Welcome to Dart SLF: Bus Opinions. If you are interested in taking part in this feature, feel free to state your interest in the dedicated thread on the forum.

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This week’s member (13/02/12)
Pulsar2

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
My favourite actual buses are Stagecoach Merseyside’s PO59 MXS (24182) and PO11 BCX (27718), Arriva Merseyside’s 2955 (MX09 JHK), 2993 (MX59 JZJ), 3023 (MX59 JJE), 2706 (X706 DBT), 2712 (Y712 KNF), 2800 (Y228 CJW), 3067 (MX61 AWY), 3073 (MX61 AVZ), 7658 (V658 DVU), 4450 (MX61 AYJ) and 1057 (R57 XVM) and 4099 (S279 JUA).

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
MAN and Dennis Enviro300s, Wright Pulsar/Pulsar 2s, Wright StreetLites and Wright Gemini 2s

And your least favourite?
Leyland Lynx and Leyland Nationals and Caetano Nimbus.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Plaxton Pointer II

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
East Lancs EL2000

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Stagecoach Merseyside/Arriva North West are my joint favourites.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Gillmoss/Green Lane/St Helens joint favourites.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Arriva Interurban. Striking and smart, and suits many vehicle types.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
When I was younger, I was taken around on buses with my mum in order to get around. Over time I became more interested in buses, before having a rest from the hobby and getting interested in them again in later life, but more of on the business-side of things.

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This week’s member (06/02/2012)
anw2015

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
Current favourite buses include 2495 (CX54 DKN), 2729 (Y729 KNF), 2691 (CX58 EWD), 2989 (MX59 JZE) and 4103 CX55 EAK and the controversial Paladin 1046 (P46 MVU). I love Paladins and this seems the best out of the ones I’ve recently rode with a few of them sadly starting to show their age.

My favourite buses that have now been sadly withdrawn include 3275 (N275 CKB), 6510 (L510 TKA), 7236 (L236 TKA) and Halton’s 61 (J924 MKC).

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
My favourite all time buses are the Cummins engined Leyland Lynxes. I used to love riding these when I was younger on the 61. I also loved the ex-Silver Service Palatine IIs which were extremely comfortable and had a decent turn of speed. They certainly made riding the 375/85 far more enjoyable when a few of them came to Skem!

My favourite buses currently in service include Ultralows and Paladins. Even though most are past their best, I still really enjoy riding the majority of them. I’m also a massive fan of Stagecoach’s integral Enviro300’s.

And your least favourite?
Least favourite buses have got to be Optare Solos. They’re bland, boring and give an extremely average ride. I will say that design wise they are excellent and were well ahead of their time. The Wright Pathfinder has to be the worst of all time for me. Those things should have been scrapped years before they were. Any form of “breadvan” were avoided in the past too!

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
My favourite bodied Dennis Dart is the ALX200 Dart.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Least favourite is probably the EL2000 Darts. Not only ugly but awful to ride too!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
My favourite operator on Merseyside is Arriva. Common sense has started to prevail in recent years with the polish and promote scheme and also the order of Gemini’s for the 79 and 82.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
I can’t say I have a particular favourite depot.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
My favourite livery is the “interurban” livery.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I got interested in buses as a young child through riding the likes of the Lynx’s on the 61 and Nationals on my “home” route at the time. They seemed so much more interesting than my parent’s car and trains that we rode as there was such a wide variety of them.

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This week’s member (30/01/2012)
CX54 DKD

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
My favourite buses are largely members of the Arriva fleet and to select a few, would consist of: Cadet CX54 DKD (2489), Cadet CX54 DKJ (2492) Dart X209 ANC (2209), Pulsar 2 MX09 JHK (2955), Pulsar 2 MX59 JYY (2984) and Renown Y715 KNF (2715).
I also really like the pair of Volvo Merits owned by Hattons Travel of St Helens – MX54 AOC & MX54 AOD.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses
My favourite type of bus is without a doubt, the VDL SB120CS Wright Cadets. A decent one of these is an absolute pleasure and can fly! My favourite of the type is St Helens based CX54 DKD and hence, that is my namesake. Of course, there are a few that rattle and vibrate but in general, this is usually made up for in ride quality and speed.

