Pirate Days
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WITH public transport all set on what could be its first genuine boom since the war it is salutary to read of the industry's early days between the wars when pirate buses were rife and passengers were a-plenty. One man whose memory goes back that far — and who has a fund of fascinating experiences to match — is Clem Preece, known as "Mr Royal Blue" and latterly commercial traffic manager for the Southern and Western National Group. Mr Preece has now written a book — called "Wheels to the West." though it might well be subtitled "Memoirs of a life in passenger transport".
The book begins with Mr Preece's experiences as the driver of a "pirate bus", describes the formation of Royal Blue and goes on to show the impact of nationalization and the formation of the National Bus Company.
Published by Travel and Transport Ltd, 122 Nevvgate Street, London EC1A 7AD — publishers of Coaching Journal — Wheels to the West costs £1.85. It is in soft back format but has numerous photographs showing interesting and entertaining facets of the passenger trans
port world. M.H.