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AECs abroad
News and Photos
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The bus scene on Malta was for a long time a preserve
of elderly buses imported from the UK or built locally from imported
parts. Buses from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, some even older, were
still in regular service up to 2011. 60 or so redundant London Transport
AEC Swifts were exported, and a large number were still in use in
2010. There were also AECs of various other varieties, alongside Bedfords,
Albions, Leylands and various other historic marques.
These buses were privately owned and operated the yellow "route
bus" services driven by their owners. Often these were rebuilt
and embellished by their owners in a very individual way. On 3rd July
2011 that all changed when Arriva took over the government contract
to run all scheduled bus service in Malta and Gozo, with a fleet of
new and secondhand modern low-floor buses. The old buses were be taken
off the road, with many being scrapped and most of the remainder stored
to prevent subsequent re-use.
Mac Head, a regular correspondent and visitor to the island, has
provided information about the fate of the AECs on the island following
their withdrawal in 2011. Mac has also sent many of the photographs
on this page, including some from sister island Gozo.
The photos on this page all date from the period between 2008 and
the end of yellow route bus operations in July 2011. They are in three
sections: one for the Swifts, one for the other AEC route buses, and
one for non route buses.
AECBus acknowledges Bus
Lists on the Web, which has been a resource for much of the first
owner and bodywork information on this and other pages on the site.
You can get a full flavour of all the different types on the island,
including many historical views, at Keith Till's Malta
buses site.
London Swifts
One of the earliest Swifts on the Island,
the former London SM8 remained in service to the end of yellow
route bus operation with Malta registration EBY 625. It was
photographed splashing its way into Valletta bus station in
February 2011. Picture by Stephen Gow. |
Marshall bodied former SM9 (FBY 738) was new to LT as a single-door
vehicle with Marshall body. It was seen in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Many of the ex London Swifts were rebuilt over the years but
Marshall bodied former SM11, registered FBY 675, was still
in largely original form when pictured at work in April 2008.
Picture by Mac Head. |
Many of the ex London Swifts were modified with an extra entrance
step to enable a flat floor throughout. This is demonstrated
by former SM13 (DBY 321). Rebadging of buses with different
model or manufacturer names is a common custom too. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another picture of DBY 321, taken at Zabbar
in June 2011. It was scrapped following withdrawal two weeks
later. |
Ex London Swift SM14 (DBY 656) heads out of town past Marsa
stadium in June 2011. This bus was scrapped following the
service changes implemented two weeks later. |
SM15 (DBY 426) was seen at Rabat in June 2011. It had been
repowered with a Cummins engine but was otherwise unaltered
from its LT condition. |
Former SM16 (EBY 554) had frontal embellishments but its origins
are still clear. It was seen in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
DBY 466 (SM18) had been radically rebuilt, with its original
Marshall body heavily disguised by the high-floor modification,
restyled sides and the addition of a Duple Dominant coach
front. Picture by Mac Head. |
Marshall bodied former SM33 (FBY 662) in April 2008. This
was withdrawn in June 2010 following serious fire damage and
was subsequently scrapped. Picture by
Mac Head. |
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FBY 763 (ex SM34) in October 2008. Significant rebuilding
is evident when compared with sister FBY 662.
Picture by Mac Head. |
Former SMD60 (EBY 576) looking smart on the layover bay at
Valletta in April 2008. It proudly proclaims
its AEC origins alongside its claim to be a Marshall bodied
vehicle (it is a member of the Park Royal batch that followed
on immediately after the first 50 Marshall Swifts).
Picture by Mac Head. |
Another picture of EBY 576, picking up passengers
at Msida in February 2011. This bus was repowered with a Cummins
engine and a six-speed manual gearbox, and was a lively performer.
It passed to Heritage Malta following withdrawal. |
Former SMS200 (DBY 301) was another to gain only minor modifications,
and was seen picking up passengers at Bugibba bus station
in February 2011, alongside rebuilding works in connection
with the relaunch of bus services the following July. Picture
by Stephen Gow. |
FBY 641(ex SMS202) heads out of Bugibba en route for Rabat
and Mdina in October 2008. This bus was notable for running
with a complete set of Western SMT moquette seats right up
until final withdrawal. Picture by Mac
Head. |
Originally Park Royal bodied SMS212 (EBY
634) was seen st Sliema harbour in February 2011.
