Arriva's service 127 between Leicester and Shepshed is normally run by double-decker buses, which are usually Wright Pulsar Gemini-bodied VDL DB250s (of which there are 31 in the Arriva Midlands fleet at Thurmaston), supplemented usually by Alexander-Dennis Enviro400 MMCs. But for over a month between late July and earlier this month, the regular buses virtually vanished from the route, and were replaced by a selection of single-deckers, mainly Wright Pulsar 2-bodied VDL SB220s, as well as Optare Versas. Some of the Pulsar 2s were special premium-spec Arriva Sapphire buses branded for the service 158 between Leicester and Nuneaton, and at this time there were more of them on the 127 than on the 158. Sometimes there were none at all on the 158! Sapphires on the 127 is not a new phenomenon, as I have observed it occasionally for two years, but back then it was an unusual event that only happened occasionally, whereas during August, it became a bizarre daily occurrence.
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| 3800 (TUI 7932) navigates the Alan Moss Road roundabout on its way to Leicester. (21/07/2021) |
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| Later the same day, 3802 (TUI 7933) waits at the Fennel Street bus stand on its way to Shepshed. |
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| Still waiting... |
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| Three days later, 3802 navigates the new roundabout on Ashby Road between Loughborough and Shepshed. (24/07/2021) |
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| 3807 (TUI 7936) passes along Ashby Road, also on its way to Leicester. (06/08/2021) |
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| 3808 is seen stopping at the Greenclose Lane bus stop on its way to Leicester. (19/08/2021) |
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| 3807 again, going in the opposite direction, on Swan Street. The timetables had hanged the day before which resulted in two buses an hour being curtailed to Pitsford Drive, as shown here. The bus looks slightly shabby as part of the silver/white stripe and most of the web address is missing. |
The mix-up seems to have stopped (for now). However changes are on the horizon. The 158 Sapphires (of which there are eight) are likely to move to Hinckley soon; however, Arriva's Wigston depot is closing next month, bringing several double-decker Sapphires to Thurmaston depot.
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