05/09/2026
East Yorkshire Buses at 100 (1926-2026)....
Taking a trip back to 1997 seeing the launch of new low floor buses on the EYMS Hessle service 66 (now service 58) and 181 (now part of the service 57). From 1st August 1997, with the introduction of a fleet of Optare Excel's highlighting 'One Small Step'.
The first batch of 5 delivered early 1997 were 273-277 (P273-277 NRH), followed by a second batch of 4 joining the fleet August 1997, 278-281 (R278-281 EKH), all with seating for 45.
The Hessle service 181 was later revised to form two services 67 and 68 from January 1999 (today's service 67 is operated as the 57 and travelling all the way from Hessle and extended to Longhill).
A third batch of 5 shorter 41 seater Excels joined the fleet in May 1998, 250-254 (R250-254 PRH), with a final batch of 10 longer 45 seater Excels joining the fleet in August 1998, 287-296 (S287-296 RAG) allowing the introduction of the Excels to the Willerby corridor routes. A further Excel joined the fleet as 297 (HIL5697) a former Optare demonstrator P447 SWX, originally new May 1997, seating 42.
