100 years of Southdown

To celebrate 100 years of Southdown Motor Services, Stagecoach has launched two specially liveried buses. The ADL Enviro300 has been finished in the traditional Southdown green and cream livery that was evident in various guises from 1915 until the early 1990s. The Enviro400 represents the operator’s wartime variation of green and battleship grey to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945. The buses were unveiled by Stagecoach’s Commercial Director, Mark Turner and Engineering Director, Richard Alexander, at a special photo ceremony hosted by the Amberley Museum and Heritage Centre in the South Downs National Park.

Southdown Motor Services was formed in 1915 and operated from a number of depots across Sussex and South East Hampshire with an operating area which stretched from Hastings in the East to Southampton in the west and as far north as East Grinstead, Horsham, Crawley and Haywards Heath. Its former depots at Worthing and Chichester are still in use today as part of Stagecoach South.

Also as part of the centenary celebrations, a special bus rally will take place on 7 June on Southsea Common with approximately 120 modern and vintage buses on display, plus free bus rides across the local area. Stagecoach are appealing for help with the search to find the oldest surviving Southdown employee to be guest of honour and to cut the birthday cake at the event.

If you know someone who might qualify for this, e-mail [email protected]

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