Ipswich - 2 February 2018

Friday 2 February 2018 (1231) – Ipswich Buses 12 (LG02 FDC) seen turning from Sir Alf Ramsey Way into Constantine Road, Ipswich operating circular service 37, a free shuttle service that links the town centre with the bus garage (out of shot on the right) and the administrative buildings of Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council both a short distance away. It is an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident new to London United (TAS268) in July 2001 and now one of the last buses to wear the old livery. No football match today at Ipswich Town Football Club but one supporter is keeping dry with a patriotic umbrella.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1112) – Ipswich Buses 147 (YK08 EPD), an Optare Versa new in May 2008 to Nottingham City Transport (309). It was seen turning from Princes Street to Friars Street in Ipswich town centre.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1207) – A collection of Ipswich Buses vehicles displaying different formats of livery application. 77 (KX59 GNY), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 dating from between September 2009 and February 2010 (new to Dawson Rentals?) following 54 (PF04 WML), an East Lancs bodied VDL DE02 new in June 2004. Across the road is 137 (SN53 AVP), a Transbus Dart new to Lothian (98) in October 2003, and 20 (Y436 NHK), an Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident new to Stagecoach East London (TAS436) in August 2001.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1218) – Two Scania OmniCity N230UD double deckers that had been new to First Centrewest (London) in October 2011 seen in the garage yard of Ipswich Buses. Left is YR61 RVJ (First fleet number SN36066) and right is YR61 RUV (First fleet number SN36059). New additions for the Ipswich fleet which were to be prepared for service and became fleet numbers 42 and 39 respectively.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1219) – Seen in the garage yard of Ipswich Buses. LO67 CGX, a Mellor Strata bodied Mercedes demonstrator.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1120) – First Eastern Counties 44928 (EU08 FHB) seen leaving Old Cattle Market bus station, Ipswich in the hands of the garage fitter. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200 new to S.M. Coaches/Olympus Coaches, Harlow in March 2008.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1126) – Ipswich Buses 150 (YK08 EPJ), an Optare Versa new in June 2008 to Nottingham City Transport (312). It was seen at the Old Cattle Market in Ipswich town centre.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1111) – First Eastern Counties took over the Ipswich Park and Ride service in July 2017, a cross town service (800) from London Road Park and Ride (to the west) and Martlesham Park and Ride (to the East). Alexander Dennis Enviro300 67774 (SN62 AXK) is seen in Princes Street heading for London Road. It was new to First Scotland East in January 2013. The black glass of the iconic Willis Insurance Building reflects the properties from an earlier era. The building was constructed in the early 1970s as one of the first projects of Foster Associates designed by Norman Foster and Wendy Cheesman. It has a rather bulbous footprint and sits within the area bordered by Princes Street, Friars Street, and Franciscan Way (and a footpath connecting the latter two). The rooftop features a rectangular unit housing the staff restaurant which is surrounded by a roof garden.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1111) – First Eastern Counties took over the Ipswich Park and Ride service in July 2017, a cross town service (800) from London Road Park and Ride (to the west) and Martlesham Park and Ride (to the East). Two Alexander Dennis Enviro300 P&R liveried buses are seen passing in Princes Street. 67752 (SN62 APF) is heading away from the camera heading to Martlesham as 67774 (SN62 AXK) approaches heading for London Road. 67752 had been new at First Glasgow in February 2013 and 67774 to First Scotland East in January 2013. The black glass of the iconic Willis Insurance Building reflects the properties from an earlier era. The building was constructed in the early 1970s as one of the first projects of Foster Associates designed by Norman Foster and Wendy Cheesman. It has a rather bulbous footprint and sits within the area bordered by Princes Street, Friars Street, and Franciscan Way (and a footpath connecting the latter two). The rooftop features a rectangular unit housing the staff restaurant which is surrounded by a roof garden.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1105) – First Eastern Counties 32488 (AU53 HKF), an Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL new in October 2003, seen in Princes Street, Ipswich.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1103) – Ipswich Buses 22 (LR02 BBJ) seen in Princes Street leaving Ipswich town centre on service 15. It is a Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident that had been new to Metroline (London) as their TPL276 in May 2002. Following behind about to emerge from Museum Street is First 32492 (AU53 HKK), an Alexander ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL new in October 2003.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1104) – Ipswich Buses 22 (LR02 BBJ) seen in Princes Street leaving Ipswich town centre on service 15. It is a Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident that had been new to Metroline (London) as their TPL276 in May 2002.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1306) –First Eastern Counties took over the Ipswich Park and Ride service in July 2017, a cross town service (800) from Martlesham Park and Ride (to the East) to London Road Park and Ride (to the west). Alexander Dennis Enviro300 67775 (SN62 AXO) is seen at Tower Ramparts bus station heading for London Road. It was new to First Scotland East in January 2013. My ride back to the car.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1127) – First Eastern Counties 69428 (AU58 FFP) seen at the Old Cattle Market in Ipswich. It is a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B7RLE new in January 2009.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1113) – Ipswich Buses 172 (YG52 DGE), an Optare Excel new in October 2002, seen at the corner of Friars Street (to the left) and Princes Street in Ipswich town centre. The black glass of the iconic Willis Insurance Building built in the early 1970s reflects the properties from an earlier era. That above the Ford Ka contains lettering in the stonework ‘The Central Livery and Bait Stables’.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1113) – Ipswich Buses 172 (YG52 DGE), an Optare Excel new in October 2002, seen in Princes Street in Ipswich town centre. It had just travelled along Museum Street which is seen in the background. Princes Street has a double kink in it at this junction. It emerges from the right to take the alignment of Museum Street then crosses Friars Street to continue beyond.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1111) –First Eastern Counties took over the Ipswich Park and Ride service in July 2017, a cross town service (800) from London Road Park and Ride (to the west) and Martlesham Park and Ride (to the East). Alexander Dennis Enviro300 67752 (SN62 APF) seen in Princes Street heading to Martlesham It had been new at First Glasgow in February 2013.

Friday 2 February 2018 (1104) – Ipswich Buses 22 (LR02 BBJ) reflected in the black glass of the iconic Willis Insurance Building in Ipswich town centre. The bus is a Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident that had been new to Metroline (London) as their TPL276 in May 2002.