Operating Aspects of
Page 62
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
PROOF of the virility of the coaching industry, despite fierce competition from the railways and restrictive legislation, is to be found in the Whitsun traffic reports of the four leading London coach stations. Appearances at these centres are rather deceptive, in that the stations are so well regulated that there is no confusion and hustle 'ft uch as that which obtains at railway stations. Consequently, business may appear to be slow, whereas, actually, it may be approaching the peak.
On Tuesday last it was estimated that the Whitsun traffic of London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., was equal to that of last yCar, despite the now well-established competition of the railways with their cheap travel. All seats on coaches to the '„oast were taken, and, during the latter part of the holiday period, it was necessary to turn away custom.
It was reported that the traffic of the King's Cross Coach Station was better than that of last Whitsun, and it was impossible on Sunday to book a seat on a coach to the coast for Monday. There was a steady pressure of business all the week preceding the holiday.
The Central London Road Transport Station experienced a considerably greater volume of traffic than was the case last year. The increase resulted irom the improved demand for services to the country, the traffic on the coastal routes being about the same as that of last 'year. Bookings on the latter services were being made right up to the last minute. Business on the Southend route was not so great as in past years, but services to Oxford and various country districts of Essex and Sussex were particularly heavily booked. • The services to Blackpool, with their fares of 15s. single and 25s. return by any coach, day or night, were extremely popular, and on the night of May 18 a record was created on this route. The traffic to Southampton and Southsea was also heavy.
The business of the London Terminal Coach Station reached the normal standard for Whitsun, but the traffic of Blue Belle Motors, Ltd., was higher than that of last Whitsun. Bookings on the South Wales route of Red and White Services, Ltd., were heavy.