Ulsterbus Fleet News 2020
Previous years news 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 01/12/20 - As part of a large order for 145 new vehicles placed with Wrightbus for delivery in the 2021/2 timeframe Ulsterbus a pertion of a batch of for 80 battery electric dual door Streetdecks. Also expected are 31 diesel Streetdecks and 14 single deckers. Solos 0016/7 (XUI 6616 etc) commenced their commissioning period allocated to York Road on 18th November, followed by 80-seat Streetdecks 3163-7 (XUI 8163) on 25th November. 0017 later entered use at Lisburn on 26th November. Returning to use are Schoolrun 308 (Enniskillen, engine repairs complete), B12B 1779 (Downpatrick, overhaul complete), Scania L94 773 (Antrim, engine repairs complete) and Schoolrun 396 (Ards, chassis repairs complete). Against this i4s 1055 (Newcastle), 1075 (Larne), Intercentury 1705 (Larne) and B9TL 2260 (Newcastle) were all detaxed at the end of November for repairs. B7TL 2951 (Coleraine) was withdrawn on 5th November with engine defects, Scania 783 (Ards) on 12th November with chassis defects, Intercentury 1678 (Newtownabbey) on 19th November with chassis defects and Scania 772 (Armagh) on 26th November with chassis defects. Irizar i6 touring coach 141 has moved from Stranraer to Metro, with 2443 going from Enniskillen to Newcastle, 1706 (Ballymena - Larne), 265 (Ards - Newcastle), 3115 (Newcastle - Ards), 1884 (Bangor - Ards) and 2952 (Derry - Magherafelt). Irizars 1683/1723/50/2 have all gone to Hamill for scrap, along with Solo 1919.
12/11/20 - The 30 2-axle B11R/Sunsuns will take fleetnumbers 1200-29 (XUI 7700-29). Also due imminently are 20 more Streetdecks to Urby spec, to be 3163-3182 (XUI 8163 etc). Widebody Solo 0014 (XUI 6614) entered use at York Road for a commissioning period on 16th October, before being allocated to a permanent depot. Also returned to use are B7RLE 542 (Ballymena, accident damage repair completed, 20th October), B9TL 2221 (GVS, Engine repair completed, 2nd Noveber) and Scanias 124/7/8/9/33-5 (all Glengall Street, for railway substitution, 21st October). The Scania Coaches were moved to reserve again at the end of Octover, together with the 4 B11Rs 1790-3. Also off the road at the end of October were B7R 396 (Ards, chassis repairs), B7RLE 503 (Ballymena, Engine repairs), i4 1063 (Coleraine, engine repairs), Solos 1925 (Bangor, to Reserve), 1927/9 (Coleraine - Reserve) and Prima 3 (Coleraine - Reserve). Vehicles withdrawn completely are 2 Tigers used as Engineering buses; 1238 (Downpatrick, 10th October) and long disused 1304 (Craigavon, 27th October), along with accident damaged L94 747 (Newcastle, 16th October) and Volvo B12M 117 (Glengall Street, 18th October). On the move are 1008 (Magherafelt - Enniskillen), 1754 (Enniskillen - Magherafelt), 1968 (Ards - Bangor), 2406 (Downpatrick - Bangor). Sales see 117 go to Eurocoach, Dungannon, 1238 (Adams and Burns, Ballymena), 1304 (Cunningham, Whitehead), 1751 (Holmes Coaches, Moville), 1759 (Hamill, Ahoghil), 1905 (Spruhan Coach Hire) and 2931 (Mike Daly Coaches, Warrington). Repaints see 1754 being graced by overall blue, but with the roof left in white, whilst Schoolrun 308 is the first of these to become overall blue.
06/10/20 - Returning to use during September are 1754 (Dungannon, for schools transport), 622 (Dungannon, after accident repair, moving to Omagh and then Enniskillen), 1785 (Coleraine, after refurbishment), 344 (Newry, after accident repair), 831 (Coleraine, after engine repairs), 1758 (Milewater SC, as engineering float for schools services) and 1770 (Stranraer, engine repairs complete). Against this the following were Detaxed/SORN'd at the end of September: 308 (Enniskillen, engine defects), 542 (Ballymena, engine defects) annd 2221 (GVS, engine defects). On the move are 184 (Magherafelt - Derry), 1070 (Dungannon - Coleraine), 723 (Training Academy - York Road Engineering Training) and 1968 (Bangor - Ards). Touring coaches 114/25 (Derry) are now detaxed to Reserve, with 127/8 being reregistered from BXI 327/8 to XUI 8712/3. Vehicles sold during September are 729/51/1663/74/1718/44/55/61/1895 and 2923, all going to Hamill for scrap, with Solo 1909 going to Share Discovery Village, Lisnaskea. Training Academy Irizar 1740 has received a repaint in overall blue.
