Registered charity Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) has announced that 14 buses will be operated from its collection for the Original King Alfred Running Day on 6 May – the largest number in its almost 40-year history.
The Friends will be welcoming some 28 visiting vehicles alongside its Winchester-based collection to bring more than 40 historic vehicles together for free rides in and around the city on the May Bank Holiday.
The coaches and buses range from 95 years old to one built as recently as 2002. More vintage buses will be on display at St Catherine’s park and ride site, from which a shuttle service will operate to and from the Broadway.
FoKAB says a souvenir programme be made available soon, priced at £15 in advance or on the day. Sales provide funding to support the day’s activities and the wider work of the charity. The circular service to Twyford Waterworks features again this year, running every half-hour, and coincides with an open day at the Waterworks where organisers will offer each holder of a King Alfred programme one free admission.
“We are looking forward to welcoming people not just from Winchester and Hampshire but from all over the country to this special event, which has been happening in one form or another every year since 1983,” says FoKAB’s founder and chairman, James Freeman.
