Ipswich Buses to host event at Ipswich Transport museum to celebrate 120 years of transport in the town

This year marks the 120th anniversary of Ipswich’s bus service.

Started in 1903, Ipswich Buses – then owned by the Ipswich Corporation, which would later become the Borough Council – began running a line of electric trams.

By 1936, it expanded to trolley and diesel buses and covered the entire town.

The Ipswich Transport Museum, located in the former trolleybus depot in Cobham Road, has partnered with the firm for a special celebration to mark the anniversary this Sunday.

Mark Smith, the museum’s chairman, said “We are very fortunate to have an outstanding collection of the town’s familiar old green buses, trolleybuses, and even an electric tram.

“The very first diesel motorbus from 1950, ‘ADX1’ has been made roadworthy especially for this event, and will be running in company with at least eight other Ipswich vehicles during the day, dating right up to the present day.

“As well as marking 120 years of municipal transport, 2023 also happens to be the centenary year of the first trolleybuses in Ipswich, and on Sunday morning the mayor of Ipswich, Lynne Mortimer, will officially open a new exhibition room dedicated to their history in the town.”

The transport museum opens to the public at 10am.

However, a bus cavalcade featuring vehicles dating back to the 1950s will depart from Tower Ramparts at 10am.

It will visit the original depot at Constantine Road before heading to the museum via Civic Drive, Tower Ramparts, Grimwade Street, and Landseer Road.