Bus Societies in the United Kingdom.

This listing has been compiled by Daniel McIntyre with reference to various bus magazines, including 'Buses', (website at www.busesmag.com) which is published monthly and 'Bus Fayre', (website at www.autobus-review.co.uk) which is published bi-monthly, in order to show the variety of bus societies and organisations that currently exist in the United Kingdom.

Links to websites are shown in blue text in the listing below.

National Societies

The GB-Bus Group

The aims of the GB-Bus Group is to help the Bus Enthusiast go about his or her hobby by providing relevant and up to date information.

The Omnibus Society

The Omnibus Society was founded in 1929. Today it is a nationwide organisation with a network of provincial branches, offering a comprehensive range of facilities for those interested in the bus and coach industry.

The Omnibus Society offers you the chance to hear topical presentations from bus industry managers at regular meetings in London and at branches throughout the United Kingdom. Other benefits of membership include visits and study tours, a bi-monthly magazine, supplemented by local branch bulletins; historical research groups; access to the Society’s extensive library and photographic archive and regular OSMART sales catalogues of books, timetables and other ethusiast items.

The Society has accumulated a wealth of information on public road transport. Members have the opportunity to receive and exchange data on every aspect of the industry, including route developments, operational or traffic matters and fleet changes. Each branch has a full programme of activities and publishes its own Branch Bulletin to give local news of route changes, etc.

A scheme exists whereby members subscribe to receive bulletins other than that of which they are a member. A programme of indoor meetings is customary during the winter months, including film shows, invited guests and discussions. In the summer months visits to manufacturers and tours visiting operators are featured.

The PSV Circle

The PSV Circle was formed over sixty years ago and it is an association of over 2000 members, who are interested, in various ways, in the vehicles used by the passenger transport industry on the roads of the United Kingdom and abroad. Membership is open to all over the age of 16, and in certain exceptional cases to those under this age.

The aim of the PSV Circle is to be the definitive source of all knowledge on Public Service Vehicles and Operators throughout the United Kingdom. For every vehicle it records:- Registration mark, fleet number, livery, seating. Chassis and body make, model and numbers. The first operator, date new, depot allocation. Later modifications, transfers, re-registrations. Sales to further operators, and final fate.

The PSV Circle has the aim of ensuring the membership is provided with accurate and up to date information on all aspects of bus and coach operation in Great Britain and Ireland, and in other parts of the world where British vehicles are in use. It covers the largest operators through to those with just one minibus and everything in between. Although we receive large amounts of information from official sources, it relies on members to report on Operators in their own areas. Information is posted to members in news sheets. These news sheets, comprising of nine regional sections are published each month, together with numerous supplements and fleet histories which fully record information relating to operators, chassis builders and body constructors.

Annual subscriptions vary with the number of regional news sheets required, with a minimum for one area and graded additional payments according to members‘ requirements. Frequent meetings are held in London and several provincial towns.

Preserved vehicles are covered in its quarterly British Journal, whilst our quarterly Overseas Journal reports on Operators in other european countries, and places as far away as Hong Kong and New Zealand.

The PSV Circle also produces a wide range of publications including operator fleet histories, chassis lists, body lists as well as current fleet lists covering Great Britain and Ireland. It also stocks books from many other publishers at competitive prices.

Irish Societies

Irish Transport Trust

The Irish Transport Trust was founded in January 1969 to cater for all interested in the study of passenger transport, mainly road services, and to provide a medium for the exchange and recording of news. This includes discussion at regular meetings of the problems facing the passenger transport industry, and particularly the operation of buses and coaches throughout Ireland. Historical aspects of road passenger transport are also considered at the Trust's meetings.Membership is open to any person either inside or outside the passenger transport industry who has been accepted by the committee.

Local Enthusiast Societies

Amersham Motor Bus Society

The society has members from all walks of life with different interests and occupations and a wide range of ages. Our website is small, but expanding every month. Our members send in items to be added to the site. We have upcoming events, rally details, running days and points of interest. There are also personal stories from members about rallies they have attended, historical items and other bus related items.

