Rossendalebus Enthusiasts news

Scanias enter service

2012-01-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

The first of the ex-Reading Scania N94UD / Wright Solar's entered service today in the form of 221 (YN05 GXS).

222/3 YN05 GXT/U will be in service in the next few days (possibly tomorrow).

225 YN05 GXW is still away at the paintshop whilst 224 YN05 GXV is still in the yard at Haslingden depot, still in Reading's green livery.

221 & 222 back from repaint

2012-01-12T13:51:00.000-08:00

Scania's 221 & 222 YN05 GXS/T have returned from the paintshop. The unsightly assault screens have been removed.

They now just require vinyls and cash trays fitting and they will be ready to enter service.

223 & 225 YN05 GXU/W have gone to the paintshop in their place whilst 224 YN05 GXV is still in the yard at Haslingden depot.

Scania's arrive

2011-12-19T14:34:00.000-08:00

The four Scania N94UD's have arrived at Haslingden depot today. They will shortly begin to be despached to Read Motor bodies, Oswaldtwistle for repaint into the latest livery.

Former 10 & 12 in use with Uno

2011-12-15T07:05:00.000-08:00

Going full circle from earlier this year when Rossendalebus operated a former Uno vehicle (667 P667 PNM) hired from Geoff Ripley, former Marshall bodied Dennis Darts 10 & 12 R410XFL & R712MEW have been operating recently for Uno in Welwyn Garden City, again on hire from Geoff Ripley.

Photograph from the Oxford & Chilterns Bus Page

Former number 10 is pictured here still with Your 167 logos on the all-yellow livery.

Scanias to replace Solos

2011-12-14T07:11:00.000-08:00

The company is in the process of purchasing 5 Scania L94UD's from Reading Buses. Fitted with Wright Solar bodies, these buses are very similar in appearance to the fleet of Volvo B7RLE's currently operated.

Previously numbered 1015-1019 in the Reading buses fleet, 221-225 YN05 GXS-W will replace Optare Solos. Changes to the Rossendalebus network over recent months means that more larger buses are required, particularly at peak times.

Bus 53 repainted & 118 withdrawn

2011-12-03T06:42:00.000-08:00

Optare Solo 53 YJ54 UXW has been repainted into the new style livery.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD 118 S118 KRN has now been officially withdrawn from service having sustained severe accident damage and is beyond economic repair. The bus has been 'written off' by the company's insurers and is likely to be scrapped.

New Recovery Vehicle

2011-11-23T14:11:00.000-08:00

A new addition to the fleet is MW03 HZN, a Renault Premium Priviege 420 DCi truck. This will be converted into a specialised recovery vehicle to return broken-down buses to depot when a repair cannot be carried out at the roadside.

Bus 57 repainted

2011-11-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

Optare Solo 57 YJ 05 JWF is the next bus to receive the new style livery, having returned from the paintshop this morning. Vinyl's have been applied this afternoon.

Bus 110 leaves for scrap

2011-11-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

The heavily-cannibalised remains of Dennis Dart / East Lancs 110 N110 LCK were taken away today to Geoff Ripley's (dealer and dismantler), Barnsley.

Many parts have been salvaged from this vehicle including engine, gearbox and several body panels and glazing and so it is unlikely that this vehicle will see further service and is likely to be scrapped.

Bus 118 Suffers accident damage

2011-11-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD 118 S118 KRN has suffered severe front-end damage during an road traffic accident. A car pulled across in front of the bus on Walmersley Road, Bury on Thursday 10th November 2011. Fortunately there were no major injuries.

It is not yet known whether the damage will be repairable.

Bus 54 in new livery

2011-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Optare Solo 54 YJ54 UXW is now repainted in the new style Rossendalebus livery, joining similar Solo 56 and the fleet of 17 Volvo B7RLE's (200-208 & 211-218) in this scheme.

Bus 56 ready for the road!

2011-10-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

Optare Solo 56 YJ05 JWE is now ready for the road in the new bright red livery, complete with Rossendalebus fleetnames.

It is likely to re-enter service tomorrow, Tuesday 25th October 2011.

Here are some photos of the bus whilst in the depot yard at Haslingden:

Bus 56 repainted

2011-10-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Optare Solo 56 YJ05 JWE has been repainted into the newer style bright red livery and is currently at Haslingden depot awaiting new Rossendalebus fleetnames.

