Playbus

“It's good to see you again, big cousin!”

― Bertie referring to Bulgy

Playbus is a magazine story. It was republished in 2014 under the title Play Bus.

Plot

Bridget and Stephen are playing in the yard near the Fat Controller's office whilst their mother and Lady Hatt are shopping. Later, in an overgrown field, they spot Bulgy the double-decker bus. The Fat Controller forgives Bulgy, and Bertie tows him to be repaired. They decide to turn Bulgy into a playbus to entertain the children during the summer holiday and he has never looked miserable again.

Characters

Thomas
Bertie
Bulgy
Sir Topham Hatt
Bridget Hatt (does not speak)
Stephen Hatt (does not speak)
Lady Hatt (mentioned)

Trivia

The plot of this story is very similar to the seventh series episode, Bulgy Rides Again. However, the story was released two months before the episode.
- At the end of the story, Bulgy turns into a playbus, while in the episode he turns into a vegetable bus.
It is mentioned that Bertie and Bulgy are cousins.