Ayrshire Bus Group

Unfortunately at present the website for the Ayrshire Bus Group is not available. The Ayrshire Bus Group is a group of Ayrshire, Western Scotland locals who discuss anything regarding buses in the Ayrshire area. this includes A1 Service, AA Motor Services/AA Buses, and any other companies (past or present) in the Ayrshire area. Main interests include history (words or pictures), buses that have run, services that have operated and much more.

Cambridge Omnibus Society

The Cambridge Omnibus Society is over 25 years old and is the society for information about buses in Cambridgeshire. Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month, except in August, in Cambridge. The Society also produces a monthly magazine and organises trips from the Cambridge area.

Channel Islands Bus Society

The Channel Islands Bus Society does not have a website of its own, but it is over 20 years old and aims to keep members abreast of bus and coach developments in Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney, although it leaves the Sark horse-drawn carriages to look after themselves! It produces an illustrated colour A5 size newsletter, four times per year. Separate sections cover operators in the Balliwicks of Guernsey and Jersey and there is a preservation section to keep track of the many Channel Islands buses in Britain. In addition each issue usually includes one or more topical or historical articles on buses or their operation, or operators.

Crosville Enthusiasts Club

The club was formed in 1967 to cater for those interested in the vehicles and operations of Crosville Motor Services Limited. The membership was, as to be expected, primarily based in the Crosville operating area. However, as the years have passed, the club has gone from strength to strength and we now have members from all over the United Kingdom.

It publishes a monthly magazine, the ‘Review’, which covers the former Crosville Motor Services operating area and depots, and beyond! Currently the magazine covers the following operators - Arriva Cymru, PMT, Midland Red North, Stevensons and North Western, as well as several minor operators in the area and Chester City Transport. Tours are run during each year.

To accompany the up to date news there are a myriad of articles, penned by the membership, often about their experiences and memories of Crosville or associated subjects.

The Devon General Society

The Devon General Society was formed in 1982 to promote interest and bring together existing enthusiasts of the former Devon General company and it's successors, also to encourage preservation of all aspects of the companies past. The smart and colourful Red & Ivory Buses of Devon General provided public transport to the people of Devon and it's extensive tourist trade for over 50 years. Since the formation of the company in 1919 they became a much loved part of Devon life.

Members receive a bi-monthly newsletter, containing details of developments in the Stagecoach Devon, First Western National, First Southern National and Plymouth Citybus fleets. Plus the Digest, published three times per year which includes articles covering the history and operations of Devon General and other Devon operators, also features on preservation and modelling, it is also illustrated with photographs of historic interest.

Quarterly meetings are held in Exeter on an ad hoc basis featuring guest speakers from the transport industry with slide or film shows. During the summer months an event is usually organised for members, at a venue in Devon.

East Sussex Omnibus Society

Established in 1988 with an Eastbourne influence, the East Sussex Omnibus Society caters for all interests in East Sussex from Brighton to Rye. Meetings are held once a month. Membership includes a monthly magazine, ‘Bustopics’.

Essex Bus Enthusiasts Group

This group was formed in 1962, under its previous title, Eastern National Enthusiasts Group. The present name was adopted in 1987 to reflect more fully the activities of the group.

A monthly magazine ‘Essex Bus News’ is circulated to all members giving information on all aspects of First Essex Buses, Thamesway, Colchester and Southend and all other operators in Essex. The magazine includes historical features, meetings, photograph sales, coach tours and timetable subscription service. Meetings are arranged on a regular basis, whilst tours are also organised. A range of publications and photographs is also available. Membership is open to all over the age of 12.

Isle of Wight Bus Museum

Established in 1997, the Museum welcomes new members to help with the ongoing programme of vehicle restoration and ways to improve and make the museum even better. Just by taking out a membership subscription, you are helping to fund the museum project. Additionally, members receive the quarterly journal, called ‘The Enterprise’ containing news and information about the museum with articles and photos reflecting on the past.