This is the first vehicle of this type (in fact the only non-Volvo) to be painted in the new scheme and more are likely to follow.

Buses 10 & 12 withdrawn & sold

2011-10-07T02:17:00.000-07:00

Marshall bodied Dennis Darts 10 R410 XFL and 12 R712MEW, which have been kept in reserve since the start of the summer school holidays, have been withdrawn and sold.

They have passed to Geoff Ripley, (dealer and dismantler), Barnsley.

Recent News

2011-08-29T17:02:00.000-07:00

August 2011

Volvo Coaches Sold
Volvo B10M / Plaxton Expressliner coaches 358 & 359 (P958/9 YGG) have been withdrawn and sold to Mayne's coaches (Warrington / Manchester).

June 2011

Wrightbus Streetlite Demonstrator
A Wright Streetlite demonstrator was in the fleet on loan from Mistral.

Given fleet number 11 MX11 EGY, arrived on Thursday 9th June and was operated until 16th June. It worked largely on service 244 and AM schoolday bus 927.

Temporary fleet addition
A temporary addition to the fleet was 667 P667PNM, a Wright Crusader bodies Dennis Dart SLF, formerly with Unobus, Hertfordshire in whose livery it operated until the summer schools holidays.

The bus was generally allocated to operate the AM 784 schoolday bus to St Annes Academy, Middleton and the PM 852 bus from Hollingworth High School.

667 was hired in to cover this short term contract, previously operated by Bu-Val buses.

From Geoff Ripley's ebay site

More Volvo B7RLE Repaints

2010-09-01T08:07:00.000-07:00

Both 152 (PO53 OBN) and 154 (PO54 OBR) have re-entered service as 202 & 204, repainted into the new red livery.

Volvo Repaints

2010-08-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

150 (PO53 OBU) has returned from the paintshop as 200 in the new bright red & white livery.

154 (PO53 OBR) has gone to Read Motor Bodies, Oswaldtwistle in its place for similar traeatment. This leaves just 151, 152, & 155 of the original Volvo B7RLE's still in the older style livery.

150 off for repaint

2010-07-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

150 (PO53 OBU) is currently at Read Motor Bodies, Oswaldtwistle for repaint into the new style livery.

203 re-enters service

2010-07-12T10:46:00.000-07:00

203 (PO53 OBP) has re-entered service in the new livery style.

New Life for East Lancs Darts

2010-07-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ex Rossendalebus Dennis Darts 106 - 109 (N106-9 LCK) have all found themselves new homes with smaller operators.

These East Lancs Spryte bodied vehicles were the first to sport the low floor livery and Easyride fleetnames and were originally purchased for contracted services in the Bury area, with the first of the batch, 106 being funded by GMPTE.
The first to be repatriated were 106 & 109, both of which had benefitted from a retrim to the seats and both are now operating with Pat's Coaches of Wrexham, having been repainted into Pat's smart livery and carrying route branding for service 15/15X (New Broughton - Southsea - Bryteg - Brymbo).

107 & 108 are a little closer to home and are now with Pilkington's in Accrington. So far, 107 has been noted in service, fully repainted in Pilkington's traditional custard and red colourscheme.

Dennis Dart 112 returns to service

2010-06-07T02:20:00.000-07:00

Eas Lancs Spryte bodied Dennis Dart 112 (P112 DCK) has returned to service, having been in store since February. Whilst in store, the bus has had a new fold-out ramp fitted at the entrance.

Coach 300 Sold

2010-05-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Dennis Javelin / Plaxton Premiere 300 (N300 EST) has been sold to Geoff Ripley (dealer).

208 enters service

2010-05-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

208 (FJ57 CYX) entered service yesterday (Tuesday 11th May 2010) on an afternoon schoolday service. It has been in full service today.

208 returns from paintshop

2010-04-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

208 (FJ57 CYX) has returned from the paintshop today in the new bright red livery and is awaiting vinyls to be applied before entering service. 153 (PO53 OBP) is likely to be the next repaint, later this week.

Coach 300 withdrawn from service

2010-04-16T03:59:00.000-07:00

Dennis Javelin / Plaxton Premiere 300 (N300 EST) will be withdrawn after service today. This was the last remaining Ellen Smith vehicle (albeit bought new under Rossendale Transport ownership) still in service with the company.

