Bus Company Service Vehicles

Before privatisation, bus companies adapted old buses for specialist uses, such as stores vans, tree loppers, uniform stores, towing lorries, and information offices. Since privatisation, these practices have died out due to expensive in-house workshops, Construction and Use Regulations, emissions zone restrictions, and the modern low-floor rear-engine buses. Companies will use specialist commercial bus and truck rescue services instead of retaining their own towing vehicles.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 96 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2021
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Before privatisation, many bus companies utilised their workshops' skills and ingenuity to adapt old buses for a wide range of specialist purposes. These versatile vehicles were transformed into stores vans, tree loppers, uniform stores, and even towing lorries for broken-down cars. Some operators preferred ex-military trucks like the AEC Matador, which had austere cabs but were often customised with custom-built bodies using various bus parts. Buses were also modified to serve as information offices or publicity buses, promoting holiday tours or special ticket offers. However, since privatisation, these practices have declined due to various factors. Expensive in-house workshops have been closed, construction and use regulations have been tightened, emissions zone restrictions may limit the use of older, less clean engines in city centres, and modern low-floor rear-engine buses are less suited for such conversions. Companies now opt for the services of specialist commercial bus and truck rescue services rather than maintaining their own towing vehicles.

This book explores a diverse range of service vehicles from across the country over the past fifty years, showcasing examples that have been preserved. It provides a fascinating insight into the evolution and adaptation of these vehicles for various purposes, reflecting the changing landscape of the transportation industry.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 166 x 233 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398104747