Phases of Passenger Travel
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NEW ROAD SERVICES TO EAST ANGLIA
COMMENCING on November 24th a new London-Fakenham service has been opened up by Messrs. Holliday and Bangs, of 3, Tulse Hill, London, S.W.2, who operate the London and King's Lynn Limited-stop Pullman Coach Services and have a reputation on the King's Lynn route dating back to 1928.
The new route is served by a departure from Wilton Street, London, S.W.1, daily at 8.30 a.m., and a departure from Fakenhana daily at 9.7 a.m. From London the route is via Ixworth, Stanton, Hopton, East Harling, Watton and Swaffham, the single fare for the full journey being lls. and -Me return fare 20s., with a range of intermediate fares.
All the coaches are built to meet the Scotland Yard regulations and bear that authority's licence plates. A new exterior colour scheme has been adopted, with dark chocolate lower panelling, cream waist rail and black upper parts.
We are able to state that it is the intention of these operators shortly to augment their service on the London. Bury St. Edmunds route by an extra
departure in each direction. The present departures from London are at 8.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m., the additional one being. at 6.30 p.m. The present departures from Bury St. Edmunds are at 12.27 p.m. and 5.27 p.m., the new one being at 9.27 a.m.
It is hoped to introduce the extra daily departures early this month, and Dennis GL-type 18-seaters will be used for the purpose. The fares on this route are Sc. fid. single, 9s. 8d. day return, and 10s. 6t period return. The original London-King's Lynn service of this firm is still operated with departures from the Metropolis at 8.30 a.m. and 3.30 n.m., and from King's Lynn 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., the single fare being 9s. and the return fare 1.7s.
The history of Messrs. Holliday and Bangs is rather interesting. They corn-' menced in 1924 to operate one Daimler doubledeck bus on the Croydon-Camden Tow n route across London (route No. 5.9), and up to the present day they still run regularly and have retained their independence. In 1927 a Dennis DD-type opentop double-decker for 48 passengers was acquired, bodywork by Birch Bros., Ltd., being specified, and in June
this year a new Dennis HS-type 56seater was purchased. This now regularly serves the route, the other Dennis vehicle being kept as a reserve and for use on Sundays. Holidays, etc. Even the latest bus is of the open-top pattern, this proving suitable for the particular route.
The buses are finished externally in red and bear the initials "H.B." in geld. The first journey every morning commences from Thornton Heath, and a curious thing is that practically the same passengers occupy the vehicle on this journey every day. By custom they have come to occupy the same individual seats and they loyally support the proprietors, who inform us that they would like to increase the service if they could but obtain the requisite licences. When the new Dennis coaches are all delivered the long-distance fleet will comprise four 18-seaters of this type, one Reo GE-type 22-seater and one Thornycroft A6-type 20-seater. Both the Reo and the Thornycroft are more than two years old and give excellent service.
Future developments of this firm are planned and will depend largely upon the effects of the new Road Traffic Act.