|
|
Post by calflier on Mar 29, 2011 23:10:15 GMT 1
With the impending replacement of Malta,s old buses,some which are over 70 years old,I repeated a trip last month,that I first made about 8 years ago.Arriva will take over the Islands bus network in july and all the current owner drivers will be employed,with mostly new buses,however at least they have found a place for the ex London bendy busses,Here are some pictures hope you like. The first sight for most people,not in tour groups, is at Luqa airport a Bedford/Plaxton Duple Dominant,on the route 8 to Valetta,this coach is similar to what MAS used to use on coach trips to Heathrow and the like in the 1970,s  Valetta,s city gate bus station,a sight to behold for people interested in transport,      Some of the islands Bristol LH,s are ex Crosville so maybe some of us have ridden on them before!  The bus on the right of this picture was rebuilt using the side windows of another bus as windscreens,shows the adaptability of the Malta bus owners.    Due to a carnival taking place all buses,began operating from the depot at the docks,with free shuttle services between city gate and the depot  Over on Gozo island,a Plaxton Dominant in the streets of Victoria,  July will be the end of an era in Malta and Gozo,but I saw it coming when Malta joined the EEC,I am sure the Malta Government will wonder why their tourist figures are down after July,Hope you like the photos,and anyone who want to see more let me know Calflier. |
|
|
|
Post by calflier on Mar 30, 2011 7:57:55 GMT 1
Another pic from Malta,this AEC swift was originally delivered to London transport in the late fifties or early sixties,and still looking good.  |
|
|
|
Post by johnoakes on Mar 30, 2011 12:42:39 GMT 1
Be sad to see them go-had a great holiday there bus hopping all over the island for pence--every trip was anadventure--brought back my old student days as a bus conductor with Ribble.
Happy days.
John--thanks for the photos.
|
|
|
|
Post by jiveturkey on Mar 30, 2011 12:47:39 GMT 1
these baby's look like they stood the test of time,i would be interested to know how the
engines have faired,are they the original's ?. tell me,what is the type that has old style engine
"not flat front"but engine in front under bonnet,this is indeed a classic.
kind regards ,the turkey
|
|
|
|
Post by peterbarbara on Mar 31, 2011 8:57:04 GMT 1
yes it is a shame that we are loosing our old buses but when you now the full story you start to talk a diferent way,it is a past story til 1970's they never find way to orgainise them selvs in a better transportation all the goverment past and now tride to organise the transport but never find a way,and now in EU all the ragolation we have to accepted and Arriva take place.
|
|
|
|
Post by Biggles on Mar 31, 2011 18:47:48 GMT 1
From my visits to the Island what is also missing from these replacement buses is the vast array of religious dangly things beeds, crosses etc on the front screens and dash of the older ones. I wonder if there is some EEC ruling on not having God on board whilst moving.
I would add that on some journeys he was an essential accessory ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by calflier on Mar 31, 2011 21:41:55 GMT 1
these baby's look like they stood the test of time,i would be interested to know how the engines have faired,are they the original's ?. tell me,what is the type that has old style engine "not flat front"but engine in front under bonnet,this is indeed a classic. kind regards ,the turkey Hi,I think most of the buses have had new or reconditioned engines,as I saw a Bristol LH with a Leyland banner,the classic front engined bus is EBY537, listed as a Ford ET7,Thames engined chassis,with local Malta coachwork,still owned by the original owner from Naxxar,hopefully this will be part of a hertige type fleet operation. |
|
|
|
Post by calflier on Mar 31, 2011 21:46:07 GMT 1
yes it is a shame that we are loosing our old buses but when you now the full story you start to talk a diferent way,it is a past story til 1970's they never find way to orgainise them selvs in a better transportation all the goverment past and now tride to organise the transport but never find a way,and now in EU all the ragolation we have to accepted and Arriva take place. Hi,thanks for your point of view,I can understand that living with these buses every day,has its problems,and as a casual visitor,it seems a romantic idea to keep them,hopefully they will arrange a good send off, and retain some as a heritage type operation,like the routemasters in London,thanks again for your view. |
|
|
|
Post by calflier on Mar 31, 2011 22:01:07 GMT 1
From my visits to the Island what is also missing from these replacement buses is the vast array of religious dangly things beeds, crosses etc on the front screens and dash of the older ones. I wonder if there is some EEC ruling on not having God on board whilst moving. I would add that on some journeys he was an essential accessory ;D I know what you mean Biggles,the shrines are amazing,I have also seen this in Thailand and Cuba,here is a picture of A Dominant I took in 2003 "MEET ME HALFWAY,the driver is an Elvis fan as well,and is complete with a religious message,and you are right I cannot see Arriva allowing this but who knows,wait and see I think,thanks for your comment.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2011 15:27:47 GMT 1
I wish the people of Malta well with Arriva as their 'service provider'. I will say no more.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 0:01:35 GMT 1
Some of the islands Bristol LH,s are ex Crosville so maybe some of us have ridden on them before! Nice photo's Calflier and it is a pitty to see these go as they added character to the island. As you say, the Maltese are very resourceful and it looks as though this has been repaired using one of those ex Crosville Bristol LH's. It is in fact an ex Blackburn Corporation Leyland Tiger. She was delivered to Blackburn as fleet number 13 in 1966 (renumbered 143 in 1977) and remained in service there until 1979. The link below shows her in Malta in 1981 still displaying her UK registration and original front. www.flickr.com/photos/56082010@N06/5212266747/This next link shows ex Crosville Bristol LH (fleet number SLL630) as Malta's DBY 303. Very confusing   www.flickr.com/photos/45894788@N08/4409167611/Unfortunately, it's not allowing a direct link but if you copy and paste the URL's into your address bar they will appear. Steve |
|
|
|
Post by calflier on Apr 3, 2011 4:26:53 GMT 1
Thanks SteveT.I know this bus is listed as a Ramco,this apparently is an anagram of the rebuilders name,marco,and as you say with the side windows of a Bristol LH.
Calflier01
|
|
|
|
Post by groundhugger on Apr 3, 2011 13:04:05 GMT 1
Hopefully there will be a fantastic 'Bus Museum' in Malta in the near future .... sad but I suppose it was a matter of time 21 st century caught up with this lovely little island.
on the other hand those buses could well be back on there way home to the UK , lots of enthusiasts will be casting envious eyes over those old buses I should imagine .
|
|
