When the 44 route was still operated by minibuses, this Optare Vecta - M957 VWY was trialled and was used on the 44, as seen here at Gynn Square in 1995(?) This vehicle was purchased by Reading Transport at the end of 1995 and was used there until 2003. In late 2005 it was in use with Islwyn Borough Transport of South Wales.
Blackpools main fleet of single deckers in the early 90's was these Optare Delta's, the first batches ousted a selection of Leyland Nationals that were in use with Blackpool Transport - who purchased 28 Delta's.
Blue Buses also bought three of these 'high-floor' buses to replace Bristol RE's in 1991, H1-3 FBT - which were regularly used on the 44 route after it was converted to low floor operation in 1996.
Swapping around between Rigby Road and Squires Gate depots often resulted in Rigby Road Delta's working the 44 route - k129 UFV, especially after Squires Gate received a bunch of Delta's from Rigby Road to work the 11/11A (Cleveleys-Lytham) services from Monday 8th February 1999 to replace ageing Atlanteans.
