Created 2-Apr-20
Modified 11-Jun-24
The two vehicles covered by this gallery looked very different and just had in common the Mercedes-Benz 811D chassis. This was a chassis for a slightly heavier gross weight than the 711D which allowed a longer body and more seats.
251 (E76 SWT) was a secondhand acquisition that was new to Harte, Greenock. It was a Mercedes-Benz 811D although its Optare StarRider C33F (originally C31F with a large luggage pen) body eliminated the familiar Mercedes bonnet, giving a very different appearance. It was bought by Rhondda Buses not long after their formation but didn't stay long, being sold by mid-1994. Originally at Porth in the standard Rhondda livery it later transferred to the Caerphilly Busways fleet and received the revised livery with more cream.
252 was a further secondhand acquisition which should not be confused with the later 252, a Metrorider which was only acquired in 1996 and ran in the Parfitt fleet. This 252 (F985 EDS) was new in August 1988 to McConnachie, Port Glasgow and had an Alexander C33F body. Another purchase used to improve the fleet inherited from National Welsh, it joined Rhondda Buses in 1992 but left to join Stevenson's, Uttoxeter as their 245 in March 1994. This bus also moved from Rhondda Buses to Caerphilly Busways and received the later livery.
© David Beilby
