Cambridge - 22 Apr 2024

Monday 22 April 2024 (0957) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 1 seen after I alighted at Addenbrooke's Hospital bus station. The six buses travelled on were: *** Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke's Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1005) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 2 seen just before I boarded Addenbrooke's Hospital (Outpatients bus stop). The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) *** Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke's Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1115) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 3 after I alighted at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Outpatients bus stop). (My next bus, Bus 4, is in the background). The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) *** Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) *** Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke's Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1115) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 4 seen at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Outpatients bus stop). The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) *** Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1139) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 5 seen just before I boarded at Trumpington Park & Ride. The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) *** Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1225) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 6 after I alighted at Babraham Road Park & Ride site. The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) *** Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)

Monday 22 April 2024 (1013) – The Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway links Cambridge Railway Station with the Trumpington Park & Ride site with a spur to serve the growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Following two unrelated off bus fatalities on the southern Busway in 2022, one involving a male cyclist and one involving a female pedestrian, the northbound track (running towards the city centre) was closed in early 2022 whilst the County Council and the Health & Safety Executive decided a course of action (that is perhaps to say faffed about). Temporary safety fencing was put in place to separate the track from the adjacent footpath/cycle path/maintenance track. Instead of positioning the fencing on the latter it was decided to use the northbound Busway track hence why it was closed and closed it was for two years re-opening at Easter 2024 after more permanent fencing had been installed. During the period of closure buses and their frustrated passengers had to face long delays each morning on the way to the city using already busy roads. Despite the new safety fence a 20 miles per hour speed limit has been imposed in both directions as seen from on board Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS). The bus is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU) working the 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to the city centre, Eddington and Girton Corner (1054).

Monday 22 April 2024 (1015) – The Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway links Cambridge Railway Station with the Trumpington Park & Ride site with a spur to serve the growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Following two unrelated off bus fatalities on the southern Busway in 2022, one involving a male cyclist and one involving a female pedestrian, the northbound track (running towards the city centre) was closed in early 2022 and remined so for two years whilst the County Council and the Health & Safety Executive decided a course of action (that is perhaps to say faffed about). Temporary safety fencing was put in place to separate the track from the adjacent footpath/cycle path/maintenance track. Instead of positioning the fencing on the latter it was decided to use the northbound Busway track hence why it was closed. During the period of closure buses and their frustrated passengers had to face long delays each morning on the way to the city using already busy roads. Permanent fencing was duly erected and the northbound track re-opened at Easter 2024. The new fencing features yellow opening gates for use in the event of evacuation/emergencies. Also part of the fencing are small openings to allow animals the same option. Part of the new fencing can be seen from on board Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS). The bus is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU) working the 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to the city centre, Eddington and Girton Corner (1054).

Monday 22 April 2024 (1017) – Buses of Stagecoach East and Whippet Coaches operate on the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway. This photograph was taken from Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS) as it reached the end of the Southern section of the Busway on the approach to Cambridge Railway Station. A 20 miles per hour speed restriction is imposed on the Busway itself but on the normal roadway between the end of the Busway tracks and the Railway Station this is reduced to 15mph where there is more pedestrian and cyclist activity. The Southern section of the Busway has two low bridges which restricts its use by single deckers only. The bridge ahead carries Hills Road over the Busway access road and the adjacent tracks of the Cambridge-London railway line. The Whippet bus is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU) working the 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to the city centre, Eddington and Girton Corner (1054). Approaching is Stagecoach East 21305 (BF65 WKU), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015, working the 0900 service A from St. Ives to the Trumpington Park & Ride site (due 1025 but arrived 10 minutes behind schedule).

Monday 22 April 2024 (1019) – Whippet Coaches WG114 (MX23 LCW) seen turning from Station Place to Brookgate in Cambridge when working the 0947 Universal service U2 from Eddington to the Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The two Universal services U1/U2 are provided by the University of Cambridge and operated by Whippet Coaches. Services run to the Biomedical Campus (a large site to the south of the city which houses Addenbrooke’s Hospital and a growing number of medical institutions) from Eddington (a relatively new community on the north-west side of the city which is still growing). Service U1 extends to/from Girton Corner. The routes pass various academic properties on the west side of the city with Trumpington Street being the closest point served to the core city centre. Service U1 uses the Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway and to access to the Busway vehicles would continue straight ahead from this point. Service U2 travels via Hills Road and Long Road to reach the Biomedical Campus. Having originally commenced in July 2016 these services were upgraded in September 2023 with the delivery to Whippet Coaches of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses. Note the Busway guide wheels ahead of the driving wheels.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1035) – The Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway links Cambridge Railway Station with the Trumpington Park & Ride site with a spur to serve the growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Following two unrelated off bus fatalities on the southern Busway in 2022, one involving a male cyclist and one involving a female pedestrian, the northbound track (running towards the city centre) was closed in early 2022 and remined so for two years whilst the County Council and the Health & Safety Executive decided a course of action (that is perhaps to say faffed about). Temporary safety fencing was put in place to separate the track from the adjacent footpath/cycle path/maintenance track. Instead of positioning the fencing on the latter it was decided to use the northbound Busway track hence why it was closed. During the period of closure buses and their frustrated passengers had to face long delays each morning on the way to the city using already busy roads. Permanent fencing was duly erected and the northbound track re-opened at Easter 2024. The new fencing features yellow opening gates for use in the event of evacuation/emergencies. Also part of the fencing are small openings to allow animals the same option. In this view taken from Hills Road bridge Whippet Coaches WG119 (MX73 GBV) was heading to the Biomedical Campus when working the 0952 service U1 from Girton Corner. It is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in September 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRZ).

