31 August 2014

A DUNEDIN BUS RETURNS TO SERVICE

For over a decade former DCT #174 lay derelict in a paddock in South Canterbury as an aborted campervan conversion. In 2011 the Society approached the former owners about obtaining the vehicle (along with sister vehicle DCT #170) for restoration.

DCT #174 was built in Dunedin in 1976 by Emslie Consolidated, a very successful coach and bus building company that was situated in South Dunedin. In 1993 the vehicle was sold to Ritchies Transport of Oamaru before being laid up in South Canterbury.

Today for the first time in 22 years, DCT #174 conveyed passengers once again in Dunedin as a support vehicle carrying the overload of passengers at the Special Rigs for Special Kids event. The vehicle will become part of the ‘Heritage Bus Collection’ that the Society is custodians of, for the enjoyment, education and heritage and social importance of our community.

This restoration project has been a labor of love and while the vehicle has been one very problematic project to get back on the road, however our volunteers have been willing and very patient to ensure things were just right, before commissioning the vehicle. Today the vehicle supports the iconic red, white and blue livery of late 1980’s that Dunedin City Transport had at the time and signwriting will be applied to the vehicle very soon.

ABOUT OTAGO HERITAGE BUS SOCIETY

Otago Heritage Bus Society was founded in 2010 to preserve and restore Dunedin’s public transport history and now operates several restored vehicles. Along with the operational vehicles that make up the ‘Heritage Bus Collection’ the Society has a few vehicles awaiting relocation for restoration including DCT #1, Dunedin’s first trolley bus built in 1950 and H&H #9, a Leyland Cub built in 1939.

The Otago Heritage Bus Society is 100% voluntary not-for-profit organisation. The ‘Heritage Bus
Collection’ is available for hire for community events or for private charters and the collection can be viewed by the public by arrangement only. More details about the society and upcoming
excursions are available on our website http://otagoheritagebus.co.nz/

ENDS

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