Vista Coachways : The Last Two Operating Days

»»»»  Route 660

To celebrate the end of an era, Vista Coachways "went out in style" on Friday 4 April and Saturday 5 April 2008, the last two days of our tenure of the 660 local bus service. These were operated as charity special days, using heritage classic buses of local interest. The event was arranged on our behalf, by colleagues at North Somerset Coaches, of Nailsea, and vehicles were mainly loaned from the Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection. Other sponsors included Spencer Moray Insurance and Tesco in Clevedon. Our nominated charity was the Alzheimers Society, and all the fares taken over the two days were donated, together with our cash float for the service and June's last day wages. Additionally collection boxes were placed on the buses, inviting customers to make donations, and a final total of £612-70 was handed over to the Alzheimers Society.

Former Badgerline Volvo D101 GHY in Swift Link style livery, operated by North Somerset Coaches.

Five heritage buses lined up at Tesco in Clevedon.

1959 Bristol LD arrives in North Weston with a full complement of passengers on both decks. 969 EHW.

1950 Bedford OB on support duty with the LD at the North Weston terminus. MHU 193.

Terry with the 1979 Bristol LH, AFB 592V. He drove this on the 660 service for much of the middle of the day on the Friday.

The Bristol LH at Kingston Seymour, with 'Shearene' of Vista on support duty.

The 1959 Bristol LD at Kingston Seymour Triangle bus stop.

1983 Bristol Olympian at Yatton bus stop. This bus was the last Bristol built chassis, before Leyland closed the Brislington factory. A954 SAE.

The final journey on both days was a 'Mass Departure' of both Vista Ivecos, together with 'Shearene' on support duty. The three are seen at Clevedon Triangle. <D.Fricker>.

The presentation to the Alzheimers Society: Julie from the Society with David Fricker, Terry Jones, and June who drove the 660 route regularly for most of the contract.

My thanks in particular go to David Fricker (North Somerset Coaches), and Mike Walker (Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection) for all their help, together with June and everybody else who helped to make the two days a huge success. Terry.

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(All photos by Vista Coachways)