Leicester Corporation Bus Preservation Group

Formed in 2002, the group was set up to bring together vehicle owners and enthusiasts interested in the municipal fleeet of Leicester City Transport. The principle aim of the group is to promote the transport heritage of Leicester by preserving buses of historic value for years to come. The collection includes AECs, Bristols, Leylands and more modern Dennis and Metro-Scania types, ome privately and some group-owned. The Group welcomes new members to help with the ongoing programme of vehicle restoration and to assist in other aspects of researching the history of Leicester City Transport. Members of the Group receive a quarterly newsletter ‘Corpo’ which contains updates on restoration projects, plus news of surviving Leicester City Transport buses and rally reports.

London Omnibus Traction Society (LOTS)

Formed in 1964, LOTS has some 2,600 members and it is the largest bus enthusiast society in the British Isles.

An illustrated monthly newsletter is sent to all members. This covers all of the current operators in the former London Transport area and includes general and industry news, route developments and vehicle news for that area, as well as publicity, subsequent disposal information and service vehicles.

Monthly meetings are usually held in central London featuring guest speakers, slide and film presentations during the year, as well as the annual free bus rides from central London using vehicles of London interest.

Regular LOTS publications include fleet allocations and route working publications as well as the annual popular London Bus and Tram Fleetbook. A quarterly 64 page glossy magazine, known as the London Bus Magazine (LBM) has been produced for over 30 years. Regular sales lists are produced and sent out to all members. An information service is also available to all members to answer those historical queries. The Autumn Transport Spectacular (ATS) is held in London every year and is one of London’s biggest transport sales.

The M & D and East Kent Bus Club

This club was formed in 1952 with the object of bringing together all of those interested in road passenger transport in an area covering Kent and East Sussex.

Facilities for members include a monthly illustrated news-sheet, publications, photographs, outings, booklets, information service, tours, meetings and vehicle preservation. A series of publications is also produced, including fleet histories, a recent publication being a Fleet History of Maidstone & District, which includes 260 illustrations.

Merseyside Bus Club

Founded in 1976 and with almost 200 members, the Merseyside Bus Club is the Club for everyone who has an interest in the buses of Merseyside and the surrounding areas. Whether your particular interest is bus photography, fleet news, vehicle or route histories, buses of the past, preservation or modelling, this club has something for you.

Monthly meetings are held in Liverpool with guest speakers, tours to places of transport interest, annual week-long holiday tour, postal photo sales.

The Northern Group Enthusiasts Club

The Northern Group Enthusiasts Club does not have a website, it exists to keep people up to date with changes and developments throughout the whole of the GoAhead Group as well as Stagecoach Busways and Arriva North East, through the publication of a monthly newssheet.

The Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society

The Potteries Omnibus Preservation Society caters for all people who are interested in Potteries Motor Traction (PMT) buses past and present.

The Provincial Society

The Provincial Society was formed in 2003 to bring together people who are interested in all aspects of the operation and vehicles of the former Provincial Tramways Company, The Gosport and Fareham Omnibus Company and Provincial Bus Company from 1878 to the present day.

Ribble Enthusiasts Club

The Club was formed in 1954 by the late Mr T B Collinge, with the official approval of the Ribble Motor Services Ltd., to record details of the Ribble and Standerwick fleets and those of the joint operators.

The present day Club provides information concerning the current events taking place in the major and minor operators fleets within the North West, which is contained in the club’s monthly bulletin. The bulletin includes the following companies - Stagecoach Ribble, Burnley & Pendle, Lancashire United and several other north-west operators. It also provides historical information to members, via the Bulletin, publications and individual queries, there is also an extensive photographic service and a secondhand department. Meetings of the club are also held and visits organised.

The Samuel Ledgard Society

The Samuel Ledgard Society was formed in 1998 at the Rose & Crown Inn, Otley during the second annual reunion of devotees of this well known and much respected bus company. Reunions are held twice yearly, at Armley during April and Otley in October. A Christmas dinner is also part of the established calendar of events. Outings are in the planning stage, possibly utilising genuine ex-Ledgard vehicles.

The quarterly journal of the Society, entitled "The Chat", is published for members, in March, June, September and December each year. Membership is open to all who paid the subscription to the society.

It is now over 40 years ago that the Samuel Ledgard bus company was swallowed up by the British Transport Commission and integrated with the West Yorkshire Road Car Company. It is also over 55 years since the death of the founder of the company, Samuel Ledgard.

