Trivia - 2016 Seasonal Open Top Bus Services

[extendedpaul]

Harton Coaches in Barry South Wales recently introduced a weekend only open top bus service which initially ran between Barry town centre and Barry Island but has now been amended to a more interesting route between Penarth and Barry Island via Comeston and Sully. The return fare of £2.40 is an absolute bargain.

I think the majority of open top buses in the UK are operated by City Sightseeing but there are others scattered around. I know of the following operating now or starting shortly in 2016 ...

Penzance - St Ives - Lands End - Penzance (First)

Weymouth to Portland Bill (First)

Bournemouth to Swanage via Sandbanks Ferry (Morebus)

Bridlington to Flamborough Head / Scarborough Seafront service (Scarborough and District)

St Andrews to Leven (Stagecoach Fife Coastliner)

Rochester to Chatham Kent ( Arriva Explore Medway)

Torquay to Paignton (English Riviera Tours) and Paignton to Totnes Rail River Link (Stagecoach)

Needles and Downs Breezers on the Isle of Wight (Southern Vectis)

Brighton to Devil's Dyke (Brighton and Hove)

Apologies for any errors and I'm sure there are others ??

 

[trentside]

Stagecoach East Midlands operate the "Seasiders" between Skegness and Ingoldmells and between Cleethorpes and Thorpe Park. Each bus has an individual paint scheme and a name. Children can collect badges with the buses on, plus there are books and a tie-in with EMT which includes a cuddly toy 153!

It's a nice idea and a great bit of marketing from Stagecoach!

 

[overthewater]

I dont believe St Andrews to Leven (Stagecoach Fife Coastliner) is on the cards anymore and it would seems the open top tour of St Andrews town is back on. There posters adversiting it on the Express network.

 

[Hophead]

Brighton to Devil's Dyke (Brighton and Hove)

Not this year, I understand. Having the lid on means a second member of staff is not required (the 'conductor' is there to discourage bad behaviour on the top deck).

 

[extendedpaul]

Not this year, I understand. Having the lid on means a second member of staff is not required (the 'conductor' is there to discourage bad behaviour on the top deck).

That's a shame. We travelled on the 77 last August and there was no conductor on board then.

Parking at Devil's Dyke free as National Trust members and then using that open top bus was easier - and cheaper- than parking in Brighton

 

[Mr Manager]

Ipswich Buses. Town tour using MRT 9P.

 

[Kuyoyo]

Not this year, I understand. Having the lid on means a second member of staff is not required (the 'conductor' is there to discourage bad behaviour on the top deck).

Also can't happen as the two convertable open top Scania OmniDekkas moved to Go North East last week.

 

[THarris123]

Weston Super Mare has Crosville running an open top service around the town.

Is Falmouth operated by First 32027?

 

[83G/84D]

Weston Super Mare has Crosville running an open top service around the town.

Is Falmouth operated by First 32027?

Falmouth service 400 is normally operated by open top 32027.

There is also a service operated by Seaford & District:- http://www.journeysolutions.co.uk/EastbourneSightseeing.html

 

[Lynford1976]

Stagecoach South East have recently lopped the tops off two ex-London Tridents. They have (or will) be repainted into traditional East Kent open-top livery (cream with dark red relief*) and used on a service around the Isle of Thanet coastline - precise details not yet confirmed.

*: this year is East Kent's 100th year.

 

[quarella]

http://www.mendipmulemotorbus.co.uk/home.html

In W Dorset we visit Abbotsbury Swannery & Subtropical Gardens & Childrens Farm (with terrific discounts on admission), Burton Bradstock, West Bay, Bridport & Lyme Regis - whilst in E Devon we head for Axmouth, Seaton, Colyton & Colyford, Beer & Pecorama, Donkey Sanctuary & Sidmouth, Otter Nurseries & Bicton Park - even a super long day out to the Great Dorset Steam Fair - plus we are working on an evening tour programme as well!

Late June/early July will see the long awaited return of our single deck Mule to the 1971 'island of her birth', the Isle of Wight, and she will revisit some of her old haunts as well as tie in with cruises on the MV Balmoral, and in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the end of the steam railways over there (incidentally there will be some similar tours to mark the passing of the legendary Somerset & Dorset line).

 

[mark-h]

I think the majority of open top buses in the UK are operated by City Sightseeing

City Sightseeing is a franchise operation so the buses are operated by a mix of bus companies.

