De Lijn contractor - Gruson Autobus in Poperinge - 25 Apr 1997

Friday 27 April 1997 (approx. 1600) – Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn), the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. Two Gruson vehicles are seen here in Grote Markt, Poperinge.
On the left is 307102 (AEL 514), a Mercedes-Benz O 609D new in November 1995 with Denolf & Depla bodywork/conversion, operating ‘Belbus’ service. ‘Belbus’ is a network of smaller bus services serving the rural communities on a ‘dial a ride’ principle.
On the right is 357129 (4485 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in January 1989, which was operating the Ieper-Poperinge-Abele service 69b.
In addition to operating its own vehicles De Lijn employs numerous contractors whose vehicles carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four are the De Lijn contract number and the remaining two are the operators own fleet number.
De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen).