Ulsterbus Fleet News 2018
Previous years news 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 18/12/18 - Metro Volvo B7TL 2941 is now back with Ulsterbus a second time and is in use at Lisburn depot. Als back after repairs are 1078 (Downpatrick), 319 (Newry) amd 181 (Ards). Against this Irizar 1698 was SORNd at the end of November for chassis repairs. Another Irizar to leave the fleet is 1714 (Magherafelt) after an (yet another) engine fire at Cookstown. 1748 has moved from Milewater SC to Derry, 3113 from Larne to Newcastle, 1741 from Dungannon to Larne, 1662 from Ballymena to Magherafelt and 1723 from Downpatrick - Milewater SC. Ayats 2005/21 have been sold to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough and 2019 to Metala Transport & Service Company, Maputo, Mozambique (!). Former P&R green liveried 2413 and 2227 are both now overall blue.
22/11/18 - Unexpected and unusual new touring coaches are 2 Volvo 9700s (790 KXI 1060, 1791 GXI 421) and 2 Volvo B11R/Jonckheere (1792 FXI 403, 1793 RXI 3333). All were delivered in dealer white livery prior to the application of Tours livery.
01/11/18 - Irizar 1698 has temporarily returned to use at Newry, covering for schoolrun 319 which is SORN'd for chassis repairs. Also SORN'd are 181 (Ards, engine repairs), 322 (Ballymena, chassis repairs), 539 (Newry, engine repairs), 544 (Ballymena, engine repairs), 3118 (Newcastle, accident damage), whilst Prima 4 (Coleraine) is now out of use in the Reserve fleet. On the move are 1777 (Downpatrick - Newcastle), 2220 (Newcastle - Downpatrick), 772 (Bangor - Active Reserve), 785 (Bangor - Ards), 2949 (GVS - Bangor), 1662 (Bangor - Ballymena) and 2044 (Foyle - Reserve - accident damage). Scania 754 has been reactivvated in connection with the New Ticketing Project and is now reseated to B29F+0. Prima 4 has lost it's former Tiger registration WXI 1400 and is now JGZ 6258. Scanias 700/35/56/2403 have gone to Hamill for scrap, along with Volvo B7 2921 and former Tiger towbus 4478, whilst Ayats 2022 has been sold to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough.
11/10/18 - The remainder of the new Wrightbus Streetdeck Urbys entered service on 17th September, with 3116-21 (JGZ 3116) at Newcastle, and 3122-4 at GVS. All are H75F+20 layout. Scania 785 was received from Metro and is at Bangor covering for destroyed 2403, whilst sister 737 is back in use at Ballymena, and 2435 at Bangor after completion of accident damage repairs. Also back in service after more than 2 years off the road is Solo 1935 at Coleraine, and this is now painted green for use on the Giant's Causeway shuttle service. Finally Irizar 1675 is back at Downpatrick after it PSV prep was completed. Buses SORN'd at the end of September were Schoolrun 248 (Enniskillen, engine repairs), i4 1007 (Newry, accident damage on 21st August), Irizar 1664 (Downpatrick, Reserve), Olympian open topper 2000 (Coleraine, seasonal) and B7TL 2933 (Omagh, reserve). Newcastle based B7s 2941/2 have both returned to Metro, whilst Solo 1894 is withdrawn from Downpatrick, after engine failure, and is now sold to Hamill for scrap. On the move are 1718/48 (Duncrue Street - Milewater SC as engineering float), 1764 (Duncrue Street - Newcastle), 1756 (Larne - Derry, Active Reserve), 479 (Ards - Reserve), 1687 (Enniskillen - Newry), 2994 (Newcastle - GVS), 2325 (GVS - Omagh) and 2884 (Newcastle - Enniskillen). Coleraine based Plaxton Prima 3 has lost it's cherised former Tiger registration RXI 3333 and is now JGZ 6250, whilst withdrawn Scania 2403 had lost FXI 403 in favour of JGZ 6427. Another Ayats to be sold is 2014, which has gone to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough. Volvo B9 2240 has lost it's Foyle Hero's livery, and is now overall blue.
