Optare Versa Hybrid enters service with Archway Travel

12m Optare Versa Hybrid AA59WAY on Denham Way in Fleetwood on 25th March

A 12 metre Optare Versa Hybrid 57 seat school bus has entered service with Archway Travel of Fleetwood, the high capacity being achieved by way of a 3+2 seating arrangement. The bus was previously in use with Transport for Greater Manchester, being one of a large batch of Versa Hybrids ordered by TfGM for their local school operations.

Optare Versa Hybrid AA59WAY returning from school service 527 to Elswick

Conventional Optare Versa AA53WAY (formerly Stagecoach VX57OEU) on 25th March

New Stagecoach Dark Blue Livery

Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 15237 approaching Preston bus station on 6th March

Two buses in the new Stagecoach corporate dark blue livery were noted in Preston this week. 

The blue livery began to be trialled in a handful of locations around the country last year, and two Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire buses have now entered service in the new colour scheme. Scania N230UD ADL Enviro400 15237 (YN65XEM) and Scania K230UB ADL Enviro300 28711 (YN14FVC) were in operation in Preston this week, sporting the new rather plain dark blue livery. The unrelieved overall blue colour scheme on these buses is in stark contrast to Stagecoach's previous colourful 'Local' and 'Beachball' liveries.

Scania K230UB ADL Enviro300 28711 nearing Preston bus station on 6th March

Stagecoach 15818 wearing the 2020 'Local' livery in April 2021

Stagecoach 15472 displaying the colourful 'Beachball' livery on Church St, Preston in 2021

Stagecoach 15247 in the amber yellow 'Long Distance' livery in Preston in 2021