First 44902 WX08LNN

First Alexander-Dennis Enviro 200 B28F 44902 WX08LNN - one of 3 new in 2008 and allocated to Bath and liveried for use on Wessex Water contracts is seen in Bath in April 2009. 

First West of England Wright StreetLite DF 47553 SN14FGE

The bus routes between Portishead and Bristol were for a long time numbered 358 or 359 with the additional 357 route being introduced in 2008 to serve the new developments around Portishead Marina. In March 2013 these routes were rebranded as X2 and X3 and gave a 15 min daytime frequency from Portishead into Bristol along with earlier and later services each day. X numbered  routes were traditionally associated with limited stop express services, but in this case it was a simple renumbering with buses continuing to serve every stop - as with many other services in North Somerset around the same time. The service was originally marketed as having buses fitted with leather seats and wi-fi but at the time of launch these vehicles were still "in-build" and existing vehicles were utilised. I do remember one day seeing one of the earliest step entrance Dennis Darts still in service being used! In 2014 a batch of eight Wright StreetLife DF B37F buses fitted with leather seats and wi-fi were delivered and allocated to Marlborough Street for use on the routes and branded in the "Express Yourself" livery. Seen on a very dull and rainy Saturday 20th February 2016 Wright StreetLife DF B37F 47553 SN14FGE starts its descent down the steep Avon Way towards Combe Road and High Street Portishead whilst working an X2 towards Bristol. 

Western Greyhound 258 LFJ858W, Hayle

Western Greyhound 258 LFJ858W Bristol VRT/SL3 ECW. Parked up on Marsh Lane, Hayle behind the west Cornwall Shopping Centre on 12th June 2014. New to Western National as 1211 in Dec 1980, this vehicle was aquired from Emblings, Guyhirn in Sept 2009. 

First 33662 SN12AED, Falmouth

First Devon & Cornwall Alexander Dennis E400 33662 SN12AED is seen at Dracaena Avenue on the outskirts of Falmouth 30th April 2015. New to First Games Transport in March 2012 for use on Olympic Games duties, it is part of a batch of 9 that were transferred to FDC in August 2012 at the end of the Olympic games. Originally the batch were allocated to Plymouth but transferred to Cambourne in August 2014 when the former 41 and 88 routes were rebranded U1 and U2. Linking Falmouth with Truro and Redruth the routes serve the Penryn campus of Falmouth University. Formerly Falmouth College of Art it was granted full University status in 2012 and aims to become one of the top art universities in the world. The branding on the bus also names the University of Exeter in which Falmouth operates in a partnership. Note the slogan under the unibus branding - making it clear that services U1/U2 are available for everyone and not just university students!

Bristol - European Green Capital - 37007 WX55VHR

Bristol has been awarded the status of European Green Capital of 2015 - the first British city to be designated. As an official partner to the City Council, First have given 6 Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini's an allover green vinyl wrap (ex First London 32360 and native 37007/11-14). On Saturday 22nd August 2015, 37007 (WX55VHR) is seen heading past the Royal West of England Acadamy of Art and The Victoria Rooms at the bottom of Whiteladies Road. It is operating a shuttle service for the Bristol International Kite festival between Temple Meads, The Centre and Durdham Down where the festival has just moved to for the first time this year from it's previous home of Ashton court.

Vista Coachways, Yatton. Service 660 - Iveco Turbo Daily 59.12/Mellor B21D L932CTT.

Vista Coachways, Yatton, North Somerset commenced operations in 1988 with a restored Bedford OB that was originally bought by its proprietor Terry Jones in 1975. Originally offering private hires with this vehicle additional coaches and buses were purchased - and all presented to a high standard. In April 2004 Vista were awarded the contract to operate service 660 (North Weston/Portishead - Congresbury) on a Monday to Friday, extended to Monday to Saturday from April 2007. However, with the down scaling of the business the contract was eventually surrendered in April 2008 and the business ceased trading. The first three photos (not great quality, taken with a phone camera) show the company depot at Claverham Road, Yatton in June 2006. The final two photos show L932CTT, Iveco Turbo Daily 59.12/Mellor B21D named Exwick. This rare dual-doored minibus was new to Devon General in March 1994 as part of Harry Blundred's minibus revolution and acquired from Stagecoach Devon in March 2005. These photos show it at the North Weston, Portishead terminus of route 660 on 4th April 2008 in the last few days of trading. 

Old Buses, new colours. First Bristol VR's 38873 & 38895

The far end of Cornwall is often the place where older buses see out their final days. Indeed the Bristol VR saw regular service there until December 2006 with First Devon and Cornwall. Whilst most of them wore the blue and white of Western National or the early "Barbie" livery of First, some were repainted into more modern colour schemes. UAR595W was new to Eastern National in June 1981 as their 3105, transferring to Thamesway and then eventually ending up in Cornwall as First Devon & Cornwall 38895. By July 2005 it had become a Driver Training vehicle based in Plymouth and given a new livery to advertise itself as such. In 2006 it was transferred to Cornwall (possibly as a staff shuttle bus rather than driver training) and is seen here in Penzance on the 10th July 2006. This vehicle is recorded as being broken up for spares in September 2006. LFJ873W, new in Feb 1981 to Western National as their 1226 eventually become First Devon & Cornwall 38873. Fully renovated and repainted into "Barbie 3" livery in July 2006 it was allocated to special events duties - taking part in the final running day of Bristol VR's with First Devon & Cornwall in Penzance on 9th December 2006. By 2007 it had passed to the Western National Preservation Group and is seen here on the Bristol Vintage Bus Group running day in Brislington, Brisol on 12th August 2007.