The unusual design of this 1936 Leyland Cub Interstation bus was dictated by its very specific use case: the nighttime transportation of passengers, and their belongings, between the major railway stations and termini of London. The rear half of the bus contained a hold for luggage, much of which would have been in the bulky travelling cases of the era, with additional seating above; hence, the unique “semi-decker” configuration that readily distinguished the Interstation from more typical mass-transit equipment. Fares for this special service were, according to an October 1936 article in The Transit World, ‘a shilling for adults and sixpence for children in each direction between any two main line stations’.

The accompanying original registration booklet for the bus offered here notes that it was first registered on 1 October of 1936, which marked the beginning of Interstation service. The buses were repurposed during wartime, with this example being used by the ENSA performing arts group to provide entertainment to armed forces personnel but returned to Interstation use following the conclusion of hostilities and remained in operation until late 1950.

In 1953, the bus was registered by the London Fire Brigade, which is understood to have used it for personnel transport. By June 1961, it had entered private ownership, and was registered to a Mr Raymond Ernest Ruberry of Surrey. It was in the care of a new owner, Mr Alan Brian Cross of Sussex, by July 1968.

Under current ownership, the bus underwent a multi-year cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment carried out by Historic Vehicle Restoration Ltd of Byfleet. Completed in early 2021, this restoration returned the Leyland to its pre-war glory, including its distinctive blue and light-yellow livery complete with London Transport Inter Station gold leaf lettering. In November 2023 the bus completed the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society (HCVS) London to Brighton Run, and it has also been a participant in select gatherings and bus shows.

Attractively and correctly restored, this rare surviving Leyland Cub Interstation is an eye-catching, and distinctive, alternative to the more commonly seen double-decker buses of its era. It is offered from the estate of a well-known member of the HCVS and would no doubt be happily welcomed to any number of rallies and exhibitions in the future.