Trip to Leicester / Beaumont Centre 05-11-2016

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
4759	Leicester St Margarets BS	Birstall, opp Beechfield Avenue	127	Arriva Leicester
904	Birstall, before Beechfield Avenue	Leicester St Margarets BS	2	Kinch Bus
4764	Leicester St Margarets BS	Birstall, Red Hill Circle (N Bound)	127	Arriva Leicester
254	Birstall, opp East Road	Leicester, Charles Street (Stand CC)	22A	Centrebus
35152	Leicester Haymarket BS	Beaumont Centre (Stand A)	14A	First Leicester
35155	Beaumont Centre (Stand A)	Leicester Haymarket BS	14A	First Leicester

Today we decided to visit Leicester for the first time. Matthew had been interested in going into Leicester before, when have previously caught buses out of Hinckley, but with time limited as to how far you can travel, we have not been before. We did research of checking to see if there was a multi-operator ticket, for which thankfully there was one. And we download bus maps for the Flexi Ticket area as well as Arriva, First and Centrebus bus maps. We also did some research on where we could park and where we could eat. Matthew got up around 10:30 and had toast and blackcurrant juice for breakfast. We set off just after 12:00 and we drove down to the A5035. We turned left and we ran through Dresden and into Longton, before crossing and joining the Eastbound A50. We ran past the Copeland's Tours depot at Meir where we could see the two orange coaches MIB 116 & MIB 118. We carried on Eastward past Uttoxeter and as we got to the A518 roundabout we saw Robin Hood coach MKZ 1877 join the A50 ahaed of us. We also saw Midland classic single decker 84 follow us on a #401 to Burton-on-Trent. As we ran out Eastwards to the M1 we saw Wilfreda Beehive YJ11 ANX, Silverdale YT16 JMU & Clarkes MV12 ???. We got onto the big roundabout to join the Southbound M1 and we saw Clarkes YN16 NZD. We joined the M1 and as travelled South we passed an unidentified Mercedes party minibus going the other way. We ran South to Junction 22 and we went South Eastwards down the A50 into the centre of Leicester. When we got to Fog island we turned left onto Blackbird Road and right onto Ravensbridge Drive. We turned right onto the A6 and we ran into the centre of town. We crossed the ring road and we pulled into the Matalan car park. After stopping to talk to to the car parking attendant about the T&C's of parking in the car park (a Sikh gentleman with the most amazing moustache that I have ever seen in person) we decided to park elsewhere. As it was a one way street and we had missed the bus station turning, we re-joined the ring road by going along Mansfield Street and Abbey Street. We came back into Church Gate and we turned left onto Gravel Street. There were some short stay car parking spaces on the street so we parked up and then Headed into the bus station. On the way in we saw Harry Shaw VDL coach YJ13 HTG.

Harry Shaw YJ13 HTG in Leicester bus station

We walked into the Leicester St Margarets bus station and Matthew went to the toilet. We didn't find the disabled toilets on this visit, so Matthew used the gents which were a little grim to say the least. The bus station, which is considered to be the main one of the two in town seemed to be in need of a little TLC. We went to the the bus station cafe where we had planned to have dinner and Matthew had a breakfast washed down with a can of coke. From the cafe we could see a few of the stands and we saw buses coming and going on the #2 and #127 services. Both seemed to be quite frequent and a quick check of the Flexi Ticket area map revealed both service went up to towards Birstall. When we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and we walked across to required Arriva Midlands double decker 4759 which was about to work a #127 to Loughborough.

Arriva Midlands 4759 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we booked Flexi Day Tickets at £5.20 each before going upstairs. The rear of the top deck was empty so Matthew decided to take a picture inside Arriva Midlands 4759.

Inside Arriva Midlands 4759

Whilst we waited for the bus to depart we saw Skills of Nottingham National Express liveried coach BX16 CHJ come into the bus station to go on layover. When it was time to depart the bus reversed off the stand and we ran out onto Gravel Street. At the end we turned left onto Abbey Street and right onto the ring road. We came off the ring road at the next roundabout and we turned left onto the A607. There was a very large roundabout Belgrave Circus and we went across onto the 'Golden Mile'. From this point on there were lights and garlands hanging from building and post still in place from the recent Diwali festival that took place up to and around 30th October. There was a large big wheel set up adjacent to the road on the Eastern side. We travelled for around 1/4 a mile and we turned left onto Loughborough Road where we saw white Van Hool coach PLZ 6542 and white minibus R361 AKL. We travelled North for a further 3/4 of a mile and we crossed the A563 outer ring road and went forwards onto the A6. We passed within a 1/4 mile of the Southern terminus of the Great Central Railway. After we crossed the ring road we paused at the first stop for a short while to wait for time and then we continued up the road. We had seen on the map that there was a #22 service in the area so we thought if we got off the road a bit further up we would have a choice of services back. We travelled a further 1/4 of a mile or so and then we got up and got off the bus. Once off the bus Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4759 as it carried on towards Loughborough.

