Motorbuses for Stafford.
Page 10
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Delivery of a 30-56h.p. Single-Deck " Commercar " Vehicle.
Since November last, Stafford has been the possessor of a road motor service, which has been conducted by a double-deck " Commercar " omnibus. This 3o-36h. p. demonstration omnibus gave place yesterday (Wednesday) to a single-deck vehicle of ample dimensions, and of the same horse-power. The introduction of the new vehicle to Stafford formed the occasion of a reception by the Mayor of the town, Dr. E. W. Taylor, in the Dining Room of the Borough Hall—Dr. Taylor is also the chairman of directors of the omnibus company, which will be known as the Stafford Motor Service and Supply Company, Limited. After the reception, various local. magnates and others accompanied the directors on short trips to Milford and other interesting spots near Stafford on the new bus. It is proposed that this first vehicle shall maintain a service from Queen's Hill to the North End of the town, a
distance of about two miles. The through fare is to be 2d., the penny stages being from Queen's Hill to Market Place, and from Market Place to the north terminus. The large number of employees at Siemen's electrical works and the other big factories in Stafford are to be catered for, id. being charged to workmen for the whole distance at any time of the day. As an additional inducement to this .class of passenger, books of 14 tickets will be sold for Is.
On Sunday last, the new singledecker went by road from London to Stafford, and on this occasion the managing director of the -Stafford motorbus company, Mr. J. J. P. Cummins, and Mr. R. Perry, the vice-chairman, were .accompanied by a representative of "The COMMERCIAL MOTOR." Leaving Leicester Square a few minutes after to a.m., Dunstable was reached. at 12.30 p.m., and luncheon was partaken of at Newport Pagnell at 2 p.m. An unfortunateinvoluntary stop, due to a shortage in the supply of petrol aboard, caused half an hour's delay, at Northampton, which was left at a few minutes after five o'clock. The party passed through Welford an hour later, and Lutterworth was reached at 7.15 p.m. At this point tea was served, and Lichfield was passed through at 10.30 p.m., a further supply of petrol being taken cin board at this point. Stafford was finally reached at 12.10 a.m. No mechanical trouble whatever manifested. itself during the run, and the vehicle, which weighs unladen 4 tons 15 cwt., succeeded in maintaining an average speed of 131 miles an hour during the entire running time, exclusive, of course, of stops kir meals and supplies.
The body, by Bayleys, Limited, is constructed to carry 31 passengers. Accommodation is arranged beside the driver for three of this number, and, in the non-smoking compartment, which constitutes the forward part of the interior, 12 can be seated; a further 15 persons can find places in the smoking compartment, which is at the after part of the vehicle. The bodywork is extremely substantial, and all the windows can be fully opened when desired. The overall length of the body is 23 feet 6 inches; the width is 7 feet 6 inches; and the overall height is to feet. This type of body, it is expected, will prove very popular for theatre parties, summer excursions and picnics. The Stafford Motor Service Company expects to order very shortly two similar chassis, with double-deck bodies, as it is confident that ample work can be found for two vehicles, and also for the third bus, which will be, however, normally kept as a spare.