Arthur's Story...

Arthur is our characterful Bristol LHS6L dual-purpose bus and coach. Built in December 1980, he combines the practicality of a traditional service bus with the additional comfort and storage expected from a coach.

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He was originally registered GTX 761W and entered service with National Welsh as fleet number MD8026. He was later renumbered MD1394 and carried passengers across the National Welsh network until being withdrawn from regular service during the 1980s.

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In January 1986, Arthur passed briefly through Ensignbus of Purfleet before beginning a new chapter with Lakeland of Hurst Green. He remained with Lakeland until July 1989.

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Arthur then joined Trimdon Motor Services, where he was given fleet number 1901. In September 1990, he moved to United Automobile Services and continued operating under the same fleet number.

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Although withdrawn shortly after arriving at United, Arthur was reinstated the following year. In 1993, he was loaned to Tees & District Transport and used to carry members of staff in Hartlepool. He remained with United until April 1996.

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Arthur subsequently joined Cygnet of Darton as fleet number 14. His time in regular passenger service was relatively brief, and by the end of the 1990s he had entered preservation.

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In January 1999, Arthur was acquired by Allen & Bairstow and kept at the Nottingham Heritage Centre in Ruddington. By May 2000, he had been repainted into an attractive green and white livery.

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In December 2006, he passed to Simon Stanley of Bristol and Matt Carroll of Cardiff for continued preservation. Tony Hill of Stroud acquired him the following month and restored him into his traditional National Welsh dual-purpose red and white livery in 2007.

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London Bus 4 Hire acquired Arthur in July 2015, allowing his preservation story to continue. Around 2019, his original registration GTX 761W was replaced with his current registration, VGC 932.

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Today, Arthur’s compact dimensions make him particularly useful for smaller wedding parties, family groups and private events. His narrower body can also make him suitable for certain rural roads and locations where a full-size double-decker may be less practical.

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Arthur carries up to 27 passengers and includes a luggage rack and a dedicated storage compartment beside the entrance for small bags, folded buggies and other essential items.

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He can be hired independently or used alongside one of our 72-seat Routemasters. Together, Arthur and a lengthened Routemaster can transport up to 99 passengers, providing coordinated vintage transport for larger weddings, events and group journeys.

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Arthur is based at our Usk depot in South Wales and is available for weddings, proms, private tours, day trips and other special occasions. Every booking includes a professional uniformed driver.

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For weddings, Arthur can also be decorated with external white ribbons and internal white silk flowers, helping him look perfectly at home as part of your celebration.

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