THE SHOWBUS NEW ZEALAND BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Red Bus | Christchurch | Sold buses
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 Bayline in Tauranga acquired large numbers of Christchurch's Bristol RELL6L fleet, as many as 36 have been recorded. Most were the later NZMB-Hess bodied variety, but this is Hawke ECW framed 48 (RE2551), an appropriate registration, but was new as 509 (IU9502) in 1978 in Christchurch. It reached Bayline by a roundabout route, first passing to Pavlovich Coachlines around 1992, passing around four years later to Tui Coachlines of Napier before ending with Bayline by 2004. It is seen in their depot in April 2008. |
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 A trio of the newer NZMB-Hess models was lined up in the depot situated in the Bay of Plenty. As can be seen it was more like the Bay of Plenty of Rain during the visit. From left to right we have Bayline 28 (JP6324), 47 (JD5948) and 11 (SA8302), former Christchurch 577, 518 and 551 (JJ5462). |
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 Another depot line up with a couple of NZMB Commuter bodied Bedford NFM buses adding to the mix. The two RELL6L buses are 15 (IY6813), left and 16 (SA8303), once 557 and 559 (JM1978). The Bedfords are 18 (JU2903) and 55 (JT4200). Both Bedfords were new around 1980 to Palmerston North City Council and CNG powered, being later converted to run on LPG. |
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 On the right of this pair is 34 (IY6809) in the livery of Tui Coachlines of Napier. Nine of Bayline's Bristols came from this source in 2004, suggesting a takeover of the company, though with 34 still in their livery in 2008, maybe the Tui name survived as a subsidiary operation. The other Bristol is 31 (KB3804), former 598 in Christchurch whereas the Tui bus was 553. |
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 With 48 behind, 27 has an interesting EATOUT regsitration. It was originally 585 (JW1914). |
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