This is trying to delve back in my memory but I seem to remember that they bought Ailsas because they were struggling to get much else (two batches I seem to remember, with N and P plates), what was more surprising is that they bought Bristol VRs with Northern Counties bodies for use in Walsall and Wolverhampton. I seem to remember there was quite a lot of stock that was taken out of use at that time - former Birmingham two-door Fleetlines, ex Midland Red Fleetlines, quite possibly ex West Brom, Walsall and Coventry Fleetlines (sorry Mods). There was fuss locally at the time that more was not sourced locally but it was said (may be true, may not be) that they were fulfilling a big order for London.I know it was touched on above, but given the local connections, it's odd that WMPTE didn't buy more Metropolitans when they were quite prepared to buy Ailsas and even had some Titans.
There were 5 Titans, performance to be compared with 5 Metrobuses. There was only going to be one winner.
Dr Google tells me that it was taken out of service in 1983 and sold to Trathens for sight-seeing in London after 6 years service. It was bought in 1977 and had been a demonstrator.Does anoyone know how long the WMPTE Metropolitan lasted in service, and what became of it ? It would be nice to think it was preserved somewhere.