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Weren't they just sold through Volvo so given a different name? The lighting differences will just be earlier makes of the same bus.

For perhaps the first time since they re-entered service, all 10.7s were in service today, 71 on the 2 and 17/A, 72 on the 17/A and 14/A, 73 on the short 14s and 74 on the 17/A and 14/A. Rode on 71 and 73, both were pretty decent, excellent buses IMO, in much better condition than most MTL ones!

To be fair Danny, and I'm sure that I've said this before but it would not be that difficult for those marshalls to be in better condition that most of the ex-MTL ones.

(15/11/2012 13:59)sumner Wrote: [ -> ]Weren't they just sold through Volvo so given a different name? The lighting differences will just be earlier makes of the same bus.

Yes thats about it, really the Merit was only made for two reasons, Firstly it allowed Volvo to offer a Midibus model following its withdrawal of its unsuccesful Volvo B6BLE, and it allowed VDL SB120's to be sold outside Arriva rather than having to be leased from them through the VDL/Arriva network that only leases stock to companies outside Arriva, and also allowed operators to buy them from a nuteral source rather than leasing them in some cases from a competitor, I understand that is why the Merit rather than the Cadet initially was requested by Warrington.

Bus 20 was operating the 14 yesterday at about 12.30pm Widnes bound. Had the pleasure of riding it. Anyone see what was on the 26?

(30/11/2012 23:21)HaltonNational Wrote: [ -> ]Bus 20 was operating the 14 yesterday at about 12.30pm Widnes bound. Had the pleasure of riding it. Anyone see what was on the 26?

Either # 72 / 73 / 74

Seen 25 driving round with no back number. Its had the panel replaced and had a very quick botched up paint job to make it look half decent.

Halton have an Optare Solo SR demonstrator registered YJ12 NBX or something very close. Its on the 26 today.

Iv heard they are getting some smaller buses for the local services....pls pls don't tell me they are getting the solos??

I managed to get a photo on the solo SR which ill upload later

Fleet number: #92