Of the coach fleet, just 358 & 359 (P958/9 YGG) remain, along with Bova Futura Club 366 (R466 GUA) which is used as a relief vehicle for 358 & 359, in addition to being used as a training vehicle.

Another Volvo B7RLE Acquired

2010-04-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

A new addition to the fleet is 208 (FJ57 CYX), another Volvo B7RLE with Wrightbus Eclipse Urban boywork (with the original-styled front). This was a Wrightbus / Volvo demonstrator and has been trialed by a number of operators.

The bus arrived on Wednesday 7th April 2010 and is currently silver and a metalic burgundy colour, but will be repainted into the new bright red livery before entering service.

Past news

2010-04-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

March 2010

Wright Eclipse Urban I bodied Volvo B7RLE's 206 (PJ56 UHV) and 207 (BX03 BKU) have entered service in the new Rossendalebus bright red and white livery.

All-Leyland Olympians 34-36 (G304/7/12 UYK) and Dennis DarthaveEast Lancs Spryte bodied Dennis Darts 106-109 (N106-9 LCK) have been sold to (Dealer & Dismantler), Barnsley.

Mercedes Sprinters 1 - 4 (BX04 MZU/V/W/Z) were withdrawn from service after use on Saturday 27th March. These vehicles are owned by Lancashire County Council and were used primarily on the County Rider contract and associated services. The contract to operate a new Dial A Ride Service for the Rossendale are has been awared to another operator from Monday 29th March and therefore these vehicles will be returned to LCC.

Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 31 (R343 LGH) is currently out of service following a small fire on the upper deck.

February 2010

New Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse II 211-218 (P059 MLK/L/N/U/X/Y/Z /MMA) entered service on 1st February in a new livery of bright red and white with yellow fleetnames. Dual branding of Easyride, with a new Rossendalebus logo features on these vehicles.

Wright Eclipse Urban I bodied Volvo B7RLE's 156 (PJ56 UHV) and 157 (BX03 BKU) have been taken out of service for repaint and partial refurbishment.

All-Leyland Olympians 34-36 (G304/7/12 UYK) have been withdrawn from service along with East Lancs Spryte bodied Dennis Darts 106-109 & 112 (N106-9 LCK & P212 DCK). Darts 110, 111 & 113 (N110LCK & P211/3 DCK) remain in service for the moment as 'paint floats' to allow other vehicles in the fleet to be repainted.

January 2010

The new Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse II buses are in the process of being repainted at Read Motor Bodies, Oswalstwistle.

December 2009

The first of eight new Volvo B7RLE / Wright Eclipse II buses has been delivered. These are as yet unregistered and are being delivered painted all white. They will be repainted prior to entering service, predominantly on service 464.

November 2009

Ex Mayne Dennis Dart / Carlyle 6 (L26 FNE) is withdrawn and has now passed to Geoff Ripley (Dealer & Dismantler), Barnsley. A change to maintenance arrangements means that most buses will no longer be based at a particular depot as vehicles will regularly transfer between sites for maintenance. In particular this will see the Caetano bodies Darts 167-171 operating various unusual routes, having previously been used mainly on services 444 and 461.

October 2009

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer 149 (S9 BLU) and MAN 14.220/Marshall 158 (CU04 AMX) have been repainted.

September 2009

Volvo Olympians 27 - 31 have entered service in an overall royal blue livery, similar to the blue used on the ex-Metrobus Olympians (19-26). Ex Mayne 7 L27 FNE has been withdrawn and sold to Geoff Ripley (Dealer & Vehicle Dismantler), Barnsley.

August 2009

Volvo Olympians 27 - 31 have begun to arrive at Haslingden depot.Conversion from dual door to single door has been carried out by Geoff Ripley, Barnsley and repainting is taking place at Read Motor bodies, near Oswaldtwistle. Mobitec LED destination equipment is also being fitted.

All-Leyland Olympians 34-36 (G304/7/12 UYK) are also being fitted with Mobitec LED destination equipment.

July 2009

Yellow liveried Dennis Darts 10, 12 & 14 - 16 (R410 XFL, R712 MEW, & T84-6 JBA) have received new Your 167 logos to operate service 167 between Norden, Heywood and Manchester. Rossendale are operating an off-peak service from July 20th, replacing journeys previously operated by First, albeit to a revised timetable. Originally the yellow buses were to be confined to schoolday only services but the additional vehicle requirement of the 167 has brought these into fullday use using the Your 167 branding on the all-yellow buses.

