ADL E20D 30965 on the 303

[TimBrown]

On a dark and dull day, Tuesday 23 December 2025, the 303 was worked from Worcester to Kidderminster along Grange Avenue at 10-45 AM by an ADL E20D 30965 Reg. No. YX63 ZXL which was new in December 2013 with B39F bodywork; quite a change from the usual offering of Volvo B7RLE buses with either Plaxton Centro or Wright Eclipse bodywork.

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[TimBrown]

Then yesterday, Wednesday 31 December 2022, 31433 Reg. No. YY67 USB an ADL E 20D with B33F bodywork new 12/2017 to Dunn (Yourbus) Heanor, put in an appearance in the morning on the 303 between Worcester and Kidderminster. In the afternoon it was working between Kidderminster and Redditch according to Bustimes website.

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[TimBrown]

Today, Monday 12 January 2026, Wright Streetlite 32313 Reg. No. BD20 ODC new to Diamond 03/2020 with B41F bodywork was photographed in Grange Avenue working the 12-30 service from Worcester to Kidderminster. Somewhat more modern than anything First Bus Worcester have to offer!

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[TimBrown]

In complete contrast the 303 is also worked between Worcester and Kidderminster by smart looking vintage 18 year old Volvo B7RLE buses with Wrights Eclipse Urban bodywork as per the following;
On Thursday 15 January 2026 30813 Reg. no. FJ57 CYW new 09/2007 to Flights Hallmark with B45F seating arrangement.

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Then today, Saturday 17 January 2026, 30409 Reg. No. YJ07 OZW new 04/2007 to Lancashire United, as their 1818, with DP44F seating arrangement.

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Away from buses, I was given an opportunity to photograph the electricity pylon tower at the end of Grange Avenue with the sun on it against a dark cloud background. These structures take a lot of criticism by environmentalists for being ugly blots on the landscape, but it appears this one and its fellows have been carrying high voltage cables supplying the Midlands National Grid with electricity for nigh on 80 years - not all bad then!

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[TimBrown]

Apologies for printing the wrong fleet number of Reg. No. YJ07 OZW, it should read 30410 not 30409. The real 30409, Reg. No. YJ07 OZV new 04/2007 to Lancashire United Transport, as their 1817, with Wrights Eclipse Urban bodywork and DP44F seating layout was working the 303 today, Monday 19 January 2026, along with the above 30410, both almost 19 years old.

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[TimBrown]

Yesterday, Friday 23 January 2026, 30858, Reg. No.BU08 DHP, a Volvo B7RLE new 08/2008 to Diamond as their 858 with Wright Eclipse Urban bodywork and B45F seating layout worked the 303 all day, as did 30825 Reg. No. BX09 SRO, another Volvo B7RLE, new 05/2009 to Diamond as their 825 but with Plaxton Centro bodywork and B45F seating layout.

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[Reddibus]

30858 is in Preston Bus livery with a red diamond logo for the West Midlands operation on the front and a green diamond logo for the Diamond Bus North West operation on the side showing nomadic life the bus has had starting its life at Redditch in the then Red Diamond livery running services in competition with First Midland Red