Delaine Buses of Bourne has discreetly marked the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year on a further Alexander Dennis Enviro200 delivered to the Lincolnshire fleet. It takes to four the number of such buses delivered to Delaine over the past 18 months, with the operator saying that the model achieves fuel returns of 11.5mpg.
The newcomer has been built by ADL’s Scarborough plant to Delaine’s specification. That includes the customary, maroon-based internal colour scheme and the operator’s timeless blue and cream livery. It seats 43 and comes with a cherished registration mark.
While ‘70’ is in the fleet number of 170 applied to the new Enviro200, Delaine says that is a coincidence rather than planned. Decals honouring the Platinum Jubilee are present to the sides of the front destination display.
Speaking about the ongoing fleet upgrade, Managing Director Anthony Delaine-Smith says: “We have always had a robust vehicle investment and replacement strategy and are pleased that despite the uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been able to continue that.
“We have seen customer numbers steadily increase, but in recent weeks the rise in fuel prices has seen a surge in the number of passengers we are carrying. That has hopefully encouraged more waverers back to using the bus after the government’s London-centric messaging at the beginning of the pandemic had such a negative impact on provincial services.
“To encourage further model shift in 2021, we introduced a ‘Day Duo’ ticket priced at £9.50 for two people travelling together, and a ‘Day Group’ at £13 for four people travelling together. Those offer unlimited travel on all Delaine services from 0900hrs onward at a significant reduction of the normal ticket price.”
The new Enviro200 joins a fleet of 30 and will primarily be used on the 201 service between Bourne and Peterborough via Stamford. Delaine has been a family-owned business for well over 100 years and is now in the hands of the fifth and sixth generations. It began running horse buses in 1890 and commenced motor bus operation in 1919.
Report and picture supplied by Steven Knight Media.
