Wales: Album 1

Friday 27 July 2007 - Arriva Cymru 1326 (P826 RWU), a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart new to Arriva London (LDR26) in August 1996. Seen on Marine Terrace working Aberystwyth town service 501. The Pier is on the right.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0810) - Arriva Cymru 1328 (P828 RWU), a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart new to Arriva London (LDR28) in August 1996. At the start of another busy day going dizzy going round and round Aberystwyth on town service 501. The every 20 minute service requires two buses, one complete trip taking 40 minutes.

Saturday 28 July 2007 (approx. 0805) - Arriva Cymru 802 (S872 SNB) seen in Aberystwyth about to work the 0800 service 585 to Lampeter (Llanbedr Pont Steffan) (arriving 0921) via the rural route serving villages like Llanfarian, Llanilar, Tregaron and Llanddewi Brefi. A Plaxton Pointer MPD bodied Dennis Dart SLF new to Arriva Merseyside in August 1998.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 1445) - Arriva Cymru 823 (V553 ECC), a Plaxton Mini Pointer MPD bodied Dennis Dart SLF new in Februay 2000, seen in Aberystwyth about to depart on service 28 to Dolgellau.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0805) - Arriva Cymru 841 (Y541 UJC), a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart new in June 2001, in Aberystwyth working service 512 to Ynyslas, a journey of 31 minutes to the north of the town.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. 2534 (CX54 EPJ) 2534 (CX54 EPJ) VDL SB200/Wright Commander (late 2004/early 2005); 2862 (YJ55 BKL); 2864 (YJ55 BKO); Optare Tempo owned by Ceredigion County Council for operation on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. The neighbouring building is proudly flying the Welsh flag.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Left to right: 2863 (YJ55 BKN) Optare Tempo (2005) (Owned by Ceredigion County Council for operation on ‘Traws Cambria’ services); 0341 (R341KGG) Mercedes-Benz Vario O 814D/Alexander ALX100 (1998); unidentified Van Hool Alizee looking in a sorry state. 2534 (CX54 EPJ) VDL SB200/Wright Commander (late 2004/early 2005). Arriva building is that on left only.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Left to right: 2534 (CX54 EPJ) VDL SB200/Wright Commander (late 2004/early 2005) 2862* (YJ55 BKL); 2864* (YJ55 BKO); 2869 (YJ06 YRO); 2865* (YJ55 BKU) Optare Tempo 1788 (H588 DVM) Volvo B10M Citybus/Alexander Q (1992) 17xx (F52 ENF) Leyland Tiger/Alexander (1989) The Welsh Assembly is developing a network of longer distance bus services under the ‘Traws Cambria’ name and the Tempo’s marked * are owned by Ceredigion County Council for operation on these services – 2869 could also be but I am not sure); The Wright Commander 2534 was one of the early intake of buses for these services and tend to work the X32 northwards to Bangor. The Tempo’s work southwards to New Quay (service 550) and Carmarthen (X40).

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Left to right: 2865 (YJ55 BKU) Optare Tempo (2005) (Owned by Ceredigion County Council for operation on ‘Traws Cambria’ services); then three buses absorbed from Timeline in Manchester which had been new to Smiths-Shearings in 1989: 1788 (H588 DVM) Volvo B10M-55 Citybus/ Alexander Q (1992); 17xx (F52 ENF) Leyland Tiger/Alexander (1989); 1777 (H279 LEF) Leyland Tiger/Alexander Q (1990).

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Four Alexander Q bodied Volvo B10M-55 Citybus (new 1992) yellow school buses – not required today as it was school holidays. 1786 (H86 DVM), 1778 (H78 DVM), 1779 (H79 DVM) and 1785 (H85 DVM). In 1998 Arriva absorbed some work from Timeline in Manchester bringing these buses into their ownership. Buses new to Smiths-Shearings in 1989

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0830) - Arriva Cymru garage in Park Avenue, Aberystwyth. Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario O814D, 312 (Y812 YJC), new in 1998, parked on forecourt. Yellow school bus 1788 (H588 DVM) Volvo B10M-50 Citybus/Alexander Q, new 1992, visible in rear yard though the bus wash.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0800) - Arriva Cymru 338 (R108 TKO), a Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario O814 new May 1998 to Arriva Southern Counties (1108). Seen in Aberystwyth bus station.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0800) - Arriva Cymru 344 (R344 KGG), an Alexander ALX100 bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario O814 new May 1998 to Arriva Scotland West. Seen leaving Aberystwyth bus station on town service 508 to Penparcau.

Saturday 28 July 2007 (approx. 0805) - Arriva Cymru 375 (S825 MCC), a Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario O814D new in December 1998. Seen in Aberystwyth when working service 512 to Ynyslas, a journey of 31 minutes to the north of the town. I am not sure if this driver was naturally shy but, prior to my noticing him he possibly saw me first and lowered his sun visor!

Monday 23 July 2007 (1625) - Arriva Cymru 2862 (YJ55 BKL) seen in Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin in Welsh) having just arrived on the 1405 X40 service from Aberystwyth. Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owns 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operates seven (2860-6).

Monday 23 July 2007 (1625) - Arriva Cymru 2862 (YJ55 BKL) seen in Carmarthen (Caerfyrddin in Welsh) having just arrived on the 1405 X40 service from Aberystwyth. Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owns 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operates seven (2860-6).

Thursday 26 July 2007 (1523) - Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owns 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operates seven (2860-6). 2862 (YJ55 BKL) seen in Lampeter (Llanbedr Pont Steffan) on the 1405 X40 service from Aberystwyth to Cardigan (Caerfyrddin).

Thursday 26 July 2007 (1523) - Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owns 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operates seven (2860-6). 2862 (YJ55 BKL) seen in Lampeter (Llanbedr Pont Steffan) on the 1405 X40 service from Aberystwyth to Cardigan (Caerfyrddin).