West Wales - July 2007

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).

Saturday 28 July 2007 (0825) - Arriva Cymru 2867 (YJ06 YRY) an Optare Tempo arriving in Aberystwyth on the 0725 service 550 from New Quay. New July 2006.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 1435) - Arriva Cymru 2863 (YJ55 BKN) seen in Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth seen loading on service 550 to New Quay. 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).

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0825) - Arriva Cymru 2863 (YJ55 BKN) seen arriving on the 0725 service 550 from New Quay, a few minutes early as this was the school holidays. 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).

Saturday 28 July 2007 (0800) - Arriva Cymru 2864 (YJ55 BKO) in Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth loading as the 0800 service X40 to Carmarthen. Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owned 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operated seven (2860-6). The service was shared by Arriva (based at the Aberystwyth end) and First (based at the Carmarthen end).

Saturday 28 July 2007 (0800) - Arriva Cymru 2864 (YJ55 BKO) in Alexandra Road, Aberystwyth loading as the 0800 service X40 to Carmarthen. Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly, owned 12 Optare Tempo buses assigned to three companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. Arriva operated seven (2860-6). The service was shared by Arriva (based at the Aberystwyth end) and First (based at the Carmarthen end).

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 1500) - First Cymru 64501 (YJ55 BJE), an Optare Tempo new in December 2005, seen in Aberystwyth. It was one of a number of similar buses purchased by Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly and assigned to three different companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. First operated three (64501-3). The X40 service linking Aberystwyth and Carmarthen was shared by First (based at the Carmarthen end) and Arriva (based at the Aberystwyth end). 64501 was about to work the 1505 service to Carmarthen.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 1505) - First Cymru 64501 (YJ55 BJE), an Optare Tempo new in December 2005, seen in Aberystwyth. It was one of a number of similar buses purchased by Ceredigion County Council, with funding from the Welsh Assembly and assigned to three different companies to work on ‘Traws Cambria’ services. First operated three (64501-3). The X40 service linking Aberystwyth and Carmarthen was shared by First (based at the Carmarthen end) and Arriva (based at the Aberystwyth end). 64501 was about to work the 1505 service to Carmarthen.

Tuesday 24 July 2007 (approx. 0745) - First Cymru 41197 (S197 KLM) was a Marshall bodied Dennis Dart that had been new to First Centrewest (London) in September 1998. It was seen in South Parade, Tenby about to work the 0750 service 349 to Haverfordwest. The bi-lingual destination indicator shows Withybush Hospital (Ysbyty Llwyn Helyg).

Tuesday 24 July 2007 (approx. 0745) - First Cymru 41197 (S197 KLM) was a Marshall bodied Dennis Dart that had been new to First Centrewest (London) in September 1998. It was seen in South Parade, Tenby about to work the 0750 service 349 to Haverfordwest. The old part of the town is surrounded by the Grade 1 listed Town Walls, a medieval defensive structure which dates back to the 13th century. Part of the wall runs alongside the bus whilst in the background is the Five Arches Tower. aroundtenby.co.uk/listing/tenby-defensive-walls

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0810) - Bi-lingual ‘No parking’ sign in Aberystwyth bus station fixed to the wall of the QS retail store.

Friday 27 July 2007 (approx. 0805) - Bi-lingual bus stop markings in Aberystwyth bus station. (The passengers behind were waiting for the 0815 National Express service 420 to London (or, as the Welsh call it, Llundain)

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!

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.

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.