Vintage and open-top bus rides

We’re celebrating 125 years!

At midnight on 31 July 1901, Newport Borough Council took-over the operation of the horse-drawn tramways in Newport. With the exception of the transfer to a limited company in 1986, the company, now Newport Transport Ltd has continued to serve the city for 125 years. 

As part of our celebrations, on 1 August we’re running two special free services using two preserved vehicles

The vehicles…

• Our iconic Longwell Green bodied Leyland Titan PD2 (Fleet number 178). New to the company in 1958 as part of an order of 40 vehicles, it was restored in 1988 to celebrate the National Eisteddford taking place in Tredegar House. 
• Open-top Alexander bodied Scania N113DRB. New in 1988 , along with 5 similar vehicles, the bus entered service with a fully enclosed roof. In 2004 the bus was converted to open-top and repainted red with City Sightseeing branding. It was acquired by the Cardiff Transport Preservation Group in 2016 and repainted into its original green and cream in 2023.  

The routes…

Buses will leave Market Square bus stop 15A – this is the sheltered bus stop between the two bus stations. Once they’ve left the bus station, there are no stops to board or alight. 

Caerleon   Travel along the main road to Caerleon with riverside views, then a loop of Caerleon Village with its famous Roman history and back to Newport. Journey time approximately 35 minutes. 

11:00  Open Top Scania

12:00  Leyland PD2

13:00  Open Top Scania

14:00  Leyland PD2

Six Bridges   Travel Usk Way to the Church Street roundabout with views of the river and Newport’s six bridges. Journey time approximately 20 minutes. 

11:20  Leyland PD2

11:50  Open Top Scania

12:20  Open Top Scania

12:50  Leyland PD2

13:20  Leyland PD2

13:50  Open Top Scania

14:20  Open Top Scania     

14:50  Leyland PD2

There’s no need to book – just turn up and hop on board!

Accessibility…

Unfortunately, the preserved buses were built at a time when accessibility wasn’t as carefully considered as it is today. We therefore regret that the vehicles aren’t suitable for wheelchair users.

The Leyland PD2 has one step to board from the pavement to the platform, then one smaller step between the platform to the lower saloon. The steps to the upper deck are via a curved stairwell. 

The Scania Open Top has one step to board from the pavement to the door-well then, another step up into the lower saloon. The steps to the upper deck are via a curved stairwell. 

Both buses are a little louder than a modern diesel bus and will vibrate more when stationary. The gear changes on the Leyland PD2 are louder and more noticeable than a modern bus.  

Thank you to Cardiff Transport Preservation Group for supplying the Scania Open Top. For more about them visit their website. www.ctpg.co.uk

Thank you to Tudor Thomas for the photographs.