Buses of Malta

During the last quarter of the 20th century, Maltese buses had locally constructed bodywork, but by the mid-1970s, they had a uniform 'spray green with white roof' for route buses. In the 1980s, complete vehicles from the UK were imported, including AEC Swifts, Bedford, and Ford coaches. Vehicles were often modified with different axles, engines, and gearboxes, bodies rebuilt, and replaced. In 1995, the livery changed to yellow/white with an orange waistband, which continued until 2011.

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

Until the last quarter of the twentieth century, Maltese buses had predominantly featured locally constructed bodywork, often based on modified chassis of UK or American origin. A wide range of liveries graced these vehicles. However, by the mid-1970s, the traditional liveries began to give way to a uniform 'spray green with white roof' for route buses, while coaches initially sported a livery of buff and white. The 1980s marked a significant shift when complete vehicles began to be imported from the UK. AEC Swifts, sourced from London Transport, joined the fleet, alongside a variety of Bedford and Ford coaches adorned with bodies by Plaxton and Duple. Other notable types included Bristol LH, AEC Reliance, Leyland Leopard, Tiger Cub, and Panther Cub. In keeping with Maltese tradition, vehicles were frequently modified with various axles, engines, and gearboxes, bodies underwent rebuilds, and in some cases, complete replacements were undertaken. In 1995, the livery underwent a change, transitioning to yellow/white with an orange waistband, which it maintained until 2011.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 165 x 233 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398100565