10/09/20 - Surprisingly Leyland Tiger 1260 was returned to use in August at Derry for engineering yard duties, although this was offset by the withdrawal of 1270 at Coleraine during the month - this was sold to R Blair, Ballymoney. Also back on the road are : 823 (Coleraine - after engine repairs), 1780 (Derry - after refurbishment), 525 (Ballymena - after accident repair), 1706 (Ballymena - required for schools), 1747 (Enniskillen - required for schools, replacing 1663), 2057 (Larne - after fire damage repair and 2058 (Larne - after overhaul). With the return of pupils to schools the following vehicles were returned to Service on 1st September 2020:
GVS 342, 343, 393, 394, 571, 572, 1702, 1710, 1711, 2221, 2223, 2996, 2997, 2999, 3154
Lisburn 197, 203, 217, 218, 239, 240, 262, 263, 264, 329, 330, 331, 1724, 2279, 2941
Newtownards 181, 201, 202, 265, 266, 310, 395, 396, 2947
Bangor 198, 199, 200, 2962, 2964
Craigavon 251, 252, 253, 274, 275, 305, 306, 333, 334, 335, 336, 355, 356, 357, 405, 432, 1679, 1680
Downpatrick 194, 195, 196, 211, 237, 238, 293, 294, 341, 1675, 2051
Armagh 224, 225, 226, 276, 277, 278, 292, 367, 368, 391, 558, 562, 564, 565, 566
Newcastle 193, 210, 234, 235, 236, 295, 296, 340, 353, 354, 392, 1673
Newry 180, 189, 190, 191, 232, 233, 257, 258, 259, 267, 268, 269, 290, 291, 318, 319, 327, 328, 332, 345, 346, 347, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 1671, 1686, 1687, 1700, 2295
Dungannon 216, 222, 223, 283, 314, 315, 326, 358, 359, 372, 373, 377, 378, 386, 397, 398, 1717, 2963
Derry 192, 208, 209, 244, 247, 298, 300, 309, 348, 349, 364, 365, 366, 438, 460, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 1661, 1677, 1961, 1971, 1972, 1973, 2876, 2877, 2891, 2892, 2952, 2958, 2959
Omagh 214, 215, 249, 301, 302, 303, 304, 385, 399, 461, 462, 560, 1666, 1715, 1875, 2268, 2957
Enniskillen 212, 213, 250, 307, 308, 311, 387, 388, 2884, 2946, 2976
Coleraine 204, 205, 221, 245, 246, 272, 273, 284, 285, 286, 316, 320, 321, 324, 325, 361, 362, 363, 374, 375, 400, 512, 602, 604, 605, 606, 763, 764, 833, 1035, 1669, 1690, 1708, 1732, 2310, 2415, 2875, 2951, 2981, 2983, 2984
Ballymena 188, 227, 228, 229, 287, 288, 289, 297, 299, 313, 317, 322, 337, 338, 370, 371, 376, 384, 1059, 1072, 1665, 1691, 1693, 1697, 1734, 2244, 2245, 2246
Larne 185, 186, 187, 230, 231, 312, 323, 339, 1688, 1695, 1699, 1705, 1709Magherafelt 182, 183, 184, 219, 220, 241, 242, 270, 271, 282, 350, 351, 352, 1662, 1694, 1703, 1712, 1719, 1721, 2266, 2282, 2314, 2880
Antrim 206, 207, 243, 254, 255, 256, 260, 261, 279, 280, 281, 369, 389, 390, 455, 1667, 1707, 2956
Newtownabbey 1668, 1676, 1678, 1684, 2960, 2961Enniskillen based 248 remains SORN with electrical defects. Also SORN'd are touring coaches 135/1790 (no tours running due to COVID), 1046 (Dungannon - engine defects), 1770 (Stranraer - engine defects), 622 (Dungannon - accident damage) 711 (Training Academy, to Reserve) and 1764/1879 (Newcastle, to Reserve). Irizar 1663 (Enniskillen) is withdrawn due to chassis defects. Solos 1985/9 have returned to Metro from Lisburn and Newtownabbey respectively, with 1933 being received at Newcastle from Metro. Moves see the following transfers between depots: 2329/2980/6 (Magherafelt - Coleraine), 141/2 (Glengall Street - Stranraer), 513/27/36 (Ballymena - Coleraine), 821/2 (Enniskillen - Coleraine), 2262/3 (Magherafelt - Antrim), 457 (Armagh - Craigavon), 2442/4 (Omagh - Coleraine), 2443 (Omagh - Enniskillen), 841 (Downpatrick - Bangor), 760/2952/65 (Magherafelt - Derry), 1008 (Derry - Magherafelt), 1070/6 (Larne - Dungannon). Finally, the following vehicles were sold during August (all to Hamill for scrap): 704/84/1698/1727/1841.
