TRUSTYBUS

  

Last update
1st November 2009




Trustybus were an operating name of Galleon Travel, who until not long ago used the fleet name TrustLine Buses. After about six years operation as an independent, during which time they made steady gains, they sold out to Centrebus in Summer 2009. Their stage carriage network combines tendered services for both Essex and Herts, focused more on the latter. They reaches Harlow, where they are based, on the C3 and 354 and are also active at Stansted Airport and on rail replacements. 

The fleet tends to be quite fluid. Once there was a distinct London flavour to many of the acquisitions, but this is now diminished. 

 

Scania K230UB/ Wright Solar
The fleet-name says Centrebus Value, but if the word value suggests low-cost, then the vehicles offer a standard in stark contradiction. Four vehicles are due, so far two have been seen in service.
749
750
YR59NNT
YR59NNU

Seen in its first week in service, before the LED display was programmed, leaving Harlow Bus Station on the C3.
(R Hudson).


 

Alexander-Dennis Dart/MCV eVolution
Brand new into service for 2006 were four vehicles of a combination favoured by the smaller operator, around London at least. The first two were intended for route C3, whilst the last two are generally dedicated to the 700 contract (Stansted - Stevenage) and feature higher specification interiors. A fallen through sale sees AE55MVL appear in a silver livery with a dark blue skirt.
.
DML5
DMA7
DMA8
AE55MVL
AE55VGD
AE06HBU
AE06HBX

Looking striking and new against the gloomy grey backdrop of the Terminus Street car part is DML5, about to take up service on the C3 (R Hudson).
   

Trustline DMA7

Sign-writing for the 700 is clearly visible here, and looks well on the TrustLine livery. On this occasion DMA7 escaped to the C3. (R Hudson).

 

Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton Pointer II
The taking up of new contracts for HCC in 2003 prompted the purchase of two brand new vehicles, both of which entered service in full fleet colours. The HCC contract includes once-a-day service 354 to Harlow on Mondays to Fridays. Fleet numbers are carried on the vehicles. More recent (2009) arrivals have been second-hand former London examples.
DPL1  
DPL2
141
462
484
LN03AYL
LN03AYM
R141RLY
R462LGH
R484LGH

A curiosity of the 354 is the extension within Harlow to Princess Alexandra Hospital. DLP2 sits in the bus station just before completing its journey. (R Hudson).
    The combination of Centrebus livery and Trustybus logos is illustrated on 484.. (R Hudson).

 

Transbus Mini Pointer Dart
This particular vehicle once dedicated to HCC route 388 and not really a Harlow regular as such. The fleet number sequence has been continued on from the two longer vehicles above.
DPS3 EU04BZY

Seen at North Weald Bus rally in June 2004 is what was the newest entrant to the TrustLine fleet at the time. (R Hudson).

 

Alexander-Dennis Enviro200Dart
Route 388's regular bus was upgraded with DES9, being the latest, and most likely final,  incarnation of the Dart. A second similar vehicle was hired for the C1, but has now left.
DES9
LK07GTF

Three years later, and the 388 vehicle is once again featured at North Weald. The vehicle design, fleet name, operating company name and type of destination display have all altered in the intervening period.  (R Hudson).

 

Optare Solo
The take-over of Trustybus by Centrebus and the assumption of Village Link 7 at Bishops Stortford combined to bring to the town a vehicle in Centrebus livery. In this case it's an aged Optare Solo.
.
V110LVH

The Optare Solo arrives at Harlow Bus Station on the C3, and offers a contrast with the Trustline colours of the vehicle leaving on the opposite side of the road.  (R Hudson).

 

Dennis Lance SLF/Wright
Two vehicles that started life new in Harlow with County Bus, barely moving from the 502 (Harlow to Romford via Debden) from new until the routes' withdrawal, soon after which they left. Now they have returned home in new livery and with LED displays fitted, this time with Trustybus. What made these vehicles special was that they were amongst the first low-floor buses in the former London Country area, their purchase being part-funded by Essex County Council by way of assisting the innovation.   
267
268
M267VPU
M268VPU

The C3 seems to have become home for these two vehicles. 267 heads for Waltham Cross and features, like 268, the new livery with more yellow in the swooping-up style. (R Hudson).

 

Dennis Lance SLF/East Lancs Spryte
Proving that it's never possible to guess what might turn up next at Trustybus, this 2009 arrival brings East Lancs bodywork to the fold from Ipswich.    
. P131PPV

Not looking quite like any other livery, P131PPV was not in service when seen here in the bus station. It now spots Trustybus livery (R Hudson).

 

Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital C39
2008 arrived, these vehicles started life in the 'London Northern' fleet.
711
528
522
R711MEW
S528KFL
S522KFL

 

There seems not to be a vehicle type that isn't enhanced by a fresh application of the TrustLine livery. 528 is seen here on the 22. (R Hudson)
      522 is the first vehicle to emerge in what is likely to be the new Trustybus livery. Logos are yet to be applied in this view fresh out the paint shop in the yard (S Stapleton)
   

 

MAN/Optare Vecta
Shortly after the start of the 392/3 contract, two of these smart and well turned out vehicles became the regular offering, entering service as P910SUM and P911SUM respectively. Regrettably, fire damage claimed one example, but the other, after being out of use for many months, has recently re-entered service. 
10 P10TLS

Showing the original registration number on what was later P20TLS, seen leaving the bus station.
(R Hudson).

 

Dennis Dart SLF/UVG
The immediate predecessor to the Caetano Compass, and from where the design came, was the UVG. This vehicle was a regular back up on the 392/3.
844 P844KOT


 

Dennis Dart 9m/Plaxton Pointer
An ex-London short example. A good number of similar vehicles were operated in 2008 when the competitive 22/33 services were run. One remains.
         
         
  L161XRH  

The one ex-London model, carries an all-over blue livery from its last operator. It is in service alongside other regular vehicles. (R Hudson)
   

 

Dennis Dart 9.8m/Plaxton Pointer
One longer vehicle has been in the fleet a little longer. 
150 M150HPL

392MBF was hired from Ensign, purchased, painted, fitted with an LED display, and is now K92BNY.  (R Hudson)
   







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