A GROUP of Barry-based bus preservation enthusiasts are hoping a historic bus will make its way back from South Africa in time for Christmas.

The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group, who work at the Bus Depot, Broad Street, have submitted an application to the South African government for an export licence so they can transport the last single deck bus built in the Welsh capital back home.

The members launched an appeal nine months ago to raise the £20,000 needed to transport the Bedwas and Machen Number Seven bus to South Wales.

Mike Taylor, chairman of the heritage vehicle collection at The Bus Depot, Barry, said: “Once we have that signed, the shipping arrangements that are planned can be confirmed to the point we will know what date it has to be at the port, as the bus has to take the 1,000 mile journey to Durban on the east coast of South Africa. This will then enable us to secure a slot on the roll-on roll-off ship and know its sailing date back to Europe. We are hopeful it could arrive before Christmas, but like anything involving international sea passage, delays can occur to the best of plans.

“The appeal to get this Welsh built bus back to Wales was launched earlier this year and we have now raised enough donations to enable to buy and bring this bus back from South Africa. This is a very special historic vehicle that should be in Wales and we set ourselves a target to bring it back from South Africa.”

The former 63 year old Bedwas & Machen U.D.C. bus, an AEC Regal III, is in the Sandstone Heritage Trust museum in the Orange State in central South Africa - around 1,000 miles from the coast and nearest sea port.

Mike said: “The bus has special significance, as it was the last single deck bus built by the Bruce Coach Works in Cardiff, at the former Pengam Airport, back in 1951.

“It was the last of two single decker buses ordered and operated by one of Britain’s smallest municipal bus operators - Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council - that at the time was part of Monmouthshire.

“This bus represents a special piece of Cardiff’s history, and almost uniquely one of the few remaining Welsh built buses that still exist.

"Bus No 7 was bought by an enthusiast but his job took him to South Africa, and he took this bus with him. Whilst in South Africa it was kept at and subsequently sold to the Sandstone Heritage Trust, and they have agreed to let us have it back here in Wales.”

The bus was kept under cover, but the paintwork has been obscured.

The group will restore the vehicle.