East Kent Yesteryear...

The East Kent Road Car Company Limited was formed on 11 August 1916 from five local companies - Deal & District Motor Services; Watcher & Co, Herne Bay; Margate, Canterbury & District; Ramsgate Motor Coaches; and Folkestone & District. East Kent Road Car Company Limited began trading on 1 September 1916.
During World War II, East Kent was on the front line of war in Europe. East Kent altered their livery from burgundy and cream to burgundy and grey to give a less conspicuous target to enemy planes. However, East Kent suffered many losses to staff and saw Dover bus garage bombed in 1942.
After the war, an order was placed for Leyland PS1 coaches, Dennis Lancet buses, and Leyland Titan PD1's to replace the depleted stock. Pre-war Leyland Titans and Leyland TD5's were rebodied. For East Kent, this became one of their busier periods, with fewer cars available and Britain seen as an ideal holiday location. In the mid 50's East Kent rebuilt Folkestone and Canterbury bus stations, and introduced open top bus services across the region using converted wartime Guy double deckers. As the swinging sixties entered the British culture, East Kent built a strong alliance with AEC (famous for the London Routemaster buses) and used AEC Regent V's and Reliances from the sixties to the late eighties on much of their services.
Bus companies across the UK came under the umbrella of the National Bus Company (NBC) on 1 January 1969. For the 'East Kent Road Car Company', no immediate changes took place, though the gradual introduction of one man operation (OMO) helped to reduce costs as falling passenger numbers - due to the increase of car ownership - took away the requirement for conductors. Leyland Nationals - the NBC staple bus - entered the East Kent fleet. Much like AEC, Leyland Nationals would play a major role in the East Kent fleet. The buses were also delivered in the NBC uniform colour poppy red. For double deckers, East Kent took delivery of Leyland Atlanteans, Bristol VR and Bristol VRT's consigning the Regent V's to contract work and driver training.
On 26 October 1986, UK bus companies were deregulated. East Kent had effectively come full circle as buses were repainted burgundy and cream, albeit in different shades from the original liveries - and in two tone format. Minibuses were also introduced - the Minilink - in bright yellow, and the first new buses, MCW metrobuses. In 1991, East Kent celebrated
75 years of service. However in 1993, East Kent was sold to Stagecoach Buses.
During World War II, East Kent was on the front line of war in Europe. East Kent altered their livery from burgundy and cream to burgundy and grey to give a less conspicuous target to enemy planes. However, East Kent suffered many losses to staff and saw Dover bus garage bombed in 1942.
After the war, an order was placed for Leyland PS1 coaches, Dennis Lancet buses, and Leyland Titan PD1's to replace the depleted stock. Pre-war Leyland Titans and Leyland TD5's were rebodied. For East Kent, this became one of their busier periods, with fewer cars available and Britain seen as an ideal holiday location. In the mid 50's East Kent rebuilt Folkestone and Canterbury bus stations, and introduced open top bus services across the region using converted wartime Guy double deckers. As the swinging sixties entered the British culture, East Kent built a strong alliance with AEC (famous for the London Routemaster buses) and used AEC Regent V's and Reliances from the sixties to the late eighties on much of their services.
Bus companies across the UK came under the umbrella of the National Bus Company (NBC) on 1 January 1969. For the 'East Kent Road Car Company', no immediate changes took place, though the gradual introduction of one man operation (OMO) helped to reduce costs as falling passenger numbers - due to the increase of car ownership - took away the requirement for conductors. Leyland Nationals - the NBC staple bus - entered the East Kent fleet. Much like AEC, Leyland Nationals would play a major role in the East Kent fleet. The buses were also delivered in the NBC uniform colour poppy red. For double deckers, East Kent took delivery of Leyland Atlanteans, Bristol VR and Bristol VRT's consigning the Regent V's to contract work and driver training.
On 26 October 1986, UK bus companies were deregulated. East Kent had effectively come full circle as buses were repainted burgundy and cream, albeit in different shades from the original liveries - and in two tone format. Minibuses were also introduced - the Minilink - in bright yellow, and the first new buses, MCW metrobuses. In 1991, East Kent celebrated
75 years of service. However in 1993, East Kent was sold to Stagecoach Buses.