Created 21-Jun-19
Modified 8-Mar-24
This batch of coaches certainly saw Rhondda make a break with tradition. The Bedford VAL, with its twin steering chassis layout, proved quite popular in its relatively-brief period of production. The lower floor height permitted by the smaller wheels would have made it more accessible, but more than anything it seems that Rhondda were following the policy of many smaller coach operators in buying a lightweight, less expensive, vehicle recognising that coaches only have a few years of front-line service but modern coaches were very necessary in a competitive private hire market.
The BET Group, who owned Rhondda, did not adopt the Bedford VAL as a standard chassis and Rhondda's were the first bought by a BET company. The only other BET company to buy the model was North Western, famously for the Strachans-bodied bus with low-profile bodywork. However, less well-known were a pair of Duple-bodied coaches for the Altrincham Coachways subsidiary. These only lasted a year as they were sold with the Altrincham Coachways business.
Rhondda's examples came in time for the 1964 season and had the Bedford VAL14 chassis (the 14 suffix indicating a Leyland O400 engine) and the Duple Vega Major C47F bodywork. They were originally delivered in a cream and red livery but later received the cream and green livery.
All were withdrawn in 1970 and sold, being replaced by Leyland Leopard coaches.
© David Beilby
