Vista Coachways, Yatton. Service 660 - Iveco Turbo Daily 59.12/Mellor B21D L932CTT.

Vista Coachways, Yatton, North Somerset commenced operations in 1988 with a restored Bedford OB that was originally bought by its proprietor Terry Jones in 1975. Originally offering private hires with this vehicle additional coaches and buses were purchased - and all presented to a high standard. In April 2004 Vista were awarded the contract to operate service 660 (North Weston/Portishead - Congresbury) on a Monday to Friday, extended to Monday to Saturday from April 2007. However, with the down scaling of the business the contract was eventually surrendered in April 2008 and the business ceased trading. The first three photos (not great quality, taken with a phone camera) show the company depot at Claverham Road, Yatton in June 2006. The final two photos show L932CTT, Iveco Turbo Daily 59.12/Mellor B21D named Exwick. This rare dual-doored minibus was new to Devon General in March 1994 as part of Harry Blundred's minibus revolution and acquired from Stagecoach Devon in March 2005. These photos show it at the North Weston, Portishead terminus of route 660 on 4th April 2008 in the last few days of trading. 

Old Buses, new colours. First Bristol VR's 38873 & 38895

The far end of Cornwall is often the place where older buses see out their final days. Indeed the Bristol VR saw regular service there until December 2006 with First Devon and Cornwall. Whilst most of them wore the blue and white of Western National or the early "Barbie" livery of First, some were repainted into more modern colour schemes. UAR595W was new to Eastern National in June 1981 as their 3105, transferring to Thamesway and then eventually ending up in Cornwall as First Devon & Cornwall 38895. By July 2005 it had become a Driver Training vehicle based in Plymouth and given a new livery to advertise itself as such. In 2006 it was transferred to Cornwall (possibly as a staff shuttle bus rather than driver training) and is seen here in Penzance on the 10th July 2006. This vehicle is recorded as being broken up for spares in September 2006. LFJ873W, new in Feb 1981 to Western National as their 1226 eventually become First Devon & Cornwall 38873. Fully renovated and repainted into "Barbie 3" livery in July 2006 it was allocated to special events duties - taking part in the final running day of Bristol VR's with First Devon & Cornwall in Penzance on 9th December 2006. By 2007 it had passed to the Western National Preservation Group and is seen here on the Bristol Vintage Bus Group running day in Brislington, Brisol on 12th August 2007.