June 2009

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer SPD's 14 - 16 (T84-6 JBA) have arrived and are in store at Haslingden, awaiting electronic LED destination equipment.

5 Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties Palatine double deckers (R433, 335, 338, 343 & 548 LGH) have been acquired, ex- London Central. These vehicles are ex-training buses and are fitted with dual doors. These will be removed and up-seated prior to entering service. They will take fleet numbers 27-31 and will be used mainly on GMPTE schoolday contracts.

May 2009

Optare Solo 5 (PJ52 LXL) has returned to Lancashire County Council. This vehicle is likely to be used by LCC on Carnforth Connect services.

April 2009

Optare Solo 5 (PJ52 LXL) is to be returned to Lancashire County Council as the peak vehicle requirement for contracted services has reduced. The company has agreed to purchase three Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer SPD's from South Lancs Transport. These are 14 - 16 (T84-6 JBA). These are likely to enter the service later in the summer, painted yellow mainly dedicated schoolday only services.

March 2009

On re-tender, service B4 (Bacup & Pennine Road circular) has been lost to Tyrer Bus,who will take over the route from 30th March 2009.

July 2008

Bus 50 has used for the filming of a new drama for BBC3, 'The Gemma Factor.' The bus was used in and around Todmorden & Hebden Bridge area and carried the fleetname 'Countrybus.'

June 2008

Planning permission has been granted for a new depot at Knowsley Park Way, off Broadway, Haslingden. The building will be adapted over the next few months to serve as a replacement for the main depot in Rawtenstall.

March 2008

Planning permission has been granted for the main depot & head office at Bacup Road, Rawtenstall to be demolished and a new Lidl 'community store.' The company are hoping to move to adapted premises in Haslingden and a planning application has been submitted.

January 2008

Bus 102 has returned from Volvo and is back in service. Due to contractual; changes with GMPTE, the evenings and Sundays 481 service will be withdrawn by Rossendale and from 27th January will be operated by Tyrer Bus.

Also from 27th, new journeys on 483 between Rawtenstall and Bury will be introduced on Monday to Saturday evenings and during the daytime on Sundays. A new hourly X46 service on Sundays will operate between Bacup and Manchester and on Mondays to Saturdays buses will operate every 30 minutes between Rochdale and Manchester for most of the daytime. Service 49 operating between Bacup and Todmorden will also be retimed.

Due to the various bus service changes, from 27th January Volvo B7RLE's 154 - 157 will be re-allocated to Rochdale depot for the operation of service X46. 154-156 will receive City Smart route branding. A number of vehicles will transfer between depots, in particular buses 114 - 118 and 141 - 148 will move to from Rochdale to Rawtenstall, and 124, 125, 163 - 166 will move from Rawtenstall to Rochdale.

Dennis Dart / Marshall 8 & 9 and Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale 29 & 30 will be withdrawn.

December 2007

Bus 100 has entered service, being used on service 464 for now. During January several services will be re-scheduled which will provide specific bus workings for the low floor double deckers to operate.

An additional bus in the fleet is 5 PJ52 LXL, an Optare Solo owned by Lancashire County Council. This is an M850 solo being different to other Solo's in the fleet, being of standard width instead of the Slimline design. This allows an additional spare bus to be carried in order to provide cover for the other LCC owned buses (Mercedes Sprinters 1 -4) when required for maitenance etc.

November 2007

Volvo B7TL 100 X2 JPT has been painted into full Easyride livery similar to bus 101. 102 has returned to Volvo for rectification work, likely to have a new gearbox fitted.

October 2007

Volvo B7TL / East Lancs Vyking 101 has been registered as Y568 LRN. The company has also acquired another B7TL / East Lancs Vyking, to be 100 X2 JPT, from Moffat & Williamson but was new to JP Travel of Middleton.

September 2007

The Caetano bodied Darts and Volvo B7TL 102 have begun to operate in service.

August 2007

The company has purchased two low floor double deckers. Both are Volvo B7TL chassis with East Lancs bodywork. The first will be fleet number 101 and is currently registered in Eire as 01-D-71334. The second bus is fleet number 102 and has also been in Eire, but is now registered PN57 LGF and will be on the road from 1st September. Both buses ahve high-backed coach style seating but 102 has seeatbelts fitted. 101 has the Vyking style bodywork, while 102 has the newer the Vyking Myllenium style body.

