Compass Travel Depot Visit

Last week (Monday 12th February to be precise) I decided to visit Worthing’s Compass Travel Depot situated in Faraday Close. I was warmly welcomed by managing director Chris Chatfield and after exchanging a few pleasantries he passed me on to a colleague who furnished me with a hi-viz jacket and took me out into the yard.

Three things I immediately noticed were the introduction of a new fleet numbering system, two green interlopers and former Konectbus Wright Pulsar-Gemini bodied VDL YJ05PXA. To the right of PXA was another DAF in the form of LJ04LFK which had been acquired from dealer Ensignbus in December.

The interlopers were Seaford and District's Alexander Dennis Pointer Dart 504 (SD05SEA) and ADL Enviro200 402 (YX09FNJ). These were on loan to assist in the operation of routes taken over from Seaford in early January following the latter's withdrawal from bus operations.

Also in the yard was another Alexander Dennis Enviro200, KX58GUJ, which had received the name 'Roger Knight 1945-2014' in respect of a former operations manager.

Having completed my visit I handed back my hi-viz jacket and bade farewell. On leaving I became aware of another yard further along Faraday Close containing two Compass buses and a workshop

On closer inspection one of the two vehicles on the forecourt was Transbus Dart VX05UHS which had been withdrawn in December for scrapping. It was, therefore, awaiting collection for its final journey.

The repair workshop looked very busy with at least three buses being worked on with Enviro200 GX62CSF at the forefront.

Once more my thanks to Compass Travel for a very enjoyable visit with some friendly and helpful staff in attendance.

Roy