| R&I Coaches was a well established operator that started tendered bus work in 1989. Several routes in inner North London were won over the next few years but the company was bought out by MTL London in 1995. During its time as an independent, various existing minibuses were used as crew ferry vehicles. These included this pair of long-wheelbase Ford Transit Mk2 minibuses photographed at Brent Cross Bus Station on 11th October 1994. The consecutive London-area registrations make me think that they were bought new by R&I. C867VLB (in front) has a roof-beacon and interior luggage caging, suggesting earlier air-side use. It has lettering for 'R&I Buses, Crew Transfer' and also a fleetnumber (92) on the offside of the bonnet. C866VLB has a blue stripe and lettering for 'R&I Coaches, Mobile Control'. Note that the main side doors are hinged (sliding doors would not clear the flared rear wheel arches) and are also shallower than those at the front. |
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Photo ID: |
4233 |
| Photo date: |
11/10/1994 |
Size: |
Regular |
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| Date added: |
24/12/2012 |
