First (Mainline) 948 - MV02 VEK

MV02VEK is a Volvo B7L with Wright Eclipse Metro bodywork. The bus was new to First Manchester as 783 in 2002 as part of an order of 75 vehicles (numbered 711-785) specially for the Commonwealth Games taking place in the city. Once the games finished, the buses never entered general service in Manchester and were instead spread across First Group with Sheffield taking 50 of them (901-950).

Whilst in Sheffield, it was given thr fleet number under First Mainline as 948 and 60751 respectivley in the national numbering scheme. The bus is thought to have only carried the number 948 for a short period of time before being involved in a vehicle swap where it ended up in Bristol on Park & Ride services in exchange for a batch of ALX 400's which included our own, 2717.

We know that apart from Bristol's Park & Ride, 948 (by now carrying First national fleet number 66354) provided service at various other depots in the area, including Bath and Bridgwater before moving back north in 2018 to York and being withdrawn from passenger service in mid 2019.

It was then donated by First Group to Manchester College where it has served as a practical demonstrator to new and future PSV technicians. Recently, First Group decided to dispose of the vehicle where the SYTT stepped in and acquired it for preservation.

Now a very rare survivor, with possibly only 1 other similar B7L of the large batch surviving into preservation, it is hoped over time it can be returned to South Yorkshire condition, numbered and liveried as First Mainline 948.

If you would like to support the restoration and ongoing preservation of 948 please make a donation on the 'donate' button below. The trust would be grateful of your ongoing support.