Mercedes – Benz 608D

This type was one of the original standard minibuses built for PSV Stage Carriage work.  The bodyworks carried were Alexander, Reeve Burgess, Robin Hood and PMT.  It appeared on the scene in 1985, and was used extensively by Badgerline Group and Stagceoach.  Not many of these vehicles are left in service now.  Several were exported to New Zealand in the 1990’s.

Mercedes – Benz 609D

This type was the newer version of the 608D and started to appear in 1988 it was used by many operators.  Cowie/ Arriva, had many of this type.  They can still be seen in use in several parts of the country.

Mercedes – Benz 709D

This type was wildly used from 1988 onwards.  Stagecoach had a large amount of the type usually with Alexander Sprint bodywork;  at one time over 200 of this type in use.  Badgerline / First Group and Cowie / Arriva Group had a large amount of this type also.  Other Bodywork  it came in was PMT, Marshall, Reeve Burgess, Carlyle, Plaxton Beaver, LHE, Wright.  This type can still be seen with most Stagecoach , First and Arriva Companies,   a lot the older models are now with independents around the country.  They can be seen in most parts of the United Kingdom.

Green Bus E67MVV with Robin Hood bodywork.

Taken outside Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Chris Morton

First Wyvern 51268 pictured by the Rowland Hill Centre in Kidderminster.

Chris Morton

Mercedes – Benz 711D

This longer version of the 709D.  It is still used by many operators around the UK.  The many bodywork used is the Plaxton Beaver.

Mercedes – Benz 811D

This bodywork is the longest wheelbase midibus built, they mainly have Optare bodywork but can have Carlyle, Wadham Stringer, Wright bodywork.  This type is not as common as the 709D and 711D.

Mercedes – Benz 0810D

This type appeared on the scene from 1997 and can be seen with many types of bodywork including Plaxton Beaver, Alexander .  This type is common in most of the big fleets around the country,  also several small fleets now have this type.  It can be seen around Dudley, Merry Hill (West Midlands),  Hanley (Staffs).

Peoples Express P108HCH pictured in West Bromwich Bus Station.

Andrew Williams

Mercedes – Benz 0814

This type appeared on the scene from 1998 it comes in Alexander and Plaxton bodywork mainly.  This type can be seen all over the  UK.  This type can been seen around Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham,  Oxford.

Mercedes – Benz 0405

This type appeared on the scene in 1993.  First Group brought several of this type with Optare Prisma bodywork.  Also Travel West Midlands have over 190 of this type in service at the moment.  Other bodyworks it has been available in are UVG and Mercedes-Benz.

Travel West Midlands 1662 parked on Moor Street Queensway, Birmingham.

Andrew Williams

Black Prince R441SWX pictured in Central Leeds.

On the last day of operating by Black Prince.

Andrew Williams

Mercedes – Benz 0530

This type appeared in the late 1990’s, it is normally built with a Citaro bodywork.  It can be seen around Coventry, Manchester.  Many of this type are bendi buses.

Stagecoach London 23077.  Pictured at Showbus 2005.

Andrew Williams.

TWM 6009 (T609MOA) at Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale,

Birmingham on July 13th 2002 (James Holloway)