Stagecoach United Counties 157 (L157 JNH) leaving Kettering bus station – 13 Apr 1996 (307-7A)

Saturday 13 April 1996 – Stagecoach United Counties 157 (L157 JNH) seen leaving Kettering bus station bound for Corby. It is a Plaxton Premiere Interurban bodied Volvo B10M new in August 1993.

When the Stagecoach Group had need for a replacement for their ageing ‘dual purpose’ style of vehicles they worked with Plaxton and came up with the Interurban variant of the Plaxton Premiere. The model featured a number of bus like features built within the coach bodywork such as an enclosed driver’s cab, lino floor for easy cleaning etc but had coach comfort for medium distance services.
The Coachlinks name was used for a network of express and limited stop services operated within the UCOC area and to some places further afield.

The bus station subsequently closed and was redeveloped although the garage on Northampton Road remains. On the forecourt of the garage is National Express liveried Plaxton Premiere bodied Volvo B10M 92 (J430 HDS) and an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR beyond.