This is the fourth
video programme that independent transport videos have
produced with the Provincial Society.
This time we look at two very significant buses that were operated by
the company, the ACE Cougar and the Dennis Dart. This Wadham Stringer bodied Cougar was unique,
produced by Albion Chassis Engineering and allocated fleet number 3, later to
become 333 and latterly 800 with Firstbus. It was registered H523 CTR in 1990. The bus ran in ‘People’s Provincial’ two
tone green and cream livery. When taken
over by Firstbus the Cougar appeared
in the Firstbus cream with a red trim
scheme, which it carried until withdrawn from service in 2003. The bus was donated to the Society for
preservation, and was initially parked at the Firstbus depot at Portswood, Southampton, before moving to a
parking space in Botley, close to the Brijan
Coaches depot. Here the bus was
prepared for its life in preservation with a repaint into its original livery
at the First in Hampshire & Dorset’s Hoeford
Depot. The second bus that we are
featuring on this programme is the very successful Dennis Dart SLF with Plaxton
Pointer bodywork. This type of bus has
been familiar all over the United Kingdom since its introduction, running with
the large groups and small independents.
The Plaxton Pointer Dart first appeared in service with Provincial on the 23rd
November 1997. The example we used on
the Society outing in September 2015 was not native to the south coast! 40827 (R647 DUS) entered service with First Glasgow in 1998 allocated to
Larkfield depot, but was later cascaded to First
Hampshire & Dorset. It is one of
the few remaining in service at the time of filming that were identical to the
ones operated by Provincial. By the end of 2015 the Dennis Dart would be
retired from the now named First
Hampshire & Dorset fleet, so it seemed fitting that a farewell tour
should be instigated. Now it is time to
compare both vehicles!
We start our programme
with the ACE Cougar and show some brief footage of it in service. Then the big day dawns for the Society! The 25th September 2004, the day
the Cougar was collected from Southampton for its suspended tow to Bishop’s
Waltham. We follow the procedure of it
leaving Portswood depot to its arrival at Bishop’s Waltham. January 2005 we see the Cougar having an
extensive clean for restoration work to begin.
Some two years later on the 27th August 2007, we see the
Cougar launched at the Society’s annual bus rally at Stokes Bay. The following month the Society members took
the Cougar out on a tour of former People’s
Provincial routes. An excellent trip and vehicle, we are sure
you will agree! Now its time for the
Dart to go through its paces! The 6th
September 2015 is the date as we join 40827 at Fareham Bus Station for a tour
of routes. This time we visit
Portchester, Cosham, Denmead, Waterlooville and Portsmouth. From Portsmouth we retrace the 17 – 18
service, originally a Portsmouth City
Transport route. We adorn the Dart’s
cove panel with an original First route
map. We then carry on to visit Cosham
and Portchester again before the arrival back at Fareham Bus Station. Before leaving the Bus Station its just time
to see other members of the First
Hampshire & Dorset fleet going about their duties. So, its Cougar v Dart? Is there a winner? You decide!