07/08/20 - Vehicles returning to use are B12Bs 1769 (Stranraer, after completion of PSV preparation) and 1778 (Downpatrick, after fitment of protection screens). With the resumption of Driver Training Irizars 1726 and 1745 (with allover blue repaint) and L94's 723/59 are back on the road, with 704 being moved to the Reserve fleet. Downpatrick based Scania/i6 is SORN'd for fitment of protection screens. Metro Solo 1985 has been received as part of the emergency float fleet, and is based at Lisburn. Transfers see 141/2 move from Stranraer to Glengall Street, 2982 from Magherafelt to Coleraine and 140 from Glengall Street to Metro. Vehicles sold durig July are: L94 736, Irizars 1664/72/82/9/96, Solo 1840 and B7TL 2934, all to Hamill for scrap, with Irizar 1763 going to Holmes Coaches, Moville County Donegal.
07/07/20 - Buses back in use are Streetdeck 3100 (Ards, 5th July after fuel tank repairs), B12B 1774 (Coleraine, 5th June after engine repairs and driver protection screen fitment) and Scania 556 (Antrim, 1st July after completion of accident damage repairs). Against this 4 other vehicles have been SORN'd on 30th June: 525 (Ballymena, accident damage), 831 (Coleraine, engine defects), 2310 (Coleraine, engine defects) and 1909 (Craigavon, to Reserve).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis the following vehicles have also been detaxed and taken out of Service until further notice:-
GVS 571*, 572*, 2221, 2223, 2996, 2997, 2999, 3154
Craigavon 405*, 432*
Downpatrick 1778*
Armagh 558*, 562*, 564*
Newcastle 1764*
Pennyburn 438*, 460*, 495*, 496*, 497*, 498*, 499*, 500*, 1961, 1971, 1972, 1973
Omagh 461*, 462*, 560*, 2268
Coleraine 512#, 602*, 604*, 606*, 763, 764, 833, 1035*, 2415, 2875, 2981, 2983, 2984
Ballymena 1059, 1072, 2244, 2245, 2246#
Magherafelt 2266*, 2282*, 2314*, 2880*
Antrim 455*
Those marked * are waiting installation of Driver Protection Screen whilst those marked # are awaiting replacement of a damaged Driver Protection Screen.
On the move are : 491/3 (Enniskillen - Newtownabbey), 1043 (Dungannon - Derry), 410 (Newry - Craigavon), 513/27/36 (Coleraine - Ballymena), 1884 (Ards - Bangor), 419 (Armagh - Craigavon) and 457 (Craigavon - Armagh). Scania/Intercentury 1757 was sold during June to Martin McLaughlin, Culdaff County Donegal.
08/06/20 - Scania K230 406 returned to use at Downpatrick on 5th May after completion of engine repairs. At the end of May many of the remaining Scania / Irizar Intercentury Goldliners were placed in Reserve: 1733/46 (Ballymena), 1736/62/6 (Coleraine) , 1741 (Larne), 1747 (Enniskillen), 1748/54/7/8 (MSC Float). This leaves Newcastle allocated 1764 as the only Intercentury still in public use at present. Also detaxed at the end of the month aue to the ongoing school closures were 2295 (Newry), 1875 (Omagh), 311/87/8 (Enniskillen) 3, 1927/29 (Coleraine). On the move during May were: 2889 (Newtownards - Newry), 819 (Dungannon - Derry), 757/809/10 (Newry - Lisburn), 793/6/805/6/7 (Ballymena - Metro), 414/2318 (Armagh - Craigavon), 1105/8/13/4 (Derry - Newry), 439/40 (Newry - Bangor), 2326/2879 (Newry - Craigavon), 513 (Ballymena - Coleraine), 770/1 (Ballymena - Larne), 909/10/22/3 (Dungannon - Metro), 2889 (Newry - Newtownards), 1884 (Bangor - Newtownards) and 1005/6 (Newry - Derry). Finally B7TL 2937 has been sold to Hamill for scrap.
