This Optare MetroRider, new to London Buses in 01/1992 was among a 107 of the type acquired new. It was in a batch of twelve, MRL210-21, J210BWU etc. It is seen here approaching Walthamstow Bus Station on 24/08/1992. It is route branded for local service W4.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots colourslide.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1992.

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Cheltenham & Gloucester was formed from part of Bristol Omnibus Co. on 11/09/1983 and took over Black & White Motorways on 28/04/1985. It was privatised on 03/11/1986 and became part of Western Travel. This Metrorider was one of two DP seated examples new in 11/1987. It is seen here outside on Outer Circle outside London Zoo in 05/1989. Can't imagine it would have been the most comfortable of journey's. Don't think that car parked behind would get out so easily!

The camera being a Praktica MTL3.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1989.

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The Optare MetroRider was built by Optare between 1989 and 2000 and was based on the MCW Metrorider after Optare bought the rights following a decision by Birmingham based MCW to end bus production and this example was the first and was a single arrival at Kentish Bus and was to be followed by another thirty-four examples up to and including 03/1998. The North-East registration plates were as a result of Kentish Bus being owned, at the time of delivery, by Proudmutual, the owners of Northumbria Motor Services. Kentish Bus was re-named from London Country(South East) in 04/1987. London Country(South East) was formed from the split of London Country in 09/1986. In 07/1994, the fast-expanding British Bus group purchased Proudmutual, British Bus themselves being purchased by the Cowie group in 08/1996. Cowie now known of course as Arriva. 866 is seen here at the end of it's journey on A1211 Aldgate High Street, passing Aldgate Bus Station, London, in early 08/1993. It would turn left at the nearby junction and left again into the bus station.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being the excellent Fujichrome colourslide.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1993.

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New in 07/1992, so just missing the 'K' reg. issue by a matter of weeks, this smart Scania is seen here on A1211 Aldgate High Street passing Aldgate Bus Station on 24/08/1992. With Docklands Express branding, it was delivered in a batch of fourteen. This was then followed by a batch of twenty-six delivered from the following month until the October. Just pulling away from it's stop is Kentish Bus, 865 F865LCU, a MCW bodied MCW Metrorider MF158/15. It was new to Kentish Bus in 12/1988 in a batch of six delivered for Service 42, 860-5, F860-5LCU. The North-East registration plates were as a result of Kentish Bus being owned by Proudmutual, the owners of Northumbria Motor Services. Kentish Bus was re-named from London Country(South East) in 04/1987. London Country(South East) was formed from the split of London Country in 09/1986.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a Boots colourslide.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1992.

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As mentioned in a previous photo, for their minibus needs, Lancaster never really settled on one particular model and acquired tended to acquire different types, both new and secondhand, although although a total of thirteen secondhand VW Optare City Pacers were acquired. They tended to be a more traditional operator with the minibus operation not starting until 1989 and that maybe could have lead to their downfall after coming under increased competition from Ribble. In fact this photo, taken in 05/1993, was about three months before LCT ceased trading. The company was placed on the market by Lancaster City Council on 16/12/1992. Interest was expressed in buying the company as a going concern by Blackpool Transport Services and MTL, owners of Merseybus, who were in competition in the area with Heysham Travel. However, following increased competition by Stagecoach, it was decided to wind the company up. On 22/08/1993, the company ceased trading, and sold the depot and its twelve newest buses to Stagecoach(North West). The Ribble Buses company being the incumbent operator. In all essence, I think Lancaster were struggling judging by this quick visit. Here, M19, is seen here in Lancaster Bus Station. It was among a couple of the ex-demo. MetroRiders acquired by Lancaster and was new to Optare, Crossgates, in 11/1991. After leaving Lancaster City Transport, it went onto work for Northumbria(847), later Arriva North East then onto Northern Blue(63), Burnley.

The camera being a Praktica MTL3 with the film being a 'Fujichrome' colourslide.

I would request, as with all my photos, that they are not copied or downloaded in any way, shape or form. © Peter Steel 1993.

Tags:   J363BNW

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