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New firm takes over LT bogy route
Page 40
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by Derek Moses • By the use of 11-year-old single-decker buses on one-man operation, an independent operator is apparently succeeding to run a 30-minute frequency bus service where London Transport failed with a 20min service. Four drivers are employed on shift system. The company, Atlas Coaches, Station Road, Edgware, introduced—by agreement with LT—the service, 98B Rayners Lane-Ruislip, on Tuesday, March 31.
London Transport never re-instated the route after many services were withdrawn during the busmen's overtime ban in 1966. H. F. Cheek and Sons, trading as Elms Coaches, took over the service in August 1966 but reported earlier this year that it was losing money. Harrow Public Transport Users Association asked Elms to continue the service until March 26 while an alternative operator was sought.
When 1 visited Atlas Coaches on Tuesday Mr A. H. Plaskow, who, with his cousin Mr Michael Margo, established the Atlas Coaches business two years ago, told me that the enterprise had got off to a good start—the traffic carried was "above expectation".
On Mondays to Saturdays the first bus leaves Rayners Lane at 7.35 a.m. and the last departs from Ruislip station at 6.45 p.m.
Atlas Coaches bought three AEC Reliance single-deckers with Park Royal bodies from the Yorkshire Traction Co Ltd for the new service; these vehicles retain the cream and red livery of Yorkshire Traction, but carry the Atlas fleetname, set over a transfer showing the globe. Four drivers are employed on a shift system.
Mr Plaskow explained that the service really runs in three sections: Rayners Lane to Hatch End; Hatch End to Pinner; and Pinner to Ruislip, but a through service (in the shape of an inverted U) was provided which would otherwise be lacking, and, without the 98B. the long stretch of
Eastcote Road would have no service at all.
The first part of the route overlap London Transport's H1 service, and Ada Coaches are obliged to charge an extra 31 over this section—namely 9d at the presen time. Otherwise the fare scale is similar t the standard LTE fare scale. The Hatel End to Pinner section overlaps Londoi Transport route 209, but no differential i charged on this section. The through servic takes 45min, and the fare is 2s bd for th full journey.
The buses are equipped with Ultimat ticket machines, and power-operated door ease the drivers' work. The number c passengers carried during the day remain steady apart from peak hour commuter; who add to the shoppers—the major part c the traffic carried to date; the busiest time i between 5 and 5.30 p.m. When the school re-open next week, Mr Plaskow expects further passenger boost.
So confident are Atlas Coaches abot the future that I was told new buses will t bought for the route, or, if not readil available, more modern vehicles than tho: at present employed. The Atlas busine; includes regular schools and work contracts and private hire operations. Thre new Bedford VALs with Plaxton Panoram Elite bodies and a Bedford YAM with Dup Viceroy body bought new last year ai included in the fleet.
One additional aid to operation is to introduced soon—an STC radio-contn system.