Stagecoach are shortly to revolutionise core aspects of the city network in Exeter with the introduction of brand new electric buses. These follow Enviros and Yutongs already in service in Torquay, and preceed further electric vehicles entering service in Barnstaple. The first are already here - four of twenty Volvo BZLs are in the Devonian city, as illustrated here by fleet no. 66113 (BU26 WWK), turning into Exeter bus station on a training run.
The new B7Ls will carry mostly carry the steel blue livery - which looks excellent when first applied and shiny, but I feel that it fades quickly and then does not have quite the same impact...
The arrival of electrics on the city network is likely to see the withdrawal of some of the oldest Optare Solos in service anywhere in the country. Largely new in 2004 to the very city, Stagecoach operate Solo minibuses alongside the fleet of 2015 Optare Solo SRs across the network. And it is not just one or two - ten new in 2004 are operated between Exeter and Barnstaple, with a further ten new across 2006 and 2007.
47101 (WA04 TXS) pictured heading through the city centre along Sidwell St on the usual haunt - route E - sporting the second version of the basketball livery, accompanied with a new fleet name.
The Optare Solos replaced a variety of Iveco TurboDaily and Mercedes-Benz minibuses on core high frequency routes. The Ivecos were predominantly acquired from the previous regime, when Stagecoach took over, and many still featured dual-door layouts.
Two views from August 2006 now. Above, fleet no. 47091 (WA04 TXF) stands along the bus-only High St in Exeter. From my very limited photos from 2006, it seems the buses were smaller and the frequencies were much higher! 47091 carries the name St. Mary Major's - I believe this was one of the churches in the Exeter region but I'm not fully sure. Sister fleet no. 47088 is pictured behind. Below, fleet no. 47107 (WA04TXY) is pictured in a special green livery, that a number of them received, to promote the University service. It is pictured on the D, with one of the later Varios and another Solo behind. 
Fleet nos. 47089-91 are presently in operation from Barnstaple, primarily on town services. All carry the local livery introduced in 2020. Fleet nos. 47092/3 and 47098-101 are in operation with Exeter, with 47088 withdrawn at Torquay. In Exeter, original beachball, modified beachball and local colours are worn by the remaining fleet. 
Fleet no. 47093 (WA04 TXH) heads along Sidwell St on service E on April 8th.
To finish the blog, here are a few more snaps of the fleet capture in Exeter taken in April. Thank you for reading.
Fleet no. 47100 (WA04TXR) on route E, pictured having just set off from the allocated bus stop on Sidwell St.
Slightly younger fleet no. 47544 (GX57DJO), new up in Hampshire as an Andover Star.
Solo 47598 (YJ06 FYX) is one of the few remaining buses in service acquired with the takeover of Cooks Coaches in 2007 - pictured having terminated on the E and rounding to the starting point on Sidwell St.
Heading off in to the sunset - albeit not for another month or so - fleet no. 47098 (WA04 TXN) heads for Exwick on the E on April 8th.
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