10/09/18 - New buses are Wrightbus Streetdecks 3102 (JGZ 3102, Ards 2nd August), 3100/1/4/5/7 (Ards 3rd August), 3106 (Ards 4th August), 3108/9/10/1 (Larne, 6th August), 3103/14 (Ards, 8th August), 3115 (Ards, 9th August), 3112 (Larne, 22nd August) and 3113 (Larne, 27th August). All are built to the longer length, with 3100-7 being 80 seaters and 3108-15 72 seaters with 2+1 seating upstairs. Back in use after completion of repairs are Sunsun 1779 (Downpatrick), Schoolrun 289 (Ballymena) and Scania L94 2407 (Antrim). Against this the following were SORN'd at the end of August: 1064 (Coleraine - engine defects), 1078 (Downpatrick - engine defects), 1894 (Downpatrick - engine defects) and 2435 (Ballymena - Accident damage). The majority of buses detaxed for the school holidays returned to use at the start of September with the following exceptions: 409 (Craigavon - engine repairs), 1675 (Downpatrick- PSV Preparation) and 1727 (Coleraine - overhaul). Larne based Scania/Irizar 1737 was withdrawn on 6th August, and Bangor based L94 2403 on 2nd September after being maliciously destroyed at the depot. Scania L94 750 has been reseated to B29F+0 and is now allocated as a training bus to the new ticketing project. Previously withdrawn Scania 2421 has lost it’s GXI 421 registration in favour of MXZ 1501, and is now sold for scrap to Hamill. Buses on the move are: 2446/61 (Ards - Bangor), 2250 (Larne - Coleraine), 1727 (Ards - Coleraine), 2327 (Ards - Magherafelt), 1673 (Armagh - Newcastle), 2946 (Ards - Enniskillen), 1063 (BAllymena - Coleraine), 2468 (Armagh - Ballymena), 617 (Enniskillen - MAgherafelt), 1674 (Magherafelt - Enniskillen), 1675 (Newtownabbey - Downpatrick), 1688 (Larne - Coleraine), 1757 (Larne - Foyle), 317 (Armagh - Ballymena), 614/5 (Glengall Street - GVS), 1060 (Antrim - Ballymena), 1771 (GVS - Downpatrick), 555 (GVS - Bangor), 556 (GVS - Antrim), 616 (Glengall Street - Larne), 733/6/1706/63 (Duncrue Street - Milewater Service Centre), 825 (Larne - Newtownards), 1754 (Newry - Milewater Service Centre), 1758 (Larne - Milewater Service Centre), 1763 (Duncrue Street - Newcastle), 607 (Glengall Street - Antrim), 1663 (MAgherafelt - Enniskillen) and 1698 (Enniskillen - Reserve). Also received from Metro are Volvo B7TL/ALX 2941/2 (Newcastle), 2950/1 (Armagh), 2952 (Magherafelt), 2961 (Newtownabbey), along with Optare Solo 1913 (Downpatrick).
01/08/18 - Solo 1854 returned to use at Newry at the start of July to cover for minibus shortages. Also back in use are Irizar 1718 (Duncrue Street as engineering float), and 2446/61 (Ards - transferred from Bangor). Against this Scania 2421 (Ards) was lost to a malicious hijacking at West Winds on 11th July and Scania 479 sustained Accident Damage on Belfast Road Newtownards on the 16th July. Newtownards based B7TL 2327 was SORN'd at the end of July for the remainder of the school holidays. On the move are i4 607 (Ards - Glengall Street) , Volvo B7TL 2326 (Ards - Craigavon) , whilst Metro Solo 1922 was in use at Coleraine for a couple of weeks in July. Scania 765 has been sold to Hamill for scrap, and former Leyland Tiger/Alexander towbus 1184 to Preston, Antrim.
