|
|
Post by HA2215 on Apr 2, 2011 19:52:05 GMT
I noticed this small operator used to runt he 555 in Essex and gave up the route who is this new lea valley buses? they have a website under construction can any member shed light on this please.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2011 20:22:41 GMT
Travel with Hunny (TWH) sold their 'Gemma Smith Ltd' legal name to new company Lea Valley Buses, which is run by an ex-MD of Roadrunner Coaches of Harlow (which explains why many ex-SM Coaches and Roadrunner buses are running with Lea Valley). Registered under 'Gemma Smith Ltd' is routes 255 (Debden-Waltham Cross) and 555 (Debden-Harlow), aswell as school route 43, but the 43 remained with TWH. Also involved in the sale was the Alexander Dash bus P103HNH.
TWH, under the legal name 'Christopher Stephen Hunn' continue to operate school route 43, Mecca Bingo contract MB1 in Dagenham, and also new route X5 (Harlow-Epping-Debden-Chigwell Row-Romford).
Lea Valley Buses use the 'Gemma Smith Ltd' legal name, but their company address is in Harlow. They also now have a base (or soon have a base) in Langston Road, Debden. TWH have also moved their base to Langston Road, and share space with Lea Valley, but this is the only thing connecting these businesses now. Interestingly, Arriva The Shires used to have a base in Langston Road, running London routes 397, 549, W13, W14, and being an outstation for Essex route 250.
Lea Valley have many ex London buses in their fleet. They have many ex-SM Coaches/Roadrunner Dart SLFs, which previously were with Armchair, and some with London Central. They also have ex-Roadrunner Wright Pathfinder RDZ1709, which was new to London Transport being one of the first low-floor buses in London.
|
|
|
|
Post by HA2215 on Apr 2, 2011 20:33:19 GMT
Wow, Alex397 .. thanks for that
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2011 20:36:31 GMT
Wow, Alex397 .. thanks for that No problem! They run in my local area, so I know a lot about them, and I often use their services. |
|
|
|
Post by HA2215 on Apr 3, 2011 16:02:14 GMT
Any idea's where there are any photo's of TWH buses
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 19:57:30 GMT
Any idea's where there are any photo's of TWH buses There were a few photos of TWH's early days, but these were mostly all on Fotopic  If you search ' TWH bus' or 'Lea Valley Buses' in Flickr, you will get quite a few pics. There were a few taken recently. Also, Harlowride has a fleetlist and pictures in the enthuasist section ... www.harlowride.co.uk/enthindex.htm#TOP |
|
|
|
Post by HA2215 on Apr 3, 2011 21:16:44 GMT
Thanx again Alex, Lea valley buses used to be an old company owned by british bus / cowie and then not used when it went into the arriva group surprised that this new company can use the name lea valley buses
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2011 15:07:21 GMT
Thanx again Alex, Lea valley buses used to be an old company owned by british bus / cowie and then not used when it went into the arriva group surprised that this new company can use the name lea valley buses I suppose as its not a trading name anymore, it can be used by anyone now. Will be interesting to see if Arriva react to it, especially as Lea Valley compete against them. Also an interesting point, SM Coaches/Roadrunner have applied 'Townlink' branding to some of their buses, and this brand was used on Harlow local services back in the 70s (or around then anyway). At the same sort of time, TWH were hoping to brand their buses 'Townlynx' (which can be seen on some of their Traveline timetables), but as SM Coaches had already introduced a similar name they decided against it. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2011 20:27:24 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by john on Sept 23, 2011 20:32:18 GMT
Seen it in Romford quite alot and, in all honesty, it looks a pile of crap!! Hasn't been turned out all that well and yeah, it doesn't make me want to ride the thing and I know just how well it has probably been looked after too!! |
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Sept 23, 2011 21:39:43 GMT
Depends on the vehicle used before, if R447 LGH replaced a step vehicle, then it kind of is for the elderly but obviously the exterior condition isn't great. Even a coat of white paint over the whole vehicle would make it look ten times better  . |
|
|
|
Post by john on Sept 23, 2011 21:49:07 GMT
Depends on the vehicle used before, if R447 LGH replaced a step vehicle, then it kind of is for the elderly but obviously the exterior condition isn't great. Even a coat of white paint over the whole vehicle would make it look ten times better . From what I've seen it has been absolutely anything TWH could put on there!! Think they've had a Premiere coach, an Alexander Olympian from Ensign on loan, an MPD....god knows what else  |
|
|
|
Post by romfordbuses on Sept 23, 2011 21:55:48 GMT
Depends on the vehicle used before, if R447 LGH replaced a step vehicle, then it kind of is for the elderly but obviously the exterior condition isn't great. Even a coat of white paint over the whole vehicle would make it look ten times better . From what I've seen it has been absolutely anything TWH could put on there!! Think they've had a Premiere coach, an Alexander Olympian from Ensign on loan, an MPD....god knows what else Actually saddens me to see them run with a bus in that state, They could do so well with the X5. I mean a lick of paint and even proper destination blinds (I mean surely they can afford £300 for a set  ) would make you actually want to use it. |
|
|
|
Post by john on Sept 23, 2011 22:15:16 GMT
From what I've seen it has been absolutely anything TWH could put on there!! Think they've had a Premiere coach, an Alexander Olympian from Ensign on loan, an MPD....god knows what else Actually saddens me to see them run with a bus in that state, They could do so well with the X5. I mean a lick of paint and even proper destination blinds (I mean surely they can afford £300 for a set ) would make you actually want to use it. I have to agree. The route has been running for long enough now for them to have got at least make shift blinds sorted. The X5 has so much potential, it really does yet if they keep turning out vehicles like this, well, it won't last long!! Yet they're happy to waste money on routes like the D1.....go figure!! |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2011 22:25:31 GMT
I agree the X5 has so much potential, but like so many of their past and present routes, TWH are not putting enough effort in.
Not sure if you've seen their UVG Urbanstar though, which has been repainted in a new livery with X5 branding. This bus is quite knackered though. I think it would of been better to put X5 branding on one of their two MPDs. Btw, their other MPD has pink contravision for their Mecca Bingo contract, but this bus has seen service quite often on the X5 - many passengers would be unsure if this is actually on the X5. Strangely enough, this was used on the first day of the X5!
One other thing, is that TWH have always changed their routes too often. For example, the X5 has gained a new timetable recently. They have incorporated one of their school routes in the X5, meaning one return journey operates via Limes Farm Estate and Debden Park High School. Having to go on a fairly lengthy diversion to share the bus with school pupils is hardly going to encourage passengers.
|
|
.
) would make you actually want to use it.