Two Lodekka FLF6Gs are languishing in the yard of McKindless, Wishaw and are currently for sale. They are in poor condition, but it is thought that one good bus could be made from the two, or at least they would be a useful source of spares. The two are former Central SMT BL341 (HGM 341E) and Mansfield District 694 (TRB 589F). Anyone seriously interested in looking at these vehicles with a view to purchasing, should contact Martin Bell at McKindless on 07920 527204.

Commencing 5 February 2010 the late Pronto's on a Friday/Saturday night (actually Saturday/Sunday morning) will leave the Coach Station at 2355 (to Nottingham), 0125 (to Nottingham) and 0250 (to Mansfield) and in each case will serve Stephenson Place (K3) 10 minutes later. The departure times from Nottingham are unchanged (0005 & 0130* to Chesterfield; 0300* to Mansfield)

* Start from outside Boots and do NOT serve Victoria Bus Station

Richard Lomas writes (24 January 2010): Today there were some changes to Sunday services with Trent competing with Stagecoach* between Mansfield and Derby and service 71 being changed from red Darts to dark green Solos as 7.1. This brought back memories of Deregulation and I have provided a picture of CCT bus in Ripley on Deregulation day in the website Nostalgia section HERE.

There was also today a 'dress rehearsal' with lots of buses on the new yet-to-be-opened Derby bus station.

* Webmaster Oliver Foreman comments: Is this more evidence of a change of policy at Trentbarton? 9 or 10 years ago Trent 'chucked in' commercial Sunday services on the then 92 (Mansfield - Sutton - McArthur Glen - Alfreton - Ripley - Derby) and 93 (Mansfield - Sutton - Pinxton - Alfreton - Ripley). Stagecoach East Midland won the tender and worked these Sunday services from Mansfield (where I was a driver at that time). SEM found them so remunerative that they threw in the tender and ran them both commercially, though later relinquishing the 93. (This is now on Sundays a tendered service run by TM Travel just between Sutton and Alfreton, numbered 9.3). After a break of nearly 10 years, Trentbarton decide they DO want to run again between Derby and Mansfield commercially on a Sunday so introduce an hourly 9.1 (much the same as a 92/9.2 except for a difference in route between Derby and Denby Pottery). Stagecoach are continuing to run their hourly Sunday 92 (it seems refusing to renumber it 9.2 as Trentbarton have done on other days). At least the two operators' journeys are spaced at 30 minute intervals, though there will be increased confusion for passengers trying to use on Stagecoach vehicles Zig Zags, two journey and Frio tickets, and Mango cards!

Evidence of Mansfield running the Sunday 92 as far back as 13 May 2001. Here is the Volvo B6 your webmaster was driving in the old Derby bus Station:

Paul Hopkinson, Managing Director of TM Travel, writes (12 January 2010):

We have decided to offer the whole of the former preserved fleet for sale with the exception of the PS1. Details HERE (PDF format). If anyone needs further details please contact me on 0114 263 3893 or by email (CONTACT US and it will be passed on).

All vehicles will need to be removed from the site by 31st January 2010. I am trying to find homes for the runners but unfortunately anything I am unable to find an alternative home for by this date will be sold for scrap.

The tyres on the ex-Fleet vehicles belong to Michelin and will need to be returned to them, on most of the older vehicles the tyres will be included.

Scrap value for a coach is currently around £1300-1500 depending on weight. We will consider any offers over scrap value.

UPDATE 7 JANUARY 2010: A reliable source informs us that Wellglade officially took control of TM Travel on 5 January 2010, though as yet this is not confirmed by management of either company. We have also heard that further buses within the Wellglade Group (in addition to the two Darts mentioned below) are being repainted into TM Travel livery.

UPDATE 2 JANUARY 2010: The deal between TM and Wellglade has not yet been finalised. It should be completed next week or the week after. It seems TM have bought two Dennis Darts from Wellglade. It appears that a top priority is to replace the Optare Excel's.

Update by Oliver Foreman (31 December 2009):

The deal is due to be signed today though there have been rumours of a delay because of the Christmas / New Year holiday. As soon as we hear it has gone through, it will be reported here.

Another unconfirmed rumour states that already two Kinchbus Dennis Darts (ex Trent) are being painted into TM Travel colours! We shall see.

An article in RouteOne (HERE) dated 24 December 2009 gives further information. It states that Mr and Mrs Watts lost interest in the business following the bad accident last March and the subsequent public enquiries. Tim states that he will never again operate buses because of the stresses and strains involved. He thinks that with a possible change in government and proposed budget cuts it is a good time to get out. He feels that the sale to Wellglade was in the best interests of the staff and the business.

However, Tim says his enthusiasm for the industry continues and he particularly wants to retain his 1948 Leyland PS1, hoping to take it to the East of England showground in April. The small heritage fleet (not sold to Wellglade) will for the time being be stored at the rented Staveley premises.

Below are previous reports posted on this website:

A notice went up today (15 December 2009) in the drivers' room of TM Travel to announce that the Wellglade Group (which up to now has consisted of Trent Buses, Barton Buses, Kinchbus, Notts and Derby and Midland General) is to take over TM Travel. It has been confirmed from other sources that negotiations are almost finalised and the take over should come into effect early 2010.

From David Gambles 16 December 2009: I spoke to Tim Watts (of TM Travel) this evening who confirmed the following and agreed that it could be posted on the Transpire website.

The sale of TM Travel is scheduled to complete on 31st December subject to a couple of issues being sorted. Tim said that out of all the companies it could have gone to he was happy that it has gone to Trent, as he called it, who have agreed that TM Travel will be run as a stand alone company within the group and that the vehicles will retain the current livery.

Tim has been offered a post within the company but he has declined that and will only stay until the end of January. Beyond that his future plans are not yet finalised and it will be a case of "business as usual for TM but without me". Paul Hopkinson will stay with the new company and become General Manager.

Of the eighteen vehicles stored at Staveley, Tim said that efforts will be made to find new homes for most of them but confirmed that he will retain JRA 635 although he will need to find a new storage site for this bus.