British Independent Bus and Coach Operators

During the 1960s, bus and coach fleets ranged from major operators who operated stage carriage services; major coach touring companies; to small operators with a handful of vehicles. Often the smaller operators bought redundant buses and coaches from major operators. Conversely, redundant vehicles bought by independent fleets often brought types that came from as far away as Scotland to London and the south east. In the 1960s, the oldest buses and coaches with independent fleets were those employed on school or industrial contracts. Some very small independent fleets, often with the title 'Luxury Coaches', took great pride in their fleets. The net result was that British independent bus and coach operators in the 1960s had a fascinating variety of chassis and body makes and styles, as well as liveries. This book shows many of these as they were between fifty and sixty years ago.