100 Years of Hants and Dorset Buses – Poole Celebration
100 Years of Hants and Dorset Buses – Poole Celebration.
Sunday 10 July saw the celebration of 100 years of Hants and Dorset buses. Once a familiar sight in the Bournemouth area, including Westbourne, the name has been replaced by the More Bus brand.
More modern vehicle in the Wilts and Dorset branding. © expat
Historic vehicles were gathered together on show on Poole Quayside. Many giving the public the opportunity for free rides around the Poole area. Familiar buses from the past were enjoyed by the large number of people who came along.It was not just Hants and Dorset buses that were represented. A 1950 Yellow Bus was also on show and giving rides. Two modern vehicles had also been repainted – one in the traditional Hants and Dorset livery, the other in Wilts and Dorset.
Bristol Lodekka LLJ 443F (H38/32F) New in Dec 1967. Hants and Dorset buses of this type would have served Westbourne in the 1960-1980s period. © expat
JJT 437N Bristol VR (H43/31F). New Jun 1975, withdrawn Apr 1983. Typical workhorse for the National Bus Company. © expat
AFB 597V. Bristol LH (B43F). New to Bristol Omnibus Apr 1980. Never a Wilts and Dorset vehicle, but typical of the single decks used by this operator. © expat
FEL 751D Bristol MW. (C39F) New Feb 1966. Used for coach work and holiday tours. © expat
KRU 855W Bristol VR (H43/31F). New Dec 1980. Typical workhorse vehicle for the National Bus Company. © expat
KEL 133. Leyland Titan PD2. New 1950. Typical workhorse for urban services. Bournemouth vehicles were unusual for having dual doors and dual staircases. The front staircase in these was removed during the 1960s. However, during restoration (which your humble scribe was involved with in the mid 1970s), the staircase was put back. © expat
KRU224F Bristol FLF. (H38/32F). New Jul 1967. Sporting the later poppy red Hants and Dorset livery, this vehicle was rescued from the Bournemouth Bus Station fire of 1976. Subsequently preserved by Trevor Shore, who drove it out of the burning bus station! © expat
HF09 FVT Scania with Optare Olympus body (H51/29F) new 2009. Previously branded for the Purbeck Breezer route 40, currently sporting the traditional Hants and Dorset livery. © expat
GLJ 748D. Another Bristol FLF (H38/32F). New Jun 1966, withdrawn May 1980. Typical vehicle of the period. © expat
YN06 JWX. Scania with East Lancs bodywork (H47/33F). Normally in the modern Wilts and Dorset livery, but currently sporting the traditional version. © expat.
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