After 22 years as an educational resource and 43 spent entirely in the Isle of Man, one of the last original series models has gone into retirement
The Isle of Man Computer Bus was finally retired on 3 March after more than 20 years’ use as an educational computer-based outreach for the island’s schools.
So concluded the second chapter in the story of an 11.3m Leyland National that has spent its entire life on the island. The standard specification 52-seater was new in 1977 as 30 (MAN 30N) in the Isle of Man National Transport but fleet.
At its formation in October 1976, Isle of Man National Transport inherited 13 similar vehicles new to Isle of Man Road Services in 1975/76 and No.30 was among a further six. It was one of the last in service when withdrawn in December 1997 and it has been a non-PSV for even longer than its 20 years in normal passenger service. As it has remained in state ownership for 43 years, it could be argued it has been with its original owner since new, albeit in different guises.
The Department of Education purchased it in January 1998 and launched it eight months later as the Manx Telecomputer Bus following generous sponsorship from Manx Telecom and conversion by Tours Isle of …
