey), 1527 (Dungannon), 1535 (Larne), 1607 (Antrim, since sold to Lough Swilly), along with Scanias 1717 (Antrim) and 1720 (Newtownabbey), both of which are for school bus conversion. Another B10M to go is Enniskillen based 1619 which is for disposal. On the move are 1697 (Newry - Enniskillen), 439/40/59/80/723/50/1/3/2299 (Bangor - Ards), 2988 (Ards - Bangor) and 786 (Driving School - GVS). Tigers 1438/9 have been sold to Hamill for scrap, along with B10Ms 1539/83/9/91. Tenders have been invited for up to 30 midibuses, for delivery by March 2014.

18/04/13 - It seems the Tiger fleet is now down to a solitary example, as the PSV on GVS based 1440 has now expired. 1440's last run was the 15.35 departure from Crumlin on route 106.

08/04/13 - The forthcoming Scania/Irizar i4 interurban buses will take fleet numbers 601-623. 1700 is the latest Irizar school bus conversion, returning to use at Newry depot. Vehicles detaxed at the end of the March are Tiger 1499 (Dungannon), leaving just 1440/89 active, B10Ms 1523/6 (Larne), 1542 (Magherafelt), 1548 (Newtownabbey), 1549 (Newry) and 3 out of the 4 ex Metro bendies at Derry 3100-2. Some news of former vehicles is :

Tiger 401 (JEZ 4092, ex FXI 401) passed to Graham, Kesh in 2/13 for continued preservation ex Menagh, Belfast.
Dart 648 (DCZ 7648) to Bennett's, Cranberry 12/12, via Nash, Ockley (dealer).
Maercedes 894 (JAZ 3894) to T-Met, Mallusk for scrap in 3/13, ex Fleming, Ballyclare.
Mercedes 920 (JAZ 3920) to unknown owner, Cork by3/13, ex Mount Vernon Community Development Forum, Belfast.
Tiger 1344 (TXI 1344) to Leyland, Fulwood 1/13 ex Warrington Coachways, Warrington.
Tiger 2665 (VXI 2665) to Amco Facilities, Birstall 1/11, via Hardwick, Carlton (dealer); reseated to B48F by 3/13.
Leopard 4111 (TBZ 8399, ex ROI 111) to Menagh, Belfast 3/13 for preservation, ex Watson, Dundrum.

01/04/13 - More Scania/Irizar returned to use are 1709 - Larne (11/3) - to replace 1523, 1722 - Newtownabbey (15/3) - to replace 1548, 1721 - Magherafelt (21/3) - school bus conversion and 1693 - Active Reserve - GVS (25/3) - replacing 2820 (loaned to Citybus). Also returned to use is Tiger 1281, now an engineering vehicle at Ballymena replacing 4060. On the move are 443 Newcastle - Lisburn, 1733 Ballymena - Coleraine, then back to Ballymena, 2014 Coleraine - ballymena, then back to Coleraine, 2276 Newtownabbey - Larne, 2290 Omagh - Larne, 2887 Metro - Newtownabbey and 2820 Active Reserve GVS - Metro Falls on loan. Buses sold are B10Ms 1613/21/8 to Spruhan, Bagnalstown and Tiger 4060 to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap. In a surprise move Van Hool bendi's 3112/3 are to be reinstated to replace troublesome Merc Bend's 3101/2. 3100 is already off with a defective engine.

04/03/13 - The remainder of the current group of i4' Goldliners are now in use:

2 more Irizars returned to use after school bus conversion are 1688 (Larne) and 1682 (Craigavon), whilst more Intercenturies detaxed for future conversion are 1675 (Ards), 1691/3 (Ballymena), 1695/1709 (Larne), 1707/8 (Coleraine), 1711/27 (GVS), 1712/3/5/6/8/24/6 (Derry) and 1731 (Newcastle). Less fortunate is 1759 which was destroyed on 26th February after an engine fire. Also detaxed to reserve are Tiger 1494 (Lisburn) and B10Ms 1505 (Derry), 1507 (Omagh), 1524 (Lisburn), 1530 (Magherafelt), 1546 (Downpatrick), 1605 (Antrim), 1640 (Armagh), 1655 (Craigavon), North West Tours liveried 1656 (Derry) and the 2 remaining Van Hool artics 3112/3 (Derry). Another Tiger to succumb is Ballymena based engineering vehicle 4060 after engine failure. A further B7/ALX received from Metro is 2886, now based at Omagh. With so many new buses there are quite a number of vehicle moves to report during February: 1032/3/4/5 (Coleraine - Londonderry), 2014 (GVS - Coleraine), 1511 (Larne - Antrim), 1045/6 (Larne - Enniskillen), 1499 (Enniskillen - Dungannon), 487 (GVS - Lisburn), 2004 (Ballymena - Dungannon), 1489 (Craigavon - Downpatrick), 1725 (Larne - Craigavon), 1031 (Coleraine - Omagh), 1737 (Downpatrick - Newtownards), 1741 (Londonderry - Newtownards), 1743 (Downpatrick - Newcastle), 1752/3 (Enniskillen - Londonderry), 1755 (Omagh - GVS), 1759 (Dungannon - Magherafelt), 1772/2009/19 (GVS - Londonderry) and 2023 (GVS - Armagh).

