Ipswich Buses 87 (YJ12 GWA) and 98 (YJ12 GWP) - 8 Jul 2022 (P1120380)

Friday 8 July 2022 (1008) – A comparison between the route 12 and route 13 ‘Chantry Connexions’ brandings carried by two Ipswich Buses Optare Tempo X1200SRs seen in Dogs Head Street.

87 (YJ12 GWA), branded for service 12 leads 98 (YJ12 GWP), branded for service 13.

A low bridge in Ancaster Road which carries the railway tracks out of Ipswich railway station has long been an obstacle for Ipswich Buses (and Ipswich Corporation before it) on the services to the large Chantry housing estate restricting operation of services 12, 13 and 14 to single deck operation.

During the main part of the day service 12 runs every 20 minutes and service 13 every 10 minutes. Service 14 operates hourly from 0930 until 1430 six days a week serving housing close to Gippeswyk Park.

In early 2019 Ipswich Buses bought all thirteen of the batch of these newer style Tempos that were new Trent Barton (trentbarton) in the early summer of 2012.