Between 1972 and 1986 the roads of England and Wales were served by the country’s own National Bus Company, carrying a corporate livery introduced to bring the thirty-six or so companies together and help the public see it owned its bus services. At the time, it was the largest bus company in the world, and there was much interest in its vehicle fleets, along with the changes to operating areas and fleet amalgamations.

In the 1970s, most towns had a bus station and garage, and the constituent companies still retained much individuality even if the buses were painted in a similar fashion. Information was not as readily available as today, so there was plenty of interest to be discovered. In this book, Mike Hitchen takes a look back to a time when variety was the norm; red or green (and occasionally blue) buses connected communities across the country from Cornwall to Kent, Hampshire to Northumberland and most places in between.

'An interesting book it fills a gap in the development of the NBC and is worthy of consideration.' * Bus Fayre, Spring 2025 *

Michael Hitchen hails from Crewe, Cheshire and works as a civil servant. He has a lifelong interest in transport subjects.