Seaside Open-Top Buses: 1969-99

When double-deck motorbuses were first introduced they were all open-top, like the horse buses that preceded them.

Roofs were not permitted until the 1920s, but once they were the vagaries of the British climate dictated that they would normally be fitted. However, when the sun did shine, what could be nicer than a trip along the sea front with the sea air in your nostrils and ruffling your hair? Therefore, many seaside towns introduced seasonal open-top services. Many of these towns had their own municipally owned bus fleets. Elsewhere, the liveries of company fleets such as Southdown, Devon General and Crosville could be found.

As the services were seasonal it did not justify buying new vehicles for such work. Instead, older buses nearing the end of their life would be converted. An alternative option from the 1960s was to buy new vehicles fitted with a detachable roof, meaning that the buses could be utilised all year round, with the roof off during the summer and back on at other times.

Ordinarily, one would have needed to visit the resorts to photograph these buses, but once a year most of them came together for the annual Epsom Derby horse race in June. The buses would be hired out to bring corporate guests to the racecourse and would then be lined up to act as grandstand viewpoints around the circuit.

This book features seaside open-top buses in operation around England and Wales, starting at Southend-on-Sea and then working clockwise around the coast. Views at the Epsom Derby and some of the vehicles that have entered preservation are also featured.