Probably worth having a specific depot thread now franchising is very close, rather than post in the franchising, or Arriva Laird Street thread....
The Mercerdes mini's are 5401-5404, with 5402 noted out in Claughton earlier (didn't note reg) and 5403 was parked in Laird Street, registered WN76VWF.
I've seen a picture of Lancashire United 110 574JTD - Guy Arab V / Northern Counties posted at Leigh bus station before 11:20, so presumably vehicle 1.
A much newer First livered Volvo B7RLE is vehicle 5 and there's a a SELNEC livered Leyland National (which I believe is vehicle 2).
I've seen posts about a N reg Dennis Dart in GM Buses colours with First branding, while Leigh 15 and Lancashire United 97 from the Museum of Transport make up the two other vehicles. So I presume they make up 3, 4 and 6 but I don't know which way around.
Posted by: gka472l - 18/07/2026 16:47
- No Replies
With 'The Open' at Royal Birkdale in Southport in full swing, probably be of use to post what's been in use so far (seen by me at least)
Arriva Kent Thameside
6576/6577/6578/6579/6580/6581/6582
Arriva Merseyside
4583/4682/4711/4712/4716/4718/4719/4726/4728/4730/4732/4738/4743/4802/4811/4814/4825/4837/4848/4849/4850/7772/7775/7776/7778/7779
Arriva North East
7701/7702/7703/7704/7705/7707/7708/7709/7710/7711/7712/7713/7714
Arriva Yorkshire
2032
The Arriva Kent Thameside & North East E400MMC's are all brand new 26 plate and have been delivered here before their proper homes (some may have been used at Silverstone last week....not 100% sure what ones if so)
Last day tomorrow and I'm told 67 buses will be required at the end, which is over double what is listed above.
In addition, I've seen a pic of ANE 7716 and also ANE 7401 has also been sighted by someone else. Also, ANE 7706 is apparently in Canning Road depot, but not seen use to my knowledge (issues with it?)
Posted by: knutstransport - 25/03/2026 17:31
- No Replies
I thought this might be of interest to a few people on here. These kind of posts are normally for glamorous women and families, but this time it's Scania bus and lorry drivers they want for an ad campaign.
As the title says, there are 5 First Leeds Electroliners in Liverpool this week for use on shuttles between Lime Street station and the Labour Party Conference at the Echo Arena....the 5 are 36592, 36607, 36611, 36612....36611 at least is tracking as well. 36648 is the 5th to also come over but is within the venue with tables fitted.
English Heritage website gives the following info for getting to Beeston Castle by bus:
GHA service 83 (Tue) to Beeston; Otherwise GHA service 56 (Thu & Sat) to Bunbury Heath (then 1 mile walk) or Arriva service 84 to Tarporley (2 1⁄2 miles)
I have just read an on-line report in the Manchester Evening News about the Bee Network cost and income and expenditure. It shows that only 47% of income (£183m out of £390m) comes from fares. It has been hailed as a great success with cheaper fares and more buses but one wonders whether the private (strangely nearly all foreign owned) companies would have done better. Given the level of subsidy required it doesn't seem so wonderful to me and there must be serious doubts that this level of local, and national, taxpayer contributions can continue in the longer term given the downward spiral of public finances. Is it really money well spent? Also, interesting that it is foreign owned companies who have benefitted rather than UK ones.
£1.6bn for Liverpool city region for a Bus Rapid System, similar to the Belfast Glider, serving the airport and the football stadia. Plus a new bus fleet in St Helens and the Wirral.
£2.5bn for Greater Manchester including 1000 new electric buses and Metrolink expansion, with the intention of "Bee Network" being 100% electric by 2030.
Outside the region it also includes a West Yorkshire Mass Transit and trams to Birmingham's new sports quarter.
