Subject: Rossendale Transport 88 (D888 YHG)
Chassis: Leyland Olympian ONTL11/2RH
Body: East Lancs CH47/31F
Location: Rawtenstall bus station
Date: c.1990

Rossendale Transport 88 had been the final vehicle ordered by Rossendale Borough Transport but was delivered to the new arms-length company after deregulation. It carried this coach version of the livery with a large fleet name on the side.

Behind the bus shelters the stone building was the operator's garage at the time. The 483 service from Rawtenstall to Bury via Shuttleworth was introduced on 15th March 1987, one of the first major changes to their network after deregulation associated with giving up the previous jointly-operated service between the two towns that ran via Ramsbottom.

88 seems to have been a troublesome vehicle and is recorded as having issues with the engine overheating. After a short spell working for what was the coaching arm of the organisation, the former Ellen Smith operation, it was sold to Rhondda Buses where it became their 850.

From an original negative in the David Beilby collection, photographer unknown