Stagecoach Cambus 82 (GAZ 4382) in Cambridge – 15 Jun 1999 (418-2)

Tuesday 15 June 1999 (approx. 1420) – In June 1996 Stagecoach Cambus took delivery of two new compressed natural gas powered Optare MetroRiders to operate the Cambridgeshire County Council sponsored free shuttle service around Cambridge city centre. The service ran very 15 minutes and took just under 30 minutes to complete a circuit.

The two buses were numbered of 81 (GAZ 4381) and 82 (GAZ 4382). A friendly smile from the driver of the latter at the corner of Silver Street and Trumpington Street.

Initially the service was set up using two MCW Metroriders loaned from West Midlands Travel (D632/648 NOE) each with a catalytic convertor to enhance their green credentials. The buses were returned to WMT when the CNG powered vehicles were delivered.

The Metrorider model was developed by MCW and later the rights were sold to Optare which subtly changed the lower case ‘r’ to an upper case ‘R’ hence my different spellings above.