Saturday 3 August 2024 (0947) – Theobolds Coaches of Luton KC15 DHY seen taking a break at the Shell Service Area at Fiveways, Barton Mills.

It is a Neoplan N2216 that was new in April 2015 to Royale European, Heston registered RE15 JAK. The revised livery now features white relief and the kingfisher symbol from the fleetname is also carried on the side windows in a style of the bird flying away.

For some years Theobold’s has operated this combined holiday express service/day excursion from Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Luton to Great Yarmouth on Summer Saturdays. For 2024 the dates of operation were the six Saturdays of the school holiday period (July 20 and 27 and 3, 10, 17 and 24 August). As well as carrying holiday passengers who stay at the coast for a week or more the coach is also advertised as a day excursion. It would give day visitors an arrival at about 1130 returning about 1630.

This was the second of two Theobolds vehicles I saw during my hour at Fiveways both of which I assume were working on the same assignment. However, whereas this coach made a stop here the first one that passed through at 0918 did so without stopping.

Theobolds appears to share the same management as County Coaches (UK) LLP which trades as coachhire4u. The logo of the latter appears below the driver's window.