Heritage buses will return to the roads of the former United Counties area to mark the end of local operations by the operator’s current-day successor
A heritage bus event has been planned for Sunday 30 October to commemorate the end of services between Bedford, Sandy and Biggleswade by Stagecoach East and its predecessor companies.
The New Central bus company commenced the first bus service between the towns in 1912, with London General taking over the routes the following year. Operations were suspended during the First World War but recommenced in 1919 when the National Steam Carriage Co took over the provincial services of London General. Subsequently Eastern National and United Counties operated these services. Since 1987 they have been under the operation of Stagecoach, which acquired United Counties in November 1987.
John Hammond, of the United Counties Preservation Collection, said: “To commemorate the loss of Biggleswade and Sandy from the former United Counties network, a selection of preserved buses that would have once operated these services will be providing free trips throughout the day.”
Services will start at 1000hrs and operate in both directions on a 30-minute frequency until 1600hrs. Buses will depart from Biggleswade and Bedford bus stations.
