Subject: Merthyr Tydfil B. C. 190 (NHB 190M) Chassis: Bristol RESL6G Body: ECW B47F Location: Cardiff bus station Date: 31-Mar-1974
The two buses in the background are on a farewell tour to mark the passing of Caerphilly, Gelligaer and Bedwas and Machen Urban District Councils. Due to local government reorganisation the three would come under the new Rhymney Valley District Council. Both of these are Bedwas vehicles with the PD3 already carrying its Rhymney Valley fleet number of 96.
There was change for the Bristol RE as well, as that night what was Merthyr Tydfil Corporation would become Merthyr Tydfil Borough Transport but the change was quite minor by comparison.
190 was out of use for fifteen months prior to its withdrawal in Oct-1985 but quickly entered service with Maun International, Mansfield. It ran for them until 1990 then passed through Pennine Blue and the Blandford Bus Company, finally being sold out of service in 1992.
Remarkably, all three buses in this photo survive today in preservation.
