• A full update has taken place today with a few photos added, along with a few fleetlist updates, and this news update!  I should be able to add some of my own photos too early next week, including many of my pics from the Warrington Open Day!

• Quite a few odd workings noted by me yesterday included the extremely odd working of Arriva NW Wright Pathfinder bodied Dennis Lance SLF 2394 M520 KPA, operating on Smart 1 (Broadgreen Hospital - Aigburth Vale).  Also noted, equally rare workings were Arriva NW Wright Handybus Dart, 1115 J315 XVX, on the 30 (Liverpool - Runcorn), and GTL Volvo B6 7249 L249 TKA on the 78 (Liverpool - Halewood).

• Ian Simpson has also cleared up the confusion over the demise of Marshall Bus (UK).  Apparently, Marshall Bus (UK) itself did not go bust, but in fact its parent company, Horizont, based in Slovakia went bust.  Although this now leaves the long term future of Marshall in doubt, the company is due to complete all existing orders for vehicles, and itself now be up for sale again.  Hopefully the sale to someone will go through quite fast, as bus operators may be unwilling to invest in a company which isn't financially secure.

• Glenvale are still acquiring more Metrobuses, as another one I noted yesterday, was 808 OJD 808Y, whose registration is confirmed now, as I saw it again this morning - This bus is named RICKY.  Another quite weird name for GTL also is Titan 2971, which is named SPARTACUS - I feel sorry for any child with that name!

• Another quick update today to report on yesterdays fantastic Warrington Borough Transport Open Day!

• There were plenty of vehicles in attendance, many preserved, and quite a few service vehicles including Arriva Cymru ECW Olympian, 3094 B194 BLG, which had just been repainted, so they will probably be around for a while still, along with First Manchester Salford Centenary Olympian, 280 (3280) F280 DRJ, and a brand new London General Plaxton President bodied Dennis Trident, with only 24 miles on the clock, along with many others!

• From Warrington Borough Transport itself, most of the fleet was in its bus park behind the main depot, but on display was Centenary Dart 1 T201 AFM, Jubilee Dart 16 V216 JLG and the newest bus in the fleet, 29 DE02 URX.  Interestingly Dart 29 has the original Marshall Capital front, and not the newer style one as fitted to Haltons last two deliveries of Darts - It is also B40F, not B41F as I have in the fleetlist!.  This too may possibly be the last Marshall Capital Dart delivered to WBT, as an UNCONFIRMED report that I heard at the open day suggests that Marshall Bus (UK) has now gone bust.  I can't confirm this yet, but probably the company to look out for would be First London as they get so many of the Marshall Capital Darts that they would be the first company to be affected - We shall have to wait and see!

• I took stacks of photos at the open day, and hopefully I will be able to get most of them online towards the end of next week (Still on a traditional SLR film camera!).  Another great part of yesterday was all the free rides that could be had, most of which took in a 45 min tours of Warrington!  The two buses on the bus station shuttle were Warrington's Leyland Titan PD2, and in he afternoon, this was swopped with Dart SLF, 26 Y626 GRE, which is also now in Warrington Wolves livery!

• Just a quick update today, with a few photos, more detailed news will be added later after tomorrows WBT Open Day!  For more details of the open day, see last Wednesday's news!

• An update from the last news feature, with info kindly provided by John Cooper and Neil Hilton is that the A1A ALX200 Dart with the overall advert is 59 Y259 KNB, which has an overall advert for 'Toe and Heal', an alternative therapy centre and shop in Bromborough. The base colour is purple. To see a photo of this bus, kindly provided by Neil Hilton, click here.

• Another photo feature to add today are two views of one of CMTs new SPDs, kindly taken by Karl Sutton yesterday!  Theses two are of 2087 PN02 KCC, operating on the 53 at Queen Square Bus Station.  To see the pics, click here and here.

• Not much other news to report, though I do have a few alterations and corrections to do to the older buses fleetlist, which will be done during the week!  If you are going, enjoy the open day tomorrow!

• Biggest news story today must be the reallocation, or loan, of the infamous Arriva Merseyside Marshall Capital bodied Dart SLF, 7675 V675 DVU from Speke to Bootle.  I saw this Dart working on the 55 (Liverpool - Old Roan) this morning.

• Other very interesting news is the possibility of a Volvo B7L demonstrator, with a Wright Eclipse body being used by Arriva Merseyside in the near future. Its possible allocation is currently unconfirmed, but either Speke or Bootle seem likely.  This bus is meant to be fitted with Air Conditioning, double glazing, and dual purpose seating, which is said to be so wide that it only has a 2+1 seating layout!  We shall have to wait and see!

