One of the effects of deregulation was that operators needed new low cost buses and one answer to this was to rebody older vehicles with more life left in them. There seemed to be a shortage of useful single-deckers too and Flyde next door to Blackpool, like Southampton rebodied some elderly Atlanteans. When Fylde was absorbed in to the larger Blackpool fleet in the Nineties the former Bradford Corporation PDR buses once fitted with Alexander double-deck bodywork stood out as their fairly recent Northern-Counties retained the two tone blue latterly used just up the coast.
There is indeed a shortage of singledeckers, specially the short chassis ones like the Varios and Solos. There isnt an adequate replacement for the Beavers, and the Solos are somewhat some massive heaps of scrap that wont be around much longer. Shame the Plaxton Pointers Darts MKI ( L reg) arent about any more. What a workhorse!
ReplyDeleteI work in the industry in England, and i will follow this blog.Try to come to Barlaston this year!
Visit the portuguese website for buses www.autocarrospt.ning.com
Thank for your comment MS. Yes the modern single-decker has become somewhat flimsy and over-sophisticated. You obviously miss the old Dennis Darts, I miss those Leopards, Tigers and Volvo B10M's. I probably will be at Barlaston as it is local for me.
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