SELNEC launches new-look service
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CEIVMAL
The central division version of the new SELVEC motif.
• Designed to appeal especially to the business traveller, a new express service is to be inaugurated by SELNEC PTE next Tuesday, January 20. Under the title of the Trans-Lancs Express, 52-seater Plaxton coaches of the type employed on the Manchester airport service will link Stockport, Denton, Ashton, Oldham, Bolton, Heywood and Bury. The service is classed as "experimental" and is intended to test the extent of public support.
Traversing the industrial fringe to the south-east, east and north of the Manchester area, the journey of approximately 31 miles is scheduled to occupy thr 44rnin with a total of 16 intermediate stops between termini. The through single fare is 6s. Coaches will leave Stockport (Mersey Square) and Bolton (Moor Lane) hourly from 7.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. The coaches are to be finished in the new SELNEC "sunglow" orange and white livery; stops for the service will be marked by special Trans-Lancs signs.
Using two-way radio, drivers will be able to maintain contact with the operations room for information regarding traffic conditions, and other matters which might cause delay can be relayed to the main points along the route. An ordinary radio installation is also provided which, among other things, will be used to broadcast national news to the passengers. The vehicles have luxury seating, ventilation and heating. On this service, the coaches will be one-man-operated, passengers paying as they enter.
Other express services are planned by SELNEC PTE for the future, particularly a Hale Barns-to-Manchester express originally projected by Manchester Corporation. This will be a 10-mile route, picking up in an important residential area and travelling nonstop to the city centre where there will be about five strategically located setting-down points.
In addition to the driver, each coach on this service is expected to carry a hostess. Single fares and reduced rate season tickets are likely to be available.
The SELNEC symbol is a stylized form of the letter "S" with the name of the operating division in the centre. Each division has a different colour on the insignia, that for Central (previously the Manchester and Salford undertakings) being lagoon blue. Northern (previously Bolton, Bury, Leigh, Ramsbottom and Rochdale) has been given rose magenta while southern (Ashton-underLyne, Oldham, Stockport and the SHMO joint board) will be spring green.