TRUSTYBUS

  

Last update
10th August 2008



Trustybus, an operating name of Galleon Travel and until recently TrustLine Buses, are now based in Harlow following spells in Hertford and Hunsdon. The company have made steady gains in size over recent years. Their stage carriage network, previously combining tendered services for both Essex and Herts, but now focused on the later. This still reaches Harlow on the C3 and 354 , but their main activity in the town is 2008 introduced competitive service 22/33 on the Staple Tye circuit. They 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. A clear-out of older vehicles is imminant. 

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.
DPL1  
DPL2
LN03AYL
LN03AYM

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).

 

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 has subsequently joined, principally for the C1.
DES9
.
LK07GTF
KE58GTF

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).

 

Dennis Dart SLF/Marshall Capital C39
Recently arrived, these vehicles started life in the 'London Northern' fleet and former DMS21 still carries the livery of Metroline, the successor to that company.
711
528
521
522
R711MEW
S528KFL
S521KFL
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 piantshop 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, whilst the other is out of use awaiting a new engine!. 
10 P10TLS

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

 

Optare Excel
Arrived spring 2008, four ex-Diamond Bus of Birmingham Optare Excels. They arrived with conventional blinds, quickly replaced with the LED units, presumably those removed from the ex-Chester Darts. They have been seen on the C3, 22/33, and outside our area on Cheshunt local C1.
. P501OUG
P504OUG
P506OUG
P508OUG

TrustLine Optare Excel P508OUG

Diamond Bus livery but TrustLine fleet-names evident on the early days of service of the Optare Excels. 508 is seen here leaving Harloiw Bus Station on the C3
(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


 

Mercedes L709D/Plaxton Beaver
A surprising arrival this summer was this minibus of an earlier generation.
. J861HWS

Trustline Mercedes L709D/Plaxton Beaver J861HWS in the depot

Seen as arrived at the depot near Staple Tye.  (R Hudson)
   

 

Dennis Dart/Reeve-Burgess Pointer
The Pointer body, it's easy to forget, was actually designed by Reeve-Burgess, although produced in mass only after taken over by Plaxton. One of the very late originals is now with TrustLine
51 J51EDM

Trustline Dennis Dart/Reeve Burgess J51EDM

51 has recently had it's LED display removed, most likely transferred to an Optare Excel, and in all likelihood preceding the sale of this vehicle.   (R Hudson)
   

 

Dennis Dart 9m/Plaxton Pointer
..and the direct successor, recently arrived at TrustLine in number, most originated in Chester, and we are advised, all are up for sale.
58
59
61
63
64
92
K58LLG
K59LLG
L61PDM
L63SFM
L64SFM
K92BNY


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

The full effect of the Trustybus 22/33 branding is apparent in this view of 63 at the bus station. (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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