• Some interesting news from Warrington Borough Transport is that they too have some brand new Darts, as James McCollom has kindly informed me that they meant to be due 6, the first of which, 29 is registered DE02 URX.  As with previous deliveries, these have Marshall Capital bodies, but interestingly the side destination is an electronic unit, where as the front keeps its standard roller blinds.  Another specially liveried bus at WBT too is 16 V216 JLG, which used to be the City of Peace Dart, and now carries a Queens Jubilee livery of gold/purple with the Queens head on the site, and is now believed to be named 'Windsor Castle'.  Hopefully many of us will be able to see theses vehicles at the Warrington Borough Transport Open Day on the day of the Queens Jubilee Monday 3rd June.  The Open Day is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Warrington Borough Transport, and is to be held between 10am until 4pm with FREE entry.  I'm not sure if you will be able to just turn up at the garage gate to get in, as the official advert in Buses Magazine states that there is a FREE shuttle bus too, from Bay 16 of Warrington Bus Station every 20 minutes whilst the garage is open, so I would think this is the best way to get there, as the garage is an an awquard junction to try to cross by foot.  If you intend to travel from a bit further away, Warrington Bus Station itself is very easy to get too, as it is almost adjacent to Warrington Central Railway Station, with just a short walk between the two!  To see a map of the short distance between Warrington Bus Station and Central Railway Station, click here  Note: You will need to have Abode Acrobat Reader installed to view that file.

• Other Dart news is that A1A Travel MPD 53 KP51 UFJ, has now been repaired following its major accident at Woodside a few months ago, and now wears A1A Travel branding on its front and rear, along with a wrapover advert (over the middle few windows on both sides), for the Right Place Health Group.  One of the A1A Travel ALX200 Darts is also reported to have an overall advert, though I'm not yet sure which one, or for what the advert is for!

• Quite a few odd workings to note today, but the oddest tone of all must be of Arriva Merseyside Plaxton Pointer 2 bodied Dart SLF 2217 X217 ANC, operating on the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley) this morning.  I'm not sure if this is a vehicle loan or a transfer, but it is now fitted with CCTV equipment, as is Volvo B10BLE 2716 Y716 KNF, which has now returned to Speke, having been on loan to Bootle.

• The CCTV fitted to these buses is called ARRIVA PROGUARD, and has, at least on 2716 a small LCD monitor fitted to the front blind box cover, so as passengers can see it, with five cameras, one next to the monitor pointing forward, one in the drivers cab pointing towards the doors, one at the rear of the bus pointing towards the front, one pointing ahead of the bus, and one pointing to behind the bus.  The cameras are quite discrete, far more so than Halton or CMT's, with the cameras just being a small hole in a panel - On the B10BLE, the rear camera used is the one fitted from new for reversing, but the Dart has had a camera fitted in the rear panel, noticeable by a small black circle between the registration plate and route number box.

• Interestingly too, on the 79, for some reason, the majority of bus stops, and shelters (excluding the Adshel ones) seem to have been removed over the last week or two, especially from Fiveways on into Netherley,and it looks like the ones at Wavertree Clock Tower are due to be removed soon, as there are suspicious painted markings around them now!  On Childwall Valley Road, and at Fiveways, there are probably around a total of 10 temporary bus stops!  This could be as they are to replaced with Smart bus shelters (So as the vandals have something to wreck), as it was suggested a while ago that this route was to become a Smart route soon, in the way that routes 12/13 did, in that they are still operated commercially, but with new shelters and timecheckers.  this could even be why 2217 has been transferred to Speke - We shall have to wait and see!

• Anyway, other odd workings noted by me recently include CMT Optare Delta/DAF 6008 J800 ABC on the 79 both today and Friday 24th. Also seen on Friday 24 were CMT Excel 6025 R11 ABC also on the 79, whilst Glenvale Marshall Dart 7608 T608 JBA was on the 19E. Some other odd workings noted by others include Arriva NW Wright Handybus Dart 1115 J315 XVX on the 386/388 (Runcorn - Wigan), this bus apparently being quite popular with the drivers as it will do over 65mph.  Sadly similar 1114 J314 XVX is now off the road, and may not be repaired. Thanks to 'Trixmax' for this info. Peter Ferrigan also reports that CMT's new SPDs are now appearing on routes 209 and 218, as well as the 53. Finally also noted by Peter was Arriva Volvo B6BLE 2808 X808 AJA, on the 10 and 1031 N131 DWM, on the 10 also (branded for the Smart 320 to Wigan), both on Saturday 18th May.

• Finally, 'Trixmax' also reports that as of today, Arriva's livery is being altered, albeit VERY slightly! The yellow side stripe is now being replaced by a reflective stripe, similar to that used by EWS on its locos!  Although this livery officially only starts today, Green Lane allocated Scania 1025 N125 DWM, has had these fitted since its repaint a few weeks ago!

• Quite a few fleetlist are updated today, including news that another named GTL Dart is 7611 T611 JBA, which is named 'CAROL', thanks to Peter Ferrigan for that info, along with the movement of further buses from First Manchester to First PMT, along with some other updates.  See the fleetlists page for further details.  A few notes are also that the Darts noted yesterday at First PMT from Manchester are allocated to Chester, not Rock Ferry (Thanks to Neil Hilton for this info) and probably the weirdest GTL naming of all is Metrobus 454 GYE 454W, which is named 'EYELINE' - A very odd name, but Karl Sutton has kindly provided photographic evidence of the name, click here to see the photo.

