COACHING FROM AN ESSEX WATERING-PLACE.
Page 23
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Some Details of the Coaching Activities of the Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services, Ltd.
ONE OF the best-known fleets of motor coaches operating in Essex and so far as the long tours are concerned, throughout the Kingdom, is that owned by the Westeliff-on-Sea Motor Services, Ltd., Pier Hill, Southend-onSea. Many years ago some of the present directors formed a company known as Holmes and Smith, Ltd., who used to run horse brakes. Eventually they adopted more modern means, and in April, 1914, started a new company known as the Westeliff Motor Char-L][101es Co., Ltd., with Messrs. H. Brown and G. A. Spencer as fellow directors. The title was changed to that used now in Sannary, 1922.
The fleet consists mainly of Daimler vehicles, these ranging from 14-seaters to 33-seaters, the C.K. model being employed principally for eoachwork. There are also two 14-seater .Dennis coaches and a 32-seater of the same make. So far as the bodies are concerned, most of these are of the open type with either armchair or semi-armchair seats, but last season several Daimlers carrying handsome all-weather bodies constructed by London Lorries, Ltd., were brought into service.
The entira fleet is equipped with pneumatic tyres, with the result that it may be said with truth to be one of the most comfortable in existence ; apart from this, there is an entire absence of the rattle and noise which often occurs when solid tyres only are employed. The tyres employed are Michelin, with twins at the rear.
Coaches Garaged in London.
An interesting feature of the coaching busioess is that some units of the fleet are garaged in London during the summer months being kept at the premises of one of the agents of the company, Lambs, Ltd., Walthamstow, London, E., daily services being Maintained between London and Southend commencing at Easter, the vehicles returning the same day.
Some of the specially long tours also run from London. These have a duration of from 5 to 16 days and prove most popular. It may be mentioned that bookings are already in for some of those • commencing in May. Apart from what may be termed the fixtures, others will be arranged as and when required. It is only necessary for half a dozen or so people to express a wish for a Certain tour when it will be organized and further bookings obtained.
Plans of the seating in each vehicle can be inspected, and the principle is first come, first served. The fares approximate £2 per ,:day, which includes first-class hotel accommodation and all gratuities, but in one particular tour of nine days' duration the average is considerably below this figizre, for the price is £113 10s.
We learnt with interest from Mr. H. Baker, the secretary-manager, that quite a number of motor owners take advan tage of the facilities offered. They appear to be fatigued by private motoring and desire, for a change, to have everything done for them.
Publicity Methods.
Publicity is mostly effected by the sending round of guides and circulars, and these are helped by suitable slogans; for instance, in the case of all-weather vehicles, the slogan is: " Hail, rain or shine, comfort all the time." Last Season the chief slogan was "Ride on air."
Many bookings can be attributable to what may be termed personal methods of conducting the liminess. Suitably worded circulars areaddressed to club secretaries, to heads of firms and to various officials. It may be of interest to quote from one of these which was used for the last season.
"We have pleasure in bringing before your notice that our comfortable, pneuroatie-tyred, lounge motor coaches will tour England. Wales and Scotland during the Spring, summer and autumn of 1924. These tours have proved an unqualified success in previous years, and our clients have always expressed entire satisfaction of the way in which they are conducted, and the great benefit and enjoyment derived, in addition to having the opportunity of seeing the amazing beauty spots of this country."
Then follows a short synopsis of the tours, and the circular continues:—
"Any other tours arranged to suit special requirements of patrons. The charges quoted include-first-class hotel accommodation (breakfast, lunch, dinner and all hotel gratuities). Tourists stay two nights at the chief beauty spots, and the coaches tour the districts.
"A handsome souvenir and guide of these tours is now in the press and will soon be released. It is profusely illustrated. contains a general description of all the tours and will be forwarded gratis on application. " All tours start from Southend-onSea and call at Charing Cross, Loudon, on the forward and return journeys.
" To avoid disappontment it is advisable to book early as, owing to the British Empire Exhibition, which lasts from spring to autumn, it is anticipated that 1924 will be an exceptionally busy year
"We also eater for day and halfday trips for staff, clubs, associations, etc., outings, and, as a portion of our fleet remains in London during the season, we are enabled to quote low competitive prices to suit our patrons in the Metropolitan districts."
Every attention is given not only to the appearance of the vehicles but also to the comfort of the passengers. The latest vehicles are equipped with pneumatic cushions made by the North British Rubber Co., and in the case of the all-weather coaches, each has a luggage container at each side and passing under the body, these providing eighteen separate compartments for travelling eases of standard size, which, incidentally, are provided by the company.
Every vehicle is repainted, varnished and overhauled each season, all the maintenance work being done in the company's own workshops it Pier Hill, Southend-on-Sea.
We noted that they are members both of the Automobile Association and the Commercial Motor Users Association, and that the coaches, apart from carrying the appropriate badges, are each provided with a Boyce motometer, these having proved of value as showing sudden changes in the temperature of the cooling water.
Winter Coaching.
During the winter the company have been able to keep a portion of their fleet in service for the benefit of football enthusiasts, dance parties, etc., but they feel that there is a most urgent need for a weekly licence. Such a licence would prove of the utmost value, not only te themselves but to all other owners of motor coaches. At present it does not pay to keep more than a small number of vehicles licensed for long periods, and yet there may arise an urgent call for a considerable portion of the fleet at short notice, such as that experienced during a railway strike.