When Trevor Shore MBE drove a Bristol FLF clear from the notorious bus fire at Bournemouth bus station in 1976, who could ever have guessed that he would be operating the vehicle 40 years later.
The bus, KRU224F, is kept busy with private hires and other duties as part of the four-strong Dekkabus fleet based at Parkstone, Poole in Dorset.
Now painted in National Bus Company poppy red, the FLF was until recently the only surviving semi-automatic FLF to retain a Bristol AVW engine. This has now been replaced with a Gardner 6LW unit for improved performance.
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Trevor originally joined Hants & Dorset as a conductor (a certain Bristol FLF being among his steeds) in 1975, later driving for Shamrock and Rambler and Go South Coast. His cousin, Mark Self, also works full-time for Dekkabus and has driven for operators including Sea View Coaches as well as running his own company. He also remembers riding on the FLF.
“When the FLF came up for sale in 2016, not surprisingly I couldn’t resist it, and Dekkabus is the result,” Trevor explained. “A friend assured me there would be enough wedding work for the vehicle.”
It soon became apparent that a second vehicle was needed for private hires and rail replacement, and J645CEV, a 1992, 102-seat Alexander-bodied Leyland Olympian tri-axle new to the China Light and Power Company was acquired via Wheelers of Southampton. It was extensively refurbished and painted in a version of Alder Valley Londonlink livery.
However, the Olympian has now been replaced by three new to Bus Vannin via Blackpool Transport 2001 East Lancs-bodied DAF DB250s, which again have been completely renovated and are used on rail replacement, park and rides and a wide range of private hire duties.
Added Trevor: “The FLF has a full programme of wedding duties and we have plenty of work coming in for the other vehicles. We don’t plan any further major expansion at present – it’s great to work somewhere that really is fun!”
Visit Dekkabus at www.dekkabus.coach or phone 01202 776161.
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