Arriva Midlands 4759 in Birstall

We crossed the road to the stop opposite and we looked at the timetable on the post. There were only 2 different service from this stop. The #127 and the #2 operated by Kinch Bus. As we were to find out later that the #22 travel into the centre of Birstall and the road we were on was more of a bypass build some time ago judging by the mid 20th century semi-detached houses on either side of the road. There were at least 6 buses an hour down this road, so we knew we wouldn't have to wait too long. A few minutes later we saw a Kinch Bus approaching. As it got closer we hailed it down and we saw that it was required Kinch Bus Mercedes single decker 904.

Kinch Bus 904 in Birstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi day Ticket to the driver before we sat down towards the back of the bus. We set off down the road and at the roundabout we went straight across onto Loughborough Road. We ran down to the Golden Mile and we joined the Southbound A607. As we crossed over Belgrave Circus we noticed a few double decker coaches on an adjacent street. We went straight across onto Belgrave gate and as we approached the junction of Abbey Street caught our first glimpse of the other bus station... The modern Haymarket bus station adjacent to the shopping centre of the same name. We turned onto Abbey Street and we run to near the end where we turned into the St Margaret bus station. We got up and got off the bus and unusually Matthew didn't wait for the bus to empty to get a picture inside. When we got off the bus this time Matthew took us outside to the adjacent Gravel Street where we found the disabled toilets on the outside of the bus station next to the coach stands. Matthew used the toilet and when he came out he we saw Easy Yorkshire Motor Services' National Express liveried coach 74 which was on a #327 to Scarborough.

EYMS 74 in Leicester bus station

We walked back inside the bus station and we had decided on doing another #127 service out of town so that we could catch a #22 back in. On stand waiting was required Arriva Midlands 4764.

Arriva Midlands 4764 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi day Ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The bus was already partially filled and Matthew didn't take a picture inside. We set off out of the bus station and we joined the Eastbound ring road. Like before we went as far as the A607 where we went East. We ran over Belgrave Circus and we saw Arriva Midlands 2406 & 2527 both on #6 Syston services. We veered left onto Loughborough Road and we passed an old favourite Arriva Midlands 4777 on a #127 to Leicester. We had quite a few mile on that bus back when it was part of the Wardles Transport fleet and branded for the X50 service. Our first run on the bus was back in April 2012 from Uttoxeter to Fenton. We crossed the A563 and we got up and got off the bus. Matthew took another picture of Arriva Midlands 4764 before if carried on towards Loughborough.

Arriva Midlands 4764 in Birstall

This time we had checked the map and we saw the the #22 service deviated from the #127 by going up Birstall Road and into the old village instead of going up Loughborough Road. We crossed the road and as we were walking around the corner into Birstall Road we saw Paul S Winson coach XX15 PSW going around the roundabout.

Paul S Winson XX15 PSW in Birstall

We walked up Birstall Road to the stop and we discovered that the #22's were operated by Centrebus. We though that the #22's were operated by First as we had seen First Leicester Streetlites with #22 branding on them. We saw there was a bus due shortly so to make thing happen quicker we gave Matthew a double Milky way, which we shared with me and uncle Dave. As soon as we started eating we saw a Centrebus Solo come around the corner. As it got closer we saw that it was required Centrebus 254.

Centrebus 254 in Birstall

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi day Ticket to the driver before we went to the back of the bus and sat down. We managed to stop Matthew from honking the horn at this point. The bus sat and waited time for a short while and then we continued over the A563 onto Loughborough Road. As we ran towards the A607 we saw Arriva Midlands 4777 again on a #127 to Loughborough. We joined the A607 and we ran into town over Belgrave Circus onto Belgrave Gate. We veered to the left onto Charles Street and past the Haymarket bus station. We went a bit further down the road than I had hoped we would, but we got up and got off the bus. Unfortunately this time I was able to stop Matthew honking the horn. :( We walked back up Charles Street and on to the way to the bus station we saw Centrebus 250 on a #54A to Goodwood and Arriva Midlands 4425 on a #47 to South Wigston. We crossed over the road and we saw First Leicester Streetlite 63345 on a #38 service to Nether Hall.

First Leicester 63345 in Leicester

We walked towards the bus station and on one of the near end stands we saw Arriva Midlands 4525 on a #5 service to Melton Mowbray.

Arriva Midlands 4525 in Leicester bus station

We walked through the bus station and out the other side. Buses of interest seen were First Leicester 55106 on a #20 to Braunstone, tram liveried First Leicester 66965 on a #18 to Braunstone and former Potteries bus First Leicester 66311 on a #12 to park Rise. We walked back into the bus station and we saw required First Leicester Streetdeck 35152 on a #14A to the Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35152 in Leicester bus station

We asked Matthew if he wanted to do this double decker and he said yes. As we queued to get on the double decker we saw required Arriva Midlands 4007 on an adjacent stand abut to work a #31A service to Coombe Rise.

