Harlow Bus Travel Information - Enthsiast Other Operators Page

CENTREBUS

Last update
11th January 2011

Trustybus were an operating name of Galleon Travel, who had 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 reach Harlow, where they are based, on the C3/C3X, where there is presently intense competition with both Roadrunners R3, and Arriva's 310/1 on the Herfordshire section, as well as operating the Saturday only 5 and 354. They are also active at Hertford, Bishops Strotford, 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/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 the main allocation on the C3.

748
749
750
751

YN08MRO

YR59NNT

YR59NNU

YR59NNV

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.
DML5 DMA7 DMA8	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).
		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, since joined by a second and third example. Recently, two brand new vehicles have arrived, where they have helped with the competitive strike back by providing an allocation on route C3X.
367 387 394 396 397	V110LVH MX03YCM MX07JNN YJ60LRA YJ60LRE	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).
		The C3 is now in the hands of larger vehicles, but new C3X has two brand new Solo's. YJ60LRA is seen in service leaving the bus station. (R Hudson).

Dennis Lance SLF/Wright Pathfinder 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. 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. They returned home with Trustybus, whose livery they gained and were also fitted with LED displays. Recently they have gained Centrebus livery, and so they would seem to be destined to stay.
267 268	M267VPU M268VPU	The C3 was the initial home for these two vehicles. 267 heads for Waltham Cross. (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 8.5m/Plaxton Pointer A former London Buses step-entrance Dart arrived in Summer 2010, transferred from elsewhere within Centrebus.
.	XIL6081	An older style of Centrebus logo betrays the fact that this has been an internal move, while the one-piece number blind gives away the London origin. (R Hudson)

Dennis Dart 9.8m/Plaxton Pointer .
112 150	L712JUD M150HPL	392MBF was hired from Ensign, purchased, painted, fitted with an LED display, and is now K92BNY. (R Hudson)

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