C.I. Carriage

An odd one out among the line of Duple Dominant coaches parked up in St Helier is this little Bristol LH: not only is it notable in its rather smart colours and wheel trims, but it is much shorter than the others, seating only 31, and has an entrance forward of the front axle for a change. Although the LH may seem ideal for use in Jersey, as it fits the size restrictions and has advantages over the Bedford SB in extra seating capacity and smaller turning circle (due to the shorter wheelbase), this is one of only a few of the breed to have been operated, despite its success in Guernsey. It was used until 1996 by Pioneer Coaches in red / cream.
First registered in the UK on a P-suffix plate, it was actually over 20 years old when seen here next to the current Tantivy Blue Coach Tours 60, that coach still wearing its previous Tantivy Holiday fleetnumber 85 at the time. Following a light refurbishment with new paint and seating, the LHS initially appeared wearing old-style white-on-black number plates, but being too new to legally carry them, they were soon changed for conventional reflective items.
The status of J 14655 (and indeed the owning company) is not known, the coach having been subjected to considerable vandal damage some months later while parked out of use in an area formerly used for the storage of hire cars.