I remember being on those minlink buses, Park Lane depot and Phili depot had those in the Sunderland district colours, used to be on the 159 Sunderland to Bournmoor, yes no windows just 2 plastic roof ones which you can open on a tilt so air could get in the minlink or have it fully open, you were squashed like sardines in the very small seats, the capacity used to get more than what it was legally stated. eventually windows that open were put in.

I remember when I first got my first network travel ticket from the Travelcentre in the old Sunderland Central Bus Station in 1990 at a cost of £23 for all zones for the month (price now is about 4 times the price), first bus I got with my new pass was Michael franks Coaches service 153 from Sunderland to Easington Lane.

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(03 Jul 2013, 8:25 am)Michael wrote

(03 Jul 2013, 8:10 am)aureolin wrote Sounds like the same mini link buses. Only two bells in the entire bus - both in the ceiling. None of the windows actually opened. There was just a roof window which you had to ask the driver to open for you, as it was a makeshift fire escape too! On a plus side, the high back coach seats were comfy.

Oh god i remember those on the 21 (Stagecoach) Thorney close to South Bents, used to love them buses

was that fleet number 1621 etc..., used to get them from Sunderland to Thorney Close and also on the 17 Sunderland to Seaburn Camp