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Excel (fully Excel Passenger Logistics Ltd)
largely took over the former First (once Eastern National) operation
at Stansted on 7th July 2003. Excel were a spin-off from Stephensons
Coaches of Rochford, Essex, who have recently been purchased and now sit,
independently, under the TGM wing of Arriva.
The route network included the 333 service, one of the first competitive
services in the former London Country area, only recently having ceased
after 23 years. Also operated are Bishops Stortford locals 308/9, which largely
remain unchanged from EN days. Many more
services, particularly for schools and airport transfers have been
added.
The initial fleet comprised six Mercedes L709D minibuses with
Alexander Sprint bodywork, as detailed below, and one of these these
remains. Unusual visitors are regular occurrences,
and some are illustrated below.
Support from Essex County Council and BAA has seen a significant influx
of new vehicles in the last 2 years.
Most recently, Excel stepped in to fill the gap left by the sudden collapse
of Stansted Transit on 4th June. The fotopic site shows some of the loan
vehicles in action, mainly on the 392. Following reassignment of the 347 and
392, and the withdrawal of the 333, Excel's contribution at Harlow is now
restricted to once a day (Tues to Sat) 47/147 and school service 322.
| Alexander Dennis Dart It took until 2006 for Excel to acquire a brand new service bus, and two more examples quickly followed. The primary allocation for these is on the 47/147 and 322 in Harlow, and, along with the vehicles below, on other associated Essex County Council Services. The slightly older vehicle is an in-group movement arrived in 2009. |
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EU56FTO AY54FRC |
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Seen when new and like most other Excel vehicles at the time, carrying former Eastern national blinds which obviously didn't feature the 47. Looking rather like the Stansted Transit vehicle behind, it is seen at Harlow Bus Station. (R Hudson) |
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The Burton livery of AY54FRC is shown here arriving on the "047" at the Bus Station in September 2009. (R Hudson) | ||
| Mini Pointer Dart Also for 2006 Essex County Council gains, one is new, whilst the registration number here gives away the former owner, Reg's of Hertford, of the other. Coincidentally, the vehicle was mainly used on a service numbered 333. |
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BU51REG EU07FRN KU52RXF |
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The large logo on BU51REG is a sensible addition to the new livery. (R Hudson) |
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Real blinds still feature on the very latest ex-dealer stock MPD. (R Hudson) | ||
| Dennis Dart SLF/Caetano
Compass Inter-group transfers have brought these two ex-Burton vehicles into the fleet. It's fortunate that the liveries are very similar. |
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HX51LRJ HX51LSN |
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A bus without a fleet-name on the 333
is not necessarily a good idea in Harlow, but so far HX51LSN doesn't
have one. Another of those ex-EN blinds is also featured. R Hudson |
| Dennis Dart SLF/Plaxton
Pointer 2 More inter-group transfers would seem to suggest that it only makes sense for the Burton group livery to be adopted. |
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S310JUA S311JUA S312JUA S313JUA S314JUA |
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Seen on the 47 arriving at Harlow Bus
Station. Note the absence of fleet-names. R Hudson |
| Scania L113/East
Lancs European And, more although this time of a less usual variety. |
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N167PUT N169PUT N172PUT N176PUT N430XRC N433XRC |
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Loading for a trip to Ongar, via the
considerably less frequent route than by the 47. Again, the vehicle was
without a fleet-name when sighted here in January 2010. R Hudson |
| Mercedes L709D/Alexandra
Sprint The most plentiful vehicle in the initial fleet was this early 90's combination, in two distinct liveries. The inspiration for the livery of some, besides being a modification of the new Stagecoach livery, is unknown. Others were BAA inspired. Once numbering six, they are now in the process of moving on. |
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L316YDU |
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The livery did offer
quite a striking effect, as shown by 313 seen on the 333, as it left
Harlow Bus Station. The blind
shows how it has been modified after use by First when the route ran
to Stansted Airport (North). R Hudson |
| MAN/MCV Evolution The replacements for the above on the 308/9 Bishops Stortford locals are these, having arrived in October 2006. We are advised that the Grey and Green livery is BAA sponsored. |
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561 562 563 |
AE56MDV AE56MDX AE56MDY |
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A picturesque setting on the edge of Bishops Stortford town centre shows off the LED displays on route 308. R Hudson |
| Dennis Dart/Plaxton
Pointer An unexpected 2009 arrival was this step-entrance Dart. |
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| 802 | M722CGO |
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It would seem that some yellow relief is being adopted as standard for the Excel fleet, as shown on 802 at Harlow Bus Station. (R Hudson) |
| Dennis Dart/Northern
Counties Paladin A November 2006 arrival is this ex-Arriva Kent Thameside vehicle. It carries the new white livery with blue skirt, and has been seen on the 308 and 333. |
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| 606 | L113YVK |
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Swinging into the bus station shortly after entering service. (R Hudson) |
| Volvo B10M/Alexander PS Two of these vehicles now feature at Excel, but they're not expected to stay for long. Fully working dot matrix displays are featured. |
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| M231TBV |
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M232TBV is seen leaving Harlow Bus Station, unusually displaying 'BISHOPS STORTFORD' as a destination. (R Hudson) | |
| Scania N113/East
Lancs East Lancs went through a period of building "Nottingham" style fronted bodies, which started appearing far and wide. Many appeared in London, and Brighton and Hove, from where these originate, was a strong haunt also. |
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F712LFG |
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The new blue and mainly white livery
is now spreading fast throughout the fleet, which on double deckers
includes some color above the upper deck windows. "726" is
seen here on the 333 between school trips. (R Hudson) |
| Other vehicles |
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| WX06OSW |  |
Seen inside the Stansted yard, and looking more than a bit striking is this prototype Ayats Bravo1 (R Hudson) | |