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PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 98
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
THE GROWTH OF EXPRESS BUS SERVICES.
The Facilities Provided by Northern Owners Give Advantages Over Comparable Railway Journeys.
A PART from the long-distance bus1"A-service phase, which continues to occupy the close attention of local owners, the most interesting development at the present time in the northcountry road passenger-carrying industry is the rapid increase in the number of express bus services. There is a steadily growing demand on the part of the travelling public for speedy transit between the larger centres of population. Therefore, whilst the normal service with many recognized stopping places is retaining its popularity and supremacy over the railways for distances up to 10 or 12 miles, particularly in rural areas, it is obvious that express services on an increasing scale will have to be provided on long journeys, and even on short ones between large towns, if road interests are successfully to combat the determined efforts of the railways.
That this need is appreciated and that proprietors are taking effective steps to meet it, reflects credit on the enterprise of passenger-carrying undertakings. A short time ago the Eastern Express Motors, Ltd., of West Hartlepool, commenced an express service between the Eartlepools and Newcastle, which is receiving .increasing patronage.
More recently the Blue Band Bus Services. Middlesbrough, have put into operation a similar service linking up Tyneside and Tees-side areas by means of speedy, express buses. This undertaking employ fast and comfortable 29seater and 32-seater .Albion saloon vehicles of the types shown in accompanying illustrations.
For the benefit of those who aver that railways can always beat road vehicles for quickness so far as express services are concerned, it is interesting to note that the Blue Band buses complete the journey from Tees to Tyne in about one hour and a half. This is about the same time as is taken by the few expresses which the railways provide for the same journey and very much quicker than the ordinary " slow " trains on which the public has to rely for the greater part of the day. A further advantage is that the return fare by road motor is only 6s., as corn
pared with a fare of 11s, return for the corresponding journey by rail. Another important factor is that the last bus is timed to leave Newcastle at 11 p.m., whilst the last train leaves Newcastle for Middleebrough as early as 8.13 p.m. This late bus facility gives Tees-side residents an opportunity which they have long desired, i.e., to visit the theatres and music-halls of the northern metropolis. The service is proving so popular as a two-hourly one that the Blue Band Bus Services are at present contemplating increasing its frequency so that an hourly service is regularly maintained.
Amongst other local concerns now working express services are the Castle Motor Services, who have recently inaugurated one between Newcastle and South Shields. A regular and frequent service is provided and special shopping tickets are issued to attract traffic to the buses.