STEPHENSONS - OLYMPIAN RUNNING DAY: SATURDAY 4th JUNE 2016
Thursday, 11th February 2016.
Local Independent Bus Operator Stephensons has announced a celebration day of one of its most long-serving vehicle types to celebrate their last year in mainstream service.
The first Leyland Olympians in the UK entered service in 1981 and the last (by now a Volvo Olympian) in 2000. 10,298 were produced in total. This popular and reliable double decker has served the British (and overseas) bus industry well, and Stephensons has operated many second-hand examples over the years, with models dating from 1981 through to 1996.
Managing Director Bill Hiron explained:
‘These great workhorses have been trusty servants to us for over 15 years. Our buses have been both the earlier Leyland and latter Volvo chassis, with bodywork by ECW, Northern Counties and Alexander, seating ranging from 72 to 87, and engines by both Gardner and Cummins. They have operated across our whole network, from our depots at Rochford, Maldon, Boreham, Clacton and Haverhill.
It seems appropriate to celebrate their passing, and at the same time raise some money for the brilliant work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Our buses cover millions of miles on the roads of Essex and Suffolk each year, and since the Air Ambulance plays a key role in dealing with casualties on the road network, it is only right that we support their work’.
Ten Olympian buses remain in the fleet, although some of these are in reserve to cover for short notice/emergency requirements.
From 1st January 2017 the requirement for double decker buses used on scheduled services to comply with PSVAR disability regulations means that, by then, these fine workhorses will finally be withdrawn from the fleet.
To celebrate their loyal service, the bus company is organising a ‘running day’ on Saturday 4th June 2016 based on their routes in West Suffolk , from Bury St Edmunds to Haverhill (14/15) and from Bury St Edmunds to Mildenhall & Newmarket (16). There are rail stations at both Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, and Stagecoach buses from Cambridge to Haverhill, allowing easy access from points further afield.
It is planned that some of the firm’s remaining Olympians will operate all departures on these routes on that day meaning up to five will be in service.
Normal fares will apply on the day – for those who wish to travel on several buses/routes, and break the day with refreshments at one of the many local coffee shops, cafes or pubs, our £8 Day Ticket – valid for unlimited travel – is available from bus drivers on the day. However, there will also be an advance purchase option (through the website) for £12 to include the day ticket, a bus graph showing planned workings on the day, full timetables for the two routes, and a brief history of the buses which we hope to be running.
£1 from every Day Ticket sold (whether in advance or on the day) will go to Stephensons’ local charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Further details will be available from www.stephensonsofessex.com from 1st April 2016.
The first Leyland Olympians in the UK entered service in 1981 and the last (by now a Volvo Olympian) in 2000. 10,298 were produced in total. This popular and reliable double decker has served the British (and overseas) bus industry well, and Stephensons has operated many second-hand examples over the years, with models dating from 1981 through to 1996.
Managing Director Bill Hiron explained:
‘These great workhorses have been trusty servants to us for over 15 years. Our buses have been both the earlier Leyland and latter Volvo chassis, with bodywork by ECW, Northern Counties and Alexander, seating ranging from 72 to 87, and engines by both Gardner and Cummins. They have operated across our whole network, from our depots at Rochford, Maldon, Boreham, Clacton and Haverhill.
It seems appropriate to celebrate their passing, and at the same time raise some money for the brilliant work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance. Our buses cover millions of miles on the roads of Essex and Suffolk each year, and since the Air Ambulance plays a key role in dealing with casualties on the road network, it is only right that we support their work’.
Ten Olympian buses remain in the fleet, although some of these are in reserve to cover for short notice/emergency requirements.
From 1st January 2017 the requirement for double decker buses used on scheduled services to comply with PSVAR disability regulations means that, by then, these fine workhorses will finally be withdrawn from the fleet.
To celebrate their loyal service, the bus company is organising a ‘running day’ on Saturday 4th June 2016 based on their routes in West Suffolk , from Bury St Edmunds to Haverhill (14/15) and from Bury St Edmunds to Mildenhall & Newmarket (16). There are rail stations at both Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket, and Stagecoach buses from Cambridge to Haverhill, allowing easy access from points further afield.
It is planned that some of the firm’s remaining Olympians will operate all departures on these routes on that day meaning up to five will be in service.
Normal fares will apply on the day – for those who wish to travel on several buses/routes, and break the day with refreshments at one of the many local coffee shops, cafes or pubs, our £8 Day Ticket – valid for unlimited travel – is available from bus drivers on the day. However, there will also be an advance purchase option (through the website) for £12 to include the day ticket, a bus graph showing planned workings on the day, full timetables for the two routes, and a brief history of the buses which we hope to be running.
£1 from every Day Ticket sold (whether in advance or on the day) will go to Stephensons’ local charity, the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Further details will be available from www.stephensonsofessex.com from 1st April 2016.
Web Link: http://www.stephensonsofessex.com
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