Miscellaneous: I to O

Wednesday 22 March 1995 - In May 1994 during the construction of the London Underground Jubilee Line, the North London Railways line was blocked between Stratford and North Woolwich. During the period of the work a replacement bus service was provided by Kentish Bus with vehicles sporting a dedicated North London Railways livery. Park Royal bodied Leyland Atlantean AN269 (KPJ 269W) was new in April 1981 and is seen at Woolwich Ferry.

Wednesday 22 March 1995 - In May 1994 during the construction of the London Underground Jubilee Line, the North London Railways line was blocked between Stratford and North Woolwich. During the period of the work a replacement bus service was provided by Kentish Bus with vehicles sporting a dedicated North London Railways livery. Leyland Lynx 412 (G45 VME) was new in October 1989 to Boro’line Maidstone in October 1989 and is seen at Woolwich Ferry.

Wednesday 25 September 1991 (approx. 0815) – In September 1986 London Country Bus Services was split into four smaller companies. London Country Bus Services (South East) became the operator from four garages in Kent. In April 1987 the LCBS (SE) company was renamed the Kentish Bus and Coach Company. In 1988 the company was purchased by Proudmutual in the privatisation of the National Bus Company. In early 1990 Kentish Bus was successful in being award tenders to operate London Regional Transport routes 22A, 22B and 55 and placed 43 Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympians in service on those contracted routes. These were numbered 514-556 (G514-556 VBB). In this view 515 (G515 VBB) is parked at Centre Point between trips on service 55 from/to Clapton. The street layout here is different today although the spire of St. Giles in the Fields Church is recognisable. In the earlier days of the London contracts the ‘all red livery’ edict did not apply and the buses employed carried the operating company’s own livery.

Wednesday 25 September 1991 (approx. 0815) – In September 1986 London Country Bus Services was split into four smaller companies. London Country Bus Services (South East) became the operator from four garages in Kent. In April 1987 the LCBS (SE) company was renamed the Kentish Bus and Coach Company. In 1988 the company was purchased by Proudmutual in the privatisation of the National Bus Company. In early 1990 Kentish Bus was successful in being award tenders to operate London Regional Transport routes 22A, 22B and 55 and placed 43 Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympians in service on those contracted routes. These were numbered 514-556 (G514-556 VBB). In this view 532 (G532 VBB) is seen on New Oxford Street working a service 55 to Clapton. In the earlier days of the London contracts the ‘all red livery’ edict did not apply and the buses employed carried the operating company’s own livery.

Wednesday 25 September 1991 (approx. 0815) – In September 1986 London Country Bus Services was split into four smaller companies. London Country Bus Services (South East) became the operator from four garages in Kent. In April 1987 the LCBS (SE) company was renamed the Kentish Bus and Coach Company. In 1988 the company was purchased by Proudmutual in the privatisation of the National Bus Company. In early 1990 Kentish Bus was successful in being award tenders to operate London Regional Transport routes 22A, 22B and 55 and placed 43 Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympians in service on those contracted routes. These were numbered 514-556 (G514-556 VBB). In this view 535 (G535 VBB) is seen on New Oxford Street working a service 55 from Clapton. In the earlier days of the London contracts the ‘all red livery’ edict did not apply and the buses employed carried the operating company’s own livery.

Sunday 25 September 1994 – Kentish Bus and Coach 558 (L558 YCU), a Northern Counties Palatine bodied Volvo Olympian new in April 1994, seen at the Showbus Rally at Duxford.

Monday 4 June 2012 (1519) - Seen outside the Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern, Kettlewells Coaches of Retford, Nottinghamshire KET 6 was unloading its clientele on a ‘Heart of England, Malvern and Worcester’ five day tour. A Neoplan Starliner N516SHD new to Kettlewells in September 2005 registered YN55 NPK.

Monday 4 June 2012 (1518) - Seen through the ancient Abbey gateway in Great Malvern, Kettlewells Coaches of Retford, Nottinghamshire KET 6 was unloading its clientele at the Abbey Hotel on a ‘Heart of England, Malvern and Worcester’ five day tour. A Neoplan Starliner N516SHD new to Kettlewells in September 2005 registered YN55 NPK.

