New buses 59 years apart

In 1955 Dundee Corporation introduced thirty-five Daimler CVG6 double-deck buses with open rear platforms, mainly to replace withdrawn tram services. Their registration numbers were DYJ431-DYJ440 and ETS960-ETS984. Only one bus of this type still exists and ETS964, fleet number 184, is the oldest bus in the collection of Taybus Vintage Vehicle Society (TVVS), a registered Scottish charity (external link).

In November 2014 Stagecoach Strathtay put into service two New Routemaster buses more commonly seen on the streets of London. These double-deck buses can also be configured to have an open rear platform and are currently operating on the Tayway service between Dundee and Arbroath for a trial period.

Recently the buses were brought together for the first and possibly only time to show just how much bus design has changed over the past 59 years.

(from right to left) 1955 Dundee Corporation Daimler CVG6 ETS964 (fleet number 184) alongside 2014 New Routemasters LTZ1312 (fleet number LT312) and LTZ1313 (fleet number LT313).

TVVS Secretary John Fraser said “We were delighted to receive permission to photograph some of our vintage buses alongside the New Routemasters as this is a chance we are unlikely to get again. We are very grateful to Stagecoach for their continuing support and to everyone who has helped us get the Corporation bus back on the road after being laid-up for a long time at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum following engine problems. We never cease to be amazed by the public’s reaction when they see it being driven around; it’ll be sixty-years-old next year and we hope to take it to as many local events as possible.”

More photographs of the New Routmasters can be viewed here (external link), alongside three older Taybus buses here (external link) and on the first day of service here (external link).