Belfast - 5 May 2004

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - A Van Hool EOS coach in Trafalgar Tours livery, 99 C 27386, was operated by Cronin’s Coaches of Cork in the Irish Republic. It seemed to follow me around on the day I was in Belfast seen just about everywhere! Even when I was sat on my coach at Stranraer (Scotland) on my way back home it rolled off the same ferry on which I travelled from Belfast the next day. The ‘99’ in the licence number indicates a 1999 vehicle and ‘C’ that it is issued in Cork.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Visiting Belfast (Northern Ireland) was this Mercedes-Benz operated by Paddywagon Tours from the Irish Republic. (04 D 25199). The company specialises in backpacking type tours of Ireland. I think the model is built in Spain and marketed as the ‘Esker Touring’.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Visiting Belfast (Northern Ireland) was this Mercedes-Benz operated by Paddywagon Tours from the Irish Republic. (04 D 25199). The company specialises in backpacking type tours of Ireland. I think the model is built in Spain and marketed as the ‘Esker Touring’.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Pausing to let its ‘Trafalgar Tours’ party view Belfast City Hall, was PN02 TJV, a Spanish built Sunsundegui Sideral bodied Volvo operated by John Shaw of Silverdale, Lancashire, England. (Travellers Choice).

Wednedsay 5 May 2004 - Translink owned Flexibus or Citybus 646 (YAZ 8646), a 1999 Wright bodied Dennis Dart SLF, seen in Howard Street, Belfast. It was working a Hospital shuttle service.

Flexibus 2 (OCZ 8002) is a Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz seen at the Europa Buscentre in Belfast. ‘Buses’ magazine November 2002 carried a picture of the same coach when new. It was one of four such vehicles numbered 1 to 4.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Translink 1836 (OCZ 8836), an Optare Solo new in November 2002 to Translink owned Flexibus, seen in the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast operating the 'Airlink' service to Belfast City Airport. (I am not certain whether the bus was still licensed to Flexibus or to the related Citybus or Ulsterbus, all are Translink subsidiaries).

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Translink 1837 (OCZ 8837), an Optare Solo new in November 2002 to Translink owned Flexibus, seen in the Europa Bus Centre in Belfast operating the 'Airlink' service from Belfast City Airport. (I am not certain whether the bus was still licensed to Flexibus or to the related Citybus or Ulsterbus, all are Translink subsidiaries).

Wednesday 5 May 2004 (0950) - Citybus 2764 (BCZ 2764), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in September 1999, and Citybus 2643 (SXI 2643), an Alexander Q bodied Leyland Tiger new in February 1991. They were seen in Donegall Square West by the City Hall in Belfast.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Citybus 2793 (BCZ 2793), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in November 1999, draws into the bus stop outside the Euorpa Hotel in Great Victoria Street when operating the ‘Centrelink’ service 100, a circular service around the city centre linking the bus and rail stations. I took a ride on this bus.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 (approx. 0840) – Citybus (Belfast) 627 (CAZ 6627), a Wright Handybus bodied Dennis Dart new in June 1994, turning from Howard Street into Great Victoria Street, Belfast.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Citybus 2816 (CCZ 8816), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in December 1999, in Castlereagh Road, Belfast. The Knock Road/Knockbreda Road intersection is beyond. I was just about to get on this city centre bound bus.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 (0955) - Citybus 2100 (DCZ 2100), a Mercedes-Benz 0405 new in February 2000, in Donegall Square West by the City Hall.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Citybus 3101 (DCZ 3101), Mercedes-Benz 0405GN articulated new in March 2000, seen in Donegall Square West, Belfast. I took a ride on this bus up Antrim Road.on service 46 returning on bus 3102.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Citybus 3101 (DCZ 3101), Mercedes-Benz 0405GN articulated new in March 2000, seen in Donegall Square West, Belfast. I took a ride on this bus up Antrim Road.on service 46 returning on bus 3102. The inspector in the picture was most helpful indeed in advising which service was the best for me to ride on one of these articulated buses

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - On board Citybus 3101 (DCZ 3101), a Mercedes-Benz 0405GN articulated new in March 2000, seen during a ride on service 46 to Antrim Road. I returned on board sister bus 3102.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 (0955) - Citybus 3102 (DCZ 3102), a Mercedes-Benz 0405GN artic new in March 2000, in Donegall Square West, Belfast by the City Hall.

Wednesday 5 May 2004 - Citybus 3102 (DCZ 3102), Mercedes-Benz 0405GN articulated new in March 2000, seen approaching a bus stop in Antrim Road (Chichester Avenue on left). I rode on this bus back to the City Centre having travelling here on sister bus 3101.