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Seen four days later in much wetter conditions, EBY 634 in
the company of Bedford YLQ DBY 365 demonstrates a common feature
of years of modifications. It makes no mention of its AEC
heritage whilst the Bedford prominently displays the legend
"AEC 505" - possibly it ran with an AEC engine at
some time in its history. Picture by
Stephen Gow. |
Former SMS232 (DBY 380) had received some embellishments to
the front but was otherwise in original form. It was seen
at Valletta in April 2008. Picture by
Mac Head. |
Former SMS238 (FBY 776), seen at Valletta bus station in April
2008, had been significantly rebuilt with restyled front and
sides. Picture by Mac Head. |
Another photo of FBY 776, driving down Bugibba seafront in
February 2011. It sports a plethora of alternative model and
manufacturers names. |
Former SMS243 (FBY 642) in April 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Former SMS244 (DBY 305) received a radical rebuild, with high
floor, coach style trims on the sides, express coach doors
and a completely new front. It's nice to see it still carried
an AEC badge though. Picture by Mac
Head. |
Former SMS258 (FBY 744) in April 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
EBY 564 (ex SMS268) was seen in Valletta in October 2008.
This one had a Park Royal dual-doorway body when new. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another picture of EBY 564, loading at Msida in February 2011.
It has also had the high-floor modification. |
EBY 623 (ex SMS274) stands in heavy rain at Valletta bus station
in February 2011. |
FBY 756 (SMS275) in September 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Here's another one claiming to be a Reliance. FBY 779 is former
SMS280, and was pictured at Mosta in February 2011. Picture
by Stephen Gow. |
FBY 779 seen again at Hamrun four months later
in June 2011, two weeks before it was replaced along with
all the other yellow route buses. |
EBY 589 (ex SMS292) takes its layover at Valletta in April
2008. Picture by Mac Head. |
Ex London Swift SMS292 heads out of town past Marsa stadium
in June 2011. This is another retained by its owner following
the changes implemented two weeks later. |
SMS327 (EBY 525) is another to gain only minor modifications,
and was seen on a service to the University in April 2008.
Picture by Mac Head. |
Former LT Swift SMS329 (DBY 389), another with the high-floor
rebuild, passes near the village of Bidnija in June 2011. |
Seen later the same day, DBY 389 powers its way up the hill
into Rabat. Sadly this bus has now been scrapped. |
Former SMD427 (DBY 420) had also had the high-floor conversion
and some frontal modifications, but its origins are unmistakeable.
It was pretending to be a different AEC model when pictured
at Rabat in February 2011. |
MCW bodied former SMS572 (EBY 534) - seen in April 2008
- continued to operate in almost unaltered form. The majority
of those still running had been extensively rebuilt over
the years. Picture by Mac Head.
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EBY 534 again, waiting in the rain to take up its next turn
of duty in February 2011. It retained its AEC engine and gearbox
and even a No Entry legend where the centre door once was,
right up to the end. This bus has now been scrapped following
withdrawal in July 2011. |
Former SMS603 (EBY 633) passes through Mosta on the route
from Rabat to Bugibba in February 2011. This is one of the
so-called direct routes, i.e. it doesn't serve Valletta. This
bus has now been scrapped. |
MCW bodied ex SMS810, now FBY 665, returned to service in
2010 following a rebuild, after a 15 year gap. It was sporting
a rather attractive livery variation. when photograpged at
Zeitjun in June 2011. |
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FBY 797 (ex SMS194) had been undergoing a
rebuild but it was never completed. Here it is in the workshops
in March 2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
The Malta Education Department had some Swifts for schools
buses as these were completely unaltered, even keeping their
centre doors. GVH 132 (ex SMS260) was pictured in Hamrun in
March 2009. Picture by Mac Head.
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Another of the school bus Swifts, GVH 133 (ex SMS266) was
seen in an earlier version of the Malta Education Department
livery in September 2008. Picture by
Mac Head. |
Three of the Education Department Swifts in Pembroke depot.
GVH 130 nearest the camera is being cannabalised for spares
but GVH 140 and GVH 141 were both still active. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another of the Education Department Swifts is former SMS259
(GVH 140), seen in April 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
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Ministry of Education Swift GVH 141 (SMS356) pictured in Hamrun
in March 2009. Eight of these buses were stored pending sale
in Janaury 2013. Picture by Mac Head.
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Other
AEC route buses on Malta and Gozo
AEC Reliance DBY 300, seen in Valletta in February 2011, was
new to Aberdare DC as TNY 495G. It still had its original
Willowbrook body, although somewhat rebuilt. |
DBY 300 tackles the hairpin descent to Mellieha
Bay in June 2011. The island of Comino can be seen in the
background. This bus passed to Heritage Malta after withdrawal.