• A few odd workings noted today by me where of GTL Dart 7610 T610 JBA, operating the 12/13 (Liverpool - Stockbridge Village), whilst Arriva DAF Myllennium 2464 Y464 KNF, on the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley), along with CMT Excel 6032 R642 MBV.  Also on the 79 today was Arriva 7676 V676 DVM, now wearing MTL North legal lettering again, as the Arriva lettering that was stuck over it on a large aquamarine vinyl sheet, has now fallen off, or been removed!

• One other interesting thing I have noticed recently too is that Huyton allocated Pointer 2 Dart SLF 7570 R570 ABA, now appears to have been fitted with a full set of new front bumpers, as the Arriva yellow stripe now flows all the way around them, possible more unusually, it has been refitted with a Pointer transfer on the nearside corner!  Some other news about the Arriva Pointer 2 Darts, is that although some time ago it was reported that Dart 7548 R548 ABA had its electronic blind equipment removed, I can now also show this, thanks to a photo from David, as he has let me use a photo of this, which can be viewed by clicking here, which shows its new blinds, but with the numbers on the offside, unlike those built from new with blinds, which all have nearside number blinds!

• Glad to say today was the last day of University until Monday 16th September!  As a result there should be more than a few updates this week!!! I've updated the news and fleetlists only today, and I should be able to get somewhere through the backlog of photos by the end of the week!  Stark contrast from last year, before I had proper (un metered) internet access at home, when there was no more than two updates per week, and only about 3 for the whole of August!

• News to report today is that the fleetnumbers that I predicted for the ex L&M Travel MPDs which are now at CMT are correct, the only error being that the registration number of 2085 is in fact V484 LCW, and not V484 YCW, as I had previously stated, in the L&M Travel fleetlist that has been here since day one!  Thanks to Peter Ferrigan for this info!

• Reported by Neil Hilton just today, is that some of the First Manchester Plaxton Pointer bodied Dart SLFs have been transferred to First PMT, probably at Rock Ferry, though I'm not sure, as 6001 P301 LND was seen in Woodside on route 22, whilst 6009 P309 LND was on the 2.

• Finally for today, one VERY odd working noted before, was of Supertravel 10.7M Dart SLF, 011 S9 STM, on the 899 (Kirkby Admin - Penny Lane), which is normally the preserve of the Marshall Minibuses!  This is a lot older than most of the European FUnded bus services that started recently, but it still doesn't carry much, so this bus was a little over the top for it, but it looks good now in Supertravel livery!

• More news to follow up from yesterday is that there is now yet another MPD operating with Norbus, noted by Dave Root, in overall white, thought to be W363 ABD.  Another similar, but ALX200 bodied MPD, also noted by Dave Root with Cumfy Coaches is W937 JNF, this interestingly being the one used by Selwyns about a year ago on the 500 (Airport Express) for a few weeks.  I was just updating the Former Dart Fleelist and noticed that somehow the original Airport Express 500 Darts are not in the list - I've just tired for about half an hour to find info on them - Does anyone have a fleetlist for the four buses, or a copy of my fleetlist from then?

• Also following up from the news that the two FiM MPDs 6201 S764 RNE and 6203 S766 RNE had both moved to First PMT's Chester garage, in the other direction, First PMT Solos 71 V71 GEH and 72 V472 GBF, also from Chester are on loan to First in Manchester to cover Centreline duties, whilst its own Solos are used on other workings!  Thanks to Tim Moss for this info!

• Arriva NW Speke Darts 7646 V646 DVU and 7647 V647 DVU are confirmed as the identities of the Darts that have the Nintendo Game Cube overall rear ad and offside full height advert, the same width as the one on the back.  Incidentally both are on the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley) today, 7647, with wearing MTL North legal lettering, and although these Darts were bought for the 79 by MTL in late 1999 they are now quite rare on the route, as most Arriva workings are done using the Plaxton and Alexander bodied DAFs.

• Some non modern news to note is that Arriva Southport Open Top Atlanteans 3449 GKA 449L and 3551 OLV 551M have now apparently been renumbered as 3980 and 3981 respectively. Not sure about this one myself, any observations, as to if they have had there fleet plates changed again are welcomed.  Some news too about the Arriva Cymru ECW/Olympians is that apparently 3007 CWR 507Y and 3012 CWR 522Y have been withdrawn, along with ex Fareway Northern Counties bodied 3136 F456 BKF!  Thanks to 'Trixmax' for this info.

• Finally a couple of odd workings noted today (both of B6's) were of Arriva NW 7239 L239 TKA, on the 10A (Liverpool - St Helens), whilst GTL 7248 L248 TKA was on driver training duties around Liverpool City Centre at lunchtime.

