Travel Coventry Service 12

www.buszone.co.uk
Welcome to BusZone's unofficial page about Travel Coventry's trunk route 12.

Coventry (Pool Meadow) - University of Warwick - Kenilworth - Leamington Spa - Sydenham (Gainsborough Avenue)

Service 12 is one of the most frequent services in Coventry, during university term times it runs between the University and Coventry every 10 minutes Monday - Friday daytimes with extras at peak periods, every 30 minutes in the evenings, and every 15 minutes Saturday and Sunday. Out of term time the service from the University to Coventry runs approximately every 15 minutes Monday - Saturday daytime, and then every 30 minutes evenings and Sundays. Some of these services go through to Leamington and Sydenham, operating all through the year every 30 minutes Monday - Saturday daytimes, every 60 minutes in the evenings, and every 90 minutes on Sundays.

Over the years there have been several variants on service 12 making up the frequency:

12 Coventry - Leamington Spa via Herald Avenue, University of Warwick & Kenilworth
12A Coventry - Leamington Spa via Herald Avenue, University of Warwick & A46 (express to Leamington)
12E Earlsdon - University of Warwick (peak period extras)
12W Coventry - Westwood Business Park via Herald Avenue & University of Warwick
112 Coventry - Leamington Spa via Kenilworth Road, University of Warwick & Kenilworth (express to Coventry)

In the mid 2000s the 12A and 112 were changed into ordinary 12s, and then in April 2006 the 12E and 12W were renumbered 12 highlighting the frequency of the route.

Generally Dennis Tridents with Alexander ALX 400 bodywork are used on the route along with the occasional Volvo. Prior to the arrival of the Tridents in summer 2001 the route was solely operated by these Metrobuses, and then saw a mixture on peak extras until later in the 2000s. Occasionally a single deck low floor or Leyland Lynx can appear on some of the quieter journeys, before going on to normal duties on other routes. Very occasionally though they do stay on the route for the whole day.

Following are some pictures of buses operating the route, starting from Coventry Pool Meadow Bus Station, going through to Leamington Parish Church via the University, and then back to the University and Coventry again.

2867 on 14 June 2001 (25028 bytes)

This is MCW Metrobus Mk II 2867 at Coventry Pool Meadow bus station on 14th June 2001, departing for Leamington. This bus wears traditional Coventry corporation colours and a model has actually been produced of it on this route, but heading back to Coventry.

2770 on 16 November 2002 (35861 bytes)

2770 leaving the Coventry Railway Station stop on 16th November 2002 on a short working to the University.

2770 on 8 October 2000 (21927 bytes)

2770 again, this time at the main University bus stop loading passengers heading for Leamington on 8th October 2000. At this time it still had silver between the decks.

4404 on 3 January 2003 (46594 bytes)

4404 provides a more up to date view from the same location, but from the opposite side of the road. It is a Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400, and is seen on 3rd January 2003.

4215 on 26th September 2001 (33161 bytes)

This is 4215 stopped a little bit past the bus stop which was being blocked by a Stagecoach Olympian on 26th September 2001.

2968 on 18 June 2001 (28612 bytes)

Here is MCW Metrobus Mk II 2968 approaching the Lower Parade in Leamington, heading back to Coventry on 18th June 2001.

916 & 2634 on 4 May 2001 (26291 bytes)

This is MCW Metrobus Mk 2 2634 competing for passengers with Stagecoach Midland Red Alexander RL Type 916 heading for the University opposite the Parish Church on 4th May 2001.

3037 on 4 May 2001 (31813 bytes)

Here is MCW Metrobus Mk II 3037 passing the Royal Pump Room in Leamington on 4th May 2001.

2465 on 19th January 2001 (20074 bytes)

This is MCW Metrobus Mk II 2465 approaching the first of the two Warwick University stops in the snow on 19th January 2001.

2839 on 18 November 2002 (53577 bytes)

This is 2839 unloading at the first University stop on 18th November 2002. Students usually alight here for the main academic areas of the University.

3038 on 19 January 2001 (21695 bytes)

This is MCW Metrobus Mk II 3038 operating the 112 variant again in the snow at the second Warwick University stop on 19th January 2001. This stop is just outside the Students Union, and is where most students from Campus board buses.

4208 on 3rd October 2001 (33077 bytes)

This is Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 4208 as the same position, operating another of the variants, the 12E on 3rd October 2001.

4212 on 3 January 2003 (43016 bytes)

Another view from the same location, this time 4212 on 3rd January 2003 not longer after repaint into Travel Coventry livery.

4206 on 7 December 2001 (22588 bytes)

This is Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 4206 on the A46 just before the junction with Standard Avenue on 7th December 2001.

4218 on 29 September 2001 (29798 bytes)

This is 4218, one of Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400s, opposite Sainsburys in Canley on 29th September 2001.

4212 on 5 January 2002 (27234 bytes)

This Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 fleet number 4212 passing Coventry Railway Station on 5th January 2002.

4224 on 10 January 2002 (24397 bytes)

This Dennis Trident / Alexander ALX400 fleet number 4224 about to enter Coventry Pool Meadow bus station on 10th January 2002.