01/07/18 - Irizar 1741 has returned to use at Dungannon after it's overhaul work was completed, as has similar 1691 at Ballymena, after completion of engine repairs. Ayats 2011 was withdrawn from Dungannon at the start of June with gearbox defects, whilst the following are now in Reserve from the end of June : Irizar 1701 (Newcastle), the final 4 Ayats - 2006 (Omagh), 2013/9/22 (Foyle) and Volvo B7s 2924 (Craigavon), 2932 (Ards) and 2935 (Newcastle). Sunsun 1779 is SORN'd from Downpatrick with engine defects and Scania L94 2407 from Antrim for overhaul. With the end of the 2017-18 school year the following vehicles were de-taxed on the 30th June for the duration of the school holidays:-
Great Victoria Street 342, 343, 393, 394, 1672, 1702, 1710, 1711
Lisburn 203, 217, 218, 239, 240, 262, 263, 264, 809, 1724, 1734
Newtownards 201, 202, 265, 266, 310, 1661, 1727
Bangor 198, 199, 200, 400, 481, 772, 1662, 2446, 2461, 2893, 2894, 2988, 2989
Craigavon 251, 252, 253, 274, 275, 305, 306, 333, 334, 335, 336, 355, 356, 357, 409
Downpatrick 211, 237, 238, 293, 294, 341
Armagh 224, 225, 226, 276, 277, 278, 292, 317, 1673
Newcastle 210, 234, 235, 236, 295, 296, 353, 354
Newry 232, 233, 257, 258, 259, 267, 268, 269, 290, 291, 344, 345, 346, 347, 774, 780, 1671, 1686, 1700, 1954
Dungannon 216, 222, 223, 283, 358, 359, 815, 2320, 2321, 2930
Foyle 208, 209, 244, 247, 298, 300, 309, 348, 349, 2928, 2937, 2938
Omagh 214, 215, 249, 301, 302, 303, 304, 1666, 1875, 2886, 2888, 2933, 2940, 2987
Enniskillen 212, 213, 248, 250, 307, 308, 2934, 2977
Coleraine 204, 205, 221, 245, 246, 272, 273, 284, 285, 286, 2931
Ballymena 227, 228, 229, 287, 288, 297, 299
Larne 185, 186, 187, 230, 231, 312, 323, 339
Magherafelt 183, 219, 220, 241, 242, 270, 271, 282, 350, 351, 352, 1663, 2313, 2314, 2315, 2880
Antrim 206, 207, 243, 254, 255, 256, 260, 261, 279, 280, 281, 369, 389, 390On the move are 249 (Enniskillen - Omagh), 617 (Omagh - Enniskillen), 1776 (Newcastle - Newry), 1784 (Foyle - Newry), 614/5 (GVS - Glengall Street), 616 (Bangor - Glengall Street), 1737 (Ards - Larne), 1777 (Newcastle - Downpatrick) and 2220 (Downpatrick - Newcastle).
01/06/18 - Vehicles returning to use are Intercentury 1743 and Sunsun 1777 (both at Newcastle - after completion of repairs). Also back in use, with the Training Academy, is Scania L94 759 which is now upseated to 45 seats. Buses detaxed/SORNd et the end of May are Schoolrun 289 (Ballymena - engine defects), L94 737 (Newcastle - to Reserve), Intercentury 1691 (Ballymena - engine defects) and Ayats 2021 (Foyle - To Reserve). Volvo B7TL 2921 (Enniskillen) is now withdrawn with electrical defects, as is B12B 115 (Glengall Street, sold to Halpenny Travel, Dundalk).
01/05/18 - Streetdecks 3100-27 (JGZ 3100 etc) are due to commence delivery in the next few weeks. 3100-15 are 11.5m examples with Derry, Ards and Larne likely recipients, whilst 3216-27 are shorter 10.5m ones for Park and Ride use at GVS, Newcastle and Metro. Irizar i4 1077 has returned to use at Downpatrick following completion of repairs. Also back in service on a seasonal basis is Coleraine based open top Olympian 2000. Sunsun 1777 (Newcastle) is now SORNed for engine repairs. A refurbishment program for these 20 Sunsuns has now commenced, and consequently Irizars 1764 (Craigavon) and 1748 (Larne) are now transferred to Duncrue Street for use as engineering float vehicles to cover this work.
Also on the move are 767 (Downpatrick - Craigavon, Active Reserve), 1716 (Armagh - Metro), 1030 (Enniskillen - Foyle), 2036 (Foyle - Enniskillen). Scania L94 708 has gone to Hamill for scrap.22/04/18 - Returning to to service are Ayats 2022 (Foyle, Engine Repairs Completed), i4 1051 (Newry,Engine Repairs Completed), Intercenturies 1744 (Armagh, Engine Repairs Completed), 1756 (Larne, PSV Prep Completed) and 1676 (Armagh, Fire damage repaired). Against this the following have been SORNed at the end of March: 1741 (Dungannon, Axle overhaul), 1743 (Newcastle, fire damage) and 2023 (Foyle, To Reserve). On the move are 737 (Ballymena, Active Reserve - Newcastle), 1009/10 (Newry - FOyle), 772 (Armagh - Bangor, Active Reserve), 1754 (Bangor, Active Reserve - Newry, Active Reserve), 1062/3/71 (Coleraine - Ballymena), 1762/602 (Ballymena - Coleraine), 764 (Foyle - Coleraine). Scania 775 and Solo 1908 have been sold to Walsh’s Coaches, Edenderry County Offaly. Livery changes see Bangor based Scania gain an AOA promoting the Story Bangor events next month, whilst the Tours livery has been amended with the green replaced with a darker blue - this is carried by 128/9/34/5 at least.
