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This Plaxton Beaver 2 bodied Mercedes Vario O814D was new to Midland Red West as 555 (S955RWP). It was transferred south to First Hampshire & Dorset and numbered 52555 in First's national scheme, the Vario is on display at Netley Park in summer 2008. |
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This former Midland Fox Mercedes Vario, 108 (P108HCH), is seen in Leamington Spa in July 2004. The Alexander ALX100 bodied bus was new in the Urban Fox navy colours and is seen with the now defunct Pete's Travel.
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On the same day, a rear view of a sister vehicle with Pete's, 106 (P106HCH), in the same town. |
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The MAN bendibuses first put in an appearance in the UK at SHOWBUS in Hillingdon, with one being used on the free bus from Uxbridge Tube Station to the Showground. After that five MAN SG192R bendibuses entered service with South Yorkshire in Sheffield and subsequently with Midland Red North. This one ended up with Cairns Trans in Queensland, Australia working the routes north of the city to the beaches - hence the legend "beach bus". Inside the bus still had its 2000 series UK fleet number. A few years later the operation was acquired by Thames Transit owner, Harry Blundred, who replaced all the full sized buses with Mercedes minibuses on high frequency services under the Sunbus name, the same model as Harry had pioneered with Devon General in Exeter. |
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