May Day Running Day for King Alfred Buses

Bus preservation group Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) is to run its Original King Alfred Buses Running Day in and around Winchester on Monday 1 May 2023.

A 1929 Leyland Lion single-decker will head the line-up of a dozen traditional King Alfred buses representing the characterful local bus company which closed down 50 years ago at the end of April 1973. They will all be giving rides over the old King Alfred routes, in company with a wide range of heritage buses and coaches originating from other local operators.

Free bus services will operate based on Winchester Broadway and the St Catherine’s Park & Ride car park between approximately 9am and 4.30pm covering most of the traditional King Alfred routes plus those of neighbouring historic companies such as Aldershot & District and Hants & Dorset.

There will be the usual King Alfred sales stand, open between 10am and 4pm, while at St Catherine’s there will be a static display of historic vehicles with a frequent free bus service to/from central Winchester.

“On May 1st it will be almost 50 years to the day since the last King Alfred bus ran into the depot” – FoKAB’s founder and chairman, James Freeman

FoKAB’s founder and chairman, James Freeman, said: “It’s time once again to give our many friends and supporters a chance to relive the best years of the King Alfred buses and coaches.  Come with us to experience what it was like to ride on them and their contemporaries. In 2023 we are offering something very special with the return to Hampshire of a 1929 Leyland Lion, which originated with Hants & Dorset and following many changes of ownership has now been extensively restored. On May 1st it will be almost 50 years to the day since the last King Alfred bus ran into the depot – who would have believed then that so many buses would have been rescued and brought back to the city to remind us all of their past service?”