And your least favourite?
Without any shadow of a doubt, Marshall Capitals. Absolutely horrendous vehicles which I had to endure daily for 3 and a half years. They rattle, smash around and leave a lot to be desire in generally every respect. They’re freezing over the winter too – a sign of the poor bodywork on many of this type!

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
The Pointer II body. It comes under criticism for being plain and boring but I like it all the same. It seems the most modern of all the available bodies to me and, again in my opinion, look pretty slick if kept in good nick!

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
The UVG Urbanstar/Caetano Compass – an absolutely horrendous, eye saw of a body fit only for the scrap yard! They’ve never appealed to me in all seriousness though, they seem to make the vehicle look at least double its age.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
For all the complaining I do about them, Arriva. They’re certainly the best of the bunch on Merseyside and their vehicles are among my favourites as above.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva St Helens’ Jackson Street – it’s my local depot, not much more of a reason that that if I’m honest!

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Of bus operations, my favourite livery would have to be the Arriva Interurban livery – it looks pretty nice and it’s a reasonably modern design. Of coach operations however, it would have to be G. Ashton’s of St Helens whose livery is a real eye catcher!

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
My interest in transport began at a very early age but was more targeted towards the railways. I’d drag the family out to railways on a weekly basis and we’d go and ride on some of the heritage steam routes – the electric trains however, never carried as much interest for me. So, my interest in transport moved over to aviation and buses around 7 or 8 years ago which is where we stand today!

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This week’s member (23/01/2012)
SPD17

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
GNE BL57 OXP, ANE YJ61 JFN and SNE NK11 DHL

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
Citaros, Solos, and the Electric Hybrid Enivro 400’s

And your least favourite?
MPD’s, SPD’s, Compasses and Marshall Capitals

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
ALX200

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Plaxton Pointer 2 and Wright Axcess-Ultralow Scanias

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
I don’ t go to Merseyside often, but I think Arriva
My favourite bus company in the North East is Go North East, because of their great liverys!

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva Green Lane.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Arriva Interurban.
My favourite livery in the North East is the ‘Whey-aye-Five-0’. Great

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I have always loved transport… And lifts!!!
But the main thing was the different stlyes of buses, and the reg/fleet no’s

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This week’s member (19/01/2012)
MX61 AWY (3067)

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
Arriva North West: M2 SLT (2002), N110 DWM (2010), N134 DWM (2034), Y457 KNF (2720), MX09 JHK (2955), MX61 AWY (3067),
P314 HEM (5314), L408 TKB (6408), M575 YEM (6575), N589 CKA (6589), N606 CKA (6606) and V658 DVU (7658).
Bus Vannin: GMN-373-N (13), HMN-246-J (21), DMN-25-R (25), BMN-67-M (67), MN-1082 (82) and JMN-54-R (167).
Stagecoach Merseyside: X114 JFV (21121), PO59 MWP (24160) and PO11 BCX (27718).

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
Alexander Dennis Enviro300 (any chassis), Scania L113CRL (Wright Axcess-Ultralow)s, Volvo B9TL (Wright Eclipse Gemini 2)s, Volvo B10B (Wright Endurance)s and Volvo B10BLE (Wright Renown)s.

And your least favourite?
Dennis Dart MPDs, East Lancs Myllenniums and Wright Cadets. I don’t like Marshall Capitals at all, the only ones of these I actually like are Bus Vannin’s DMN-25-R (25) and Arriva’s V658 DVU (7658), which are fantastic examples. I’m hoping to preserve the latter in the future all going well.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
East Lancs Spryte.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Marshall C37.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Stagecoach Merseyside.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Despite preferring Stagecoach, I would say Arriva’s Green Lane depot. Gillmoss is my other favourite depot.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Again, despite preferring Stagecoach, Arriva’s Interurban livery is fantastic.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
The ex-MTL Volvo B10Bs and Neoplan N4016s were buses ahead of their time, and until their withdrawal were largely brilliant buses that never failed to bring a smile to my face. Nowadays, I’ve lost interest in the hobby for a number of reasons and just ride on buses to pass the time.

