Oakwood Update

Oakwood Travel introduced service 12 on Good Friday, so far operating weekends and bank holidays only Pleasure Beach to Gynn Square, but it is expected to be extended to Cleveleys with daily operation at the end of May. So far the sole Routemaster RML887 has seen service on Sunday and Monday with Dart 145, Volvo B10M 898 and Olympian 325 also noted in service. 

The Red Rocket Express has been put back to 3 May.

Two more ex Stagecoach Alexander bodied Darts have arrived R356LER - new to Stagecoach Cambus and X617JCS - new to Stagecoach Western. 356 is currently under repaint. The new Cardiff bus inspired orange and green livery has made its debut with ex Harrogate & District W601CWX re-entering service on route 22 on 17 April. Darts 143 and 163 have yet to return to use.

Privately owned Olympian P915RLO which was on loan to Classic Bus and Oakwood Travel until February has been sold to English Riviera Sightseeing, Torquay.

Delta returns to the road

Preserved Delta 133 has now had the finishing touches of fleetnames, numbers and blinds added and has returned to the road making its preservation debut at Kirkby Stephen today and tomorrow

A nearside view of the new to Fylde Delta 

133's rear shows the familar Optare design lines above and below the window - the upper one broken by the installation of  a rear number blind at its 2000 refurbishment

133 is shortly to return to the Fylde coast (all four above Gary Conn)

133 on its first day in use after restoration, operating the vintage bus service at the Kirkby Stephen rally (David Umpleby)

Leylands from Preston to Blackpool

Tuesday will see Preston Bus commence operation of six school services from the yard of Jackson's Coaches on Burton Road, Blackpool. Last week six of their fleet of ten Leyland Olympians moved in comprising:

42551 H101BFR - Northern Counties body
42553 H103BFR - Northern Counties body
42554 H104BFR - Northern Counties body
42556 J976PRW - Leyland body
42560 J110KCW - Leyland body
42562 J112KCW - Leyland body

Here there sextet are lined up in their new home.

Preston Bus has also emerged as the operator of bus service 80 (Preston to Myrescough College) rather than Avacoach as previously advised.

Route 20 [corrected]

Route 20 resumes on Good Friday 18 April operating on a reduced route and frequency. After last year's extension to Pleasure Beach the service has reverted to the Corporation to Zoo route with a 45 minute interval using two buses but with a gap mid afternoon.

Buses from Marton Mere  every 45 minutes from 0930 to 1445 and 1615 to 1915
Buses from Corporation Street every 45 minutes from 1015 to 1400 and 1530 to 1915.

It is presumed double deckers will be used as the Resort Pass Solos were barely used on the route during 2013. A minor route change sees buses operate via Beech Avenue and Newton Drive, rather than North Park Drive which will at least remove the challenging turn onto East Park Drive near the Hospital.

Days of operation are:
Every weekend 18 April to 9 November.
Daily 18 April-27 April; 24 May until 1 June, 19 July-31 August, 25 October to 2 November.