First Aberdeen Revives Old Livery to Celebrate 125th Anniversary

First Aberdeen will be taking passengers back in time with a retro-looking vehicle to mark its 125th anniversary of city services.

Bus operator First Aberdeen has has painted one of its fleet, an Alexander Dennis Enviro500, in the green, cream and orange heritage livery that was seen on its Leyland Atlantean buses for around 15 years.
 

First's presence in the Granite City dates back to the launch of Aberdeen Corporation Tramways in 1898 with First Aberdeen eventually becoming the city's primary public transport operator.

A full month of celebrations will take place in August, culminating in an open day on Saturday, August 26 at the King Street buses where people can get up close with vehicles dating back to as far as 1930.

David Adam, Head of Operations knows the old buses as well as anyone, having driven some of the vehicles after he first joined First Aberdeen 44 years ago.

David Adam with young employees Peter Spasov and Megan Copeland

David started out as a bus driver at just 21 and who is now head of operations at the city firm, said: "It’s funny seeing this old livery return. It takes me back to my early days of driving"  

 

  “First Bus has always brought a sense of community to Aberdeen, and it’s been great to reflect on that. From get-togethers with colleagues, to the regular customers that you get friendly with on your travels - it’s part of the furniture in the city.

“When I left school at 16 and took a job as a junior clerk in the travel depot, I never imagined that 44 years later I would still be here. But it’s been great to see how the company has evolved over the years, and how it invests in vehicles for the future.”

Duncan Cameron, managing director of First Bus Scotland, added: "This year we’re enjoying celebrating First Bus’s history in our hometown of Aberdeen.

Above and below, First Bus Aberdeen have a fleet of 25 Enviro500's which replaced articulated vehicles.

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