Southend Transport had it's beginnings in Southend Corporation Transport that was founded in 1901 being renamed Southend Transport in 1974. It began operating motorbuses in 1912, and became a limited company on 26/10/1986 due to the Transport Act 1985. Southend Transport was involved in a price war with Thamesway (now part of First Essex) and was sold by Southend Borough Council to the British Bus group in 06/1993 for a reported 1.00GBP, which in turn was taken over by the Cowie group. Cowie was renamed Arriva in 08/1998 and Southend Transport was renamed Arriva serving Southend as part of this rebranding. The 'serving Southend' local identity caption has since been phased out.
This photo was taken just prior to the re-naming to Arriva serving Southend, on 28/07/1998, with this Olympian, with London & Country style fleetnumber, seen here awaiting departure from Aldgate(Minories) Bus Station, London. New in 04/1996, it was delivered in the batch, LR705-9, N705-9TPK, the first three being bus seated with LR708/9 being coach seated, as seen here. The N-TPK series of registrations were also used by sister companies London & Country and Guildford & West Surrey.
The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being the Boots Colourslide II.
I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1998.
Tags: N709TPK
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