bristol vr

On Monday 12th October 1987 the Redline Bus Company started operating in competition with Midland Red West on their most profitable route in Redditch the 57 and 58 Matchborough Circular. Midland Red West responded immediately by increasing their frequencies. At the height of the competition they had a bus every minute departing from the bus station.  A number of the more senior drivers were put on a special rota where they were dedicated to working on the 57 and 58. They had special running cards which only had a start and finish time and simply said "to operate under inspectors instruction". In practice these vehicles were used to constantly shadow the Redline buses. The majority of the vehicles used were Leyland Nationals but Bristol VR double deckers were soon drafted in from Bristol OC. The first two JHW106P and JHW113P arrived in Redditch on Saturday 24th October 1987. They entered service in Bristol OC livery but with Midland Red West names added. A third vehicle JOU161P arrived from Bristol on the 18th December entering service the following day. Day to day maintenance was done at Redditch  but the vehicles did on occasions return to Bristol. To maintain 3 vehicles in service a fourth vehicle LEU258P arrived on 29th January 1988. This vehicle retained its full Bristol livery and fleet names. Operation continued until 1990 when the all the vehicles were finally withdrawn as the Leyland Lynx's were allocated to the garage. Whilst the double deckers were used on the 57 and 58 they did stray onto other routes and they did on a number of occasions get to Birmingham City Centre.