• To add to the notes from last week, CMT Super Pointer Dart 2088, is confirmed as being registered PN02 KCE.  All of these Darts appear to be being kept on the route 53 (Liverpool - Netherton), such that on Sunday (12/05/02), as this route doesn't run on Sundays, non of the SPD's left the garage, though when I was in town on Saturday, I didn't see any either!  I've still no confirmation of the CMT fleetnumbers, for the ex L&M Buses, but I would be very supervised if they were not as suggested last week.

• Some odd CMT workings have been noted recently though, as the three ex Springfield Coachways Excels, 6031, 6032 and 6033, R641 MBV, R642 MBV and R643 MBV were all operating odd routes on Saturday, with 6031 on the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley), and possibly a first for the type, both 6032 & 6033 on the 100/200 (Dingle Circulars).  Since then, the Excels, (Those three in particular) have now suddenly become common on the 100/200, as seen yesterday and today, whilst also on the 100/200 today, was ex ABC Excel 6024 P333 ABC, which has also now been given CMT legal lettering.  I did manage to take a short trip on 6031 R641 MBV, yesterday and was very intrigued to note that inside there are still a lot of GMPTE labels and window notices from its Springfield days, added to the fact that some of the recently delivered Ikarus Citibuses to First Crosville still have WYPTE Metro branding on them (Some even externally by the door) people may soon start to get confused as to who their local PTE is!

• Another MPD now in service in Merseyside, yet another Vxxx BNV one, is V246 BNV, noted by Peter Ferrigan, operated by Norbus on Thursday 9th May on service 143.  He also noted that this MPD was previously used by Huyton Travel, as they operated it on the route 20 on Christmas Day!

• Further MPD news is that the remaining two MPD's at First in Manchester's Wigan depot (again ex Springfield Coachways!), 6201 and 6203, S764 RNE and S766 RNE have now both moved to First Crosville, and are operating out of Chester garage.  Tim Moss sadly reports that FiM have replaced them with two breadvan minibuses!  Another point here too is that although First Manchester was renamed First in Manchester, its not so easy to have a similar name for First PMT, as according to the official First Website, the company is now referred to as First in Cheshire & the Wirral, First in North Staffordshire and First in Worcestershire & Herefordshire - As using all the names in a bit on the complicated side, I think First PMT will suffice, or if jusdt for local Wirral and Cheshire operations, First Crosville!

• More new to report today is of further new Darts at CMT Buses, therefore, the ones that are known about so far are as follows:

2086 - PN02 KCA
2087 - PN02 KCC
2089 - PN02 KCF
2090 - PN02 KCG

• As the amount due this month was meant to be five, probably the remaining one will be 2088, with a registration of either PN02 KCD or PN02 KCE.

• One interesting point here though is that there is a gap of three between the first Dart SPD, and the last previous bus delivered, Ex Arriva Yorkshire Lynx 2082 F311 AWW.  This could be because a gap has been left to add the three L&M Travel (a.k.a. Greenbus) MPD's, T36 TCK, T37 TCK and V484 YCW, as these along with the other L&M vehicle, an ex ABC MetroRider, all arrived at CMT's garage on Sunday, as at that point, all of L&M's services were also transferred to CMT.  Interestingly, as noted by Peter Ferrigan, who also informed me about the L&M buses arriving, L&M has always been owned by a sister of the people who owned CMT (who are brothers), so it is very possible that they could now just be trading as CMT.  I would not be supervised then if the MPD's were numbered 2083, 2084 and 2085 respectively, and the MetroRider, which I think is K400 ABC, would probably have got its original fleetnumber back again - Not sure which, but it'll be a 60xx number.  I'll keep the L&M fleetlist separate just for now, until this is confirmed, but considering the gap has been left in the fleetlist, I would be very supervised if this wasn't the case.

• Some other news to report too is that Supertravel Darts 001 W365 ABD, S8 STM, and S9 STM (now numbered 011) have now all had there lower panels painted in Supertravel purple giving almost full Supertravel livery, but missing the turquoise bands around the top (which the other recent repaint 002 T74 JBA DOES have), and all of the including 002, are missing the narrow purple bands just above the main purple section!

• Good news to report today is that dennisdart.co.uk will come back online tomorrow, as will the email service, as I have just received the activation notice from doteasy, but it still takes a few hours for the FTP to work!

• Good news to report too is a positive sighting of one of CMT's new Dart SPD's by Dave Root and Neil Hilton - 2087 PN02 KCC, was noted today, with an approximate capacity of B41F, fitted with Urban 90 seats.  As expected, they are fitted with electronic destination displays, as this Dart was on the 53.  Hopefully I will be able to get a ride on one of the new Darts on the 79 in the next few days!

• Although I haven't been able to update the photos section properly today (That will be done tomorrow, after my IT exam!), as I have been revising, I have added the following photos to the site, which are just some of the ones I have been sent recently, there are even more than this, to view them use the following links:

Arriva Merseyside Marshall Dart 7609 T609 JBA, taken by Karl Sutton, click here
First Crosville Caetano Dart 882 W809 VMA, (REL 905), by Adam Harber, click here
Petes Travel Plaxton Dart W559 JVV, taken by Dave Root, click here
Arriva NW Palatine II DAF SB250RS 3601 N601 DWY, taken by Dave Root, click here
Happy Al's Ex Arriva Olympian 0210 E210 WBG taken by Neil Hilton, click here
Happy Al's Ex Arriva Olympians in a general view at Happy Al's garage taken by Neil Hilton, click here

• Big thanks to all of the photographers - All these, plus many more, will be added to the site over the coming days!

