Buses in Cambridgeshire

In National Bus Company (NBC) days, Cambridgeshire was served by both Eastern Counties and United Counties, with the former being the dominant operator. However, the NBC wanted to split its larger companies to make them more attractive to potential buyers at a time of deregulation and privatisation. In September 1984, the eastern area retained the Eastern Counties name, but coaching operations passed to Ambassador Travel (Eastern Counties) Ltd and Cambridgeshire became the preserve of Cambus Ltd; changes to United Counties operations were concentrated elsewhere. From then on, Eastern Counties had only a minor presence in Cambridgeshire. Cambus expanded through the acquisitions of Premier Travel, Millers of Foxton and Milton Keynes Citybus. Peterborough area services were devolved within Cambus Holdings Ltd to Viscount Bus & Coach Ltd, which later set up low-cost unit Peterborough Bus Company. United Counties was bought by Stagecoach Holdings in November 1987 and within three years was involved in a 'bus war' against local independent Whippet Coaches. Cambus Holdings was acquired by Stagecoach Holdings in December 1995.The highs and lows of these changes are documented here in one volume for the first time, illustrated with a fascinating selection of mainly unpublished photographs.