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DBY 302, an AEC Reliance rebodied locally by Ciantar, seen
at work in October 2009. It was new to Global Coaches as YXD
11. Picture by Mac Head. |
With Mellieha Bay and the island of Comino visible in the
background, Gauci bodied AEC Mercury DBY 308 chugs its way
up the hill into Mellieha town in June 2011. |
DBY 327 was assembled locally at the Malta Docks in 1971 out
of AEC parts and a body built by Aquilina. It was seen still
at work in March 2009. Picture by Mac
Head. |
AEC Reliance DBY 331, new to Knowles of Bolton in 1955 with
a Burlingham coach body as HWH 450. It was rebodied by Debono
in 2006 and photographed in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
AEC Reliance DBY 333 received the Malta treatment before it
even got there! New in 1968 with a Duple Commander body, it
was rebodied with a Plaxton Supreme IV body in 1979 and reregistered
HPG 650V while with Thomas of West Ewell. It arrived in Malta
around the end of 1987 and subsequently received a Paramount
front. |
Sister to DBY 300, DBY 345 has retained the Willowbrook body
it had new as TNY 494G. Picture by Mac
Head. |
DBY 346, a Regal III new as HYP 309 to a South London independent,
and locally rebodied by Zammit, seen at Valletta in March
2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
DBY 346 seen again in February 2011, passing along Bugibba
seafront on its return journey back to Valletta. Picture
by Stephen Gow. |
DBY 349 is a 1939 Regal 0662 which arrived on the island in
1960 and received a locally built Barbara body. It was pictured
at Valletta in October 2008. It was new to City of Oxford
as HFC 413 with a Weymann body. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another picture of DBY 349 in Mosta in February
2011. A photo of sister HFC 410 with original body is on The
Classic Buses Website. Picture by
Stephen Gow. |
DBY 350 has a locally built Farrugia body on a 1960 AEC Mercury
truck chassis, and was still at work in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
DBY 350 passes the gate at Floriana on an
evening departure to Zabbar in June 2011. This passed to Heritage
Malta in 2011. |
Locally rebodied Reliance DBY 369 started life as North Western
860 in 1961 with a Willowbrook body. It was pictured in June
2011. |
AEC Mercury DBY 374 with locally built Barbara body in March
2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
DBY 374 seen beneath palm trees at Marsascala
in June 2011. This joined the Heritage Malta collection following
withdrawal two weeks later. Picture
by Stephen Gow. |
DBY 381 was built new by Brincat using
imported AEC Mercury running units and entered service in
1967. It was seen at Cirkewwa ferry terminal in February 2011. |
AEC Mercury DBY 408 with locally built Farrugia body in March
2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
AEC Mercury DBY 435 with locally built Barbara body in June
2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
Another picture of AEC Mercury DBY435 arriving
at Zurrieq on an afternoon peak working from Valletta in June
2011. This passed to Heritage Malta after withdrawal. |
DBY 438, assembled locally from parts and bodied by Farrugia,
in November 2008. Picture by Mac Head.
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Another locally bodied AEC Mercury, this time by Aquilina,
DBY 450 entered service in 1967 on a 1958 built chassis. It
was seen in Bugibba in April 2008. Like many, it has been
refitted with a Leyland 400 series engine - and its AEC origins
are well disguised. Picture by Mac Head. |
EBY 484, a 1948 Regal III new to Thomas Bros of Porth as GNY
764 and rebodied by Debono in 1963, at Floriana in June 2011.
This is currently still with its private owner. |
EBY 498, a 1956 AEC Reliance new as VWE 258 to Sheffield United
Tours with a Burlingham body, was rebodied by Aquilina in
1973. It was seen at Sliema in February 2011. |
EBY 555 has a locally built Brincat body on a 1957 AEC Mercury
truck chassis, and was still at work in October 2008. Like
many of the highly-customised buses on the island, it has
badgework proclaiming it to be from another manufacturer.
