Liverpool Buses - MTT Events 2017
Independent
transport videos welcome
you to this 2017 special edition of the Merseyside Transport Trust's annual
“Liverpool Buses Running Day” DVD programme.
This time we have also included the “Lightnight” event that took place
on the evening of Friday 19th May 2017, which is not a bus
enthusiasts event as such, but equally as enjoyable! We start our programme with the annual
Running Day on Sunday 10th September 2017. This year the event was centred on Mann
Island at Liverpool Pier Head, Aigburth Vale, Penny Lane and Walton. Our filming opens with usual back drop of the
“Three Graces” buildings and we see a very modern bus, one of the brand new MAN
EcoCity gas buses in the latest Arriva ‘hybrid’ livery as well as the latest
offering of new double-deckers from Stagecoach and Arriva. Getting back to the main subject of this
programme, our cameras take up their positions at various parts of the city to
see the preserved buses in action. We
capture some early morning feeder services on Prescot Street and Daulby Street
before taking up our position at Penny Lane to see a good number of arrivals
and departures. Further filming locations include Smithdown Road, Prescot Road
and Aigburth Vale. From here we ride on
‘Jumbo’ Leyland Atlantean 1162 (XKC 789J) to the Pier Head in a heavy
rainstorm. Our Running Day filming is concluded where the day started at Mann
Island, where we see the buses on the feeder services leaving and others
turning to take up their final duties and then departing to the depot after a
most enjoyable event. Well done to all
in organising this excellent Running Day.
The second part of this programme features the “Lightnight” event that
is described as ‘The Free One-Night Arts & Culture Festival’. Nine vehicles were used this year comprising six
Atlanteans, L501, L835, 1111, 1236, 1836 and 1003 alongside three rear loaders,
AEC Regents A36, A267 and Leyland Titan L227.
Filming took place from 18.00 hours to midnight and our cameras were on
hand to capture the atmospheric action!
We begin at Mann
Island, Pier Head and see the initial departures and then board L227 (SKB 224) for
the journey to the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral at Mount Pleasant. Here we see the action on Hope Street before
catching Leyland Atlantean L501 (501 KD) to Lime Street. The next location is Mann Island to catch AEC
Regent A36 to Albert Dock where the sun is starting to get low in the sky. We see plenty of the preserved buses in
action running along Strand Street, entering and leaving Liverpool One Bus
Station. Upper Duke Street is the
location as the sunsets and we see the buses climbing the hill with the Liver
Buildings silhouetted in the setting sun.
People fill the streets and the buses as the event continues. Another brief ride on L501 takes us to Hope
Street where it is now dark, and we see the buses lit up full with happy
passengers! Our last ride is on L227’s
final journey to Mann Island. The buses
leave for home as midnight approaches – the end to a brilliant event. To end this programme we see four fabulous
buses – 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of pop group ‘The Beatles’ record ‘Sgt.
Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band’. Arriva
have painted four current double-deckers in psychedelic liveries named after
the Fab 4 – John, Paul, George and Ringo! Enjoy.
