Confidence Bus, Coach Company Fleet
Over the years since 1970, when the company started with its first 1956 Guy Arab IV, the company has had a large range of different vehicles in its fleet. The main base of these vehicles has been Leyland based. However other models such as AEC, Bedford, Bristol and more recently Volvo had also been used.
The main fleet these days is based on Leyland Olympian double decker’s and Tiger Coaches. These vehicles replaced a fleet of mainly Leyland Atlantean’s and Leopard coaches.
The companies livery for its double decker fleet has always been Black and Light Battleship Grey, this was upgraded a few years ago to include thin red banding strips. The companies single decker and coach fleet has seen the biggest changes over the years. It started out as light Battleship Grey, but has now changed to bright Red with a Black roof. This new scheme is enhanced with the use of Gold lettering instead of the double decker’s normal white lettering.
The companies oldest vehicle still in use is fleet number 15, its remaining ex-London Routemaster. Purchased back in 1985, this vehicle is now used on mainly Private Hire Contracts due to council restrictions on the use of open platform vehicles on their schools contracts.
A number of ex-Confidence vehicles have been sold on for preservation over the years, a practice encouraged by the owner Ken Williams, who himself is an enthusiast, whenever possible.