• Not too much news to report again, dennisdart.co.uk still doesn't work, but it should be being transferred in the next few days, possibly the Bank Holiday has slowed this down - during this time, please use dartslf.com!  Also during the next few days if you are going to email me, please use buses7675@yahoo.com or buses7675@dennisdart.every1.net, or you could even use buses7675@dennisdart.co.uk!

• Many more Glenvale Metrobuses are now being named, one I noted myself on Saturday was 660 KYV 660X, 'NORAH', while quite a few other are now named - For full details of these namings, see the Non Modern Fleetlist.  As the ex Arriva Southern Counties Metrobuses have large front grilles, in order to put the name on the front of the buses, a piece of aluminum is added to the front and attached to the grille, the plate painted MTL red, the name in cream.  With the ex London General Metrobuses this is not a problem, as their front grilles are much smaller.

• Although I have yet to see one of CMT's new Darts in service, there was an apparent unconfirmed sighting my a friend of a contact on Friday in town - As yet no further details are known. As well as the Non Modern Fleetlist being updated today, the Former Darts Fleetlist is also updated, with an addition being, R739 TMO, the SPD demonstrator that CMT used in 1998 for about a week, which is now operated by Petes Travel.

• A full update should take place on Tuesday, with many more photos added too!

• The big update to day is on the photos section, which although no new photos are added, all have now been moved to a new home (including the ones on 20m) at merseybus.com - This is now the address for the Dennis Dart Photos Website.  Having copied them all over, I realized that the total size of all the photos is 19Mb, the rest of the site is 11Mb, so the site is now in total 30Mb big!  As a result, in order to use the space better, dennisdart.co.uk may not work fully over the next few days, just while it is transferred from uk2net to doteasy, who provide more better space - during this time, please use dartslf.com!  Also during the next few days, although is does work now, just be safe, if you are going to email me, please use buses7675@yahoo.com or buses7675@dennisdart.every1.net just over the weekend!  when it comes back it should be better, as it will actually be able to store files!

• Not too much news to report on workings, just that 1111 J311 WHJ and 1112 J312 WHJ are still at Speke operating the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley) most days, whilst, Supertravel KP51 SYA is now also becoming common on the 173/174 (Belle Vale - Sefton Park/Penny Lane), although today, as well as it, another odd one was KV51 KZC.

• I can confirm though, now for sure, that the B10BLE on loan to Arriva Bootle, is 2716 Y716 KNF from Speke. Thanks to Dave Root, Barry McGuire and Peter Ferrigan for confirming this!  Some news also from Karl Sutton, is that GTL's news route 227, which started on Monday had Metrobus 134 B134 WUL on it, whilst also noted on Monday by me was GTL Volvo B6, 7247 L247 TKA on the 18A.  Another odd GTL working noted by me yesterday was of Dart 7608 T608 JBA, JAMES, on the 13 (Liverpool - Stockbridge Village).

• Updated today are another five fleetlists, and I have also gone through every modern fleetlist and corrected any spelling typos etc, and altered them all to the new style!

• Also added today are some more photos from Dave Root, Ian Simpson, Simon Ackers, James McCollom and Neil Hilton.  James McCollom has kindly allowed me to use his photo of Warrington Borough Transport Dart no. 1 T201 AFM in its new WBT 100 Years Centenary livery - To see the photo of it, click here.

• I must also thanks everyone who has sent me there kind thoughts on the new website design - I have even altered it slightly now on the main page by putting the Transport Exchange banner below the main box, so as to fit the screen a lot better when viewed on a computer in 800x600 screen resolution.  I have also now shorted this news page, as the news went back to 01/01/02, and this will return in a few days in the archive news section, at which point I will also add the link back into the archive news menu!

• Peter Ferrigan has also sent me info confirming that CMT's new Dart SPD's have still not yet arrived, BUT they are due very soon, and apparently the engineers are looking forward to it a lot, as although I think the Nationals may have already been withdrawn, some of the Lynxes are apparently quite problematic now too!

• On the subject of the Lynxes (And ECW Olympians) at Arriva Cymru as noted by Al in the Guestbook, they are due to go rather soon, but I am not sure exactly when or from where they will go.  At the moment, East Lancs Dart 1164 M164 WKA has moved from Runcorn to Bangor whilst 1165 M165 WKA has moved from Runcorn to Llandudno.  In there place at Runcorn now are the two Wright Handybus Darts 1114 J314 XVX, and 1115 J315 XVX which are on loan from Skelmersdale.  Expected to move to Runcorn for the long term are the two ex London Darts noted last week, 2275 P952 RUL & 2276 P953 RUL.  The only other 'expected' transfers to Cymru are of 1111 - 1113 J311 WHJ - J313 WHJ, though this has been stretched out a bit now, as they should have all gone in February, and 1111 & 1112 are still on loan to Speke, whilst 1113 is reportedly out of service at Skelmersdale.  I'm not sure what actually has been withdrawn at Arriva Cymru, apart from ECW Olympian B151 TRN which I think was withdrawn immediately after coming off the rail replacement work.  As soon as I find out more info I will let you all know!

