HISTORIC buses dating back as far as the 1930s from around the UK are to be restored to working order and preserved by First Group.
The Aberdeenshire-based transport company has set up a trust that has already taken ownership of four heritage vehicles, and aims to expand the collection to include well-loved buses that would otherwise face being scrapped.
Having taken ownership of dozens of former municipal bus companies around the UK following deregulation of the industry in the 1980s, First has become one of the country's biggest operators. There are currently three vehicles on display at First's headquarters: A 1965 Daimler, a 1975 Leyland Leopard and a 1930 Albion.
Joe Mackie, First Aberdeen's commercial director and secretary of the trust, said: "It's important we protect and preserve our heritage vehicles. In Aberdeen, for example, our 1930s 'Albion' bus has a rich and varied history – to condemn it to the scrap heap or consider selling it would be a great loss.
"In setting up the trust, vehicles with historical significance such as the Albion are protected. There are a number of buses throughout our operations in the UK that we will take ownership of and subsequently restore and preserve them."
The Albion was in service in Aberdeen in the 1930s before being commissioned during the Second World War.
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