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Vectare |
This page
Brief history
Current fleet list
Route List
Brief History
Vectare describe themselves as a "dynamic transport solutions consultancy" but they also operate. Their website offers corporate and schools services, they have been active on some local services in the East Midlands and have in recent times gained services in Essex, nearby at Brentwood and between Waltham Cross and Epping (see route details below or on their website). They arrived in Harlow on 26th July with the assumption of long-standing ECC service 381, taking over from the local authority owned Ugobus. The service has since been renumbered 31.
Vectare recently took over Gardner Travel of Chelmsford, who seem still to trade under that name.
As of March 2022, Vectare took over the Chemlsford Park and Ride services using, for the time being, 7 hired Enviro200MMCs.
Of the fleet shown below, many may not appear on the 31 or in Essex at all, but they are included for completeness.
WEBSITE: www.vectare.co.uk
Current fleet list
| Mercedes Benz Sprinter/EVM
Cityline Vehicles from this part of the fleet have all seen service in Harlow. Standard livery seems to be two shades of blue stripes at the rear on a silver base, although 203 is all silver. They are also used on the Waltham Cross - Epping routes. |
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The pioneer of the fleet, being the eldest and carrying the lowest fleet number, 200 is seen at the bus station on the 381. (R. Hudson) | ||
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Next is fleet no. 201, which presents the same smart new image on route 381. (R. Hudson) | ||||
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Fleet no. 202, again in the same livery, showing the nearside view. (R. Hudson) | ||||
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Fleet no. 205 in the same livery again. (R. Hudson) | ||||
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The newest and final fleet number is 206, which is a later 2021 arrival. It does not yet carry the rear blue flashes, as can be seen. It is showing the new number 31 for the Harlow - Coopersale service, which took effect from 4th January 2022. (R. Hudson) | ||||
| Alexander-Dennis
Enviro200MMC Two examples (the '16 reg. ones) originated with Abellio in London. After being sighted in service in Brentwood, early October saw both operate on the 381 (on different days, naturally). They are 24-seat variants and were single door from new. A third example originated with Weavaway in Newbury, as is evident from the registration number. As of March 2022, Vectare took up the Chelmsford Park and Ride services and initiated them with no less than 7 further examples of the type (YX22OGJ to YX22OGP) from white dealer stock, which seemingly are now being replaced with later examples in black (fllet number 307 onwards). |
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Still in all-over red from its London days and without fleet name at this point in time, YX16OBS. (R. Hudson) | ||
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Sister vehicle YX16OBO shows the off-side view. (R. Hudson) | ||||
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The Weavaway colours carried by YX69NWB could very easily could have lent themselves to being an equivalent to the Vectare minibus livery with no repaint needed at all, but instead this vehicle has now been repainted to Arriva Max in reverse. (R. Hudson) | ||||
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Turning to the hired vehicles for the Chelmsford Park and Ride, one vehicle on each of the 2 services, led by YX22OGP. (R Hudson) | ||||
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A closer shot, this time of YX22OGK. (R Hudson) | ||||
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And then the inevitable. An appearance of a Park and Ride vehicle on the 381, as shown by YX22OGJ. (R Hudson) | ||||
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The latest arrivals for the P&R are in black. 308 (YX22OGT) is seen here on the 701. (R Hudson) | ||||
| Ford Transit . |
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| Alexander-Dennis Enviro
200/E20 The older style Enviro 200 is represented by this example, which saw service previously with White Bus of Windsor |
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Presently stripped back to all-white, this vehicle is seen en-route from Brentwood to Blackmore on the 61, which was once operated by Arriva at Harlow when it was known as the 261, a number dating back to Eastern National days. (R. Hudson) | ||
| Mercedes O815D/Sitcar C29F This coach carries the livery of Gardner Travel, being a sort of sand yellow wit large fleet name in script and a few blue flag shapes. It has been seen on driver relief duties at Waltham Cross and on rail replacement services |
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| Optare Solo A regular type on the 61 (Brentwood - Blackmore) is the Optare Solo. Initially a former Stagecoach M850 example featured. From May a different vehicle appeared, this time a M920 once of Ipswich Buses. |
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Seen at the Blackmore terminus in Damoray blue is 299. (R Hudson) | ||
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In the same location, the same class of vehicle and very similar in age, but a very different look on 297. (R Hudson) | ||||
| Optare Versa This vehicle was once in service in London but now appears to advertise the manufacturer. Its centre doors have been neatly removed. It as been noted in service on rail replacements in London/Essex. |
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| Scania K360EB4/Irizar i6 This coach appears on rail replacements and on school services. It is in all silver. |
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| Wright Streetlite DF Out on its own is a singular Wright Bros product. Livery is all-over red. |
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Route List
Within Harlow:
20 Latton Bush School to Harlow Bus Station - commercial feeder to/from
route 31. Single journey each way.
30 Coopersale to Epping (St
Margaret's Hospital). 3 short return journeys between operations on main
route 31.
31 Coopersale to Harlow. ECC contract service. PVR = 1
(for 20/30/31 combined).
Outside Harlow:
13/13A/13S - Waltham Cross to Epping (St Margaret's Hospital)
via Upshire. Apx. hourly, Mon-Sat.
Changes from 19th April 2022 will see an extension of some journeys
to/from North Weald, 13C introduced, 13S withdrawn.
14 - Waltham Cross to Upshire
(one journey on to Epping). Apx 5 return journeys, Mon-Sat.
Changes from 19th April 2022 will see more
journeys on Mon-Sat but withdrawn on Saturdays.
19 -
Ongar to Epping. Single return journey, Mon-Sat.
To be withdrawn after 17th April 2022
22 - Waltham Cross
to Waltham Abbey (Skillet Hill Farm). 4 return journeys, Mon-Sat.
Changes from 19th April 2022 will see less
journeys on Mon-Fri and more on Saturdays.
61/61A/61C -
Brentwood to Blackmore, Apx. hourly, Mon-Sat
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Last update: 15th May 2022
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