Tuesday 11 July 2006 – The Kings Ferry of Gillingham, Kent had a small base in the Cambridge area from where it operated a shuttle bus service for staff at the Oakington Immigration Reception Centre just outside the city centre. The centre which closed in 2010 occupied the site of the former RAF Oakington World War 2 airfield and is now occupied by the Northstowe new town. The regular bus on the contract was YP52 CUU a Scania N94UB with, for British work, rather unusual Spanish built Castrosua CS-40 City bodywork. A unique bus new in January 2003 built as a prototype before Scania teamed up with East Lancs Coachbuilders to build the OmniTown smaller bus. It was seen at Parkside before going to the operate the shuttle from the Railway Station around 0845. On the right is Burton’s Coaches T104 KGV, a Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario.

Tuesday 11 July 2006 – The Kings Ferry of Gillingham, Kent had a small base in the Cambridge area from where it operated a shuttle bus service for staff at the Oakington Immigration Reception Centre just outside the city centre. The centre which closed in 2010 occupied the site of the former RAF Oakington World War 2 airfield and is now occupied by the Northstowe new town. The regular bus on the contract was YP52 CUU a Scania N94UB with, for British work, rather unusual Spanish built Castrosua CS-40 City bodywork. A unique bus new in January 2003 built as a prototype before Scania teamed up with East Lancs Coachbuilders to build the OmniTown smaller bus. It was seen at Parkside before going to the operate the shuttle from the Railway Station around 0845. On the right is Burton’s Coaches T104 KGV, a Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz Vario.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1139) – Marshall’s Coaches of Leighton Buzzard H12 FWM seen on the A11 at Barton Mills. It has Jonckheere JHV bodywork possibly on a Volvo chassis. The window label shows 771 which relates to one of the company’s commuter services to London and not relevant to this journey.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1139) – Marshall’s Coaches of Leighton Buzzard H12 FWM seen on the A11 at Barton Mills. It has Jonckheere JHV bodywork possibly on a Volvo chassis.

Sunday 8 August 2021 – The ‘Buses Festival’ rally held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough. There were just three vehicles parked under cover in the main hall. Marshalls of Sutton-on-Trent VDL119 (PM19 JAM), a short wheelbase VDL FHD2-106 Futura new in April 2019. The registration plate contains the initials of two Marshall family members.

Monday 17 May 2021 (1142) – Ministry of Defence OV15 HTC seen on the A11 at Barton Mills. It has Plaxton Panther bodywork possibly on a Volvo B9R chassis.

Monday 14 August 2000 (around lunchtime) – Two Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz O 814D Vario buses seen in Sevenoaks bus station. Left is Sevenoaks District Council V393 SVV in special livery for Sevenoaks Park and Ride, new September 1999. Apparently on lease from Dawson Rentals to operate the service during the period when construction work closed a town centre car park and an out of town car park was being used as an alternative. Right is Metrobus 951 (S951 VMY), new in October 1998.

Monday 26 January 1987 – Leicester Citybus 48 (TBC 48X), an East Lancs bodied Dennis Dominator new in January 1982, seen in Humberstone Gate, Leicester. This view is in the direction of Charles Street and the three Leicester Citybus double deckers are outnumbered by at least six Ford Transit mini-buses of Midland Fox.

Monday 26 January 1987 – Humberstone Gate, Leicester looking in the direction of the Clock Tower. Leicester Citybus 173 (LNR 173N), a Scania/MCW Metropolitan new in March 1976, passing Midland Fox M87 (C487 TAY), a Dormobile bodied Ford Transit mini-bus new in October 1987.

Monday 26 January 1987 – Humberstone Gate, Leicester looking in the direction of Charles Street. Leicester Citybus 303 (GJF 303N), a Scania/MCW Metropolitan new in February 1975 approaches 48 (TBC 48X), an East Lancs bodied Dennis Dominator new in January 1982. A number Midland Fox Ford Transit mini-buses line the street.