STAGECOACH in South Wales has donated a bus which will be housed at the former National Welsh bus garage in Barry.

The latest addition adds to the growing collection of buses in the care of The Cardiff Transport Preservation Group which has welcomed a Volvo B10M with Alexander PS bodywork to the fleet.

One of the drivers at Cwmbran, enthusiast Pete Morgan, knew the historical significance of the bus and approached Stagecoach in South Wales managing director, John Gould, asking if it could be repainted into its original Stagecoach livery with stripes and chevrons for its final years in service and also if it could pass into preservation once it became surplus to requirements.

This request was granted and Bus 20392 moved to the paintshop at Blackwood to receive its retro repaint.

Engineering manager Mark Powell and his team embraced the project and not only did it get a repaint but much repaneling work was done, spot lights were refitted and Volvo and Alexander badges were recovered from fitters tool boxes to give a truly authentic look.

In order to restore it closer to its original condition a seat swap took place with another vehicle.

The bus was officially handed over to the Cardiff Bus Preservation Group by Stagecoach in South Wales MD, John Gould last month .

Mr Gould said: “This has been a real team effort by a number of Stagecoach employees and they have done a really good job with the bus. It is always nice to be in a position to help and we hope the Society enjoy having her.”

Mike Taylor of the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group said: “I would just like to express my sincere thanks to Stagecoach in South Wales. It represents an important part of the history of bus operation in South East Wales and is a valued part of the collection which consists of buses dating from the 1940s through to the late 1990s. There is something for everyone at the Bus Depot so why not put our Barry Festival of Transport and depot open day on June 14 in your diaries, you won’t be disappointed.”

More information regarding the activities of CTPG can be found on their website at ctpg.co.uk.