Libertybus Preservation

26/04/2026

26/4/26

A long day today, down to East Grinstead (95 miles each way!) for the annual Country Bus Rallies - Kent & Sussex East Grinstead running day. Thankfully our Pink Lady made it without a hitch, very much enjoying the Sussex countryside, turning heads as per usual! This was her first proper enthusiast rally, one of many to come I hope, and we made it back comfortably albeit down an OS brake light. To be rectified this week and back out soon!

Thanks to those that joined us today, we'd love to see your pictures so please send them to the page or Edward.

25/04/2026

See you tomorrow!

Well, well ,well - another rabbit from the hat.

Reading of our earlier cancellations Edward & team have volunteered to bring their wonderful ex-Jersey Dart / Caetano to EG for the day ! She will be covering the 11.10 473, 13.25 424 and 15.16 235 departures. Amended vehicle subs and cancellations table below !

20/04/2026

19/04/26

After 3 months of battling with the DVLA, the Pink Lady was registered "LO52 HNN" on 15/04/26 - just in time for London Bus Museum's first event of the year. As such she was insured on the 17th and fuelled on the 18th, and excelled during the 2 hour drive down, picking up a lot of passengers on a feeder service from Watford. She seemed to garner a lot of attention at the event (I wonder why??), and we eventually got sent out on a few runs around Weybridge which was a great success. Thankfully she made it home without fault, all in all a really successful day, the first of many I'd expect. As always if anyone has any more suggestions for events to attend please do let me know!

18/04/2026

18/04/26

We have been quiet - but not for long. This week I had a spare day so ventured up to the yard to clean the Pink Lady inside and out, and doesn't it come up well! Naturally being a Dart it still starts on the button and runs well, hopefully it's not long now until we can get it back out on the road properly. Nevertheless, I am amazed at how well it scrubbed up, and it looks the business for it's first public appearance that may well be sooner than you think 🫣

22/03/2026

22/03/26

The DVLA are really testing us now! Last time it was the registration document, now it's the COIF...both are very much original, time to resubmit again with a slightly more strongly worded letter 😂

It looks like that will be the last piece of the puzzle, however - there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Given the age of 1113, the COIF acts as type approval as it was never approved when new, nor was any Dart. Just COIFed.

In other news, I have returned to Jersey to retrieve some parts (seats, seatbacks, panelwork) for 13. This was all loaded onto 07 which has been purchased by one of my managers, and that was promptly bought back to England. Whilst it isn't part of our group, I'm sure there will be updates every so often.

For 1113, I shall resend the application shortly. Last time it took 11 working days to be rejected, so when the application is recieved on Tuesday, so we should recieve yet another verdict on the second week of April. Fingers crossed 🤞

07/03/2026

07/03/26

Still awaiting registration from the DVLA! Whilst reshuffling the yard this week I brought her out for a bit to get some photos in the sun - the colours really do pop in good weather.

As it stands we are hoping to debut 1113 at South East Bus Festival on the 11th of April. This is pending registration, still, which hopefully won't take much longer.

27/02/2026

27/02/26

Given that the bus is mechanically sound, we have spent yesterday and today working on some 'quality of life' installations, this being a set of Hanover displays to replace the outdated Brighttechs that were installed, USB chargers to the front, wheel trims to the front and rear and a cupholder. Little things that make a difference (and keep whoever is driving happy 😅).

25/02/2026

What a stunning shot of our 1113 way back when!

Another archive picture today from Jersey in June 2011. This was Gorey and the bus is Connex Jersey 215 (J 101715), a Caetano Nimbus-bodied Dennis Dart SLF new in 2002. Operation of Jersey's public buses passed to HCT Group's Libertybus operation from January 2013 and this vehicle became 1113 in its fleet.

02/02/2026

Update 02/02/26

Some brilliant news to start the morning, the NOVA has been processed and all duties paid correctly (credits to the team UK Import Services Limited for that), meaning we are now able to send off for registration at last! Hopefully in 2 months or so time we'll be out and about properly in the almighty 'Pink Lady' 💪

24/01/2026

Update 24/01/26

New belt tensioner fitted which has partially eliminated the sqeaking noise from the engine area. We have also made a start on deep cleaning the interior with the seatbacks, cab and roofing areas having had a spruce up. We are now awaiting parts to commence the service. I am also slightly concerned about the levelling valve at the front, which leaks air at ride height but doesn't appear to when lowered. We have also installed removable reg plate mounts so we can display the English plates on the road and Jersey plates at shows etc.

Sadly we are still yet to be able to submit our registration application as the NOVA declaration is taking a longer than average time to process. Always the way!