JOHNYOUNG experiences the operator’s varied fleet as he spends a day on the Burton upon Trent network
Burton upon Trent and its surrounding towns are not an area I profess to know well. I had also never been on a Midland Classic bus, although I knew they ran a smart operation. As it was also some considerable time since I had visited the area, a day out sampling its services was felt to be in order. It’s easy to navigate website gave me all the information I needed beforehand, with network maps, timetables and ticket options all easily navigable.
Newest bus
A friend and I presented ourselves at the bus stop on Tutbury High Street shortly after 10:00 and within a couple of minutes a Burton-bound service 401 appeared, spot on time. The bus was the newest member of the fleet and only example of its type, Volvo B8RLE/MCV EvoRa 10 (BV21 OPM).
The driver correctly and efficiently issued us with a £7 Network Duo ticket, available after 09:00 or all day at weekends.
The bus had next stop announcements, something we were to realise was commonplace in this fleet, along with USB sockets and seatbelts. Less welcome was the rattle from the temporary Covid protection screen around the driver’s cab, not helped by …