• I can also confirm that the Volvo B10BLE on loan to Arriva NW&W Bootle garage is (thought to be) 2716 Y716 KNF, which is on loan from Speke.  I cannot guarantee this, as I have had report os other reg number too, but this one seems to come up more often!  I shall as usual try to confirm this A.S.A.P.!

• University finished on Friday for me apart from exams until September (What a hard life we lead!), and so there should be plenty of updates over the next few weeks, getting all of the pages into the new style, and mainly getting through the backlog of fleetlists updates and photos!  Again, thanks you to all who have sent info news and photos in over the last few weeks, which is not yet online for understanding the amount of work we have to get in for the last two weeks of University!  Updated today are many fleetlists and this news - Although I was going to add more photos as I did yesterday, liquid2k (where the photos are stored) has been down half of the day, so I'll leave them until tomorrow.

• Some interesting news to report is that Supertravel have now repainted 002 T74 JBA into their livery, having been in a white and grey livery since it was acquired last autumn. Another odd sighting noted today was of Glenvale B6, 7247 L247 TKA operating on the 18A (Liverpool - Croxteth Park) in place of a Titan, whilst MetroRider 7810 L810 TFY, was seen running out of service through Childwall.  Apart from that there isn't ,much else to report, as CMT's new Darts have not yet entered service but as soon as they do I'll let you know! - Remember to check again tomorrow for more pics from Neil Hilton, Ian Simpson and Dave Root, as well as more pages being changed to the new 'corporate' layout!

• I have now managed to get so much of my Uni work done that I have been able to squash in an extra news update this week. Also as you most probably will have noticed, as the site really is totally different, I have changed the style of this news page, and the main page! The rest of the main pages will be done over the next few days, based on what people think of the new layout, but the fleetlists will just have there background colour changed, as it would be silly to squash them into a narrower central column!!! Let me know what you think of the new layout by emailing me on buses7675@dennisdart.co.uk, or by leaving a message in the guestbook. I would be interested to see what you think of the smaller text size and the left hand navigation column.

• Not a lot of news to report, apart from CMT's new Dart SPD's SHOULD now be in service, though I've not seen one myself, but I will report any sightings A.S.A.P. Remember for more news on CMT Buses, check out the Unofficial CMT Buses Website out, run by Peter Ferrigan by clicking here.

• Some other news from Arriva NW is that Volvo Olympian/Palatine II 0326 R326 WVR has now been transferred from Green Lane to Birkenhead, with another due to follow in the same direction. Thanks to Neil Hilton for this info. Some other news too from Arriva NW&W is that Darts 2275 & 2276 are now identified as ex Arriva London P952 RUL and P953 RUL, ex London ADL952 - ADL953. These are currently at Cymru, though is is possible that they would be swooped for some EL200 Darts currently at Runcorn!

• I've just come back from town too, and managed to travel on one one Haltons new Marshall SPD's for the first time, and I was absolutely amazed - Marshall have built a body that doesn't rattle (much!).  I think the main reason for this is because not only has every seat got a grab pole attached to it (interestingly these grab poles are still tactile, unlike other bodybuilders that have recently moved to smooth painted poles), and also they now have better clamps to attach them to the seats, with two bolts instead of one, which every other manufacturer has done for years!

• Just this short update today, but hopefully I will have a full fleetlist/news/photos update early next week, and also try to add some photos back to the main page, and tidy up the HTML!

• Just one week of Uni left to go (Before the exams) so more regular updates should recommence, once I have finished my coursework by next Friday! I seem to be making good progress, and thanks to all who have sent info and photos in for being so patient!

• Some very interesting news to report is that painting of Arriva NW 0807 S877 SNB, as reported earlier, into a special livery for the new Halton Council route 200.  Noted in the Dennis Dart and Merseyside Buses Yahoo groups by me only hours after it entered service, was a photo of the bus in its new livery, which can be seen by clicking here.  A huge thanks for this must go to 'Trixmax' for sending the photo within hours, and Ian Dennis who took the photograph!  Personally I think the exterior of the bus now looks a bit like a First 'Barbie Bus' interior, with the pastel purple and turquoise, though its own interior is less interesting, just standard MTL moquette!  Another interesting note about this too is that originally it was to be 0802 S872 SNB to gain this livery, but apparently this had a bit of a major crash not long before Warrington garage was about to close, when it was still 7872, and although it is being fixed, it has yet to make its way to Runcorn garage!

