Arriva (Beds/Herts etc) >2022

A weekday in March 1999 (1105) – Ownership of County Bus and Coach Company passed to the Cowie Group in 1996, Cowie renamed itself Arriva the following year. County’s operations from the Ware garage carried the name Lea Valley. DWL402 (J402 XVX), a Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Dart 9SDL 3011 new to County in April 1992, and was seen in Buntingford when working the 1030 service 331 from Royston to Hertford (due there at 1155).

A weekday in March 1999 (1105) – Ownership of County Bus and Coach Company passed to the Cowie Group in 1996, Cowie renamed itself Arriva the following year. County’s operations from the Ware garage carried the name Lea Valley. DWL402 (J402 XVX), a Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Dart 9SDL 3011 new to County in April 1992, and was seen in Buntingford when working the 1030 service 331 from Royston to Hertford (due there at 1155).

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1400) – The Shires (LDT Limited) buses seen in The Square at Dunstable. The earlier Luton and District red and cream livery just visible on the bus far right was being replaced by a more striking yellow, blue and grey with local fleetnames used in the various towns/areas the company serves. In January 1986 United Counties, then owned by the National Bus Company, was split into a number of smaller operating units in readiness for privatisation. Luton and District Transport was created to take over the garages at Aylesbury, Hitchin and Luton. The new company was sold to its management in August 1987. It later became titled ‘The Shires’. Left is 3145 (N695 EUR), an East Lancs European bodied Scania L113CRL new in October 1995 and right is 5143 (N143 JPP), a Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian new in May 1996. Both carry the new livery with additional branding for different services on the Luton to Dunstable corridor. The bus in the old red and cream livery is 5013 (LBD 837P), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new to United Counties (837) in October 1975.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1400) – The Shires (LDT Limited) buses seen in The Square at Dunstable. The earlier Luton and District red and cream livery was being replaced by a more striking yellow, blue and grey with local fleetnames used in the various towns/areas the company serves. In January 1986 United Counties, then owned by the National Bus Company, was split into a number of smaller operating units in readiness for privatisation. Luton and District Transport was created to take over the garages at Aylesbury, Hitchin and Luton. The new company was sold to its management in August 1987. It later became titled ‘The Shires’. Nearest the camera is 5013 (LBD 837P), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new to United Counties (837) in October 1975, carries the old livery. In the new livery and branded for different services on the Luton to Dunstable corridor are 5143 (N143 JPP), a Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian new in May 1996, and 3145 (N695 EUR), an East Lancs European bodied Scania L113CRL new in October 1995.

Monday 2 June 1997 (approx. 1400) – The Shires (LDT Limited) buses seen in The Square at Dunstable. The earlier Luton and District red and cream livery was being replaced by a more striking yellow, blue and grey with local fleetnames used in the various towns/areas the company serves. In the new livery is Northern Counties bodied Volvo Olympian 5143 (N143 JPP) new in May 1996 branded for services 24/25/26 on the Luton to Dunstable corridor. Beyond 5013 (LBD 837P), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR new to United Counties (837) in October 1975. In January 1986 United Counties, then owned by the National Bus Company, was split into a number of smaller operating units in readiness for privatisation. Luton and District Transport was created to take over the garages at Aylesbury, Hitchin and Luton. The new company was sold to its management in August 1987. It later became titled ‘The Shires’.

Tuesday 30 April 2013 (1220) – Arriva the Shires 5434 (SN58 EOF), an Alexander Dennis Trident, seen in High Street, Oxford city centre. Arriva doesn’t have a real presence in Oxford although their buses may be seen on service 280 which runs in from Aylesbury.

Tuesday 30 April 2013 (1221) – Arriva the Shires 5434 (SN58 EOF), an Alexander Dennis Trident, seen turning into St. Aldate’s from High Street in Oxford city centre. Arriva doesn’t have a real presence in Oxford although their buses may be seen on service 280 which runs in from Aylesbury. Carfax Tower stands on the right.

Showbus, Sunday 21 September 2014 - Arriva the Shires 4376 (YJ58 FJV), a Van Hool Acron T917 new in November 2008. The coach is used on Green Line services into London from the Home Counties.

Sunday 29 March 2015 (1532 BST) – Arriva The Shires 3910 (BK58 URL), a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530 new in November 2008, seen in Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City when working the 1445 Green Line service 724 from Harlow to Heathrow Airport.

Sunday 29 March 2015 (1532 BST) – Arriva The Shires 3560 (KX09 GYK), an Alexander-Dennis (ADL) Enviro300 new in July 2009, seen in Bridge Road, Welwyn Garden City when working the 1452 service 301 from Stevenage (Lister Hospital) to Hemel Hempstead.

Sunday 29 March 2015 (1530 BST) – Arriva The Shires 3560 (KX09 GYK), an Alexander-Dennis (ADL) Enviro300 new in July 2009, seen in Welwyn Garden City bus station when working the 1452 service 301 from Stevenage (Lister Hospital) to Hemel Hempstead.

Saturday 28 March 2015 (0817) – Arriva The Shires 3703 (KE55 CKP) travelling along the High Street in West Wycombe (Buckinghamshire) when working the 0748 service 40 from Chinnor to High Wycombe. A Wright bodied VDL DE02BSSB120 new in September 2005.

Saturday 28 March 2015 (1247) – Arriva The Shires 3703 (KE55 CKP) travelling along the High Street in West Wycombe (Buckinghamshire) when working the 1235 service 40 from High Wycombe to Thame (Oxfordshire). A Wright bodied VDL DE02BSSB120 new in September 2005. West Wycombe is quite an old village with some interesting buildings and is largely owned by the National Trust.

Saturday 28 March 2015 (0742) – Arriva The Shires 3224 (P224 MKL) travelling along the High Street in West Wycombe (Buckinghamshire) when working the 0735 service 40 from High Wycombe to Thame. A Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart SLF new to Maidstone and District in March 1997.

Thursday 30 April 2015 (1217) – Two Arriva the Shires Van Hool T917 coaches carrying Green Line livery for operation on service 757 between Central London-Luton Airport-Luton seen at Luton Station Interchange. Left is 4385 (YJ58 FFV) just in from London and right is 4384 (YJ58 FJA) which is London bound. The service is now operated ‘In partnership with Terravision’.

Thursday 30 April 2015 (1231) – Arriva the Shires 4102 (FJ60 HYK) in Green Line livery for operation on service 757 between Central London-Luton Airport-Luton seen at Luton Station Interchange. The service is now operated ‘In partnership with Terravision’ and the lettering on the first side passenger window reads ‘Terravision customers welcome’. A Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R new to the TGM Group in November 2010 for National Express work.

Thursday 30 April 2015 (1231) – Arriva the Shires 4102 (FJ60 HYK) in Green Line livery for operation on service 757 between Central London-Luton Airport-Luton seen at Luton Station Interchange. A Caetano Levante bodied Volvo B9R new to the TGM Group in November 2010 for National Express work.

Thursday 30 April 2015 (1408) – Arriva the Shires Crew Shuttle S189 TMY, probably a former London taxi which now sports a Green Line advertising livery. Seen at Luton Station Interchange. Dates from late 1998/early 1999.