05/03/18 - Buses returned to use are Schoolrun 378 (Dungannon, Accident Repairs Completed) and 354 (Newcastle, Engine Repairs Completed), Irizar 1689 (Antrim, overhaul work complete) and i4 1039 (Magherafelt, ECU repairs complete). Buses SORN'd at the end of February are i4 1077 (Downpatrick, Engine Repairs), 1718 (Duncrue Street, PSV preparation) and nearly new Caetano 2044 (Foyle, with accident damage). On the move are Irizar 1713 (Training Academy - Metro), Scania L94s 737 (Ballymena - Ballymena [Active Reserve]), 767 (Newcastle - Downpatrick) and 768 (Antrim - Antrim [Active Reserve]), Volvo B7TLs 2949 (Newcastle - GVS), 2994 (GVS - Newcastle) and Caetano 2036 (Enniskillen - Foyle). Ayats 2005/22/4, previously SORNd for repairs, are now in Reserve. Volvo/Plaxton coach 112 has been sold to McLaughlin Coaches, Convoy, the remains of burnt out Scania 567 to Hamill for scrap and Solo 1910 to Walsh’s Coaches, Edenderry, County Offaly.
08/02/18 - Irizar i4 602 has returned to use at Ballymena following completion of accident damage repair. Against this the following are now detaxed/SORN'd at the end of January: 354 (Newcastle - engine defects), 378 (Dungannon - accident damage), 1039 (Magherafelt - electronics issues), 1673 (Armagh - fire damage), 1689 (Antrim - overhaul), 1756 (Larne - PSV prep), 2005 (Foyle - fire damage), 2022/4 (Foyle - engine defects). Now in Reserve are B12B 112 (Foyle), Ayats 2004/15 (Dungannon), 2014 (Coleraine), 2017 (Enniskillen), 2018 (Omagh) and 2020 (Omagh). On the move are 2030/1/2/(Foyle - Omagh), 2035/6 (Foyle - Enniskillen), 2037/8 (Foyle - Coleraine), 737 (Enniskillen - Ballymena), 760 (Foyle - Magherafelt), 1718 (Enniskillen - Duncrue Street - as engineering float), 1050 (Newry - Craigavon), 772/2409 (Foyle - Armagh), 2013 (Coleraine - Foyle, Active Reserve), 2019 (Omagh - Foyle, Active Reserve), 2019 (Foyle - Foyle, Active Reserve), 767 (Foyle - Newcastle), 768 (Foyle - Antrim), whilst Metro Irizar 1713 has pent a number of periods with the training academy. Interesting news is a order for a number of Wrightbus Streetdeck integrals, which are currently in build. These will to be an enhanced spec for use on Park and Ride and shorter distance Goldline routes.
09/01/18 - The remainder of the new Scania K410/Caetano Invictus are now in service, all at Foyle depot: 2043 (WUI 4243 - 5th December), 2042/4 (6th December), 2039 (7th December), 2045 (13th December), 2047/9/50 (27th December) 2046 (28th December) and 2048 (3rd January). Scania 560 returned to use at Omagh on 1st December of completion of accident damage repairs. Ayats 2025 was withdrawn from Dungannon on 9th December and subsequently sold to Hectares Plant Sales, Jonesborough. Vehicles on the move are Solos 1956 (Omagh - Enniskillen) and 1875 (Enniskillen - Omagh), B12M 119 (Glengall Street - Stranraer), Scania/Irizar i6 125 (Glengall Street - Foyle), Scania/Irizar i4s 1009/10 (Foyle - Newry) and 1050 (Craigavon - Newry), Scania/Intercentury 1718 (Dungannon - Enniskillen), Scania/Wright 737 (Omagh - Enniskillen) and Scania/Caetano 2027/8/9 (Foyle - Dungannon).
01/01/18 - Seasons Greetings and a Merry New Year from Irish Transport Heritage.
