Album First Bus (First Group) buses from David Slater (Spoddendale)

HBM/DLMH: First Cymru 41197 (S197 KLM) in Tenby - 24 Jul 2007

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:37:54 +0000

Tuesday 24 July 2007 (approx. 0745) - First Cymru 41197 (S197 KLM), a Marshall bodied Dennis Dart that had been new to First Centrewest (London) in September 1998, seen in South Parade, Tenby about to work the 0750 service 349 to Haverfordwest.

The bi-lingual destination indicator shows Withybush Hospital (Ysbyty Llwyn Helyg) and, since this is Wales and this is a 'Happy Bench Monday' shot, Dydd Llun mainc hapus! (I hope that translation is correct!!)

First Specialist Passenger Solutions 47804 (SK17 HGZ) at Lowestoft – wc 14 Apr 2025 (KMS2)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Thu, 01 May 2025 16:53:38 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Wc 14 April 2025 – A scene taken by my daughter Karen at the First Eastern Counties depot in Lowestoft.

The construction of the power station at Sizewell has seen Specialist Passenger Solutions, a division within First Group that caters for staff transport etc for such large projects, appointed to provide buses at Sizewell. The First Eastern Counties depots at Ipswich and Lowestoft have input for vehicle maintenance.

A number of Wright Streetlite DF buses in plain white paint are assigned to the contract and one of them is seen in this photograph at Lowestoft depot. It is 47804 (SK17 HGZ) new to Tower Transit (WV46218) in May 2017. Amber dome lights are fitted on the roof at front and rear.

Lowestoft is the most easterly town in the British Isles and so possibly this is the most easterly bus depot in England.

First Specialist Passenger Solutions 47804 (SK17 HGZ) at Lowestoft – wc 14 Apr 2025 (KMS1)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Thu, 01 May 2025 16:53:39 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

DSCF0576 First Manchester MX07 BTE in Rochdale - 4 Jul 2015

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 22:07:45 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Saturday 4 July 2015 (1728) – In 2014 First Manchester painted a number of buses in the liveries of the constituent municipalities that were absorbed into SELNEC in 1969. Wright bodied Volvo B9TL 37289 (MX07 BTE) carries the colours of Manchester City Transport. The numerals used for the fleet numbers were the exact style used by MCT.

First Huddersfield 2121 (T59 BUB) at Showbus, Duxford – 26 September 1999 (424-13)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 16:30:57 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 1999 – First Huddersfield 2121 (T59 BUB) on display at Showbus, Duxford.

It was a Mercedes-Benz 412D new in May 1999 to operate a rural service (900) between Huddersfield and Hebden Bridge via Ripponden and various moorland communities including Outlane, Barkisland and Cragg Vale.

The bus featured a cellular phone to enable passengers to call the regular driver direct to arrange slight detours from the main route upon request. The driver also provided a medicines delivery service to isolated locations.

First Leeds (Rider Group) 5327 (P204 TGD) in Leeds – 5 May 2002 (483-3)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 17:05:54 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Holiday Monday 5 May 2002 - First Leeds (Rider Group) 5327 (P204 TGD) loading outside the Market Building in Vicar Lane, Leeds when bound for Morley on service 52A.
It is an Alexander RL bodied Volvo Olympian that was new to Strathclyde Buses (VO103) in October 1996.

First Leeds 8037 (H637 VNW) at Skipton – 31 May 2001 (468-20)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 16:30:59 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Thursday 31 May 2001 (1305) – First Leeds 8037 (H637 VNW), an Alexander RH bodied Scania N113DRB new to Yorkshire Rider in March 1991, seen at Skipton.

In the background is Lakeland Coaches of Hurst Green X906 RHG, an East Lancs Myllenium bodied DAF SB220 new in October 2000, operating the Lancashire County Council supported service 280 that linked Skipton and Preston.

First Bus display at Showbus, Duxford – 26 Sep 1999 (425-14)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 12:15:50 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 1999 – Like the other big group bus operators First Bus usually put on a good display at Showbus with buses from different parts of the country. Many different colours before the introduction of their corporate livery.

FifeFirst (Lowland Scottish) 575 (P575 DMS) in Edinburgh – 2 Aug 1997 (364-24)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 12:15:51 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Saturday 2 August 1997 – FifeFirst (Lowland Scottish) 575 (P575 DMS), a Wright Axcess Ultralow bodied Scania L113CRL new to Midland Bluebird in October 1996, seen in York Place, Edinburgh turning towards St. Andrew’s Square bus station.
In later years the cen

FifeFirst (Lowland Scottish) 504 (P504 XSH) in Edinburgh – 2 Aug 1997 (363-1)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 12:15:52 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Saturday 2 August 1997 – FifeFirst (Lowland Scottish) 504 (P504 XSH), a Wright Axcess Ultralow bodied Scania L113CRL new in October 1996, seen in St. Andrew’s Square bus station, Edinburgh.

First Badgerline 8305 (M606 RCP) in Bath – 8 Aug 1999 (420-20A)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 18:08:58 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 8 August 1999 - First Badgerline (Bristol Omnibus Company) 8305 (M606 RCP), an Ikarus Citibus bodied DAF SB220, seen in Bath.

