Trident at the ready

[wlm_nonmember][…][/wlm_nonmember][wlm_ismember] A 2004 Transbus Trident donated by Stagecoach to the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust is set for its preservation debut. PX04 DND was acquired after Trust members Malcolm Smith and the late Douglas Bailey contacted Stagecoach, as it was felt a low-floor easy-access bus would be useful for the Trust’s fleet. The Trident was requested as it attended the Ribble 90th anniversary event in 2009 and was new at Chorley depot, where Douglas worked.

Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire told CBW: “We donated PX04 DND to the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust as we feel it’s important that we preserve our heritage. We are extremely happy knowing it remains in the Ribble area with a great group, who we know will look after the vehicle and allow it to be cherished for many years to come.”

Now named after Douglas Bailey MBE, the bus was new to Ribble under Stagecoach ownership and is officially of Transbus International manufacture, this concern being formed in 2001 from the merger of Mayflower and Plaxton. After its collapse, the concern was resurrected as the more familiar Alexander Dennis.

PX04 DND has received some work to the window pans and lower panels, plus a repaint in Stagecoach ‘beach ball’ livery. The bus was meant to debut at the RVPT’s Lytham Hall event, which has had to be cancelled, and will instead appear at an open day and Fylde bus tour based at the RVPTs Freckleton premises.

The Trust said that it regrets that the public will not be able to ride on the vehicles due to Covid-19 restrictions potentially still being in force. Buses will travel from Freckleton Village via Warton, the Lytham St Annes to Blackpool Promenade and Gynn Square, with vehicles departing every half hour from 1000 to 1500hrs.

See rvpt.co.uk for updates

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