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Varied Appeal Spells Success for York Pullman

27th December 1963
Page 32
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Page 32, 27th December 1963 — Varied Appeal Spells Success for York Pullman
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Keywords : Carriages, Pullman

GOOD relationships between management and employees, and close co-ordination of the staff's activities, are two of the main reasons for the success of the York Pullman Bus Co. Ltd. The history of the undertaking dates back to the 1920s, and from a modest beginning an organization h been built up which today offers 1 licensed destinations to the public f day, half-day and evening excursior These are facilities that make a stra appeal to the many visitors who come the ancient city of York. Stage, expre school and works services a also operated.

The city was the locati( where Mr. Hartas Foxton, garage proprietor, start, operating stage carriage servic between York and Linton-o Ouse, York and Helperby, at York and Easi ngwold. Pullman bus was also beii operated from Stamford Brid. by a Mr. Pierce, and in 19:

the two men became partners. A limited company was formed, but shortly afterwards Mr. Pierce withdrew and Mrs. Poston was made a director.

Services operated between Holme-onSpalding-Moor and York, and Market Weighton and Selby, by R. P. and N. M. Walls, were taken over in 1932. The following year Pullman acquired the business of Mr. W. Whitehead and more stage carriage services operated by a Mr. Wainwright.

The Fleet Grows

Although the company had premises at Piccadilly, York, the fleet had grown to such an extent that vehicles had to be garaged in a number of different places in the city. In 1938, building commenced of a new depot at Navigation Road and the following year the company moved to their new depot. With the outbreak of war the garage premises were taken over by the Northern Command and later the company disposed of them, but operations have continued there under Mr. Foxton's name to the present day.

In 1946. Mr. A. Graham, who joined the clerical staff in 1930, was made a director with responsibility for sales, private hire and excursions, whilst Mr. J. H. Cameron, who had been depot manager at Navigation Road, was also made a director and looked after traffic and maintenance. Bootham Tower, a 13th-century building, was to become the home of the office section of York Pullman in 1951. This tower is part of the wall surrounding Saint Mary's Abbey and is said to be the most ancient bus office in Britain.

Three Deaths

Tragedy struck the organization in 1959 and '60, with the deaths of Mr. Cameron and Mr. and Mrs. Foxton. However, Mr. C. D. M. Walton, traffic manager, Mr. B. A. Gray, engineer, and Mr. W. S. Wares had been appointed directors shortly before Mr. Foxton's death, so that the board was up to strength. Recently 18 members of the staff of more than 50 have received

awards for 21 years service with the company. A further nine have been with the company for more than 10 years.

In the early period the fleet was made up of Dennis 6-type vehicles and then a larger Vulcan and a Dennis Lancet were added. After this the company tended to standardize on Dennis vehicles, but later went over to A.E.C. and acquired Bedfords for private hire work. Today the fleet totals 22, there being 11 vehicles in the stage carriage fleet, the remainder on excursions and tours and private hire. The annual mileage of stage and express services is quoted at 470,000, excursions and tours 75,000 and other work 80,000. The company has six double-deck buses. Most of the 17 A.E.C. vehicles have Charles Roe coachwork, though a number of vehicles have Bamaby bodies, including two Dennis 35-seaters. Recent deliveries include two Bedfords with Plaxton 41-seat bodies. There is no one-man operation, all services carrying conductresses and drivers. As mentioned earlier, passengers are offered a wide choice of destinations and Mr. Graham told me that some of the most popular arc the Lake District, Gretna Green, the Yorkshire Dales, Blackpool illuminations, and the Brontd country. The last-mentioned is a favourite with the many American visitors who have read books by the famous sisters at home. The longest day trip on the York Pullman list is the 284-mile run to the Seven Lakes of the Lake District. There are 240-mile journeys to the same area and a 230-mile route covering Chester, New Brighton and the Mersey Tunnel. But York is fortunate in its situation and attractive tourlets, full of interest for the visitor, can be accomplished within 50-75 miles. Amplifying equipment is now being fitted on the excursion and tours coaches.

All maintenance and overhauls are undertaken by York Pullman themselves. The present garage in Navigation Road has three maintenance pits, a greasing • shop, a paint shop and engine shop. A record of mileages is kept and the units are serviced and overhauled accordingly.

Whilst many passengers on the excursions are local people, visitors come to York from all over the world. Over the years the York Pullman undertaking has set out to provide the tourists with excellent facilities for seeing beauty spots and places of interest throughout Northern England. M.P.


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