MPTE BUSES

Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive

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These buses (right) are Merseyside Transport (MPTE) vehicles, which I drove while I worked as a driver at the Green Lane depot from 1983 until 1987.

I have driven every bus pictured right in service except Atlantean 1111 which was a Driving School vehicle when I was training. It is now restored to its original condition and this picture was taken at a rally in Birkenhead in October 2005. (Note Bethany & me standing on the platform)

There are more photos of MPTE buses on my FOTOPIC website. You can get to this from the "LINKS" page.

AN AMAZING FIND - 1843 IN YORKSHIRE!

Whilst driving a bus in Mirfield, near Dewsbury, on Wednesday 4th October 2006, I spotted a familiar vehicle in the car park of a public house. Closer inspection revealed it to be Merseyside Transport Atlantean 1843 (WWM 920W) with Willowbrook body! Luckily, I had my camera with me. I got some strange looks from my passengers as I vaulted over the pub wall to get some pictures! (See below). I had often driven this bus from Green Lane Depot in Liverpool in the 1980's. I later contacted the landlord of the pub, who kindly let me look over the vehicle. He had bought it with the intention of converting it into a "smoking shelter", but has now decided to sell it. It has been extensively repainted, the seats have been re-upholstered and fitted with seatbelts, and the vertical handrails have been removed. However the Liverpool skyline remains on the coving panels inside.

Unfortunately some vandals released the handbrake in early January 2007. The bus rolled backwards across a (fortunately empty) car park and demolished a low wall. The last picture shows the damage.

SOME MORE PICTURES

A40 A228 L375 1008 1015 1059 1089 1093

1100 2077 1271 1376 1857 1860 1035 1041

A40 (NKD 540) - one of only two AEC Regent III's with Saunders Roe bodywork. It was Liverpool's first experimental unpainted bus. Introduced in 1954, it served until 1974 and is now preserved by the Mersyside Transport Trust. The photo was taken at a rally

A228 (VKB 826) is pictured at the Pier Head sometime between 1972 and 1976. The conductress on the platform is Eileen Faulkner who attended the Liverpool Blue Coat School during World War 2.

L375 (OCM 977) was originally Birkenhead's 77. New in 1963, transferred to Liverpool in 1973 and finally withdrawn in 1976.

1008 (FKF887F) on Hunts Cross Avenue, Woolton in 1976 with driver Gordon McKeen, and my brother John holding the timeboard. The bus served 1968-1981.

1015 (FKF 894F) is pictured in the entrance to Garston bus depot. The bus served 1968-1981.

1059 (FKF 928G) is pictured on Hunts Cross Avenue in 1976. I am pushing the go-kart. This bus also served 1968-1981.

1089 (RKA 968G) is pictured arriving at the Pier Head

1093 (RKA 972G) is seen at the Pier Head. This bus served 1969-1980.

1100 (RKA 979G) is also at the Pier Head. This bus served 1969-1978.

2077 (YKF 715K) is seen on Hunts Cross Avenue in 1978. The bus served 1971-1983.

1271 (BKC 271K) is seen in the Central Bus Station in 1985. It had been withdrawn from passenger service and was being used in the campaign (which failed!) to prevent de-regulation. The bus was new in 1972. (Photo: R F Reynolds).

1376 (DKC 376L) was new in 1973. It is seen at Garston Depot in 1987, shortly before withdrawal. (Photo: R F Reynolds).

1857 (WWM 934W) served at Green Lane from 1981-89. I drove it many times, and have its fleet number plate in my collection!

1860 (AFY 180X) also served at Green Lane from 1981-89. I knocked down an elderly pedestrian in Whitechapel, (Liverpool City Centre), whilst driving it on service 10 from Prescot to the Pier Head in 1984!

1035 (A115 HLV) was new in 1984. It is now in the private ownership of Mark Hodge, who kindly submitted this recent photo.

1041 (A121 HLV) was also new in 1984 and was allocated to Garston Depot. It is pictured in 1984 on a school trip to Chester Zoo. (Photo: R F Reynolds)

THE LOST FILM

Around 1976 my brother, John, who was 14 at the time, did a bit of (very) amateur photography, developing and printing the pictures himself. He took some pictures of MPTE buses on the streets of Liverpool but, sadly, under-exposed the film. It was never printed, and lay gathering dust for thirty years until he rediscovered it recently.

Although the quality is not too good, it contains some exciting pictures, including L509 (509 KD), which was to become the last of

Liverpool's original Atlanteans to see service, from Green Lane depot.

All twenty-four pictures, including two at Crosville's Llandudno Junction Depot, are posted on my Fotopic site (see "LINKS" page), but here are three examples.

The Central Bus Station, looking towards South John Street

Leyland Panther 1053 (FKF 932G) passes Calderstones Park

on Menlove Avenue, with Charlie Kelly at the wheel.

Leyland Atlantean L509 (509 KD) from 1962 is parked at the now-demolished Pier Head Bus Station

As far as I am aware, the people who sent me the photographs on this page hold the copyright. If you know otherwise, please CONTACT ME so that I can either give credit or remove the photograph.