Meet our Oriental Big Mama!

Well it's only been with us a few days, but this beast has already been christened "Big Mama" and at 102 seats, it will be the biggest bus in Blackpool this summer. It has come from our friends at "Big Bus Tours" of London but its origins are far more oriental. Now 326 in our fleet, this tri-axle MCW Metrobus was new to China Motor Bus in Hong Kong in 1988. After withdrawal from service, several of the batch were imported back to the UK where they gained a new lease of life as either high capacity school buses or open top sightseeing vehicles on London tour work. DZ7095 from CMB became F326UJN with Big Bus Tours of London following open top conversion.

The MCWs were later joined by ex-Hong Kong Olympians and Condors and following new vehicle purchases, the MCWs were retired after the 2009 summer season and placed in store. Three of them remained in Big Bus ownership at the beginning of 2013 and 326 has been acquired for the CBNW operating fleet, where it will replace Bristol VRT 528 (DCA528X), following refurbishment work.