Volvo B7RLE / Wrightbus Eclipse buses 151, 152 and 153 are currently receiving branding for the new X46 City Smart service which starts on 3rd September.

July 2007

The first of the new Caetano Nimbus bodied Darts has arrived. These are to be fleet numbers 167 - 171, registered HV52 WSJ - L & WSN/O. These buses are to be converted to single door layout and additional seats will be fitted. The buggy / wheelchair area will

be moved to the front. They will also be repainted there and fitted with Mobitec LED destination equipment and cameras all round. The conversion work will be carried out at North West Bus Repairs, Blackburn.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD 122 S122 KRN was involved in a major road traffic accident on 4th July. Luckily no-one was seriously injured. It is unlikely that the bus will return to service as a lot of damage has been sustained, however it will be the decision of the insurance companies as to whether to repair the bus or 'write it off.'

Solos 49 - 51 transferred from Rochdale to Rawtenstall from 23rd July. All double deckers (except Centenary buses 23 and 24) and yellow buses 10 & 12 have been delicensed for the school summer holidays. 37 & 38 G313/4 UYK have been withdrawn altogether.

A Yahoo discussion group about the company has been set up by a group of local enthusiasts.

A depot open day and bus rally to celebrate the Centenary of Municipal Transport in Rossendale was held on Saturday 28th July and was a great success. For more details click here

June 2007

The company has acquired a further five Dennis Dart low floor buses. These are different to any other Darts previously operated as they are fitted with Caetano Nimbus bodywork. These have previously been used by Centra in the London area. These are currently to London style specification fitted with dual doors.

May 2007

Volvo B10M / Plaxton Derwent 17 & 18 G727 / 728 JJC have been withdrawn and sold.

Bova Futura Club 366 R466 GUA will now be used mainly on training duties.

Also Leyland Tiger / East Lancs EL2000 74 PJI 9174 has been sold.

April 2007

Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 24 S864 DGX has been repainted maroon and cream in the old livery style of Rawtenstall Corporation. The bus is regularly used on service 483 operating between Burnley and Rawtenstall. On most days (Mondays to Fridays) the bus operates the 0720 & 1540 Rawtenstall to Burnley and the 0755 & 1645 Burnley to Rawtenstall journeys as well as the 0847 Rawtenstall - Helmshore Circular (service 11).

March 2007

Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 demonstrator SN56 AWW has been in use here, appearing on services 11, 244, 273 & 483

All ex Munro's Dennis Darts 163 - 166 have been fitted with Mobitec LED equipment.

February 2007

As part of the Centenary Celebrations, Volvo Olympian / Northern Counties 23 S863 DGX has been repainted blue and cream in the old livery style of Haslingden Corporation. The bus is regularly used on service 244 operating between Blackburn and Rawtenstall. On most days (Mondays to Fridays) the bus operates the 0740 & 1450 Rawtenstall to Blackburn journeys as well as the 0907 & 1607 Blackburn to Rawtenstall journeys.

Scania Omnilink demonstrator YN56 NTJ has been on loan from 16th - 26th February. It is understood this bus has now been purchased by DRM coaches and will be re-registered UK56 DRM.

January 2007

All three Volvo B12B /Sunsundegui Sideral 301 - 303 FP53 JYC/D/E have been withdrawn and returned to Volvo, having reached the end of the Operating Lease. There will be no replacements for these vehicles and from Sunday 21st January all private hire work taken on by the Coachways coach hire unit will transfer to Courtesy Coaches of Oldham. The remaining four coaches (Dennis Javelin 300, Volvo Expressliners 358/359 and Bova Futura Club 366) will be engaged on regular contracted work such as schoolday services and school swimming transport.

December 2006

All S Registered Dennis Dart SPD's 114-123 S114-23 KRN are now based at Rochdale,

120 -123 having been replaced at Rawtenstall by the ex-Munro's buses.

October & November 2006

The ex-Munro's Dennis Darts are entering service now with wheelchair and buggy bays fitted. These are usually confined to Mainline 464 service operating between Accrington and Rochdale. All Lynx's have now been withdrawn as has Volvo B10M / Plaxton Derwent 17 G727 JJC. Similar 18 G728 JJC is still engaged on training duties.

