It’s “good-bye” Holly, but “hello” Hetty

Our new minibus arrived on Wednesday afternoon, 19th August, 2026. Members of the Hopper Team were at the Highfield Oval to greet the new vehicle which had been named “Hetty” by local schoolchildren only a couple of hours earlier at the annual Hopper drivers’ tea party for passengers - see below for that. At the same time it was a little sad as we had to say “good-bye” to Holly Hopper minibus who has served the town well over the past 7 years. Holly had travelled 61,000 miles - mostly in Harpenden itself and I could work out the number of passengers she’s carried over that time - but I’m not going to. Suffice it to say - it’s been a lot. Holly was driven away to pastures new - to begin a new life (somewhere else).

Hetty Hopper arrived in her "birthday suit” and was given Hopper “clothes” on 9th September when she returned covered in green and with frogs attached. Hetty was going to be in service from Monday 14th September, but unfortunately she’s developed some teething problems with her automatic passenger door. This is scheduled to be resolved shortly and then hopefully in week commencing 21st September, Hetty will be out and about on the Hopper route - remember to say “Hi”.

Here are a few photos, though, during the handover process and at the sign-wrapping workshop.