MCW Metrorider MF154/12
Strathclyde's Buses M89 (E186 BNS), Jamaica Street, Glasgow 8/6/88. (c) C. Billette.

MCW Metrorider MF154/12

E186 BNS

Buses & Coaches

E186 BNS was new to Strathclyde’s Buses Larkfield Depot in June 1988 as M89. It moved to Knightswood Depot that July, then returned to Larkfield in November 1994.

In April 1995, it transferred to their subsidiary Comlaw No.313 Ltd (t/a GCT Ltd) Possilpark Depot as GM47.

By January 1996, it had transferred again to Kelvin Central where it was numbered 1059, remaining at Possilpark Depot. When the Kelvin Central fleet was renumbered in May 1996, it unexpectedly became MM34, although this was altered to MM89 by December 1996.

Around December 1997, the bottom half was repainted into FirstBus red, although KCB red was retained on the top! Around February 1998 it was allocated to the reserve fleet. In May 1998, Kelvin Central Buses Ltd. were renamed First Glasgow (No.2) Ltd. It was repainted into full First Kelvin red by the time of its withdrawal.

By October 1998, it had passed to a dealer, possibly Tiger of Salsburgh, and transferred to Yorkshire Traction “for spares” in August 1999, via Strathtay in July.

Yorkshire Traction decided it was too good for spares and refurbished it and put it into service as 352 during February 2000. It passed to Strathtay as 215 in December 2000, initially running from Blairgowrie Depot.

It transferred to Arbroath in November 2004, and was allocated to the reserve fleet in June 2005. It was bought for preservation in November 2005.

Despite being paid for on the 28th November 2005, and collected on the 10th of December, it still managed to be allocated Stagecoach national number 47992 when Stagecoach bought the Traction Group on the 14th of December.

May have been used as a Celtic FC team coach when with Park’s.

Later it was with operators in Cornwall and Devon including Dartline of Clyst St Mary where it was re-registered LIL 6538. In 2018 it moved to South Staffs Travel of Tamworth and regained its original registration F23 HGG. It was acquired for preservation in 2019 and is now in National Express Rapide livery.

Do you have a memory of this vehicle?

Perhaps you travelled on it, saw it at work, or know part of its story we have not yet recorded. Use the comments section below to share what you remember – every detail helps build a richer picture of Glasgow’s transport history.

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MCW Metrorider MF154/12
Registration
E186 BNS
Chassis type
MCW Metrorider MF154/12
Chassis number
MB9868
Body type and seating
MCW Metrorider B33F
Body number
N/A
Date new
4 June 1988
Original operator
Strathclyde's Buses (M89)