September 2006

Many buses are now having smaller EASYRIDE fleetnames applied near the front on both sides allowing space further back to be used for on-bus advertising.

August 2006

The Munro's Darts have arrived at Rawtenstall depot, awaiting painting and refurbishment work. The bodywork and painting is to be carried out at Read Motor Bodies at Blackburn.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton Pointer SPD 120 S120 KRN has been treated to a repaint in the usual Easyride livery.

Buses are now appearing with smaller Easyride Logos on the sides, positioned near the front of the bus with the company website details below. This is to allow advertising to be applied whilst retaining the company's fleetname.

July 2006

Both 10 and 12 have arrived back in the yellow livery from the paintshop and have now been fitted with Mobitec LED front destinations, retaining the Bright-Tech powerblind numbers in the sides and rear.

The Munro's buses are now to be numbered 163 - 166. They are now to be refurbished and have wheelchair ramps and bays fitted, with Mobitec LED destinations and painted in Mainline 464 livery. They will displace 131 - 134 on the 464 service which will move onto other duties requiring their slightly larger capacities.

June 2006

The company have acquired two Dennis Dart SLF's from Halton Borough Transport. These have bodies by Marshall, being 10 R410 XFL and 12 R712 MEW. These buses are not fully accessible (they are low floor but don't have wheelchair ramps or dedicated wheelchair spaces) and will not be painted in the standard Easyride livery and will be painted yellow to be confined to GMPTE contracted schoolday services. All future repaints of non-accessible buses are likely to be yellow for use on such duties.

Also due are four Dennis 'SPD style' Super Darts from Munro's of Jeburgh. These have Alexander ALX200 bodywork, registration numbers X763-6 UKS. These buses are not available just yet and will be collected sometime within the next 4 - 6 weeks.

April 2006

Unfortunately not previously reported was that Leyland Lynx's 180 and 186 H180 / 186 OSG have been withdrawn and sold for scrap to Ripley, Carlton, South Yorkshire.

During April coaches 300 N300 EST, 358 M958 YGG, 359 M859 YGG and 366 R466 GUA will change depots because of a reallocation of schools and swimming baths transport. 300 and 366 will now be based at Rawtenstall whereas 358 and 359 will be at Rochdale. Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD 120 S120 KRN will also transfer from Rawtenstall to Rochdale.

March 2006

Very little to report, but Dennis Dart / East Lancs Spryte 109 N109 LCK has been repainted and has had the seats retrimmed in a more modern blue moquette.

January 2006

Service changes from 3rd January mean our buses now venture hourly to Burnley Centre and

Burnley General hospital as an extension to service 483 from Water. These journeys are mainly operated by the batch of 51 registered Dennis Dart / East Lancs Spryte's, fleet numbers 135 -140.

With extra off-peak bus workings, the MAN's (fleet numbers 158-160) appear on more than schoolday & peak hour workings and can be seen on services 11 / 12, 273, 244 & 483.

November 2005

The two ex- Brighton Leyland Lynx Mk1's, 194 & 196 (G994/6 VWV) have been sold onto a bus dealer.

Dennis Dart / Plaxton SPD 122 (S122 KRN) has been repainted as have the MAN's 158-160, all in Easyride livery.

The second ex-MOD Volvo B10M / Plaxton Derwent 67 G728 JJC has been repainted red to be used for training purposes. Bova Futura Club 366 R466 GUA has been returned to Rochdale and Volvo B10M / Plaxton Expressliners 358 & 359 (P958/9 YGG) have transferred to Rawtenstall to replace 67 and 366.

Ex Lothian Leyland Lynx Mk II's 177, 178 & 180 (H177 / 178 / 180 OSG) have been withdrawn, leaving just 6 Lynx's still in service, 179, 181-185.

September / October 2005

Three former 2-Travel MAN 14.22 / MCV Sterling buses, have been purchased and are to be numbered 158 - 160 (CU04 AMX, CU04 AOP, CU04 AUV). These will mean that three of the ex-Lothian Lynx Mk II's can be withdrawn. The H-registered vehicles will be too old for use on GMPTE contracts by next summer and so the replacement process is beginning to take place. The MAN's are likely to be used mainly on peak hour schoolday only workings but are likely to venture onto other services from time to time. Initially these buses will operate from Rawtenstall, but it is likely that they will transfer to Rochdale for use on schools later.

