MidlandRed.net

Thanks for taking that photo Adam. - I wish someone had lined-up the DD12s for a photo in 1967 !!

I didn't line them up, that's how I found them!

Note that these new buses were specifically for the 44 service and the frequency was EVERY 10 MINUTES as per the slogan above top deck front window. Admittedly there was a Government Grant, which if my memory is correct, for two years and thereafter subject to success of the 'venture'. I realise Covid and inflation have affected patronage and takings, but no wonder when the route is basically only 7 AM to 17-30 PM now on a rubbish 30 MINUTE FREQUENCY with no evening or Sunday buses - I am minded that some time ago there was a First Bus marketing ploy "FIRST transforming travel"; they've certainly done that all right but not for the benefit of Malvern and Powick residents!

The grant was only to upgrade the vehicles from single to double deck. The ten minute frequency was already in place and run commercially. All built up by First from the 30-minute frequency with minibuses when I started driving in the 1990s, then left to decay back to it's previous state of neglect.