BUSES from the 1950s and 60s trundled down the streets of Oxford again during ‘twilight tours’ last night.

Complete with tungsten bulbs, their own conductors, an open platform at the back and a bracing lack of heating, the journeys delighted passengers with a taste of the past.

It was organised by Oxford Bus Museum, which is also running free rides today in its vintage vehicles from its site in Long Hanborough, starting at 12.15pm and 2.45pm. 

Dressed in a smart bus conductor’s uniform, museum volunteer Chris Butterfield said he hoped it would show people what bus travel used to be like.

He added: “The idea is to tell the story of public transport in Oxfordshire. Buses used to be a lot faster, for one thing. 

“You could just hop on and off and the bus would start moving before you’d taken your seat.

"Because of the back platform, you’d be able to jump off at a set of red lights round the corner from the stop if you wanted to. That’s what it was like.”

Another volunteer, Frank Collingwood, added: “Buses were a huge part of people’s lives. Much more so than cars because it was before they became popular.”

The museum is also due to run free bus rides from its Long Hanborough site on Easter Sunday and the April bank holiday.