It was new in February 1995 to Ken Clarkson of South Elmsall although had come into First ownership with the acquisition of Streamline of Bath during 1997. It wears an orange livery branded as the ‘bright orange’.

In the distant background is an open top Eastern Coachworks bodies Bristol VR double decker operating a sightseeing tour of the city.

First and Metrobus at Addington Village Interchange – 23 Jun 2001 (473-2)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 18:08:57 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Saturday 23 June 2001 (approx. 0855) - Two buses operated by First Orpington Buses and one operated by Metrobus seen at Addington Village Interchange where bus services meet with the Croydon Tramlink.

The Metrobus vehicle is 331 (V331 KMY), a Plaxton Pointer bodied Dennis Dart SLF new in November 1999. The departing First Orpington vehicle has Marshall bodywork and may also be a Dennis Dart SLF new in late 1999 to Centrewest.

I believe the First Orpington operations and buses were sold to Metrobus in late 2007.

First Capital/First London exhibits at Showbus – 26 Sep 2004 (537-37)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 15:26:57 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 2004 – Showbus, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.

First Capital/First London ESQ64993 (LK53 MBV) a hydrogen powered fuel cell Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530BZ new in December 2003. (BZ for Brennstoffzelle the German definition of fuel cell).

In 2003 Mercedes-Benz carried out Worldwide trials with fuel cell buses and in Britain First Capital in London had three examples on a three year trial. After the trials ended the on board equipment was removed and, I believe, the buses were donated to museums.

The three buses had fleet numbers ESQ64991-3 and registrations LK53 MBO/U/V.

First Capital/First London exhibits at Showbus – 26 Sep 2004 (537-29)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 15:26:58 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 2004 – Showbus, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK.

(Left) Entry number 703: Routemaster RM120 (SSL 809 ex VLT 120) now open top and parked to enabled downward viewing of the adjacent bus. Originally London Transport now with, and entered by, First Capital/First London.

(Right): Entry number 700: First Capital/First London ESQ64993 (LK53 MBV) a hydrogen powered fuel cell Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530BZ new in December 2003. (BZ for Brennstoffzelle the German definition of fuel cell).

In 2003 Mercedes-Benz carried out Worldwide trials with fuel cell buses and in Britain First Capital in London had three examples on a three year trial. After the trials ended the on board equipment was removed and, I believe, the buses were donated to museums.

The three buses had fleet numbers ESQ64991-3 and registrations LK53 MBO/U/V.

First Capital DML319 (V319 GBY) at Showbus, Duxford – 26 Sep 1999 (423-36)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 15:26:59 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 1999 – A Marshall bodied Dennis Dart for First Capital on display at Showbus, Duxford. Entered in the show by Marshalls. The bus had only just been finished at the Cambridge factory and had no fleet numbers or destination blinds.

V319 GBY became First Capital DML319.

First Bus display at Showbus, Duxford – 26 Sep 1999 (424-08A)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:46:03 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 1999 – Like the other big group bus operators First Bus usually put on a good display at Showbus with buses from different parts of Britain. Left to right:

First Western National 2314 (S314 SRL), a Plaxton Première bodied Volvo B10M lettered for the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ that linked Exeter and Bude.

First PMT (T827 SFS), a Wright bodied Scania L94UB new to First Yorkshire Rider in May 1999.

First Glasgow (S686 BFS), a Wright bodied Scania L113CRL new in September 1998.

First Badgerline (BOC) 1920 (R920 COU) in Bath - Aug 1999

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:46:01 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 8 August 1999 - First Badgerline (Bristol Omnibus Company) 1920 (R920 COU), a Wright Renown bodied Volvo B10BLE new in March 1998, seen in Bath heading to Bristol on service 339.

First Western National 2314 (S314 SRL) at Showbus, Duxford – 26 Sep 1999 (423-21)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 18:46:02 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 26 September 1999 – Showbus, Duxford.

The First Group put on a good display at Showbus with exhibits from various parts of Britain.

This Plaxton Première bodied Volvo B10M is First Western National 2314 (S314 SRL) and was lettered for the ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ that linked Exeter and Bude.

First Manchester 327 (W327 JND) in Rochdale – 10 December 2000 (452-20)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:15:58 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 10 December 2000 (approx. 1030) – First Manchester 327 (W327 JND) seen in Rochdale bus station arriving on service 409 from Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham. This service had its origins as service 9 operated jointly by Ashton, Oldham and Rochdale Corporations before the formation of the SELNEC PTE in 1969. It is a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530 new in June 2000.

First Manchester 327 (W327 JND) in Rochdale – 10 December 2000 (452-23)

nobody@ipernity.com (David Slater (Spoddendale)) — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:15:57 +0000

David Slater (Spoddendale) has posted:

Sunday 10 December 2000 (approx. 1030) – First Manchester 327 (W327 JND) seen in Rochdale bus station having arrived on service 409 from Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham. This service had its origins as service 9 operated jointly by Ashton, Oldham and Rochdale Corporations before the formation of the SELNEC PTE in 1969. It is a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O 530 new in June 2000.

Parked behind is a Van Hool Alizée bodied Volvo B10M of Western National about to work the 1035 National Express service 328 to Plymouth.