THE Winchester-based Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has confirmed details of its services for New Year’s Day.

Whilst in keeping with the policy of recent years, the main Running Day will be in the spring on Sunday May 3, a smaller operation involving several King Alfred Buses vehicles will again take place on Wednesday January 1. This will maintain a long-established tradition and provide a service for the many supporters who would still like to travel on these historic buses from one of the last independently-owned companies that closed in 1973.

The services will be again be centred on the Broadway with the first departure at 9.15am and the last at 4.20pm.

A feature this year is the planned use of the two King Alfred 1964 AEC Renowns, 595 LCG and 596 LCG. 595 has seen a complete internal re-trim using specially-commissioned authentic material whilst 596 has been repainted in National Bus poppy red, recalling the 1970s after King Alfred operations and vehicles had passed to National Bus (Hants & Dorset).

Also envisaged is a free vintage bus service to/from Southampton via the former Hants & Dorset route 47, departing at 9.45am and 2.45pm from the Broadway to Southampton Civic Centre Road, returning at 10.45am and 3.45pm. Appropriately, this is planned to use 596 LCG in its current guise as Hants & Dorset No. 2212.

A full timetable may be obtained in advance by post from: David Morgan, 34 High Street, Nutfield, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 4HQ, 01737 823436. Price: £2 (Cheques payable to ‘Friends of King Alfred Buses).