THE SHOWBUS SOUTH OF ENGLAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
First Hampshire & Dorset Doubledeckers
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Southampton did acquire a few late model Olympians - one here with Northern Counties bodywork - but First inherited a rather elderly fleet when it took over the former municipal fleet. Hence the influx of Metrobuses to replace the ageing East Lancs Atlanteans.
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In similar vein, this former London General Northern Counties bodied Olympian was acquired by First for the Southampton operations. Now 31825 (P925RYO) wand formerly LG NV125 it still appears to be London red as an advert for the local radio station - Radio Hampshire.
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 Not quite as impressive as the Fusion artics, but almost as expensive, was the fleet of 16 Volvo B7TL doubledeckers which entered service with Alexander ALX400 bodies with First Southampton to replace the Metrobuses and other older buses. At the North Weald bus rally, 808 (W808EOW) is seen sandwiched between a London Routemaster and MK Metro's lowbridge Titan, PAX466F - the latter with the then latest Status group insignia.  |
Volvo 808, nearest the camera, is seen on home turf at Portswood depot, with fellow B7TL buses 806 and 805.
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This broadside view of 805 shows just how imposing and impressive these vehicles were when new.
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