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Now Denbighshire Goes Yellow!

Updated 14 November 2003 with press comment

Wrexham Council can no longer claim to be the only authority in Wales to see brand new yellow buses on school duties.

Following its first outing today (Monday 1 September) on a private hire from Rhyl to Gulliver's World, Denbighshire Council joins Wrexham in providing a yellow alternative for its pupils. The vehicle is owned and operated by the Council.

What is RouteONE's view of Denbighshire?
RouteONE is the name of the bus & coach industry's newest weekly trade journal. Well produced and edited, and with a wide range of interesting news and features, the publication looks set to become the industry benchmark.

Its second edition dated 13 November 2003 featured an extensive three page article on the Denbighshire owned and operated Scolabus 24.

RouteONE concluded that teachers at the school which sees the vehicle, parents and pupils were all behind the scheme, which replaced what had been a double deck operation the July before. RouteONE also concluded that the vehicle was "fit for the purpose", easy to drive but did have limitations for longer trips. Praise did not stop with the project - Denbighshire's driver is also applauded.

Where RouteONE had its concerns was over the affect the in-house operation might have on the relationship between Denbighshire Council and its contractors. Bus companies claimed that the operation was "unfair competition", though none wished to be named in the article.

Denbighshire's FX53 GYK seen after delivery on 28 August 2003

Whereas Wrexham's operations are under contract to First, Denbighshire has taken the less usual step of leasing its solitary vehicle. As owner and operator of the vehicle, Denbighshire is the first authority in Wales to run a dedicated school bus... yellow or otherwise.

Local authorities have powers to operate their own school buses. Although not widely taken up, over the last five years a number of English and Scottish authorities have joined long established school bus operators such as East Sussex Council.

The Vehicle

Vehicle FX53 GYK is a Scolabus 24 which is based on an Italian Iveco truck chassis with a French Vehixel 68 seat body. Seats are configured in a "three plus two arrangement."

There certainly is no doubt about who are on this bus!

In the tradition of new school buses, it is painted yellow. It retains the Scolarbus 24 black side decals.

With seating for 68 passengers, capacity is almost the same as a double deck.

The Concept

The bus will be used on a school contract daily from the Llandegla area to Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Ruthin. Outside these times, the vehicle will be available for hire for example by schools for bath runs, etc.

Council produced publicity also states that it is available for evening private hires.

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