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This week’s member (12/01/2012)
MTL 0201

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatine II that were at Laird Street

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
Any decker

And your least favourite?
East Lancs ELX 2000, & Cadets

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Plaxton

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
ELX 2000, awful buses, you had to be less than 3ft tall to have any comfort on them

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Avon

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Laird Street

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
None currently, although in the past the old Brown/Green/Cream of the MPTE

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I live on a busy bus route ever since i can remember, & used to love the old Atlanteans, & Volvo Ailsa’s roaring down my Road, & was fascinated where they went

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This week’s member (02/01/2012)
V644DVU7644

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
Arriva Green Lane 7537 P537 MBU, Arriva Speke 6013 BX04 MXL, Arriva St Helens 1043 P43 MVU, 1050 P250 NBA, 1051 R51XVM, 1053 P53 MVU, 1054 R54 XVM, 1055 R255 WRJ, Arriva Winsfords 4040 S240 JUA, 7627/8/44/47/73 V627/8/44/47/73 DVU.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
My favourite types are Marhsall Capitals hence my username, yes they’re rattly but there are some good ones out there. Optare Solos are good too especially the D&G Solos 36/7/8/9/4.

And your least favourite?
Wright Pulsars and Cadets – New Wrights aren’t to my liking to be honest I don’t really like new buses.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
To me Marshall Capital and Plaxton Pointer 1s. They’re old but I think with a little quick fix and any Dennis Dart beats a Wright Pulsar.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Plaxton Pointer 2s – They look really ugly from frony and all the Winsford’s have urban 90 seats making them worse.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
As I am from Cheshire I dont see much of see much of Mersyside however Stagecoach and Arriva stand out for me the most. From outside Merseyside I like than GHA and D&G as they are good and classy!

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva St Helens, Arriva Green Lane,Stagecoach Gilmoss.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
The new livery on the Southport ALX400s looks really smart. I like HTL green along with the Stagecoach Enviro300 livery.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
My dad really he has been a driver all of his life and I used to go on the buses with him while he was driving for Arriva Winsford, National Express, GHA coaches, Stagecoach Gillmoss & Arriva Wrexham.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member MTL 0201.

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This week’s member (19/12/2011)
H101GEV

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
There are three: in third place is GKA449L (1449/3980), the open-top Leyland Atlantean at Southport; second place is H101GEV (3101), a Leyland Olympian with Northern Counties bodywork and my favourite of all is CX06EBK (4127), a Volvo B7TL with Alexander Dennis ALX400 body.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
It has to be the Volvo B7TL with Alexander Dennis ALX400 bodywork, 30 of which are with Arriva Speke. Others are MPTE Alexander-bodied Leyland Atlanteans and more generally anything with Alexander ALX bodywork.

And your least favourite?
Wright Axcess-Ultralow Scanias, Volvo B10Bs with Wright Endurance bodywork and Optare Solos. Ultralows are the worst of all because of their poor build quality leading to a shocking ride. B10Bs also appear because of their severe lack of legroom and hard seating which made them unfit for purpose for a lot of the long-distance routes they were used on.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
This is an easy one, actually. It has to be the Alexander ALX200. They have a sleek body and the interiors are well built and designed.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
This one’s tougher, as I haven’t tried every type of Dart yet. From what I’ve seen, probably the Plaxton Pointer II. There are exceptions, but generally they don’t scream “well built” and tend to ride roughly. I also find the styling rather bland and unimaginative.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
It has to be Arriva, but I do like Peoplesbus too.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva Speke. They’re my local depot and use a good variety of well-maintained vehicles.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Probably Arriva Interurban livery. Their older colour scheme isn’t too bad, either. Anything’s better than First’s “Barbie” livery though!

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
Riding on Leyland Atlanteans on both sides of the water during the 90s. Fantastic buses which had plenty more to offer when they were sadly withdrawn by Arriva. Going to Uni was probably the biggest trigger when I started to use buses more regularly, especially Speke’s H-GEV Olympians and B7TLs.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member CUL 122V.

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This week’s member (12/12/2011)
MX10JZK

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
My favourite actual buses have to be from the Enviro line up, the current buses that Stagecoach Merseyside are currently using look very smart I must say. But overall my favourite type of bus would have to be the Enviro 00 as they look and sound fantastic!

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
My favourite types of buses would have to be the Enviro300 chassis that Stagecoach are currently using on there E300′s used on services like the 14, 20/21 and so on. This is my favourite type of bus used in Merseyside at this current time.

