COACH SEASON OPENS IN DURHAM COUNTY.
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WHEN the motor coaching season proper, so far as the Newcastle .neighbourhood is concerned, was ushered in during the Whitsuntide holiday, the ever-increasing popularity ofthe open road was once more demonstrated, for, obeying the call of the fine weather which prevailed, particularly large numbers of people favoured, the motor coach and journeyed to seaside and country, near and far, in the bracing open air, rather than take up a portion of their all too short-respite in travelling by train.
In addition to the fact that there were numbers of new coaches on the road, including not a few of the smaller capacity, ranging from 14 to 20-seaters, the great care devoted to selecting new and attractive routes was evidenced in the preliminary announcements which had appeared during the week, and a particularly noticeable point Was the especial attention which had been paid by proprietors with regard to the general control and administration of tours. So far as can be gathered, the bookings for the numerous runs in the district were, as a whole, most encouraging.
Slater's Charas, Ltd., and their Plans.
One of the most novel (for the district) and fairest zhet.hods of booking for motor coach tours is that adopted by Slater's Charas, Ltd., of the Haymarket., Newcastle, this being worked -on the same lines as bookings for the better-class seats in theatres and music halls, etc. Each seat in their coaches is numbered, and bears a small metal plate attached to the back of the seat in front, and a seating plan of the coach is retained at the offices, so that intending passenger's can see at a glance what seat they are te secure for the trip they intend making. So soon as a particular seat, or block of seats, is book-ed, they are markeel'Off on the plan and the numbers, together with the names of the persons booking theta, entered in a diary which contains an entry of the tours for each day, together with a complete list of the seats in the vehicles. By this means, of course., any trouble with regard to seating is obviated, as each passenger knows well in advance exactly where he or the is to sit.
The primary intention of this firm is to develop the better-class trade, and both in their booking arrangements, which certainly appeal strongly to the middle-class patrons, and in their vehicles, is this attention apparent. They operate a 24-seater Daimler, luxuriously fitted, and a small and decidedly comfortable 14-seater Crossley, to the rear axle of which a transverse spring has been fitted, preventing roll in„,e. and adding to the general steadiness and running comfort. For Lake District tours, in particular, this coach is in big demand. . Regarding the Whitsuntide business, trips to Redear races, which, by the way, were booked up completely seine weeks in advance, were operated at a charge of 15s. per head for the return run of some 96 miles ; whilst Wooler and other local resorts were the venues of day tours.
An innovation which Slater's • Charas, Ltd., intend to institute during the Corning season is the short evening tour. which, up tilt now, has, not been ex perirneeted with in the Newcastle Alia trici to. any &gee, if at all, These short outings will each embrace something like 30 miles and be of a circular character, occupying' about three hours each, and providing a pleasant means for city workers Co eujoy acmiet, evening completely away from their -daily surroundings, at, a Cheap fare.
:1.V.hilst the extended tours operated from the Newcastle neighbourhocid last season were not always attended by particularly reassuring reSults, nevertheless the experiments made in this direction had one very beneficial effect,' namely, that a demand, albeit small, was created, and numbers of -people who did make tours of this description had an opportunity of discovering fer themselves the potentialities of a holiday,of from two days upwards lay motor coach. The chief point which appealed to most of the patrons was the feet that everything Was left, with complete assurance, in. the hands of the owner arranging the tour, including hotel accommodation and the hundred and one little matters
which *go to making or marring a holi, day, whilst another feature which patrons quickly appreciated was the avoidance of the necessity for frequent changes of trains, as would be the case in traversing districts of scenic interest by rail.
The Ouseburn Co.'s Longdistance Tours.
During last season, the Ouseburn Transport Co., of Newcastle, who claim to be the pioneers of long-distance motor coach tours in the Newcastle district, devoted themselves in a large measure to this class of work, and they inaugu rated their 1922 programme on WhitSaturday with a three days' tour to the Lake District, and found bookings particularly good for this opening spin." One of the most interesting innovations of the Ouseburn Co. is the introduction of the smaller capacity coach. In addition to their two Leyland 28-seaters, and one large Lacre, they have purchased a 14-seater -Crossley on pneumatics; this they are retaining primarily for the extended class of tour, for which, particularly on the west coast of Scotland, which is a favourite resort for this firm's long-distance runs, the small Coach is a necessity.
The headquarters of the Whit weekend tour were at Keswick, Which was reached in time for dinner on Saturday night, after having left Newcastle at 1 p.m., and on Sunday a delightful drive by the coach, was made via Derwentwater, Thirlmere, Grasmere. and IWO. Water, to Rowness and Windermere, where lunch, previously arranged, was served. A great poisui this season is the allowing of plenty of time for passengers to look • around places at which halts are made, and therefore the party stayed at Windermere until late in the afternoon, returning to Keswick in time for dinner. On the Monday morning, travellers enjoyed their time in sightseeing at Keswick, and after lunch the return journey to Newcastle, via Carlisle, was commenced. First-class hotel aecommodetion is arranged on all tours. The charge for this Lake tour was 75s. per passenger, inclusive. A new feature, also introduced this season, is that passengers can, if they desire, book their own hotel, or arrange for other accommodation, the company deducting their hotel charges and quoting for conveyance sarAy.
A tour which has been announced for Newcastle Race Week (which commences on June 19t1) is a five days' run through the Western Highlands and Oban, which is already booked up, giv
big further testunony of the increasing popularity of the long-distance tour. The party will leave Newcastle on June 19th, the route being via Edinburgh to Oban, where a whole day will be spent, the return trip being by way of the west coast district of Scotland. An extremely modest charge is being made, the inclusive fare for first-class hotel accommodation and travelling being only £10. Further tours, over varied routes, will be arranged as the seasun proceeds. The next Scottish tour, it is expected, will take place in the Trossachs. With the large vehicles the company deem it necessary to send a representative of the company to ensure the correct working of the tour, but this is not thought. necessary when the smaller vehicle is used.
In addition to operating numerous well-patronized motor omnibus routes, the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., cater for all classes of motor coach
tours, from half-day runs to tours of the extended kind, the comprehensive programme arranged. for them for the 1922 season being successfully launched on Whit-Tuesday. For the opening day a route embracing Alnwick and Altunouth was selected, a charge of 6s. 6d. per passenger being made, whilst two equally attractive ' routes were chosen for Wednesday, namely, Otterbutsi (whole day) at a similar fare, and Newbiggin (half-day) at 5s. 6d. return. Rothbury was the venue of Thursday's tour, at. 6s. per head, and on Friday Blanehland was run to at 5s. 6d. per head. All full day tours leave the rendezvous at the Haymarket or Bewick Street (depending upon the direction of the destination) at 10 a.m., with afternoon runs at 1.30 p.m. In each case the vehicles arrive back in Newcastle by 7.30 p.m. For the season the Northern company have available a large fleet of vehicles, both large Diamler motor coaches and a number of fast 14-seater Crossley coaches.