Kentish Bus & Coach 527 (G527 VBB) in New Oxford Street, London – 25 Sep 1991 (152-16)

Wednesday 25 September 1991 (approx. 0800) – In September 1986 London Country Bus Services was split into four smaller companies. London Country Bus Services (South East) became the operator from four garages in Kent. In April 1987 the LCBS (SE) company was renamed the Kentish Bus and Coach Company. In 1988 the company was purchased by Proudmutual in the privatisation of the National Bus Company.

In early 1990 Kentish Bus was successful in being award tenders to operate London Regional Transport routes 22A, 22B and 55 and placed 43 Northern Counties bodied Leyland Olympians in service on those contracted routes. These were numbered 514-556 (G514-556 VBB).

In this view 527 (G527 VBB) is seen on New Oxford Street at the corner of Bloomsbury Street working a service 55 to Clapton. In the earlier days of the London contracts the ‘all red livery’ edict did not apply and the buses employed carried the operating company’s own livery.