Belgium: Gruson Autobus

Monday 5 February 1996 (approx. 1643) – Gruson Autobus 357126 (4509 P) seen in Grote Markt, Poperinge when operating the 1620 De Lijn service 69b from Ieper to Abele. It is a Jonckheere Trans City bodied DAF SB210 new in June 1982. The fairytale looking tower of Poperinge Town Hall forms the backcloth. In addition to operating its own vehicles De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium, 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. Therefore this is Gruson 26 operating De Lijn contract 3571. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). This bus still carried a NMVB livery.

Monday 5 February 1996 (approx. 1643) – Gruson Autobus 357126 (4509 P) seen in Grote Markt, Poperinge when operating the 1620 De Lijn service 69b from Ieper to Abele. It is a Jonckheere Trans City bodied DAF SB210 new in June 1982. In addition to operating its own vehicles De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium, 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. Therefore this is Gruson 26 operating De Lijn contract 3571. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). This bus still carried a NMVB livery.

Monday 5 February 1996 (approx. 1643) – Gruson Autobus 357126 (4509 P) seen in Grote Markt, Poperinge when operating the 1620 De Lijn service 69b from Ieper to Abele. It is a Jonckheere Trans City bodied DAF SB210 new in June 1982. In addition to operating its own vehicles De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium, 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. Therefore this is Gruson 26 operating De Lijn contract 3571. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). This bus still carried a NMVB livery.

Monday 5 February 1996 (approx. 1625) – Gruson Autobus 357130 (3271 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in February 1990, seen in Grote Markt, Poperinge operating the schooldays only 1622 Poperinge-Dranouter-Nieuwkerke De Lijn service 741. The young lady about to board the bus appears to have a very well packed school satchel! Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn), created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen), operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number. The livery carried by this bus is an amalgam of the two company liveries. In its final form the NMVB scheme featured the blue lines on white as seen here but with an orange skirt. However the replacing De Lijn livery featured a grey skirt without the blue lines which would later be replaced with two wide diagonal yellow bands incorporating the fleet name.

Monday 5 February 1996 (approx. 1625) – Gruson Autobus 357130 (3271 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in February 1990, seen departing Grote Markt, Poperinge operating the schooldays only 1622 Poperinge-Dranouter-Nieuwkerke De Lijn service 741. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits 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). The livery carried by this bus is an amalgam of the two company liveries. In its final form the NMVB scheme featured the blue lines on white as seen here but with an orange skirt. However the replacing De Lijn livery featured a grey skirt without the blue lines which would later be replaced with two wide diagonal yellow bands incorporating the fleet name.

Monday 25 March 1996 (approx. 1625) – Gruson Autobus 357130 (3271 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in February 1990, seen in Grote Markt, Poperinge operating the schooldays only 1622 Poperinge-Dranouter-Nieuwkerke De Lijn service 741. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits 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).

Tuesday 6 August 1996 (approx. 1055) – Gruson Autobus 357130 (3271 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in February 1990, seen in Poperinge prior to working the 1100 De Lijn service 69B to Ieper. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Tuesday 6 August 1996 (approx. 1055) – Gruson Autobus 357130 (3271 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in February 1990, seen in Poperinge prior to working the 1100 De Lijn service 69B to Ieper. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Monday 5 August 1996 (approx. 1850) – Gruson Autobus 357131 (4330 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in May 1990, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge on a pleasant sunny summer evening. It had worked the 1820 De Lijn service 69B from Ieper (due Poperinge 1844) and would return at 1900. It would also work the same trips one hour later, the last runs of the day. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Tuesday 31 October 1995 (approx. 1215) – Gruson Autobus 357131 (4330 P), a Jonckheere Trans City bodied Volvo B10R-55 new in May 1990, seen at Ieper Railway/Bus Station with the destination screens set for the De Lijn service 69B to Poperinge and Abele. The village of Abele sits astride the Belgian-French border with some properties in each country. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Monday 25 March 1996 - Gruson Autobus 357134 (138 P 3), a Jonckheere Transit bodied Volvo B10B new in December 1995, seen in Ieperstraat, Poperinge having just pulled away from the Railway Station working De Lijn service 69B to Ieper. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Saturday 29 April 2000 - Gruson Autobus 357134 (138 P 3), a Jonckheere Transit bodied Volvo B10B new in December 1995, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge having arrived on De Lijn service 69B from Ieper. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number. For our numerous regular visits to Poperinge we always stayed at the Hotel Amfora which stands in the right background.

