Image Source: Stuart Johnson on Flikr

In the early eighties, a change was afoot in the bus industry. The government regulated ownership, which had reigned since the late 60's was now under threat from a new government who wanted to introduce more competition amongst operators in an effort to help waning passenger numbers.
The Bus and Coach Council (now the CTP) an organisation that campaigns for the interests of those in the bus and coach industry, were opposed to this new transport act, fearing that deregulation would damage the industry as services would be lost and traffic congestion in cities would increase due to more cars being used on the roads.

To gain support from the public the Bus and Coach Council rolled out an advertising campaign which included many bus operators nationwide repainting their buses into the 'We'd all miss the bus' livery. London Transport although not as badly affected by these new proposals, supported the Bus and Coach Council's campaign, though unlike other operators, London Transport chose to keep its red body colour rather than adopting the cream/beige used elsewhere.



Our model depicts one of London's many Daimler DMSs in use in the 1980's. GHV 63N, fleet numbered DM 1063 and shown running on route 70 to Victoria. This Selkent District vehicle displays the eye-catching slogans 'Ease the rush, use the bus' and 'We carry more passengers per gallon' along with the Bus and Coach Council logo with its row of passengers or as they were commonly nicknamed 'performing seals'.