40844 in Crowngate on 149 service

[TimBrown]

Seen at 12 noon in Crowngate bus station today, Thursday 6 October 2022, after working in from Redditch on the 149 service is Diamond Bus 40844 reg. no. YJ70 EWD an Optare MD1114 Metrodecker new in January 2021 with H51/25F bodywork to Johnsons, Henley-in-Arden. Apparently it was part of an order cancelled by Reading Transport.

6 Oct 2022 Crowngate 015.JPG

6 Oct 2022 Crowngate 006.JPG

6 Oct 2022 Crowngate 007.JPG

I travelled into the City today on the 303 and the 10-11 departure from Grange Avenue was picking up all the way round the Northwick Green loop and had a standing load by the time it reached the Vine Inn stop. On the return journey the 12-30 departure from Crowngate was also well patronised, almost a seated load with a good number travelling on past Bevere, possibly as a result of yesterday's rail strike and cancellation of many services between Kidderminster and Worcester this morning.

[DC54]

It seems like the 303 is having something of a revival currently. Mark Fitchew (NXWM driver) noted the same on his most recent Worcestershire bash…

https://buscapade.wordpress.com/2022/08 ... 4-15-8-22/

[ANDREW]

https://buscapade.wordpress.com/2022/08 ... 4-15-8-22/

Interesting article.