| OTHER ENTHUSIAST NEWS |
| 20 April 2002 The first of the new batch of Plaxton Super Pointer bodied Dennis Darts SLFs are due to hit the streets from 22/4/2002, Many thanks to Michael Doyle for this information. Full details of the buses will be added as soon as they arrive (they are reported to have air-con for the driver and Voith transmission) |
| in January 2002, CMT commenced a redevelopment of the Aintree garage. This redevelopment saw the demolition of the former offices and maintenance unit (which had been set on fire the week before). The development will enable more parking space for buses, the introduction of 2 new high speed fuel pumps to stop the long queues forming after the evening peak. in additon, a separate VOR section will be provided and a Driver checking/water top up area. Additional car parking spaces will be made available. Prior to the redevelopment, the garage was split into 2 sections with the newer section in the far corner mainly rough terrain which proved unsuitable in wet weather. Now, however, this section together with the new space have been resurfaced. The garage is now quite large and this looks more so since the closure and transfer of ABC buses onto the one site. |
| GENERAL NEWS |
| 20 March 2002 40 new Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Darts have been orderd for delivery in April and October over the next 4 years. Watch for the first 5 due to arrive in April |
| For information on all the bus operators and what is happening on Merseyside please visit an excellent site, Steve Dave's Dennis Dart website at: |
| 7 May 2002 The first of the new batch of Plaxton Super Pointer bodied Dennis Darts SLFs HAVE arrived PN02 KCC (2087) and PN02 KCG (2090) have been noted so far, keep a look and and EMail me with any new sightings of the others |
| 10 May 2002 Fleet numbers for the former L&M Greenbus Dart MPDs are as follows: T36 CCK (2083) T37 CCK (2084) V484 LCW (2085) |
| 9 May 2002 L&M Transport (Greenbus) has moved into CMT's garage. The 3 Dart MPDs and Metrorider together with the 3 routes are now legally operated by CMT Buses. |
| 18 July 2002 Service 284 has now been extended to Crossens (Mon-Saturdays only), route revisions will see morning Peak 79 journeys rerouted in City Centre to avoid Lord Street to speed up recovery times. First journeys on route 53 will noe start from Sefton Arms (Aintree Station) to Netherton to reduce dead mileage. Some modifications will be made to the fleet as follows: Leyland Lynxs will have New mirrors, internal lighting, breaks and suspension Some other buses will benefit from Larger mirrors New Drivers seats are to be fitted to some buses (including newer Volvo's) |
| 5 August 2002 Service 158 has been won on Tender Volvo's 2049 and 2050 (W465/466 CRN) have had new longer/slimline wing mirrors fitted Former L&M Dart MPD V484 LCW was bizzarely used on service 79 recently! - SEE PICTURE The SPDs 2086-2090 are now appearing on routes across the network Excel 6025 R11 ABC was used on former L&M route 121 on 2/8/02 |
| 22 June 2003 It is now official, CMT Buses, one of Liverpool's largest independant bus operators has been taken over by Gillmoss based GTL Glenvale Transport. NOW PART OF STAGECOACH, NEWS UPDATE TO FOLLOW At present all buses from both operations remain as they are and no further details are yet known on Depot Locations, operational changes, fleet details. CMT has grown from a small independant once known for its fleet of Leyland Nationals to a modern bus operator with Volvos and Darts. GTL was formed as a result of Arriva's purchase of MTL requiring Arriva to dispose of Gillmoss 2 years ago. GTL operates over 200 buses mainly Titans and Metrobuses with more recent purchases of ex London Dennis Darts. |
| 3 September 2002 All the former ABC Optare Metroriders and Mercedes Minibuses have been sold! (except J55ABC Fleet 6006 which is used as a staff bus) Volvo B10BLE 2052 (W468CRN) has a new SMART electronic interior destination fitted and the BELL has been replaced by a BUZZER Plaxton Dennis Dart SLF S377TMB has been used recently in allover white with CMT logo on front only Watch out for the next batch of Plaxton Super Darts due in October |
| 25 November 2002 Smart Timecheckers are being fitted to Dart SPD's and Volvo B10L's/B10BLE's in preparation for upgrade of routes 284 and 79. The fleet is receiving repaints, with Dart 2085 (Greenbus), Volvo B10B 2070, 2071, 2072 being first painted. All buses will be painted into full livery over the coming months. The next 5 SPDs are due towards the end of this month/early December (keep watching). |
| 31 December 2002 No sign yet of the new SPD Darts, but they are on their way. Dart 2086 PN02 KCC is currently out of service with it's fron grill area 'missing'. Not sure if this has been in a collision. In addition, A Volvo B10L has it's entire Front End missing due to a crash, a huge piece of plastic is covering this at the moment. Also a Lynx has had a a front end smash. Registrations details of these 2 buses will be confirmed shortly. Continuing with the repainting sees Volvo B10B 2002 (M648 YLV) being painted, this looks very smart now and looks almost new. However it has lost its 'CMT High Quality Buses' Decals and its Volvo B10B and Wright Endurance badges! |
| 8 January 2003 Unconfirmed news suggests that the remaining order for 35 Dart SPDs has been CANCELLED (due to sliding when braking in wet). To compensate for this, 12 Y-Reg Volvo's are apparently due at any time now. No details are yet confirmed on whether thi is true, or indeed whether B10BLE or B7L or body type. As soon as confirmation is made, update will be posted. Volvo B10BLE 2049 (W464CRN) was involved in RTA with Stagecoach Volvo B10M coach, PSBS Sunday 4/1/02 11.30. Both nearside windows smashed and wheelnuts damaged. Dart SPD 2086 is now back in service. |