And your least favourite?
If I had to be specific it would have to be the Plaxton Primo purely because it looks very plain and not very smart, but apart from that I like every bus currently on Merseyside’s streets.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
My favourite Dennis Dart body would have to be the new Enviro200 body as it just looks fantastic, clean and modern.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
My least favourite Dennis Dart body would have to be the ALX200 it just doesn’t look that nice from the out side and from the inside it is a very poor job but that is just what I feel about that bus, but from what it has become it looks so nice now!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
My current favourite operator in Merseyside would have to be HTL Buses, purely because of the many use of different bus models such as the Optare Solo M710SE, Enviro200Darts and Plaxton Pointer 2s. I feel that the company is friendly and operates a wide variety routes that you can use around Liverpool City Centre.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
My favourite bus depot on Merseyside would have to be Arriva Birkenhead Depot, purely because I have been there quite a few times and tend to go past there some time just to see what buses they have in the depot at that current time.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
My least favourite livery would have to be First Manchester because they have only used 3 colours which is Pink Blue & White, and there not really my favourite types of colours in the rainbow! But at the moment it has to be First Manchester.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I have been interested in transport modes from a young age such as trains, buses cars, trucks ferries etc.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member H101GEV.

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This week’s member (05/12/2011)
V671 DVU

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
That’s quite a hard question really. There are quite a few. These are: OHV 703Y, OFS 684Y, XAU 705Y, L510 TKA, N587 CKA, N128 DWM, N271 CKB, N288 CKB, P319 HEM, R310 WVR and X706 DBT.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
I’m quite a fan of the MTL B10B’s. It was heartbreaking when the final one was withdrawn! I’ve always had a softspot for the Scania Ultralows, right from the Gilmoss days! Although the Ultralows ride quality is poor nowadays!

And your least favourite?
By far the Dennis Dart Marshall Capital! Their is the odd nice one but examples like V657 DVU really do take biscuit!

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
The ALX200. They just seem to look so much better than the other Dart bodies not the mention they’re better built!

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
It’s a joint one between the Wright Handybus and Marshall Capital. The former really is an ugly little thing and latter’s ride quality is poor!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Probably Stagecoach Merseyside. They have a nice varied fleet and their livery is quite tidy!

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Either Gilmoss or Green Lane. A few years back, it would have been the Liverbus depot. I remember going past there as a small child and peeping in to see what buses where in there!

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Avon Buses’ by far! Closely followed by Stagecoach Merseyside’s.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
As a small child, I was into car’s and liked looking at the age of them. So, as I boarded buses I used to look at the first letter (or last) of the registration plate! It eventually led to me reading the full registration plate of every vehicle and learning who made what buses etc! As I got older, I used to love riding the GTL 10 to school as they’re buses just had that nostalgic feel about them!

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member MX10JZK.

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This week’s member (28/11/2011)
buses7675 (Website Admin)

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
From local fleets going back I’ve always like K911 OEM, the first Dennis Dart in service in Liverpool, V675 DVU as the final bus delivered to MTL, X263 OBN the first DartSLF ALX200 I ever travelled on and SN56 AYA the first Enviro200Dart to operate on Merseyside (at least on the Liverpool side of the water, as Avon Buses had SN56 AYB at around the same time!)

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
I do tend to like most modern low floor buses, but in particular all Dart SLFs, Dart 4s, Tridents, Volvo B7TLs, Solos and the sadly departed Neoplan N4016s! Even less sucessful buses like the Optare Alero, Marshall Minibus and Plaxton Primo I like as they are (sort of) rare and weird minibus conversions such as low floor Mercedes Sprinter/Koch – I just tend to like all buses!

And your least favourite?
There aren’t many buses I dislike in terms of the vehicle it is more buses that are very tatty or inappropriate for the route (usually far too small) that I have a problem with! To pick a bus type I dislike though I’d have to go for LDV vans or similar, with seats fitted but not proper conversions, that are considered to be private hire minibuses

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Alexander ALX200 probably in terms of design, though the Enviro200 which is essentially the same structure I like too! I can’t say I didn’t like the Pointer 2 either, the only issue was those external gutters above the windows that aged the design somewhat.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Wright Handybus, purely as it was probably the most ugly of all the bodies that have been available in the UK on the Dennis Dart, however that isn’t to say they were poorly built! The UVG designs are said by some to be ugly too I guess that is personal choice, but the replacement Caetano Nimbus was a massive improvement by anyone’s standards!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Of the current operators, I do like HTL as they seem to have quite a variety of various modern midi and minibuses which is something I like and operate over a large area.