Picture by Mac Head. |
Brincat bodied AEC Mercury EBY 555 down the
scenic end of St Pauls Bay in June 2011. This is another that
was retained by its private owner. |
EBY 559, another Farrugia bodied AEC Mercury, seen in March
2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
Another locally rebodied Reliance, EBY 567 was new to Wallace
Arnold as Plaxton bodied coach 9191 NW. It was seen at work
in September 2008. Picture by Mac Head. |
EBY 567 is seen again heading out of Valletta on its way to
St. Julians in the gloom of a wet February 2011 evening, closely
pursued by AEC Swift EBY 534 heading for San Gwann. Picture
by Stephen Gow. |
EBY 603, a 1951 AEC Matador more commonly used as towing vehicles
in the UK, has bodywork built by Gauci in 1969. It was seen
at the fishing port of Marsaxlokk, renowned for its Sunday
market, in February 2011. |
EBY 612 derives from a 1958 AEC chassis that arrived on the
island in 1970. It was rebuilt as a forward control single
decker by Debono, and was pictured in March 2009. Picture
by Mac Head. |
EBY 628 has a chassis built by the Malta Docks company using
AEC components from an imported bus, despite its claim to
be a Leyland, and locally built Barbara body. Picture
by Mac Head. |
FBY 659, seen in March 2009, has a body by Aquilina on an
AEC Mustang truck chassis. Picture by
Mac Head. |
FBY 674, an AEC Reliance new to North Western as RDB 847,
with new body built in 1989 by local builder Ciantar styled
on the Duple Commander. It was seen at Mater Dei hospital
in June 2011. |
FBY 674 seen later the same day at St Julians.
Although rebodied it was still sounding great with its AV410
engine in place. Following withdrawal from regular service,
it has been sold to a new private owner. |
Another Duple Commander lookalike, this time from Aquilina on
the 1957 chassis of ex Maidstone & District Reliance YKR
234. It was still active in February 2011. A picture of preserved
sister YKR 224 with its original Beadle body can be found on
the Preserved AECs page. |
FBY 725 is another example of AEC Mercury / Barbara combination.
It was seen at Valletta in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another picture of FBY 725, this time at Bugibba
in February 2011. Its bodywork was built in 1967 on running
units supplied in 1964. |
FBY 726, new to Wallace Arnold as Burlingham coach TUA 17, was
rebodied with an Aquilina body clearly styled on the Duple Commander. |
Not a Reliance as claimed, but another AEC Mercury with Barbara
body. The forward position of the front axle and set back
passenger door give away its truck origins. FBY 730 was seen
in April 2008. Picture by Mac Head. |
Locally built 1969 vintage AEC Mercury FBY730
heads away from the photographer's camera through Mosta town
in June 2011. This bus has been retained by its owner after
withdrawal from regular use in July 2011. |
Another AEC Mercury conversion, FBY 739 has bodywork by Daina
built in 1967 and was seen in March 2010. Picture
by Mac Head. |
AEC Reliance FBY 748 has a 1989 Brincat body in place of the
Duple coach body it had when new to Bostock of Congleton in
1962. It was seen turning from Bugibba seafront towards the
bus station in February 2011. |
FBY 748 again at St Julians in June 2011.
This bus has been retained by its owner after withdrawal from
regular use in July 2011. |
Another of the locally bodied AEC Mercury truck chassis, this
time by Debono. FBY 749 was pictured in October 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Another former Burlingham coach, FBY 767 now has a body by
Debono that is also styled on the Duple Commander. Picture
by Mac Head. |
FBY 774, another Mercury truck chassis with Aquilina body,
seen in March 2009. Picture by Mac Head. |
1958 AEC Mercury FBY 777, with body by Farrugia, pictured
at Bugibba bus station in April 2008. Picture
by Mac Head. |
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Sometimes it does rain in Malta (in fact it completely pours).
FBY 777 gets a good dousing in Valletta in February 2011.
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FBY 798 has a Barbara body that was built on an AEC Reliance
chassis shipped new to Malta in 1964. This has been kept by
its owner as a shop and has regained its original Malta registration
number 5294. Picture by Mac Head. |
The bus fleet on neighbouring Gozo consisted of vehicles transferred
across from the larger island. FBY 019 has a body built locally
by Aquilina on an AEC Mercury truck chassis. This remains
in service for schools and private hire use. Picture
by Mac Head. |
Relatively young by Maltese standards, FBY 020 is a Duple
Dominant bodied Reliance, new as dealer stock in 1979, and
pictured on Gozo in March 2009. The former Gozo buses were
permitted to remain in use, although not for service work,
and FBY 020 is now a private hire vehicle on Malta. Picture
by Mac Head. |
FBY 043 is another of the locally built buses on truck chassis.
Named Rambo, it was photographed on Gozo in February 2008.
This bus was taken out of service prior to the July 2011 service
changes. Picture by Paul Mingard. |
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AEC non route
buses
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