Premier Travel 143 (DCK 217) in Cambridge - May 1972

May 1972 – In early 1962 Premier Travel Limited added ten East Lancs bodied Leyland PD2/3 double deckers to its fleet which had been new to Ribble Motor Services Limited in 1950. After one withdrawal in 1970, seven were withdrawn during 1972 although the final two lasted until April 1973.

Ribble used the vehicles on medium distance express and limited stop services in North West England and they wore their coach livery of mainly cream with crimson relief, a reversed format of the bus livery which was mainly crimson with cream relief. As a result they vehicles became known as the ‘White Lady’ class.

These secondhand acquisitions looked right at home in the Premier Travel livery giving a unique flavour to the fleet. Actually, the styling was not unlike three Wilks and Meade bodied Daimler double deck vehicles which Premier Travel had had built in May/June 1950 for use on its own services.

Premier Travel 143 (DCK 217), one of the pair that lasted until April 1973 that had been new as Ribble 1246, was seen in Drummer Street bus station in Cambridge. Another example stands behind. On the right is a Burwell and District double decker.