THE SHOWBUS FIJI BUS IMAGE GALLERY
Shabahad Dean Transport Company Limited
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 Fiji buses |
Bedfords were a popular choice in the Pacific region for many years, later giving way to the GM-associate, the Japanese Isuzu. One wonders if this ancient example was ever expected to continue in service into the New Millennium, but here it is in April 2000 in Nadi Bus Station. This is D3184, an SB5 with Shiu Narayah bodywork new in 1969 which survived to at least 2012!
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A more modern vehicle in the Dean fleet, but creature comforts are little better - the air conditioning is of a novel variety though originally it was an air-conditioned coach! As with the Bedford, blinds can be pulled down in the event of rain. The side luggage lockers, though a widespread feature in Fiji, are rarely used. This is AD647 a very rare vehicle, an Albion Viking AVK43 fitted with an AEC 505 rear engine. Bodywork was by Lal, built as a 38-seat coach for Pacific Transport. Only two VK43 buses were supplied to Fiji, AD647 was built in 1972 and was sold by Pacific to Shahabud Dean, then to Ram Dayal Transport and then back to Shahabud Dean where it was converted to front engined and bus seating! By 2008, it was dumped south of Nadi.
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The Dean fleet is surprisingly standardised - at least at first glance - as this trio of vehicles at Nadi Bus Station suggests, until you start looking at the detail.
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Another Dean vehicle arrives at Nadi Bus Station.
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This Hino AK176K, CW812, declares its manufacture unlike many Fijian vehicles. Japanese and Indian makes are common place these days, though none are in their first flush of youth. This bus, bodied by, Lal, is loading at Nadi Bus Station.
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The badge over the windscreen of the front of this pair of vehicles loading at Nadi is that of Lal, the widely used local bodybuilder. The bodywork design is built under licence from New Zealand body builder Hawke famous for Christchurch's Bristols.
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Passing the airport is a bus of a more modern design, this time a Hino on route to Nadi.
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Fiji buses |