PRIMOS IN BEARTOWN

The residents of Congleton, Cheshire have a new easy access town bus network, branded ‘Beartown Bus’. The network is a partnership between Cheshire County Council and local operator Bakerbus which has chosen the stylish Plaxton Primo midibus to provide an attractive environment for passengers. Managing Director Phil Baker is enthusiastic about the Primo “We like their ease of access for passengers and how their large bus features make them easy for the driver. They are nippy and manoeuvrable whilst their slightly reduced width makes them ideal for the narrow streets along some of the routes”.  

The three Beartown Primos to the standard 7.9m Plaxton Primo specification with a Cummins ISBe 4 cylinder Euro 4 engine driving through an Allison 2000 fully automatic gearbox and Raba Z final drive mounted at the rear to enable a 70% low floor area. They feature 20 forward facing Esteban Urban 90 seats, five inward facing seats plus one wheelchair bay with three tip-up seats, and can carry up to 14 standees. Bakerbus has additionally specified the installation of a full internal and external CCTV system. Mobitec electronic destination displays enable destinations on the five route network to be clearly displayed.

The Primos carry a dedicated two tone green livery designed by FWT, who also produced the network’s publicity. ‘Beartown Bus’ branding is carried prominently all around the vehicle, supported by a network map on the engine cover and contrastingly coloured bear silhouettes. The name ‘Beartown’ derives from the bear which was a popular feature at Congleton’s Wakes festival. Legend suggests that the bear died in 1662 and the townsfolk chose to use money allocated to buying a new bible for the acquisition of a new bear!

Bakers Coaches of Biddulph operate a variety of services under the  Bakerbus brand in the Potteries and South Cheshire, together with a high quality coach operation. The combined fleet consists of 45 vehicles, over half of them having Plaxton bodies including 10 coaches bought new by the company.

The new Plaxton Primos and the ‘Beartown Bus’ network were formally launched on their first morning of operation, 20th August 2007, in front of invited guests including local and county councillors. Cheshire County Council Vice Chairman Cllr Steve Wilkinson spoke of “ the true partnership between council and operator”, adding “the buses look fantastic and the public perception will be good”. He then joined Bakerbus Managing Director Phil Baker to cut the ceremonial ribbon, watched of course by the bear, alias Bakerbus driving team member Lesley Jukes.

Caption to ribbon cutting: Councillor Steve Wilkinson, Vice Chairman of Cheshire County Council and Bakerbus Managing Director Phil Baker cut the ribbon to launch ‘Beartown Bus’. The Bear, alias Bakerbus team member Lesley Jukes, looks on!

ENDS

Sept 2007