A NEW BUS COMPANY'S RAPID GROWTH.
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Starting Last August with Two Vehicles Express Motors, Ltd., of Darlington and West Hartlepool, Now Runs 26 Saloon Buses.
TIIERE are few instances on record of more rapid or progressive development in the road passenger-carrying industry of the north country than that which is provided in the South Durham and North Yorkshire neighbourhood by Express Motors, Ltd., of Darlington and West Hartlepool. At the beginning of August last this undertaking inaugurated its first service with two vehicles. At the present time 26 saloon buses of the latest types are employed in maintaining regular and frequent services over nearly 100 route miles, and when plans now in course of preparation are completed this will be materially increased. As many of our readers will know, Mr. A. A. Speak is managing director of the undertaking.
The initial route, that from Darlington to Richmond (direct), was coin
menced at the beginning of August, 1926, and as the result of steady development the following services are now being operated :— Darlington to Richmond (direct), 32.6 miles; Darlington to West Hartlepool, via Stockton, 21.7 miles ; Darlington to Bishop Auckland, via West Auckland, 13.7 miles; Darlington to Richmond, via Middleton Tyas and Scorton, 17.9 miles; West Hartlepool to Durham, via Blackhail and Easington, 21.5 miles.
These services, however, by no means fully represent the improved transit facilities which have been provided since the inauguration of Express Motors, Ltd. One of the most interesting features of the company's career is the amicable understanding which has been established with other owners operat lug services from the termini of its various routes. In the Richmond district, for instance, this inter-working scheme is being carried out with bene
licial results to the local populace, as well as to the advantage of the owners concerned.
In one case arrangements have been made whereby "Express" buses connect with vehicles employed by Messrs. Percival, who run a useful service joining up isolated Swaledale villages to the West of Richmond with that town. This service runs to Gunnerside and Reeth, and the interchange facilities provided at Richmond enable passengers to continue their journey through to Darlington with a minimum of trouble or delay. By a more recent arrangement they can now travel right through to Redcar. The route is a favourite one for holiday-makers in the summer season, for both the Swaledale country and Bedew are popular pleasure centres.
Similarly, connections are made at Richmond Market Place with the Catterick Camp service worked by-Messrs. Brand, of Richmond, who have catered for the requirements of this quickly growing military centre for several years past, and run an alternative service from that operated by Express Motors, Ltd., to Darlington. The camp, it might be mentioned, has now a military population Of nearly 10,000, so that its possibilities, from the passengertransit standpoint, will readily be appreciated.
Co-operation has been found ad vantageens, too, on the West Hartlepool to Darlington section. Here the schedules of Messrs. Blumer, of Greatham, and those of Express Motors, Ltd., are dovetailed so as to provide very frequent services. The most recent inter-working agreements are those reached with the Redwing Motor Services, who operate on a fairly extensive scale in the Redcar neighbourhood, and with Messrs. Wade, Emmerson, who maintain routes in the Cockfield, Evenwood and Bishop Auckland district. The total mileage embraced by the interworking scheme is in the vicinity of 150 to 200.
At the present time the company's Peet is made up of 32-seater Guy saloon buses, 20-seater Reo saloon buses and 14-seater Chevrolets. All the vehicles are shod with Dunlop pneumatic tyres, which are proving reliable and efficient. The -Guy vehicles are equipped with 34-in. by 7-in, giant pneumatics, which c44 are standing up excellently to the strenuous conditions under which the vehicles work, particularly those engaged on. the Richmond service. Each vehicle averages about 160 miles per day during ordinary week-days, and this is increased to 180 on Saturdays and Mondays, when accelerated services are provided to cater for passengers desirous of visiting the Darlington Market.
In order effectively to control the rapidly growing undertaking, Mr. Speak has secured admirably situated offices at the corner of the Leadyard, Darlington, the central bus station for that town. A smaller office has also been opened at 84, Church Street, West Hartlepool, from which to control the services from that centre. One of the most valuable functions of these offices is the part they play in building up the parcels service which has been instituted in connection with the buses.
One of the most useful features of this servicp.i is that whereby tradesmen or private individuals in the more isolated villages along the " Express " routes can forward orders to the Darlington headquarters, either by omnibus or telephone. These are promptly despatched to the trading establishment from which the goods are ordered, and the goods are put on board the first outgoing bus and delivered with the utmost despatch. In cases where orders are transmitted to the Darlington office by telephone, goods are often in the hands of the purchaser in three-quarters of an hour. The idea saves the customer a lengthy journey and supplies are delivered more quickly than they could be bought personally, and, in addition, a return bus fare is saved. Agents have been appointed along the various routes. Very reasonable charges are made, the scale being: 7 lb., 4d.; 14 lb., 60.; 28 lb., 8d.• 42 lb., is..; rio lb., is. 40.; 70 lb., is. 8d.; 84 lb., 2s.; 112 lb., 2s. 40.
Visitors to the larger towns on the company's bus system may also have their purchases sent to the company's office. In this case they are placed upon the vehicle on which the patron is to travel. An innovation, specially devised for the benefit of troops at Catterick Camp, Which is also proving popular, is that under which soldiers going on leave or returning can have their kit moved and kept in custody at either end to await their arrival.
Special theatre buses are run in connection with the larger places of entertainment in Darlington and West
Hartlepool. On quite a number of occasions intending passengers arriving atthe Darlington main-line station for outlying places, such as Richmond and West Hartlepool, have been picked up at the railway station by private car and put aboard the bus for their destination, either at the bus station or at a point along the route, if the vehicle has left on its final journey for the day.
Not less interesting than the steps taken to secure the good opinion of the travelling public is the equally strong 'endeavour to obtain a Teal team spirit dmongst employees. In this connection
an interesting little ceremony recently took place at the company's offices, when the two drivers and two conductresses who form the staff of one of the Guy buses, were presented with signed photo graphs of their vehicle. They have taken special pride in its mechanical efficiency and appearance during the time it has been in their charge, and since it was put into commission in August last it has not had a single in voluntary stop. The little token of managerial appreciation is highly prized. The Chevrolet buses, which are the latest additions to the fleet, are kept for developing noutes which are likely, at the outset, to provide a small but regular amount of traffic. In this way a route can be gradually built up, and when the volume of traffic warrants it larger buses can be substituted. One service opened with tfie Chevrolets is that from Darlington to Richmond, via Middleton Tyas and Brampton, an alternative route from the direct service and one which covers a hitherto untapped agricultural district.
On all routes weekly books of tickets, season tickets and special tickets for school-children and workmen are issued at advantageous rates. It is hoped that before the completion of the first year's operation further expansions will have been made.