When Go South Coast were after new open toppers they had to order the new MCV Volvo combination as that was the only open top on the market at the moment, and MCV were only up for that if they put in a big enough order to make it worthwhile. In order not to go over budget GSC therefore cancelled their last order for 5 new Enviros which Plymouth Citybus were more than happy to take up as an advance on their 2016/17 order. These will be the very last old style 400’s to enter service in the UK.
As already noted three of them have arrived in this pink scheme with the remaining two delivered in red for standard swoop livery. Apparently the original plan for the 50 was for a pink flash using a shade similar to that used by First on their Park & Ride fleet but when Stagecoach announced they would be keeping the pink fronted buses for a while Citybus had to make a late change to yellow. Still keen to use the pink shade the plans were reactived for the new 14 service, although the buses were delivered slightly later than originally hoped.
There is some controversy as ADL have used an incorrected shade of pink and the boss Richard Stevens is not happy. Keen to get the buses out in service before Stagecoach bring in their new revamped 2A to Elburton they are planning to have at least one of the pink buses fully lettered up for the Pink Flash 14 to see what it looks like first. ADL are happy to repaint the buses in the correct shade but need to know today as they are reprogramming the last computerised paint production line to full MMC design only. If they dont allocate the buses back in to the program now they will have to hand paint them instead, which will clearly take longer.
If Richard decides to stick with the current pink then buses 539-541 will enter service early next week, alongside red buses 542 and 543.
Two of the pink buses at Milehouse yesterday along with one of the red ones. The other two are already in the paint shop so I couldnt get on them on camera. Thanks to Richard for allowing me access.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks for the comments everyone, Most of you didn't fall for it, but yes, this was an April fools posting.
Another excellent April Fool! The use of the number 14 may have been a slight giveaway.
ReplyDeleteCheck today's date!😊
ReplyDeleteI've seen them in the garage and they look great. I love the colour they don't need to be painted. Shame we are not getting an open topper also. They will look great in Sherford on the 14 when the development is ready for a bus service. God bless you Richard Stevens you have made bus travel sexy again.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean this isn't an April fool's joke?!!!!!!!
DeleteI am sure that was as tongue in cheek as my original post!
Delete:-) hehehe! NIce story.
ReplyDeleteI am still struggling to find any proof anywhere about the 2a going to Elburton. Stagecoach own website shows timetables in may and june with it serving mountbattern, traveline shows mountbattern on the new timetable and a strange map where the route ends between Plymstock and Elburton where there is nowhere to turn.
its all there on Traveline. http://www.travelinesw.com/swe/ROP/EFA02__00003333.pdf ( i hope this link works)
DeleteGraham, that link did not work. So I went to Traveline.com (or http://www.travelinesw.com/swe/XSLT_SELTT_REQUEST which is what it automatice goes to), on the Bus Service Number I typed 2a, it gave me two options, unticked all accept Devon, and pressed 'go'. It gave me two options.
Delete2A Stagecoach South West Burraton Coombe - Mount Batten (20/9/2015 - 30/4/2016) AND
2A Stagecoach South West Burraton Coombe - Mount Batten (1/5/2016)
I clicked on Timetable for the later of those two (1/5/2016) and nowhere on that timetable does it say Elburton, the terminus is Mountbatten Pier.
However, zooming in on the map for 1/5/2016 it shows the terminus us just after Dolphin Court Road, again, not Elburton village, nor is it Mountbatten!
ah yes, Traveline maps - when you get the initial map make sure you select both inward and outward map and then select expand - it will then show the complete loop around Elburton.
DeleteBarbie is back!!!!
ReplyDeleteAlways buy a 40p paint tester from B&Q first...
ReplyDeleteConsidering that today is the 1st of April, I'll take this with a pinch of salt!
ReplyDeleteSurely an April Fool????
ReplyDeleteeven if they are not ours its a grate colour which i think should be the next flash anyway! just saying..
ReplyDeleteThey're going over the top with the flash branding now xD
ReplyDeleteI agree with it! Make the61/62 to transit way a flash
DeletePlease, please tell me this is a Photoshop April Fool?!! I guess we should be grateful the shade looks more like purple flash than pink flash!
ReplyDeleteI think that shade looks better than the shade on the old Park and Ride buses. Will be interesting to see what they look like when fully sign written.
ReplyDeleteApril fool with a touch of photoshop? Also I'm not aware of Stagecoach revamping their services and running to Elburton with the 2A.......
ReplyDeleteIts april fools.
ReplyDeleteTrust me SC are expanding into Elburton from next month .. as it is a loop route, it only shows on one direction on Travelline timetable though
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely enough you'll see a 3rd 'pink' enviro in front of the two pictured
ReplyDeleteTo be fair if you'd told me last year on April 1 we'd have buses with "Kernow Kewgh Kyttrin" on the sides I'd never have believed it, who knows what'll happen next! ;)
ReplyDeleteI would hope its not an april fool jape what a sexy colour
ReplyDeleteIt is an April fools joke
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/didbygraham/9597179573/
It may be an April fool but it is a very good piece of Photoshoppery.
ReplyDeleteEarly this week has been, there are no pink buses.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to the two Pink Flash Enviro 400's?
ReplyDelete