Last Leyland Leaves

It is with some sadness that Konectbus inform me of the withdrawal of long living 152 UFX852S from their fleet. The Leyland National was new to Hants & Dorset in 1977 before passing to Solent Blue Line in 1987, and was then passed on to Trent Barton seven years later in 1994. She was acquired by Konectbus in March 2001, joining three others of that type already in the fleet. 152 was then joined by another three which were acquired after 2001, the most recent being 109 TRN809V which joined the fleet in 2007. This particular example didn't last very long and donated her engine to 152 in 2009 thus resulting in retirement from service. That was part of a celebration of Konectbus' tenth anniversary which also saw 152 receive a repaint and reupholstered seats. Since then she has been used for market day services and as a back up bus to the usual tendered services. In October last year, Managing Director Julian Patterson and Fleet Engineer Andy Warnes purchased 152 from the company but continued to loan her to the company.

Source: www.konectbus.co.uk

my favourite photo of 152 sees her working the konectexpress service 8 from Dereham