Eastern Counties TH894 (C894 BEX) and Eastern National ENOC 647 (L647 MEV) in Ipswich – 25 Apr 1994 (220-29)

Monday 25 April 1994 (approx. 1915) - In the pre-deregulated/pre-privatisation days the large bus companies (originally The British Electric Traction Group and the nationalised Transport Holding Company – both of which later became owned by the National Bus Company) had agreed operating territories. Ipswich was in the territory of the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company Limited. The nearest large town down the A12 towards London was Colchester which was in the territory of the Eastern National Omnibus Company Limited. Under common ownership the situation of peaceful co-existence reigned.

Privatisation and deregulation changed all that. The evening services of the traditional ECOC network became tendered operations for Suffolk County Council. One of these services was the 86 to Claydon, a village just beyond the northern border of Ipswich, which was worked by ENOC, now a Badgerline subsidiary. In this photograph at the Old Cattle Market Bus Station in Ipswich are minibuses of both operators.

Parked in the centre of the bus station is ECOC TH894 (C894 BEX), a Ford Transit with Robin Hood van conversion bodywork new in February 1986. Just leaving for Claydon is ENOC 647 (L647 MEV), a Plaxton Beaver bodied Mercedes-Benz Set 709D new in August 1993.