Celebrating 125 years

We're celebrating 125 years of serving the city. This time, we're focusing on the iconic Newport Nipper.

Following deregulation in 1986, Newport Transport, along with many bus operators looked at new and innovative ways to develop services. 

Across the country, minibuses were proving popular. They were more economical to buy and run than conventional buses with shorter build and delivery timescales. At first, it meant that lesser-used services could be maintained. 

Their lower operational costs allowed increases in frequency, whilst their smaller size had the ability to divert off the main road to serve areas that had never had a bus service. In a city as hilly as Newport, they proved popular.  

The first Nippers were eight East Lancs bodied Dodge S56s buses. Badged as Renault, they had 24 coach-style seats and entered service in early 1987. Initially they replaced existing big-bus operated services to Allt-yr-yn, Brynglas, Christchurch, Gibbs Road and Rogerstone. East Lancs-bodied Dodge S56s. Fleet number 4 at Newport Bus Station on 23 May 1987 

East Lancs-bodied Dodge S56s. Fleet number 39 at Corporation Road Depot in October 1988. Note the covered rear wheels on this particular vehicle. 

Part of the success of minibuses was the official or unofficial name given to them. There were Clippers, Trippas, Hoppas, Shoppers, Imps – the list goes on. Nipper was perfect. The original livery was all-over cream with thin green bands around the middle of the body with large Newport Nipper logos. 

They were popular with passengers but not so much with drivers or engineers. The were uncomfortable to drive and were prone to overheating. For the next vehicles, the company chose Reeve Burgess bodies. They entered service in 1987. These had 25 bus-type seats.

Reeve Burgess-bodied Dodge S56s. Fleet number 65 at Corporation Road Depot on 26 September 1987

There was a significant demand for minibuses across the country. However, most were still van or truck derived vehicles meaning they often made for a bumpy ride or were not easily accessible. A purpose-built minibus was developed by MCW. The MCW Metrorider had more modern stylings with the look and feel of a proper bus just made smaller. 

The rear of MCW Metroriders. Note the coach seats and boot of the bus on the left. For that reason it had the telephone number and "To hire this" on the back. Fleet 38 and 65 at Corporation Road depot on 14 March 1991

In June 1988, two vehicles entered the fleet. They had coach seating and small boot which allowed them to be offered for private hire. The Nipper livery changed too. A dark green skirt was added and two-tone green lines were applied across the mid body. Some previous buses were repainted.

East Lancs-bodied Dodge S56s repainted in the new Newport Nipper branding. Fleet 5 at Corporation Road depot on 5 January 1991

The Nippers had proved successful in boosting passenger numbers on existing routes and the company expanded by offering new services to places previously unserved. In 1988, new routes were added to Maesglas, Blaen-y-pant, Oliphant Circle, Rhiwderin, Howe Circle and Llanwern Village. There was also a free service to Sainsbury’s too. A second-hand Dodge from Eastbourne Borough Transport was brought in to help. 

In 1990, the company tested three different manufactures of minibus but remained loyal to the Metrorider; this time being produced by Optare. Six new 23 bus-seat vehicles entered the fleet in 1990 replacing some of the original Dodges. These were joined by a further six buses in April 1991. The last remaining Dodges left the fleet in 1993. 

In 1994 the company trialled a free service between the bus station and the Royal Gwent Hospital. Numbered route 99, it ran every 20 minutes from 08:00 until 21:00. It was an instant success and an additional MCW Metrorider was acquired from Partfitts of Rhymney Bridge. 

In 1997, four new 25-seat Operate Metroriders were purchased. These were slightly wider than previous models and had bigger and clearer destination displays. Later that year, one of the original MCW Metroriders travelled to Belarus on a charity run! Both MCW buses were sold shortly after. 

Optare Metrorider operating a "big-bus" route. Fleet number 88 seen here at Christchurch Road on 18 May 2001

The new style Optare Metrorider. Fleet 89 at Corporation Road depot on 1 August 1997 

Whilst the Nippers are fondly remembered, they had steep steps and narrow doorways meaning they were difficult if you had reduced mobility, a buggy or lots of shopping. They were also completely inaccessible if you were a wheelchair user. Legislation changes at the end of the 1990s were intended to ensure buses were suitable for everyone. 

In July 2000, five brand new Alexander ALX200 bodied Dennis Darts were bought. These short-wheelbase single deck buses had 28 seats but also a low floor and space for a wheelchair user. They were given Newport Nipper logos but the livery was standard single-decker green and cream. A further six arrived in May 2001. 

Whilst they were intended to replace the Metroriders and continue to operate on Nipper routes, the Nipper logos looked odd. The buses were too big and too square! The company was rebranding too and so the Nipper branding was phased out. 

By 2004, the Newport Nipper had disappeared…

…Cut to 2026. The company is celebrating 125 years. As part of the celebrations, we’ve repainted one of our minibuses in full Newport Nipper livery. 

Two Newport icons. EVM-bodies Mercedes Sprinter taken at Newport Transporter Bridge. The bridge celebrating 120 years. Fleet 246 taken on 13 September 2026 (photo by Alex Clarke).

The minibus is an EVM-bodied Mercedes Sprinter. Introduced to Newport in 2021, the Sprinter has reignited the trend for minibuses across the country. Although this time, the buses are more comfortable and accessible to everyone. You’ll find it most days travelling around Goldcliff, Nash, Redwick and Llanwern on our demand responsive routes DRT62 & DRT63. 

Fleet 246 taken at Ridgeway on 13 September 2026 (photos by Mark Hall)

The photos here are part of collection of the late Edwin Marsh, managing director from 1989 to 2001. However, Edwin was deputy manager from 1971, so the introduction and development of the Newport Nipper are very much his legacy. Some of the photos have never been seen before. We are grateful to the family of Edwin for the kind donation of these and number of photos. 

Where it all began...

Dodge 56s taken in 1987 prior to entering service (photo by Newsquest)

In the same location at the top of Ridgeway Avenue. EVM bodied Mercedes Sprinter taken on 13 September 2026

Did we miss something? Let us know you Newport Nipper stories: [email protected]