... on the Isle of Wight. Southern Vectis are temporarily operating a small number of former Veolia Cymru Optare Tempos. Purchased back in August, the eventual purpose for these Tempos is not know although they were initially earmarked for Damory. A number have been pushed into service with Southern Vectis, allowing some Scania Omnidekkas to temporarily move over to Salisbury to help with school routes.
My first photo is of Go South Coast's new 2507 (YJ56WVT). As you can see, they retain full Veolia route 600 branding advertising the Cardiff - Pontypridd route. Although they have received some criticism from enthusiasts for this, I am actually with Southern Vectis for leaving the branding on, as the vehicles do look a lot smarter. Also with Southern Vectis now the only bus operator on the island (bar the Ventnor town service), it is fairly obvious who operates these buses. However, I do wonder how many "single to Cardiff please!" jokes the drivers get a day though...
The Tempos are mainly found on routes 5 (Newport - East Cowes) and 9 (Newport - Ryde), and three were out and about on the 9 today. 2508 (YJ56WVU) is pictured earlier today in the October sunshine as it departs Ryde for Newport.
My final view from today is of Optare Tempo 2509 (YJ56WVV), heading out from Union Street and heading for the bus station. It will be sad from an enthusiast's point of view when these move on - I do like a bit of variety! It will also be interesting to see where these end up across the Go South Coast empire...
I was the first driver to take YJ56WVV into service when it was new to the former Dunn-Line depot at Tuxford!
ReplyDeletei noted one these tempos working
ReplyDeleteon late x3 service yesterday 3nov
livery is the same as in pictures
but without route emblems
Yes, that Tempo is running the route daily now, and one of the X3's buses seems to never move from the Ringwood deport. Not sure if its a case of that its broken and waiting repair, or simply testing out the new bus.
ReplyDeleteIts definitely smoother than the doubles currently used, as the X3 is a particularly windy route.
Oh, and the plate of the WD version is YJ56 WUD and a quick google search has shown it to be: http://mapgrouproadtransport.co.uk/p840888566/hFA92A5D#hfa92a5d
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Anonymous - there are 3 Tempos in W&D livery now apparently - 2506-8. All from Poole.
ReplyDelete