Cambus Limited (UK)

Monday 10 June 1985 - Cambus training bus FVF 423C, the bus I trained and passed my bus driving test on. I am seen here with my instructor Brian Hawes. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol FS Lodekka new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as fleet number LFS123 in November 1965. It passed to Cambus in 1984 when ECOC was split in the run up to the National Bus Company privatisation process. A 'Cambus' vinyl had been applied to cover the Eastern Counties fleetname although the 'double N' National Bus Company logo still remained.

Monday 10 June 1985 - Cambus training bus FVF 423C, the bus I trained and passed my bus driving test on. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol FS Lodekka new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as fleet number LFS123 in November 1965. It passed to Cambus in 1984 when ECOC was split in the run up to the National Bus Company privatisation process. A 'Cambus' vinyl had been applied to cover the Eastern Counties fleetname although the 'double N' National Bus Company logo still remained.

Monday 10 June 1985 - Cambus training bus FVF 423C, the bus I trained and passed my bus driving test on. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol FS Lodekka new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as fleet number LFS123 in November 1965. It passed to Cambus in 1984 when ECOC was split in the run up to the National Bus Company privatisation process. A 'Cambus' vinyl had been applied to cover the Eastern Counties fleetname although the 'double N' National Bus Company logo still remained.

Monday 10 June 1985 - Cambus training bus FVF 423C, the bus I trained and passed my bus driving test on. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol FS Lodekka new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as fleet number LFS123 in November 1965. It passed to Cambus in 1984 when ECOC was split in the run up to the National Bus Company privatisation process. A 'Cambus' vinyl had been applied to cover the Eastern Counties fleetname although the 'double N' National Bus Company logo still remained.

Saturday 19 January 1985 - In September 1984 the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a National Bus Company subsidiary, was split up. ECOC itself retained the operations in Norfolk and Suffolk whilst the western part, covering Cambridgeshire and the Newmarket and Haverhill areas on the edge of West Suffolk, passed to a newly created Cambus Limited. Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH6G GCL 349N was now Cambus 158 having been new to ECOC as RLE747 in December 1974 and was seen in Regent Street, Cambridge arriving from London on service 799 operated jointly with London Country. It was a dual purpose style vehicle, a bus shell fitted with coach type seating. Following behind is Premier Travel Services 294 (VAV 256X), a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Tiger new in March 1982.

March 1985 – In readiness for privatisation the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company was split up in September 1984 and Cambus was created to assume the Western area of ECOC. Initially the vehicles received Cambus fleetnames applied over the old ECOC name and they operated in National Bus Company red until repainted blue. What is now Cambus 720 (YNG 210S) is seen leaving the bus station in Brentgovel Street, Bury St. Edmunds having unloaded after working service 947 via Dalham, Higham and Barrow etc which I seem to recall originated at Newmarket. The bus station stood on the site of what are now retail premises including the MacDonalds ‘Restaurant’. The buildings behind are still recognisable today notably the side aspect of Moyses Hall Museum.

Saturday 9 February 1985 - In September 1984 the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a National Bus Company subsidiary, was split up. ECOC itself retained the operations in Norfolk and Suffolk whilst the western part, covering Cambridgeshire and the Newmarket and Haverhill areas on the edge of West Suffolk, passed to a newly created Cambus Limited. Now as Cambus 606 (BNG 451J) this bus had been new to ECOC as their VR 389 in June 1971 and was still sporting the ECOC red and white livery. It was seen turning from Trinity Street to St. Mary’s Street in Cambridge heading the Railway Station on service 182.

Saturday 19 January 1985 - In September 1984 the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a National Bus Company subsidiary, was split up. ECOC itself retained the operations in Norfolk and Suffolk whilst the western part, covering Cambridgeshire and the Newmarket and Haverhill areas on the edge of West Suffolk, passed to a newly created Cambus Limited. Initially Cambus adopted a pale blue livery with a white band and this photograph features DAH 391K, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that was new in December 1971 as ECOC VR391, now operating as Cambus 609. It was one of the earliest repaints having apparently been re-painted at Eastern Coachworks on 15 November 1984. It was seen near Bradwells Court in St. Andrew’s Street, Cambridge.

Good Friday 5 April 1985 – An unusual working saw Cambus 743 (VEX 300X), an Eastern Counties bodied Bristol VR, operating the 0900 Thetford to Cambridge service 747, a trip normally worked by a Bury St. Edmunds based Ambassador Travel coach. In September 1984 the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a National Bus Company subsidiary, was split up. ECOC itself retained the bus operations in Norfolk and Suffolk whilst the western part, covering Cambridgeshire and the Newmarket and Haverhill areas on the edge of West Suffolk, passed to a newly created Cambus Limited. Ambassador Travel took on most of the former ECOC coach operations. Now as Cambus 743 allocated to Newmarket garage, this bus had been new to ECOC as their VR300 in August 1981. It was apparently intended to be United Counties 973 (VVV 973X) but was diverted to ECOC before entering service with United Counties.