25/02/13 - 2330 is the first B9 to be transferred from Citybus, and is now based at Newcastle and repainted green for the Cairnshill Park and Ride service. Also in a new livery is Plaxton Primo 4, which has received a green based scheme for further use at the Giant's Causeway.

21/02/13 - The latest new Goldliners are i4s 1069 (Larne, 8th Feb), 1062-6/71 (Coleraine, 14th Feb), 1073/4 (Ballymena, 12th Feb), along with i6's 2056-6 (GVS, 11th Feb) and 2058/9 (Derry, 11th Feb). 2051 also transferred from the Driving School to GVS on 11th February. Irizar 1684 has returned to use at Downpatrick following school bus conversion, whilst 1694/1719 also returned to use at Magherafelt, but are as yet unconverted. More B7TL/ALX received from Metro are 2884 at GVS and 2888 at Omagh, whilst good news for Tiger enthusiasts is the return to use of 1494 at Lisburn. Long withdrawn N-type 1328 has finally been sold to Hamill for scrap along with former Metro Q-type 2642, whilst B10M 1615 is the latest to go to Lough Swilly.

11/02/13 - Service 200 (Belfast-Dublin) has been renumbered X1 to correspond with the Bus Eireann number, and the GVS based i6's now carry branding for this route, having entered service on it today.

10/02/13 - Fleet presentation seems to have hit a new low with the appearance of former Metro B10M 1525 in a bizarre combination of Ulsterbus and Metro colours. Judge for yourself below.

05/02/13 - 4 more Scaina/Irizar i4 to enter service are 1059/60/1/72 (LFZ 9059/9160/9061/2), all at Ballymena on 1st February. These displaced earlier examples 1039 to Dungannon, 1040/1 to Armagh and 1042 to Omagh. Also taxed is Iricar i6 tri-axle 2057 (LFZ 8057) at Derry; strangely this was adorned with branding for web fares on the Belfast-Dublin route. Another Irizar school bus conversion is 1689, at Antrim. 1676 (Ards) and 1694 (Magherafelt) have now been detaxed for conversion, along with a number of buses from the second group: 1710 (GVS), 1717/28 (Armagh) and 1719-22 (Newry). Also detaxed are Tiger 1438 (Newcastle), B10Ms 1508 (Omagh) , 1545 (Downpatrick), 1583/1659 (Lisburn), 1632 (GVS). 1657 (Derry) along with Olympian 2000 (seasonal from Coleraine). Another B10M withdrawn is 1629 (Downpatrick), which is sold to Lough Swilly along with 1604/14/27. Some more buses on the move are 2005 (Coleraine - Ballymena), 1687 (Antrim - Newry), 1740 (Dungannon - Magherafelt) and 1754 (Omagh - Newtownards). Finally Ultras 2752/60 have gone to Hamill for scrap.

23/01/13 - According to a report in tonight's Belfast Telegraph a further £6.7m funding has been secured to purchase 13 more Goldliners, 6 single deckers and 23 Interurban single deckers for use on non-Goldline routes. Delivery is expected before March.

19/01/13 - Further new Scania/Irizar i4s are 1054 (LFZ 9054, Newcastle 8th January), 1055/6 (Newcastle, 10th January) and 1057/8 (Downpatrick, 10th January). Also returned to service at Downpatrick is Tiger 1494 (which will replace B10M 1545 at the end of the month) and ex Metro B10M 1525. The other Metro B10M, 1524, has returned to use at Lisburn. One further Irizar school bus conversion is 1674 which has returned to use at Magherafelt. Metro B7TL/ALX 2885 has transferred to Omagh, whilst other vehicles on the move are 1735 Newcastle - Newry; 470 Newcastle - Lisburn; 1043/4 Downpatrick - Newry; 1734 Newcastle - GVS; 721 Bangor - Ards; 723 Ards - Bangor; 1499 Antrim - Enniskillen; 2004 Dungannon - Ballymena; 1759 Ballymena - Dungannon; 2005 GVS - Coleraine and 1727 Coleraine - GVS. Tiger 1499 is replacing sister 1438 at Enniskillen which is PSV expired. B10Ms 690, 1631/44 have all been sold to Kearney, Cork.

