Ipswich, 21st March 2006. Ipswich Buses DAF DB250LF/Optare Spectra 53 (X153LBJ)
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Ipswich, 21st March 2006. Ipswich Buses DAF DB250LF/Optare Spectra 53 (X153LBJ)
(Preserved) 53 Ipswich Buses
X153LBJ
seen at The Ipswich Transport Museum summer bus event 2023.
A very nice sight, although clearly not quite restored to "as new" externally! It didnt seem to operate any services which was a shame- presumably some gremlins as it was moved around to the front of the museum.
Caught in very bright afternoon sunshine, Lynxbus former Ipswich Buses Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250LF type number 50 - UWW 2X is captured as it passes Stanhoe Pond with the above journey on school day only service 414. Inherited as service 434 from Norfolk Green (Stagecoach), this service is a commercially registered operation conveying fare paying pupils who by choice have opted to attend the Alderman Peel High School in Wells rather than their local Smithdon High School at Hunstanton. From Wells the route to Dersingham runs by way of Holkham, Burnham Market, Stanhoe, Docking, Sedgeford, Heacham, Snettisham and Ingoldisthorpe. I had hoped to get a reflection of the bus in the pond, but due to a stiff breeze the surface was too rough.
According to a recent Eastern Traffic Area N&P, Sanders, who currently provide all five Wells NCC contracts 201-5, have registered a new 206 service between Dersingham and APHS Wells to commence from 4th September 2019. At first glance it might appear that this is to replace the current operation, but Lynx have no intention of giving up service 414 and indeed the new timetable from the same date in September is already available on their website.
Assuming Sanders go ahead with service 206, this would seem to be a strange part of the world for competition to break out, so watch out for further postings regarding the “Dersingham - Wells Bus War”.
Vehicle 50 was originally registered X153 LBJ when delivered new to Ipswich Buses in September 2000. Given fleet number 53 by Lynx upon acquisition, it was reregistered UWW 2X and renumbered 102 in June 2017 before being renumbered again to 50 at the beginning of November 2017. The cherished plate UWW 2X was originally carried by a March 1982 delivered West Yorkshire PTE Roe bodied Leyland Olympian, but it has also appeared on a number of other vehicles in between. It is understood that a newer Lynx double decker will take over operation of service 414 from vehicle 50 when the new academic year commences in September 2019.
DAF DB250LF Optare Spectra near Wells-next-the-Sea 21 June 2019 on schoolday route 414 to Dersingham. Originally supplied to Ipswich Buses.
Seen here approaching the terminus on Oak Street in Fakenham, this marvellous former Ipswich Buses Optare Spectra currently regularly appears on this journey on school days. From Fakenham it will run light to Wells-next-the-Sea in time for service 414 to Dersingham.
A perfectly normal line-up of Lynx Optare Tempos in King's Lynn bus station, with one interloper. From right to left: no. 1 (YJ05 JWZ), a former Optare demonstrator which worked with Caelloi and Lugg Valley among others; no. 23 (YJ60 KAK), still in the livery of previous owner Transdev Lancashire United/Blackburn Bus Company; no. 8 (PF10 MDX), ex-South Lancs, Diamond and Simonds and in a blue advertising livery... and DAF DB250/Optare Spectra 50 (UWW 2X), new as Ipswich Buses X153 LBJ. The last of these wasn't booked to be here, having worked the 414 from Wells-next-the-sea to Dersingham, but took over from a broken-down Tempo on the 36 at Snettisham instead of running off dead at the end of its journey. Surprisingly - as seen here - it then loaded up and ran the return journey too.
Lynx Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250 number 50, which used to be Ipswich Buses X153 LBJ, is seen between Wells-next-the-Sea and Wighton on Coastliner service 36
If I'd been cycling a bit more slowly, I might have photographed this crossing the bridge a short distance behind the camera
Cycling back from Wells, I met UWW 2X again – in almost the same place – this time with that bridge just visible in the distance
Lynx Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250LF number 50 is seen between Wighton and Wells-next-the-Sea and on Coastliner service 36
Optare Spectra UWW 2X, formerly Ipswich Buses X153 LBJ, on schoolday only service 414 at Burnham Market.
Ex Ipswich Buses 53 X153LBJ.
Lynxbus 50 : Optare Spectra bodied DAF DB250, ex Ipswich X153 LBJ.
Lynx's rather fine Spectra number 50 is seen crossing Greevegate at Hunstanton as it heads for Wells positioning itself for the school run from there. Currently Lynx only run a couple of school-day journeys on the 36 but this is set to change next month when they take over the hourly Coasthopper service after Stagecoach withdraw from the area.
The Spectra came from Ipswich as X153 LBJ before being re-registered.
Lynx
Optare Spectra
50 UWW 2X (X153 LBJ)
Route 36
King's Lynn Bus Station
29th November 2017
Ex-Ipswich Buses
UWW2X retains its DAF & Optare badges.