 

[Westnat]

Harton Coaches in Barry South Wales recently introduced a weekend only open top bus service which initially ran between Barry town centre and Barry Island but has now been amended to a more interesting route between Penarth and Barry Island via Comeston and Sully. The return fare of £2.40 is an absolute bargain.

I think the majority of open top buses in the UK are operated by City Sightseeing but there are others scattered around. I know of the following operating now or starting shortly in 2016 ...

Penzance - St Ives - Lands End - Penzance (First)

Weymouth to Portland Bill (First)

Bournemouth to Swanage via Sandbanks Ferry (Morebus)

Bridlington to Flamborough Head / Scarborough Seafront service (Scarborough and District)

St Andrews to Leven (Stagecoach Fife Coastliner)

Rochester to Chatham Kent ( Arriva Explore Medway)

Torquay to Paignton (English Riviera Tours) and Paignton to Totnes Rail River Link (Stagecoach)

Needles and Downs Breezers on the Isle of Wight (Southern Vectis)

Brighton to Devil's Dyke (Brighton and Hove)

Apologies for any errors and I'm sure there are others ??

Go Ahead South Coast operate 3 New Forest services.

 

[E-Rail]

Couple more for Go South Coast:

Shanklin Steamer (Southern Vectis) Every 30 minutes

And new for this year

Purbeck Breezer 60 - Poole to Sandbanks

 

[Volvodart]

Stagecoach Orkney T11

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/north-scotland/discover-orkney-open-top-bus

 

[oldman]

Stagecoach in the Lake District have a number of routes:

78 Keswick Seatoller
596 Windermere Lakeside
508 Penrith Glenridding
599 Bowness Grasmere

 

[Be3G]

I think the majority of open top buses in the UK are operated by City Sightseeing but there are others scattered around. I know of the following operating now or starting shortly in 2016 ...

[…]

Weymouth to Portland Bill (First)

A bus trip well worth taking, and (keeping in the theme of this website) excellent value as the whole trip is covered by a Weymouth Plusbus ticket.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

The 17 Seasider in Cleethorpes wil be FREE this weekend, as will the Lollipop Express Train on the promenade.

I'm sure I've heard of s recent open topper service in Lincoln aswell.

 

[trentside]

I'm sure I've heard of s recent open topper service in Lincoln aswell.

Yes, has been running for a few years now - an hourly tour of the city. Currently uses a converted Volvo B7TL / Wright Gemini. Previous vehicle was a Volvo Olympian now masquerading as "Hattie the Seasider". Interestingly that did once or twice escape onto normal services at Lincoln, though on certain routes people were prevented from sitting upstairs.

 

[KendalKing]

Torquay to Paignton (English Riviera Tours) and Paignton to Totnes Rail River Link (Stagecoach)

This was being operated by Dart Pleasure Cruises, last week, when I was on Holiday down that way.

 

[Hophead]

Also can't happen as the two convertable open top Scania OmniDekkas moved to Go North East last week.

Perhaps, then, a service in the North-East could be appended to the thread in due course (assuming the operator wants to use the open-top capability)?

 

[Robertj21a]

Perhaps, then, a service in the North-East could be appended to the thread in due course (assuming the operator wants to use the open-top capability)?

No, I think they are staying closed top.

 

[MrTurbostar170]

Due to arrive at Great Yarmouth very soon is a recently converted Open-top president to operate on Route 3 between Vauxhall Holiday Park and Haven Seashore Holiday Park branded as the "Seasider".

 

[Andyh82]

Shoreline Suncruisers - Scarborough seafront service

Arriva Buses Wales - Towyn to Talacre via Rhyl

 

[SCH117X]

Scarborough sea front service 109 operated by EYMS and Shoreline Suncruisers (in competition)

Bridlington - Flamborough service 100 operated by EYMS

 

[henairs]

Can't see the Stagecoach 95 service between Exmouth and Sandy Bay Devon mentioned. This is weather permitted operated by trident 17701 now in its second season on this route.
Cheers, Mike

 

[extendedpaul]

I've found a couple more myself.

Manchester has "Sightseeing Bus Tours" operating on certain Saturdays.

In Birmingham there is the "Big Brum Buz" on Saturday and Sunday

On both websites advance bookings are advised.

 

[Volvodart]

Here are the details of Fife's new open top service:-

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-scotland/open-top-route-95

 

[extendedpaul]

Here are the details of Fife's new open top service:-

https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east-scotland/open-top-route-95

Link does not work for me

 

[Volvodart]

It did work but Stagecoach seem to have removed it from the website.