The philatelic issue of the Malta Bus series resumes with a set of four stamps illustrating Malta's iconic coloured buses.
Malta's buses were characterised by their high level of customisation and detailing. Individual owner-drivers would add their personal touch to both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. They would add chrome parts to their 'trucks', paint messages using the elaborate 'tberfil' technique, hang items associated with specific village patron saints and of course, horseshoes for luck.
Today's standardisation does not permit such customisation, and these idiosyncrasies remain a mere nostalgic memory.
This latest issue includes:
- A Ford Thames, previously registered as 2768, originally operated on the Sliema route in a two-tone green livery. Built by Michael Barbara in 1953, the bus last ran as Y-0596 until its replacement. Following storage, the bus underwent an extensive rebuild by 'ZBCW' and ended up on the Zurrieq route in bright, orange livery. The bus currently runs as ZXY 596 and is now a vintage city tour bus. Photography by Richard Stedall.
- A Bedford OB originally registered as 144, was built in the 1950s by Michael Barbara. The bus last ran as Y-06060 before being replaced. Like most buses, this vehicle underwent an extensive rebuild by Frans Galea and repainted in its original Mosta route livery. The bus currently runs as BXY 144 and is also used as a city tour bus. Photography by Frans Galea.
- The Reo Speedwagon was the oldest working bus on the Island. Built-in 1939 by Francis Aquilina, it started its working life as a Zurrieq bus, bearing registration 2370. It was requisitioned in WW II for service as an ambulance. Upon resumption as a regular bus, it was sold in 1954 to become the new 1306 on the Rabat route. This bus continued service until 2011 bearing a DBY 368 registration. It was initially preserved by the owner who later sold it on. The bus was refurbished by ZBCW and reverted to its original blue Rabat livery. Photography by Manuel Cutajar.
- A Ford Thames, previously registered as 1804, was bodied by Joseph Scerri in 1953 for service on the Sliema routes, in two-tone green livery. In time this bus was modified by Victor Ciantar and ran as DBY 399 until 2003. It was fully restored by ZBCW and is now resplendent in the two-tone green Tas-Sliema livery. The bus currently runs as PXY 399 as a vintage city tour bus. Photography by Leo Grech.
With their uniqueness and historic background, these buses are a nostalgic memory still dear to tourists and locals alike.