01/05/20 - Scania 2428 has returned to use at Newry, after completion of electrical repairs, whilst Stranraer based B12B 1769 is SORN'd for PSV. The bulk of this month's news covers moves of vehicles fitted with Driver Protection screens to ensure adequate coverage at depots:
410/2326/2879 (Craigavon - Newry), 414/9/2318/9 (Craigavon - Armagh), 1980 (Metro - Larne), 2361 (Larne - Ballymena), 2980/2/6/2329 (Coleraine - Magherafelt), 793/5/6/805-8 (Metro - Ballymena), 1970 (Bangor - Newtownards), 1980 (Larne - Newtownards), 2262/3 (Antrim - Magherafelt), 909/10/22/3 (Metro - Dungannon), 1989 (Metro - Newtownabbey), 491/3 (Newtownabbey - Enniskillen), 1105/8/13/4 (Newry - Pennyburn), 2319 (Armagh - Craigavon), 757 (Lisburn - Newry), 770/1 (Larne - Ballymena), 795/808 (Ballymena - Metro), 809/10 (Lisburn - Newry), 2361 (Ballymen - Metro), 439/40 (Bangor - Newry), 513 (Coleraine - Ballymena), 401 (Great Victoria Street - Armagh), 1966 (Newtownabbey - Newtownards), 1970 (Newtownards - Bangor), 1933 (Newtownards - Metro), 401 (Armagh - Great Victoria Street), 1966 (Newtownards - Newtownabbey) and 1980 (Newtownards - Craigavon). The SC5 Goldliners and 1933 have been fitted with protection screens.01/04/20 - Returned to service following repairs were 224 (MEZ 7224) at Armagh on 06/03, 457 (GXI 457) at Craiagvon on 06/03, 1002 (JFZ 7002) at Newry on 02/03, 1747 (EEZ 6747) at Enniskillen on 03/03, 1758 (EEZ 6758) at Milewater Service Centre on 18/3, 1957 (TFZ 9957) at Omagh on 05/03 and 2038 (IXZ 1838) at Londonderry on 16/3. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the closure of all schools throughout Northern Ireland, a number of vehicles were detaxed on 31/03/20:-
Antrim 206/7/43/54-6/60/1/79-81, 369/89/90, 556, 773, 1667, 1707, 2956
Armagh 224-6/76-8/92, 367/8/91, 565/6
Bangor 198-200, 2962/4
Ballymena 188, 227-9/87-9/97/9, 313/7/22/37/8/70/1/6/84, 1665/91/3/7, 1734
Coleraine 204/5/21/45/6/72/3/85/6, 316/20/1/4/5/61-3/74/5, 400, 605, 823, 1669/90, 1708/32/66/74, 1785, 2951
Craigavon 251-3/74/5, 305/6/33-6/55-7, 1679/80
Downpatrick 195/6, 211/37/8/93/4, 341, 1675, 1779
Dungannon 216/22/3/83, 314/5/26/58/9/72/3/7/8/86/97/8, 1717, 2963
Enniskillen 212/3/48/50, 307/8, 1663, 2884, 2946/76
Glengall Street 117/24/6-9/33/4, 1791-3
Great Victoria Street 342/3/93/4, 1702/10/1, 2224
Larne 185-7, 230/1, 312/23/39, 1688/95/9, 1705/9
Lisburn 197, 203/17/8/39/40/62-4, 329-31, 1724, 2279, 2941
Londonderry 114/25/92, 208/9/44/7/98, 300/9/48/9/64-6, 1661/77, 1780, 2876/7/91/2, 2958/9
Magherafelt 182-4, 219/20/41/2/70/1/82, 350-2, 1662/94, 1703/12/9/21, 2952
Newcastle 193, 210/34-6/95/6, 340/53/4/92, 1673
Newry 180/9-91, 232/3/57-9/67-9/90/1, 318/9/27/8/32/45-7/79-83, 1671/86/7, 1700, 2428
Newtownards 181, 201/2/65/6, 310/95/6, 2947, 3100
Newtownabbey 1668/76/8/84, 2960/1
Omagh 214/5/49, 301-4/85/99, 1666, 1715, 2957
Training Academy 704/11/23/50/4/9