03/01/13 - Scania/Irizar i6 2051 (LFZ 8051) entered service with the Driving School on 17th, whilst the first 3 of the second group of i4's in use are 1049/50 (LFZ 9049/9150, Craigavon) and 1051 (LFZ 9051, Newry), all on the January 2nd. The ranks of B10Ms have thinned further with the following going to reserve: 1589/1631/9 (Craigavon), 1604 (Antrim), 1627 (Ards) and 1645 (GVS). Also back in reserve for schoolbus conversion is Irizar 1667 (Coleraine), whilst sister 1692 has finally been withdrawn after suffering fire damage last year, along with B10M 1630 (for sale to LLSR). Solo 1832 is back in use at Newcastle, whilst the 4 B10BLEs on loan to Metro have returned (2765/8 Craigavon Active Reserve, 2784 Newtownabbey Active Reserve, 2828 GVS Active Reserve).The last Mercedes minibus active in the fleet, 1814, has been sold to McLaughlin, Convoy.

01/01/13 - Seasons Greetings and a Merry New Year from Irish Transport Heritage.

601/2 (Antrim)	607/8/9 (Ards)	614/5 (GVS)	620/1 (Magherafelt)
603/4 (Larne)	610/11 (Armagh)	616 (Bangor)	622/3 (Dungannon)
605/6 (Coleraine)	612/3 (Newcastle)	617/8/9 (Derry)

1665/91/3/6/1731 (Ballymena)	1675/6/1726 (Newtownabbey)	1698 (Enniskillen)	1717/8/28 (Dungannon)
1667 (Antrim)	1679/80 (Craigavon),	1701 (Newcastle)	1724 (Lisburn)
1669 (Downpatrick)	1690 (Coleraine)	1710/1 (GVS)
1673/1716 (Armagh)	1695/1712/27 (Larne)	1713/20 (Magherafelt)

Antrim	206/7/53/54/5/6/60/1/79/80/1, 369/89/90, 732/3/4/5, 836/40, 1689
Armagh	224/5/6/76/7/8/92, 317/68/91, 783/4, 2270/1/91, 2417/8/9/68
Ballymena	188, 227/8/9/87/8/9/97/9, 313/22/37/8/70/184, 503/16/40, 2244/5/6/8, 2814/49
Bangor	198/9/200, 2278/98, 2403/4/60/1, 2988
Coleraine	204/5/21/72/3/84/5/6, 316/20/1/4/5/61/3/74/5, 778, 2784, 2829/30/1/2/50, 2982/6
Craigavon	251/2/3/74/5, 305/6/33/4/5/6/55/6/7, 708/67, 1682, 2318/9
Derry City	1917, 2243, 2845
Downpatrick	210/1/37/8/93/4, 314, 1683/4
Dungannon	216/22/3/83, 358/9/78/86, 502, 815/6, 1018, 1763, 2002, 2316/7/20/1/2, 2880
Enniskillen	212/3/48/9/50, 307/8, 2017, 2976/7/8
Gt. Victoria St.	342/3/93/4, 704/5/6/17/39/86/8/9, 1894, 2223/4/5/6, 2325, 2884, 2991/2/6/7/9
Larne	185/6/7, 230/1,312/23/39, 434/5, 770/1, 2235/90
Lisburn	203/17/39/40/62/3/4, 726/8/38/56/7/82, 2237/8
Londonderry	208/9/44/5/6/7/98, 300/9/48/9, 498/9/500, 719/65, 2100/1/2/3/4/5, 2242, 2302/3, 2807/46/7/75/6/7, 3103, 3112/3
Magherafelt	182, 219/20/41/2/70/1/82, 350/1/2, 506, 825, 1663/74, 1704, 2233/4, 2313/4/5
Newcastle	193, 234/5/6/95/6, 340/53/4/92, 408, 709, 1056, 1664, 1743/76, 2766/77/8
Newry	232/3/57/8/9/67/8/9/90/1, 318/28/32/46/7/80/3, 707/12/59/60/74/5, 1671/86, 1700/22/35, 1887, 2279/95/6/7
Newtownabbey	376/99, 400/93, 713/6, 1670, 2231, 2787, 2881/2/3/87
Newtownards	201/2/65/6, 310, 720/3/52/4, 2823/4/33, 2989
Omagh	214/5, 301/2/3/4, 2016, 232/3, 2442/3/4, 2885/6/8, 2987

1062	LFZ 9062	Coleraine	14.02.13
1063	LFZ 9063	Coleraine	14.02.13
1064	LFZ 9064	Coleraine	14.02.13
1065	LFZ 9065	Coleraine	14.02.13
1066	LFZ 9066	Coleraine	14.02.13
1071	LFZ 9071	Coleraine	14.02.13
1067	LFZ 9067	Larne	21.02.13
1068	LFZ 9068	Larne	21.02.13
1075	LFZ 9075	Larne	25.02.13
1076	LFZ 9076	Larne	25.02.13
1052	LFZ 9052	Newry	26.02.13
1070	LFZ 9170	Coleraine	26.02.13
1077	LFZ 9077	Downpatrick	26.02.13
1053	LFZ 9053	Londonderry	27.02.13
1078	LFZ 9078	Downpatrick	28.02.13