Volvo B7RLE’s creep their way into Hastings…..

Right, think back to two months ago. There were absoloutely no Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse Urbans in Hastings at all, but within the past month, four seem to have crept their way into Hastings & Bexhill based independent operators. These are the first B7RLEs to have ever been owned by a local company.

Firstly, Rambler Coaches of Hastings have acquired two Volvo B7RLE’s, which have been repainted into the rambler livery, and the wright badge painted black and silver – they look very smart. These vehicles are YK53GXO/P (Fleet Numbers 20/28), which were bought directly from Stagecoach Merseyside (quite surprisingly) which were their 21253/4. These were the very first two to be in Hastings and were new to First as 66705/6.

As well as this, Renown Transport Services have acquired two other B7RLE’s, which have been repainted into the renown livery, and similarly, look very smart. These vehicles are GN06EVH/L (Fleet Numbers Unknown), which were bought directly from Arriva Southern Counties (quite surprisingly) which were their 3805 and 3809. These were the next two to be into Hastings and were previously used om Fastrack Services, whilst with Arriva. Renown’s two seem to still advertise free Wi-Fi (whether they actually still have it, we are not sure) and some old Fastrack branding also seems to have been left on the windows.

If you want to try and find these vehicles, rambler’s two will most likely be on:
-Tesco Free Bus Services
-School Buses (mostly 342/356/382/383)
-Possibly occasionally Rail Replacement Services.

Renown’s two will most likely be used on routes:
-94
-95
-96
-97
-297
-312/3
-342
-384 School Bus
-Rail Replacement Bus Services