Of the above 308 (PEZ 9308), 773 (TCZ 1773), 823 (GEZ 7823), 1766 (TCZ 1766), 1774 (REZ 9774), 2884 (EEZ 2884), 2946 (TCZ 9946) and 2976 (EEZ 2976) have been detaxed with engine problems, 605 (NFZ 9605) with gearbox problems, 2224 (OEZ 7224), 2279 (PEZ 7279) and 2428 (GXI 428) with electrical problems, 3100 (JGZ 3100) with fuel problems and 556 (EFZ 9556) with accident damage. 2279 (PEZ 7279) has been detaxed for PSV preparation and 1779 (REZ 9779), 1780 (REZ 9780) and 1785 (REZ 9785) have been detaxed following the suspension of the refurbishment programme for this batch of vehicles. All are currently at the Falls Park workshops. Detaxed to Reserve on 31/03/20 were 784 (TCZ 1784), 1752 (EEZ 6752) and 2950 (TCZ 9950). 1664 (TCZ 1664) which was detaxed at the end of January has now been transferred to Reserve without repair. Scania K94IB/Irizar 1706 (TCZ 1706) was transferred to Citybus on 04/03 but was returned to Ulsterbus on 31/03, detaxed and placed in Reserve. Optare Solo 1933 (CGZ 6313, ex BXI 333) was received from Citybus and placed in services at Newtownards 27/03. Volvo B9TL/Wright 2361 (KFZ 9361) was received on loan from Citybus on 02/04 as part of the COVID-19 emergency bus fleet and allocated to Larne. Withdrawn on 31/03 were Optare Solos 1895 (DEZ 8895) with retarder problems and 1919 (CGZ 6306, ex ROI 139) with gearbox defects. Disposals during March were Optare Solos 1839 (SCZ 3839) and 1848 (SCZ 3848) to Spruhan, Bagenalstown. These two had latterly been part of the Training Academy fleet. Mercedes Benz 405GN bendi-buses 3101 (DCZ 3101) and 3102 (DCZ 3102) which were sold some years ago to SOS, Belfast some years ago for conversion to mobile assistance units passed to Fleming Metal Recycling, Newry for scrap in 1/18. Neither were ever converted or used by SOS.15/03/20 - Volvo B12B/Sunsun 1769 has been smartly repainted in Scottish Citylink livery.
03/03/20 - Quite a number of vehicles returned to use during February after completion of repairs: 2446 (Bangor, accident damage), 1069 (Newcastle, transferred from larne, engine), 1686 (Newry, gearbox), 1781 (Armagh, engine), 2977 (Enniskillen, engine), 1007 (Derry, accident damage), 2409 (Armagh, engine), 2402 (Ards, axle overhaul), 1019 (Dungannon, engine0 and 3107 (Ards, accident damage). Agains this the following are now SORN'd: 344 (Newry, accident damage), 1749 (Newcastle, Reserve), 1758 (Milewater float, PSV preparation) and 1760 (Newry, Reserve). Additionall the folloing are withdrawn completely: 1689 (Ards, chassis defects), 1747 (Enniskillen, electrical) and 1718 (Milewater float, engine). Volvo B12M/Plaxton 116/8/9 have moved to Metro, whilst 2948 has gone from Bangor to Ards and 1757 from Derry to Milewater. Scania 707 has gone to Hamill for scrap, along with B7TL 2930, whilst Solos 1876/99 are sold to Spruhan Coach Hire, Corries, County Carlow and Scania/Irizar 1756 has got to Holmes Coaches, Moville. A low height Arriva Yorkshire Wrightbus Streetdeck was demonstrated to the company last week.
