After several attempts the service to Belfast City Airport seems to be taking off, if you’ll pardon the pun. Investment in the operation has seen the allocation of a number of new Optare Solos in a dedicated livery. 1837 is pictured passing in front of Belfast City Hall.
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The regular bus on the morning Rural Transport Fund sponsored journey from Castledawson to Cranagh during 2003/4 was Leyland Leopard 236. It is seen here near Cranagh where it would connect with an Omagh-based vehicle thus offering shopping opportunities in the Co. Tyrone town. Similar Leopard 235 is now preserved by Messrs Gilmore and Thompson of Bangor.
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Several of the town service networks have benefitted from the allocation of new Optare Solos. One such place is Newtownards where 1870 was caught by the photographer turning at the shopping centre. Despite a dedicated bus turning circle the driver was forced to use the roundabout on this journey due to inconsiderately parked cars.
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2004 saw the end of Bristol RE operation by Ulsterbus, the final journeys being run at Londonderry during March. One of the last to run in Belfast, albeit only for a very short period, was 2588 which ran from Laganside during October 2003 and is pictured here on Donegall Quay on an evening peak journey to Ballybeen Mission Hall.
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Ulsterbus also have a base at Stranraer in Scotland. As well as private hire and tour commitments the depot is also responsible for providing vehicles and drivers for the Eurolines services to Manchester/Birmingham/London. Two Scania/Irizar and two Volvo/Plaxton coaches are allocated to this work. Here 108 is off its usual haunts, working a Stena Line day tour to Glasgow. |
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Ulsterbus also work as a contractor for Citylink on the Glasgow–Stranraer service. For this run Scania/Irizar 111 was delivered in full Citylink livery. This coach is also used on the morning/evening peak Dunblane–Glasgow turn, spending each night outbased at Dunblane. |
For its 2003/4 deliveries of coaches for the Goldline express network Ulsterbus chose the Scania/Irizar combination. The first to see use was 1664, actually working for Citybus. This view shows the relatively low step heights and the access to the luggage space. |
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Delivery of the Scania/Irizar Goldliners, known colloquially as ‘Mark 7s’, was somewhat protracted, taking longer than expected. They have, though, proved popular with drivers and passengers alike. Magherafelt-based 1695 is seen here passing Belfast’s (leaning) Albert Clock on a Sunday afternoon working to Cookstown. |
After many years of minibus operation (Metroriders, Mercedes and Darts) the Airbus service to Belfast International Airport returned to big bus operation during 2003 with the allocation of three specially branded Wrightbus Solar bodied Scania L94s. 790 is shown crossing Castle Junction, en route to the airport, when brand new. |
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The workhorse of the Ulsterbus fleet is the Leyland Tiger with Alexander ‘N type’ body. These buses come in Leyland, Gardner and Volvo-engined varieties. Lisburn-based 1235 is depicted crossing the Boyne Bridge having just left the Europa Bus Centre on a journey to the Co Down village of Dromara. |
The ‘Mark 3’ Goldliner coaches were bodied by Wrights of Ballymena to their Endeavour design. These vehicles have been downgraded from Goldline work, although they still make regular appearances on such duties. All have been fitted with new seats, increasing their capacity to 57, and repainted into standard blue/ivory bus livery. Note the large Ulsterbus symbol still on the office wall, two versions of the Translink ‘T’ logo having been used since its demise.
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The vehicles allocated to Stranraer’s Eurolines duties prior to the Irizar-bodied Scanias were two Volvo B10M/Plaxton Excalibur coaches, numbers 1659/60. Still in use on this work, 1659 is, though, seen here when relatively new, passing along Whitesands, Dumfries en route to Birmingham. En route it would make calls at Carlisle, Preston and Manchester.
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Bangor, on the North Down coast, has a fairly extensive town service network as well a regular service to Belfast. Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 2824, returning from a town service run to Lisnabreen and Bloomfield Estates, is seen here in Abbey Street approaching the integrated bus and rail centre.
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During August 2004 a Volvo B7RLE/Wrightbus Eclipse Urban demonstrator saw service with Ulsterbus from both Great Victoria Street and Newtownabbey depots. On its first day in service from Great Victoria Street (14th August) it was caught by our photographer passing under the railway bridge at Lisburn station while on a journey from Ballymacash to Belfast. This bus had previously seen service with Solent Blue Line in Hampshire.
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The latest product from the Wrightbus stable is the Commuter and so far the sole Ulsterbus example is number 2201, although a number have been ordered by Yorkshire Coastliner. The Commuter offers easy wheelchair access with a much increased seating capacity, 51 seats on 2201, over normal low floor vehicles. It is seen here leaving Newtownards Bus Station during August 2004 on a Saturday afternoon journey to the village of Carrowdore. |
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Ulsterbus run just four double-deck closed-top buses, all Volvo B7TLs with Alexander ALX400 bodies and all from Great Victoria Street depot. Their main use is on the heavily loaded service between Queen’s University in Belfast and the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, although they do get to visit other places, as illustrated here at Dundalk, Co Louth when 2935 was used on a private hire to Dublin for Bus Fayre magazine. The vehicle behind is a Volvo B7TL/East Lancs belonging to John Halpenny of Blackrock, Co Louth. |
