Stephensons of Essex (mainly in Suffolk)

Tuesday 22 October 2024 (1250) – Stephensons of Essex 492 (YX63 GXW), an Alexander Dennis Enviro200D new in September 2013 to Nottingham City Transport (392), seen in Mill Street, Mildenhall when working the 1200 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The house on the left, marked with a blue plaque, was where the town’s first telephone exchange was located.

Tuesday 22 October 2024 (1248) – Stephensons of Essex 801 (EU24 LWT), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, seen in Mill Street, Mildenhall when working the 1150 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket.

Tuesday 22 October 2024 (1249) – Stephensons of Essex 801 (EU24 LWT) meets an HGV at the corner of High Street and Mill Street in Mildenhall. This peculiar 90 degree turn in the centre of town, which is the main route out of town towards the west, is said to have been the result of a local landowner in days gone by not liking the idea of the High Street continuing forward across his land. So the road had to take the path of Mill Street. The Alexander Dennis Enviro400D MMC, which was new in July 2024, was working the 1150 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket.

Tuesday 22 October 2024 (1248) – Stephensons of Essex 801 (EU24 LWT), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, seen in the High Street, Mildenhall. It was working the 1150 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket. Another re-branding had recently taken place for the convenience shop in the Market Place visible in the background. Now Morrisons Daily. Over the years the shop has carried various names including NSS, Forbouys, Martins and latterly McColls as mergers and acquisitions occurred. In May 2022 McColls was rescued from administration by Morrisons and by September 2024 the Morrisons Daily brand had been applied to the former McColls shops that hadn’t already closed.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1349) – Back in Mildenhall after my little outing this was the last of three vehicles I travelled on today. Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, seen working the 1300 service 16 from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The same bus had worked the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket. I had travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus I rode was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1303) – The upper deck of Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, seen in Newmarket. I travelled from Cambridge to Mildenhall on this bus initially as the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge and then as the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. Since the two services are separate I had to alight and re-board. This was the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1259) – Stephensons buses in The Guineas Bus Station, Newmarket. Left is 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, which had arrived with the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge and would go on to work the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. I travelled from Cambridge to Mildenhall on this bus but since the two services are separate I had to alight and re-board. Right is 461 (EU60 CBF), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D new in September 2010, had just arrived as the 1156 service 112 from Ely.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1255) – Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, seen in The Guineas Bus Station, Newmarket having arrived with the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge. It would go on to work the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. I travelled from Cambridge to Mildenhall on this bus but since the two services are separate I had to alight and re-board. This was, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives. Note the Stephensons van in the background used for driver changeovers.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1249) – On board Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV) travelling alongside the famous Rowley Mile racecourse (left) heading to Newmarket. This an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024 Approaching as it headed to Cambridge also on service 12, running a little late, is 608 (EU64 CVR), an Alexander Dennis Enviro400D new in September 2014. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1227) – On board Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV) heading out of Cambridge near Ditton Walk (left) and the Cambridge United football ground (right) when working the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket. This an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024. Approaching as it headed into Cambridge is 464 (EU62 FDF), an Alexander Dennis Enviro200D new in October 2012, working the 1120 service 11 from Newmarket. Service 11 operates via Exning, Burwell and Swaffham Prior (taking 74 minutes) whereas service 12 is via Bottisham (taking 37 minutes), a much quicker journey with buses displaying the destination plus ‘Fast via Bottisham’. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1218) – On board Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV) reversing off the departure stand at Drummer Street bus station, Cambridge as the 1218 service 12 to Newmarket continuing as the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024. I travelled back to Mildenhall on this bus, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives. (The bus on left is Stagecoach East 10872 (YX67 VDJ) in the livery used on longer distance bus services – this was service 905 to Bedford. The bus on the right is A2B Travel Group YX74 OGK with an all-over advert livery for Cambridge Vehicle Wrap. Both buses are Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMCs).

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1217) – Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, loading at Drummer Street bus station, Cambridge as the 1218 service 12 to Newmarket continuing as the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. Stephensons operate two services between Cambridge and Newmarket, service 11 travelling via Swaffham Prior, Burwell and Exning (taking 74 minutes) and service 12 via Bottisham (taking 37 minutes), a much quicker journey with buses displaying the destination plus ‘Fast via Bottisham’. I would travel back to Mildenhall on this bus, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1208) – Drummer Street bus station, Cambridge. Stephensons of Essex 802 (EU24 LWV), on which I would travel back to Mildenhall on the 1218 service 12 to Newmarket which continued as the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital, was just arriving. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024. The other buses are (left to right): Stagecoach East 10872 (YX67 VDJ), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in September 2017 (Livery as used on longer distance bus services – this was service 905 to Bedford) A2B Travel Group YX74 OGK, an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in September 2024 (In an all-over advert livery for Cambridge Vehicle Wrap – presumably they carried out the job?!) Stagecoach East 19575 (AE10 BWH), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Trident new in April 2010 (Livery as used on local bus services)

Saturday 30 November 2024 (1159) - Stephensons of Essex 608 (EU64 CVR), seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 1100 service from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in September 2014.

Saturday 30 November 2024 (1159) - Stephensons of Essex 608 (EU64 CVR), seen at Fiveways, Barton Mills when working the 1100 service from Newmarket to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. It is an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400 bodied Scania N230UD new in September 2014.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (0937) – Stephensons of Essex 492 (YX63 GXW), an Alexander Dennis Enviro200D new in September 2013 to Nottingham City Transport (392), arriving at Mildenhall with the 0850 service 16 from West Suffolk Hospital/Bury St. Edmunds to Newmarket.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1304) – Stephensons of Essex buses in Newmarket. On board 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, as it departed The Guineas bus station working the 1300 service 16 to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. The same bus had worked the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge to Newmarket. Parked on the left is 468 (SN66 WKG), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D. This bus has the distinction of working for two different companies named Stephenson. It was new in September 2016 to Stephensons of Easingwold, North Yorkshire and was subsequently acquired by Stephensons of Essex. An East Lancs Omnidekka bodied Scania was parked across the road outside the New Astley Club. I was travelling back to Mildenhall, the last of three vehicles I travelled on today on this outing. I had initially travelled from Mildenhall to Trumpington Park & Ride on Ambassador Travel 304 (BV72 XFA), a Caetano Levante III bodied Scania K410 new in November 2022, working the 0750 National Express service 727 from Great Yarmouth to Stansted Airport. The second bus was Stagecoach East 21234 (AE12 CJV) from Trumpington to Parkside as it worked the 1106 Busway service B from Trumpington to St. Ives.

Thursday 14 November 2024 (1256) – This Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro200D has had the distinction of working for two different companies named Stephenson. 468 (SN66 WKG) was new in September 2016 to Stephensons of Easingwold, North Yorkshire and was subsequently acquired by Stephensons of Essex. Seen in The Guineas Bus Station, Newmarket. In the background is 802 (EU24 LWV), an Alexander Dennis (ADL) Enviro400D MMC new in July 2024, which had arrived with the 1218 service 12 from Cambridge and would go on to work the 1300 service 16 via Mildenhall to Bury St. Edmunds/West Suffolk Hospital. I travelled from Cambridge to Mildenhall on this bus but since the two services are separate I had to alight and re-board. A short time between my trips enabled a quick photocall.