What we do
The Friends of King Alfred Buses (FoKAB) came into being in 1985 and celebrates its fortieth birthday on 31 May 2025. Its continuing aim is preserve King Alfred buses & coaches and anything and everything to do with King Alfred Motor Services (KAMS).
Over 200 members support a collection of buses and coaches that reflect the King Alfred fleet from 1929 up to the 1970s when King Alfred closed. Many of the vehicles have been brought back to Winchester from different parts of the UK and indeed Ireland and the United States.
The collection is shared with the public by means of three main events in the year, all based on Winchester Broadway, which is dominated by the statue of King Alfred himself , whose likeness is proudly displayed on the sides of the buses.
Each year starts of with a New Year's Running Day, usually on 1 January, when the King Alfred buses have the streets largely to themselves, due to the suspension of most local services on that day.
On the first Bank Holiday in May, the Original King Alfred Running Day is held. This is the biggest event of the calendar. Not only is the whole FoKAB fleet scheduled to operate, but many visiting buses provide services, too, with around 40 vehicles in service giving free rides, as well as display of buses at St Catherine's and a Grand Bazaar beside the Broadway.
In September, during the national Heritage Open Days scheme, there is a third annual Running Day, starting with a spectacular display of the entire collection at St Catherine's in Winchester.
The buses also appear at countless local shows and events as well as wider afield from time to time.