I sampled the rail replacement operation during the first week of operation. The day got off to a poor start when the train from Peterborough to East Midlands Parkway was cancelled by a train failure. With no alternative options available, it was an hour's wait for the next service. On arrival at East Midlands Parkway, my first visit to the station (opened 2009), there was an abundance of signs directing passengers for Nottingham, and other rail destinations, to the station frontage. Rail replacement vehicles were waiting and I along with other passengers was able to get straight on to the buses. There were numerous staff on hand to assist passengers. A downside of the hot weather meant that conditions on the bus I joined, a Nottingham City Transport Dennis Trident with Plaxton President bodywork, were like a sauna. This was one of six former Go-Ahead London vehicles - new to First - acquired for this contract and refurbished to single-door layout.
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