Ribble Motor Services
Ribble Motor Services in its heyday covered most of North West England from Carlisle in the north to Wigan in the south. Most urban operations were in the hands of local councils, but Ribble dominated rural and small town operations. It was formed in 1919 in Preston, which remained its headquarters. It had spells in the ownership of the LMS Railway, passing onto British Electric Traction, and then the nationalised National Bus Company in 1969, before being privatised by sale to its Management in 1988 who sold it onto Stagecoach in 1989 – by which time its operating area had contracted to Lancashire. Lytham St. Annes was linked to Blackpool by a privately funded tramway in 1896, initially using gas traction, but later electrified. In 1920 the company was purchased by St. Annes Council which was merged with Lytham in 1922 to form Lytham St. Annes Corporation. Buses began operation between the two towns in 1923 and further local routes were added. In 1935 a ‘back road’ link between Blackpool and Lytham was introduced jointly operated by both Corporations.
Ribble 2687
Built in 1949, No. 2687 is the last survivor of a batch of 31 Leyland Titans built with Brush lowbridge bodywork. It was a regular visitor to Blackpool as it was mainly allocated to Preston depot. They had relatively short lives with Ribble, mainly due to their timber framed bodies, and 2687 was withdrawn from service in 1960 and passed to independent operator South Notts in the Midlands.
Ribble 1455
After concentrating on single deck purchases during the early 1950s, double deckers came back into favour with Ribble from 1955 and the company ordered 120 Leyland Titan PD2s with both Metro Cammel and Burlingham bodywork. Burlingham was of course a product of Blackpool origins that later became Duple, more commonly associated with coaches than buses in later years.
Ribble 1805
No. 1805 is an example of an early Leyland Atlantean and was new in June 1962 as part of a batch of 14 buses (1801-1814). Originally based at Blackburn, the bus was later transferred to Penrith in the north of Ribble's territory and converted for one man operation.
Ribble 1997
Ribble used an early 1970s intake of Bristol VR buses to introduce One Man Operation in Carlisle but after life with Ribble, no.1997
enjoyed the wonderful scenery of Devon. It was finally withdrawn by First Western National during 2001 after almost 29 years of passenger service.
Ribble 366
The Bristol RE chassis was Ribble's bus of choice in the late 60s/ early 70s and no.366 is preserved in the National Bus Company "poppy red" livery introduced from 1972.
Ribble 272
Two unique purchases by Ribble in 1980 were Bristol LHS midibuses for a rural contract in Clitheroe and 272 awaits restoration.