I always have liked Halton Transport for its very modern clean fleet and its early adoption of low floor buses, making it one of the first major operators running commercial services in the area to operate them entirely with low floor buses.

Historically I always liked Supertravel for similar reasons to HTL, a nice mix of modern buses and of course MTL, even if perhaps it is with rose tinted spectacles, it was nice to have the major bus company in our area still being a locally owned one!

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
There are very few depots locally I’ve actually been in, but to pick one from those I’ve visited it would have be be Arriva Speke depot, maybe more so before its rebuild as it was the fact most of it was undercover that I liked!

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Currently I do like the Stageoach livery, the improvement of the current one from the stripes is huge in my view!
Other local liveries I like are Halton Transport and Avon Buses (along historically with Supertravel and MTL) as all of them are nice simple but nice liveries using the panel splits in the bodywork for the colour changes such that panels when replaced are much easier to paint correctly. I also did like Smart livery (the original one more so than Smart Eco) it looked very good when on the T reg Dart SLFs and of course the Neoplans!

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
My interest started way back around 1991/2 when I was 9 or 10 and route 224 (Aigburth Vale – Broadgreen) received its J reg DAF SB220/Ikarus Citibus, when it was operated by Liverline. They were so vivid in the yellow livery compared to other buses in the area they stood out for me. The change to MTL operating the route soon after and getting its own similar buses started my interest in operators too and an early insight into how contracts were let. Shortly after when the route got the UKs first low floor bus, Neoplan N4014 6401 K930 EWG I was hooked and my interest in the hobby got greater and greater.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member V671 DVU.

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This week’s member (21/11/2011)
R557 ABA

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
SND 120X, A506 FFS, K345 OFM, Y581 UGC, BCB 613V, N271 CKB, B4 AVN, R557 ABA, L291 ETG, N6 NCP, F371 AFR, J210 JMB, N326 VMS

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
Well over the years I’ve been fortunate to sample some excelent variety of different chassis and bodies, so here they are, firstly with the Single deckers which is mainly based with the chassis as there would be too many to list with the body variations, these include the Leyland Lynx, Panther, Hippo and National (they both have their advantages and dissadvantages like most types of bus), the notorious Dennis Dart & SLF, Dennis Lance & SLF, the Dennis Lancet and the Volvo B10 couppled up to an Allison gearbox, the Bristol LH & RE too. The more modern single deckers I like are the Alexander Dennis Enviro300, Volvo B7RLE, Optare Tempo and Versa and MetroRider with the Scania L94 & L113 too.

The deckers have to be the AEC Regent V, the Leyland Atlantean, Titan (B15) and Olympian, the Volvo B7TL, B9TL, Olympian, the Dennis Dominator, Dragon, Arrow and the Trident 2. The MCW Metrobus & Metroliner, the Alexander Dennis Enviro400 & 500, the Scania N113 & OmniDekka.

And your least favourite?
I really tend not to like buses with VDL chassis, no matter what body that’s put on them they always feel to me to be a little bit weak, maybe that’s because they’re built as a light weight vehicle than that of a full size vehicle. Also I’ve got a disliking for the Optare Solo too for the main reason of latter years of production has seen one major “facelift” but it still seems to ride the same as they’ve always done. Also I don’t care for Voith gearboxes that much either.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Plaxton Pointer 2

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
UVG Urbanstar

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Well my favorite independent has to be Impera as they have a fleet of buses I like, my favorite big company has to be Arriva although it’d still be MTL if they where still here today.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva’s St Helens Depot.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Avon Buses’ livery, it’s not to over the top and it makes the company look proffesional.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
My original hobby is an interest in Tram’s, I used to go to the Wirral Transport Museum from an early age when it was still based in Pacific Road and the tram line only went as far as there, I was delighted to ride the second extention to Egerton Bridge when that section opened and finally the third extension to Taylor Street when the museum moved there, as I used to live on Laird Street seeing the MTL liveried buses going up and down walking back home from school I always recall seeing Atlanteans on the 7 & 37′s and the Dennis Dart SLF’s on the 18 so I guess buses eventually became my main hobby with trams becoming a hobby every now and then.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member buses7675.

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This week’s member (14/11/2011)
Raawwwrrr!