Monday 22 April 2024 (1050) – The Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway links Cambridge Railway Station with the Trumpington Park & Ride site with a spur to serve the growing Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Following two unrelated off bus fatalities on the southern Busway in 2022, one involving a male cyclist and one involving a female pedestrian, the northbound track (running towards the city centre) was closed in early 2022 and remined so for two years whilst the County Council and the Health & Safety Executive decided a course of action (that is perhaps to say faffed about). Temporary safety fencing was put in place to separate the track from the adjacent footpath/cycle path/maintenance track. Instead of positioning the fencing on the latter it was decided to use the northbound Busway track hence why it was closed. During the period of closure buses and their frustrated passengers had to face long delays each morning on the way to the city using already busy roads. Permanent fencing was duly erected and the northbound track re-opened at Easter 2024. The new fencing features yellow opening gates for use in the event of evacuation/emergencies. Also part of the fencing are small openings to allow animals the same option. In this view taken from Hills Road bridge Whippet Coaches WG114 (MX23 LCW) was on the approach to Cambridge Railway Station when working the 1037 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Girton Corner. It is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in August 2023.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1050) – Whippet Coaches WG114 (MX23 LCW) seen from Hills Road bridge just after leaving the Southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway when working the 1037 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Girton Corner. It is a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in August 2023. This vantage point gives a different view of the roof top equipment.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1056) – Whippet Coaches WG114 (MX23 LCW) seen turning from Hills Road to Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge when working the 1037 Universal service U1 from the Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s to Eddington. The two Universal services U1/U2 are provided by the University of Cambridge and operated by Whippet Coaches. Services run to the Biomedical Campus (a large site to the south of the city which houses Addenbrooke’s Hospital and a growing number of medical institutions) from Eddington (a relatively new community on the north-west side of the city which is still growing). Service U1 extends to/from Girton Corner. The routes pass various academic properties on the west side of the city with Trumpington Street being the closest point served to the core city centre. Having originally commenced in July 2016 these services were upgraded in September 2023 after Whippet Coaches took delivery of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1057) – Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ) seen turning to Hills Road from Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge when working the 1024 Universal service U1 from Eddington to the Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s. The two Universal services U1/U2 are provided by the University of Cambridge and operated by Whippet Coaches. Services run to the Biomedical Campus (a large site to the south of the city which houses Addenbrooke’s Hospital and a growing number of medical institutions) from Eddington (a relatively new community on the north-west side of the city which is still growing). Service U1 extends to/from Girton Corner. The routes pass various academic properties on the west side of the city with Trumpington Street being the closest point served to the core city centre. Having originally commenced in July 2016 these services were upgraded in September 2023 after Whippet Coaches took delivery of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses. This bus initially carried registration MX23 LRU.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1057) – Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ) seen turning to Hills Road from Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge when working the 1024 Universal service U1 from Eddington to the Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s. The two Universal services U1/U2 are provided by the University of Cambridge and operated by Whippet Coaches. Services run to the Biomedical Campus (a large site to the south of the city which houses Addenbrooke’s Hospital and a growing number of medical institutions) from Eddington (a relatively new community on the north-west side of the city which is still growing). Service U1 extends to/from Girton Corner. The routes pass various academic properties on the west side of the city with Trumpington Street being the closest point served to the core city centre. Having originally commenced in July 2016 these services were upgraded in September 2023 after Whippet Coaches took delivery of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses. This bus initially carried registration MX23 LRU.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1053) – Whippet Coaches WG117 (MX73 GDF) seen on Hills Road, Cambridge when working the 1017 Universal service U2 from Eddington to the Biomedical Campus/Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The two Universal services U1/U2 are provided by the University of Cambridge and operated by Whippet Coaches. Services run to the Biomedical Campus (a large site to the south of the city which houses Addenbrooke’s Hospital and a growing number of medical institutions) from Eddington (a relatively new community on the north-west side of the city which is still growing). Service U1 extends to/from Girton Corner. The routes pass various academic properties on the west side of the city with Trumpington Street being the closest point served to the core city centre. Having originally commenced in July 2016 these services were upgraded in September 2023 with the delivery to Whippet Coaches of nine Mellor Sigma 12 electric buses. This bus initially carried registration MX23 LRV. Note the Busway guide wheels ahead of the driving wheels.

Monday 22 April 2024 (1115) – A visit to Cambridge today where I travelled on six different buses all listed below. This was Bus 4 seen at Addenbrooke’s Hospital (Outpatients bus stop). The six buses travelled on were: Bus 1: Stagecoach East 86005 (BV23 NRK), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in April 2023. (Journey: 0953 service PR4 from Babraham Road Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station) Bus 2: Whippet Coaches WG112 (UN14 BUS), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LCU). (Journey: 1008 service U1 from Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Cambridge Railway Station) Bus 3: Whippet Coaches WG116 (MX73 GBZ), a Mellor Sigma 12 electric single decker new in Sept 2023 (initially registered MX23 LRU) (Journey: 1108 service U1 from Cambridge Railway Station to Addenbrooke’s Hospital) *** Bus 4: Stagecoach East 21303 (BF65 WKS), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in December 2015 (Journey: Addenbrooke’s Hospital to Trumpington Park & Ride site departed 1115) Bus 5: Stagecoach East 21311 (BV18 YCA), a Wright Eclipse Urban bodied Volvo B8RLE new in March 2018 (Journey: Trumpington Park & Ride site to Addenbrooke’s Hospital departed 1139) Bus 6: Stagecoach East 86019 (BV23 NSU), an MCV bodied Volvo BZL electric double decker new in May 2023 (Journey: 1220 Addenbrooke’s Hospital Bus Station to Babraham Road Park & Ride site)