Operators based in North East Wales

[DLG817]

RE: Operators based in North East Wales
End of the 40 Mold to Wrexham via Treuddyn and the 63(previously DB1) Mold to Kinnerton via Treuddyn Nercwys etc).
An unfortunate date (1st April) but today marks the end of the former 40 Bus service from Mold to Wrexham (via Nercwys, Treuddyn, Llanfynydd, Ffrith, Cymau) and the 63 service (known previously as the DB1) which ran from Mold through Nercwys. The reason for the withdrawal is due to the reduction in subsidy for the services.
The replacement for these is a new service LT7 which runs from Mold to Hope. through Nercwys, Treuddyn, Llanfynydd, Ffrith, Cymau and Caergwrle. There are just four journeys leaving Mold at 6.35am, 10.10am, 12.20pm and 4.20pm. These runs are timed to connect with the Mold to Wrexham service at Caergwrle and also the train service from Bidston to Wrexham again at Caergwrle.
The contractor operating the service is Wrexham and Prestige Taxis and they are using a 16 seat Ford Transit minibus AY15ZXW <PHOTO>. Unfortunately unlike the previous buses used on the routes the minibus involves a climb into the vehicle, there are no wheelchair facilities and no adequate space for pushchairs etc. The service in to Mold at 10.00am this morning was well patronised (some 13 passengers). Most passengers were not able to work the door and the driver was very happy to leave his position walk around to the entrance to open / close the door.
Whilst timetables have been posted at a number of bus stops on the route there is yet to appear any information of these changes on the Flintshire web site as of today. In fact still on the said website is the timetable for the Buckley Town Service 21, 21A/B which ceased at the end of January.

Wrexham also suffers bus losses.
Today marked the absence of the 42 service to Stockwell Grove and the 44 service to Barkers Lane. These routes have not been well served by bus operators ever since GHA collapsed in the summer of 2016. After an absence for a while they were operated by D Jones and Son but that firm ceased trading at the end of 2017. Another absence and they were then operated by easyCoach who also ceased trading suddenly. With the hope of some stability the services were taken over by Arriva but they have now decided to stop running the services. Other reductions in service provision for the travelling public occurred today in Wrexham by Arriva involving less journeys to Penycae, no service to the Moreton Estate in Johnstown and the Mold service no longer serving the Pendine Way Estate in Gwersyllt.

Unusual visitor to King Street Bus Station Wrexham
Stagecoach Training bus 28540 (X266USH) a Scania L94UB / Wrightbus Axcess Floline <PHOTO 28540>

Pats Coaches, Southsea, Wrexham
The very recently arrived A2CNX a Scania K124IB4 / Van Hool Alizee has left the fleet and has been sold to Andy's Minibuses, Holyhead.

easyCoach
A visit to their depot in Rhosymedre revealed that a number of the Optare Tempos that were used on the Oswestry service have now left the depot. It is understood that they have returned to a finance company. It apperas that three Tempos (YJ56WVU, WVS and WVV) remain at the depot together with a Solo (LXZ6238 [YJ06YSE]), the VDL SB120 /Wright Cadet (CB54BUS) and two of the Ford Transits used on the airport runs.