• Other news to report is that many of the Arriva Cymru Lynxes are soon to be withdrawn, as Arriva have granted the people of North West England a reprieve, as some of our horrible ex North Western East Lancs bodied CityPlus Darts are due to be sent there soon to replace them!  In a way I feel sorry for the people who are going to have to use them, if they are used to spacious Lynxes, being stuck in those claustrophobic Darts won't be too good.  The weirdest thing about those Darts is how little legroom there is, considering that Plaxton Darts of the sane age, length and importantly capacity have much more room!  What will replace these Darts at he North West garages, or indeed from which garage they will run is not yet know.  Thanks to 'Trixmax' for this info!

• Some other odd working to note included Supertravel Dart MPD, KP51 SYR, operating the 173/174 (Belle Vale - Penny Lane/Sefton Park) on Wednesday, and the 224 (City Centre Circular) on Thursday!  I am glad I have seen this bus now too, as it was the only one of Supertravel's '51' reg MPD's I had not yet seen, so I was glad that I was able confirm that it existed on Wednesday, and it was Dave Root who saw it on the 224 on Thursday!  Probably the oddest bus I have traveled on on the 79 in ages operated on Wednesday, when I traveled on CMT/ABC 6008 J800 ABC!  This even had correct destination blinds for both directions, so it had probably had then replaced recently, as I wouldn't expect that 'Netherley' would be on a standard ABC Buses blind!!!

• There is also now a box on the main page, to the right of the Golden Web Award box, which can show interesting statistics about the visitors to the website, and is available for anyone to look at!  Finally just a quick mention about Warrington Borough Transport - It is now fortunately confirmed that they are defiantly NOT going to sell to Arriva, and are NOT owned by then at all! - The company is also reportedly exactly 100 years old this Sunday, 21/04/02! - Next update will probably be next Friday again!

• This may be the only update this week, until Saturday, as I have plenty of Uni work to get completed for various times next week!

• Noted last week was Selwyns Cadet YJ51 EKM on the 500 (Liverpool Airport Express), and this has now had Selwyns vinyls applied over the white paintwork, and looks quite different to the original three which are in Airport Express 500 livery!  Also now confirmed is the capacities of the new Halton Darts, which as expected is B42F.

• Some news to report is that Arriva NW&W now have yet another two Dart SLF's, as currently unidentified 2275 and 2276 have arrived from Arriva London at Llandudno Junction. Also now reallocated is Scania 5321 N101 YVU, which has now moved to Runcorn, and so will probably regain its former fleetnumber 1001. Other Arriva NW&W Dart reallocations are of 1164 from Runcorn to Bangor, 1165 from Runcorn to Llandudno Junction and 1104, 1109, 1110 have all moved from Rhyl to Chester. Thanks to 'Trixmax' for this info!

• Some odd workings noted recently include Arriva Merseyside ex Scotland Scania 1068 L588 JSG, on the 10 (Liverpool - St Helens) on the 11th, which I initially mistook for a Liverbus B10B, as the Northern Counties body looks identical from the front, and even the seats are the same as the ex Liverbus K-reg B10B's!  A very odd working also noted by be on the 10th was of DAF/Optare Delta 6015 L700 ABC, was on the 86 (Liverpool - Garston)!  Another unusual one, noted by Peter Ferrigan on the 6th April was of Arriva Scania L113 1013 N113 DWM used on service 39 seen at Huyton Bus Station!!!

• As noted last time, Norbus MPD V260 BNV has now been repainted into a Gold Queens Jubilee livery, and although I haven't had the chance to get a pic yet, there was an article in the Liverpool Echo about this, which you can read and see a pic of the bus by clicking here.  Also now added to the site is a search box, powered by Google, which allows you to search for any piece of info from any of the pages stored on the darslf.com server, though this doesn't include the photo pages, as they are on the Liquid2k server!  The whole of the web can also be searched from the box by clicking the Search WWW box.

• So far it is now believed that Halton Transport have three 02 reg Marshall Dart SPD's, those being 27 DG02 WXU, 28 DG02 WXT and 29 DG02 WXV.  These registrations are not totally confirmed, though they are believed to be correct! There capacities are still unknown, as I have not yet managed to get a ride on any of them, though they will probably be about B42F.  CMT Buses new Plaxton Pointer SPD's should now be delivered within two weeks!

• One interesting note about these new Marshall fronts, is that First mustn't like them much, as the Darts they are having delivered for First London still feature the original Marshall Capital front, with a modified Marshall crest (Missing altogether on new design ones) with the word Marshall at the bottom of the crest omitted, but this looks awful, as the molding for the front of the bus is still designed to have the original crest!

• Norbus are now also the first Merseyside operator to paint one of there buses in a special centenary livery, with Dart V260 BNV (One which I haven't even got listed!) seen by Ian Simpson on the 159 in a anice red/white/blue Norbus Centenary livery. Also noted by me on Saturday is that Norbus Darts T548 HNH and T549 HNH how have 'low floor, easy access bus' branding in blue, just above the window line.  Currently it seems also that Happy Al's new MPD, DG02 WYB is in overall white with Happy Al's fleetnames, and can usually be found on the Eastham Circulars!

