Red bus memories as Arriva confirms that 50s depot will be sold
PEOPLE have shared their fond memories of one of Leicester’s oldest bus depots after its closure was announced.
Opened in October 1957, the South Wigston bus depot is the last remaining original Midland Red depot in Leicester, its distinctive red buses once a familiar sight.
Since privatisation in 1987, it has been run by Arriva, which has confirmed the depot will be sold after 64 years.
An Arriva spokesman said: “The sale does not cause any impact on our customer journeys and we’re working closely with our union to support a smooth transition to Thurmaston and Hinckley depots for our Wigston team.
“Arriva is still proudly serving Leicester and surrounding areas, through our extensive bus network.”
News of the closure was shared on the Spotted Wigston Facebook page, gaining more than 250 comments in response.
One person, Sukhvinder Pattar, remembered travelling from the depot on her honeymoon.
She said: “Remember getting the coach to Cornwall for our honeymoon in 1983. Also walking by there whilst coming home from the train station from work in Birmingham. Sad news.”
Sarah Briscoe responded to the Facebook post, saying: “What a shame. My kids love walking past it and peeking in, the excitement on their faces seeing the little bus.”
Becky-Lee Spray said she and her three sons shared many memories of the depot.
She said: “When the new fleet came out my son was allowed a tour of one of the new buses as he always waved and spoke to workers every time we walked past. Sad news.”
Raymond Allen, who was a bus driver between 1975 and 1985, said: “It was a great depot, many happy memories.”
Matt Howe added: “I’ll always remember my time as a bus driver spending some of my career at that depot – some good people I worked with and a lot of great memories.
“That depot will be greatly missed by many.”
Some comments were from the children of former drivers.
Leeann Cook said: “Reminds me
My kids love walking past it and peeking in, the excitement on their faces seeing the little bus
Sarah Briscoe
END OF AN ERA AS FORMER MIDLAND RED SITE NEARS THE END OF THE ROAD
of some family, some of whom have sadly passed. Most of them worked there. Their happy days xx.”
Recalling a spell of work experience at the depot in 1995, Matt Hill said: “My dad put in a number of years there, when it was Midland Fox.”
One of the Leicester Transport Heritage Trust directors, Trevor Follows,
said: “To me this marks the end of an era as it was me walking past the garage in South Wigston every day on my way back from school that gave me my lifelong passion for Midland Red buses.”
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