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Dodge S56

Like so many operators, at the time of deregulation in 1986, van derived minibuses were starting to come onto the amrket and were snapped up to start bus services on roads which wouldn't take full size buses. Thus in 1986, five Dodges were purchased (two Northern Counties bodied, three East Lancs) to start IMPS, Ipswich Midibus Passenger Services on routes 31 (OCM - Dale Hall), and 39 (Dale Hall - Ipswich Station commuter service)

Further Dodges arrived in 1987 and six more routes set up to previously unserved places like Braziers Wood, Solar, Bramford Lane, and to provide a more frequent service along Eastern Counties route to Wherstead. Not all of these services were successful due to a combination of uncomfortable buses, lack of seating, and higher fares charged on certain sections of routes. However, the 31, 32, 33, 34 were later integrated into the main town network using Metroriders.

All the Dodges were sold in 1990 on reciept of Optare Metroriders with their increased capacity, which made it more viable to run those services.

	D203 YDX - As you can imagine, not a lot of people took photos of these hideous beasts! However, one Ipswich Buses open day in 1987, 203 is seen next to newly-acquired D473 UHC (to become 213) from Eastbourne. Neither can compare to the classic lines of the London RF next to them! Photo: Gareth Perkins
D471 UHC - Another of the ex-Eastbourne Dodges, this time 211 is seen here at Tower Ramparts still in Eastbourne blue sometime I believe in 1987. Sorry for the poor quality, but I think a young Leon Wells hadn't got the hang of this photography stuff at that point! Photo: Leon Wells