First Bus (First Group) buses

Thursday 12 October 1995 – Yorkshire Rider, owned by Badgerline since April 1994 became First Bus in June 1995 after the merger with GRT Holdings. In September 1995 Yorkshire Rider was split up into four localised companies based on Bradford (Bradford Traveller), Halifax (Calderline), Huddersfield (Kingfisher) and Leeds (Leeds City Link). Kingfisher 4013 (M413 VWW) is a Plaxton Verde bodied Dennis Lance new in February 1995, is seen in Huddersfield bus station passing vehicles parked in the layover bays.

Thursday 12 October 1995 – Yorkshire Rider, owned by Badgerline since April 1994 became First Bus in June 1995 after the merger with GRT Holdings. In September 1995 Yorkshire Rider was split up into four localised companies based on Bradford (Bradford Traveller), Halifax (Calderline), Huddersfield (Kingfisher) and Leeds (Leeds City Link). Now Kingfisher 4014 (M414 VWW) this Plaxton Verde bodied Dennis Lance, which was new in February 1995, still carries the Rider Huddersfield fleetname. It was seen in Huddersfield bus station passing various vehicles parked in the layover bays.

Thursday 12 October 1995 – Yorkshire Rider, owned by Badgerline since April 1994 became First Bus in June 1995 after the merger with GRT Holdings. In September 1995 Yorkshire Rider was split up into four localised companies based on Bradford (Bradford Traveller), Halifax (Calderline), Huddersfield (Kingfisher) and Leeds (Leeds City Link). Kingfisher 4041 (N441 ENW), a Plaxton Verde bodied Dennis Lance only new in September 1995, is seen leaving Huddersfield bus station carrying the Kingfisher name.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1558) – First 43822 (X202 HAE), a Plaxton Pointer Dennis Dart seen in Walton (a few miles west of Street) when working the 1505 service 29 from Taunton to Wells. First has re-branded its services in these parts forsaking the corporate livery which is replaced by a modern style two tone green livery. Although this bus has lettering relating to Taunton town services the colour scheme is the same as the new ‘Buses of Somerset’ network. New in October 2000 as First Bristol 202.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1558) – First 43822 (X202 HAE), a Plaxton Pointer Dennis Dart seen in Walton (a few miles west of Street) when working the 1505 service 29 from Taunton to Wells. First has re-branded its services in these parts forsaking the corporate livery which is replaced by a modern style two tone green livery. Although this bus has lettering relating to Taunton town services the colour scheme is the same as the new ‘Buses of Somerset’ network. New in October 2000 as First Bristol 202.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1339) – One of the newly liveried ‘Buses of Somerset’ (First Group) double deckers turns on to the seafront from Oxford Street in Weston-super-Mare, I surmise this would be the 1212 service 21 from Taunton (Musgrave Park) due in Regent Street at 1341.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1344) – First Group ADL Enviro400 bodied Trident in an express livery seen on Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare. 33414 (WA56 FTK) was new to First Devon and Cornwall in January 2007.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1341) – First Group buses on Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare. Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE 66722 (WX54 XDG), (new Dec 2004) working a local service passes two ADL Enviro400 bodied Trident double deckers in an express livery. 33414 (WA56 FTK) was new to First Devon and Cornwall in January 2007.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1341) – Two First Group ADL Enviro400 bodied Trident double deckers in an express livery seen on Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare. 33414 (WA56 FTK) was new to First Devon and Cornwall in January 2007.

Monday 12 May 2014 (1018) – First 66107 (R907 BOU), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in February 1998 as First Bristol 1907, seen in Magdelene Street, Glastonbury when working the 0915 service 377 from Yeovil to Wells. We had travelled into town on this bus which worked back and forth on service 377 during the day. We were to travel on it again as the 1635 service departing Wells.

Monday 12 May 2014 (1018) – First 66107 (R907 BOU), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in February 1998 as First Bristol 1907, seen in Magdelene Street, Glastonbury when working the 0915 service 377 from Yeovil to Wells. We had travelled into town on this bus which worked back and forth on service 377 during the day. We were to travel on it again as the 1635 service departing Wells.

Monday 12 May 2014 (1516) – First 46603 (L503 VHU), a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart, picking up at Glastonbury Town Hall when working the 1410 service 375 from Bridgwater to Wells. This step entrance bus was new way back in April 1994 as Bristol 1503 (then Badgerline owned and prior to the creation of First Group).

Monday 12 May 2014 (1634) – First 66107 (R907 BOU), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in February 1998 as First Bristol 1907, seen in Wells bus station loading as the 1635 service 377 to Yeovil. This bus worked back and forth on service 377 during the day. We had travelled on it into Glastonbury as it worked the 0915 service from Yeovil to Wells and travelled on it again on this trip.

Monday 12 May 2014 (1643) – On board First 66107 (R907 BOU), a Wright bodied Volvo B10BLE new in February 1998 as First Bristol 1907, as it travelled between Wells and Glastonbury when working the 1635 service 377 to Yeovil. This bus worked back and forth on service 377 during the day. We had travelled on it into Glastonbury as it worked the 0915 service from Yeovil to Wells and travelled on it again on this trip. Another bus is travelling in the opposite direction.

Monday 12 May 2014 (1032) – First 42731 (T731 REU), an Alexander ALX200 bodied Dennis Dart new in March 1999 as First Bristol 1731, seen in Glastonbury High Street when working the 1015 service X75 from Wells to Bridgwater. An interesting little Wadworth pub on the left beyond the pharmacy and solicitors!

Monday 12 May 2014 (1627) – I had never seen an arrangement like the passenger gates used in Wells bus station before. Passengers have to stay on the concourse area until the driver opens the bus doors. There is also a board which tells passengers that once a bus starts reversing drivers will not stop to allow passengers to board. The driver of First 66174 (W374 EOW), an Alexander bodied Volvo B10BLE new in March 2000 as First Provincial 374, had just pulled in (about 6 minutes late at 1626) as the 1500 service 126 from Weston-super-Mare. After unloading he checked the interior and within a moment opened the doors to load as the 1630 departure back to Weston.

Monday 12 May 2014 (0825) – First 69438 (WX59 BYP), a Wright bodied Volvo B7RLE new in October 2009, leaving Glastonbury heading towards Street.

Tuesday 13 May 2014 (1627) – First 66174 (W374 EOW), an Alexander bodied Volvo B10BLE new in March 2000 as First Provincial 374, seen on the seen on the seafront at Weston-super-Mare working local service 7. I had seen this bus in Wells the previous day when it worked service 126.