GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)

[DLG817]

RE: GHA Group (Bryn Melyn, Vale Travel + Others)
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GHA February report

There have been no arrivals into the GHA fleet in the last month but a few vehicles have recently entered service.

Solo V680FEL (1330) [ex Wilts and Dorset] entered service today in the new Service Bus livery and its first duties was to work the newly gained Denbigh area contract. - PHOTO LINK -

Dart SJ53AXG (1539) has retained its white livery from it previous operator Anderson of Lochgilphead. It has been mainly undertaking Wrexham local services. - PHOTO LINK -

Ford Transit CW03XBD (1099) [purchased from a private owner back in May 2013. ]

Mercedes-Benz / Autobus Classique V670DAO (1048) [entered service after being a long term project to repair].

Solo BA08GHA (1361) has re-entered service operating from Ruabon having had nearly six months off the road with engine issues.

The current number of vehicles in the GHA fleet is 326. 272 of these appear to be available for service but 54 of them are unlicensed or out of service for one reason or another. A full list is available in the fleetlist on my website – see below for link.

Recently taken out of service include :-

Olympian / Alexander F811DAO (3611), ex Stagecoach Cumbria
Dart T549HNH (1529),
Mercedes Sprinter LF05WCT (1071), [out of service and appears to have been withdrawn. This minibus was once registered 251D129 when it was working for the Russian Embassy in London]
Mercedes Vario T91JDA (1011) [ex Phillips of Holywell],
Solo T314UOX (1314) has been taken out of service and SORN whilst structural problems are dealt with.
Volvo / Berkhof CIL312 (4042) SORN following engine fire - anticipated will be repaired.
S903DUB (1388) [one of the first ever Solos – assumed to be non DDA]
Dart / ALX300 Y201KNB (1509) [SORN as assumed does not meet DDA requirements.]
Scania / East Lancs M403EFD (2191) [ex Arriva Midland]

It is believed that 2 new Scania coaches are expected shortly - the 2 Levantes transferred with Shropshire Bus and Coach are likely to go in part exchange. An indication has been given on social media that 4 new service buses are to be purchased for use in Ruthin to undertake newly retained contracts and a further 4 new vehicles may be purchased for work in Tarvin.

A number of timetable changes take effect today especially in the Denbighshire area. Restored is the X5 service which links Corwen with Wrexham. This service will work in conjunction with the 55 Denbigh to Corwen service and buses will work through on some 4 journeys. There are some reductions in the Ruthin to Mold workings. Two journeys are retained working through to Chester but their times have changed. It appears that this X1/1/2 route will be worked by two buses from Ruabon. GHA have gained the 66 – Henllan, Llanefydd and Denbigh Town service which involves one service bus. An unusual route which only operated one journey on a Wednesday and Saturday B37 Mold to Rhydtalog has now ceased. The transfer of service from the subsidiary companies now completely merged into GHA Coaches continues with the 200 Airport service, and the 19 Macclesfield to Prestbury services transferring from Vale.

The company have commenced working the commercial 84 – Chester to Crewe service in competition with Routemaster and Arriva but has been widely reported there have been signifiicant problems which appear to be connected to driver shortages. This problem also appears to have affected other workings such as the 16 Warrington to Dallam service which has now been de-registered from April.
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