Bristol, Bath and the West

Bus workers rally to see vintage coaches stop in Bristol

BUS workers from First in Bristol, Somerset & Avon were able to reminisce about the old days this week (12 August) when six vintage coaches, many of which operated in and around the city in the 1960s and 70s, passed through the area as part of a 770 mile national centenary run from Penzance to Aberdeen that was sponsored by First UK Bus.   

The national centenary run was held to celebrate the history of the Western and Southern National companies which owned the Royal Blue coach fleet, and which are now all part of First UK Bus.  The journey from Penzance to Aberdeen recreated what was the longest route operated by Royal Blue vehicles, taking them from First's most south westerly point in Penzance to its global headquarters in Aberdeen.

The six Royal Blue coaches used in the run had each been lovingly restored and maintained by industry enthusiasts meaning their retro blue and cream liveries were still in pristine condition. Having travelled up from Penzance on Wednesday morning, the coaches made their way through Bristol, travelling along the A370 from Long Ashton Park and Ride, Hotwell Road, Anchor Road, St Augustine's Parade, Lewins Mead, Haymarket and Bond Street, before stopping to refuel at First Bristol's Muller Road depot.

While at Muller Road, bus workers from Bristol - some of whom remembered driving the original vehicles in the 1960s and 70s when they were a regular sight in the city - had a chance to see them again, and reminisce about the old days 'on the buses'.

One such employee was Martin Baber (64). Having worked in the industry (as a conductor, driver, inspector, senior inspector and now an operations supervisor) for the past 42 years he recalled the days when such vehicles were everywhere in Bristol. He said: "It was great to see these coaches on the streets of Bristol again.  Bus operating companies were much smaller in those days and the team behind the scene really was like a close knit family.  These days the operation is much bigger.  Modern buses are much easier to drive though - with things like power steering and automatic gear boxes fitted as standard, but you can't beat the classic lines of an old Royal Blue Coach or a Bristol Greyhound; it was fantastic to see them all lined up in the garages at Muller Road again!'

Operations Director for First in Bristol, Somerset & Avon, Jenny MacLeod, added: "It's great to be able to celebrate the history of our organisation in this way.  We've come along way as an industry in the past 40 years, with bigger, better more accessible buses now, with increased luggage space amongst other things, but it's lovely to see all the old vehicles again.'