Realiance
A photograph that represents both the South Wales Valleys and the Maltese Islands.
In 1968 Aberdare Urban District Council bought six AEC Reliances with Willowbrook dual-door bodies, numbered 1-6 (TNY 491-6G). Three of these - 4-6 - were exported to Malta in the early 1980s with a large number of Bedford and Ford buses and coaches.
All three subsequently had their centre doors removed.
Former 5 was allocated number 300 in the Route Bus fleet, initially carrying green and white livery and plate Y-300-M, and in the yellow, white and orange livery era, was further re-registered DBY 300
Whilst the other pair operated more or less in the same condition as when they were imported (bar the loss of their centre doors), DBY 300 was subject to a number of modifications, including the loss of her AEC engine in favour of a Cummins unit. She was always immaculately presented and would often be found operating what were then Services 45 (Cirkewwa-Valletta) and 49 (Bugibba-Valletta).
This shot from February 2010 shows her approaching Cirkewwa, from where the ferry service operates to and from the neighbouring island of Gozo.
When the Government Transport Reforms were introduced in June 2011, I believe that she was retained by her owner. However, I don't know her subsequent fate.
Realiance
A photograph that represents both the South Wales Valleys and the Maltese Islands.
In 1968 Aberdare Urban District Council bought six AEC Reliances with Willowbrook dual-door bodies, numbered 1-6 (TNY 491-6G). Three of these - 4-6 - were exported to Malta in the early 1980s with a large number of Bedford and Ford buses and coaches.
All three subsequently had their centre doors removed.
Former 5 was allocated number 300 in the Route Bus fleet, initially carrying green and white livery and plate Y-300-M, and in the yellow, white and orange livery era, was further re-registered DBY 300
Whilst the other pair operated more or less in the same condition as when they were imported (bar the loss of their centre doors), DBY 300 was subject to a number of modifications, including the loss of her AEC engine in favour of a Cummins unit. She was always immaculately presented and would often be found operating what were then Services 45 (Cirkewwa-Valletta) and 49 (Bugibba-Valletta).
This shot from February 2010 shows her approaching Cirkewwa, from where the ferry service operates to and from the neighbouring island of Gozo.
When the Government Transport Reforms were introduced in June 2011, I believe that she was retained by her owner. However, I don't know her subsequent fate.