Post Seven

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Greenways were an attempt to modernise the National and not just to extend their lives, at a time when many Nationals were believed to be nearing the end of their lives. The resultant refurbishment was to the much-trumpeted DiPTAC standard of its time, for elderly and disabled people, the mainstream low floor bus being some way off, even then. There were some derogations from DiPTAC, though.

The Greenways were therefore a product of their time. Even after more than five years of deregulation, the early 1990s were still difficult times for both manufacturers and operators. There was less money available to invest in new stock and operators sometimes felt uneasy doing so. The solution, so far as the then British Bus group was concerned, was the National Greenway, in partnership with East Lancs, which British Bus then controlled.

The Greenway project was the mother of all refurbishments. East Lancs replaced all major mechanical components (including new engine, differential, reconditioned gearbox and new front mounted radiator). Each Greenway benefited from a Gardner 6HLXB engine rather than Leyland 501 unit. It also transformed the body with interior and exterior refits. Outwardly, there were styling changes, especially at the front, though some would say this made them look severe. The frontal treatment included revised light clusters, a new more bowed windscreen and the boxing in each side of the destination display.

When re-registered on Irish or classic plates (as many if not all were), there was no reason for the travelling public to know such vehicles were anything other than brand new. It was an illusion that worked well. Passengers actually commented that they were on new buses, something that was sometimes a rarity in those days.

Between 1991 and 1995, East Lancs converted over 175 Nationals to Greenways. They weren't cheap, either. Greenways even made their way to London, with some 12 sporting plates once carried by Routemasters.

The Greenway wasn’t the only answer, though. Faced with market uncertainties, pre-Stagecoach Western Travel refurbished its own Nationals in a similar though less intensive fashion, calling them National 3s.