June 2005

Dennis Dart SLF 107 N107 LCK has been repainted in the Easyride Low Floor Livery.

May 2005

As the next few Solos are arriving, Dennis Dart 88 H128 MOB and Optare MetroRider 15 P915 XUG were withdrawn on Friday 5th May. The next Solos have arrived as 60 YJ05 JWL, 61 YJ05 JWM, 62 YJ05 JWN and 63 YJ05 JWO.

Leyland Lynx II 186 H186 OSG has been withdrawn following an accident, however Lynx Mk I 194 G994 VWV has been reinstated in its place.

Of the buses recently withdrawn, MetroRider 13 L813 KCW and Dart 102 H102 VFV went to Bennetts, Warrington for cannibalisation, as did Darts 82 & 90 H104/30 MOB, 101 & 103 H101/3 VFV for further service. MetroRider 14 L814 KCW went to Blue Bus, Bolton for cannibalisation. MetroRiders 15 & 16 P915/6 XUG and 86 H114 MOB have gone to Glasgow Citybus for further service. Mercedes 199 N352 BKK has gone to Eurocoach, Northern Ireland.

Training bus Leyland Tiger / East Lancs EL2000 rebody 74 PJI 9174 is to be withdrawn and Ex MOD Volvo B10M / Plaxton Derwent 67 G727 JJC has been repainted allover red as its replacement. Bova Futura Club 366 R466 GUA has been transferred to Rawtenstall depot to replace 67 on schools and swimming baths work.

April 2005

Withdrawals this month are of Optare MetroRider 14 L814 KCW; ex-London Carlyle bodied Dennis Darts 83 H109 MOB, 85 H112 MOB, 86 H114 MOB, 87 H127 MOB; Carlyle bodied Dennis Darts bought new 101 H101 VFV and 103 H103 VFV; ex- Brighton & Hove Leyland Lynx 196 G996 VWV and Mercedes Minibus 199 N352 BKK.

Step entrance Darts still running on Monday 4th April were ex-London 82 H104 MOB, 88 H128 MOB and ex-Mayne 126-129 L26/7 FNE & K28/9 XBA. 126-129 are not to be withdrawn just yet and are confined to schoolday only workings at Rochdale depot.

The Optare Solo's due this month have been delayed and will be delivered in early May.

March 2005

The next Optare Solos have begun to arrive. Delvered during March are :

54 YJ05 JWC, 55 YJ05 JWD, 56 YJ05 JWE, 57 YJ05 JWF, 58 YJ05 JWG and 59 YJ05 JWK.

The remaining four should be delivered by the end of April and will be 59-63 YJ05 JWL-O

The buses were registered by Optare prior to delivery. Notably JWH amd JWJ are missing from the series.

These buses have replaced more Carlyle bodied Dennis Darts.

The new 54 is the fourth number 54 since deregulation following Freight Rover Sherpa D954 NOJ, MCW MetroRider E979DGS and Optare MetroRider J584 CUB. (Immediately prior to deregulation 54 was a Leyland Leopard / East Lancs JTF 154F).

February 2005

Optare MetroRider 15 P915 XUG has been repainted. Dennis Dart 90 (H130 MOB) has been withdrawn and sold. Following an accident, Optare MetroRider 13 (L813 KCW) has been withdrawn.

January 2005

Optare MetroRider 16 P916 XUG has been treated to a repaint in the traditional cream and red livery with HANDYRIDER fleetnames. Seats have also been retrimmed in Red moquette.

Dennis Dart 91 (H131 MOB) has been withdrawn and sold.

The next two Optare Solo's arrived as 52 YJ54 UXV & 53 YJ54 UXW.

These are to enter service at Rawtenstall. The next batch (of ten) Solos will arrive during March and April 2005.

December 2004

The first two of the next batch of four Optare Solo's have arrived as 50 YJ54 UXT & 51 YJ54 UXU. These are to join the original 9 (Fleet numbers 41 - 49) at Rochdale These vehicles are to the same specification as the initial batch delivered in September 2004 being the Slimline version with Cummins engine and fitted with 25 seats. These will be used to replace some of the H' Registered Carlyle bodied Dennis Darts.

A further ten will also be delivered later in 2005 to replace the rest of the

Carlyle Darts and the older L' Reg Optare MetroRiders.