We're having the painters in!

Over the next few weeks, we've literally got the painters in. We are applying a new livery to our service bus fleet for the "Catch 22" single decks and Darts 143 & 163 are to be the first to receive this. The new livery has been inspired by Cardiff Bus and their orange and turquoise livery. Your writer worked with Cardiff Bus from 2000 to 2003 redesigning their bus network into a series of simplified, high frequency links. I look forward to seeing the painters efforts over the next few weeks.

Dart 143 following repaneling and in-house mechanical work, posed at the Shrine near Victoria Hospital on its way to Poulton. It will be the first bus to receive the new Catch22 bus livery of orange & turquoise.

Does my bus look big in this?

Bendybus MAL53 (BL52ODK) is back in service again on the Catch 22 route. The Citaro was initially trialled in passenger service on the 22 route back on 20th January, but has been off the road in the interim having a few problems resolved. The bus has now been fitted with vinyl lettering over the destination box which reads "Mereside Cleveleys via Town Centre 22" and the Bendy is likely to make regular appearances on the 22 until the "Red Rocket" express service resumes at Easter. Although not intended for the 22, its use allows a greater low floor presence on the service whilst work is in hand on various Dennis Darts / Volvo buses and it prevents storage over the winter months.

More attention for Darts

Darts 143, 162 & 163 are currently all receiving attention after being off-road since MoT expiry in September of last year. Darts 143 has been repaneled and treated to mechanical overhaul and will be the first bus to receive the new "Catch22" livery.
Darts 162 & 163, acquired from dealer Ensignbus in August 2012 for the start of service 22, have been particularly troublesome buses, with 162 plagued with electrical problems. For the last few weeks, 162 has been receiving attention at Hattons of St.Helens and hopefully the bus will soon rejoin the operational Blackpool fleet. It has not yet been decided whether 162 will get the new "Catch22" livery before it finally returns to service.

Dart 162 (V162MVX) following collection from Hattons after rewiring work.