It was a day of nostalgia in Winchester on New Year's Day as a fleet of vintage buses was in service around the city.
Young and old gathered to take rides on transport that, in the past, would have been an everyday sight on the roads.
The Friends of King Alfred Buses make the most of the quiet streets on New Year's Day as modern-day bus company Stagecoach does not run services. The charity puts on this 'running day' every year to showcase the work they do in finding, restoring, preserving and most importantly, running these wonderful vehicles.
READ MORE: King Alfred Buses: Vintage buses to hold ride day in Winchester
This year was extra special, as the charity has recently seen one of their precious vehicles - a 1950 Leyland Olympic JAA 708 - destroyed in a fire which swept through the garage it was being stored in Penton Mewsey, near Andover.
Despite the tragedy of a fire, the members remained as enthusiastic as ever and were proud to share their work.
Chairman James Freeman enthusiastically spoke about some of their 40-year history.
He said: “This was the best New Year's Day event that the Friends of King Alfred Buses has experienced for a good many years. The buses performed well, the volunteers did all that was expected of them and more, the passengers came in droves from all around and a good time was had by all. Buses are fun because they are for sharing and yet everybody's experience is unique to them. After today's success we look forward to welcoming everybody back to the Broadway for our biggest event of the year, on Bank Holiday Monday 6 May!"
Also speaking with enthusiasm about the day was one of the bus drivers on the day, Doug Hunt, who was clearly enjoying the spectacle of seeing and driving these historic machines. He joked that the lack of power steering gives the driver a good upper body workout.
Prior to 1973, the buses in Winchester were run by an independent company called King Alfred Motor Services. It was a unique set-up, but in 1973 it was taken over by the National Bus Company.
The fleet of Friends of King Alfred Buses consists of 16 buses, rescued from as far away as the USA.
Eight buses from the famous fleet of King Alfred Motor Services, dating from the years 1956 through to 1970 were in service, providing regular journeys on January 1 over their old routes, starting from the Broadway, under the shadow of the great statue of King Alfred, whose likeness they bear on their flanks.
SEE ALSO: Penton Mewsey fire: King Alfred bus destroyed in devastating fire
Passengers were able to hop on board for free and enjoy rides to Stanmore, Oliver’s Battery, Weeke Estate, Harestock, Springvale and Winnall and further afield to Sparsholt, Crawley, Sutton Scotney, Owslebury, Twyford and Colden Common.
The next time these vehicles will be back on the road will be May 6, when the Summer Run is scheduled. The full fleet will be on show in May, with buses dating back as far as the 1920s.
For more go to kingalfredbuses.org.uk
Click the top image to scroll through the gallery of pictures.
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