When Provincial became part of the NBC in 1970, control of their Private Hire and contract  work passed to Hants & Dorset. This also meant that the majority of the coaches operated by Provincial during this period were legally owned by H&D and some – such as Bedford SBs 56-58, Bedford VAL 59, Bedford VAMs 61-63 and Bristol LS 28/58/67 - were given H&D 2xxx fleet numbers ‘on paper’. Most of the vehicles listed below were transfers from the Hants & Dorset fleet on either temporary or long-term loan. Those marked * were photographed at Hoeford, but it isn’t clear whether they actually operated in service for Provincial.

Note: + this vehicle subsequently became Provincial 81.

Bristol K 1352 basking in the late Autumn sun at Hoeford on October 25, 1972. This bus and 1358 were used mainly on School duties.   Photo: Stephen Didymus

Ex King Alfred Bedford VAL 2052 at Hoeford in June 1976. A few weeks later this coach and 2008 were transferred to Bournemouth to replace vehicles damaged in the July fire.    Photo: Alan Lambert collection

Three vehicles superseded 2008 and 2052 at Hoeford, including this Willowbrook-bodied Leyland Leopard, 412 FOR, also originally new to King Alfred.   Photo: Malcolm Audsley

Four Bristol MW6G coaches were loaned to Provincial in the mid 1970s, including FEL 750D seen resting quietly in Southampton.   Photo: Colin Caddy

Also in Southampton, 3094(164 AUF)was one of a pair of ex Southdown Leopards with Weymann Castillian bodies that were based at Hoeford for a brief period.  Photo: Stephen Didymus Collection

Still on a Southdown theme, two more Leopards - this time with Duple bodies - spent short spells with Provincial. 3081(HCD 380E), at Hoeford flanked by a Leyland National and Bristol RE 9.   Photo: Stephen Didymus collection

Alexander-bodied Ford A 2003 (PFX 744R) paid a fleeting visit to Hoeford in March 1977. Originally a 27-seater, it was later converted to an 18-seat coach and transferred to the Shamrock & Rambler fleet.   Photo: Bob Gray collection

Another coach to make Hoeford its temporary home in 1977 was 3004(FJA 228D), a Duple-bodied Leopard formerly with North Western.This photo was taken in Bournemouth the previous summer.  Photo: Colin Caddy

Leyland Tiger VTY 130Y, with Duple Laser body, was used by Leyland as a demonstrator before becoming Northern General 7014. This coach was inspected at Hoeford in November 1983, but is thought not to have been used in service.   Photo: PM Photography

A little known episode happened just before the People's Provincial ESOP buyout. Provincial hired RM831 from London Buses in March 1987 and operated it between Fareham & Gosport, alongside a Leyland PD3 "Queen Mary" hired from Southdown, to evaluate a possible return of conductor operated buses. RM831 failed after a week & was replaced by RM1145 (145 CLT) seen here in West Street, Fareham. This was returned on 15/4/87. The Southdown PD3 was loaned between 2/3/87 and 14/3/87. Thanks to Malcolm Audsley for this information. Photo: Malcom Audsley

The RM on route 1 to Gosport passing under the viaduct near Fareham Creek.  Photo: Malcom Audsley

The Queen Mary (415 DCD) in "Beautiful Britain" livery, (basically Southdown with adverts) seen here leaving Gosport Bus Station.  Photo: Malcolm Audsley

RM 831 (WLT 831)spent a week on loan at Hoeford in March 1987 before being replaced by RM 1145 (145 CLT). Photo: Bob Gray