Stone Locals.
Back in the days when nobody bothered about climbing a few steps into a bus or coach, all manner of things we'd consider strange nowadays turned up working bus services. Today there would preferably be no service, rather than one operated by a step entrance bus.
In the 1980 and '90s, the renowned Bassett's Coachways of Tittensor were contracted to operate the network of town services (and some more rural ones) in neighbouring Stone. Regular performers on them were Bassett's Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bristol LH / LHL coaches. In spite of the destination blind in the 'Bristol dome' reading Blackpool, the coach has more relevant information on an informal piece of paper in the nearside windscreen . . . such things were an independent operators speciality. Anyway, anyone using the service would know where the bus / coach was going and its driver would know them so information was largely irrelevant.
The Bassett fleet, in spite of its drab but characterful livery was a well run outfit with vehicles maintained to a very high standard. To that end, they procured good quality second hand stock and were keen buyers of youthful tour coaches from Robinsons of Great Harwood in Lancs. XTF 468L was an example of such, perhaps given away by its green seats, long a trademark of the Robinson operation.
Stone Locals.
Back in the days when nobody bothered about climbing a few steps into a bus or coach, all manner of things we'd consider strange nowadays turned up working bus services. Today there would preferably be no service, rather than one operated by a step entrance bus.
In the 1980 and '90s, the renowned Bassett's Coachways of Tittensor were contracted to operate the network of town services (and some more rural ones) in neighbouring Stone. Regular performers on them were Bassett's Plaxton Panorama Elite bodied Bristol LH / LHL coaches. In spite of the destination blind in the 'Bristol dome' reading Blackpool, the coach has more relevant information on an informal piece of paper in the nearside windscreen . . . such things were an independent operators speciality. Anyway, anyone using the service would know where the bus / coach was going and its driver would know them so information was largely irrelevant.
The Bassett fleet, in spite of its drab but characterful livery was a well run outfit with vehicles maintained to a very high standard. To that end, they procured good quality second hand stock and were keen buyers of youthful tour coaches from Robinsons of Great Harwood in Lancs. XTF 468L was an example of such, perhaps given away by its green seats, long a trademark of the Robinson operation.