Out With The Old...In With The New
26 June 2006
Top of the Pops lovers are not the only ones celebrating the end of a 42-year era this week.
Pictured is Jonathan Miller (right), Translink District Manager, handing over the keys of the last Ulsterbus Leopard to Will Hughes, chairman of the Irish Transport Trust.
On 30 June Translink and bus enthusiasts across the UK will also wave a fond farewell to Ulsterbus Leopards as they are withdrawn from Northern Ireland’s roads.
The disappearance of the Leopards will bring to an end a bus body type that has represented Ulsterbus and Citybus throughout most of their existence and coincides with Translink’s recent introduction of 215 new, modern buses with more to follow in the coming months.
Pictured side by side with one of Translink's new, modern Ulsterbus vehicles is one of the old Ulsterbus Leopards which made its final journey this week.
In total 681 Leopard buses were built for Ulsterbus and its predecessor, the Ulster Transport Authority (UTA). Some may even remember the original grey and white liveries under the UTA which preceded the more familiar riviera blue and ivory of Ulsterbus.
Translink’s Frank Clegg said that all good things must come to an end.
“In general the lifespan of the earlier Leopards, purchased new, was between 14 and 16 years while some of the later purchases have clocked up an incredible 28 years’ service! I think these buses in particular have served us well and deserve to rest!
Pictured is the last of the Ulsterbus Leopards which will be withdrawn from Northern Ireland's roads this week following 42 years' service.
“However while we’ll miss the old Leopards we are also delighted to offer our customers across Northern Ireland brand new vehicles with features such as low-floor access for wheelchair and pushchair users, enhanced heating systems, double-glazing and CCTV for passenger and driver security.”
Ends.
For further information please contact Keelin Haughey at Morrow Communications on 028 9039 3837 or email k.haughey@morrowcommunications.com
Notes to Editor
228 Leopard buses of a total 1300 vehicles were destroyed maliciously during the ‘Troubles’. In 1982, two Ulsterbus Leopards out of a batch of ten were diverted from body manufacturers Plaxton to Robert Wright & Son of Ballymena to give them the opportunity and experience of bodying vehicles to full PSV standards. Both served a full life cycle, and survive to this day although one has been in preservation for five years.
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