With the Fareham and Gosport network changes planned for next month, accompanied by the forthcoming arrival of a batch of brand new Enviro200s for Southampton over the new year, the step entry Dennis Darts may finally be withdrawn at the end of the year.
These buses seem to have been excellent survivors. The first "batch" was culled from the fleet in 2009, when Hilsea received the then brand new Volvo B7RLEs for routes 40 and 41. This saw off all of the Wright bodied Darts, and a large number of the younger L and M reg Darts.
The second large scale withdrawal came at the start of the year, when the Hoeford Eclipse buses were introduced. This left only a handful of step entry Darts in service around First Hampshire. Two examples are the buses illustrated. Firstly we have 46322 (M322YOT), a bus that was initially withdrawn earlier this year, only to be resurrected for Fareham town services. It is pictured heading under the former relief Meon Valley line railway bridge, as it heads for Fareham on route 94. Pictured to the right is 46367 (N467ETR) - all 4 9.8m Pointer bodied Darts that were acquired by Southampton Citybus are still in service, although one has had a holiday in Cornwall.
The new Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport network sees a reduction in PVR which will see off a couple of the Darts. Following this, the arrival of the new Southampton Enviro200s will see the cascade of a number of SLF Darts to replace those left, if any are left.
We've said it before, but if you are missing any photos of these buses, get them soon!
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