Saturday 6 April 1985 (Easter weekend) - In September 1984 the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a National Bus Company subsidiary, was split up. ECOC itself retained the operations in Norfolk and Suffolk whilst the western part, covering Cambridgeshire and the Newmarket and Haverhill areas on the edge of West Suffolk, passed to a newly created Cambus Limited. TEX 405R, an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR, became Cambus 713 having been new as ECOC VR195 in May 1977. For quite some time this bus was based at ECOC’s Mildenhall outstation but found its way to becoming a Haverhill outstation bus before the split occurred. As a result of this move its presence in the new Cambus operating area it became a candidate for transfer to the new Cambus company at the formation. It was seen here in Emmanuel Street, Cambridge close to the entrance of Drummer Street bus station prior to heading for Cottenham on service 183.

Friday 2 January 1987 – Cambus 712 (OPW 182P) seen in St. Mary’s Street, Cambridge – the Senate House is behind the bus and Great St. Mary’s Church on the extreme left hand edge of the photograph. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that had been new to Eastern Counties as their VR182 in July 1976. During early 1980s (1980-1983 at least) it had been based at the Mildenhall outstation on a regular basis (an outstation of Bury St. Edmunds) garage but was transferred to Haverhill outstation prior to the spilt of ECOC. As a result of this it passed into Cambus ownership. Initially Cambus adopted a light blue livery which was later supplemented with a darker blue.

Saturday 2 May 1987 – Cambus 715 (WPW 200S) seen in Brentgovel Street, Bury St. Edmunds prior to working the return market day service to the villages towards Newmarket. The round topped building and wall to the left of the bus were part of the Eastern Counties bus station. The taller buildings were those of Moyse’s Hall Museum. The bus was an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that had been new to Eastern Counties as their VR200 in December 1977. Initially Cambus adopted a light blue livery which was later supplemented with a darker blue.

Saturday 7 November 1987 – Two Cambus Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR double deckers seen in Newmarket High Street. Both had been new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company and passed to Cambus when ECOC was split up in the pre-privatisation process. Left is 719 (YNG 209S) wearing the light blue and cream livery initially adopted by Cambus which was later replaced by the livery carried by 720 (YNG 210S) seen on the right. The buses had been numbered VR209 and VR210 with ECOC.

Monday 10 June 1985 – The Cambus Garage in Hills Road, Cambridge. Visible through the doorway are Cambus 713 (TEX 405R) (an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that had been new to Eastern Counties Omnibus Company as VR195 in May 1977) and Ambassador Travel 814 (EBM 442T) (a Plaxton Supreme bodied Leyland Leopard new in March 1979 to Frames Tours of London). Another Plaxton Supreme coach is parked by the wall.

Friday 2 January 1987 – Cambus Leyland National 302 (PEX 618W) and Ford Transit/Dormobile 2055 (D355 KVA) pass on Magdelene Bridge in Cambridge. The Leyland National had been new to Eastern Counties as LN618 in November 1980. The Ford Transit was new in October 1986. Initially Cambus adopted a light blue livery which was later supplemented with a darker blue.

Sunday 17 September 1989 – A display of three Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol Lodekkas at the Cambus Cambridge garage open day. All had been new to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Company. Left: In Cambus livery (with a Viscount oversticker) is BNG 886B new as ECOC LFS86 in July 1964. It is a rear entrance model on FS5G chassis. Centre: In ECOC livery is JAH 553D new as ECOC FLF453 in July 1966. It is a front entrance FLF6G model. It carries a Peterborough and District fleetname. (Peterborough and District was a constituent company of ECOC which was created in July 1931). Right: In the brown and cream livery used by Peterborough and District Traction prior to 1924 is JPW 459D new as ECOC FLF459 in September 1966. It is also a front entrance FLF6G model.

Saturday 13 August 1988 – In February 1988 Cambus Limited took delivery of three Optare bodied Leyland Olympians with higher backed seating painted in a coach style livery which were numbered 500-502 (E500-502 LFL). 500 (E500 LFL) is seen in Emmanuel Street, Cambridge having arrived on service 798.

Saturday 8 April 1989 - In February 1988 Cambus Limited took delivery of three Optare bodied Leyland Olympians with higher backed seating painted in a coach style livery which were numbered 500-502 (E500-502 LFL). 501 (E501 LFL) is seen in the High Street in Newmarket.