In May 1983 they were acquired by Southern Vectis from Bristol in exchange for convertible Bristol VRT's UFX859S [709] & UFX860S [710] and entered service in National Bus Company Leaf Green & White livery as [711] & [712] respectively.

In January 1984 RFB614S [711] & RFB615S [712] were renumbered to [507] & [508] respectively.

They were repainted into deregulation Emerald Green & Cream livery in:
November 1987: RFB615S [508]
January 1988: RFB614S [507]

In February 1988 RFB614S [507] received a rear-end advertisement for "Southern Vectis Rover Tickets", which was removed in June 1991.

They were withdrawn from service in:
August 1990: RFB615S [508] after collision damage with a tree on 27 August 1990
November 1991: RFB614S [507]

Subsequent History

RFB614S [711] / [507]:

• In November 1991 it was transferred to Solent Blue Line operating as their number [94].
• In July 1995 it was sold to North of Sherburn (dealer) for scrap. [per Dave Shaw]

RFB615S [712] / [508]:

• In August 1990 it was cannibalised for spares.
• In October 1990 the remains were scrapped by Cliftongrade of Cowes.

An offside-front view of RFB614S [507] in NBC Leaf Green & White livery at Ryde Bus Station on 14 August 1985.
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs

An offside-rear view of RFB614S [507] in Emerald Green & Cream livery with rear-end advertisement for "Southern Vectis Rover Tickets" at the old Newport Football Club in Church Litten, Newport, on 14 February 1988. On that day actress Anita Dobson (then playing Angie of BBC's Eastenders') visited the club to launch the company's new 28-day Family Rover Ticket.
[photo copyright of Mike Ginger]

A nearside-front view of RFB614S as Solent Blue Line [94] (date & location unknown).
[photo copyright of BusSpotter!]

Visit BusSpotter! for UK Bus Operator's Fleetlists and South East England Bus & Coach photographs