04/02/20 - Returned to service following repairs were 201 (MEZ 7201) at Newtownards on 06/01, 1017 (JFZ 7017) at Dungannon on 08/01 and 1773 (REZ 8773) at Londonderry on 13/01. Returned to service from the Reserve fleet were 1689 (TCZ 1689) at Bangor on 03/01, 1747 (EEZ 6747) at Enniskillen on 09/01, 1760 (EEZ 6760) at Newry on 08/01, 2053 (LFZ 8053) at Downpatrick and 2056 (LFZ 8056) at Larne on 06/01. Following modifications to meet Scottish PSV Accessibility Regulations 1769 (REZ 9769) and 1771 (REZ 9771) were returned to service at Stranraer on 07/01 and 17/01 respectively. These along with 1770 (REZ 9770) are only short term allocations as they are due to be replaced by new vehicles later this year. Detaxed on 31/12/19 were 2038 (IXZ 1838) with engine defects and 2446 (GXI 446) with accident damage. Detaxed on 31/01/20 were 224 (MEZ 7224) with fuel system problems, 406 (UEZ 2406), 1019 (JFZ 7019) and 1781 (REZ 9781) with engine defects, 1674 (TCZ 1674) with chassis defects, 1686 (TCZ 1686) with gearbox defects and 2402 (FXI 402) with axle defects. Detaxed on 31/01/20 was 2057 (LFZ 8057) after suffering fire damage and 1957 (TFZ 9957) and 3107 (JGZ 3107) after suffering accident damage. Detaxed and transferred to Reserve on 31/01/20 were Scania K94/Irizar 1723 (EEZ 6723), 1750 (EEZ 6750), 1755 (EEZ 6755) and 1756 (EEZ 6756). Scania K94/Irizar 1732 (EEZ 6732) was re-seated to B69F, ex C49F for use as a school bus based at Coleraine. Transfers saw 551 move from Great Victoria Street to Downpatrick on 25/01, 1043 from Newry to Londonderry on 15/01, 1689 from Bangor to Newtownards on 21/01, 1884 from Newtownards to Bangor on 23/01 and 2948 from Newtownards to Bangor on 13/01. Disposals during January were Scania L94/Wright 737 (TCZ 1737), Scania K94/Irizar 1670 (TCZ 1670) and Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 2928 (HCZ 9928) which passed to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap and Optare Solo minibus 1931 (FGZ 2237, ex BXI 331) which passed to Eden Coach & Bus Sales, Edenderry for resale. A number of the former Ayats “Goldline” express coaches have now been traced to new owners. 2014 (FGZ 2243, ex AXI 314) passed to Flagline, Athlone in 12/18 where it is now registered 06-WH-8384, 2017 (FGZ 2243, ex AXI 317) passed to Big White Coach, Craigavon in 10/19 where it has been converted to a sensory playbus and 2018 (FDZ 2244, ex AXI 318) passed to Boyne, Slane in 5/19 where it is now registered 06-MH-15846. Former Vo B10M Van Hool artic “Goldline” coach 3113 (JAZ 3003), which had been with Westway, West Molesey where it was re-registered to 60 VV, reverted to its original registration in 11/19 and was promptly withdrawn. Alexander (Belfast) TE bodied Leyland Tiger 523 (PXI 5523), which had initially been sold to Dodds, Ayr was subsequently sold to Shuttle Buses, Kilwinning. In December 2017 it was sold for scrap before passing to the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service at Kilmarnock in March 2019 for use in training new recruits to the service in heavy rescue cutting.
03/01/20 - Returned to service following repairs were 299 (OEZ 7299) at Ballymena on 03/12 and 1008 (JFZ 7008) at Londonderry on 17/12. Detaxed on 31/12 with engine problems was 1069 (LFZ 9069). Also detaxed on the same date was Leyland Tiger towbus 1238 (NXI 4238) based at Downpatrick and its use will now be confined to the yard only. Detaxed to Reserve on 31/12 were Optare Solo minibuses 1839-41 (SCZ 3839-41) and 1848 (SCZ 3848), all of which had latterly been used by the Training Academy as mobile classrooms. Transferred to Reserve were Volvo B12B/Sunsundegui “Goldline” coaches 1770 (REZ 9770) on 13/12, 1769 (REZ 9769) on 16/12 and 1771 (REZ 9771) on 18/12, all of which are to receive modifications to make them compliant with the Scottish PSV Accessibility Regulations before being returned to service at Stranraer. The first to return to traffic was 1770 (REZ 9770) on 21/12 with the other two to follow. Scania K94IB/Irizar Intercentury coaches 1689 (TCZ 1689) and 1747 (EEZ 6747) were received from Citybus on 31/12 and placed in Reserve. Disposals during December were Volvo B7TL/Alexander ALX400 2933 (HCZ 9933) and 2940 (HCZ 9940), both of which passed to Hamill, Ahoghill for scrap..
01/01/20 - Happy New Year from Irish Transport Heritage.
