FRIENDS of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has confirmed that it will be running bus services as part of the Winchester Heritage Open Day.

Taking place on Sunday, September 10, the day will be split into two parts.

In the morning there will be a display of FoKAB’s complete collection of historic buses and coaches.

The vehicle display will be at Winchester St Catherine’s Park & Ride from 09.30am to 11am, with car parking available.

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The Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Angela Clear, is expected to visit to view the collection at about 10am. There will be a free bus service throughout the day between Winchester Broadway and St Catherine’s.

From 11.30am, the focus moves to the city centre with free rides on the King Alfred buses in the time-honoured way, starting from the Broadway beside King Alfred’s statue.

This time the operation will be concentrated on two main routes, with five buses an hour to and from Sutton Scotney via Three Maids Hill (King Alfred Service 11) plus an hourly service taking the longer route via Springvale and Stoke Charity (KA Service 10).  The last bus leaves the Broadway at 16.12pm and the last leaves Sutton Scotney at 16.46pm.

Further free rides are planned during the afternoon using the three pre-war vehicles in FoKAB’s collection - the recently-launched 1929 Leyland Lion, the well-known 1931 Dennis 18-seater and the luxurious 1935 Albion Victor.

The pre-war vehicles are expected to be in great demand, but with the usual extensive range of King Alfred free bus rides, there will be plenty of space for everyone.  The frequent Service 11 should allow some good photo opportunities along the way.  Buses will set down and pick up at any bus stop on the route, so passengers can easily break their journeys wherever they wish.

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FoKAB chair James Freeman said: “We are proud to present the most frequent ever bus service between Winchester and Sutton Scotney.

“For five hours from midday on Sunday, there will be a free King Alfred bus journey every 12 minutes each way between Winchester Broadway and the Coach & Horses at Sutton Scotney”.

For more details, visit FoKAB’s website kingalfredbuses.org.uk. A full programme/timetables will be on sale on the day for £5.