Here's yet more from Tula. Again, these are by Nikolai Markov, but others by
Edward Gratchev may be found here.
Edward Gratchev's shots include PR100.2s and PR180.2s in the blue and white of
CGEA, Montesson, a PR100MI in the red and white of CTB, Bourges and... well, go
have a look.
Tula no. 803
(AH 113 71)
Mk. I Renault PR180s are now very rare in France so I was particularly
pleased to receive this excellent shot. The bus was apparently one of RATP's fleet of PR180s
when new. It now bears the livery of a subsequent owner, SEMTA of Amiens.
Tula no. 812
(A 793 OA 71)
Another ex-Amiens PR180, photographed being fuelled at the end of a day's
work. This may also be an ex-RATP bus, however SEMTA also bought several batches
of PR180s new.
Tula no. 862
(AH 126 71)
Also in Amiens colours is this PR180R. This one definitely
originated with RATP in Paris, but subsequently worked for Courriers
Automobiles Picards who were subcontracted to operate a number of SEMTA's routes
in Amiens.
Tula no. 802
(A 747 OA 71)
No prizes for guessing the origin of this rather dented PR180. It originated
with RATP, and was one of a batch delivered with high-back seats for use on the express service
from Place Denfert-Rochereau to Orly airport. The batch were replaced with new
PR180.2s in 1993 (these in turn have recently given way to Scania OmniCity
artics). However, this bus is not thought to have turned up in Tula until around
1999. Where was it before that? Elsewhere in Russia or languishing in a dealer's
yard in France?
Tula no. 811
(AH 116 71)
Another of Tula's ex-Orlybuses, still happily operating in its RATP livery.
Note the Ikarus 280 artic in the background.
Tula no. 870
(B 458 XP 71)
A total of four Safra-refurbished PR100MIs have
made it to Tula. Two of them are from a batch of ten buses which once belonged
to RTCR, La Rochelle.
Tula no. 879 (B 883 XP 71)
The other two came from Bus Azur, the urban operator in Cannes, and retain
their white livery with blue and yellow designs. This one has been
experimentally re-engined with a Russian-built V6 diesel engine and a 5-speed
manual gearbox in an attempt to find a solution to the lack of spare parts for
these buses. However, the conversion has not been entirely successful and the
bus is unpopular with drivers due to the awkward gearbox.
Tula no. 832 (B 143 YB 71)
The other ex-Cannes bus hurries across a junction under trolleybus wires. It
still bears its Bus Azur fleetnames and old fleetnumber (75). These identify it
as a Safra-refurbished PR100MIPS, new in late-1982.