‘Scene’ on the Isle of Wight (IOW) Part 2.

 

T165 AUA

A DAF CB220LC550 with an Ikarus Citibus body. Known as the ‘Beast’ by those who have experience of it !! 

 

The combination of a Dutch chassis with an Hungarian built body is to say the least unusual. It is the only one of its kind with ‘Southern Vectis’ (SV) and a such was never going to be wildly popular.

 

Before coming to the island it had a spell in the Southampton area with fellow Go Ahead (GA) group member ‘Bluestar’.

 

Seen in Newport bus station, I suspect that it will turn up elsewhere sooner or later.

The year 2004 was a good year for the Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis/Transbus Dart in both its standard form and the MPD version. All of the ones I saw dated from that year.

 

HW54 DBZ 

An MPD version came into the SV fleet when they took over the operations of ‘Wightbus‘ which was an IOW County Council owned operator in 2011. Seen leaving Newport bus station. 

 

Interestingly, this bus has been modeled by Creative Master Northcord Ltd. (CMNL) in 1/76 scale in its ‘Wightbus‘ livery.

 

 HW54 BTU

Another Plaxton MP Dart seen leaving Newport bus station. This has also has been modeled by CMNL this time in an earlier SV livery. Seen leaving Newport bus station.

 

 

HW54 DCU

A standard length Dart/ Plaxton Pointer 2 combination is another bus that came to SV from ‘Wightbus’. Seen in fading light leaving Ryde bus station.

 

EA05 KZC

A Ford Transit Tourneo. Not all service vehicles make it into fleet livery. This one did. Seen in Newport bus station.

 

In July 2012 an eight year contract was signed with the Isle of Wight County Council which gave SV all the school services on the island. These buses are all fitted with CCTV and seat belts.  

A mixture of types were to be used. In autumn 2012, 17 new Optare Solo SR’s were introduced. The are of mixed seating capacity with No. 3803 to 3812 inclusive being B25F and 3813 to 3819 being B30F.

All of the school buses are marketed as ‘Vectis blue’

 

HW62 CGF 

HW62 CNV

 

 

Apart from the Solo’s, I saw a number of coaches have been transferred from ‘Damory Coaches’ another GA group member.

 

MV02 ULL

Is a Volvo B12M with Van Hool Alizee T9 bodywork. Before being with Damory, It was with ‘Shearings’

 

 

 

Delivered in 2013 were 20 low height Alexander E40D double deckers.

 

It would seem that the deckers are used exclusively on schools services whilst the Solo’s and coaches are also used on normal day time services in between school trips.

 

HW62 CCD

Is seen at Ryde bus station