Southdown Enthusiasts Club

Established in 1954 as the Southdown Spotters’ Club, to bring together people who are interested in the vehicles, routes and history of Southdown Motor Services Limited, and now includes Stagecoach South East (Hastings & District, South Coast Buses, Southdown, Hampshire Bus, Hants & Surrey, East Kent), Brighton & Hove, Eastbourne Buses and First Hampshire and Dorset.

The Club caters for an increasing membership by providing up to date information on current bus operations in the former Southdown area and beyond as well as researching into this much loved Company’s history. Plus photographic and book sales.

It publishes a Monthly News Journal of up to 36 pages packed with up to date information, notes and news on vehicles and bus routes operated by Stagecoach (Southdown Motor Services Ltd) in the former Southdown area, extending to Hants & Surrey and Hampshire Bus as well as Brighton & Hove. There are also winter meetings. Membership is open to persons aged 14 years and over.

Thames Valley and Aldershot Bus Interest Circle

The Circle does not have its own website, but it was formed in 1986 as the Alder Valley Interest Circle, with a couple of minor name changes it is now known as Thames Valley and Aldershot Bus Interest Circle. The Circle coves all bus companies in and around the former operating areas of the two well-known and respected companies. A newsletter is published approximately every 4 to 6 weeks.

Transpire - The Chesterfield Bus Society

If you have an interest in bus and coach operation in North Derbyshire centered around Chesterfield, then becoming a member of Transpire will provide you with a bi-monthly newssheet and an invitation to join in Society events, including film evenings, tours of local operators and discount fares to rallies throughout the country. Stagecoach East Midland, Trent, Hulleys and TM Travel are just a selection of operators Transpire have good relations with and official fleet information is regularly available to the Society.

United Enthusiasts Club (Arriva North East)

This club was formed in 1984 with the support and encouragement of United Automobile Services, and it continues to flourish with the help of the successor companies under the Arriva North East name, now including Arriva Northumbria. It caters for the growing number of bus enthusiasts interested in these operators and in the history of United and its associated companies. The club has some 180 members living as far afield as Scotland, the south coast and Devon, as well as in the local area of North East England.

Members are kept informed by a monthly illustrated newsletter containing vehicle and service news of Arriva North East, articles, letters, book reviews, comment and details of events. An enlarged quarterly edition contains major articles, usually historical, and provides a platform for members to share the results of their researches. Publication is towards the end of the named month, and by courtesy of Arriva each issue contains the Company’s vehicle allocation sheets for that month.

Meetings are held at various locations, and excursions are organised from time to time to places of interest.

Western Enthusiasts Club

The Western Enthusiasts Club does not have a website, but exists to keep those people who are interested in the Western Scottish Area bus companies such as Stagecoach Western Buses, A1 Service and Glasgow fleets, as well as those of numerous competing operators. It issues bi-monthly newssheets and organises tours and visits.

Model Bus Societies

Model Bus Federation

The Model Bus Federation was formed in 1968 by two enthusiastic bus modellers as a means of extending their hobby by communicating with other modellers, and swapping ideas and tips to help improve their modelling. Little did they realise that, over the years, the MBF would grow into a world-wide association. The MBF is still the only organisation devoted to the world of model PSVs which has its strength and base in the UK. Indeed, the growth of the bus kit industry over the years is due in no small way to the efforts of the MBF and its members who have helped to stimulate the growth of a new industry to cater for the demand.

If your interest in buses extends to the world of models - then becoming a member of the MBF is the ideal way to help you develop your hobby. A monthly journal, regular local and national meetings, model competitions, the exchange of ideas with fellow modellers, a sales shop and special supplements are all part of the membership benefits of the MBF.

Whilst much of the information produced by the MBF inevitably concerns model buses, the full-size bus is not ignored. Regular articles and plans look at full-size vehicles to help you with your modelling.

Preservation Societies

See the separate webpage - Bus Preservation Societies Page.

Worldwide Societies

Buses Worldwide (BWW)

Established in 1982 to associate those particularly interested in bus operation in countries other than Great Britain. Meetings are held, a bi-monthly magazine is published and visits abroad are organised.

All enquiries about this page should be made by E-mail to Daniel McIntyre.
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