Winchester-based Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has confirmed details of the services it will operate on New Year’s Day 2015, after announcing last December that it would no longer provide services on January 1 after 2014.
The main Running Days in 2015 will be on May 3 and 4. However, a much smaller operation will run on January 1, maintaining a long-established tradition and providing a service for the many supporters who would still like to travel on the historic vehicles on New Year’s Day.
The organisation had a request from the local Hash Harriers to provide a vehicle for them as it has done for many years on January 1.
David Morgan, Secretary/Trustee at FoKAB, told CBW: “We are happy to support them again in this way. As there would be a vehicle on the road it seemed sensible to run some other trips for our members, local people and anyone who simply turns up in Winchester on January q expecting a free vintage bus service.
We envisage just two vehicles being in service on this occasion. The vehicles we plan to use are WCG 104 (1959 Leyland Tiger Cub with Weymann 45 seat bus body) and 596 LCG (1964 AEC Renown with 75 seat Park Royal body).
“WCG 104 has the distinction of being the first post-war King Alfred vehicle to be preserved and also the first to be purchased by James Freeman, forming the starting point for the present collection. James continues to be very actively involved as Chairman/Trustee of Friends of King Alfred Buses (and is also likely to be one of the drivers on 1st January!)”
