Bus passengers in Tayside could be forgiven for thinking they have stepped back in time when they hop aboard the 73/73A service next week.
Starting from Monday, Stagecoach East Scotland is to use a vintage Routemaster on the route between Monifieth and Ninewells Hospital.
The bus will run until Christmas Eve. Normal fares will apply but all fares taken on December 24 will be donated to Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids charity.
Stagecoach keeps some old buses as part of its heritage fleet.
The temporary re-introduction of the vintage bus will mean Stagecoach East Scotland is swapping new for old in Dundee.
A trial of two new London-style Routemaster buses in Dundee is coming to an end. Introduced in November, the buses suffered a series of breakdowns and other difficulties.
Andrew Jarvis, managing director of Stagecoach East Scotland said: “We had an opportunity to take these two vehicles on trial for a short period and we are using this to specifically evaluate the various alternative power options available in the bus market.
“The two new Routemaster buses we have been using in Dundee are operating in an entirely different environment to London and prior to their introduction we simply didn’t know how they’d perform. The trial is now reaching its conclusion and we are currently only using the vehicles to operate as duplicates in addition to our normal service 73 journeys, assisting with capacity during the busy festive period.”