• Further to yesterdays news about Halton Transports new Darts, Happy Al's followed the same trend, as noted by Barry McGuire yesterday was new Plaxton MPD, DG02 WYB.

• Just a short news update today, but an interesting piece of info sent to me by 'Trixmax' yesterday is about Arriva NW Dart 0807 S877 SNB, the former 7877.  Apparently, and this isn't a late April Fool joke, this Dart has now been painted into a special Halton Council livery to start a new service in the Runcorn/Halton area from Monday, as service 200 (Interesting as it spent a lot of its life anyway on the Merseytravel route 200!), linking the new Darbury Business Park with the Manor Park and Whitehouse industrial estates plus the BT Cellnet call centre.  This livery is meant to be a mainly green base, as used by Halton COuncil, with the Halton Council logo.  'Trixmax' hopes to be able to send me a pic of it as soon as possible, but I can imagine it looking something like Halton 79 - 81 did in their special Halton Council liveries!  The thing that amazes me is that Halton Transport, which is owned by the council didn't get the contract for this route!

• Halton Transport has now had at least one of its '02' reg SPD's delivered, with number 28, which I think is registered DG02 VTT.  It appeared to be similar to the last batch, with the new front Marshall Capital design bodywork, and have an 11.3M SPD chassis, though the engine will be slightly different, as it will have a Euro 3, 6 cylinder version of the engine fitted to the new MPD's, which is a Euro 3, 4 cylinder Cummins ISBe engine. The transmission is again Voith.  I shall try to see it again today, to confirm its reg, fleetnumber, and hopefully capacity, as so far almost every batch of Halton Darts is slightly different internally to the last, so its capacity cannot be assumed to be the same as the last delivery!

• Merseyside's previous newest Dart, A1A Travel 53 KP51 UFJ, is now out of service after being reversed into by a First Crosville vehicle at Woodside!  It is currently away for repairs.  Another Wirral based Dart that had been away for repairs, following fire damage wa Happy Al's 59 Y302 KNB, which has now returned but whilst it was away, in its place ex Supertravel Wright bodied Dart T443 EBD, was used, though this has now stayed, even though Y302 KNB has returned to Happy Al's.  A photo of T443 EBD whilst with Happy Al's is now added to the Independents II Photos Page, courtesy of Michael Bennett who has supplied this and the A1A info!

• Supertravel have also had some odd workings on the interworked 173/174 this week, as every day so far this week (Apart from Bank Holiday Monday and Easter Sunday) a 51 reg Dart has been operating on the seri vice, and apart form today, it has always been on the same diagram (One that gets to Fiveways at 08:15 bound for Penny Lane as a 174), where as today it was half an hour later on the next diagram! On both Tuesday and Wednesday KV51 KZC was used, yesterday I didn't get the reg number, but today it has KP51 SYA.  These routes should really always use there own Smart Eco branded V26x BNV MPD's!

• Now then, I'm off to try to track down that Halton Dart again...

• Quite a lot of updates have been made today, some fleetlist were updated this morning, and this news, and some more fleetlists are updated this evening, with more to come in the morning!

• Some news I have found out today is the identity of Supertravel's S8 STM and S9 STM!  They are actually just 10.7M Dart SLF's, and not SPD's, but they are also the same two that they used on the Garston Circulars anyway, that have now just been reregistered.  Looking at them today, I am quite sure that S726 KNV is now S8 STM, whilst T438 EBD is now S9 STM.  They could possibly be the other way around, but looking at S8 STM (S726 KNV), it looks exactly the same inside as the ones that Arriva used on its Smart services, as it is ex Arriva NW 1709, where as S9 STM (T438 EBD) is the one built as an Irish demonstrator, and so some of the fittings inside have been moved around, and there are quite a few additional screw holes around the bus.  Neither of these have fleetnumbers yet, but some other Supertravel fleetnumbers noted are 008 is T7 STM, 009 is Y185 KNB, 010 is T6 STM and the only matching fleetnumber so far, 013 is R113 VLX.

• Whilst at Belle Vale Supertravel vehicles noted where 009 Y185 KNB on the 165 (Belle Vale Circular) with a large mark on its front bumper where it looks like accident damage has been repaired and not yet painted, both S8 STM and S9 STM on the 188/288 (Garston Circulars), and rather oddly KV51 KZC on the 173/174 (Belle Vale - Penny Lane/Sefton Park), the same vehicle noted also on the Garston Circulars yesterday.

• Glenvale Transport commenced its operation of the 92 (Penny Lane - Crosby) today, vehicles noted included mainly Metrobuses, though Volvo B6, 7246 L246 TKA was also in service, and possibly one of GTL's Metroriders was in use too, as it was running en route away from me, so I was unable to check if it was in service or not.  Finally some other odd workings noted today are of Arriva NW 1111 J311 WHJ on the 79 (Liverpool - Netherley) in the company of CMT/ABC Excel 6024 P333 ABC