Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
DEVELOPMENTS IN LONDON AREA
wE are able this week to give some exclusive information concerning the destinies of certain concerns, consequent upon the introduction of the London Passenger Transport Act, and of various changes in operation.
The undertaking of Autocar Services, Ltd., owned until June 30 by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., has, we understand, been sold to the Southern Railway Co., under the terms of the London Passenger Transport Act. Although the transaction is not believed to be complete in all its aspects, the company was placed in the hands of Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., a Southern associated company, for management as from July 1.
The services continue almost without alteration, but Sevenoaks vehicles meet those of the L.P.T. Board at Tonbridge, whilst the through service from Tunbridge 'Wells to Reigate is cut off at East Grinstead. The Country Services section of the London Passenger Transport Board slightly overlaps this.
As from July 1, certain London General Country Services routes projecting into Southdown territory were, it is believed, also sold to the Southern Railway Co., the associated company of which, Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., extended its Brighton-Liandcross service to Crawley, the L.P.T.B. suitably curtailing its laandeross route.
The Board has curtailed the CroydonTJckfield route at Forest Row, and the Sonthdown concern has replaced the service by extending its EastbourneTickfield route to East Grinstead, whilst the Brighton-Chelwood Gate route is also carried on to East Grinstead.
The opportunity was taken of consolidating the Southdown position in that town by purchasing the East Grinstead-Brighton express service of East Grinstead Coaches (Mr. H. J. Sar gent), as from June 30. This company still maintains its local bus route between Cowden, East Grinstead, West Hoathly and Sharpthorne, and we gather that no vehicles changed hands.
The northern division of the L.P.T.B. Country Services announces the acquisition of the Watford Omnibus Company's local routes. The Lewis Cream Line service to Brookman's Park is now being operated as licensed, from Portman Square.
On June 30, it was decided that, upon the transference of Acme Pullman Services, Ltd. (of which the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., purchased the whole share capital in September, 1932), to the Board, on July 1, the extension of certain services beyond Bishop's Stortford, to work from London to Stansted and three times daily from London to Newmarket must cease.
Arrangements were, therefore, hurried through for the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., to meet certain Acme-Green Line coaches from Charing Cross at Bishop's Stortford and to run to Newmarket. We understand that this arrangement will continue until Varsity Express Motors, Ltd., is in a position to commence operating its Newmarket branch service.
As soon as the Acme service, which dates from October, 1929, came under Green Line control, a sale of the extension beyond Bishop's Stortford, outside the L.G.O.C. and L.P.T.B. agreed area, was effected to the Varsity concern.
One of the new fleet of Sunbeam trolley-buses supplied to Walsall Corporation undergoing its tilting test at Moorfield Works, Wolverhampton. The third figure from the left is Alderman J. Thickett, chairman of Walsall Transport Committee, and third figure from right, Mr. M. J. Somerfield, M. Inst.T., general manager and engineer of the municipal tramways and motor services.
Delay in obtaining licences arose, however. The new scheme provides for coaches from Newmarket to meet Cambridge-London vehicles'. The Board has, so far, not taken over the London bus business of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., which also operates in Tilling colours about 100 vehicles on behalf of the previous London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., creating a situation of some complexity. It is anticipated that the change-over, of the whole Tilling fleet will take place on August 1.
The 56 independent bus businesses will follow later. The L.P.T.B. wished to take them over in small numbers in order to facilitate merging with its own organization, but the Association of London Omnibus Proprietors has now asked that all operators in the Metropolitan Police Area shall be taken together on an agreed date.
The transference of the 3$ London buses of Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd., took place on July L