Thursday evening 2 August 2001 – Gruson Autobus 357135 (CFT 396), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B new in September 1996, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge having worked the De Lijn service 69b from Ieper. This service had its origins as a Belgian Railways substitution service running through to Abele on the Belgian-French border. The railway service into Poperinge from Kortrijk etc is numbered 69 and the section of railway on the closed section west of Poperinge to Abele became bus service 69b. The Belgian Railways bus services were taken over by De Lijn around 1991. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number. Photo taken from one of my favourite places, a seat at a table outside Hotel Amfora where we have stayed numerous times on our trips to Belgium. A bolt hole for me in the busy 1990s! I could happily sit here all day watching everything go by sipping a Hommelbier! Thank you to the proprietors Stef and Carmen for the ambience and hospitality. They moved on but our memories have stayed with us.

Thursday evening 2 August 2001 – Gruson Autobus 357135 (CFT 396), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B new in September 1996, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge having worked the De Lijn service 69b from Ieper. This service had its origins as a Belgian Railways substitution service running through to Abele on the Belgian-French border. The railway service into Poperinge from Kortrijk etc is numbered 69 and the section of railway on the closed section west of Poperinge to Abele became bus service 69b. The Belgian Railways bus services were taken over by De Lijn around 1991. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Thursday evening 2 August 2001 – Gruson Autobus 357135 (CFT 396), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B new in September 1996, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge having worked the De Lijn service 69b from Ieper. This service had its origins as a Belgian Railways substitution service running through to Abele on the Belgian-French border. The railway service into Poperinge from Kortrijk etc is numbered 69 and the section of railway on the closed section west of Poperinge to Abele became bus service 69b. The Belgian Railways bus services were taken over by De Lijn around 1991. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Saturday 26 April 1997 – Gruson Autobus 357135 (CFT 396), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B new in September 1996, standing in Grote Markt, Poperinge having worked the De Lijn service 69b from Ieper. This service had its origins as a Belgian Railways substitution service running through to Abele on the Belgian-French border. The railway service into Poperinge from Kortrijk etc is numbered 69 and the section of railway on the closed section west of Poperinge to Abele became bus service 69b. The Belgian Railways bus services were taken over by De Lijn around 1991. Gruson Autobus works a number of contracts on behalf of De Lijn, the national bus and tramway company of northern Belgium. De Lijn (Vlaamse Vervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.

Mon 3 Sept 2007 (approx 0815) – I think this bus was Gruson Autobus of Ieper, 550136 (4329 P), a Jonckheere Communo bodied Volvo B10B (new July 1997). It was about to turn from Meensestraat into Grote Markt, Ieper when working the 0733 De Lijn service 89 from Comines/Komen?. The hotel where we stayed is the brighter red brick building down the facing street.

Friday 3 September 2004 (1450) – Gruson Autobus, based at Ieper, Belgium was owned by Connex at the time of this photograph. The Gruson family had operated service 69b between Ieper, Poperinge and Abele for many years initially under contract to Belgian Railways transferring to NMVB which later became De Lijn. 550140 (JDW 242), a Jonckheere Transit 2000 bodied Volvo B7R-LE new in December 2002, was seen at Poperinge (Zwijnland), the terminus of the 1425 service from Ieper. The service operates hourly between Ieper and Poperinge (Grote Markt). Seven of the trips extend via Zwijnland to Abele on the French border. Two more trips extend to, and turn round at, Zwijnland. My wife and I had just travelled on this bus and we then walked back to town via ‘Quitens Wanderling’, a footpath on the former trackbed of the old railway. When this section of the railway between Poperinge and Abele was closed Belgian Railways provided a substitution bus service in the form of the 69b. De Lijn (Vlaamse ervoersmaatschappij De Lijn) was created in 1991 from the northern part of NMVB (Nationale Maatschappij van Buurtspoorwegen). The company operates its own large bus and tram fleet which carry four digit fleet numbers but the buses operated by contractors carry six digit fleet numbers – the first four digits relate to the De Lijn contract number with the final two digits are the operators own fleet number.