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
Personally my favorite buses are ScaniaL113CRL, Wright Access Ultralow N109DWM (ANW 2009) and Volvo Olympian Northern Counties Palatine 2 N282CKB (ex-ANW 3282), The reason behind this is that they are fast buses, make make unusual gearbox whines and are in a fairly acceptable condition for their age. Sadly both have now since left the fleet!

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
My favorite types of buses are Leyland Lynx Mk. 1/2 (Cummins engine), Dennis Dart SPD’s (Voith Gearbox) and Scania L113CRL’s.

And your least favourite?
I have a strong disliking of early Dennis Darts, From Duple bodywork, to the Plaxton Pointer 1.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
My favorite bodywork for a Dennis Dart, would be the newer/updated Alexander ALX200, particularly on the smaller 8.8m SLF chasis.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
By far the East Lancs E2000!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Arriva North West LTD.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Shaw Rd.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Currently, My favorite livery used on Merseyside would have to be Stagecoach’s. A few years back In would have been saying the LMS,CMT or even Norbus, how times change!

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
A bit of an unusual one actually!

As I toddler my mother was keep to get me into maths at Nursery, so had me learning to tell which number was which by what route the next bus that passed the bus stop would be, soon after I started learning fleetbumbers, reg plates, engine sounds, memorising interiors and bus types!… Now shes sorry!

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member R557 ABA.

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This week’s member (07/11/2011)
PO11 BAA

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
- Stagecoach Merseyside’s PO11 BAA (27701)
- Arriva North West’s MX09 LYJ (2947)
- Arriva North West’s MX10 BZS (3033)
- Arriva Scotland’s N611 CKA (6611)
- Arriva North West’s N126 DWM (2026)
- PeoplesBus’ N600 BUS (714)
- Strawberry’s P791 WVK (11)
- Arriva North West’s MX61 AYE (4446)

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
- VDL SB200CS/Wright Pulsar 2
- Alexander Dennis Enviro300 12m/Alexander Dennis Enviro300
- VDL SB200CS/Wright Commander
- Alexander Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Dennis Enviro400
- All Dennis Dart ‘original’ engine sounds (MPD, SLF, SPD, etc…)
- VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Plaxton Pointer 2

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
A cross between the Caetano Nimbus and the UVG Urban-Star

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Strawberry

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva’s Bootle (Hawthorne Road) depot

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
The Arriva new standard livery

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I used to prefer trains as they were the main presence of where I used to live (Millom, Cumbria). When I moved into the Liverpool area however, buses started to grow on me as I practically see one every day.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member Raawwwrrr!.

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This week’s member (31/10/2011)
YJ09 MKL

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
My favourite buses at the moment – but they do change – are Arriva Bootle’s 4429 MX09 LXM – an Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 on Trident2 chassis, and First Chester’s 69314 YJ09 FWK, which is a Volvo B7RLE with Wrightbus Eclipse Urban bodywork.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
My favourite types of buses are Plaxton Centro and Wrightbus Eclipse-bodied Volvo B7RLEs, along with Dennis and Alexander Dennis Tridents, especially those with Plaxton and Alexander Dennis bodywork. I’m also a fan of anything by Optare; the new Tempo SR could prove a design icon, and obviously I love the Versa!

And your least favourite?
Oh dear. Wrexham has had Darts upon Darts for years, and I loathe Euro2 and Euro1 examples, which are the mainstay of what we have had to suffer. Darts sound terrible; it’s like you’re sitting on something propelled by a noisy hairdryer. They also rattle like stink, look poor in the main and are deathly boring to ride. Worst is that they are used on inappropriate routes.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
A ‘big up’ to the Alexander ALX200 which is, in my view, an excellent body. Arriva Bootle’s X-OBN examples are certainly something, in a world of boring, unpleasant and rattly Plaxton examples.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
I loathe anything bodied by East Lancs, so naturally the EL200 is a target for my distaste. And don’t get Dan started on the Marshall Capital!

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
That’s a difficult one as I’m not from Merseyside. However, I’m pleased with the work Arriva do at the Bootle depot. I’m also very encouraged with Peoplesbus, who have an excellent fleet of an Optare Tempo, a Solo SR and a collection of Dennis Tridents. Big commendation there.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Hmm, I’d have to say Stagecoach in Gilmoss (they let my good friend PO11 BAA and I in!) on Merseyside, but overall I would say that a visit to a GHA Coaches depot is always worthwhile!

