Galloway 204 (YJ60 GDO) and Stephensons 434 (EU10 NVT) in Mildenhall - 11 Sep 2020 (P1070608)

Friday 11 September 2020 (0832) – Stephensons of Essex and Galloway European Coachlines are now under related ownership.

The Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic brought about some out of the ordinary working practices in bus operation to assist with social distancing measures.

Stephensons is the operator of the Newmarket-Mildenhall-Bury St. Edmunds service 16. Seen in Mill Street, Mildenhall are Galloway 204 (YJ60 GDO), an MCV Evolution bodied VDL SB180 new in October 2011 to Reays of Wigton, Cumbria, which was following Stephensons 434 (EU10 NVT), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 new in August 2010 – the latter working the 0750 service 16 from Newmarket (Guineas bus station) to Bury St. Edmunds.

The Stephensons vehicle showed details for service 16 and the Galloway vehicle showed 16A with a school children logo. It also carries a window label ‘16As’. It would appear that it was operating as a secondary vehicle to enable social distancing for the school students. The one solitary and traditional schoolday service 16A journey leaves Newmarket at 0700.