STA 7000 1977 Mercedes Benz 0305 [STA-000]

[LocoLes]

This prototype Howard Porter [WA] bodied Mercedes Benz 0305 was originally numbered 240 [SUN-395] as delivered in STA silver livery, and later it received a Volvo style front similar to the Hills liveried Volvo vehicles as shown in these attachments. The interior photograph shows the sunken aisle. With kind permission of the depot manager I photographed 7000 on a quiet Sunday and another photograph of the bus is at Blackwood Station on route 198. A popular run for 7000 was Route 680 between Flinders University and Brighton Station.
LocoLes
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13426
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13427
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13428
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13436
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13437
http://www.busaustralia.com/gallery/dis ... pos=-13438

[TA3001]

Why was it numbered 7000? It seems unusual considering that (the real) 1001 had only just entered service. Was it initially numbered 700 and then the STA figured it didn't suit it or something?

[Lt. Commander Data]

Great photos, can't beat that livery, can you?

[LocoLes]

Why was it numbered 7000? It seems unusual considering that (the real) 1001 had only just entered service. Was it initially numbered 700 and then the STA figured it didn't suit it or something?

Hi TA3001

Eventually someone will see these photos and will know the real reason behind re-numbering Mercedes 240 to 7000. I suspect one reason was because the repaint of 7000 occurred during the period when STA bought out the private bus owners and subsequently re-numbered all those vehicles in the '7000' and '8000' series of fleet numbers [eg: Thomas Tours #7 became 8207 etc. etc.]

Another reason maybe was because STA adopted a dedicated series of registration plates for new buses eg: STA000, STA001 etc. etc. which meant they could not match the fleet number of each bus with it's rego plate, so STA240 rego plate which really should have gone to the subject of the post [Mercedes 240] actually went to new Volvo 1240. [does that make sense?]

Therefore Mercedes No. 240 was given a new fleet number of 7000 to match rego plate STA000.
Hope this makes sense so until we hear different, that will do us for the present!

Cheers, LocoLes

[LocoLes]

Great photos, can't beat that livery, can you?

Hi Lt. Commander Data, You are correct, that livery was fantastic but I suspect it was a headache for the paint shop staff particularly when repairing accident damage to the 'Hills' fleet livery and adopting the silver livery was easier [and cheaper] to maintain.
LocoLes

[paulgersche]

Hi, all.

I remember that this bus was numbered 240 firstly, but was then renumbered as 700 before it finally became 7000.

If you look at the near side photos, you can see that the last "0" is applied slightly crooked!

Regards,

Paul

[TA3001]

When was this vehicle withdrawn? Anyone know?

[MrNicoster]

I am interested to find out what happened to old bus 7000. Would be nice to preserve it.

[The Phonj]

From memory (and I'm happy to be corrected on this) it became the STA's tree trimming bus with appropriate attachments on the roof, and was ultimately sold to an operator in Queensland. I also seem to recall hearing that it was subsequently destroyed by fire.

[Off The Rails]

http://perthbus.info/report.php?vid=STA240
This may help with any unanswered questions.

Cheers!