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Peoplesbus livery is great, there’s something about the blue and pink which really works. I also think First livery looks very elegant.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I don’t genuinely know, it’s hard to believe anyone could gain an interest in an environment of old, musty-smelling Darts! However I could probably say that my interest stems from the R-registration Volvo Olympians that Arriva Wrexham had from new back in 1998 (R233-9 AEY) which fascinated me from new, as well as the Mercedes-Benz minibuses which were the mainstay of the area!

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member PO11 BAA.

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This week’s member (24/10/2011)
K853 MTJ

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
H35 HBG, V995 LLG, N276 CKB, V658 DVU, P46 MVU, Y123 HOW.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
This will come as a surprise to nobody! Single Deckers are Leyland Lynxes (preferably Mk2’s), Marshall, Plaxton and ELC bodied Dennis Darts (Low floor or step), Scania L113CRLs (Paladins, however I can’t say I dislike Ultralows), Wright Commanders, Wright Renowns, and DAF Cadets.

Double deckers would be Leyland Olympians with ECW bodied and Alexander RH bodies. Cant say no to a good LWB Palatine though! Modern decker wise, my favourites have to be Volvo B7TLs with ALX400 bodied, however I am quite impartial to the new VDL Geminis at Speke! Think that’s everything!

And your least favourite?
I don’t strongly dislike anything in all honesty, I don’t really like VDL Cadets, Wright Pulsars (incredibly boring), not too keen on Wright Endurances and DLAs.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
Marshall Capital C39s, like C37s though.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Caetano Nimbus, Duple Dartline

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Hmmmm, probably Arriva. Not sure if you’d class them as on Merseyside but another favourite of mine is Howards Travel Group. Used to be obsessed with Halton Transport, but their fleet have gone down the pan since the Lynxes and proper Darts went!

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Rather contradictory to my last answers, Gillmoss depot is probably favourite due to the fact its so easy to get an and have a look round, sit in some cabs etc. Quite like Bootle Bodyshop aswell, if that counts as a depot!

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
Freshly repainted Arriva Interurban, and Howards Travel Groups livery. Quite like Peoplesbus’ and ACE travels old Brown and Cream aswell.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
Not a clue to be honest, probably the novelty of getting the bus home when I was a young lad, and the nice noise that certain buses made and the nice smell of Haltons Darts that no other Darts seemed to have. Hence I’m rather obsessed with Lynxes and Marshall Darts.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member YJ09 MKL.

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This week’s member (12/10/2011)
N606 CKA

First of all, what are your favourite actual buses?
My favourite buses are L408 TKB, a Neoplan N4016 and N606 CKA, a Volvo B10B with a Wright Endurance body. Unfortunately neither bus is in service on Merseyside any more, however N606 CKA is still in service with Arriva in Scotland at the time of writing.

Going back to the first question, what are your favourite types of buses?
Same as above really, the Neoplan N4016 and the Volvo B10B (with Wright Endurance bodywork). I grew up with these buses, and they became firm favourites with me once I started getting properly interested in buses. I also like the Dennis Trident, Scania L113CRL (with a Wright Axcess-Ultralow body), VDL SB200 (with Wright Commander, Pulsar and Pulsar 2 bodies) and anything made by Volvo.

And your least favourite?
I’m not the biggest fan of East Lancs Myllenniums, Optare Solos (I like the Solo SR) or the Wright Handybus.

What is your favourite Dennis Dart body?
A close call, but I’d have to go for a joint favourite, the East Lancs Spryte and Alexander ALX200. I also like the Plaxton Pointer II.

What is your least favourite Dennis Dart body?
Again, a joint answer. The Caetano Nimbus and the Wright Handybus.

Who is your favourite operator on Merseyside?
Arriva are my favourite, however I also like Stagecoach.

Tying in with the last question, what is your favourite bus depot on Merseyside?
Arriva’s Green Lane depot.

What is your favourite livery used on Merseyside?
I’d say Arriva’s Interurban livery, although again I also like Stagecoach’s livery.

And finally, what got you interested in buses?
I think it was because of the Merseytravel SMART Neoplans, I remember them from when I was about 4 or 5, they really interested me at the time and my interest soon expanded to the Volvo B10Bs and Wright Axcess-Ultralows. I think it was since then that I really got interested in buses, it’s a good hobby and I’ve met some really good friends thanks to it.

The next article will be next Monday, from forum member K853 MTJ.