The sturdy Leyland National formed a major part of the Trent fleet throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Some examples gave over 20 years' service. At the time one of the oldest remaining Nationals, 441 is seen in non-PCV use carrying drivers. (DR)

Another National, PHW 987S, is seen here outside the Council House in Derby operating the Meteor Centre park and ride service. (DR)

Blue Apple is the fleetname used by the Notts and Derby Traction Company, which has been resurrected to operate Derby University services and other services under a franchise arrangement with Derby Integrated Transport. The vehicles are painted in an unusual blue and eau-de-nil green livery. Olympian 712 is seen in the yard of Meadow Lane depot. (DR)

Five of the L-registered batch of Volvo B10B/Northern Counties Paladin were used on Barton services in the Ilkeston, Sandiacre and Long Eaton area when new. They were later transferred to Trent; 128 is seen here, the shadow of the Barton name still visible on its slightly faded paintwork. (DR)

279 (R279 RAU) is a Mercedes Vario with Plaxton Beaver 2 bodywork delivered in 1997 and seen here in the depot yard at Derby. (DR)

Mercedes 284 (R284 LNU) is seen carrying an eau-de-nil livery for the Hilton Flyer express service to Hilton. (DR)

Sixteen Dennis Dart SLF low floor buses with Plaxton Pointer bodies were delivered to Barton in 1996, helping to oust the last Leopards. Further batches have since arrived for both Trent and Barton, and Trent 924 from the second batch is seen in Derby Bus Station. (DR)

Another example, 920 leads an Olympian along Albert Street in Derby whilst operating the R16 Mickleover service. (DR)

Fleet number 900 was given to a former Optare demonstrator Optare Excel registered P508 NWU. The bus was used on routes throughout the Trent/Barton network and passengers views sought. Three more Excels (151-3) were purchased for use on the Nottingham Park and Ride 302, displacing Deltas. (CM)

Twenty-four Volvo Citybuses were added to the double deck fleet in two batches during 1988/9. At the time they joined a sizeable double deck fleet of Bristol VRs, Leyland Atlanteans, Daimler Fleetlines and Leyland Olympians, but by 1999 only the Volvos and a handful of Olympians remained. 616 (G616 OTV) is seen in the yard at Derby, with a withdrawn Barton DAF just visible next to the Leyland National. (DR)

Optare Metroriders have been purchased for Trent's less busy routes; a total of 41 arrived during 1995 and 1996. 221 is seen here in Ilkeston. Prior to 1994, Trent and Barton had operated few minibuses and midibuses. (DR)

Large scale investment in new vehicles began in 1991 with 25 Optare Deltas on DAF SB220 chassis. 311 was allocated to the Trent fleet when new and initially saw service on the then-recently introduced "Rainbow Routes" to Derby. The Rainbow concept was later extended to other services, and 311 was displaced from front line service on the Derby run by N-registered Dennis Lance/Optare Sigmas in 1995. By the time it was photographed in Nottingham it had received branding for the Cotgrave Connection service, which no longer has a service number since its rebranding. (CM)

Five Alexander Q-type bodied Volvo B10Ms were delivered for the Nottingham-Manchester "TransPeak" route in 1994. However, 51 was in use on Derby park and ride service when photographed. The body type is relatively unusual in Britain, though more common in Ireland. (DR)

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