Cover picture:J851 TSC, one of three former Lothian Leyland Olympians in the Velvet fleet at Eastleigh. Its Alexander RH body has had its centre door removed MARK LYONS

Contents

NEWS
Luton guided busway clears next financial hurdle; two more deals for Centrebus; bus war in Colchester; Stagecoach goes afloat in Torbay; Plaxton unveils its new coach design; Olympics buses

BUS PEOPLE
Management restructure at Stagecoach; the ins and outs at 'new'
Optare; new chairman for Cardiff Bus is 25

INSIDE TRACK
It's that Blue Peter moment…one we made earlier, much earlier

GLOBAL NEWS
Chinese-style double-decker for Sri Lanka; new manufacturer arises out of Neoplan; hybrid disappointment in Leipzig

IN LONDON
Buses are back on the Embankment; success for NCP; new fleetname for Go-Ahead; big rail replacement contract

MILLAR'S TALES
20 Years Ago: the Reeve Burgess Harrier; romance of the short-distance bus stop; a Gemini with Alexander Dennis badging

SMOOTH START FOR BLACK VELVET'S PURPLE BUSES
New operator makes its mark on the roads of south Hampshire

FUEL PRICE RISES DRIVE TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNIQUE
The cost of diesel fuel creates headaches and opportunities

FALCONS PREPARE FOR THEIR FINAL FLIGHT
Paul Godding pays tribute to a Dennis with definite character

THE YOUNGEST OLDEST ROUTEMASTER TURNS 50
The story of RM8, the last open platform bus into service