Arriva Midlands 4007 in Leicester bus station

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi day Ticket to the driver before we went upstairs and sat down. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Leicester 35152 before we sat down.

Inside First Leicester 35152

Whilst we waited for departure time we saw Stagecoach Midlands 27686 on a X7 to Market Harborough.

Stagecoach Midlands 27686 in Leicester bus station

We also saw a Viking coaches white Bova. We set off out of the bus station onto Belgrave Gate and onto Abbey Street. We turned left onto the A594 and we went past the St Margarets bus station where we saw Arriva Midlands 4752 running out of service. We turned right onto the A50 and we crossed over the Grand Union Canal and the river Soar. Near to Aldi we turned right onto Fosse Road North and forwards onto Henley Road. We turned right onto Petworth Driva and forwards onto Aikman Avenue. After a mile run through a housing estate we turned right onto the A563 outer ring road. After we crossed the A50 we entered Glenfield Hospital, before continuing North up the A563. We turned left onto Anstey lane and right onto Binnion Road. We ran past the Beaumont Centre before doing a u-turn at the next roundabout and pulling up outside the main pedestrian entrance on the shopping centre and bus stops. We got of the bus and we also saw First Leicester 63355 which was on a #25 to Leicester.

First Leicester 63355 in Beaumont Centre

On the adjacent Rutherford Road we saw we saw First Leicester 63347 on a #74 to Anstey.

First Leicester 63347 in Beaumont Centre

There was a McDonalds nearby so we went over to use the toilet. Whilst uncle Dave accompanied Matthew to the facilities, I queued up to get some fries and a plain cheeseburger. We headed back to the bus stop and we saw First Leicester 66975 on a #74 to Anstey.

First Leicester 66975 in Beaumont Centre

We sat at the bus stop an Matthew ate his cheeseburger and fries, which he washed down with a can of Vimto. A few minutes later we saw the double decker run up to the roundabout to do the u-turn before returning to the stop. It was required First Leicester Streetdeck 35155.

First Leicester 35155 in Beaumont Centre

We got on the bus and we flashed the Flexi day Ticket to the driver for the final time today before we went upstairs and sat down. The top deck was empty so Matthew took a picture inside First Leicester 35155 before we sat down.

Inside First Leicester 35155

The bus filled up and we went South down to the A563 and into Glenfield Hospital. We crossed over the A50 and we continued South for 1/4 a mile before turning right into Aikman Avenue. We ran into town along Fosse road North, joining the A50 and running through Frog Island onto the A594. We turned right into Abbey street and we saw Silverdale MX10 DFL & South Gloucestershire (National Express) BX65 WCA on a #339 service to Grimsby. We ran into Charles Street before we entered the bus station for the final time. We got up and got off the bus and then we met up with mum. We went to the toilets which were better than the facilities as st Margaret's by a long way. When then headed to the car which mum had moved to the Haymarket car park. On the way we stopped outside the bus station to take a few pictures. We saw First Leicester 35184 on a #54 service to the Beaumont Centre.

First Leicester 35184 in Leicester bus station

We walked into the shopping centre and to the back where we got in the lift. The car was parked close to the lift and we got in where Matthew had a Greggs sausage roll washed down with a small bottle of Irn Bru. We left the car park and down onto Belgrave Gate. We turned left onto Abbey Street and we ran down to the A594 ring Road. We turned right onto the A50 and we ran out of town along Frog Island. Somehow we managed to miss the turning and we ran South to the A47 before going West to the outer ring road and North along the A563 up the A50. We ran the 5 or 6 miles to M1 and as we ran Westwards through the darkness we passed an unidentified Stagecoach Megabus on a M20 service. We went North up to the A50 and we ran West for around 35 miles. When we got to Longton we came off the A50 so that we could see what was parked up at Z Carz this evening. In the front row was recent arrival Z Carz Citroen minibus LV59 DZC.

Z Carz LV59 DZC in Longton

Also in the front row was Z Carz Ford minibus LG09 JVX.

Z Carz LG09 JVX in Longton

The nearest vehicle in the front row was another recent arrival to the fleet, Z Carz Citroen minibus LV10 OTM.

Z Carz LV10 OTM in Longton

In the second row we saw Z Carz Renault minibus MV53 KKO.

Z Carz MV53 KKO in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to see what was parked in the compound this evening. We saw Z Carz Ford minibus YS09 LWV.

Z Carz YS09 LWV in Longton

We also saw Z Carz minibus YJ53 WPD. We re-joined the A50 and we crossed over onto Baths Road and into Tesco where we filled up with Petrol. Whilst there we saw Intercity minibus SF58 EWL. We ran along the A50 and we came off it again at Heron Cross. We ran through Blurton along Blurton Road and we turned right into Church Road. We turned right into Beaconsfield Drive getting home around 19:45. For a late tea Matthew had bangers and mash with carrots followed by a jam filled shortbread biscuit. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:00... Mark